Chapter 1 - Prologue
To you, to me.
Scorning much and loving little, spending time idly counting the moments that wait for no one.
Living by counting falling sand. Spending time gazing at flowing water.
—To hand over to you.
This nonsensical monologue is my very first memory.
And even now, I do not understand it.
I still do not know what this poem means, or what it indicates.
I am seated on the throne.
To be precise, on the lap of Demon Lord-sama, who sits upon the throne.
Because of the arms wrapped around my stomach, even the meager distance that had existed until a moment ago vanished. I stopped resisting. No matter how embarrassing it was, no matter how much I felt I might be poisoned by the thick, cloying atmosphere, escape was not permitted.
As I leaned my body limply against him behind me, I heard a low chuckle. His breath brushed against my ear. His low voice, rumbling in his throat, was strangely seductive, and I, still unaccustomed to it, jumped with a start.
"Humans again. Don't you think they never learn?"
He said.
It seemed he had sensed an intruder entering this castle.
I agreed with a simple "Mhm."
"They really should just give up already."
"What are their statuses?"
"Wait a moment."
I raised both hands to eye level, and a crystal appeared there. When I peered into it, although there was the distortion characteristic of a sphere, a clear image was displayed.
Several humans who had just entered this Demon Lord's Castle were advancing while staying alert at the entrance. They took a side path halfway through, but I didn't tell them that it was just a storage room, merely thinking it to myself.
One man, and four women.
—Is this man the current 'Hero' this time?
If I watched them, a list of their statuses would appear in my field of vision.
This was the one thing even he behind me could not see; it was truly an ability belonging to me alone. The power that should have been used to aid the Hero as a Fairy was thus being utilized for the sake of the Demon Lord.
"The man's job is 'Holy Knight', level 89. HP 8365, MP 5200, maximum resistance skills for all attributes. Nullification of poison, petrification, and silence. The woman with red hair is a 'Martial Artist', level 87, HP 8600, MP 0. The woman with blue hair is a 'Healer', level 81, HP 6000, MP 7000, nullification of silence. The woman with black hair is—"
"That is enough."
"...Mhm."
He seemed bored.
As if to soothe my dejected self, a large hand stroked my head. I liked the sensation of my hair being combed through. His touch was very gentle and pleasant.
I changed the direction of my body and rubbed my forehead against his collarbone area. The image I had in mind was that of a cat.
Since acting spoiled like this put him in a good mood, I did it even if it was embarrassing.
As a former modern person and former Fairy who aided the Hero, I could not bring myself to turn the Hero's Party that was about to arrive into minced meat chunks just because Demon Lord-sama was in a bad mood.
"What is it?"
"Mmm. It's boring because another weak-looking group has come. Can I sleep?"
"Yes. I will wake you when they arrive."
Demon Lord-sama is kind to me. His blonde hair is soft to the touch, his golden eyes like the moon are narrow and sharp, and he has an intelligent, beautiful face. Arrogant, haughty, strong, and above all, beautiful.
Who would think that this prince-like figure was the one responsible for killing countless humans?
—He used to be so cute.
How on earth did it come to this?
His hand covered my dead-fish-like eyes, and as urged, I gently closed my eyelids.