I am… a devil.
I lived in an age long past, led my comrades through countless battles, and finally, fulfilled, I died…
I have no regrets.
…….
No regrets, but I’m still not dead.
My body is gone, lost and destroyed, but my soul remains.
Immortality, huh…
It makes dying really difficult.
It’s such a hassle.
Because of that, I ended up attracting other beings like myself, souls without bodies.
Surrounded by countless such souls, I began to blend with them, to melt into them. In time, I would lose my sense of self and truly die.
Thousands of years passed, and the shape of my soul has become faint and blurry.
How much longer will it take?
I was looking forward to it.
But just as I was drifting in that half-asleep haze, someone grabbed me, forcefully, and sealed me into place.
What is this incomprehensible stone… Black Flame Stone?
Isn’t that the crystallized remains of a mighty monster?!
They’re carving it…
They’re carving it into a statue… and etching my soul into it?
What are you doing!
Hey, you there! Human! Listen! Listen to me!
Listen up!
Listen!!
Please listen!!
Damn it, what insane concentration!
No, wait, is this person a saint or something?
Like one of those who can’t hear the voice of a devil?
That’s racial discrimination!
No matter the race, it is important to talk!
Yes, everything should begin with a conversation, don’t you think?
…
React a little!
I’m trying to lighten the mood here, you know! A devil talking about dialogue, this is absolute cinema, and you’re just ignoring me!
I know you know I’m here!
You couldn’t have singled me out from that sea of muddled souls otherwise!
Come on, I’ll do whatever you want!
There’s gotta be something you desire, right?
Like wanting to be popular with the opposite sex?
…
Sigh.
Fine.
So, you’re really going to ignore me completely.
Very well.
It’s been ages since someone has angered me this much!
Let’s see… it’s been thousands of years, I think!
It’s too late to regret now!
You’ll pay for enraging me,
Wait, what’s with that spear?
Reacting to bloodlust is cheating!
And you’re still ignoring me…
Fine.
No more killing intent.
Spear, please.
Can you say something to your master?
No good?
He doesn’t hear anything when he’s focused?
I see.
…
Somebody, help meeeee!
A complete stranger is doing something to meeeee!
-0-
I calmed down.
No matter how much I cried for help, no one answered.
I had no choice but to regain my composure.
Damn it, I curse the strength of my own will.
But by calming down, I was finally able to observe the human… no, the statue the human was carving.
The statue being carved by the human…
Isn’t bad.
Hmm.
Looks strong.
The waist is a bit too slim for my liking, but the horns are magnificent.
Devils take pride in the size of their horns.
The bigger, the better.
And the fact that it’s armed with so many weapons, I like that.
It means it can deliver many forms of attack.
…
Could it be…
Yes, just maybe, this human…
Is trying to resurrect me?
Would that be…
A good thing?
Is it really?
Would it be forgivable for me to return?
I caused a lot of destruction.
Even the Evil God who descended to the mortal realm stepped back when I raged.
And now, this human is choosing me despite that?
This human…
Has potential!
Hahahahahahahahahaha!
-0-
The Devil Who Guards Art.
That is my new name.
My old name… has been discarded, or rather, overwritten.
I can’t even remember it anymore…
Not that I have any lingering attachment to it.
My new power is to protect works of art.
All of my abilities have been adjusted to specialize in that one purpose.
I don’t mind.
It might be inconvenient to use, but that depends on how it’s used.
I have no complaints.
The only thing I do have a complaint about is this body of mine.
My body is a statue.
A massive sculpture carved from Black Flame Stone.
As far as reviving me goes, it’s not a bad method.
But this statue…
It’s too well made.
It’s a work of art.
Which makes it perfectly compatible with my new power.
And while I’m inside the art museum, I can block any kind of attack.
Even a god’s attack.
Though… not the full strength of a true god.
I can deflect the playful attacks of lesser gods, at least.
So, what’s the complaint?
I can’t move.
I am the Devil Who Guards Art.
To those who harm works of art, I am allowed to unleash any form of attack.
If someone moves a piece of art without permission, they become a target.
That, I understand.
Which is why, as a work of art myself, I’m not allowed to move on my own.
