"Let's eat!"
"…Let's eat."
The usual scene. Sharing dinner with Linie in our derelict hideout. The food on the table is familiar—no, richer than yesterday, thanks to Vir's ingredients. Comparable to village meals. Yet it feels dull. No appetite. I know why. I stab an apple slice with my fork, eat it. Same result.
No good…
I sigh, sinking into gloom. Obvious. I've confirmed it this past month. Apples can't replace humans anymore. I didn't understand. Freedom, release from submission—its true meaning.
I glance up. Linie's there, munching an apple, happier than ever. She savors it, unlike me, barely eating. My gaze sharpens. A murky emotion wells up—envy, no, jealousy. For the demon before me, indulging her desires without restraint.
"Lady Aura? Something wrong? Not hungry?"
"…No. Keep eating."
She senses my mood or notices my untouched plate. I brush it off, clutching my arms. No point snapping at her. It's not her fault. It's my problem.
"By the way, Vir called you his friend."
"Really?! Awesome!"
We chat as usual, mundane talk. Without Himmel or Heiter, it's quieter than it would be. Though Linie's chatter hasn't dimmed.
That was close… I didn't realize I was that hungry…
While talking, I recall the cannibalistic urge. It chills me. A near miss. A miracle, or mere chance. I was careless, meeting a human after so long. But that urge—unlike anything in my five centuries. When hiding from Himmel, I restricted human consumption. It irritated me, but nothing like this.
It's because of the submission…
I finally realize: fifty years of submission caused this. Himmel bound me with chains, the three rules most prominent, but others too. The critical one, more than the rules: suppressing my cannibalistic urge through suggestion. Apples as a substitute for humans. So natural, I didn't grasp its weight.
For fifty years, I was essentially eating humans daily, unrestricted.
Even in freedom, I ate humans, but not like this. It carried risks—resistance, being hunted. Humans don't keep long. But I ignored that, casually consuming them as apples.
Now, after fifty years of that, I've been starving for a month. Then a human child—my true prey—appeared, pushing me past my limit.
What… is this?
I cover my face, head bowed. Laughable. I finally gained the freedom I craved, yet this? I didn't understand what freedom meant, or what submission truly was.
I was a slave, but also livestock. Given safety for freedom. No enemies, no hunger, endless food, magic training, desires met—all from Himmel. I grew accustomed, tamed.
Now, I've forgotten my instincts, how to hunt. Less than a beast, unable to return to the wild.
If I'm this pathetic… I'd rather have stayed…
Humiliation, shame. If freedom brings this suffering, submission was better. No need to think, attack, or eat humans. Life with him was easier. His way was never wrong. Maybe I shouldn't have been freed—
!? What am I thinking!?
I snap back. Impossible. What was that? How deeply was I molded by him? Habit—no, instinct. It terrifies me. This isn't right. This isn't the freedom I sought. What is freedom? A human-like question for a demon.
"Lady Aura… let's go back to the village."
Linie suggests, as if seeing through me.
"…What? Bored already?"
"No, it's just… you don't seem happy. Lily said we can come back anytime."
So like her. She doesn't fully grasp our situation, thinking it's a short trip. Not happy, huh? Even she sees it. Himmel said it was fun. I guess I'm not.
"No way. Go back alone if you want."
I deny it, urging her. She can—unlike me, I've never bound her with submission magic. Only Himmel's orders remain, unlifted even after my freedom. She's free to go anywhere; her loyalty is demonic instinct, not magic. No force binds her. Yet—
"No way! I'm your servant, Lady Aura!"
She declares confidently, almost gleefully. Overdone, even for demonic instinct. I'm embarrassed watching.
"…Fine. Do what you want."
I look away, recalling Himmel's parting words.
"You know, don't you, Aura? You don't need to worry. Even without me, you have Linie. She'll be your new guide."
