Fifteen years have passed since the start
of the war between humans and demons.
The humans entered the Demon Realm through the gate,
taking one of the demons' strategic positions.
But while human forces were deployed there,
a demon forces occupied one of the human territories.
The small, frozen nations of the south
fought many skirmishes with the demons.
And the ensuing chaos and destruction caused the people great suffering.
Amidst the nightmarish confusion, a hero arose.
And with three companions, he went to defeat the demons.
Their rapid advance
brought the people of the Central Nations great hope.
But either because he was impatient at their slow advance through the Demon Realm...
Or perhaps for some other reason...
He left his party behind, heading alone
toward the Demon King's castle.
Like an arrow fired from a bow,
straighter than the line of a ruler...
Chapter 1
— You will be mine, Hero. — I refuse!
Something's wrong...
This castle is so large, and yet no one is here?
Is it a trap?
This must be it.
Just up ahead is my foe, the Demon King.
Once I slay him,
I'll have no regrets.
Are you the Demon King?
The long war with the demons
ends here!
Hello!
Hello, Hero.
Wh-Wh-Who are you?
The Demon King.
The Demon King?
Ridiculous!
Who are you?!
I told you I'm the Demon King.
Why is the Demon King a woman?
It's a traditional title.
I can't help it...
The 43rd Demon King.
My title is "The Ruby Eyes."
You really are the Demon King?
Yes, I have the crest.
S-S-S-Stop...
Stop shoving your breasts in my face!
That wasn't my intention.
I'll say it once more, Demon King!
It doesn't matter if you're a woman or bouncy.
I'm the Hero!
The Hero defeats the Demon King, saving everyone.
That's because
this is justice!
I'll slice you!
Then I'll dodge.
And I'll say...
"Hello again!"
What is wrong with you?
Why are you so relaxed?
I've been waiting.
I've been awaiting your arrival
for such a long time.
I've been looking forward to speaking
with you for such a long time.
No, what am I...
Let the curtains rise...
...on the first, and perhaps last,
play of the Hero and the Demon King!
What are you saying, King of Demons?
You will be mine, Hero.
I refuse!
Are you sure?
Don't be stupid!
Do you know how many nations have been destroyed because of you?
Damned demons...
There's just no end to them!
Let's stay calm.
This merely drains our stamina, without benefit.
Don't care...
Sleeping is what makes me ultra happy.
Hero #1 left me...
Stupid virgin.
Like the Forest Country...
It was a beautiful country, filled with green.
And because of you demons, the sky blackened,
and the people starved!
If you start chopping down every tree you find to make charcoal,
the pollution will ruin you eventually.
Pollution?
I guess you don't know what that is yet...
Don't try to fool me with your nonsense!
It was demons who possessed the Tin Country's minister!
Do evil, get caught, then claim demons were brainwashing you.
A common way that human politicians evade responsibility.
What of your war with the Southern Nations?
I've seen the hundreds slain by demon armies, with my own eyes...
Demon King, I will never forgive you!
Humans have killed demons, as well.
Because demons are evil!
Who decided that?
Then perhaps you ought to have been God.
Shut up!
Let's stop this.
I love you.
Don't talk about love!
What is this?
An economic analysis of...
You don't even know about economics?
I'm sorry!
What is it?!
Hmm...
It's a summary of all the war's advantages,
as seen from one standpoint.
A war has no advantages!
A toast to the war.
Having the demons
as a common enemy has united humanity.
Plague and famine are less common than at any time in five hundred years.
A toast to the war,
which brings great wealth to the Central Nations.
T-To the war...
To the war.
Is this...
Is this something humans are okay with?
The demons aren't so different.
In the past, minor nobles and lords named themselves king, one after another,
fighting long, bloody wars.
But now, they are all united in my name.
In that sense, war has changed both demons and humans.
That may be so, ultimately.
But that doesn't justify perpetuating the war, or starting it at all!
You're a war criminal!
But I do understand that it wasn't for your own benefit.
I'll accompany you, so give yourself up.
Right now, we cannot end this war.
Why not?!
What's wrong, Prince?
Father...
Must we continue to fight the demons?
Is it really the right course of action?
Our kingdom has no fertile farmland.
The huge war funds the Central Nations send us
only come because of the war effort.
Remember,
until this war began, we were on the verge of annihilation.
I knew it!
The Central Nations
send the war-weary Southern Nations charitable funds to support their fight.
And the Southern Nations use the money for food and other necessities.
The Central Nations are donating, while getting nothing in return.
It's all out of the goodness of their hearts!
No, it's not.
They're getting something in return.
Here you go.
Oh, thank you.
I mean, wait!
You wanted to know what they gain?
That's right.
Security.
Security?
Has the war stretched across the whole Human World?
No...
The Central Nations are like another world.
Hold this.
This is...
Yes.
A lamp that shows what's inside the mind of the one holding it.
In other words, we're looking at your memories.
That's...
Balls held almost every night,
bright lights, and plenty of delicious food.
That's right...
And I've seen drunken nobles in vineyards.
As though
there were no war at all.
It's just the opposite.
They can do this because of the war.
That makes no sense!
Let's say the war ends.
What do you think will happen?
Huh?
What? The whole world would be at peace...
