“Huh… Aaaak… Why… Why in the world…?”
“We did our best…! So why…!?”
Holding onto their trousers, a lump of mud slumps down. Watching this, the rabbit doll shakes its head.
“You are trash. Unrecyclable trash.”
“Please, just one more chance!”
“Dividing my essence among you was a loss. And above all, isn’t this an opportunity for you?”
“What… what do you mean…!”
“Now, die, melt, and merge. Be reborn anew and gain great power.”
“Ghh… Aaaaaaaaah!!!”
The doll nonchalantly sat back in its chair.
Before its eyes, a tragedy unfolded—flesh melting and coagulating, essences breaking and fusing in chaos.
The doll inwardly sneered at those before it.
“This is a new birth.”
It is salvation.
“Salvation that grants new bodies to the weak.”
The doll admitted its own mistake. The subordinates it had gathered from various places, made from toys…
It had truly believed they would be formidable forces.
But it was a miscalculation.
Surely, there must be some decent ones among them.
However, when such elements pile up, inevitably, malignant stock accumulates. At least, those currently melting away were proof of that.
Of course, it made no distinction and melted them all together regardless.
But it’s fine.
Because subordinates can always be remade.
“…Well, leave those guys aside for now.”
The doll turned around and looked at someone.
A faint sense of regret surfaced.
If this technique had been perfect, the figure standing there wouldn’t be an old man but his deceased wife.
‘There’s nothing to be done. There’s no technology that can perfectly revive the dead.’
Swallowing that regret, the doll asked a question.
“Do you think I’m going too far?”
The reply came in an elderly voice.
“I don’t think so. After all, the world is about survival of the fittest, is it not? Even if we’re talking about life, it wouldn’t be much different.”
“Hooh?”
“The weak will inevitably be taken from, even if it’s their life.”
With that, the elder tipped his cup of alcohol. He seemed to find the creatures before him quite pitiful.
Satisfied with this sight, the doll spoke.
“You’re truly the Sword Saint, aren’t you?”
“Too kind.”
One seat held by the Sword Saint, another being filled by the demons currently being created.
‘Just one more seat to fill.’
He had already made his decision after releasing numerous demons into the world, yet they proved largely ineffective.
Gathering random riff-raff only strengthened the magical girls.
They were a major obstacle to his plans. If they could just be eliminated, any sacrifice would be worth it.
“This is also a gamble on my part.”
Waste time or annihilate everything in one go?
‘…There’s no point in giving them more time.’
At this moment, they were only growing stronger.
Thus, this was an all-out war.
Meaning, a decisive battle between the magical girls and us.
While preparing the battlefield for this, the doll hesitated momentarily.
The remaining concern was who to choose for the last seat.
One seat for the Sword Saint.
One for the demons.
After sending three, if that still fails, he would personally take the field.
He could have taken the remaining spot himself, but he preferred to avoid frontline combat if possible.
Which meant the only option left was that person.
‘Really, despite how repulsive he is…’
The doll recalled the face of a certain girl.
Long, white hair. Rosy cheeks and a small frame.
Her childhood appearance came to mind, making her all the more revolting.
‘Monarch of Demons, Destroyer.’
Should he summon that weapon of destruction once again?
The answer to his own question was ‘there’s no reason not to.’
Originally, she was created as a weapon, so it’s natural for her to be used in war.
“…My decision is made.”
Having concluded his thoughts, the doll turned its gaze toward the old man.
He was sharpening his sword with precision, his sharp eyes gleaming like a bird of prey.
“Is there anything you need me to do?”
“You’re reliable. Never would I have thought that the man said to have slain dragons could be this cruel.”
“Heh-heh, ultimately, aren’t we all the same? Humans all have hidden natures within them.”
“Nature, huh.”
“That nature you’ve brought out into the open deserves thanks. Even if this fleeting moment lasts merely two weeks, I am grateful to you.”
“Hmm.”
“Isn’t it proper for humans to repay debts of gratitude?”
Debt of gratitude.
Hearing those words, the doll nodded.
Right.
It makes sense.
Something humans should naturally do.
“In that case, I shall give you an order.”
“Hmm.”
“Retrieve my daughter, Monarch of Demons Destroyer, safely. I’ll provide some assistance, so it shouldn’t be too difficult a task.”
“I understand. However, didn’t you say you wouldn’t take the field?”
The doll nodded in agreement.
“Indeed, I won’t be on the frontlines.”
“Then how do you plan to assist me?”
“You’ll see. Battles aren’t fought solely with swords and on battlefields.”
The doll creaked as it stood up from its seat.
Happy to have gained a capable subordinate, it confirmed its earlier decision to resurrect and recruit him was correct.
‘Should I have spared the guy I assigned as the surveillance role?’
Who would’ve thought the method to get there was something like that?
Still, getting the Sword Saint’s corpse was a decent outcome. Ultimately, that demon melted away and joined ‘it’.
