[A Possible Timeline] Aura

[Perhaps existing spacetime]

"Hmm? Another new hero has been born?"

"Yes, Lord Aura," the Demons, who appeared to be a young man, replied.

Hearing his words, Aura remained nestled on his throne, squinting one eye.

The throne room was dim even in the daytime. The walls were mottled, and the ceiling silently boasted of her power.

This ancient castle is located deep in the forests of the Northern Countries.

It was once the property of humans, but after being occupied by the legion led by Aura, it has now become the stronghold of the Demons. The Demons value individualism and most choose to live independently. However, under the leadership of some powerful Demons, they sometimes form organized groups.

One of the Demon King's direct subordinates, the "Seven Sages of Destruction," and the Great Demons "Aura the Guillotine," also has several underlings. Right now, one of them is reporting to her. "The hero's Himmel, and the party consists of four members; they are marching towards the Demon King's Castle."

Is it strong?

"Their strength is currently unknown, but it is said that many Demons have already been defeated."

"I see."

There are many heroes. The Hero of the South, who fought alongside all seven members of the Seven Sages of Destruction in the past, was one of them. However, the name Himmel is unheard of; he must be a novice hero—many Demons have been killed by such a human.

In response, Aura expressed the following thoughts:

"The Demons have been really disappointing lately."

Aura picked up the apple from the armrest of her throne and took a bite. The news of her comrades' deaths was insignificant to Aura. Even if the Demons killed were her own subordinates, she probably wouldn't feel the slightest regret or grief.

"Are all you Demons cold-blooded?--"

Aura recalled that a human had left behind these last words on his deathbed.

She knew it was a common human expression: cold-blooded and heartless. In short, it probably meant something like a lack of warmth or a sense of guilt.

Foolish. Aura thought, having such emotions is a biological flaw.

Sometimes, even young Demons will kill adventurers much stronger than themselves. The cause of these adventurers' deaths is almost always due to being overwhelmed by emotions. Humans take pity on the begging Demons, turn around and let them go, and that's how they are killed by sneak attacks from behind. This is a common trick of the weak Demons, yet humans fall for it time and time again.

Everyone knows that Demons eat people, yet some people still fall for their tricks. What else could it be if not a deficiency in what they call "emotions"?

Aura, bored with her meal, threw her half-eaten apple on the ground. Suddenly, Demons in the form of a young girl emerged from the shadows, picked up the apple, and began crunching it down. The Demons who had been reporting to Aura earlier couldn't stand it anymore and scolded her, "Linié, you're not allowed to eat things from the ground."

"... Yes, Lord Lugner."

Linié casually tossed the apple aside and disappeared back into the shadows.

Aura ignored the two people over there, resting her chin on her hand and deep in thought. "A hero, a hero..."

The hero's goal is the Demon King's Castle, located at the northernmost tip of the continent, which can only be reached by traversing the Northern Kingdom.

"Lugner, where is the hero now?"

"It should be in the Kraut Marsh area of Central Lands."

Aura unfolded a map in her mind, connecting the Kraut Marsh and the Demon King's Castle in a straight line.

Himmel and his group might pass through this area.

A wicked smile crept across Aura's lips.

I've made up my mind.

What do you mean?

"Add the heroes to my Undead Army," Aura said.

The Scales of Obedience.

By placing one's own and one's opponent's magic on opposite ends of a scale, the side with less magic will Obedience to the side with more. This is the magic that Aura has devoted her life to studying and perfecting.

Aura, known for her immense magical power, could even win without a fight by using it. In fact, she had never been defeated in the past few centuries.

Aura's the Scales of Obedience control primarily applies to humans.

While humans may be foolish, they are not all weak. Strong individuals like the Hero of the South exist. Most importantly, humans have far more beneficial uses than simply being eaten—

Undefeated heroes, monks who can defeat dragons with their bare hands, assassins hired by nobles, one of the three great knights of the Northern Countries, princes who lead the charge in numerous battles to victory... They are transformed into puppets by the Scales of Obedience, then their heads are cut off to create soldiers without self-awareness. They are Aura's powerful fighting force.

From this perspective, Aura does seem to like humans quite a bit. However, this liking isn't the kind of liking humans have for each other; it's more like the affection humans have for livestock.

So, what about Himmel's strength?

If the rumors that their squad had vanquished many Demons were true, they must be no ordinary people. Aura was filled with anticipation at the thought of including them in the Undead Army.

The distance from the Kraut Marsh to Aura's base camp is quite long. Rather than making a special trip to capture them, Aura prefers to wait for the heroes to pass by on their own. Before they arrive, he needs to focus on his ongoing training and expanding the Undead Army's strength.

There was nothing else to do.

"Lord Aura."

While Aura sat idly on his moonlit throne, Lugner came to report.

"I have information on the hero's movements. It's said they're currently stationed in the Graf Granat Earl Territory."

"Oh dear, I see. How long has it been since they left the Kraut Marsh?"

One year and one month.

"It's faster than I expected."

Demons have much longer lifespans than humans, so their perception of time is very different. For Aura, a year is not a very long time.

"They're in Graf Granat Earl Territory, isn't that perfect?"

"You're right. Preparations for the attack are complete..."

The Graf Granat Earl Territory is the next city that Aura intends to conquer. Previously, Aura hesitated because of the protective barrier surrounding the city, but now, the Undead Army's power has expanded considerably, and taking the city seems to be less difficult.

"How long will Himmel stay in the city? About a year?"

"The specifics are unclear... but judging from his past pace, if things go smoothly, he should set off tomorrow or the day after."

"Leaving so soon? It would have been so much better if you'd stayed a little longer."

"After all, they are tasked with defeating the Demon King."

"That's true. Alright, for the sake of the Demon King, let's take care of them as soon as possible."

Aura stood up, stretched lightly, and looked out the window.

"Tomorrow, we'll capture the Graf Granat Earl Territory. While we're at it, we'll also take care of Himmel and his men."

"Yes, sir."

In the forest, a small flower Blooms.

