In Frieren as a 1000 years old Demon

As the long night passed.

Agusheed silently gazed at the empty teacup on the table.

Shurahadt, who had been eloquently speaking before him, had already left.

But his words left Agusheed plunged into silence.

"Agusheed, the Demon King seeks to reach a future of 'human-demon coexistence'."

"And from you and Furame, His Majesty has found the path to 'human-demon coexistence'."

"That is—by understanding humans through interaction..."

"Of course, you know the best form of interaction is war."

"And the only thing that will ensure Seri Ai won't interfere is war."

"So in the next thousand years, His Majesty plans to kill nine-tenths of humanity to understand humans—"

"All to... reach that future of 'human-demon coexistence'."

Agusheed leaned back in his chair, closing his eyes wearily.

"Understanding humans... through war..."

"Killing nine-tenths of humanity..."

Muttering Shurahadt's words softly, Agusheed slowly clenched his fist as he sank deeper into the chair.

"Slaughter, death..."

"Demon King... Seri Ai—"

"Why?"

Why can't you understand the preciousness of life?"

Agusheed knew the Demon King's decisions were absolute.

Almost no one in this world could stop his march forward.

Thus that future where nine-tenths of humanity would perish was practically inevitable.

Even Agusheed, as one of the strongest Great Demons, was powerless to prevent it.

Because it was the Demon King's will—

Disgusted by death and slaughter, Agusheed simply lay quietly in the guest room.

Contemplating that horrific future.

Until sunrise, when Furame's arrival pulled him from his dark thoughts.

As the strongest human mage and the most dazzling genius across the ages,

Though human magic systems lacked flight spells,

She had mastered Agusheed's flight magic during the latter half of their ten-year journey.

Yet because demon and human magic systems were fundamentally different,

Even now she couldn't adapt [Flight Magic] for other human mages to use.

"Human magical theory is still too underdeveloped. Perfecting this would probably take another thousand years of accumulated knowledge."

That's what she had told Agusheed back then.

"Wake up—"

"Sleeping in the guest room isn't a good habit."

Agusheed opened his eyes as Furame poked his cheek.

"Furame, I was just thinking, not sleeping."

Furame continued poking his face:

"Is that so... Am I disturbing you?"

Agusheed gently caught her prodding finger, looking helplessly at the mischievous woman:

"Not at all. If anything, your timing is perfect..."

The troubled expression on his face made Furame realize something was amiss.

Perching on the armrest of his chair, she stared intently into Agusheed's eyes:

"You have something to tell me?"

Agusheed opened his mouth, but no words came out.

Finally, after hesitating for over ten seconds, he asked:

"Furame... do you think a future of 'human-demon coexistence' is possible?"

"Do you mean individual cases, or between species?"

"The species as a whole."

Furame rested her right hand on her chin, carefully studying Agusheed's expression.

"Between species... That doesn't sound like something you'd normally say..."

"Seems someone visited you last night without my knowledge."

Agusheed didn't hide it, speaking frankly:

"Shurahadt came by."

"He told me the Demon King wants to reach a future of 'human-demon coexistence'."

"And the method he chose to understand humans is war—even if it means killing nine-tenths of humanity."

After speaking, Agusheed watched for changes in Furame's emotions.

But—there were none. Hearing that perhaps ninety percent of humanity might perish,

The Grand Mage Furame remained completely unfazed.

"I thought it was something serious—"

Agusheed heard Furame chuckle lightly.

"I'm not joking, Furame."

"I know."

Furame stood up, disdainfully replacing the chair Shurahadt had used.

Then she slowly sat in the new chair, smiling at Agusheed.

"But I've anticipated this ever since the Demon King ordered the elves exterminated."

"Though I should be grateful he only plans to kill nine-tenths of humans instead of ninety-nine percent—

Should I call that mercy?"

She spoke with exaggerated tones.

Her optimism took Agusheed somewhat by surprise.

"Many will die, Furame."

"I know."

Furame responded calmly to Agusheed's words.

"I'm also a demon, Furame."

"I know."

Agusheed looked at Furame sitting before him, hesitating before speaking again:

"Furame, if you requested it, perhaps Seri Ai could stop all this."

Furame leaned forward until her elegant face was mere inches from Agusheed's.

"As much as I'd like to, Master cannot kill the Demon King."

"And without killing him, nothing would change."

Strands of Furame's hair brushed against Agusheed's face in the breeze.

Agusheed lowered his head, unsure what to say.

But Furame continued, her gaze turning to the thick clouds outside the window as she softly asked:

"Agusheed, what do you think is the fundamental difference between demons and humans, despite our nearly identical appearances?"

"Emotions. Specifically 'love and hatred'—those uniquely human emotions."

Agusheed answered without hesitation, stating the well-known truth.

"Do you think demons can understand human emotions through war and slaughter?"

Furame turned her gaze back to the weary-looking Agusheed.

"Perhaps. But by that time, humanity would likely be extinct."

Furame blinked, then pressed further:

"Then, Agusheed, do you think you could understand human emotions by interacting with humans?"

"I don't know."

Agusheed answered honestly.

"Furame, in two hundred years, you're the human I thought most likely to help me regain emotions."

"But after ten years traveling together—from the empire's southern reaches to the continent's northern tip—I've still gained nothing."

"If even you failed, I don't know how much longer I must wander the human world to reclaim my emotions."

Furame nodded, as if considering something.

Finally, as if reaching a decision,

She spoke:

"Agusheed, when do you plan to begin your next journey?"

"Probably in a year."

Agusheed gave Furame a puzzled look, unsure why she suddenly asked.

"Could you do me a favor during that time?"

Furame handed Agusheed a copy of "The Magic Guidebook of Sage Aevish" that she'd obtained from Seri Ai.

"Having lived since the late Mythic Era, you should be able to decipher this, right?"

Agusheed took the book, flipping through a few pages.

"I could, but this predates me by far. Deciphering the entire thing would take about ten years."

"If you don't mind the wait, I could stay longer."

"After all, one year or ten makes little difference to me."

Hearing this, Furame visibly relaxed.

But Agusheed's next words made her slightly embarrassed.

"Speaking of which, this book's era is close to Seri Ai's time. Why not have her decipher it?"

Furame turned her head aside, reciting her prepared response:

"Seri Ai is currently researching [Counter-Curse Magic] from the Mythic Era."

"I see..."

Agusheed didn't doubt her—Furame had no reason to lie.

Just nine more years then...

"Oh, there's one more thing."

Furame's words made Agusheed close the book and look up at her nervously clasped hands.

"What else?"

Furame cleared her throat, putting on a serious face:

"Long-term residence in the capital requires household registration."

"So?"

Agusheed didn't understand what she was getting at.

Obtaining registration shouldn't be difficult for someone of Furame's status.

"So, to avoid complications with the Emperor,"

Furame said with forced calm:

"Let's get married."

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