When I asked what if I ate humans, he said that. I understood then. Without him, a new chain could solve my cannibalistic urge. Linie's the key.
Infuriating guy…
He knew this would happen, probably fifty years ago. And what to do. Always planning ahead. I found the answer too, slower than him.
I recall a talk with Heiter, not long after being summoned to the Holy City.
"Why do you bind yourselves with scriptures and laws? Stop wasting time and live freely."
My simple question then. Humans bind themselves with rules—don't kill, steal, deceive. Against instinct, contradictory, pointless. Why, when they preach freedom and equality, do the opposite?
"We restrain ourselves to avoid ruin. In your terms… we submit ourselves. Like you now. That's the biggest difference between us and demons."
Heiter answered, breezy yet tinged with sorrow. I thought his roundabout way annoying. Now I understand. He, like Himmel, knew I'd face this.
"I've been thinking… your magic might be meant to restrain demons."
His words guided me, priest-like for once.
"Then restrain yourself from drinking to ruin."
"Hahaha, that's harsh!"
I recall his grating laugh, shifting my thoughts.
Self-submission. Another use of submission magic, taught by Himmel through experience. But I can't do it alone. I need someone to place my soul on the scale. That's a massive risk—handing over life and death to another. Foolish. Only Himmel, Heiter, or Eisen could be trusted. Asking them now defeats the point of freedom. That leaves one.
"Are you… having fun serving me?"
I ask Linie, echoing Himmel. I realize his feelings then. He was anxious about how those he bound felt about him. I don't use submission magic, but as a demon, I bind Linie, stealing her freedom.
I'm afraid. Of Linie. If I entrust my scale, tip it, she might betray or bind me. Demons rebelling isn't rare. She's loyal, but still a demon. Show weakness, and she could replace me.
I'm contemplating self-submission, restraining myself. Denying my demonic nature, like that elf hiding her magic. An insult to demonic pride. If I do this, I can't freely use Submission Magic Azeliese again. To choose that—
"Yeah, it's fun! Something wrong?"
Unaware of my turmoil, Linie answers like Himmel, without pretense. Is it true? She could be feigning obedience, deceiving me. Normal for demons.
I can confirm with Submission Magic Azeliese. I used it on her once—her answer was survival. What now?
I summon the scale, about to act, but stop. Why didn't Himmel use it on me?
"…Right. You've always been a weirdo."
"Muu…"
I shelve the issue. No rush. I have time. A month is nothing compared to fifty years.
"By the way, I forgot—go meet Vir tomorrow in my place. I promised, but I'm busy."
I stand to wash dishes, ordering Linie. Almost forgot. I could ignore it, but better not repeat mistakes. I pass it to her to avoid another slip. No intention of repeating that shame, but just in case. Yet—
"Why lie, Lady Aura?"
Linie, the truth-telling demon, sees through me easily.
"I'm not lying… Why'd you say that?"
I answer, flustered, knowing my contradiction. I just told her I don't lie, ordered her to live truthfully.
"Himmel said promises must be kept!"
She throws my contradiction back, like the Hero's Party. Following their lead.
"…Shut up. Himmel's gone."
I snap, teeth gritted, barely managing that. He's not here. No need to keep promises. Even a demonic child should get that. Why doesn't she? Why am I so angry?
"…Linie?"
She's silent, standing still. Did I go too far? No, she's not that sensitive. Her eyes focus elsewhere, cold, mechanical. I know this—her demonic face.
"Someone with magic's approaching. I'll intercept."
Like a hunting dog, she grips the Hero's sword and bolts out. I follow, sensing it too. I realize what it means.
"…Aura the Guillotine."
A voice accompanies the approaching magic. Linie steps before me, shielding her master. I don't care. Only nostalgia and unease rise. No human calls me that anymore.
Battleaxe Gross
The demon before me, named for his weapon, a "General" who mastered martial prowess.
Above all, my first encounter in fifty years with a kin living in true freedom—