Betrayal and Sorrow

“Jing, you can hear me, can’t you? You wouldn’t hurt anyone, would you?” Though her face was pale, Grandma Ila stood firmly by Jing’s side, her voice gentle.

‘Grandma Ila! I don’t know why I’ve become like this… I… I would never hurt anyone!’ Hearing Grandma Ila’s voice, Jing looked helplessly at her own hands and stammered, her voice trembling. But she quickly realized her words were no longer human speech; Grandma Ila clearly couldn’t understand her.

Jing nodded emphatically, trying to show that she could hear Grandma Ila and would never harm them. Having been in this other world for less than a month, Jing hadn’t yet learned its written language and couldn’t communicate that way. She could only hope that Grandma Ila and Grandpa Joseph would believe her.

“Jing, you are such a kind child,” Grandpa Joseph said, looking at her demonic form without a trace of fear. “Your appearance may have changed, but I see your eyes, and I know you are still Jing. Our Jing would never hurt anyone. So don’t be afraid. Grandma Ila and I will stand by you.” He reached out, intending to take her arm.

At his words, Jing fought back tears, remembering her promise to her mother not to cry anymore.

But as Grandpa Joseph’s hand drew near, she instinctively pulled back her own, which had transformed into sharp, dangerous talons. She was terrified of cutting him.

Grandpa Joseph paused for a moment, then seemed to understand. He gave Jing a warm smile and nodded to Grandma Ila. Together, they gently took Jing’s hands, now covered in bony scales, one on each side. Then they turned to face the villagers.

“Everyone, look closely! The person standing beside me is not some demon! She is the same innocent, kind-hearted child she has always been! Think back! Jing hasn’t been in our village long, but is there a single family here that hasn’t been helped by this good girl? Linda! Think of your eighty-year-old mother! Who carried her home when she fainted on her walk? Bill! Your family is poor, with so many mouths to feed. Who shared their own food with your brothers and sisters? And you, Mong En! You’ve always wanted to be a great mercenary. Is this how you treat the one who taught you swordsmanship? All of you, staring at someone who helped you as if she were a monster—have you no conscience? Are you really going to believe the words of one ungrateful wretch and condemn this girl, who is as kind as an angel, as a demon? That so-called demon is the very person who saved that ungrateful man on the stage from the brink of death! Even if Jing were a demon, her character is a hundred times nobler than his!”

Grandpa Joseph held Jing’s hand, his voice roaring with solemn fury as he addressed the crowd.

The restless murmurs of the crowd gradually subsided as his words sank in. Not just those he had named, but most of the villagers bowed their heads, remembering Jing’s kindness and feeling deeply ashamed of their own words.

The people of Balyaas Village were, for the most part, simple and good-hearted. They had only been frightened by the legends of demons, their fear sparked by the first sight of Jing’s transformation. But on second thought, the tales their elders told of bloodthirsty, terrifying demons were just that—tales. No one living had ever seen a demon harm a person.

Besides, since Jing’s arrival, the village had been peaceful, save for the incident with the rampaging Uli beast. And even then, with Jing’s help, the creature was swiftly dispatched with only a few minor injuries. In fact, that Uli beast had greatly enriched their food supply.

Even if Jing was a demon, she hadn’t hurt anyone. Humans could be good or bad, so who was to say all demons were evil? And the mage on the stage—Jing had saved his life. For him to suddenly turn on her and call her a demon… why should they believe such an ungrateful person? Jing’s appearance had changed, yes, but she still looked rather cute. What was that saying? The body of a devil and the face of an angel—wasn’t that their Jing?

Someone then recalled hearing about a trend in the Lunbang Empire… something called “fantastic disguises.” It was incredibly popular there. Boys and girls would dress up in all sorts of strange outfits, pretending to be heroes or monsters. Looking at Jing now, her current appearance didn’t seem so different from that.

Grandpa Joseph’s speech had been a wake-up call for the simple villagers. Their perspective shifted, and they began to see Jing’s new form in a positive light. Some even found her more adorable now. That blood-red hair! How beautiful!

Many of the young men blushed as they looked at her, their eyes lingering on the sliver of pale collarbone, the gentle swell of her chest, and the smooth, flat expanse of her stomach. A few surreptitiously tore off pieces of their clothing to stuff into their noses, explaining to those nearby that the weather was just too hot.