A gentle breeze caressed it, and soft sunlight filtered through the leaves, illuminating it. The lush, vibrant green leaves set it off beautifully. Although it was an ordinary flower that could be seen everywhere, its bright red petals Bloom amidst the overgrown weeds, a single splash of red in the lush greenery, making it quite eye-catching.

This flower was crushed flat by a human's foot.

Those were soldiers clad in armor and wielding weapons. Several, hundreds, perhaps even thousands, stepped over the flowers in succession. No one noticed a single flower there. Moreover, they had long since lost their minds, not metaphorically, but literally "brainless."

Armor clashed with swords, producing a clanging sound, as they pounded the ground and moved forward. A strong stench of corpses wafted through the air wherever they went.

The Undead Army.

Aura, with his army of the dead, subjugated by the Scales of Obedience, left the forest, and the Undead Army continued its march toward the open plateau.

Aura, propelled by Flight Magic, was very pleased with the view from above.

"What a wonderful view!"

Lugner, standing nearby, also expressed a strong sense of agreement.

"It's all that protective barrier's fault. We finally managed to gather so many troops, but we can't even ravage the city. What a pity. Is there any way to break through the barrier?"

"Flamme's magic surpasses the wisdom of ordinary people. I think it will be very difficult to forcibly dispel it from the outside."

"This is infuriating. It can't be destroyed."

"... Yes, that's exactly right."

"Oh well, never mind. There are plenty of other ways."

Aura let out a short sigh and turned to look in the direction of the castle.

Who's taking care of the castle?

"It's up to Draht."

"Draht?"

"The newest subordinate is that young Demons who's skilled at crafting magical threads..."

"Ah, there is such a person. Is he reliable?"

"Although he lacks experience and is somewhat overconfident, his strength is enough to easily defeat ordinary adventurers. I don't think he'll have any problems guarding the house."

"If you can't even handle this small matter properly, that's really a headache."

Aura turned her attention back to what was ahead.

Just then, the magic detection system reacted.

The magic was sensed precisely in the area between the Undead Army and the Graf Granat Earl Territory. There were four people in total. They stopped moving and seemed to be getting ready to wait for Aura to arrive.

"Is that the Hero Party? They're welcoming us, how wonderful!"

"Lord Aura, what do you intend to do?"

"Let's see them first. Let's see what kind of people they are. And—" Aura continued, "Once I put them into the Undead Army, we'll never see their faces again."

Aura and her people descended to the ground.

She arrived at the forefront of the Undead Army, facing the Hero Party.

With hair as blue as clear lake water, holding a sharp sword, and looking at the humans with hostile eyes, this must be the hero Himmel.

Aura's intuition, honed by years of survival, told her this was a powerful figure, and the rumors of him defeating many Demons were probably true. The man who looked like a monk and the dwarf wielding an axe beside him were likely also highly skilled fighters.

Even if they were strong, they certainly couldn't defeat the Undead Army. In terms of sheer numbers, the Undead Army had an overwhelming advantage. Aura's confidence remained unwavering. However, what worried her was—

"Elves? There are still survivors. I thought elves were extinct."

Aura watched with great interest the elf who had her silvery-white hair braided into two plaits.

Exceptionally skillful magic.

Aura had heard that elves lived longer than Demons, and the elf before her had probably undergone years of training. However, her magical power was not particularly abundant, and posed no threat to her, who possessed the Scales of Obedience.

Facing the Undead Army, the elf showed no fear, resolutely declaring. "You are Aura the Guillotine, aren't you? Turn back immediately."

"What if I say I refuse?"

The tip of the elf's staff pointed at Aura.

Her cold gaze was distinctly different from the way she looked at humans; it was as if she were looking at a monstrous beast. She certainly wouldn't show any mercy to Demons. But when it comes to being ruthless, Aura is no different.

If I play seriously, I can decide the winner in a split second.

This is true; at least Himmel and Eisen will definitely be affected by the Scales of Obedience.

However, that would be too boring.

"Let me see what you're capable of."

With a few swift "whoosh" sounds, the headless soldiers quickly approached Aura, and the Undead Army launched an attack on the Hero Party.

Frieren. That seemed to be the elf's name. Under the soldiers' protection, Aura heard the people around her call her that.

Frieren extremely powerful.

The soldiers, now mere puppets yet still strong, were scattered like scraps of paper by Frieren's magic.

Her attacks were unrestrained yet incredibly precise. Ordinary Demons were helpless against her. However, continuously using such large-scale magic would soon deplete her mana. Was her aim for a swift victory? Or was she overwhelmed by the power of the Undead Army? Whatever the reason, the outcome would soon be decided.

However, what Aura found strange was Himmel.

Even without getting close, it was clear he possessed superb swordsmanship, yet he was engaged in a fierce battle. Aura saw him several times deliberately avoid the enemy's vital points or refrain from delivering the final blow. Compared to him, the axe-wielding dwarf's movements were relatively decisive.

Aura initially thought it was due to "habit".

Humans have this kind of habit:

Even the most valiant Undead Army head-on would show mercy to the corpses of their comrades. Himmel, however, was different; his soft heart seemed to extend beyond specific individuals, affecting the entire Undead Army.

Aura had never seen humans fight in this way before. And with her side holding the advantage, she found herself watching intently for quite some time.

Lord Aura."

Hearing Lugner's call, Aura turned her gaze away from Himmel.

"We can't keep wasting the Undead Army's strength. Shouldn't we send the heroes on their way?"

"That's true."

Xiaowei seems to be getting a little too playful.

We must capture the Graf Granat Earl Territory today. Let's listen to Lugner for now.

However, before that, Aura has something he wants to confirm.

She walked forward, and the soldiers parted to the left and right to make way for her to the place where Himmel stood.

The heroes' disadvantage remains unchanged. Aura has successfully separated them, and now each of the four is surrounded by the Undead Army.

The Hero Party could fall at any moment. In particular, Himmel looked quite exhausted.

Aura felt he posed no threat, so he moved closer.

Aura temporarily halted his attack on Himmel and asked, "Why don't you show your true strength?"