“Ugh… Ughuuuu…”
Seeing the massive, slimy mass, the doll applauded.
What a splendid example of recycling!
If judged purely on appearance, I’d give it zero out of a hundred.
But judging by performance, it’s nearly perfect.
“Good. The stage is almost set. Thus…”
The doll watched the ominous magic gathering in its hands.
It soon condensed into a small essence. Clutching it, it began chanting slowly.
“Now, return to your master, Destroyer.”
“And…”
“Go fetch the Destroyer, Sword Saint.”
“Understood.”
The aged Sword Saint began walking slowly.
+++++
“Hahaha! This is delicious!”
The Demon King was happily eating chicken nuggets.
Seeing this, Yoo Yul pulled out a handkerchief from her pocket.
“You’ve got it all over your face.”
Wiping the mustard sauce from the corner of the Demon King’s mouth, Yoo Yul spoke.
“Don’t wander around too much. Sister Jin-a might have trouble finding us.”
“It’s fine! That red-haired one isn’t short, is she? She’ll find us quickly.”
“It’s too much in such a big space.”
“If you’re tall enough, she’ll find you, right?”
“There are plenty of people taller than me.”
“True… Tch, whatever. I’ll endure today because of my promise to my older brother.”
“Got it, got it.”
Yoo Yul, Seo Jin-a, and the Demon King.
These three formed a pretty good trio.
Seo Jin-a, who took care of children well, and Yoo Yul, who had many younger siblings.
They were excellent caregivers for young children.
Compared to newcomers like Shin Hyun and Noah,
they provided detailed care even for things others might overlook.
That day, the three were wandering through the underground food section.
“I have to stay with the Demon King until Sister comes back.”
A middle school student taking care of a kindergarten-aged sibling. Several people looked at them warmly.
Perhaps it was because both children were exceptionally beautiful.
As they received these gazes, Yoo Yul firmly grabbed the Demon King’s hand.
Since the Demon King was so short, she worried she might lose him.
“Let’s go check out that place next!”
“Don’t stray too far from here.”
“I know! Oh! New ramen!”
“…Guess there’s no helping it.”
Yoo Yul quickly headed towards the ramen section with the Demon King.
Firm noodles with bright red broth.
Picking up a cup, the Demon King slurped the ramen happily.
‘Does it taste that good?’
Just as Yoo Yul was about to pick up a cup herself,
“Ouch.”
“Ah, you go ahead, Grandpa.”
“Sorry about that. It’s been a while since I’ve seen this.”
The white-haired elder Yoo Yul encountered while trying to grab the same ramen was offered the turn.
‘He’s quite unusual.’
White hair, traditional clothing, and a sword at his waist.
Nowhere did he seem like an ordinary person. He devoured the ramen in one bite, chewed a few times, then chuckled.
“Pretty good, isn’t it? Right, Demon King?”
“It’s delicious. Though Father probably wouldn’t allow me to buy several packs.”
“True. Now, since you’ve tasted it, let’s head back, shall we?”
“I guess I have no choice.”
The natural flow of conversation caused Yoo Yul to momentarily step back, gripping the Demon King’s hand.
“Grandpa, what exactly are you saying?”
“…Ah, my apologies for not introducing myself sooner. Nice to meet you. I’ve been tasked with fetching the Demon King.”
Messenger?
“…Demon King, step back.”
“…No, I’m going back.”
“Where to!?”
“Obviously, where I belong.”
With that, the Demon King shook off Yoo Yul’s hand.
Caught off guard by the sudden situation, Yoo Yul couldn’t transform. Especially not in such a conspicuous setting.
“Ah, by the way.”
The elder pulled a letter from his robes.
“Here, a letter from my master. For you, young lady.”
“…What?”
“Read it later.”
With that, as if concluding their business, the elder and the Demon King turned to leave.
Crinkle.
The letter in Yoo Yul’s hand crumpled.
‘Hurry, I need to transform!’
But.
‘What if they disappear while I’m gone?’
Stuck in this dilemma.
That’s when.
“Wait!!”
A magical girl with fiery red hair appeared.
“Transform first, then come back.”
She muttered quietly to Yoo Yul, who carefully stepped back to find a quiet spot.
“…I had planned to deal with you later.”
“But I can’t let that happen. Where do you intend to take our youngest member?”
“To my father.”
“Then it’s even more unacceptable.”
Tsk.
The elder sighed.
“Can’t help it…”
Swoosh.
The elder’s sword slid out of its sheath.
“I refrain from killing unless my sword is drawn, but once it is, I must act.”
“…Come on then. I’ll try to delay you as much as possible.”
“Don’t blame me, girl. This is the essence of life.”
“…”
“Now, if you want to live, kill me.”
+++++
And, a few hours later.
“…What!? Yul is badly injured!? Jin-a is critically ill!?”
“They say the Demon King disappeared…”
Such alarming news reached Noah and Shin Hyun’s ears.