“You little bastard,” Mr. Hake growled, grabbing Bo Aibiyi by the collar. “I don’t know what you’re planning, but I think your little scheme is over. I don’t know what kind of nefarious sorcery you used, but our Jing is no demon! Change her back, now!”

From the moment he saw Jing in pain, Mr. Hake’s heart had ached. When she transformed, his first thought was that this despicable whelp had done something to her. After hearing Grandpa Joseph’s speech and seeing the villagers come to their senses, he was filled with both gratitude and rage. Gratitude to the gods, and rage towards the man before him.

‘Why… why… why… Why did it turn out like this? These damn lowlifes! Peasants! This filth! Why did the plan deviate so drastically? Why would these wretches believe a demon so easily? On what grounds… on what grounds… ON WHAT GROUNDS!’

Bo Aibiyi’s body trembled violently. He could no longer control his expression, his face contorting into a grotesque mask of fury. To see such a face would be to invite a week of nightmares.

“Get out of here, you liar! We don’t believe you anymore!” a voice from the crowd shouted. Bo Aibiyi’s hands shook.

“Ungrateful snake! You were clearly after Jing! Try a smarter plan next time, this was just idiotic! Now change our angelic Jing back!”

Bo Aibiyi felt the veins on his forehead pulse as if they might burst.

“Hey, I’m thinking… maybe don’t change her back? She looks pretty cute like this… hehehe…”

‘Calm… Bo Aibiyi… you must be calm… You are the most brilliant mage… you will become second to one and master of all!’

“Jing, don’t worry, the whole village is on your side! We won’t let that ungrateful villain get away with this! Mr. Hake, give him a good thrashing for us! It’s because of this bastard that our festival was ruined, and we almost misunderstood Jing! What a stupid plan, did he really think we were that easy to fool? He seriously underestimates our bonds, the dumb Uli!”

‘You damn mongrels! I am destined to be the greatest, the pinnacle of wisdom, a master archmage! I am not a dumb Uli!’

“[Twisted Mirror] [Water Ray] [Liquid Drive],” Bo Aibiyi whispered, a string of spells leaving his lips. Though still caught in Mr. Hake’s grip, his hate-filled eyes were fixed on the space beside Jing.

Listening to the villagers’ words, Jing could no longer hold back her emotions. Despite her promise to her mother, tears of joy streamed from her blood-red eyes.

“Thank you… thank you, everyone… Grandma Ila, Grandpa Joseph…”

Even though she knew they couldn’t understand her, Jing kept repeating her thanks, bowing again and again. To feel their friendly gazes on her once more filled her heart with warmth.

“Oh, Jing, I’m so glad,” Grandma Ila said, stroking her hair affectionately. “But, Jing, can you change back? It might be a bit difficult to make dresses for you like this.”

Her words sent a jolt of panic through Jing. She had no idea what had happened to her or why she had changed. What if she couldn’t turn back? And… she felt as if she wasn’t wearing any clothes. The sensation was deeply unsettling. Blushing, she shyly shook her head, indicating she didn’t know, while using one arm to cover the exposed expanse of her chest.

“I’m telling you, it has to be the work of that ungrateful brat on the stage! Our Jing saved him out of kindness, and he repaid her with such a vile trick!” Grandpa Joseph huffed, his mustache twitching as he took off his own coat to cover her.

‘Mr. Bo Aibiyi… but why? Did he really do this? But why would he do something like this to me… Did I do something wrong to upset him?’ Jing thought sorrowfully. The anticipation she’d felt at seeing him again had curdled into a bitter ache. She glanced furtively at the stage and saw his face twisted into a terrifying mask, his eyes glaring at her with venomous hatred. In the next instant, a powerful sense of unease washed over her.

“Look out!!”

Her scream was met with the spray of blood from two sources.

“Ah… ah… ah… ah… ah… ah…”

Jing’s already crimson eyes turned a deeper, more vibrant shade of red. Before her, Grandma Ila wore a gentle, benevolent smile. Beside her, Grandpa Joseph’s expression was still one of gruff indignation. A hole the width of a forearm had been blasted through each of their chests.

The sight before her tore a desperate, unconscious wail from her throat.

“Hee hee hee… how interesting! How very interesting!”

A genderless, androgynous voice chuckled softly from somewhere within the crowd.