Chapter 22 - The Demons are Coming!

"Gina, your alive!"

She stopped in her tracks looked over at me, her eyes widening at the sound of my voice.

Then, she smiled and narrowed her eyes again.

"What. Did you want me to die?"

My head reeled for a moment.

"But, you and the others, you all ran past the Border almost a week ago. How did you manage to evade the Demons!?"

"We didn't. It chased us from the moment we crossed the Border."

"What?!? Then, how did you escape!? Or, don't tell me.. it's still following you?"

'Is this why the Demon had not found me as soon as I crossed the Border? It was already busy? But if it followed her.. and it knows I crossed too.. then...'

"No, no, the Demon is already dead."

"...what?"

"It is dead. The Demon, you know."

Auntie shouted out from behind us.

"What sort of nonsense are you talking about? And in front of my place! Come in here, and we can talk this over. Such things should not be said in the open."

Gina nodded and gestured at me to follow her towards Auntie's home. We both went in, and Auntie scrambled to gather the Slates scattered about, then followed after us.

'There's simply no way that's possible. Demons can't possibly be killed by anything.'

Gina looked me in the eyes and nodded as if my thoughts were on my face.

"Ah, yeah. I understand. I wouldn't be able to believe it either. Actually, I watched that Demon get beaten to death by another Greater Being with my own eyes."

"..Hah?"

"Nnn. Yeah, I understand, really."

'Then again, I guess that was always a possibility? There were other Greater Beings spoken of in the Oral Tales, which were equals to the Demons...does this mean I am off the hook then? If the Demon is dead, then isn't everything fine? No, more than fine! Does this mean we are free?!'

"Ah, but more Demons are definitely coming."

"What!!!"

"Ah, well, as I said. More Demons are coming."

"I heard that part!! I meant, how are you saying such a thing so casually!?"

In her eyes shone a light of fanaticism.

"Because of my Lord! Of Course!"

"Lo.. lord?"

"A Leader of Greater Beings, one who takes the form of a Human to comfort us. He who's subordinate could casually defeat the Demon which tormented us! Such a Being has come to take us away from this damned place."

If anyone from earth had heard someone say this, they would first question the others' sanity. Then, they would question if the other party was joking.

When one realized the other party was serious, they would quickly begin walking in the other direction. After all, no one would want to be found interacting with such a brazen cultist.

"Really!! There is such a Lord?!"

However, the people of this world had never known such a thing as Religion. The Demons would never allow them to have such a thing as belief. Even if it appeared, it would be quickly extinguished.

After all, for Demons who feed on dark emotions and fear, would it not be annoying to keep Humans who's fear was suppressed by some misplaced belief?

The Oral Stories were allowed to exist. However, this was not for the benefit of Humans. More or less, it existed because Demons thought it amusing to let them stew on what Humanity had lost.

And so, amongst these poor people, many were very susceptible to this kind of cultish mindset. And would even begin developing it on their own initiative, without others even asking.

"Nn, indeed. My lord is benevolent and great, he wishes to liberate all our people from the clutches of the Demons."

"Oh~ and who, where, is this Lord your talking about, young lady?"

"Aunty?"

"Tcht, shut it boy. As I said, where is he?"

"Well.. he is nearby. We were only told to come ahead and let people know of him beforehand. Our Lord will come tomorrow to take away all who wish to leave."

"Oh? This Lord came to rescue us though, from what you said? Did he not come here to save everyone?"

Gina frowned, "Yes, well, my Lord wishes to save all of the 'Humans' in this village."

Her tone there sounded off, as though there were an edge, even a hint of killing intent. The words sounded good in themselves but.. This is something I would never mistake. There is something wrong here.

"What.. exactly do you mean, when you say that?" I asked her, with a hint of hesitation.

She smiled.

"All who would wish to stay cannot be considered 'Human'. A 'Human' would choose life over death. A 'Human' would choose to be more than food destined for a Demon's gullet.

Those who stay will have made their choice to side with the Demons. They may have chosen to be their food, or chosen to be their servants. Either way, they will have chosen, to not be, one of us."

"Hm. Yes, now, I can believe you. That indeed sounds like something a Greater Being would say."

Something like that.. is wrong. How could we possibly leave anyone behind?

"There is no way we could just leave people behind! All of the people we know are here! What if they are just afraid to leave? Then, they would also die! They did not do anything wrong!

How could you even say something like that!! If there is a chance to save people, then we should be saving them regardless, even if it means beating them over the head and dragging them along."