Himmel leaned on his sword for support. He barely managed to stand, his body covered in wounds of all sizes.

That's quite an undignified attitude. At first, I thought this person was a strong individual, but perhaps I was just overthinking it.

But from another perspective, it's a wonder he hasn't been killed by the Undead Army yet, given how indecisive he was in the fight. Whether he's strong or weak is still impossible to say.

Upon hearing Aura's question, Himmel frowned in surprise and replied, "A reckless attack would harm them, and I don't want that."

Are there any of your comrades in the Undead Army?

"No. But whether they are my companions or not is irrelevant; this is a matter of dignity."

"Dignity? Not wanting to hurt them? Aren't those concerns only applicable to living humans?"

"That's not the case."

"Where aren't they? Aura displayed them to Himmel as if showing off his Undead Army, "Can't you see? They're all already dead."

Aura felt Himmel's hair stand on end slightly.

Are you angry?

Aura's guess lasted only a moment; in an instant, Himmel's face was shrouded in a sorrowful gloom.

"Is that how it is?" Himmel gazed at Aura with pity. "The Demons don't have a culture of commemorating the dead, do they?"

Memorial service.

Although Aura knew the word, he couldn't understand the concept.

I once heard Lugner say that humans have a habit of dressing up the dead beautifully before burying them in the ground. That must be what Himmel called "ritual."

"What's the point of doing that kind of thing? Humans are such a species that loves to do useless things."

"It's not a wasted effort."

Himmel slowly raised her sword.

"To mourn the dead is to carry on the will of the departed. This is how humanity gains history. As long as the tradition continues..."

A light of enlightenment shone in Himmel's eyes.

Humanity will never be defeated!

Ah!

The atmosphere has changed.

Just moments ago, Himmel had been on the verge of death, like a wounded beast, but in an instant, he transformed into a majestic warrior. Deep within his heart, a certain change had quietly taken place.

Intense anger and murderous intent can unleash human potential—this is knowledge Aura possesses. However, the aura she senses from Himmel at this moment seems to be an emotion different from anger and murderous intent. A sense of mission... no, it could also be something called a sense of justice.

Not understand.

Although she didn't understand, alarm bells were ringing in Aura's mind.

The scales of Obedience were revealed in Aura's hands.

There's no need to say more; let's start now and finish this quickly.

Obedience the Demon --

Just as Aura was about to place her and Himmel's magic on the scales of Obedience, a flash of light knocked the scales from Aura hands.

"What--"

We've been attacked? Where did the attack come from?!

Aura looked in the direction the flash had come from and saw Frieren standing there, staff in hand. She had actually managed to strike the scales with such precision from such a distance while fighting the Undead Army? If it wasn't a fluke, her skill was truly beyond imagination. Why was such a skilled mage still unknown?

Aura gritted his teeth.

I really underestimated that elf. The one we should really be wary of isn't Himmel, but Frieren.

No, I'll deal with regrets later.

In short, we need to kill Himmel in front of us first.

Even without the scales of Obedience, Aura still has plenty of options. Besides, his opponent is already badly injured, so losing to him is impossible.

Aura was about to unleash an attack spell, but before she could strike, Himmel closed in with even greater speed. Aura didn't have time to figure out where his strength came from before she was struck head-on by a sword slash.

"Ugh..."

"Lord Aura!" Lugner cried out.

Blood gushed from his shoulder. Aura had suffered a fatal wound and had lost his chance to retaliate.

Magic was leaking from the wound at an alarming rate. This was bad; my power was gradually draining away. If this continued, I would be killed. In this situation, I should retreat.

But... what kind of person is the Seven Sages of Destruction Kingdom, running away with their tails between their legs in front of humans?

Aura couldn't accept it. But even if she couldn't accept it...

His pride as Seven Sages of Destruction and his attachment to life swayed back and forth on the scales of his heart.

Ultimately, the scales tipped in favor of the latter.

"Remember this...!"

Aura made a harsh statement, then abandoned the Undead Army and retreated.

A week has passed since the battle with the hero and his party.

Aura and her men set up their stronghold in a cave deep in the forest.

The cave was dark and damp, with the sound of water droplets "drip-drip" echoing everywhere.

Aura leaned against the rock wall, gazing sadly out of the cave. In stark contrast to her gloomy mood, the sky outside was clear and blue. Linié and Dora were practicing their sparring outside the cave; Linié had the upper hand in the fight, forcing Draht to remain on the defensive.

After a while, Lugner, who had gone out to scout, returned.

"Reporting, my lord," Lugner stated calmly, "The Undead Army left on the plateau has been completely wiped out, and the hero and his party have all headed towards the Demon King's Castle."

"I see."

What are your plans next?

"What else can we do? Let's rest for now."

Aura lay down. A sharp pain shot through the wound inflicted by Himmel. The injury wouldn't heal quickly, and coupled with the loss of almost all of the Undead Army's fighting force and the abandonment of their stronghold, the ancient castle, they were now forced into hiding in this remote cave. Forget about avenging the heroes; even conquering the Graf Granat Earl Territory was now difficult.

Aura lay sprawled out, muttering to himself, "Why did we lose?"

Lugner remained silent in response to her question.

Instead of him, Linié returned to the cave after practice. She asked innocently, "Because I was careless?"

Draht, standing nearby, was sweating bullets.

Pretending to be calm, Lugner coughed lightly and gave Linié a reproachful look.

"Linié, be a little quieter."

"Um... I'm sorry." Linié lowered her head, looking aggrieved.

Aura wasn't angry. Partly because she didn't have the strength right now, and more importantly, because what Linié said was true.

Conversely, since the failure was due to carelessness, and victory could be achieved through caution, it is slightly easier for Aura, who has a strong sense of pride, to accept failure due to carelessness than failure due to a lack of strength or magic.

"I won't be careless again. Next time we meet, I'll kill them for real."

"That's the kind of momentum I'm looking for, Lord Aura."

Upon hearing Lugner's words, Aura snorted coldly, turned her head away, and didn't want to speak to anyone for a while. She closed her eyes and fell silent, intending to take a nap.

