The Measure of Good and Evil

(Memories)

"A concept of good and evil?" Lowell walked to the bank of a shimmering river and sat down casually, the dappled sunlight reflecting off the water dancing in his eyes. "What's wrong, great philosopher Flamme? In such high spirits today, you want to discuss the philosophy of life with this former Demon King?"

"Yes," Flamme's lips curled into a half-smile, her orange hair fluttering gently in the breeze, "What you said before about 'suddenly awakening a love of peace,' and your jokes about 'being lusting after' Frieren, sounded rather... unconvincing. I'm very curious, what kind of moral compass does a former Demon King truly hold deep within his heart, or what thoughts have suddenly awakened that would make him 'love peace'?"

Lowell scratched his head, letting out a sigh that was somewhere between helplessness and amusement, "Uh... okay, okay, let me sort this out." He looked up at the wisps of clouds drifting across the azure sky, organized his thoughts, and then slowly began to speak:

"First of all, you have to admit that it's not surprising that Demons are curious about Human race, or any intelligent race different from themselves, and want to understand why they are different from themselves. It's like how humans want to understand the longevity and emotional detachment of elves, the blacksmithing and stubbornness of dwarves, and even study the ecology of demons."

Flamme: "Curiosity is indeed the starting point for exploring all things."

"Hmm," Lowell continued, his tone becoming more casual, as if he were chatting, "So, as a Demon King has lived for countless years and can sleep for hundreds of years at a time, it's quite reasonable for me to use my long demonic life to ponder questions like 'Why do we fight?' and 'The meaning of life'... right?"

Flamme nodded slightly, a hint of understanding flashing in her azure eyes. "The accumulation and reflection brought about by a long life are understandable."

"That's it!" Lowell seemed to have found an idea, lightly slapping his knee. "So, I used my 'Future Prediction' ability—you know, think of it this way—to intensively observe and study many humans across time and space. In the end, I formed my own set of views."

His tone gradually became serious. "First of all, I think that to judge what an 'existence' should and should not do, we can first look at what it owes to the world up to this point in its life."

He gave an analogy. "For example, in human society, the son of an Earl is born into a life of luxury, raised with care by his parents and nurtured by the resources of the state. In my view, he owes his parents a debt of gratitude for raising him and the state a debt of gratitude for nurturing him."

His privileged life stems from the gifts he receives from others, which often contain the expectation that he will repay them in the future. Therefore, he has an obligation to contribute to his family and country within his means.

He paused, then changed the subject. "As for me, being Demons... you should know a little about it. Most Demons are almost 'abandoned' from 'birth,' growing up in chaos and slaughter. So, in theory... oh, no, I don't think I should use the word 'in theory.'"

In short, at least for Lorenz, everything Lorenz possesses now—his strength and status as the Demon King —Lorenz is most likely the result of his own struggles and growth. Therefore, Lorenz owes nothing to the Demons race, and naturally has no obligation to fight and kill for Demons so-called "Demons cause."

He took a breath and continued, "Secondly, regarding war, killing, the survival of the fittest... these things existed since the birth of civilization—no, even before the so-called 'civilization' history books began to be written."

Humans domesticate cattle and horses for labor and slaughter pigs and sheep for food. Don't these animals have life? Don't they have feelings? No, they very likely have their own language and feelings.

Even parrots and many high-level monsters can master human language, but we often deceive ourselves by using "it" to refer to "he" and "she" in writing, as if this allows us to objectify them with a clear conscience and reduce our inner guilt.

His voice carried a hint of coldness. "The law of the jungle, survival of the fittest, is ingrained in the very bones of living beings. Humans need to enslave cattle and horses, and need to eat pigs and sheep, because it is a necessity for survival."

Humans tend to shower more love and care on adorable and gentle cats and dogs, while showing less enthusiasm for endangered species whose appearance is less appealing... Isn't this also based on subjective judgments of likes and dislikes? Some endangered species are considered 'protected animals' by some people because of their pleasing appearance, while other equally endangered species, whose appearance is less appealing, do not receive such support.

His gaze seemed to pierce through the river before him, reaching into a far deeper place. "Ultimately, in many ways, humanity is not fundamentally different from the Demons. Both act based on their own interests and preferences. It's just that human society wove a complex system of morality and ethics earlier to restrain and explain itself, calling it 'law' and 'order'... Later generations can only live under the 'rules' set by their predecessors."

He paused again, letting his words settle. "And when external threats... such as domesticated livestock and creatures that have become food, no longer constitute the primary contradiction, internal conflicts of interest among humankind Aggravate. So, why is it that, given this inherent nature of humanity, there have always been voices throughout history calling for peace and the establishment of order?"

Because some wise people have discovered that endless warfare only breeds more hatred and destruction, like a snowball rolling downhill, with no end in sight. Some realize the devastating cost of war and thus begin to hope for an order to restrain conflict and achieve relative peace and stability.

Lowell shrugged, his tone becoming somewhat languid, yet also carrying a penetrating insight. "So, back to myself. I've never considered myself some kind of compassionate saint, much less someone like some monks who advocate absolute non-violence and vegetarianism—in my view, that's a kind of arrogance and hypocrisy. I eat meat because I need it; I crave peace simply because I like it."

When war breaks out, it's hard to say who's right and who's wrong. I hate aggression and killing, and I hate the murder and abuse of women and children the most, because theoretically, children's 'crimes' are much smaller; they do less and shouldn't die.

Therefore, my view of good and evil is that, regardless of what a person has done in the past, I am only responsible for the "thing in front of me" on a subjective level. The Bazalt of the Throne carried out the act of "aggression" in front of me, which I did not like, so I killed him.

