The great spirit and I proceed through the skies above the Royal Capital.
At our considerable altitude, the people on the ground likely cannot see us.
However, anyone with knowledge of magic would surely sense the great spirit's abnormal reaction.
Many must have fainted, overwhelmed by terror.
A strong wind whips past.
In a physical body, I would have felt the chill.
In this form, such suffering is greatly lessened.
Glancing up, the moon floats in the night sky.
Half-waned, it casts its light quietly.
A beautiful sight, but unfortunately, this is not a situation to enjoy it.
The great spirit, flying ahead, looks down upon the cityscape spread below.
"It is a fine city. The ruler's philosophy comes through."
"I see."
I reply with a brief acknowledgment, while remaining wary of the great spirit's movements.
For now, there was no sign of it attempting any trickery.
At least, it didn't seem to want to kill or wound me with a surprise attack.
Though I already knew it wouldn't resort to such roundabout methods, I felt a momentary relief.
Stopping mid-air, the great spirit turns toward me.
She gazes intently into my eyes.
"Demon King. What is your objective?"
It was a sharp gaze. The Great Spirit’s question contained an intent to size me up. Therefore, I answered with a composed demeanor.
"―that I alone become the absolute enemy, uniting people. And maintaining world peace."
This was the goal I had upheld since dedicating myself in the Valley of the Dead. I had always aimed to realize it since then. I have no intention of distorting it even now.
"..."
After hearing my answer, the Great Spirit gazed at me for a while. Eventually, she averted her eyes. Perhaps it was my imagination, but her aura had softened considerably.
"I see. I have spoken with those who call themselves Demon Lords several times, but this is the first time I have heard such a purpose."
"Do you intend to stop me?"
"Not at all. You are an enemy to humanity, but you do not bring ruin to the world. I cannot interfere."
The Great Spirit declared this as if it were obvious. I felt a sense of incongruity with her wording. She did not say she "will not" interfere, but that she "cannot." She likely didn't misspeak. There is a vast difference between the two expressions.
(What does this mean?)
When I was secretly puzzling over it, the Great Spirit suddenly approached.
She made a gesture as if placing a finger to her lips.
"That reaction... you don't know the purpose of our existence, do you?"
"Purpose of our existence?"
I searched through the memories I had gained in the Valley of the Dead.
Were they worn down by time? They were all hazy.
None of the knowledge I had gained in my previous life matched it either.
"My apologies. My knowledge is shallow."
"No, it can't be helped. These are things that were likely forgotten as the ages turned."
The Great Spirit shook her head.
She wasn't reproaching me.
She spoke with a serene, detached air.
"First, as a premise, this body is not my true form. You've noticed that as well, I presume."
"Yes. It's a split-off fragment, or something similar."
"Precisely. I am acting through this fragment. Currently, my true self cannot manifest in the world."
The Great Spirit confessed.
This was information I had never heard before, but it was likely the truth.
There was no reason for the Great Spirit to lie here.
"So the reason you can't manifest is related to this 'purpose of existence' you mentioned."
"Yes. I will tell you about that now."
The Great Spirit ascended to a position where she could look down upon us.
She began speaking in a clear, dignified voice.
"The Great Spirit is a defense mechanism created in accordance with the world's principles. We exist to prevent the destruction of the world—of this planet."
"An existence to prevent the destruction of the world..."
I repeated the words.
I never knew the Great Spirit held such a role.
It wasn't recorded in any past literature I was aware of.
"There are others who serve as defense mechanisms besides myself. Other Great Spirits and the Dragon God are obvious examples. There are those who have died over the long history, but new beings are born to take their place."
The Great Spirit revealed one new fact after another.
All of it was news to me.
Perhaps there was a time when people knew of these things, but the knowledge had faded over the ages.
"As you may imagine, beings like us possess immense power. However, there is a certain limitation."
"A limitation?"
"Unless a problem that threatens to destroy the world itself arises, we cannot manifest. We can only intervene on that scale or within that domain."
The Great Spirit frankly disclosed what could be considered her own weakness.
Such theories had been proposed several times in the past.
It was the idea that beings like the Great Spirit rarely appeared because of some kind of constraint.
There was never enough conclusive evidence to reach a verdict, but it seemed it wasn't wrong.
I had learned the truth in an unexpected way.
