"Solomon, why are you crying? This is the first time I've seen an expression from you besides anger. Heh, I'm not mocking you—it's quite charming."
…My beloved queen, what should I do?
"What did you see in that other universe? It's not something sad, is it? Not painful or tragic either. You're someone who responds to tragedy with anger, not sorrow. You saw something joyful, didn't you? Something so moving, so thrilling, that you're crying with happiness?"
Yes, my beloved queen.
"How enviable. How jealous I am. To see you smile genuinely, without anger."
There was a beautiful world. A kind world. A world where humans could live as humans. There were worlds where humanity was destroyed, but they died with pride.
I didn't even consider saving them. They were far weaker than me. Far more foolish. But they didn't need my strength or wisdom. They were hopelessly splendid, hopelessly noble.
"Tell me, what kind of people were there?"
There was a man… with my name. No, even saying we're alike—his life began after death. He died once, was summoned as a familiar, and only then did his life truly start.
He was embarrassingly cowardly, always laughing pathetically. But I envied him. No, I know it's wrong to envy a man who met such an end. Yet, his way of life was so enviably, maddeningly desirable! I know my ethics are broken, but I wanted a master overflowing with love for humanity, a beautiful partner with an old man's soul, a boy to entrust the world's future to, a familiar who loved humanity so sincerely they fell to a Beast, or a daughter gradually gaining humanity!
"Hey! Is that something to say in front of your beloved?"
Oh, sorry.
"Honestly. I know you love every human on this star. You love each one sincerely, from the bottom of your heart. But that love is never equal, never uniform. Being the most loved by the man with the deepest love for humanity is my pride."
Because of that love's depth, I'm expected to become a god. I… I want to die as a human. The world shouldn't bend to one being's will.
"Hehe, freedom for humans. Possibility for their thoughts. Your ideas are too futuristic for others to understand. A time will come when they do, so why not be a god until then?"
That's true.
"You wish to become a god, but I think it's fine to remain a king. Once Truth is created, the world you and they desire is almost certain. Living a little as you wish won't hurt."
Belial and Asmodeus are helping too. They want peace, dialogue. They've agreed to Truth, knowing it'll taint their legends.
…If Truth is completed, Belial will be remembered as the Devil who corrupted Sodom and Gomorrah. Asmodeus' love for Sarah will be twisted into perverse lust. The tears of the angel who failed to protect Sodom and Gomorrah—the first cities of interracial harmony—will be erased. The pain of a Satan who loved a human will be reduced to selfish desire. They accepted even that.
"Yes, they desire it. To walk this star with us, with humans. Honestly, I'm more surprised you forgave them. For someone so angry at gods, angels, Devils, and Fallen Angels."
There are always exceptions. I haven't forgiven anyone. I can love, but I can't forgive. I still despise Beelzebub. I quite like Belial and Asmodeus, though.
For their sake, I must complete Truth. I must change this world.
"Yes. It'd be nice if, when people from that dazzling world you saw visit, they're so jealous of how wonderful it is."
That'd be great.
I'll make it happen. A world so splendid that other stars' people envy it. A beautiful world where people take pride in being born here. Then even the Lord will have to acknowledge it—not just me or my ancestor Moses, but all this star's humanity as His masterpiece.
"I'm counting on you, beloved Solomon. Show us a good world. …But let me say one thing. Even if you fail, your love is enough. Being loved by you is humanity's greatest pride."
Thank you. I swear on the miracle of meeting you, my beloved queen, I'll never forget my love for humanity.
—The next day, her death inverted my ideals.
Diehauser, teleporting to his hideout, sighed alone.
"…Even my hatred was part of your plan, Solomon?"
He was certain someone like him—a avenger of a tragedy born from interracial love—existed now. Knowing his ancestor's ideals, Cleria's case was pure irony. She was a Belial too.
"What's part of the plan?"
"?!"
He felt a gun barrel at his back. Before he could react, purple flames encircled him.
"…You got me."
"I'm the one who got played. Baal's intel was too good—I got careless. No, that sounds like an excuse. I'll admit it: you outsmarted me, Belial."
"Asking how you found me would be laughable. As expected of the crime professor. You anticipated my betrayal and pinpointed my hideout."
"Not noticing that betrayal stings. If I don't redeem myself, my ladies might call me 'useless Papa.' Time for a comeback."
"No one would say it to your face, you know?"
"That means they'd whisper it! That hurts more!"
Diehauser pondered escaping but stopped. Frankly, he gave up. His revenge was complete. With Beast D/L manifested, the Underworld would fall. Everything that drove his cousin to death would be destroyed.
As he sank into resignation, a man appeared—not the one with the gun or the flame's owner. A black-haired man, unfamiliar yet familiar to Diehauser.
"…Could it be, you're—"
"Yes. I'm Masaomi Yaegaki, Diehauser Belial."
Diehauser laughed.
"Haha, to meet the human Cleria loved like this. Good thing I wasn't consumed by the mud in despair."
"You were mad the moment you sided with Solomon."
"Says the one by the King of Men's side."
Let's talk of two fools.