However, she did not get her wish. Aura suddenly sat up.

"Lady Aura, the magic detection is working!"

"I know even if you don't say it. Honestly, why are humans all so flustered?"

Aura stood up while complaining.

Within the effective range of the magic detection, humans have invaded. Judging from their scale, their goal is undoubtedly to find and destroy Aura. The Demons' hiding place has not yet been exposed, but the human side is numerous, and there is a high probability that there are mages among them.

If we stay put, the Demons will surely be found soon.

"Lugner, think of a way to solve this."

"You said you wanted to think of a solution..."

"Fight back. Have you forgotten what the executioner's duties are?"

Aura naturally dumped the thankless task on her subordinates. Whether it was because her trump card was "The Scales of Obedience" or simply her personality... Lugner appeared calm on the surface, but was inwardly conflicted. He knew, of course, that violence was the simplest and most direct solution, but the problem was that it was difficult to implement at the moment.

"... Excuse my bluntness, but our current fighting strength cannot guarantee that we can repel them. We should retreat now."

"The opponent is merely a human, and you're already retreating?"

"Right now, building up strength is the priority."

Aura frowned, but did not continue to refute. Even she had to admit the current situation of insufficient combat power.

Have you decided where to go?

"Let's head north. The Northern Plateau is teeming with monsters, and the environment is far too harsh for humans. It's the perfect place for us to hide."

"Anywhere I can settle down is fine."

"Then, let's set off."

So Aura and his party left the cave.

Braving blizzards and traversing mountains took half a year. If they headed north, they might encounter the heroes as they would be closer to the Demon King's Castle. To avoid overlapping with their route, the Demons took a long detour and infiltrated the Northern Plateau. However, it seemed they had taken too far a detour, as the dry, cold winds characteristic of the north howled everywhere they went.

As Aura emerged from the desolate winter forest, something came to mind. Come to think of it, that fellow operated on the Northern Plateau.

"This is..." Lugner stood there in astonishment, letting out a gasp of surprise.

Linié and Draht also became more alert to the strange sight before them.

After leaving the forest, we arrived at an abandoned village.

A village devoid of human life and the warmth of human presence—this is the meaning of "abandoned village," and the scene before me undoubtedly fits this definition.

However, the village looked nothing like the "abandoned village" image of Aura. Everything in the village had turned to gold. People and houses alike gleamed with a cold golden light, and even the ground was not spared. Everywhere reflected the sunlight like a mirror, and the view was a dazzling spectacle.

This is a change caused by magic. Aura only knows one person who can use such exaggerated magic.

What brings you here?

A voice came through, sounding very calm.

He was behind Aura and the others, seemingly having been there for a long time, staring at the ground with a bored expression. He was so close, yet Aura hadn't noticed him at all until he spoke to her. It seemed he had exceptional control over magic.

"Macht."

Macht of the Golden Land, an anomaly among the Demons who hates fighting, is the strongest of the Seven Sages of Destruction. He is also an opponent that Aura cannot defeat no matter what.

"Nothing's wrong, I was just passing by."

"Oh, I see. Then get lost."

This was the first time Aura had met Macht since the Seven Sages of Destruction of the Southern Expedition reunited. Of course, Aura didn't miss him at all, nor was she happy to see him again. She only wanted to pass through this land. However, hearing him obediently leave after being told to "get lost" made Aura feel uneasy, so she decided to retaliate.

"What a pity."

"What?"

"You possess such immense power yet avoid conflict. You could use your power at will; the saying 'begging for food while holding a golden bowl' perfectly describes you."

"As you wish. You're right, or should I quiet this chatterbox in front of me first?"

Lugner, Linié, Draht instantly went into battle mode, while Aura remained calm, knowing that Macht wouldn't be so short-sighted as to attack her, a fellow member of the Seven Sages of Destruction.

"Save your breath for meaningless threats." With that, Aura surveyed the village broadly. "With your 'Diagoldze' magic, not only this small village, but even a city could be turned to gold, right? Why not pursue even greater achievements?"

So what?

"Boast of your power to both humans and Demons!"

"You'll only attract the attention of troublesome guys."

"Wouldn't it be enough to just beat them until they're completely unable to resist?"

What happened after that?

"And then? Live as you please."

"I'm living as I please right now." Macht seemed to notice something and narrowed one eye. "Where did that group of undead you always led go?"

"If you're talking about the Undead Army, you're sorely mistaken. Don't compare such low-level beings to my Undead Army."

"Aren't they the same? They're both manipulating corpses."

"Both the magic systems and the precision are completely different, please don't underestimate me, okay?"

"That's quite a bit of pride."

Macht's slightly sarcastic words touched a nerve with Aura.

Lugner, standing behind Aura, conveyed to her with his eyes, "Let's leave here." Aura noticed but chose to ignore it. Her pride as one of the Seven Sages of Destruction had been repeatedly trampled upon; was she really going to back down like this? Aura wouldn't allow it.

"We just talked about 'doing whatever you want'... So, is there anything you'd like to do?"

Macht, who had been responding calmly, paused for about a breath's time before answering.

"I'm looking for something."

What are you looking for?

"It's something you'll never find in your entire life."

"Are you looking down on me?"

"So what if it is?"

Aura did not answer, and Macht remained silent as well.

The atmosphere plummeted to freezing point.

Neither of them looked away, their eyes fixed on each other's movements.

Not only did neither side adopt a posture of readiness for battle, but the flow of magic also remained unchanged. However, a tense atmosphere permeated the surroundings, making it difficult to breathe.

Macht wouldn't lay a hand on her, a fellow member of the Seven Sages of Destruction —that's what Aura thought, but she wasn't entirely sure. She knew better than anyone that Demons were fickle creatures, and perhaps one of her unintentional actions would provoke Macht's murderous intent.

The atmosphere was like a drawn bowstring, growing ever more taut.

Cold sweat trickled down Aura's temples.

Let's stop here.

Macht broke the silence first.

"I feel like even if I killed you, you wouldn't understand what guilt is."

"... Everything you do infuriates me."