"The deeds of the Great Spirits and the Dragon God recorded in myths—those occurred under circumstances that met that condition, then?"
"The account may blend fact and fiction, but your interpretation is largely correct. Or perhaps in cases like this, where a separate form is being used. As long as it's not the true body, a certain degree of independent action is possible."
"A certain degree of independent action... So you're saying even the matter of the Imperial Capital's destruction is not an issue?"
I point out, citing an event from just a few days ago.
The destruction of the Imperial Capital had been carried out by the Great Spirit.
While it was certainly not an act I could criticize, that incident had resulted in countless deaths.
The Great Spirit nods calmly in response.
"Yes. I am unable to perform an act that would destroy the world, but the Imperial Capital's destruction is unrelated. If I so wished, the eradication of humanity would also be possible."
She states something terrifying.
She may not currently have the "wish," but her whim determines whether that power spreads to other nations.
Contacting her early was the right decision.
Though we are speaking like this now, the Great Spirit is, as expected, a calamity incarnate.
Absolutely not something humans can hope to manage.
(...Well, I suppose I'm a calamity too.)
In terms of the scale of damage, I had far surpassed the Great Spirit this time.
And that scale would only continue to grow.
To the people, I must seem like one of her kind.
Mocking myself inwardly, I change the subject.
"I understand the discussion. But if you are a defense mechanism generated by the world itself, wouldn't my very existence be even more irksome to you?"
"As I answered before, you are not one who would destroy the world. You fall outside the conditions for manifestation. I sensed this from our first meeting, but hearing your purpose confirmed it."
The Great Spirit answers without hesitation.
Her words came without hesitation.
It was likely a question that required no thought.
Indeed, she had attacked me only that first time.
Even then, it was more like lashing out in a fit of pique.
Since then, the Great Spirit had never directed hostility toward me.
She truly had no intention of fighting.
For my part, that was preferable.
She was an opponent I would have to face with everything I had, and if it came to a battle, I couldn't afford to consider collateral damage.
I wanted to avoid fighting as much as possible.
"The defensive mechanism is not on humanity's side. It merely happens to save them on occasion."
"I see."
I conceded to the Great Spirit's assertion.
Her priority was the world itself, and humanity was merely incidental to it.
In the course of fulfilling her role, she sometimes ended up helping by chance.
That was all she was.
From the Great Spirit's perspective, humans were not wards to be protected.
They were probably closer to pests.
Not worth actively killing, but utterly devoid of value.
And, depending on the situation, she wouldn't hesitate to crush them.
However, there was something that bothered me here.
I turned my question toward the Great Spirit.
"Why tell me this?"
"I would like to say it's just a whim, but half of it is a warning. If you were to attempt to destroy the world, the defensive mechanisms I oversee will activate. Make sure you never forget that."
"...Understood. I'll keep that in mind."
I nodded solemnly.
It was certainly no joke.
For now, I had been judged as someone not worth eliminating, but that could change depending on my future actions.
At that point, I would be fighting the Great Spirit.
I would be careful about that, but in reality, I didn't need to be overly nervous.
I would never destroy the world.
Though I call myself the Demon Lord, what I truly desire is world peace.
They are diametrically opposed concepts.
I would not end up opposing the being responsible for the defense mechanism.
As I assured myself of this in my mind, the Great Spirit descended to land before me.
"That is all I have to say from me. I will be waiting where we first met."
With only that final statement, she turned and took off at high speed.
In the blink of an eye, she shot off into the distance and vanished from sight.
In the process, a new hole was opened in the capital's defensive barrier, so I repaired it with my own mana.
I remained hovering in the air above, feeling a bit drained.
I went to sigh, and remembered that I was unable to do so.
I thought things might go badly, but it ended without incident.
I could feel the mental fatigue, sure enough.
They had been an opponent I couldn't afford to relax around.
Now that I knew they weren't an enemy, they certainly weren't an ally either.
I wanted to return the secret stone as quickly as possible and sever all ties.
They were not someone I should have frequent contact with.
Still, I had obtained valuable information.
The concept of defense mechanisms the world itself has created.
I had to be careful not to violate them.
Once my feelings had settled, I glanced at the royal castle in the distance.
Since the surprise attack was set to begin during the night, the Demon Lord's army should be nearly ready by now.
I should also get ready to depart.