I must not move.
What kind of nonsense is this?!
You showed me hope, hope of revival, and now this!
I can’t move!
What is this despair?!
N-no… technically, there is a way.
There is a method.
If I leave the museum, I’ll no longer be a piece of art on display.
Then I’ll be able to move.
But getting me out of the museum will be difficult.
Because even my position is treated as part of the display.
If anyone tries to move me, I’ll instinctively resist.
I won’t be able to help it.
Which means the only way I’ll ever be able to move…
Is if the museum is destroyed.
If it’s damaged so badly it can no longer be recognized as an art museum, then I’ll be free.
But!
Yes, but!
I’m using my own powers to protect the museum.
Because if I don’t, the other works of art will be damaged!
So there’s no way the museum will ever be destroyed.
Absolutely not.
I have sealed myself in place with my own power!
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!
Human!
Human! Human! Human! Human!
You really did it!
Human!
You’re more of a devil than a devil!!!
Incredible!
I’m shocked!
I’ve never encountered someone this devilish before.
Ah… that frail little human…
What growth!
To think that someone like this would be born while I was dead!
Very well!
Human!
I shall remain in this museum for ten thousand years and protect every last piece of art!
Hahahahaha!
It’s more stimulating than just drifting in my soul-state, half-asleep!
Hmm?
How will I protect the artwork if I can’t move?
Oh, that’s easy, I can attack the minds of those who mean them harm.
I can’t swing any weapons, unfortunately…
-0-
Oh?
Is that <
It’s been a while.
Oh ho, and <
Your forms have grown quite fragile, but your souls haven’t changed at all.
Hahaha.
Hm?
The Ancestor of the Devil Race, Despair-sama, was it?
Ahh, that’s right. My former authority was <
Fufufufufufu!
And now I’m the one bearing it.
Fuhihihihihi!
How delightful. How utterly delightful!
Even though I can’t move.
Ah yes, I do accept offerings.
Prepare a proper altar for tribute.
I don’t like anything spicy, make it sweet.
And definitely nothing bitter.
That’s not reverse psychology.
If you bring me something bitter, I’ll take it as an act of malice.
-0-
Later on.
<
Hahahahaha.
The trio is as inseparable as ever.
Ah, don’t tremble like that. Don’t be afraid.
I won’t do anything to you.
The first time we met… was after I had already died, wasn’t it?
Though, can that really be called “meeting”?
Well, no matter.
<
Shall we reminisce a little?
-0-
Some days later.
<
Back when the Evil God was still around, we were enemies, but I hold no hostility now.
Though I do get irritated when people laugh at my immobile form.
Hmm?
Ah, you’re going by the name Versa now?
I’ll remember that.
Yes, your coming here was fated.
There’s something I’d like to ask of you.
It’s something <
I won’t force you.
Feel free to refuse.
No, no, I’m not in the habit of running my mouth about the past.
I would never stoop to something so low.
I promise.
It’s just… when I see someone from the old days, I get a little chatty…
Yes.
Apologies.
It’s not a difficult task.
When I was being made, the human who created me had a sample.
It’s not here.
If it were in this museum, I would know.
Which means that human took it with him.
It’s also a work of art, but I cannot stop the creator from taking his own work.
Now then, that sample, perhaps because it was near me, or perhaps due to that human’s power, contains a fragment of my soul.
Indeed.
It would be a pity to leave a newly born soul trapped in an immobile statue.
I ask you to find it and move it into a human-shaped vessel.
Only if you can, of course.
If not, then so be it, such is fate.
Hmm?
You know the human who made me?
You’re indebted to him?
Oh, what good fortune!
Then I leave it to you!
No need to report back.
I’ll be sleeping.
Fufufu.
I’ve spent ages dozing away, you see.
Suddenly staying awake all the time is a bit much for me.
I need to let my… no, my spirit adjust slowly.
You came at the perfect time, <
I was just about to go to sleep again.
Fear not, even in sleep, I will still protect the art.
This body is capable of that much.
Hahaha.
Well then, until we meet again in a few hundred years.
Ah, and offerings are welcome at any time.
Even while I’m asleep.
I’m counting on you.
-0-
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