Aura secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Finding herself actually relieved, Aura was a little angry with herself.

As always, Macht's eyes radiated a cold, ruthless aura, like a razor-sharp blade. It was an aura devoid of life and emotion, like that of an inorganic substance, from which the violence commonly found among Demons originated.

No matter how much Macht hates fighting, the fact that he is a Demons will not change. In that short time, Aura experienced this firsthand.

However, Macht just said something strange that didn't fit his temperament.

You just mentioned 'guilt,' right?

Aura knew the meaning of the word, but that was all. She had never experienced guilt, nor would she ever truly understand it.

"Is that what you're looking for? Or perhaps you're interested in humans?"

"It's none of your business."

"Stubborn."

"Just say you're going."

Macht turned and walked away from Aura.

Aura, left behind in the Golden Village, stood there in place.

"Lord Aura."

Hearing Lugner's call, Aura came to her senses.

With a grave expression, Lugner pleaded, "Perhaps we shouldn't set up our base around here?"

"Even I don't want to run into that guy a second time."

After that, Aura moved from place to place, recuperating for a long time. Five years passed after the battle with the hero's party, then ten... When Aura came to her senses, nearly half a century had passed. During this time, she tried to avoid contact with humans. Her condition had not yet recovered to its peak, and she had only collected a small number of members of the Undead Army. Now, she should continue to lie low.

That's what it means--

"I can't stand it anymore, it's so boring."

Aura yawned.

She now lives in an abandoned house deep in the mountains. Although it's not so cramped that she can't move around, it's almost too desolate to look at compared to the old castle that used to be her base.

Aura sat in her creaking wooden armchair, rocking back and forth, lost in thought. Many things had happened in the past half-century. The most memorable was probably the defeat of the Demon King by the hero Himmel. Aura had never been particularly loyal, and didn't care much about the Demon King's death itself. But now that the Demon King was dead, the order to "destroy such-and-such village" was gone, and Aura's life had become even more boring.

Lugner."

"Yes, what can I do for you?"

Lugner, who was nearby, walked up to Aura.

"I'm so bored."

"Hmm... that's exactly what you said."

Is there anything I can do?

Faced with Aura's ambiguous question, Lugner showed a thoughtful expression. This wasn't the first time Aura had asked such an unreasonable question.

"Um, how about I train my magic power a bit...?"

"Didn't we already do today's practice? Are you trying to say I've been slacking off lately?"

"No, no, I didn't mean that at all."

Lugner immediately defended himself, realizing he had misspoke.

In fact, Aura diligently practiced every day. Her obsession with magic reached a level that almost no other magician—including human magicians—could match.

Even though Demons are man-eating monsters who lie endlessly, their dedication to the study and exploration of magic is incredibly sincere. As a mage, Lugner holds Aura in awe and is willing to indulge her occasional whims.

Nevertheless... seeing Aura sitting lazily in the armchair, suppressing a yawn, Lugner also had a slight complaint.

"Alright, alright."

Suddenly, Aura stood up.

Where are you going?

"Walk."

"It would be troublesome if someone saw us."

"It'll be fine in a little while. You guys just watch the house," Aura replied without turning around, and walked out.

"Honestly, Lord Aura is really unreliable." Hearing the door slam shut, Lugner sighed.

"Really," Lugner, sinking deeply into the armchair where Aura had just been sitting.

As if summoned by the voice, Linié and Draht came out of the house. These two usually wouldn't approach Aura when she was in a bad mood.

"Lord Aura is always the same."

"He's probably feeling anxious because he can't fully unleash his power. Or maybe he's still resentful about losing to the hero and his group."

Lugner said, "Get that," so Linié brought out a bottle of red wine from the kitchen.

The red wine was stolen after killing a traveling merchant who was passing by. It tasted neither good nor bad, Lugner would occasionally use it to drown his sorrows.

"Regardless, Demons are just long-lived, not immune to aging. I really hope she can recover to her prime soon."

Lugner picked up the glass of red wine and poured the liquid into his mouth.

Draht spoke up, "If we just kill her now, there won't be any problems. Now that the Demon King is dead, no one will Judgment us."

Lugner smiled.

"That's a very typical opinion from the Demons."

Draht thought that Lugner was affirming his opinion, and he smiled happily.

"However, you still don't understand anything."

Draht frowned in displeasure, as if he had been doused with a bucket of cold water.

"The Seven Sages of Destruction are about to die are stronger than you (even a starved camel is bigger than a horse), Aura is stronger than you. No matter how capable you are, I don't think you can succeed in assassinating him."

"But..."

"Moreover, the Scales of Obedience is the most powerful magic I have ever seen. And those whose magic power surpasses Lady Aura's are only the Demons who are also at the Seven Sages of Destruction level, and the top mages in the human camp... In either case, their numbers are extremely small."

Lugner rose from his armchair and looked down at Draht.

"Even that small portion, once the Undead Army has depleted their magic, the Scales of Obedience will take effect. Draht, do you understand? As long as you don't become arrogant, Lord Aura cannot fail. If you want to reap the rewards, you'd better stay put."

"... Understood."

Draht nodded reluctantly.

Was the fear not even slightly enough? Lugner wondered.

"The Scales of Obedience also works on Demons. If Lady Aura discovers you're planning a rebellion, she might very well cast that spell on you to control you. Even if she doesn't, she's been in a bad mood lately, and she might just kill you if she's unhappy!"

Draht gasped. Lugner saw fear in his eyes before sitting back down in his chair.

At least he should have given up on the assassination attempt. It's best to nip trouble in the bud.

Lugner quietly downed his red wine in one gulp.

Linié walked over to the dejected Draht.

Did you upset someone?

"None of your business."

With a "crack," the small branch that had been stepped on broke in two.

Aura walked along the path trodden by wild beasts. The clouds above drifted motionless in the sky.

Like the clouds, Aura wanders freely, following the wind and the direction of her heart.

She climbed the slope, jumped over the stream, stepped over tree roots, and came to the man-made road. There were ruts on the road where horse-drawn carts had passed. Aura knew there was a village nearby, but this was the first time she had ever seen a newly built road like this.

