CHAPTER 9 —
Arc 2: When Heaven Names You Demon
One month had passed since the Holy Empire of Dominian summoned heroes from another world.
Far away from the polished marble halls of the Empire, deep inside the forbidden Great Forest where no ordinary human could breathe alive for more than a few minutes…
A nation was born.
Aetheria.
Created by a twelve year old girl who spoke to spirits like friends and smiled at monsters like family.
And protected by a boy whose swordsmanship shook the forest like thunder.
The Great Forest breathed differently today.
Mana surged through the air like invisible waves. It was thick, alive, and ancient. The leaves shimmered in dark emerald hues, absorbing mana like liquid. The ground pulsed, as if the land itself had a heartbeat.
Any normal human would collapse simply from standing here.
But Haruto was not normal.
He stood barefoot in the clearing, shirt slightly undone, letting the demonic mana wash over him like rain. His black hair swayed in the wind, and each time he exhaled, the forest's mana responded. It bent to him. Obeyed him. Wrapped around his sword like invisible silk.
He raised his blade.
Mana surged.
He swung.
A massive shockwave erupted. Trees hundreds of meters ahead were sliced cleanly in half. The air cracked like thunder. Leaves rained down around him like snow.
Haruto did not gasp for breath.
He did not shake.
He simply adjusted his grip and murmured under his breath.
"Again."
Mana condensed along the blade. It was stable. Controlled. Sharp.
He swung slower this time.
The result was even scarier.
A single horizontal slash cut not only trees but even the stone cliff beyond, splitting it with a perfect clean line. Boulders crashed to the ground in a deafening roar, dust cloud rising high into the sky.
Haruto watched the falling debris and whispered a single thought in his head.
I can finally control it.
His swordsmanship was no longer wild. No longer a gamble. He had fused mana and blade into one flow.
The moment he lowered his sword, a soft, familiar voice echoed behind him.
"Onii Chan."
Airi ran toward him barefoot, her steps light like feathers. Her long white dress flowed behind her, glowing under the blue mana light. Her silver hair danced in the wind, and her eyes held that innocent sparkle only she possessed.
But today, something else stood beside her.
A girl with wings of shimmering magic light.
Small. Tiny. Elegant. Barely the size of Airi's forearm.
The Ancient Magic Queen, a being older than empires and feared even by gods, hovered with arms crossed and cheeks puffed.
"I told her not to run like this," she complained, crossing her arms in a tiny pout. "The forest itself bends space for her. She does not need to run."
Airi stuck her tongue out at her.
"Running is fun. Flying is for lazy people."
The Magic Queen gasped dramatically.
"I am not lazy. I am regally conserving mana."
"You are lazy."
"I am regally conserving mana."
"You are lazy."
Haruto wiped sweat off his forehead and smiled.
"You two get along well."
The Magic Queen immediately turned to him.
"I do not get along with her. I simply follow her because she saved me and also because she has unlimited mana and also because she is pure and also because she is cute and also—"
Airi hugged her, lifting her tiny body.
"Surrender accepted."
"I did not surrender. This is strategic compliance."
Haruto placed his sword down and walked toward them. The forest spirits emerged when he passed. Some were tiny glowing orbs with eyes. Some looked like walking leaves. A massive gentle wolf padded forward, lowering its head so Airi could pat it.
Airi giggled and fed the wolf a fruit.
"You are getting chubby. No more extra snacks."
The wolf whined.
Haruto exhaled slowly, taking in the sight.
A mountain of sliced boulders behind him.
And in front, Airi feeding a spirit wolf while a thousand year old fairy argued with her.
Someone seeing this scene for the first time would never imagine that the rest of the world feared these two siblings as Demon Lords.
Aetheria.
The nation born out of love.
Over the month, Airi had turned the forest into a home.
Dark elf craftsmen built elegant houses along the giant trees. Flower spirits helped weave rooftops from branches and leaves. Wolves, foxes, chimeras, and even dragons rested peacefully beside fairy homes.
Airi walked through her village with bare feet, the Magical Queen floating after her, always grumbling but never leaving her side.
"Everyone, good morning," Airi greeted cheerfully.
