Why I Still Have To Save You Again and Again?

The two demons spoke one by one, discussing the recent changes in the situation between humans and demons. Unlike the previous situation where humans were completely overwhelmed and had no ability to resist, recently, it seemed that resistance had appeared everywhere, and it was a powerful resistance.

The future seen by Lord Schlacht, who has the ability to see the future, has also changed, but the reason for the change has not been discovered yet. Previously, many preemptive measures had been taken against individuals who might threaten the demons' future, but some had failed. Perhaps this human named Flamme, who was hunting demons everywhere, was one of those possibilities that hadn't been completely eliminated.

Although she escaped this time, the demons couldn't worry too much. There were more possibilities of humans that needed to be killed than just Flamme, and no matter how thorough the net, there would always be oversights.

A single oversight wasn't generally considered a big deal within the grand scheme of their operations. It couldn't be so unlucky that out of the 999 human possibilities eliminated, the one missed would become the catalyst to change history.

"From a probabilistic standpoint, it's negligible."

One of the demons remarked with a tone of calculated assurance. The statistical improbability of such a scenario was a comforting thought that allowed them to move forward without lingering doubts.

With that confidence, the two demons turned and began their descent down the mountain, their figures gradually disappearing into the dense, shadowy forest. The natural world seemed to swallow them whole, masking their presence from any prying eyes.

The demons believed firmly that they would continue to carry the prevailing "trend", while humans could only feebly rely on the weak glimmers of "possible" variables that appeared one after another. This stark disparity in power left the two demons feeling secure and unwavering in their belief in the future.

As long as there weren't any inexplicable troublemakers—no unforeseen anomalies that could disrupt their plans—the demons would surely win. The balance of power was heavily skewed in their favor, and they intended to maintain it that way.

——

"We managed to escape alive." Aura stated, a mix of relief and exhaustion evident in her voice.

Despite her numerous burns, tattered clothes, and the half-shattered mask on her face, she fared much better than the two nearly half-dead great demons she had faced. Her injuries, though severe, were comparatively lighter.

After all, as one of the Seven Sages, Even without the "Obedience Magic" that goes against common sense, her solid foundation in basic magic was more than enough to surpass ordinary great demons. 

This time, if it weren't for the necessity of protecting Flamme on her back, she wouldn't have been suppressed by the two great demons. The additional burden had made the battle more challenging than usual.

"Now, I can kill you."

She gently put Flamme down, a malevolent grin spreading across her face as she examined the wound on Flamme's abdomen. She traced circles around the injury with her fingers, knowing that if left untreated, Flamme would die on her own, without Aura having to lift a finger.

Although Aura had used fire magic to cauterize the wound to prevent excessive blood loss while escaping with Flamme, ruptured internal organs couldn't be saved merely by stopping the bleeding.

Through continuous probing and observation, Aura had finally figured out the boundaries of Frieren's command "not to harm humans." It didn't mean she couldn't watch humans being harmed—if it was someone unrelated to her, even if killed by demons before her eyes, the command wouldn't trigger. This loophole was a crucial discovery.

But Flamme was different. Flamme was related to her—because the wound on her head that caused her to faint was inflicted by Aura's sneak attack. If Flamme, unable to fight due to fainting, was killed by demons or died from her untreated wounds, Aura's consciousness would be forcibly realigned with the command "cannot harm humans." This connection created a unique challenge.

However, now Flamme's condition had stabilized. Although it is steadily declining, it is still stable! As long as Aura is far enough away before Flamme's life is in danger, then out of sight, out of mind, the order of "not harming humans" will not be triggered.

"Goodbye, Flamme," Aura said wickedly, lightly tracing the burned wound near Flamme's navel. "You are a good person. You chose to block the magic cannon for me at the most critical moment. But good people don't live long. In this world, good people are always unlucky, and bad people are favored by fate."

"And I am the luckiest being, because I am an extremely malicious demon..."

Squelch—

A terrible sound pierced the silence.

Aura looked down, her eyes widening in shock.

Blood was oozing from Flamme's cauterized wound at her fingertip, a crimson stream that seemed to mock her intentions.

"No, no, no!!! Why now?! I clearly didn't use any force! No force! I just touched it lightly! The wound shouldn't have split open!"

Aura's pupils contracted in horror. Panic surged through her as she turned to flee, but it was too late.

The moment she saw Flamme's wound split open, an unbearable pain attacked her from the depths of her soul. Flamme's pain was physical and could be blocked by unconsciousness, but Aura's pain was in her soul. No matter how she struggled, rolled, or bit her own arm to divert attention, she couldn't ignore that pain.

"Ahhhh, it hurts, it hurts!!! Wait, wait, I didn't intend to hurt her, it wasn't me! The wound naturally reopened, it has nothing to do with me! Nothing to do with me!!! Why does it still hurt! What was Frieren thinking when she gave that command?! I can't understand! I can't understand!!!" Aura's screams echoed through the desolate landscape.

This time's pain was worse than ever before. When Aura opened her eyes, they were bloodshot. Demons were incredibly resilient; the pain didn't break her but instead aroused her inherent viciousness.

"There's... another way." she muttered, her voice filled with a mix of desperation and fury.

Her bloodshot eyes fixed on the unconscious Flamme.

"Kill her! If I kill Flamme, the pain will end."

The command "don't harm humans" applied only while humans were alive. Once the human died, no matter what was done to the corpse, it wouldn't count as harm. This loophole was her last resort, a twisted logic born out of necessity.

Aura approached Flamme with renewed malice, her steps heavy with the resolve to end the source of her suffering once and for all.

"Die, Flamme!!!"

Aura extended her hand, her sharp nails piercing into Flamme's abdomen. With a single upward pull, she drew out intestines and clotted blood, her grip unyielding and merciless.

Her eyes widened, her face contorted with madness, revealing the bloodthirsty nature of the demons amidst a sea of crimson. 

Aura lowered her head, like a hyena in the wild devouring its prey, targeting the soft and nutritious belly. She bit down, using her teeth to tear the resilient intestinal membrane, licking both fresh and clotted blood with her tongue. The taste of iron and life filled her mouth, driving her deeper into her brutal desires.

But of course it's only in her imagination. Gradually, the smile turned into tears.

"Damn it, damn it, damn it! Stop it, stop it right now, ahhhh!" she screamed, her voice breaking with a mixture of desperation and rage.

"Why do I have to save you! Why can't I kill you, Flamme?!!!" Her voice echoed in the emptiness, filled with frustration and an agonizing sense of helplessness.