Humans are expanding their habitat once again.

Aura's mood darkened. In her view, humans did have some value, but their numbers had grown too large, making them an eyesore.

"Should we take advantage of this walk and vandalize it?"

Even now, destroying a village would be a piece of cake for Aura, but considering how troublesome the cleanup would be, Aura gave up. She decided to postpone her attack until she had fully recovered her strength.

She put aside her thoughts about the village for the time being and continued walking silently. After walking for about an hour, the sun gradually sank in the west. The sun shone with a reddish-brown glow and slowly disappeared into the shadows of the mountains.

Aura emerged from the dense trees and came to a clearing with a flat rock in the center.

"Ah."

A human is sitting on the rock.

He was a human male who could be called a boy. He sat on a rock, staring blankly at the sky. There was almost no magic emanating from him, so Aura hadn't noticed him at first. He didn't look like an adventurer or a mage; he was probably just an ordinary villager from a nearby village. He seemed to notice Aura too, and slowly turned his head.

Should we kill him?

Aura approached the boy.

Is anyone there?

"..."

Strange statement.

The boy faced Aura, yet asked who was there, as if he couldn't see her.

Upon closer inspection, the boy's eyes appeared empty and cloudy.

Is he blind?

"... Is it just my imagination?"

The boy was incredulous and tilted his head.

He couldn't see it after all. Since he hadn't been exposed, there was no need to kill him. Aura hadn't intended to waste time on such "small fry" anyway, so he turned and left.

She took a few steps, then stopped.

Wasting time?

Wouldn't that be perfect for killing time? Since he can't see, there's no need to worry about his Demons identity being exposed. Besides, even if it were exposed, we could just get rid of him.

And— Aura remembered Macht.

That was a long time ago, but Aura remembered it very clearly. At that time, although Macht wouldn't admit it, he was clearly interested in humans. How could a naturally strong person be so obsessed with weak humans? It was simply a mystery.

Talking to the boy for a bit might help her understand Macht's thoughts. Of course, she didn't want to get closer to Macht; she was just annoyed because she couldn't figure it out.

Since I have so much time I could never finish it, it wouldn't be bad to try something different from what I've always done.

Having made up his mind, Aura immediately took action.

"Hello!"

Wow! Who is it?

The boy was startled by Aura's sudden voice, and his shoulders trembled.

You can't see me, can you?

"Yes, yes... I was injured when I was very young, and now I can't see anything."

"It must have been quite a journey to get here."

"Ah, because I have a cane."

The boy's hand groped on the rock, his fingertips touching the cane leaning against it.

Excuse me, may I ask who you are?

"Just an ordinary adventurer."

"Adventurer!"

The boy's face shone with radiance.

"Wow, that's amazing! My dream is to become an adventurer."

Even if you are blind?

"Everyone in the village says so too... but I believe that as long as I work hard, I can definitely achieve my dreams. My father also said that I can't give up before I've even tried."

"Uh-huh..."

"Um, my name is Will. What's your name, sister?"

"Call me whatever you like, call me whatever you prefer."

"Is that so? Okay then, I'll call you older sister."

Will nervously twisted his hands. Perhaps he hadn't let his guard down yet.

What were you doing here just now?

"Um, I'm listening to the birds chirping."

"Bird?"

"Yes, there are many wild birds around here, and their calls can be heard very clearly."

Aura listened intently and indeed heard the chirping of birds.

Why listen to this?

"This... it's not really useful, it's just for listening to. It feels so refreshing to listen to."

This is a sensitivity that Aura lacks. Birdsong is just birdong; it evokes no feeling in her. Perhaps Will is describing is the result of that function called "sensibility" at work.

"I really enjoy listening to birdsong. Did you know that birdsong is the sound they make when they come to court? Many birds are in their breeding season during this time, so you can hear all sorts of bird calls."

Even though Aura hadn't asked, the boy launched into a long explanation.

"Moreover, singing is not just about being melodious. Although some birds will flap their wings and sing at the same time, doing so is not only tiring but also makes them easy targets for predators. No matter how beautiful the song, it is a life-threatening adventure for the bird itself."

Will was breathing heavily, speaking with great enthusiasm.

Aura stared at him, finding it very strange. Aura had never encountered a human so enthusiastic about this kind of topic before. Putting aside the content of the topic, Aura had never met a human who treated her with such an attitude, which piqued her interest.

Humans usually viewed Aura with hostility and fear, but the boy before him was simply talking about things that interested him. This attitude seemed both novel and comical to Aura.

"Oh, sorry. I was so busy talking on and on." Will blushed.

"It's alright, what you said is quite interesting."

"Really? I'm so happy... By the way, if you could, could you tell me about yourself too? I really, really love stories about adventurers!"

Just then, the sound of bells came from the direction of the distant village.

"Oh no! "Will said, a look of disappointment on his face. "I have to go back..."

"Oh dear, that's such a shame..."

I want to observe a little longer.

Should they just let him go back like that? In an instant, Aura thought of kidnapping him, but then felt that doing so would greatly reduce the "fun" of observing the boy.

So she suggested, "If you come here tomorrow, I'll tell you an adventure story."

"Huh? But isn't my sister on an adventure right now?"

"Staying for a few days is fine, I have plenty of time."

Hearing Aura's words, Will's unseen eyes seemed to sparkle. Perhaps this would at least help pass the time while he was bored?

From that day on, Aura and Will met every evening. They would sit on the rocks and talk until the village bells—which seemed to be a signal urging the villagers to go home—rang. Aura would tell her impromptu adventure stories, Will would listen with great interest, seemingly without any doubt that Aura was Demons.

However, he sometimes finds it unbelievable.

Where does your sister live?

How long will you stay here?

"Have you always been alone?"

Whenever Will asked such questions, Aura would either lie or change the subject. Fortunately, as soon as the topic of wild birds came up, Will would talk about it for a long time, making it very easy to get away with it.

"Among birds, some species can mimic sounds."

"Onomatopoeia?"