An elf blacksmith bowed deeply.
"Your Highness, please accept the new protective bracelets."
A plant spirit jumped into Airi's arms.
"Princess Airi! The seeds you planted yesterday grew overnight!"
Airi giggled.
"That is good. Make sure to share food with everyone. No one should sleep hungry."
The plant spirit saluted and ran off.
Haruto watched her from a distance.
She was their sun.
Their hope.
Their princess.
He sheathed his sword and walked into the village. Every creature bowed to him as he passed. Not because they feared him.
Because they respected him.
Because he would die before letting anything harm the girl who created their paradise.
Haruto approached the central tree house where Airi placed a flower crown on a baby dragon's head.
The dragon puffed smoke proudly.
Haruto sighed.
"Airi, why is there a dragon wearing a flower crown."
"He is attending a tea party."
Haruto blinked.
"...With who."
Airi pointed.
The dragon lifted its wing.
Four forest spirits sat under it at a tiny wooden table, sipping leaf tea.
Haruto covered his face with his palm.
"What am I even looking at."
"It is called civilization," Airi nodded with the seriousness of a professor.
The Magic Queen clapped her hands proudly.
"She is changing the forest. This used to be a land where everything tried to kill everything."
"And now?"
"Now they hold meetings and talk about feelings."
Haruto stared at the tea party.
"Why."
"Because Airi taught them friendship."
He could not argue.
Because it was working.
But far away from Aetheria…
At the Holy Empire of Dominian.
A massive training hall thundered with power.
Seven summoned heroes stood dressed in beautiful armor created by the Empire's finest blacksmiths. Each hero held weapons glowing with the blessing of Dominion.
At the center stood the most powerful of them all.
Hiroshi Tanaka.
Black hair. Sharp eyes. Commanding presence without even trying.
He punched forward.
BOOM.
A shockwave ripped through the air, shattering entire rows of training dummies. Priests cheered. Knights watched in awe.
"Hero Hiroshi has gained a new Authority."
"His power is beyond human."
"God of Dominion has chosen him truly."
The Emperor entered the hall.
"Heroes. One month of preparation is complete. The time has come."
A massive map unfurled in front of them.
The Great Forest.
Red circles marked its center.
Haruto.
Airi.
The Emperor's voice dropped into a low, serious tone.
"You will march tomorrow."
A female hero stepped forward, blonde hair tied back.
"Your Majesty, we heard rumors. Are those two truly Demon Lords?"
A priest opened a scroll.
"According to the prophecy, the girl manipulates fate itself. She can control monsters. Spirits. Even nature. People worship her as a goddess."
Another priest stepped forward.
"And the boy cuts mountains with a sword. He commands death. He kills without hesitation."
Hiroshi stared at the images drawn on the scroll.
Airi smiling while holding hands with Haruto.
Haruto carrying her on his back.
Airi kissing his cheek.
They looked so innocent.
So pure.
Yet the church painted them as monsters.
"Demon Lord Princess of Fate."
"Prince of Death."
The Emperor spoke with finality.
"They must die."
Hiroshi tightened his grip.
I will save you from him.
Even if I have to kill him.
He turned, eyes glowing with power.
"Prepare the expedition."
Back in Aetheria…
Night fell.
Airi sat on the tallest branch of the crystal tree, feet dangling, looking up at the stars.
The Magic Queen slept on her lap like a small cat.
Haruto joined her, sitting beside her silently.
Airi rested her head on his arm.
"Onii Chan?"
"Hmm?"
"Do you think the world will try to take our home one day?"
Haruto looked over the forest that Airi had built.
The spirits.
The beasts.
The people who finally found peace here.
He clenched his fist.
"If they try, I will erase them."
Airi intertwined her fingers with his.
"And I will stand beside you."
The wind brushed their faces.
The forest glowed in colors of emerald.
They did not know that armies were already marching.
They did not know that heroes blessed by a god were coming with only one mission:
Kill the Demon Lord Princess.
Kill the Prince of Death.
And Hiroshi Tanaka whispered under the moonlight.
"Airi. I am coming."
End of Chapter 9