Chapter 177: The Night of the Full Moon – Middle (2)

A long, long time ago, in a distant past, when Sien still reigned as the ruler of a dimension, and Raizein was just a little child.

One day, Raizein ran up to Sien, arms outstretched, and asked, “Father, Father!”

“What is it, Raizein?”

“Father, you’re the strongest person in the world, right? You can win against anyone in a fight, right?”

“Hmm? That is beyond question. I am the Demon King who rules over all. But why do you ask?”

Raizein grinned mischievously as she looked up at Sien.

“Hehehe… then if I were to defeat you, that would make me the strongest person in the world, wouldn’t it? Right? Right?”

“Oh?”

Sien widened his eyes in amusement.

For ordinary humans, hearing such words from their own child would be chilling rather than joyful.

After all, it was no different from an open declaration of intent to overthrow and usurp them.

But in demon society, things were different. It was natural for a child to publicly challenge their parent and take their position once they surpassed them in power.

The reason was simple.

Everyone has a time when they are young and inexperienced—a phase where even the greatest warriors can be knocked down with a single punch.

Likewise, everyone eventually reaches the twilight of their life, a time when they grow frail and weak, when they lose all their former glory and are left waiting for the end.

In human society, both children and the elderly are usually protected and treated with respect. Those who do not show such consideration are seen as despicable.

But in the demon world, such treatment is unheard of.

Expecting compassion for the weak in a society of innate psychopaths is as absurd as expecting a lion to eat grass.

Thus, in the demon world, children and the elderly, parents and offspring, protect each other—but not out of affection or kindness.

When a child is still young, their powerful parent shields them. Later, when the parent grows old and weak, the child is expected to return the favor.

This is not done out of warmth but out of necessity.

Anyone who neglects this “contract” will have no grounds to complain when they themselves grow old and are abandoned.

In the demon world, the weak can be mercilessly slaughtered at any moment, and no one would bat an eye.

For demons, family is the only sanctuary they can rely on—the only lifeline in a world of constant peril.

That is why a child expressing a desire to one day surpass their parent is not taken as an insult but rather as a source of pride.

After all, only a strong child can guarantee the parent’s future safety.

Sien was no different in this regard. The only difference was that he had no intention of stepping down anytime soon.

He embraced Raizein and patted her head.

“What grand ambition, my daughter. As your father, I am most pleased.

However, to achieve that dream, you will need a great deal of time. My strength is beyond your imagination.”

“Hehehe, that’s no problem! I’m a vampire, after all!

As long as I drink blood regularly, I can live almost forever!”

“Your mother thought the same. That is, until she foolishly staged a coup and lost her head to my blade.

Vampires are ageless, but they are not immortal. Remember that well.”

“Aww, come on. What do you take me for? Don’t compare me to that foolish woman. That’s beneath me~♬”

A chilling conversation.

A father and daughter joking about the mother’s death.

But in the demon world, such things were not uncommon. There was no culture of speaking reverently about the deceased.

Raizein buried her face in Sien’s chest and giggled.

“Ehehe… Father, I love you. I love you so, so much. In my world, you are the only one who matters.

One day, when I surpass you, I’ll make you my servant. That way, we can spend eternity together.”

“If that happens, wouldn’t that make me your subordinate? I don’t like that idea.”

“Hehe, what does it matter? By then, I’ll be stronger than you. You’ll have no choice but to obey me.”

“Hmm.”

Not incorrect. Sien scratched his head.

If he wanted to keep his free will, he would have to hold onto his position for as long as possible.

“Don’t worry. Even if I make you my servant, I won’t give you any orders that would bring you harm.

After all, your happiness is my happiness.

Though… I might get a little carried away and push you to your limits sometimes…♡”

“That sounds less like a servant and more like a breeding stallion. Do you plan to turn me into a mummy?”

“Who knows~? It’s your fault for being so charming, Father.”

“Haha, you little rascal.”

The two of them laughed as they looked at each other.

Once again, this was the demon world. Incest was not even considered taboo. A daughter pouncing on her father in heat was hardly an unusual sight.

Raizein licked her lips, her eyes burning with desire as she gazed up at Sien.

“The only shame is that you’re not interested in little girls, Father. If you were, we could run off to the bedroom right now.

But that’s okay. Time will take care of that.

I have plenty of patience. I can wait. For as long as it takes.”

She grasped Sien’s hand.

“Father, you must never die before me. Promise me. Stay by my side until I’m fully grown.
And then, one day… you must become mine. Promise me.”

“What nonsense. Why would I die? No blade, no magic, can pierce this powerful body of mine.”

“That may be true, but still…”

Raizein made a pleading expression.

“Please, make sure you stay alive until I challenge you, Father. Promise me!”

