The Price of Peace

That’s a cool way of thinking. I almost whistled in admiration but bit my lip when I realized how heavy the atmosphere had become. I wondered what the knights were thinking. I stole a glance at their expressions, but they all seemed to be lost in their own thoughts. Naturally, Judas was the most noticeable; his face had darkened considerably.

“However, I cannot tolerate the presence of a demon,” Azrael said firmly.

Even in the face of such a stern attitude, the boy seemed unperturbed.

“Even though the information I have would be helpful to you?”

Just how much did he know? I nudged my way between the two and asked the child.

“Just what exactly do you know? You’re talking like you know how many spoons the Demon King has in his drawer.”

“Probably two.”

Why do you even know that? I was so flabbergasted by the answer to my own joke that I took a step back. The boy grinned, showing his teeth as if he found my reaction hilarious. It was an expression that looked exactly like Saleos.

“Just kidding.”

“You sounded completely serious.”

“Do adults really believe stuff like that?”

I scowled.

“He’s supposed to be a Demon King, and he only has two spoons?”

“I said I was lying.”

“Then what, does he just go out to the fields and munch on grass for dinner?”

The boy shrugged casually.

“Exactly.”

“What kind of Demon King is that? Only two spoons and eating grass. I bet he lives in a house that’s about to collapse, too?”

“You’re actually pretty funny. Have you been there?”

The conversation went on and on, but the amount of actual information I gathered was close to zero. I was falling into a pit of confusion. How is this different from a Zen riddle? How much of this is real? Is the ‘two spoons’ bit a metaphor for two people living together? It’s not literally just two spoons, right? I looked at Azrael like a supporting character in a mystery manga who says, ‘I’ve gathered all the clues, I’ll leave the rest to you.’ Azrael gave me a helpless smile in return.

“I understand that you have specific and abundant information regarding the Demon King. But how can we trust you? There is a possibility you are in league with him.”

What specific and abundant information? The spoons? Are the spoons the key?

“A fair point. That might have been the case if the Demon King had set up shop somewhere else.”

The boy smiled brightly.

“But this village I’m trying to protect is the place most directly affected by the Demon King’s power, so I don’t really have a choice, do I?”

“It shouldn’t be impossible to protect the residents using the power of the demon you summoned.”

“You want us to live like prisoners? Are you crazy?”

I flinched at the boy’s harsh tone. There was clear hostility laced in his voice. Azrael must have felt it too, as his expression clouded over. It was then.

“Now, now. If I leave you two alone, this conversation will never end, so the guardian is going to step in—.”

Saleos, who had been acting as background decoration, raised his hands and pulled the child into his arms. The boy looked dissatisfied but obeyed quietly.

“What my contractor—well, the ‘Village Chief’—wants isn’t just for these people to stay alive, but to live human lives. Doing what they want to do, being able to move freely, things like that.”

“You are being greedy in an era like this,” Saul remarked.

Saleos laughed and ruffled the brat’s hair. The boy shrieked in protest, but Saleos ignored him with a practiced ease that suggested they did this often.

“Well, demons are always known for whispering sweet words.”

“For a demon, you seem remarkably human-friendly.”

Saleos smirked.

“I happen to like humans.”

I wish he hadn’t said that. I could see the knights, who were leaning toward thinking ‘Is he a decent guy?’, immediately harden their expressions into ‘This guy is definitely up to something.’ I reflexively pressed a hand to my forehead.

“Anyway, that’s all we want. For this village to escape the influence of the Demon King’s power and live safely, freely, and peacefully as it does now. I’ll tell you this so you don’t worry: the villagers will truly be safe. They won’t cause any harm to this world. The only one I’m currently having a negative influence on is our Chief here.”

Whether the knights doubted him or not, Saleos kept rambling on. His words didn’t seem to have any downside for us.