Without all this consumption,
exporters of the Central Nations would be ruined.
There would be many unemployed,
many without enough food.
Hundreds of thousands would die.
That can't be...
And there is another problem.
What else?
Sit down.
I explained how,
due to the war, food is going to nations lacking it, right?
However,
your world's agricultural output hasn't increased by any significant measure.
People still starve to death, here and there.
Please stop!
My sisters are inside!
That's why we're burning it down!
We can't let the demonic sickness spread.
Sisters!
If the war ends, more kids will be like that.
Hundreds of thousands of people everywhere
will know nothing but how to use their swords.
Survival requires food.
But humans now can't produce enough.
That means hundreds of thousands...
Maybe even millions will die.
Is it okay to tell them the truth?
That your breasts are smaller than everyone believes?
What did you say?
It was only a joke...
If we tell them he vanished alone,
will everyone assume he got scared and ran?
I couldn't handle that.
We have to tell them what happened.
Why?
Why did he leave us?
That...
That can't be.
It's the truth.
I don't believe it!
Most likely, the human kings also know...
That if the war ends,
whether they win or lose, humanity will be destroyed.
That's why they sent you
instead of their armies.
If the demons win,
they'll establish colonies, take slaves from the human world,
then fight each other over them.
That will never be allowed to happen!
If the humans win, they'll do the same to demons.
Humans would never...
Many worlds have fallen in that way.
What is this?
Somewhere I've always dreamed of...
Somewhere I long to see.
The place you long to see?
Yes.
Have you ever thought to yourself, "What lies beyond that hill?"
Have you ever asked yourself, "Where is this boat going?"
Yeah... Often, actually.
Of course!
You're the Hero, right?
It excites you, right?
You seem happy.
This is what I want to see!
The world beyond this war, the one I've never seen.
Therefore, I shall say it again.
You will be mine, Hero.
To find that which I long to see, yet still have not.
I want you to be my eyes.
My light.
My blade!
Will you?
No.
Are you sure?
I'm sure.
There's no room for negotiation?
No.
Stare.
No...
I'm serious.
I think there's room.
Why are you looking at me with those puppy dog eyes?
Ancient records claim
I should offer you half of the world.
You seem unimpressed.
No hero would accept that deal.
You'd have to be some kind of idiot.
Indeed.
This is exactly what happens in the records I've read.
Pathetic.
Indeed.
For one thing, giving you fifty percent
still divides the world between you and me.
We'd merely be exchanging the struggle between
the human and demon worlds for one between the realms of the Hero and Demon King.
So we won't take that route.
Then negotiations have failed.
Not that I really feel like fighting now.
There's one thing I can give you all, not half, of.
Myself.
In exchange, I want you.
I want
all of you.
You have a very foolish expression.
Do you know what you're saying?!
I do.
A-Are you sane?
Of course.
Shall I share with you how fast my heart is beating?
No, no, no, no, no!
You're certain?
We seem to have more room to negotiate than earlier.
S-S-Stay away!
I won't touch you without your permission.
I'm a late bloomer.
But owning me confers several advantages.
For example?
You could go beyond this war.
Of course, it won't be quick.
Even if I were to surrender,
the human kings would hide it,
and the demons would soon crown a new king.
That is how necessary
this war is for both parties.
But that's also why
if it's possible to end the war another way,
it would mean a new hope...
Not only for myself, but for the entire world.
Well?
Is that
who you really are?
If it's the army's job to end a war,
it's the king's job to find a place for it to end.
And that's why you wanted me?
Well, you could say that...
No, don't get the wrong idea!
I truly do want you.
I want someone to go to the other side with me!
You're too close...
I'm sorry.
But, well...
I'm lacking in the physical,
exterior attributes
that the majority of males
look for in a woman...
Th-That's not true.
No, it's true!
Look at how flabby my upper arm is!
Stop crying.
But it's all flabby...
Um, well...
My chastity is the single thing in which I can take pride.
I honor contracts above all else.
So a contract of this nature would bind me by my soul,
with a strength, stronger than steel,
that will never fade.
I would stay by your side...
In sickness and in health.
Well?
Will you be mine?
We'd be killing a lot of people.
Yes.
I cannot promise
that you will not stain your hands before the end.
Both you and I would have to do many horrible things.
Your hand is freezing.
It's too cold?
No, it feels good.
I belong to you, Hero.
I belong to you, Demon King.
The contract is sealed.
It is.
I'm so happy!
Get off me!
Boo...
So, what's our first move?
Hmm... I suppose we start with food.
It's going to be a long journey.
Do you not want to do it?
What about you?
Are you prepared for this?
Of course!
You and I are, well...
I will never leave your side, Hero!
Naturally!
You'll uphold your side of the bargain.
Right.
Let's do this, Hero.
Let's do this, Demon King.
Can I hug you?
Hey!
Hero...
Kiss!
That isn't right.
Like this.
Hug... Hug... Hug!
D-Demon King...
You have to practice these things!
W-Well, maybe...
Definitely.
Hero... Hero! Hero!
Please forget this.
Immediately.
Yeah, I'll try.
Oh, right...
Th-Those come off?
Yeah, I don't normally use them.
Now let's go...
To find the other side of the hill!
Right!
Next Chapter
Please Make Us Human.