LIGHTNOVELWORLD Chapter 111
111. We’re Friends, After All
Meriel passed through the interdimensional corridor that connects the demon realm and the human world—the “Kokugendou Saireiga”—and landed on the outskirts of the royal capital.
“Mm…”
Having spent some time in the demon realm, the unfamiliar sunlight dazzled her eyes.
It appeared to be around noon.
The light of the sun—something nonexistent in the demon world.
Squinting against its brightness, she recalled the sisters she had befriended since coming to the royal capital.
Their bright smiles reminded her of the warmth of the sun’s rays.
“I wonder if Alice and Lilith are doing well.”
Unconsciously, a smile crept onto her lips.
Meriel headed straight for the guild branch in the royal capital.
Fortunately, she spotted Alice and Lilith in the lobby on the first floor.
“Welcome back, Meriel~”
“Ah, it’s Meriel! Long time no see!”
“…I’ve just returned.”
Faced with the sisters’ beaming smiles, her own expression stiffened involuntarily.
To carry out the Demon Lord’s plan, she would need to use them.
Yes, she would betray them—
“? What’s wrong, Meriel? You look so tense.”
Lilith asked with a puzzled expression.
“No, I’m just a little tired from the long journey…”
It wasn’t a lie.
Though the journey had been a round trip between the demon and human worlds.
“Did something happen?”
“N-n-n-n-no, nothing at all! R-really, I mean, nothing at all!”
Her voice wavered.
She had always been bad at lying.
“Oh-hohohoho!”
She managed to keep her expression calm and forced an elegant laugh.
“…You’re definitely hiding something, right~?”
“…You’re like, artistically bad at lying.”
“…And the laugh was pretty fake too.”
“…Though I guess it suits Meriel’s character.”
Alice and Lilith whispered among themselves.
She thought she’d covered it up well, but they seemed surprisingly sharp.
“Anyway—since it’s been a while, how about we eat together?”
Alice suggested.
“Oh, I’m in favor.”
Lilith nodded with a cheerful smile.
“Alright, then.”
Meriel agreed.
If she went through with the Demon Lord’s plan, they would be used as bait—and likely die.
But perhaps, as an acquaintance, having one last meal with them wouldn’t be so bad.
(Yes, the last one—)
The thought of their deaths sent a piercing pain through her chest.
(What is this feeling?)
Humans were nothing more than food, supplying demons with “negative emotions”.
To feel pain over the death of mere food was absurd.
No, as a Demon General, she should have no heart to begin with—
“Meriel, you really seem off.”
Alice was staring at her.
“I’m worried. If something’s troubling you, you can talk to us.”
Lilith had a serious look on her face too.
“Worried…?”
“Because we’re friends, after all.”
“That’s right.”
The sisters said in unison.
“Fri…ends…?”
It was a word that had a strange resonance.
She knew the concept, but had never imagined that it could be applied to herself.
Being called their “friend” filled her with a curious warmth.
“…Really, it’s nothing.”
Meriel shook her head.
It wasn’t a lie.
As a Demon General, she had no reason to be troubled by such things.
Then,
“Hart…?”
Lilith glanced at the figure walking toward them.
“Welcome back!”
Lilith’s voice cracked slightly.
She smiled, her eyes narrowing in delight, her cheeks flushed red.
“When you returned, we were out on a job, so we missed you.”
“You were really missing him, weren’t you, Lilith? You kept saying you wanted to see him soon~”
“St-stop it, Sis! Come on, enough already!”
Lilith blushed, flustered.
Meriel had noticed this before, but Lilith always showed this expression when Hart was around.
Meriel, who was still inexperienced in understanding human emotions, found it hard to grasp.
It wasn’t quite joy, embarrassment, or shame—it seemed to be a mix of all those emotions.
“I’m back… Oh, Meriel’s here too. It’s been a while.”
“…It has been.”
Meriel gazed intently at Hart.
He was her target—or rather, the one who bore the power of the gods, and the target of the Demon Lord.
“Geez, you’re staring too hard at Hart, Meriel.”
Alice laughed, then seemed to realize something.
“Could it be… Meriel, are you in love with Hart too?”
“Love?”
Meriel tilted her head, puzzled.
Of course, as a Demon General, there was no way she could fall in love with a human.
Though she knew the concept of “romantic feelings,” she had never experienced them herself.
“Hmph, yet another girl close to Hart…”
Lilith shot Meriel a wary glance for some reason.
After some more idle chatter, Hart left.
“Hart was with Luka and Salome on a mission in a neighboring country.
He returned a few days ago, but we were away on another job at the time…so we missed each other.”
Alice explained.
“Hart spent several days with those two…”
Lilith murmured.
“…Your expression looks tense.”
Meriel stared at Lilith, puzzled.
“Hehe, are you jealous? You’re so cute, Lilith~”
“What?! N-no, I…I’m not…!”
Lilith’s face turned bright red.
“I don’t care if Hart spends time with other girls, or talks to them, or, uh, um…”
“You’re totally flustered.”
Alice smiled warmly.
“…Is this the mental state known as ‘love’? I’m afraid I don’t understand it.”
“Oh, so Meriel’s not good with love either, huh~”
“You’re one to talk, Sis. You’re the same.”
“Guess that makes all of us.”
Alice smiled sweetly.
“That aside, there’s somewhere I’d like to take you.”
After their conversation wound down, Meriel spoke up.
If they shared a peaceful lunch now, her resolve might waver even more.
Before that—she needed to complete her mission.
“It’s an interesting place. If you’d like, we could go before lunch.”
“Take us? Where to?”
Alice and Lilith looked at her curiously, their smiles warm.
“I-it’s n-not a suspicious place at all! I absolutely won’t be l-l-l-luring you anywhere!”
“Luring? Come on, stop joking.”
Lilith smiled wryly.
“You’re quite the joker, Meriel.”
Alice also had a cheerful expression.
Neither of them had the slightest suspicion.
Not even a shred.
They trusted her.
(They said we’re friends, after all.)
Meriel let out a small sigh,
“…Well, let’s go then.”
And slowly began to walk.
(If I lead them to that place… Alice and Lilith will die. They’ll be killed…)
She imagined what it would be like to take their lives, but felt no joy, no excitement.
Usually, the mere thought of killing humans would fill her with sweet bliss, even arousal—but now, she only felt a strange aching sensation in her chest.
Or perhaps, a kind of pain.