Published: July 4, 2025
Here is a place somewhere in Fai.
Conveniently, it is called the "Hall."
"Wait, Jean-Jacques!"
The demon Jean-Jacques Ramond Douce was stopped by a sharp voice.
From the voice alone, he knew who was calling, and though he wanted to pretend he hadn't heard it, he had no choice but to turn around, as ignoring it could result in his head being suddenly severed.
"Oh, Leonor, it's been a while."
There she was, as expected, Leonor Ulaka Arburkerke.
Behind her, the elf Elizabeth was also following.
"Jean-Jacques, I just want to confirm, you haven't laid a hand on Ryo in the Western Nations, have you?"
Leonor had her hands on her hips, questioning him.
That was understandable, though.
She knew Jean-Jacques well enough.
Whenever he spotted an interesting person like Ryo, he just couldn't help but meddle...
Of course, this time, he had been told in advance by Leonor, "Absolutely do not interfere," so he had tried to keep his distance.
Even when approaching the ones known as "those who know the fall from grace," it was only when Ryo wasn’t around.
Yes, Jean-Jacques was making a considerable effort for him.
And yet...
"Of course not. I haven't touched him even with a finger."
Jean-Jacques answered boldly.
Leonor looked at him suspiciously.
Then, she turned to ask behind her.
"Elizabeth, is Jean-Jacques lying?"
"Yes, he is lying."
"Hey!"
Elizabeth replied immediately to Leonor's question, causing Jean-Jacques to voice his protest.
"I knew it! Jean-Jacques, didn't I tell you that time and again?!"
"Wait, Leonor, it's a misunderstanding! Elizabeth is also at fault here. She should have prioritized peace and answered, 'I am not lying!'"
"I apologize, Lord Jean-Jacques. I cannot lie by nature."
Elizabeth said this and bowed deeply.
"Wait, Leonor. Let me explain first."
"What? A justification? I'll listen if you have one."
"Justification... that word is somewhat misleading, but fine. I will justify. Indeed, I did have a bit of a scuffle with Ryo... no, wait, Leonor, retract that right hand you are about to strike me with. It was indeed a fight, but it only happened due to circumstances."
"You were probably trying to eat a human again, weren't you? I've told you that humans need to be increased, so don't eat too many."
Leonor sighed.
"N-no, that's it, you see, it's the one from the higher dimension who's been meddling with the Western Nations. I was just trying to eliminate him and happened to eat a bit in the process..."
"You're lying! That can't be all of it!"
Jean-Jacques tried to explain, but Leonor concluded otherwise.
Then, she turned to look back.
"Yes, he is lying."
"I knew it!"
Elizabeth confirmed, and Leonor shouted.
"No, that's why, Elizabeth... Well, not everything is true, but it's not entirely a lie either. In fact, ever since that guy started meddling, the development in the Western Nations has stagnated quite a bit... It’s true that I wish things could return to the way they were."
"Indeed, I do not doubt that. However, he is a being from a higher dimension... we cannot simply lay our hands on him."
"True. But Ryo and his party are very interesting. I don't think the possibility is zero... In fact, I've been monitoring that area continuously."
"Oh, that’s rare for you, Jean-Jacques."
"I told you, right? I want the Western Nations to return to how they were."
Leonor said, genuinely surprised, and Jean-Jacques sighed lightly, feeling slightly offended.
"When New was around, it was quite fun. Even after he died, a good era lasted for several hundred years. During that time, there were scenes of humans and vampires fighting that were thrilling to watch... It was all quite enjoyable... If some of those who were enshrined didn’t meddle like this..."
"It can't be helped. Humans are, after all, special creatures. That applies even to beings from higher dimensions. Those who have distanced themselves from their source of energy do not want to disappear. If that is the case, they have no choice but to acquire new energy..."
Jean-Jacques reminisced about the past, while Leonor contemplated the future.