"Yes, that is, Imitation the calls of other birds. Some are used to attract females, while others Imitation the calls of predators to reduce the likelihood of being attacked."

I feel like I've heard this phrase somewhere before.

Imitation the calls of natural enemies to reduce the likelihood of being attacked perfectly describes the Demons, especially the weaker Demons, who frequently use this tactic.

No, perhaps even the powerful Demons are no exception. They use language to deceive humans and to communicate with other Demons, yet they often fail to understand the meaning of language itself. In the end, to Demons, language is nothing more than complex cries Imitation from humans.

Are there any birds that can talk?

"It seems so. But it's in a very, very far place."

"Although you cannot see, you know a great deal."

Will scratched his head sheepishly.

"Actually, it was all my mom who told me. My mom is very knowledgeable; she told me a lot about biology. I will always remember what my mom has told me and will never forget it."

Will spoke with genuine emotion. He must have had immense respect for his "mother."

"My mother is not only very knowledgeable, but she was also a very powerful magician."

"In the past? Isn't it now?"

"Ah... um."

Will's face darkened. He had been talking non-stop just moments before, but suddenly he started stammering.

"... My mother passed away five years ago."

"Why?"

"The village was attacked by Demons. Mom and Dad fought to protect the village, and other adults came to help, but no one could defeat the Demons."

"But you still survived."

"My mom and dad helped me escape. But the Demons' attack was too fierce... That's when I was injured in the eye."

Will touched his face. There was no sadness on his face, only an unusually tired expression.

Why are the Demons attacking the village?

Will wasn't asking Aura a question. It was his sigh, his inquiry into the misfortunes of the world.

"I don't know. Maybe it's to eat people, or maybe it's just to show off their power. Even without a specific reason, they might attack on a whim. Humans can't understand the Demons's way of thinking."

"We have the same appearance and speak the same language, so is it really impossible for us to understand each other?"

"If they could understand each other, Demons and humans wouldn't have been fighting for thousands of years."

"But the war is over."

"Then your village was attacked, and you were taken from your sight?"

"Perhaps the Demons also have their own difficulties."

"Difficulties?"

"I don't know the specifics..."

Will lowered his head, looking somewhat unsure.

Aura found it unbelievable. It sounded like Will wanted to coexist with the Demons.

However, the Demons attacked his village, killed his people, and even took the light from his eyes.

Don't you hate the Demons?

"I feel... hatred. But I don't want to see all Demons as bad. I think there must be good Demons among them."

"Do such Demons even exist?"

"Of course there is. Because the world is so big," Will said, almost as if praying.

That's utter nonsense; Aura almost laughed when he heard it.

But Will was serious. His words weren't the foolish utterances of an ignorant human accustomed to too much peace; there seemed to be a firm conviction in Will. Aura's interest in Will grew even stronger.

That said, if Demons who seek mutual understanding with humans are considered good Demons... then in Will's opinion, does the Demon King, who hoped to coexist with humans while ordering the destruction of countless villages, qualify as a good Demons?

Will possessed an extensive knowledge beyond his years; he knew many things that even Aura, who had lived for five hundred years, did not. Whenever Aura showed the slightest hint of doubt, Will would immediately answer without reservation. This was a feeling she had never experienced when conversing with Demons.

Aura had assumed that someone like Will would want to pursue a career as a scholar or teacher, but he remained steadfast in his dream of becoming an adventurer, refusing to compromise.

"But I don't think it's suitable for you."

"But I still want to be an adventurer. Recently, the villagers have gradually started to support me, which is the result of my hard work in training."

"Hmm."

Judging from Will's words, the villagers seemed to like him quite a bit. When Aura mentioned this to him, he smiled sheepishly and said, "Everyone is a very good person." The trust among the villagers was evident in Will's expression and words.

"I've recently learned some magic! I'm currently learning basic attack magic."

"Oh? So you know how to use it now?"

"No, I haven't learned it at all... Unlike my mom, I don't seem to have any magical talent."

"That doesn't seem very effective. If you can't see it, even if you learn how, you probably still won't be able to hit it, right?"

"So, it seems that only physical training remains as a viable option."

In reality, Aura didn't think the boy could achieve anything significant, but saying it directly would probably offend him, so Aura, who disliked the trouble, chose to remain silent.

"I remember my sister was a mage, right? A very strong mage?"

"You're really strong."

"How strong is he? Like First-Class Mage?"

First-Class Mage... This was the first time Aura, who had been living in seclusion for so long, had heard this term.

However, based on intuition, it can be deduced that it's used to describe a certain level. This makes responding easier.

"Well, this one is even stronger than First-Class Mage."

"Really? That's amazing..."

Will exclaimed with admiration.

I really want to become stronger too.

It was just as light, yet it revealed a firm will. This must have been his heartfelt wish.

"You definitely can, as long as you try."

Unlike Will, Aura's answers were insincere. But Will always took them as truth, a completely unguarded smile on his face.

"My sister is a gentle person, although sometimes she can be aloof."

I am indeed older than you.

"... How old are you, sister?"

"... It's better if you don't know that."

"Is this what they call 'the secret of a young girl'?"

Will chuckled, and Aura almost laughed along with him.

Secret?

What kind of expression would the boy have if he knew that the person speaking to him was a Demons? Curiosity gnawed at Aura's heart, and she barely managed to suppress the urge to try it out.

Now is not the time.

"I've heard that the hero Himmel has died."

Is that so?

When Aura received Lugner's report, he was rocking back and forth in his armchair.

It was raining outside the abandoned house. Raindrops pattered against the windows, and a small amount of water seeped in from the ceiling. Aura hadn't even lived in this house for a full year, but he felt it was time to move on to a new base.

What was the cause of death?

"It's probably due to aging."

Even the mighty Himmel couldn't overcome the limitations of lifespan.

Aura felt neither joy at the deaths of the humans who had once defeated her, nor regret at losing the chance for revenge. However, the memory of retreating during the battle with the heroes sent a bitter taste Swirl through her mouth. The humiliation of defeat was always so unforgettable.

"What about the others?"

