| Author: Tensei Mikami | Original Source: Syosetu | Word Count: 2269 characters |
| Translator: Jiro | English Source: Re:Library | Word Count: 1025 |
| Editor(s): Robinxen | ||
Entity known as Demons existed in this world. There were numerous mysteries surrounding these aliens, such as why they appeared, what their objective was, and why they solely killed humans.
These demons had taken over roughly 50% of the known map, leaving few places for humans to reside.
They had intelligence. Intelligence born out of a need to kill humans. They moved with intention. Intention born out of a need to kill humans. They had power. Power born out of a need to kill humans.
Demons robbed humans of everything without regard for morality, order, or righteousness. And yet, very rarely did Demons cross over to the human side. Almost as if a line had been drawn through the continent, they were active primarily in their region.
Yet, the line was not absolute. Demons would occasionally cross over it and devour human lives. Demons were frightening.
These were those among them who came into being out of nothing, as well as those who would multiply.
But, the kind of demons who crossed the line most often were those that sowed their seeds into the bodies of humans.
Just like the one present right now.
◆ ◆ ◆ ◆ ◆
Baron Devia’s body burst.
Pieces of flesh scattered1, his blood evaporated, and the air was filled with the stench of burnt meat and blood.
All that were present in the dance hall were stunned beyond belief. A short silence enveloped the entire hall.
“Kya!”
A faint shriek pierced that silence.
When one stopped and looked, they could see the chunks of Baron Devia’s flesh that had been lying on the ground, twitching and moving2. Squirming and crawling. Each piece moved just like a worm3. Twisting and turning.
Then, each piece started to compress, ascend, and change shape. They then stretched, widened and became bigger. Slowly taking on the shape of a human. A child. A child that was as black as ink was created from a single piece of flesh.
This child was as tall as any other. Its limbs resemble withered twigs, and it sported a massive, protruding belly. Its face was devoid of eyes and a nose; all that was left was a wide mouth lined with a row of ragged teeth that appeared to be capable of crushing steel.
Drool fell from the child’s mouth.
Thoughts of hunger and an empty stomach flooded it.
It had no eyes, but it was aware that there was a feast waiting for it here that would be capable of satiating its hunger.
The child moved its head from left to right, as if looking around, and smiled from ear to ear.
Then one, of the now dozens of children, lunged in the direction of the bundled-up group.
At that point on, hell broke loose.
As they made their way to the exits, the men kicked and pushed the people next to them. The women’s bone-chilling screams echoed and then came the demon children’s laughter, sounds of flesh tearing, blood dripping on the floor, and screams all mixed together.
It was a massacre.
A pack of wolves inside a sheep’s den. The hunter and the prey. The demons and the humans.
“The knights! Where is the Order of the Phoenix?! Where are the guards?!” Someone shouted.
Fear could be felt seeping through the breaking voice. But no one answered. No knights came running to it. Only screams and despair dominated the space.
“Hyaaa! S-Stop..! D-Don’t come!”
Eleanor had long since sobered up.
She had a clear mind, which made it possible for her to sense death’s impending arrival.
Eleanor was frozen. Her first encounter with such tragedy caused her knees to buckle. Her body trembled unendingly, and her teeth chattered.
It’s looking at me.
Drool trickled from the mouth of one of the demon kids as it slowly drew near Eleanor.
“Ufu, ehe, aha, gufu, guhi…”
One step after another, the child crept nearer to Eleanor whilst wiping away the drool with its twig-like arm.
“S-Someone! Help me! Please! Please, please, please!”
Eleanor shouted at the top of her lungs. She looked around but her brothers and father were nowhere to be found. Eleanor scanned the area once more.
Someone, someone, someone…
A single man’s gaze locked with hers. The man was a marquis’ son, whom Eleanor had met at tea parties.
Help me.
Eleanor’s silent cry struck the man. But the man did not reply. He fled without sparing Eleanor another glance. The man could hardly care about what happened to Eleanor.
He was only thinking about how to save himself.
“Ah…”
Tears streamed down from Eleanor’s jade-green eyes.
Just how pitiful am I?
Eleanor’s mind suddenly grew calm. Understanding and acceptance replaced the emotional maelstrom that had held her heart.
Next came resignation.
I guess the knight in shining armor was only in my dreams… Only in that picture book, which I read over and over and memorized every passage. I waited so patiently for this Spring because I truly believed that my knight would come for me. Why wouldn’t he? I’m a true princess, after all. Isn’t the princess someone who gets saved in such dire situations? But I guess I was wrong. No one is safe from fear. I’m not the only one that’s afraid. It makes sense that everyone would try to save themselves first. I held too many false beliefs about my knight and other people. Ah… I would’ve eaten way more cake if I knew it was going to end up like this…
Before Eleanor’s jade eyes, the child’s mouth was already wide open. Its jagged, sword-like teeth protruded.
I’m going to be eaten.
A silver hint followed by a blade sprang forth from the side of Eleanor’s face just as the jagged teeth were ready to dig into her fair, soft skin.
Without resistance, the child’s head was skewered through the throat by the sword’s razor-sharp blade.
“What?”
In a complete stupor, Eleanor turned around.
“Are you alright, Princess?”
Even in the midst of the commotion, Eleanor was clearly able to hear the bell-like voice.
Seletina, who was drenched in sweat, was smiling at Eleanor trying to comfort her4.
