Today, I began keeping a journal.
This journal concerns my research into 'Eternal Life'.
Unlike me, who hides in this tower conducting this laughable research, Flamme has likely already found a path for humanity.
I used to rejoice at being called a genius on par with her, but failure after failure has taught me that I am nothing of the sort.
Unlike her, who has researched many magics beneficial to mankind, I, who am bent solely on studying 'Eternal Life', seem destined to be a failure.
My time is running out.
The subsequent content seemed to have been dampened by something, becoming blurred under the traces of time. From this opening, Nanoda realized that this seemed to be a journal written by a human from the same era as the Great Mage Flamme, five hundred years ago. She turned the pages with great care, afraid of tearing the fragile notebook.
Skipping over the blurred sections, the back of the notebook contained daily records of the research.
Day 1: I was excited by a sudden whim, and I began to study 'It'. I found that 'It' seems unresponsive to its surroundings. Aside from eating, it constantly observes everything around it but makes no movements. I tried communicating with it, but received no response.
Day 2: I gave the little fellow a name: Jane. Since then, I have been trying to call it by that name, but it still wears a blank expression.
Day 3: Same as usual.
Day 4: Same as usual.
The entries continued until the tenth day, when a change occurred.
I accidentally discovered that while I was researching, it actually ran downstairs to read books. But can it understand writing? after it left, I quietly checked the book; it was an educational text on literacy and comprehension. Only then did I realize that this little fellow is exceptionally intelligent.
Day 20: It suddenly reacted to me calling its name. Is it because it read my books? I tried making time to read with it...
Most of the subsequent content detailed the interaction between the author and 'It', giving Nanoda the illusion of reading a pet training log. It was evident that under the author's tutelage, 'Jane' was continuously learning knowledge from human books.
Nanoda paused suddenly when she reached the records from a year later. The note read:
It has been a year. This is the first time I heard it speak. It asked me, what is a 'Father'? After I explained it, it actually called me 'Father'. How ridiculous. To say such words with an expressionless face... it is clearly just my test subject. Now that it can understand my words, I feel I can finally begin my experiment.
I extracted its blood and scraped its flesh. It did not resist in the slightest, merely chanting the word 'Father'. I began to loathe it. What a monster. Even though I did this to it, not a single tear fell, nor did it express a single pained expression.
After thoroughly understanding that it is an emotionless monster, I threw myself fully into the experiment. I will use the flesh and blood of a long-lived species to create a life-extending magic potion or magic for humanity.
It seemed to realize my intentions, yet it remained very quiet. Even when covered in wounds, it never resisted once.
Reading this, Nanoda was surprised to find that several pages regarding the author's research on life-extending potions and magic had been torn out.
The content following the torn pages read:
Damn it! I failed! Why won't it work?! Is this damned monster still imitating me?! Is it mocking me?!
The pages further on were filled with chaotic scribbles, until a page stained with dark red blood appeared, after which the notebook went blank.
However, on the very last page, a sentence appeared that Nanoda had not expected:
It turns out I was wrong all along. Live on, 'Jane'. Don't let anyone find you.
"What do you think?"
As Nanoda closed the notebook, Himmel's quiet inquiry came from beside her.
"That Jane is probably a Demon."
Hearing Nanoda's answer, Himmel nodded.
"That is what I thought as well. A Demon raised by humans... could it be a special existence like you?"
"No, I am the only special one."
Nanoda knew the nature of the Demon Race well. Just like a bird is born with the will to fly, even the emotions a Demon can understand are vastly different from those of humans. They cannot thoroughly comprehend the significance of humans' delicate and complex emotions; their very nature drives tragedy to occur.
Trying to change the will and mindset of a Demon is extremely difficult.
Unlike Nanoda, who was a Demon skin housing a soul from Earth.
"Is that so? To be honest, this counts as my first time adventuring with a Demon."
Himmel revealed a refreshing smile, leaving Nanoda visibly exasperated.
"Didn't I refuse to cooperate with you? Don't act all familiar with me."
"You really are an interesting fellow. I really want Frieren to meet you."
Hearing this, the corner of Nanoda's mouth twitched.
"No, no, no. I have no desire to meet that harbinger of death."
She could barely manage a conversation with Himmel, but if she ran into Frieren, the other party would likely start fighting without a second word.
"Is that so? Then I will go on ahead. Don't forget the goal you mentioned to me back then."
Himmel turned around, intending to head upstairs. His intuition told him that something was hidden up there.
"Stop. Of course I haven't forgotten. Since this matter involves the Demon Race, it falls under my jurisdiction."
Nanoda hadn't had a clue regarding her own kind for a long time. She could be certain that the Demon named 'Jane' from the notebook was right here. She wanted to take this Demon raised by humans under her wing, depending on the situation.
"I am the Hero who defeated the Demon King, you know."
Seeing Nanoda take out a broken horn and point it at him, Himmel also declared his sovereignty.
The atmosphere instantly became tense.
"Regardless of what is up there, how about we compete fairly?"
Nanoda sighed. Now was not the time for infighting.
"Mmh, no problem."
The two reached a temporary cooperation.
There was a wooden door on the landing of the third floor. Faint sounds of discussion could be heard from within. The two exchanged a glance and pushed the door open simultaneously.
As the wooden door was pushed open, a layer of dust was kicked up. The third floor appeared to be a bedroom. There was only a stone bed in the center; without any other furniture for decoration, it looked very austere.
At this moment, four people who looked like adventurers were gathered together, discussing something. One of them, hearing the commotion from the stairs, turned to look and immediately cried out in alarm.
"Who is it?!"
This person was none other than the scarf-wearing man who had run back from the trading site.
From behind the four men came the clink-clank sound of chains colliding.
____
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