Free Web Novel“Humans usually define ‘demons’ as the source from which all monsters are born. Her Majesty the Empress dreamed of eradicating that source completely. So, she summoned the First Hero, took a pure, honest young man, and turned him into a sharp-tongued— ugh, cough!”
Don’t twist the story, Flaviel!
Vieya coughed lightly and said in a calm tone,
“Ahem. You should know — every Hero who receives a Blessed Insignia has their own true weapon. The First Hero was no exception... but Her Majesty also gifted him a sword matching the legendary tales — the ‘Hero’s Sword.’”
“That sword had a remarkable origin, and it demanded even more from its wielder. But most people never knew that — they simply assumed the First Hero was skilled at dual-wielding.”
Menesis looked astonished, her eyes shining brightly despite the soot covering her face. “So there was such a secret? That’s the first time I’ve ever heard of it.”
That’s nothing — there are countless things you haven’t heard of.
If not for the time constraint, Vieya could’ve told her stories all night.
She rubbed her lower back and sat slowly on a nearby stone, glancing at Menesis again.
“You must be curious about what really happened back then, right? For instance — why you were able to leave Mount Aisa alive...”
Wait—!
Mid-sentence, Vieya suddenly sensed something wrong and turned sharply toward Flaviel.
Why do you know Menesis before I do?!
Flaviel, sitting on the other side of the stone with her back against the slime girl’s, smiled silently. Her golden hair cascaded like a waterfall, and in the bleak night, that lazy posture carried an unexpected allure — languid, seductive beauty.
Inappropriate timing or not, the Demon King was breathtaking.
Meanwhile—
When Menesis heard the question, she froze like a deep-sea fish suddenly caught in ice, cold fear spreading through her body.
Her eyes locked on Vieya’s, her expression as if asking,
“Who are you really? How do you know that?!”
“This...”
The ghost told me...
Vieya truly hadn’t expected Flaviel to know Menesis — nor that Menesis had been here before!
She had been one of the countless human casualties of Mount Aisa — yet the only one who escaped alive, carrying a secret no one else knew.
Then, what identity had Menesis held back then?
A lucky foot soldier of the Human Alliance? A fortunate officer?
Or... someone from a third faction I’ve never heard of?
“Have we met somewhere before?” Vieya asked. “Before becoming an adventurer, did you do anything else?”
“That’s my question for you!”
Menesis tugged her hat lower, her small frame tensing like a jungle leopard ready to strike.
“Your cleric identity is fake, isn’t it? You can’t even use basic spells... now you’re claiming to know all these secrets. From any angle, you’re not someone I can trust completely!”
“How mean...” Vieya said quietly. “Still, for the sake of the gold coins, I think this isn’t the time for us to argue.”
“True enough.”
Menesis thought for a moment. Her hostility slowly faded, though the wariness remained. fɾeewebnoveℓ.co๓
“Then let’s keep talking — about that painting, and how to stop the Hero Armor from attacking. If you really didn’t lie to me, once this job’s over, I’ll apologize — and ask Captain Luna to give you part of my bounty.”
“Gold coins are innocent.” Vieya paused. “I already explained the Hero in that painting — now let me tell you about the Demon King. She might be related to what’s [N O V E L I G H T] happening to you.”
“In truth, for those who reach the level of a Demon King — be they human or monster — so-called gods don’t truly exist. But still, this world has many beings worshiped as gods. And in the war three years ago, a god long forgotten by humanity made a move.”
“Not just any forgotten god, right?” Menesis asked.
“Of course not. Every god is a ‘great being.’”
Vieya paused briefly, then continued, “Whether such a being is called a god or a demon often depends on how humans see them. Take the God of Light behind the Church, for instance. His doctrine says:
‘Welcome all who still hold confusion toward life. At least, I will not abandon my believers halfway.’”
“Heh...” Menesis let out two low laughs, smearing dust across her face as she rubbed it absently. Her head hung low, hiding her expression. Her voice came muffled: “Miss Cleric, you’d really make a fine preacher...”
“Eh? You’re the first person to ever say that to me.”
Vieya looked up in surprise, but Menesis’s state seemed off. “What’s wrong?” she asked.
“Nothing. Go on.”
Menesis raised her head again, forcing a smile — dirty face and all, it wasn’t much of a smile.
“All right. Actually, you don’t need to worry too much about what’s happening outside.”
No one’s going to die anyway.
Vieya didn’t say the last part aloud; she just exchanged a glance with Flaviel.
After a moment of silence, she continued,
“To humans, gods may seem hypocritical, and Demon Kings arrogant. But in truth, they’re all the same — neither side has the right to judge the other.” Vieya spread her hands slightly, then looked at Menesis. “And that’s precisely why you survived.”
“Is that so? Heh, I see.”
Menesis gave a faint laugh, seemingly unconcerned by it. Soon, she asked her next question, “Then... the way to make the Hero Armor stop — you really have one?”
“I do.”
Vieya said, glancing toward Flaviel.
“This?” Flaviel chuckled carelessly. “Have her hold my figurine high above her head, bow every step, and kowtow every three steps as she approaches the armor. As long as she carries no killing intent, she’ll be forgiven.”
“That... doesn’t sound great,” Vieya said awkwardly.
“Is that so? I thought so too.” Flaviel touched her cheek with mock distress, then smiled brightly at Vieya. “Then let’s do it your way instead!”
Vieya was caught off guard. “Ah?” frёeωebɳovel.com
“W-what’s wrong?”
Seeing Vieya’s odd expression, Menesis’s heart clenched. “Is that ghost lying to you? Maybe there’s no real way to dispel the hostility — it’s fine, we’ll just think of another plan together...”
At some point, even Menesis had started believing Vieya’s nonsense.
“She didn’t lie,” Vieya said, her eyes darkening slightly as she looked at Menesis. “But it does require you to do something.”
“What is it?” Menesis’s gaze hardened, as if she were ready to sacrifice herself heroically. “I’ll do it!”
“No need for that noble-martyr face. Just pick up the figurine you threw earlier and return it to the honorable Hero Armor.”
Vieya pointed toward the small Demon King figurine leaning against the wall. “There — I already prepared it for you.”
