Chapter 35: Elves and Humans

“Ask me anything.”

To my surprise, Nevaska said she would hear my question. Whether she’d answer it was unclear, but she did say I could ask. Considering we were about to fight to the death, I hadn’t expected her to entertain a conversation. It was unexpected.

As she said that, the dark elf Nevaska glanced around at us, then leaned against the demon Kalif beside her, entwining her arm with his. The way she nestled into him made them look like a cozy couple flirting openly.

“I'm saying this even though I’m standing here now, but normally, elves don’t interfere in the battles between humans and the Demon King. If anything, they side with the humans—but you didn’t. I want to know why you sided with the Demon King. Also, how did you manage to rise to the rank of an executive? From what I know, demons and monsters value strength above all.”

“You’re greedy, huh? I said one question and you’re throwing two at me… Well, fine. I’ll answer them both while I’m at it. Especially that first one—it seems like it concerns you all quite a bit too.”

I had accidentally asked two questions, but it seemed she was going to answer anyway. But what did she mean it concerned us too? Was it because I’m an elf? I didn’t get it.

“Originally, I was a member of Hero Kalif’s party. Yeah, just like you said—I used to be on the human side.”

Huh!? Wait, what!? That came out of nowhere!

Hero Kalif? She was on the human side!? What is going on!? Kalif—she means that dark-skinned man right there, right!? Why is a hero and his former party member on the Demon King’s side now!?

Kazuya looked just as shocked and was visibly shaken.

“The ‘Hero Kalif’ you’re thinking of is exactly who you see here. I was one of his party members—part of the hero’s party during the Demon King subjugation roughly 150 years ago.”

I do recall that there was a Demon King around 150 years ago. Back then, I was like the other elves—not interested. I didn’t join the subjugation. I spent my time listening to adventurer gossip and eventually returned to my village. What happened to the hero or the Demon King afterward? I had no idea.

“In the end, another hero defeated the Demon King. Kalif here only managed to take down one of the Demon King’s executives. But still—defeating even an executive was no small feat. He didn’t reach the same fame as the hero who slew the Demon King, but the townspeople praised him.”

If they praised him, that’s a good thing, right? So far, nothing here explains why he would side with the Demon King.

“With the fall of the Demon King, the threat of the demons vanished for a time, and peace—however temporary—was restored. And then, Kalif and I got married. Isn’t that right, Kalif?”

Wait—married!?

That’s… congratulations! But does that mean… they’re like us!?

After defeating the Demon King, I plan to accept Kazuya’s confession and make our relationship official. One day, I want to marry him. That’s how I feel. So that means—they’re just like us.

For a moment, Nevaska actually looked happy when she said that, and the two of them gazed into each other’s eyes.

Which only made it even harder to understand—why side with the Demon King after that? Was it some curse? Some tragic twist that forced their hand? I started to imagine that maybe it was something they couldn’t avoid…

“We were happy after getting married. We went on adventures together. We had fun.”

“Then why!! Why join the Demon King!?”

It just burst out of me. I was jealous. They reached their goal, got married, and even now they looked so close. So why!? I couldn’t help it.

Nevaska’s expression shifted instantly from the joy earlier to a cold, piercing stare.

“Haven’t you noticed? Kalif is human. It’s been 150 years since the Demon King’s defeat. Yet Kalif here is the real deal—not some descendant or anything. He’s aged a little, sure, but he’s quite the fine middle-aged man, don’t you think?”

—!!!?

It hit me like a hammer to the head. Not just mentally—my strength physically drained from my body. I would’ve collapsed if Kazuya hadn’t caught me. That’s how intense the shock was.

It was something I had deliberately tried not to think about for a long time.

At first, I’d told myself it was just a way to kill time. Spending 50 years with Kazuya? For an elf, that’s practically nothing.

And the same was true for Nevaska. For elves, a human’s lifespan is barely a blink.

When I heard the name “Hero Kalif” earlier, it had sounded so outrageous that the idea of Kalif being a short-lived human hadn’t even crossed my mind. So I just listened sincerely, celebrated their marriage—and never questioned how a human like Kalif could still be here.

That’s probably because, as an elf, the idea of aging and lifespan doesn’t really register. Maybe the reason Kazuya was disturbed from the beginning… was because, as a human himself, he noticed how unnatural this was.

“Hey, don’t call me old like that. I keep telling you, Nevaska—‘silver fox’ is the term you want.”

“Hehe. I just wanted to tease you a little, Kalif.”

While I was still reeling from the shock, the two of them began flirting again.

They were wide open. But that didn’t matter to me anymore. I was too busy trying to calm my own heart.

“Th-thank you, Kazuya. I’m okay now. Really.”

“Are you sure? Don’t push yourself.”

I steadied myself in Kazuya’s arms, finally getting my footing again. But mentally, I wasn’t ready to fight. Not even close. In this state, I’d definitely lose. That much was clear.

"Miki, I’ll tell you something good—a way for you to spend even more time with the man you love."

Nevaska began saying such things.

To me right now, those words were like a golden apple—a sweet temptation I wanted to leap at immediately.

But listening to the words of the enemy, even reluctantly—!

