Frilian: This Demon Isn't So Cold

In the room, a short, blonde girl was lying on her side on the bed, hugging a pillow with both hands, comfortably squinting her eyes as she took a nap.

"It's so noisy!" Celia mumbled sleepily.

"Sorry." Carlos stopped explaining. Actually, it was a very simple matter; it was just going out for a meal, nothing serious. He believed Vlamé already understood.

Meanwhile, Vladimir put down his pen and pondered as he looked at his master, who had fallen back into a comfortable sleep on the bed.

Originally, she was optional about attending the celebration banquet, but since Carlos wanted to go, she had to go along.

It was not only for his master's first task, but also for his own future research.

Thinking of this, she tidied up her notes, deliberately walked quietly out of the room.

As soon as Vlame left, Celia, who had seemed to be asleep, suddenly opened her eyes and immediately snapped out of her drowsy state.

"Honestly, they won't even comb my hair anymore. Is this another rebellious phase?"

Thinking back to the books she had read about human parenting, Celia was completely baffled.

……

Why do you want to attend the victory celebration?

"Anyway, I'm just idling around."

There was still some time before the victory celebration, and Carlos didn't understand why Vlamé had come out of his room so early, making it impossible for him to do anything else.

Although he had reached a safe environment, Carlos was still very concerned about improving his strength and wanted to train as much as possible. Right now, he was just constantly restricting and compressing his magic power, but the efficiency of training was still too low.

"oh."

Because Carlos's answer left no room for further discussion, Vlamé was stumped.

"You're still wearing that necklace?" Noticing the atmosphere seemed to be getting a little awkward, Carlos quickly tried to start a conversation.

"Of course I'll wear it." Vlame picked up the moon-shaped pendant from her chest. "This is a good thing that can be used to withstand a demon's attack."

"And it was also the first gift you ever gave me." Seemingly realizing there was something wrong with her previous statement, she added, then immediately changed the subject, "Speaking of which, you mentioned before that the demon race is dangerous. Could you elaborate? I've been researching this topic recently."

Carlos glanced at Vlamé but didn't expose her inner thoughts.

He was just putting on an innocent act; in reality, he knew a lot of things.

Whether now or before.

"How much do you know now?" Carlos lay down on a patch of grass outside the city, gazing leisurely at the sky.

Vlame sat down beside her and followed his gaze to the boundless blue sky.

"Besides [flight magic], demons dedicate their entire lives to the research of one type of magic, so their attack methods are quite simple." Accompanied by music carried by a gentle breeze, she said softly, "Moreover, demons do not have the same emotions as humans. Their emotions are more like those of wild beasts; they experience fear and murderous intent, but they do not have the same sense of justice or guilt as humans."

So Vlame's research on demons has reached this level? It's pretty much what I heard before...

Although Carlos also had his own understanding of the demon race, it was not as specific as what Vlame had said; it was just a feeling, and he was still searching for a glimmer of hope.

"Their social order, established by the Demon King, is extremely fragile, with a simple hierarchy based on the strength of their magic."

"Do humans already have books about studying the demon race?" Carlos asked.

"No, at least not here in [Tiua]."

"If you can successfully compile these events into a book, it won't be difficult for you to make a name for yourself in history." Carlos didn't hold back his praise. "You're truly amazing, Vlame."

He didn't use the term "junior sister".

"It's what I should do, so Carlos, tell me more about the demons." Turning her gaze away from the sky, Vlame looked at Carlos, who was still leisurely lying on the grass.

"The Demon King is terrifying."

After a while, under Vlame's gaze, Carlos began to talk about the Demon King who reigned supreme at the pinnacle of the demon race.

"What's wrong with the Demon King?"

Vlamé, of course, would not give up on this topic that Carlos had brought up.

"I met him once before I came back here." Carlos's expression finally changed as he spoke of that most unforgettable experience of his life.

Vlamé saw a deep sense of bewilderment on his face, as if the goal he had pursued throughout his life had been completely negated.

"At that time, I harbored special ideas and carried a hint of arrogance born from repeated victories. It was like that I encountered the Demon King of the Demon Clan on my journey." Carlos paused for a moment. "He was completely different from the Demon King I had imagined."

"I thought the Demon King was the kind of demon who was decisive in killing and exuded an aura of invincibility. In fact, he wasn't wrong in that respect, but..."

Carlos's expression was complicated.

"He is very peaceful."

"He accepted my request to spar, and even after realizing I couldn't beat him, he didn't try to kill me. Instead, he became interested in me. It was only after we talked that I learned he was actually the Demon King."

"I was excited when I learned that he was the Demon King, because in my opinion, he clearly had the power to directly destroy the human world, but he did not choose to do so. This fact alone is enough to explain a lot."

"So, I told him about my hopes for the future of the demon race."

As he said this, Carlos couldn't help but laugh, a laugh filled with indescribable bitterness.

"I said I hoped that demons and humans could coexist peacefully." He looked into Vlame's eyes. "Then, the Demon King nodded and told me that he shared the same idea."

"How is that possible? That's what you were trying to say, right?" Staring at Vlame's parted lips, Carlos voiced the sentiment anyone would have upon hearing such things. "Yes, I still find it incredible. If that's the case, then why did the Demon King order the invasion of human territory? I asked him that question later."

"He replied that it was in search of emotions unique to humans, and that's why he ordered a war against humanity." Carlos laughed as he spoke. "Maybe he was secretly watching from nearby as humans were being slaughtered by demons, searching for his so-called human emotions."

"What else can I say, Volame?" Carlos stood up. "What can I say to the Demon King?"

"I tried to change his mind afterward, but it was simply impossible."

"Why?" Vlame asked instinctively.

The Demon King clearly had the idea of ​​coexisting with humans; they could even communicate with each other! How could he not do it?

"Volamere, your dream is to usher in an era where everyone can learn magic, right?" Carlos looked at her, a slight smirk playing on his lips. "So, imagine you've dedicated your entire life to this, and just when you're about to succeed, someone comes along and tells you your method is wrong and you should try something different. How would you feel?"

And now, the Demon King is Vlame.

"The Demon King has spent thousands of years pursuing his dream. Do you think I have any chance of persuading him?"

Having said this, Carlos had no intention of hearing Vlamé's answer. He turned and walked into the city, leaving behind his final words:

"If you really intend to study the demon race and publish a book, then exclude me, because I am different from them, Vlame."

This was the greatest help Carlos could provide to Vlamé's research.