"Are you worried about this change of mentality that you are experiencing?" The question made Esperia ask a rather curious question in return: "Can I trust you?"
To which a shimmering image finally materialized in front of her. The demon that had been lurking within smiled nonchalantly at her.
"My dear Espy... You still don't get it~" The demon replied with a soft hum as she walked toward the cliff overlooking some of the area they found themselves in, leading to Esperia to follow her quietly. "Trust is the same thing as reliance. To force yourself to depend on someone else." Was that the case? While she knew that trusting others blindly was not a wise thing to do, surely trusting someone else was not a bad thing?
"It's a fault of the weak my darling~" Wait, why did trusting someone make her weak? The Demon turned toward her and shook her head lightly in response to the thought." We have no need for such weakness"
The words resounded in a way that was eerie, as if despite them coming from the demon's mouth, it was as if they had been spoken by her. "Through our life we had many subordinates." Indeed, memories flashed through her mind, memories of a long gone past. Sebastian, Shalltear, Cocytus... The Champions of Asmodeus...
"Many who've pledged themselves to me" Their loyalty was unwavering, and yet there was a certain part in the sorrowfulness of the memory that stirred her. "But I've never asked any of them for their trust" True, she had never asked for anyone to trust her, in fact...
"I've asked for their allegiance" Esperia went silent at hearing these words. The Demon merely smiled as she continued. "But faith is another matter altogether"
She nodded her head, turning toward Esperia as she continued to speak "In fact... I've always told them to never trust anyone, including myself"
Was this the mentality of a demon? The lonely existence she was condemned to? "Unfortunately though..."
It was a chilling thought that followed... "I've never met anyone who has been strong enough to actually heed that warning"
The harsh revelation, the truth that this demon was musing about in such a calm manner. "All creatures need to obey that instinct. After all, no one can survive without trusting someone."
It was true, even in the mortal realm there had been such scenarios. Surely even the mightiest of mortals like Alisa, Kon or Yuurei would have trusted at least 'someone'? "No one can survive without trusting someone"
But then who was that someone? Who would be a fitting person to trust?
"Someone they feel is better, more worthy than themselves" The Demon turned her gaze back toward the distance, observing the castle of her prey. "To avoid that responsibility... Those who are worthy look even higher, searching for more superior beings... and these superior beings? They do exactly the same thing."
The demon smiled as she turned toward her, the glint in her eyes that concealed the honeyed mischief reminding her way too much of a trickster. "That my dear... is how all kings are created. And it is also how gods are born."
Esperia averted her gaze, feeling even more troubled by the awareness of the news she had learned about through this lecture. "So do you understand now why you don't need to trust me Esperia?"
Esperia nodded her head firmly. "Because you're me: The Demon Queen of Debauchery."
Lily merely smiled at these words as she faded back into the depths of Esperia's soul. Esperia knew all too well that she had gained enough strength to venture out more in the open, possibly even contest with some of the stronger demons. However, if she wanted to finally make some progress, she needed to target someone special... Like the Demon Lord ruling over this territory. But that meant she would need to collect some information first.
WC: 739
Total WC: 739/1500