"You mentioned something else..."

"Aren't there still a few people left? Elves, dwarves."

"Ah... the other three seem to be alive. They haven't done anything significant since defeating the Demon King."

"That's good. If they're still alive, we can kill them anytime."

Especially Frieren —elves live long lives and are excellent mages; she shouldn't die anytime soon. As long as she's alive, we'll always have a chance to meet again, and then we must defeat her completely.

Aura stood up from the armchair.

With a gentle clench of the palm, it tentatively gathers magical power.

Aura smiled.

"This moment has finally arrived."

Meeting Will was nothing more than a way to pass the time. But in the last few decades of my life, it has been somewhat meaningful. Talking to humans isn't bad; there's even some fun in it.

Aura seemed to understand a little why Macht was interested in humans. Although she didn't fully understand, it was enough. So, Aura decided to stop there.

My strength has been restored.

It has taken more than half a century to recover to the state before fighting the hero and his companions. There is no need to continue recuperating. From now on, resume normalcy, follow your instincts to kill humans, and accumulate power.

Let's start with the nearby villages. Aura wanted to increase the Undead Army's fighting strength first. Villagers couldn't contribute much in terms of combat power, which she wasn't entirely satisfied with, but something was better than nothing.

Let's eat something first before we begin.

Aura walked to her usual spot at her usual time. She was intoxicated by the feeling of being invincible after her powers were restored, her steps were light, and even the crimson sunset on the horizon looked like surging blood.

What topics should I talk about with Will? What will he do after he finds out I'm Demons? It's a bit of a shame I won't be able to talk to him anymore, but there's nothing I can do about it. I am Demons after all, and Will is human after all. No matter how much we talk, the gap between our two races can never be bridged.

Aura reached his destination.

"Huh?"

Will was nowhere to be seen on the rocks.

Will usually arrives before Aura, but he didn't show up today.

"Was I too excited and came too early?" Aura wondered, sitting on the rock waiting for Will.

However, Will never came.

"... It's so slow."

The sun had already disappeared behind the mountains, and the full moon peeked out from the low sky.

Suddenly, Aura noticed something unusual.

Why didn't we hear the bell that usually rings at sunset today? Has something happened in the village?

Aura stood up, used Flight Magic to levitate into the air, and flew towards the village.

After a moment, the magic detection system reacted.

"... There seems to be something there."

It wasn't human, but Demons like Aura. That guy was in the village. Ara flew to a place where the village was visible to the naked eye.

Aura slowly descended and landed in the very center of the village.

The smell of blood filled my nostrils.

The village has been destroyed.

The houses were completely destroyed, and there were people lying everywhere, each body ripped open with a sharp weapon, already dead.

It's so quiet.

Everyone seems to be dead.

Footsteps sounded behind her. Magic was approaching. Aura turned around.

"Is it Aura the Guillotine?" the Demons asked.

The Demons had two horns protruding from its helmet, its entire body covered in rough armor, and it gripped a huge axe in both hands, which looked to weigh as much as three Auras.

Aura remembered this Demons; he was at least not some nobody.

I remember now.

General Gross of the Demons Clan, a powerful warrior skilled in martial arts rather than magic.

Aura watched silently, and Gross spoke first.

"It really surprises me. I heard you were missing, I never imagined you were still alive."

Aura's gaze left Gross and swept across the village. It was a truly horrific scene. Neither children nor adults had escaped death. The merciless and utter devastation was exactly what Demons would do.

"This was originally your territory? Well, I'm truly sorry."

Many of the corpses were holding weapons, presumably in preparation for their fight with Gross.

However, some weapons were shattered. Perhaps they were struck by the giant axe, or perhaps they were no match for the sturdy armor... Whatever the reason, the villagers' fighting strength seemed completely outmatched by Gross.

"Several people escaped. It won't be long before a punitive expedition composed of mages and warriors from nearby cities arrives."

Aura naturally searched for Will's figure. At least, there was no body of his in sight. Had he escaped? No, the possibility of Will, who was blind, escaping was extremely slim.

"I'm leaving here. What are your plans?"

Aura's gaze returned to Gross.

"What are my plans..."

Aura rested his chin on his hand.

In an instant, a variety of thoughts flashed through her mind—

But they were immediately consumed by the Demons' instincts.

The scales of Obedience have fallen into Aura's hands.

Immediately afterwards.

The Scales of Obedience.

Gross and Aura's magic was placed on opposite ends of the scale. Although their opponent was a general, his only outstanding skill was martial arts; his magical power was nothing special. The scale naturally tipped towards Aura's side.

Gross's body stiffened, and even his helmet couldn't hide his trembling.

"Why...?"

Why?

Aura smiled like a child who had just received a toy.

"I really need powerful soldiers."

Gross struggled briefly, then quickly quieted down. He should have been beheaded, turning him into a mindless soldier, but Demons turn to dust upon death. Since the Scales of Obedience had already taken effect, keeping his head shouldn't be a problem. If he dared to resist again, they could deal with him as needed.

Aura seemed relieved, as if she had resolved a matter, and looked up at the full moon.

"I'm having good luck today."

Aura was somewhat indignant that his prey had been stolen, but it was nothing more than a trivial matter.

She achieved an unexpected victory. Gross, now a puppet, should become an excellent asset to Aura. In addition, there are more expeditionary forces coming later. If they can also be added to the Undead Army, trained mages and warriors will definitely be stronger than untrained villagers.

Let the Undead Army grow stronger at this pace, and one day we will surely take over the Graf Granat Earl Territory that we were forced to abandon!

"Gross, get me a chair."

Aura impatiently gave an order to the silent puppet soldier Gross. Gross dragged a chair out of the collapsed house and, like a respectful servant, moved it behind Aura.

Aura settled comfortably into a chair, crossed her legs with an air of triumph, and amidst the silence of the corpse-strewn landscape, Aura eagerly awaited the arrival of the magician and warrior.

Suddenly, she heard a bird chirp.

The birds cried out sadly in low voices.

Will had told her the name of this bird before. What was it again? -- She couldn't remember anymore.