"I-I don’t want to hear it!"

"Listen! You already understand, don’t you?! A human’s lifespan is about 60 years. Even if you two were together, you’d only have 40 years left at best—just that much. And a human’s prime is even shorter. Most of that time would just be watching the one you love grow old. Don’t you think that’s far too painful?"

I couldn’t retort. I knew it was true. I’d always thought so.

And it was something I’d been ignoring because I didn’t want to face it.

"I couldn’t bear it. I couldn’t stand watching Kalif grow old. If we aged together, fine—but staying young while the one you love withers away? After 30, the decline only speeds up. That’s when the Demon King granted my wish. He’s wonderful. In exchange for me becoming a demon and swearing loyalty to him with a mark, he turned Kalif into a demon as well. When humans become demons, their lifespans extend—about 500 years. That’s how long a human-turned-demon lives. For us elves, it’s not enough, but it’s far longer than a human’s lifespan. That much time to spend with the one you love—how about it? Sounds good, doesn’t it?"

Nevaska chose to spend 500 years with the one she loved—in exchange for swearing near-eternal loyalty to the Demon King.

From the Demon King’s perspective, he gained an elf with near-immortal life and powerful magic, plus a high-ranking subordinate for 500 years. There was no downside.

Logically, it wasn’t a fair deal. Yet Nevaska accepted it. She must have been that desperate.

If I imagined myself in her place, I’d feel despair—like everything was going dark.

If just imagining it felt like this, I don’t know if I could endure it if it were real.

At a time like that, refusing an offer to extend your lover’s life would be nearly impossible. I understood that.

"That’s how Kalif and I became demons. Kalif stayed by my side as my attendant, protecting me. Then, after proving his strength, he became one of the Demon King’s elite. Do you understand now? Thanks to the Demon King, we’re happier than ever."

The two leaned close and kissed. They really did look happy.

"Miki, if you wish, I could put in a word with the Demon King for you. Oh, your skin might darken a little, but that’s all. Kalif became a demon at 40, so he stayed in that form—but his body is as strong as in his prime. That man of yours could become a demon while still young. How enviable. …Fufu, just kidding, Kalif. Don’t sulk—you’re much more handsome."

My heart had never wavered like this before. Just 500 years—but compared to a human’s lifespan, it was an unimaginably long time. That much time with Kazuya. Even if it cost me my own life, it wouldn’t be unreasonable to think that way.

If it weren’t the Demon King—if it weren’t the words of a demon—I might’ve jumped at the offer immediately. Even so. But. What should I do?

My thoughts spun in circles, tilting toward the Demon King, unable to settle.

Then, Kazuya spoke to Kalif.

"Kalif, why did you become a demon? Why did you let the one you love swear lifelong loyalty to the Demon King? If you had refused—if you had convinced her—she wouldn’t have had to suffer like that!!"

"...Yeah… You’re right. What you say is true. But I couldn’t do it. Seeing Nevaska agonize, suffer, watching her beautiful golden hair fade to silver in despair—and then, when she finally found a way to extend my life, that joy in her eyes—how could I deny that?! Could I really tell Nevaska, who threw away her own life just to have 500 years with me, 'No, give up'?! Impossible!!"

"—Even so, if you love her, that’s all the more reason!"

"Yes, even so. But tell me—can you still say that after hearing me? Imagine it. You’re human. In less than 10 years, age will take hold of you. And your beloved elf will undoubtedly suffer just like Nevaska did. Then, when she finds hope—when she’s freed from her despair, smiling with genuine happiness—could you really crush that? …Well, let’s say you refuse. What then? The suffering continues. Could she endure it? Could you? Imagine it!"

Kazuya’s face twisted in pain—like he’d bitten something bitter, seen something he didn’t want to see, or felt something he couldn’t accept.

After a moment, he raised his head.

"—Even then, I…! I want Miki to be free, even after I die!! I refuse to let her spend thousands of years serving the Demon King! Just as Miki thinks of me, I think of her—so I won’t allow that!!"

Kazuya declared it firmly.

That’s right. What was I thinking? My worries were selfish. My wish to extend Kazuya’s life was my own desire—his will wasn’t part of it. And the choice to become a demon is his to make, not mine.

Kazuya has his own wish—for me to remain free even after his death.

That’s why, seeing my mere 500 years compared to his, he said that.

You could call his thinking selfish too, but the key difference is that he’s seriously considering something that benefits him nothing—all for my sake.

It was like a weight had lifted—light piercing the darkness, bright and dazzling.

Ah, I’m glad I fell for this man.

Kazuya truly loves me. I could feel it.

…Though his overconfidence is a flaw. But well, that’s part of his charm.

"I see… We’re happy. As demons, we’ve lived over 100 years—already twice a human’s lifespan. It’s a shame you don’t understand, but that’s fine. We’ll kill you here and live happily for centuries more—enough for your share too."

Kalif drew his sword, his expression shifting from before—now fully ready for battle.

"We’ll put an end to your twisted lives—and the one who twisted them. Prepare yourselves."

Kazuya unsheathed Takemikazuchi, his face deadly serious.