A tale from a decade ago in Kuoh Town, a tragic love between a human and a Devil.
Masaomi Yaegaki, a Church warrior. Cleria Belial, of the 72 Pillars' bloodline. Despite being enemies, they fell in love.
Back then, God's absence wasn't known, and a truce was unthinkable. Love between an apostle and a Devil was forbidden. No exceptions. Their organizations decided to purge them. To avoid the Emperor's involvement, they chose to erase their own.
There was more to it. While Masaomi was targeted, Cleria had another reason for her death: the King piece. Officially, Evil Pieces lack a King piece, but that's false. Limited in number, they exist, greatly enhancing the user's power. Most top Rating Game players—except Diehauser—used them, a top-secret known only to a few elites, not even all 72 Pillars' heads. Cleria was eliminated for nearing this truth.
"The Holy Grail?"
"Yes. Demon God Gremory collected a soul wandering that town. …Devils' souls don't linger after death, so…"
"No need to worry. I'm not expecting that."
Even so, disappointment shadowed Diehauser's face. Masaomi, who'd wished for the same upon his revival, said nothing.
"I loved her. Without the King of Men's restrictions, I'd have sought revenge."
"Good. Even if it was for her, she wouldn't want you to do that."
"Look in a mirror, huh?"
Both Diehauser and Masaomi gave wry smiles at the interruption.
"It's nice to bond, but I'm in a hurry. Let's move on."
"Go ahead, Professor."
A Devil, utterly resigned.
"I want info on the Lion King, not the King of Magecraft or God of the Bible. What did you tell her?"
"Excluding Solomon, just about your Servants and the Agreas attack. I met her once; the rest was through her secretary."
The Professor groaned, gun lowered but ready to counter.
"Her actions don't match Baal's intel. She's not summoned by the God of the Bible, so she's not controlled. Yet, it feels like she's following something else. Know anything?"
"No. I only arranged Solomon's meeting. I know no more than what he told me about her actions."
"That's it. Why did the Lion King agree to help the King of Magecraft? What's her goal? A goddess' psyche is beyond my expertise. That mystery-solver might've known."
The Professor pictured his nemesis striking a pose.
"…I don't know about Goddess Rhongomyniad, but I can say one thing about the King of Magecraft. The decisive motive for altering the star."
"Oh? Intriguing. Do tell."
The Vessel and Truth construction three thousand years ago. Deceiving all mythologies, even the God of the Bible. The completion of Beast D/R and manifestation of Beast D/L. At the root of the King of Magecraft's madness was, indeed, love.
"Do you know of the Queen of Sheba?"
The Demon God couldn't hide its shock at the figure's appearance.
Pink hair. A flamboyantly dressed, androgynous youth mistaken for a beautiful girl. Wielding a lance, riding not a horse but a magical beast—upper body an eagle, lower body a horse, an impossible creature.
"Hear me, far or near! Come close and see! I am Astolfo, one of Charlemagne's Twelve Paladins! Let's have a fair—FIGHT!"
"—Don't interfere, weakest knight!"
Before the Demon God's attack landed, Astolfo scooped up Serafall and Sona onto his Hippogriff and took flight.
"That was close! Too angry, too much!"
"Shut up, shut up, SHUT UP!"
The roar wasn't a Demon God's transcendent wrath but a vulgar, selfish human curse.
"Knowing that Devil's sins, you shield her?! Knowing her ugliness, you protect her?! If you're a Heroic Spirit for humans, kill that Devil!"
"Nope! She asked for help!"
"Then die with her…!"
As before, the crimson-black eyeballs on its massive form glowed dangerously.
"Incineration Formula Clan—"
The glow faded.
"Glasya-Labolas, retreat."
"What are you saying, Forneus?!"
"Terminal Freed can't hold longer. Sustaining Clan Calatin this long was unplanned. …The adjustments were insufficient. There's no energy for the Incineration Formula."
"But Gremory…!"
"It's not just Freed. We can't waste more time on this Satan. We must stop the Beast of Expectation urgently. Before he kills his family and friends."
"…!"
Glasya-Labolas had no choice but to halt.
"Remember, slothful Satan. I'll burn your soul and your Devil nation to ashes…!"
As Clan Calatin's massive form blurred, the scenery shifted. The Demon God Pillars' bounded field was lifted. If they escaped, Sona's peerage should be nearby… if they survived.
Sona dismounted the Hippogriff but collapsed, realizing her injuries. Astolfo dismounted too.
"You okay?"
This Astolfo was likely a Hero Faction member, yet opposed the Demon God Pillars. He seemed trustworthy, though it felt rude to think he lacked the wit to deceive.
Astolfo, one of Charlemagne's Twelve Paladins. Not the strongest knight, but rich in legends.
Taking Astolfo's hand, Sona noticed something.
"Um, are you male?"
"Yup!"
Recalling her friend's Bishop, Sona felt defeated for finding a man delicate, but stood.
"Sorry for asking after you saved us, but can you help find my peerage?"
"Sure!"
Astolfo's bright smile brought Sona comfort, even in this chaos.