"Did any of the people here even hesitate to cast us out, after we had crossed that old bastard called a Chieftain, just because they had tried to defend me? Honestly, I would find it hard to believe he isn't a Demon's servant with how many people he drives out of here."

"Well.. if that Greater Being said that a Human is something they are not, I doubt anyone would dare to say otherwise. Is this that Being's intent? To brand anyone who goes against his will as a Demon's Servant?"

"No... the Greater Being did not specify anyone in particular. But.. even an idiot would be able to tell what he is from the way he acts.

The Chieftain will show his true colors all on his own. And so will the others like him. That Being said this: 'Those who serve the Demons will act to get others to stay and stubbornly stay themselves, and try to delay the departure for as long as possible, because delaying is the best tactic the Demons can use right now.'

So, anyone who is too stubborn, is effectively aiding with the Demons. There is no need to be concerned with someone like that.

Even if my Lord did do such things, which I can tell you he would not! He is still the one leading us away from this life, and those standing in the way should be done away with."

Seeing the look in her eyes just now, I realized this was not the same girl who had once decided to escape the village to escape her fate of being a plaything.

"Gina.. you have changed. You are no longer the person I knew. What you are saying.. those few words would also drive many people to their death. You are nothing more than the servant of some Greater Being, no different from those who serve the Demons."

Slap

My face stung and my mind reeled, and my vision blurred. Not realizing when, I had found myself on the ground.

"Do not compare my lord with the Demons!

He will lead us to a better life.

He is not forcing anything on anyone.

It would be the Demons killing those too foolish to follow, they would be facing the same fate one way or the other, or dragging down others into it.

You will make your decision too. To stay and die as sack of meat in the Demons ŀȧps, or to follow our Lord and learn how to be your own self.

I hope, you make the right decision, this time..."

By the time I came to, Gina had already walked off.

'Why did such a simple slap affect me so much? Since when was Gina this strong?'

Aunt Osina stood over me, a bit embarrassed, I tried to get back up only to fall back down again.

"Just stay down there for a minute and shake it off. She hit you with something similar to the energy that Demons use, it afflicts the mind, the effect won't wear off immediately."

"The Demons?! Then, she is actually working with them?"

"What gave you that idea?! Well, actually, it wouldn't be unreasonable to think it might be another Demon plot. It doesn't fit in with their usual sort, but one of them really might just play around like that."

"Then! We need to tell people! If people follow her just to fall into another Demon plot!"

"BUT, I don't think that is the case. Especially due to the fact she has this type of energy.

It is different from the Qi we use, and can attack the mind directly. It wasn't much, only a trace of that energy she used, but the effects are quite apparent.

The most significant thing about this type of energy though, is not just that effect, but that this is something that can be used against the Demons as well. We have never known physical or Qi attacks to be able to harm them, but that energy is the same energy they would use whenever they fought against one another.

The Demons would never, ever, give us the means to fight them, for any reason! This, is why I am most inclined to believe she tells the truth."

'..Well, yeah, I would have a hard time believing Gina betrayed anyone normally too. I guess I was thrown off by her saying all that. In the end, this sort of situation wasn't her choice, she may be trying to make the best of the situation.'

I got up again, "Okay, I understand. So, it is probably for real. Then, all that I can do is try to see for myself what this being is like."

Walking outside, I saw people were bustling and moving towards the town center.

"Kistan! Have you heard what is happening?!"

As soon as I had left Aunty's tent I was already being called out to, she sure was diligent in spreading the word like her master told her...

"Dural! Was it Gina who told you?"

He shook his head, "No, no, no."

He looked at me with a glint in his eye.

"It was Khaled who told me. Khaled had said that Fujrab's cousin had told him that she heard from Horus's sister that Horus met a benevolent Greater Being that wishes to take away all who wish to leave the lands of the Demons!"

This fellow.. one of the worst gossips in the village.

"What?!? Wait, Horus has returned as well?"

"Of course! What, did you just return from a Hunt? How do you not know about these significant events! Not only have Horus and Gina returned, but even that girl Serin you liked too!"

Hearing Serin had returned, he did not know whether to be happy or distraught, and felt a mix of both. Since she is here, doesn't that mean she also took the deal with that Being?

He shook his head, since he had chosen to stay here the last time and not leave with them, he had no right to say anything.

"What are you spacing out for? People are gathering around the Village Chief's house. Come on!"