"Aatrox keeps attacking other demons' territories more often, probably to figure out which demon is disguised as the Twilight Star Spirit, right?"
As Number One spoke, he lowered his head a bit sadly. "Maybe he's like us, originally human."
"Don't be so sad." Roger patted Number One's shoulder, as if to comfort him.
"Even though you've become like this, don't you still have a human heart?"
Number One shook his head. "A long time ago, I was just as evil and cruel. The demon's power had taken over me. But once, I went to a place and heard a flute sound. That melody seemed to cleanse my evil heart and bring back some of my sanity."
"I was supposed to be Zero, the host to bring that demon Aatrox back into the world. Back then, I was proud to be the starting point for the world's destruction. But after that, I escaped and stayed here."
He took out a flute and slowly played it. A relaxing melody came out, easing the mood even in this world. But soon it turned very sad.
"Too bad, when I came to my senses, the sound was gone. I tried everything to find who played it, but I never did. I don't even know the name of the tune."
Number One put away the bamboo flute and said softly, "No name for me, no name for the tune, the sound faint and sad... A person who lost their past name and a tune without a name—it's a fitting pair."
His words carried pain and despair. Roger hated that most. He looked at Number One and suddenly shouted, "Become my partner!"
?!
Not just Number One—even Rayleigh was shocked. They both stared at Roger in confusion, but he kept going.
"You said you've lost everything from your past, so come with me on a new path. You can have a fresh start, a new life. Your place shouldn't be in this deep cave with the altar!"
Roger raised his hands excitedly. "A half-demon traveling with us—that sounds pretty fun!"
The first part was to Number One, the second to Rayleigh. Both were stunned, but Rayleigh caught on quick.
Roger's personality was like that—impulsive, and once he decided something, it was hard to change his mind.
So Rayleigh nodded lightly and said to Number One, "Roger's got a point. What's the use of staying here forever? You started as human, then became a demon, but since you've given up all that, why cling to this place?"
"No, it's not the same." Number One waved his hands and shook his head. "I can't abandon the Ascension Altar. No one else can use it! I'll spend the rest of my life guarding it here!"
"What's the big deal? Waiting here no matter how long won't change anything for the Twilight Star Spirit. If it made one Ascension Altar, it can make another. This can't be the only one, right?"
Roger said seriously, "Maybe there are others running in places you don't know about. While you're guarding this one, the Twilight Star Spirit is out there making deals and harvesting souls!"
"Head out to sea! The ocean has everything! You can find clues about the Twilight Star Spirit there too. Why stay stuck here when you could go after the real source?"
Rayleigh nodded and said deeply, "Roger's right. I don't think there's only one Ascension Altar. Unless we take down the Twilight Star Spirit, the real culprit behind this, tragedies like yours will just keep happening all over the world!"
"...But." It was clear Number One was hesitating now. He said quietly
"I can't leave here, at least not let the people of this country use it. I won't let my kind use it to make more demons. And if Aatrox really shows up, I'll blow up the whole altar—at least he won't absorb the dark power inside."
"I see..."
Roger suddenly turned, put a hand on Number One's shoulder, and walked behind him. Rayleigh did the same.
He said seriously, "We'll get this country back to normal. I'll drive out every demon that appears! Then you can join us without worry, right?"
"..." Number One's three eyes stared blankly ahead, then he slowly shook his head. "Impossible. No one can do that."
"Trust him." Rayleigh crossed his arms and said, "Roger's a man who gets things done. So between a guy who can do anything and something no one can do... we'll see how the world turns out."
"Rayleigh, let's go."
By then Roger was heading back the way they came. He tipped his hat and said calmly, "Time to clear out all the demons on this island!"
"You... just wait here." Rayleigh walked forward too, following Roger's back. As he passed Number One, he said,
"If we fail, pretend we were never here. If we succeed, do what Roger says and come sail with us. Our ship could use an expert on demons anyway."
Rayleigh knew the world's future would mean more clashes between humans and demons. Demons and monsters were showing up more and more, and they needed to learn about these new threats.
Roger wanted Number One along on a whim, but Rayleigh's logical side saw the value too. Number One wasn't a full demon, but he probably knew a lot.
Besides...
"You want to hear that flute melody again, don't you?"
Rayleigh had stepped out of the wall. He added,
"On the sea, anything is possible!"
With that last line, he caught up to Roger, leaving Number One alone in this world.
"Captain, what did you find?"
As Roger emerged, Setsuna and the crew looked at him with hope.
But Roger's face was serious. He just raised his hand, pointed his sword forward, and said,
"Let's beat all the demons back to where they came from!"
----
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