“If you can guarantee that, I’ll cooperate fully regarding the Demon King’s subjugation. Since Andrealphus is here, you probably don’t need martial help, but I’ll assist with that too if necessary. What do you say?”

“Is the peace of this village really that important?” Levi asked.

Saleos and his contractor answered without a moment’s hesitation.

“Of course it is.”

“Obviously.”

It was a definitive answer without a shred of doubt.

“Living every single day in fear of what might happen tomorrow is the ultimate tragedy. A life where you can rest when you want to rest and spend time doing what you love is the most beautiful comedy. What’s so strange about valuing the protection of that?”

To that, no one could find the words to respond.

We moved to a different spot to continue our discussion. The convictions of Saleos and his contractor were incredibly straightforward. It was almost embarrassing that I had worried Saleos might be malicious just because of how much everyone in this world hates demons.

“It was clear they have no intention of harming the world. Furthermore, they seem to recognize their own limits and intend to run the village only within a range they can take responsibility for. Perhaps we could accept the deal just this once.”

“I disagree. As long as Andrealphus is with us, there is no problem in subjugating the Demon King. Even if things look stable now, we cannot leave behind a bomb that might explode at any time,” Saul said firmly.

I shifted my eyes at the mention of my name. Agreeing with him felt like agreeing to subjugate Saleos, but arguing against it felt like pushing my personal feelings into a public mission. Noticing my predicament, Azrael spoke to Saul.

“Sir Saul. If the Demon King is in human form, it will be a difficult fight. It will be even harder if we have already exhausted ourselves fighting Saleos.”

“Is the Commander also in the camp of leaving the demon be?”

Levi stood up abruptly. His tone screamed, Even the Commander?! I scratched the back of my neck. This was heading toward internal strife. Unlike the many meetings and discussions we’d had on the way here, the current atmosphere was chilling. I was glad the demonic race wasn’t a playable race. If I were a demon, it would have been a disaster regardless of being Azrael’s friend.

“Um…… can I ask something? I’m curious.”

“Yes, go ahead.”

“Is there a reason you absolutely have to subjugate them? Like he said, they aren’t causing any harm, unlike the Demon King.”

“Hmm.”

John looked at me like a student asking why 1+1 equals 2 before quickly looking away. It was Levi who answered in his stead.

“Andrealphus. You saw how the Chief is trying to protect this village, didn’t you?”

“Eh? Yeah.”

“Then what reaction do you think the Chief would have if this village were destroyed by monsters or by a group of knights who stumbled upon it? He would go berserk. It would cause damage to a wide area.”

“But……. If we stay silent about this place and they hide it with stealth magic, wouldn’t that prevent such a thing from happening?” I mumbled.

I didn’t want to destroy a peaceful village based on a mere hunch of what might happen. What would happen to the villagers if Saleos disappeared right now?

“Those who summon demons are destined for ruin one way or another. They are greedy. Did they not summon a demon from another dimension to achieve something impossible with their own strength? They constantly push themselves to achieve the unachievable, causing their bodies and minds to crumble. You mustn’t be deceived by how things look now.”

“But Saleos is…….”

“Even if he truly has no ill intent, it is the same.”

Levi ended the conversation firmly. There seemed to be no room for compromise in his stance. A long silence fell over us. Eventually, as always, it was Azrael who settled the matter.

“Through negotiation, let us demand that the Chief be placed under a spell that will kill him the moment he loses his reason and goes berserk. If he refuses, we fight Saleos. If he follows obediently, we prioritize the subjugation of the Demon King. What do you think?”

Simon and John looked reluctant to make such a demand of those who were being cooperative, but they nodded. Judas, Saul, and Levi also seemed reluctant to let a demon live, but they too nodded. As for me, I wondered if we really had to do that to a kid. Still, I nodded, thinking it was better than fighting Saleos.

Contrary to our grim determination, the moment we brought it up, the boy pointed to his own neck.

“What, is that all? If that’s what you want, it’s already been cast.”