However, if a war breaks out between the Demons and humans, I will not participate in the battle just because I am strong enough to avoid many human casualties, nor will I take the lead in fighting against the Demons, whose actions are defined as 'aggression'.

Because if aggression is inherently evil, then are all human soldiers currently defending their homes and countries? Are all their mutual attacks wrong? Are they all guilty? No, many soldiers are simply following the king's orders in war, so does the guilt lie with the king?

No, it can't be defined that way, because a king might also want to live better under his established order after conquering, and if he didn't conquer, his ideas wouldn't be implemented. He might think, 'This is a necessary sacrifice for greater peace,' and the king's decision might not be so simple; there might be a parliament, or even more ideas weighing on him.

So I'm tired of it. Tired of this inefficient, repetitive dog-eat-dog world, tired of the endless slaughter. I long to live under order, a life where I can do what I want and not have to do what I don't want to do. Because—"

He straightened his back, a smile tinged with self-deprecation and determination on his face, "I don't owe anyone anything with this body I have now! Peace... is what I like, so I'll protect the peace I have now. I don't want to get involved in war, that kind of messy, unclear issue of right and wrong."

His eyes sharpened. "If someone insists on disrupting the peace before me, insists on doing things I abhor in front of me, such as bullying women and children, or committing unprovoked aggression, then I will kill him not based on some lofty 'justice,' but simply because 'I don't like him,' 'he's in my way!' That's my standard of good and evil."

He further elaborated, "Conversely, if someone, even if they have a history of heinous crimes, is willing to abide by the 'order' I approve of and repent, then I can spare their life. Of course..." A cold smile curled at the corner of his lips, "If I was in a bad mood at the time, or simply didn't like the look of that guy, I could kill him without hesitation. After all, I don't have to be responsible to anyone."

He concluded, his gaze involuntarily drifting to the silver-haired elf under the shade of the tree, his tone softening. "In summary: I am alone, without debt or obligation, so I can do as I please, seeking only peace of mind. I yearn for peace and coexistence, but I will not strive for it; I may accept what comes easily, but I will not actively seek it. I hate trouble and prefer tranquility, therefore, what I have before me must be the peace I desire! And prolonged companionship might slowly change us both... Demon King for too long is also very lonely. That's why I found Frieren."

Flamme, her azure eyes as deep as the sea. After a long while, she spoke softly, "Hmm... As expected of His Majesty the Demon King with his long lifespan, his perspective is indeed... unique." She turned to Frieren, a hint of teasing in her voice, "Frieren, what do you think of his 'profound' remarks?"

Frieren finally lifted her gaze from the magic book, her emerald eyes calm and unwavering. After a few seconds of thought, she replied in her usual flat voice, "The beginning is too long, I'm too lazy to think about it in detail, but I've memorized it. Perhaps it will take me hundreds of years to slowly understand it."

She paused, then continued, "But I understood the last part about Lowell himself. It means he'd be happy around Frieren, so he'd try his best to meet Frieren needs, like people in the village taking care of each other, something like... the concept of family? Right?"

Flamme tilted her head slightly, her orange hair flowing down. "Hmm... so that doesn't seem wrong. After all, there's a saying that love, in the end, often evolves into a deeper bond, almost like family?"

Lowell rubbed his nose and continued, "That's roughly the idea. As I said before, because I 'don't owe anyone anything,' I 'don't need to be responsible for anyone.' But when I chose the path of 'staying by Frieren's side,' that choice itself gave me someone I needed to be responsible for. So, wherever Frieren goes, I'll go. Whatever Frieren wants, as long as it's within my power, I'll strive for it. Because..."

He gazed at Frieren, his eyes focused and tender, though she might not fully grasp the weight of his feelings. "In the fragments of the future I've 'seen,' her figure fascinates me, giving me an unprecedented sense of security and warmth. I love her, so I'm willing to give my all and yearn to be with her. I approve of her, so I hope she can be happy, and that will make me happy too."

And long-term companionship may allow us to gradually change each other, smoothing out the small parts that the other doesn't like. After all, people grow... Perhaps I shouldn't use such utilitarian terms, almost like 'transaction' or 'investment,' to describe beautiful feelings, but in my view, the essence of love is mutual giving, companionship, acceptance, and compromise."

Flamme gave a soft "hmm," then turned her gaze back to Frieren, her tone encouraging and slightly teasing. "Frieren? After hearing all this, is there anything you want to say? Or, is there anything you want him to do?" She winked, her implication clear.

Upon hearing this, Frieren blinked her emerald eyes, seemingly beginning to think.

She paused for a moment, as if recalling the vague knowledge about "responding" and "maintaining relationships" that Flamme had "taught" her that day. Then, she looked up at Lowell and stated in her signature, flat tone:

"Well, Lowell, Frieren is hungry now."

She paused, as if recalling a specific procedure, then added, "Could you make Hamburg Steak for Frieren?"

After saying that, as if that wasn't enough, she stiffly put her left Flamme on her hip, raised her right hand, and lightly touched her lips with her fingertips, then, with a blank expression as if carrying out a precise command, quickly and lightly pursed her lips and "chirped" in Lowell's direction. Throughout the whole process, her face remained as calm as a deep pool, with only a very faint, tentative glimmer of light seemingly flashing in the depths of her emerald green eyes.

"Thump!"

With a muffled thud, Lowell fell to the ground, his body arching backward and landing solidly on the grass, as if he had been struck precisely by an invisible arrow.

Seeing Lowell's even more exaggerated reaction than before, Frieren tilted her head, a faint hint of doubt flashing in her emerald eyes. She seemed not to understand why this "gift" had such a huge impact, but she calmly repeated her core demand, "Hamburg Steak."

"I'll do it right away!"