Published: March 21, 2026
A few days passed, and the hero decided to leave Ueno, Hosoyama, and Kazuki behind on the ship to keep watch. He wasn't doing it because he felt they were useless, but since from here on it would be battles against humans, there was a real risk their clear weaknesses could be exploited. The three nodded obediently at the hero's words, as if they agreed. I would have made the same decision, but even so I couldn't have convinced them without hurting them. I’ve somewhat given up on my poor communication skills.
"Hey, I can see it! Demon Clan territory!!"
If I concentrated on my "danger sense" with my eyes closed and widened my awareness at the lookout, I'd notice how Noah had slipped out onto the deck and pointed toward the horizon. Hearing her voice, the others inside the ship came out one after another to see land again after so long.
Past Noah's little finger, land began to appear little by little on the endless blue sea along the horizon. At first it looked like a tiny dot, but it widened gradually until, with time, it became large enough to recognize as land.
"Finally arrived, huh. Demon Clan territory."
Yoru, who had quietly climbed up to his usual spot on my shoulder, murmured with feeling.
"...For Yoru it's his birthplace, right? Isn't he going home?"
I remember when Amelia was transferred from the Cantinen Labyrinth and saw the Sacred Tree that symbolizes the Elf territory — she had a look that mixed fear with a kind of relief. It's the special feeling everyone has toward their hometown.
"...Master, I'm a demon. I'm not human."
Yoru spoke to himself like he was trying to convince himself, and I glanced sideways at his profile.
People say cats are hard to read, but living together you start to get a sense. Still, that expression... was something else.
"It's about time for a shift, right? Next is that hero, yeah?"
"...Yeah. Could you go and call him?"
"Leave it to me!"
A small body hopped lightly down with a voice that sounded like forced cheerfulness. Watching that, I couldn't help muttering.
"Is that... anger?"
In the eyes that glanced at the approaching Demon Clan land, I saw not a special sentimental longing for home but something like anger.
I looked at the emerging coastline and let out a big sigh.
I don't know much about Yoru's life before meeting me.
What I do know is that he's a special demonic beast who can understand and speak human language, once called "Adrea's Nightmare" and "the Demon King's Right Hand." For some reason he ended up as the boss of the Cantinen Labyrinth as if he were a disposable pawn. He's staggeringly serious to the point of being stubborn, hates humans, and once he decides on something he won't bend.
Now he talks naturally with the heroes, but when we first met at Crow's house he would quibble over everything they did. In the Elf territory he did his best to avoid facing elves, and though he doesn't show it outwardly, he probably hates any species other than the Demon Clan.
If Yoru dies, I die too because of the familiar contract tying us. At first I kept watch and stayed wary to make sure he wouldn't do anything strange, but by the time we reached the Beastmen territory Uruk, my vigilance eased. Partly because I understood his straightforward character, but more because I felt he was, like me, someone who wanted to go home. I thought he wouldn't betray us at least until we reached Demon Clan territory. His desire to return seemed genuine, but what really bonded me to him was how faithfully he carried out the familiar contract — treating it seriously, as something to be fulfilled. In the end, I grew to miss the weight on my shoulder.
He treated me as his master, but I could tell he respected and felt affection for the Demon King as his rightful home. If he faced the Demon King, he'd probably be torn over who to side with; he cares for me, but I don't think anything could beat his homeland or parents. That's why I planned to negotiate with the Demon King — to ask politely if he could help send us back to our own world. But judging by Yoru's current state, calm conversation with the Demon King will be difficult. His attitude changed after hearing about the Demon King's ambition from Lattice Nail. In this world, perhaps some taboos are far worse to violate — maybe even more shunned than murder.