The Descent of the Superior Races

Higashino Makoto opened his eyes, and all he saw was darkness.

It wasn't night, but a softer kind of darkness, carrying a faint scent of sandalwood.

Two towering peaks loomed in from both sides, completely blocking his view.

He blinked, his eyelashes brushing against that soft skin, and then he felt it.

A shrine maiden's outfit, with the front open.

He took a deep breath to calm himself down.

"Akeno."

"Um--"

The voice came from above, soft and husky, like someone who had just woken up.

You're pressing your face against mine.

"Hmm... I know..."

Her voice carried a hint of sly laughter, but instead of loosening her grip, she tightened her embrace.

Higashino Makoto took a deep breath and did not struggle.

A faint sandalwood scent filled my nostrils, mixed with an indescribable smell, like sun-dried bedding.

Her body heat emanated through the opening in her shrine maiden robes, providing warmth and comfort.

"Akeno, it's time to get up."

"Sleep a little longer--"

"Not today, the superior race will arrive today."

The arm loosened.

Akeno sat up, her red and white shrine maiden outfit somewhat disheveled, the front of her dress opened even wider, revealing her fair collarbone and deeper marks.

Her purple eyes looked at him with a hint of regret, but a beautiful smile played on her lips.

"... Business is important, you're right."

She got out of bed, straightened her shrine maiden robes, her movements elegant and composed, as if nothing had happened.

Higashino Makoto sat up and rubbed his eyes.

Lilith prepared breakfast.

Toast, fried eggs, bacon, sausage, fresh fruit, and a pot of steaming black tea.

She stood by the dining table, wearing that deep purple robe, the neckline still very low.

Her long green hair cascaded over her shoulders, her golden eyes gazed at him, and a faint smile played on her lips.

Did you sleep well last night?

"Good."

"Miss Akeno... I hope I haven't disturbed you?"

Although I went to bed quite late because of her, how could that be considered disturbing me?

"No."

Lilith's lips curled up slightly.

"That's good."

She glanced at Akeno, and Akeno looked back at her.

The two looked at each other for a moment, then simultaneously looked away.

Alice Kuonji wasn't there; she had already gone back.

Standing behind Higashino Makoto is Himejima Akeno, dressed in a red and white shrine maiden outfit, with a voluptuous figure, purple eyes, and a woman with lofty ambitions.

In the morning, Higashino Makoto wandered around the Demon King's Castle.

It wasn't a patrol or an inspection; it was just a casual stroll.

Lilith managed the Demon King's castle very well, better than he had imagined.

She withdrew all the demons from the human kingdoms and imprisoned the disobedient ones—those who refused to gather and thought that "the Demon King has become cowardly since a new person took over."

She's keeping him locked up in the dungeon beneath the Demon King's castle. If the higher races arrive and he survives, she'll consider releasing him.

Although Higashino Makoto didn't seem to care, Lilith seemed to be very concerned about it.

The number of demons that survived may far exceed Higashino Makoto's estimates.

"Mr. Higashino Makoto, what do you think of Lilith?"

After thinking for a moment, Higashino Makoto gave Lilith a very high evaluation, noting that her recent performance had been impeccable.

"This woman is nice."

Akeno glanced at him.

"You like her?"

"I like it, and not just that kind of liking."

"... What other types are there?"

"I admire capable people."

Akeno nodded.

"And what about me? Do you appreciate me?"

Higashino Makoto glanced at her.

I admire you; I love everything about you.

Akeno's smile was dignified, with a hint of cunning.

"... Thanks."

At noon, Higashino Makoto stood atop the Demon King's castle tower, his golden eyes gazing at the sky.

The crack has grown large enough that you can see the color on the other side.

It was a deeper, darker red, like the color of congealed blood.

Then he heard a crisp sound.

It sounded like shattering glass, like breaking bones, or like something older and heavier being torn apart.

The sky cracked open.

Dark red light surged from the crack, like a tide, like blood, like some kind of anger that had been suppressed for too long finally finding an outlet.

Then the superior races arrived.

They look exactly like humans.

It has one nose, two eyes, one mouth, and two hands, and wears gorgeous human clothes, making it look like a nobleman among humans.

But that's just the surface; their true nature is a far more powerful and distorted "phenomenon," like cleaners specifically designed to destroy world civilization.

They fell on the earth, in the forests, in the villages. And then the slaughter began.

A village was not protected by angels.

The villagers here do not believe in disasters, prophecies, or angels.

"Those winged things, who knows if it's the Demon King's trick?"

They did not gather or evacuate; they simply continued their lives as usual.

Farming, feeding chickens, arguing...

Then, the superior races arrived.

A superior race landed in the center of the village, smashing a stone slab into a deep crater, sending rubble flying.

The villagers looked up at the figure, which was entirely black, with red eyes that held the scrutiny of a superior, expressionless, as if looking at a flock of chickens and ducks.

"Who are you? What are you doing in our village?"

The man pointed his harpoon at the other man, issuing his warning.

Unfortunately, he was met with an invisible hand that easily twisted his hands, which were holding the harpoon, into a pretzel.

"Monster!"

The villagers turned and ran.

The superior race raised their hand, and a black beam of light shot out from their palm, piercing through the body of the fleeing villager.

He fell down, a fist-sized hole in his chest, its edges smooth as a mirror.

There were no screams, because there wasn't time to scream.

There was no struggle, because there was no time to struggle.

More superior races descended, and the slaughter began.

No reason, no purpose, just killing.

Kill every living creature that comes into view, especially humans.

This killing went beyond the realm of food, since they simply didn't need to eat that much.

But they still kill, as if killing itself is the goal.

Higashino Makoto stood atop the tower, overlooking the vast land below.

"Here we go."

Akeno stood behind him.

Aren't you going to rescue them?

"They can't be saved. They're too far away, and the distribution is too scattered."

"So you're just going to watch like this?"

Higashino Makoto remained silent for a moment.

"... Just watch them, and then... kill them all."

Akeno looked at him, her purple eyes flashing with a complex light.

Some villages are protected by angels. The angels spread their wings, raise their spears, and golden light gathers at the tips of the spears, shooting towards the superior races.

Some of the higher races were struck, their bodies burning, disintegrating, and turning to ashes in the golden light.

It will revive in just a few seconds.

But more superior races surged in, and the angels were torn apart one by one, their wings broken, their bodies pierced, and golden blood spilled across the earth.

But they are stalling for time, buying time, waiting for the arrival of the Supreme Beings.

Higashino Makoto closed his eyes, opened his arms, and the illusory world unfolded around him.