“You don’t have to emphasize that—it’s obvious. I have no desire to die just yet.”

“Wow! I love you, Father!!”

Raizein clung to Sien and showered him with passionate kisses.

Like a true demon child, her physical affection was more driven by desire than pure innocence.

She placed a finger on her lips and smirked.

“Someday… someday, I’ll grow strong enough to make you mine, Father. And while I’m at it, I’ll inherit the Demon King’s throne too.

One day, I promise. Absolutely.”

Amid her radiant smile, sharp fangs glinted faintly.

“…Yes, that did happen, didn’t it?”

Raizein, lost in nostalgic recollection as if in a dream, soon returned to the present and spoke again.

“When I found out you had died, I was devastated. I even thought about giving up on everything and just ending it all.

But in the end, I’m glad I didn’t. Because now, I get to meet you again like this. ♪”

“…….”

Sion, who had been sent flying by the shadow spear, clenched her lips and pushed herelf up. Her expression wavered, as if debating whether to reveal her identity.

Seeing this, Raizein laughed cheerfully.

“Oh my, just in case you’re thinking of playing dumb, there’s no point? The moment I saw you in person, I became 100% certain.

After all, the only one in this world who can exude such overwhelming pressure—even greater than mine—is you, Father.”

“…Damn it, so that gave me away after all.

I should’ve just cut you down with my sword instead of trying to take the easy way out and concealing my identity.”

Sion sighed and muttered in frustration. Then, she lifted her gaze and looked at Raizein.

“Yeah. It’s been a long time, Raizein.

You’ve changed a lot in the meantime. You were just a small child, and now you’ve become a fine young woman.”

“Hehe, not as much as you, Father. Who would’ve thought you’d be reincarnated as such an adorable girl? It’s truly astonishing.

Ah, but don’t worry, even if your gender has changed, my love remains the same, so there’s no need to be concerned.”

“Well, I appreciate that, I suppose.”

Sion chuckled and rested her sword on her shoulder. Then, she glanced at Marianne, who stood motionless like a machine.

“…Did you do that to her?”

“Hmm? Ah, yes. I wanted her to guide me to you, but she tried to deceive me and led me in the wrong direction. So I had no choice but to turn her into my servant for cooperation.”

“Is there a way to turn her back?”

“Ahaha, what a strange question. You already know the answer, don’t you?
Once someone has received my blood, they can never return to what they once were.”

“That is true.”

If anything, Marianne should be grateful that she wasn’t beheaded for betraying Raizein.

If it had been the Sien from his demon days, she would have done exactly that—though, even now, if the situation required it and she was sure she wouldn’t be caught, she wouldn’t hesitate.

Sion briefly looked at Marianne with pity, then let out a sigh and turned her gaze back to Raizein. She asked her in a low voice,

“Do you resent me?”

“Hm? For what?”

“For breaking my promise. I told you I would stay alive until you grew up, but I left before I could keep that promise.”

“Ah, that.”

Raizein smiled faintly.

“I won’t deny that I did—at least for a time. I cried and cried, wondering why you left me behind.

But it’s fine now. After all this time, we’ve met again, haven’t we? Even if you’re not exactly the same as before, you’re still strong enough to match my memories of you.”

As she spoke, shadows began to rise behind her.

More than when she fought Dorothy—sharper, stronger.

“You know, after you died, countless people urged me to take the Demon King’s throne. But I refused every single time.

Of course I did. No matter how strong I became, I could never claim to surpass the father in my memories—not unless I faced you in battle and defeated you myself.”

Darkness spread—wider, deeper, endlessly.

“After an eternity of waiting, the opportunity has finally arrived. The day to prove that I have surpassed you, at last!

Now, are you ready? It’s time to hand over the throne, Father!”

“We’ll see about that. Judging by the power of that shadow spear earlier, you’re still not quite there yet.”

Sion grinned fiercely, her expression dripping with mockery.

“Go on then, show me what you’ve got. It is, after all, a father’s duty to admire his child’s little performances.”

“Hehe, just don’t get too careless and end up dead for real this time, okay? You still have an obligation to make lots of children with me, after all. ♪”

“…You do realize that I’m a girl now?”

“So what? I can just transform into a man. I have Perfect Polymorph, after all.”

“This lunatic.”

Come to think of it, she could use high-level magic. She should have realized it the moment Raizein unleashed the Black Parade.

There was no way Sion could afford to lose.

“Alright then—let’s begin!”

“Anytime.”

The two faced each other, their battle auras surging.

The grass and branches around them quivered violently, even though no one had touched them.

It was the perfect moment for an all-out battle—

“Woof! Woof woof!!!”

—Until five uninvited guests, no, five dogs, suddenly burst between them, howling loudly.