"Well then, is there anything you have to report to me about them?"
Sense slowly looked towards the three members of the Demon Race.
Hmm... So it's finally time for the main course.
Fíliya took a deep breath. She knew, of course, that the matter concerning Solitär and the others was something she couldn't joke her way out of.
So, she said with a light laugh.
"Them... They are both my proudest achievement and my proudest companions."
...Fíliya's words made Sense's eyes widen.
She couldn't imagine it at all.
That a term like 'proud companions' could be used to describe members of the Demon Race.
"Why do you say that?"
"Well, you should have experienced it for yourself, Sense. I think you must have noticed something, haven't you?"
Fíliya's eyes held a smile as she continued to look at Sense.
Sense fell into thought.
She knew what Fíliya was talking about, and... she had indeed experienced it firsthand.
That demon with long green hair, wearing a pure white dress, was already strong to an unbelievable degree.
If that one had been serious, she wouldn't have been able to resist at all.
But during their fight, that demon had remained in a completely passive, defensive stance.
This left Sense very confused. She could even see the disgust for her in that demon's eyes, yet despite such loathing, the demon still hadn't dealt a killing blow.
Even after another powerful demon had unleashed that... terrifying Magic of Obedience (Auserlese), she had remained unharmed.
All of this could only be called a miracle, and this miracle was undoubtedly related to... Fíliya.
"Hee hee~~ You felt it too, didn't you, Sense? They didn't kill you because they were considerate of my feelings... This is a clear sign that they understand human emotions. Isn't that incredible? This is my achievement. They've already helped me prove that 'remodeling the Demon Race' isn't just some fantasy, a castle in the sky."
Fíliya said proudly.
"...Fíliya, are you trying to say that after meeting you, they've become good? That they no longer harm people?"
Sense stared straight into Fíliya's eyes.
"Yes, that is the current reality."
Fíliya calmly met Sense's gaze, having already guessed what kind of judgment she would deliver next.
"But... before they met you, they were greater demons who had lived for who knows how many years and eaten who knows how many people... right?"
So it's come... Fíliya thought. She knew very well that when she decided to walk this path, this was the 'final judgment' she would have to face.
"Mm... I won't deny that. As a matter of fact, I have indeed harbored two greater demons who have committed countless evil acts."
Fíliya's mood remained calm.
"Aren't you going to defend yourself a little more?"
"There's no need... Well, I was going to say that, but I suppose I'll offer a narrow defense."
Fíliya propped her chin on one hand, feigning a thoughtful expression.
"Well, Sense, think about it. If they hadn't met me and had continued to live as they always have, how many people would they have killed in the future? And to subjugate these two powerful demons, how many people would humanity need to organize, and how many years would it take to finally kill them? You just experienced that 'Magic of Obedience (Auserlese),' right? With such absolute binding power that even a mage as strong as you couldn't resist, if it were used on a large scale against humans... it's a powerful magic capable of starting a new war."
"But now, under my restraint, they will no longer do evil... I know this doesn't absolve them of their past evils. I just want to explain that the method I've chosen is far more efficient than 'annihilating' them... and it has avoided the sacrifice of many humans."
At this point, Fíliya took a deep breath, then switched to a lighter tone before continuing.
"Anyway, that's all for my narrow defense. I'm not sure how persuasive it was, so now it's time for me to speak from the heart."
"Yes, the truth is... they are my proud companions now. Even if you were to drag me to Serie right this moment, I wouldn't repent, and I wouldn't abandon them. I'm certainly not so noble as to demand they pay with their lives for people I don't even know... As long as they don't harm anyone from now on, I will continue to protect them."
After hearing Fíliya's words, Sense only felt incredibly lost.
Ever since she first heard that ideal from this child, Fíliya—to study and remodel the Demon Race—Sense had thought this day would likely come.
But she had also held out hope. After all, a child's dreams often come in phases; perhaps she would change her goal someday.
But Fíliya was different. Step by step, she had truly begun to turn her ideal into reality, even though that ideal felt so out of place in a world scarred by the Demon Race.
Sigh... How did I end up with such a troublesome little sister?
As her 'older sister,' what kind of... stance should I take...?
Sense just felt truly bewildered, truly unable to understand...
After thinking for a long time, Sense finally posed a new question.
"Fíliya... can they really, truly obey you completely? What if they commit evil behind your back?"
"Hmm... True, that's not entirely impossible."
Fíliya nodded, then continued.
"If that happens, I will kill them."
Fíliya said this with great certainty, because she had already said the same thing to her teacher, Flamme.
...Fíliya's words sent Sense back into her thoughts.
While looking at Fíliya, she used her peripheral vision to observe the three demons once more.
In the end, all her thoughts dissolved into a sigh.
"...How should I report this incident?"
Sense's words seemed like she was talking to herself, yet also as if she were asking Fíliya for her opinion.
"Hmm... Just report it as it is."
After a moment of contemplation, Fíliya gave her answer.
If Sense hadn't found out, she would have intended to keep it a secret. But now that Sense knew... there was no point in hiding it any longer.
Her ideal was bound to come to light sooner or later...
Besides, forcing Sense to lie to Serie would be asking too much of her. Fíliya didn't want Sense to bear that pressure for her sake.
"...Come with me."
In the end, Sense didn't say much more, simply gesturing for Fíliya to walk with her for a bit.
Fíliya knew what this meant, so she turned and walked over to Solitär.
"Um... Regarding this matter, I have to go back with Sense for a bit. Not to a human city, but to the cabin at her base to report the intelligence on Macht... After I'm done, I'll come find you. Just wait for me at home."
After speaking, Fíliya turned to leave.
But Solitär grabbed her arm.
When Fíliya looked back, she saw Solitär's expression was unusually serious.
"You... You told that human to 'report it as it is'..."
There was a hint of nervousness in Solitär's voice.
Fíliya instantly understood what Solitär meant and said.
"Yes... that's right. But don't worry, Solitär. Haven't I told you about Serie before? That 'God of Magic' doesn't hold any strong malice towards the Demon Race. Even if Serie finds out about you, you'll surely be fine. Besides, trust me. No matter what happens, no matter the outcome... as long as our promise isn't broken, I will... always stand by your side."
Although she had made the same promise many times, Miss Fíliya didn't mind repeating it whenever Solitär felt insecure.
___
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