DGDITMIAE 07

Chapter 07

There was a reason Terestia was so sensitive and averse to her identity being revealed.

It was because of a conversation with a priest that remained in Terestia’s memories.

Born as a princess, Terestia had received advanced information and lessons about demons that ordinary humans would not know.

According to the scriptures she had read in theology classes when she was young, it said: *’Some demons are not much different from the supreme God. The more believers and worshippers a demon has, the more powerful that demon becomes.’*

When she first read this memory, the little demon had been grinning from ear to ear.

*’So the more humans who follow me, the stronger I become!’*

Well, she wasn’t sure if she wanted to become a god… but at least she liked the fact that she would get stronger.

And she had felt it while swinging her sword—the thrill of moving her body and overwhelmingly pressing her opponent was exhilarating and enjoyable.

It was fun to spar with swords against others, and it was also fun to hunt down those stupid and ugly monsters.

So if she made more followers, she would become even stronger, right?

Terestia was born noble and held great power, so…

If she pretended to be Terestia and wielded her authority, it would be easy to create followers who would worship her!

She had been grinning, thinking she should put this into action immediately, when the following memory made her body freeze in shock.

—

“No matter how powerful a demon may be, if you learn its true name, you can destroy it. That is quite a convenient method.”

“The Lord has granted us the means to see through even a demon’s true name. If not for that, even the primordial demons would have no reason to hide like this. It is all because the Lord watches over us.”

“Enough. Do not expect piety from me, the princess. It would be easier to hope that I do not fall into corruption like a demon.”

—

Terestia in the memory let out a clear laugh, but the demon could not hide the uneasy expression on her face, just like the priest who had been giving the theology lesson at the time.

*’They can destroy me if they learn my true name?’*

The demon had only just learned of her own identity, let alone her name, and it was absurd to think that the Vatican bastards could somehow know a name even she didn’t know.

Whatever the case, she had to survive first, so she would have to keep her identity tightly hidden.

And by using the authority of this body to create a bunch of subordinates and expand her influence, she could live a long and enjoyable life.

Especially without getting caught by the Empress Dowager that she wasn’t the real Terestia!

That was what she thought… but well, she could confidently say that the demon had been doing well so far as both the Grand Duke and as Terestia.

She had been doing things that the original ‘tyrant Terestia’ never did, and she could even say they suited her nature.

For example… hitting ugly monsters, increasing the wealth of her territory that had nothing in its barren lands, and watching the faces of humans who had bristled at her gradually soften like playful puppies.

To the demon, all of these things were enjoyable.

Much more so than that alcohol Terestia used to love and would die if she couldn’t drink.

So she understood even less.

Had she killed those who doubted her identity too late back then?

But she had only done as Argo instructed!

Besides, after being pointed out that she didn’t seem like ‘Terestia,’ she thought she had been imitating her perfectly, so why on earth were rumors of her being a demon circulating again?

The demon hadn’t eaten any other humans and she conversed quite well.

She could easily read the greedy intentions of humans and quickly understood the complex concepts of politics.

*’But how did they find out my identity!’*

The demon—no, Terestia—was once again lost in thought.

Argo, watching Terestia agonizing as if tormented alone, inwardly swallowed a sigh.

It seemed his beautiful Grand Duke was still caught up in a nonsensical misunderstanding.

Argo lowered his gaze, took Terestia’s soft hands in his, and spoke.

“They don’t actually think you are a demon, Your Highness.”

“Then?”

Seeing Terestia ask back with wide eyes, Argo paused for a moment, seemingly pondering, before closing his mouth.

Then, as if explaining to a young child, he began to speak slowly and clearly.

“They simply regard you as an extraordinary person.”

“What does that have to do with being a demon?”

“Humans sometimes place those they revere and fear outside the bounds of humanity. Not as a fellow human, but as an object of fear and reverence. And the easiest concept to associate with such a being is a ‘demon.'”

Argo continued calmly.

“The masses call things whatever they please. So you need not concern yourself with such gossip that will soon fade away.”

Terestia looked down for a moment at Argo’s hands fiddling with hers, then nodded.

“So they suspect me because I’m too perfect.”

Terestia’s answer was proud and concise.

Argo barely turned his head to suppress the laugh that threatened to escape at her simple logic.

His Grand Duke didn’t particularly like it when her aide showed amusement at her, as it seemed to undermine her dignity.

Not wanting to ruin Terestia’s lifted mood, Argo replaced his laugh with a cough.

*’Humans fear and loathe what is unlike them?’*

How difficult you humans are!

But if rumors that I’m a demon keep spreading, the temple will come looking for me and find out my true name!

I don’t want to be destroyed!

In any case, Terestia filed this new information away in her head, thinking she would have to be extra careful from now on.

As the carriage passed through the crowds and entered the grounds of the Grand Ducal residence, the sound of barking began to echo from afar.

“…Cookie.”

Sensing that her master had arrived, her adorable dog Cookie perked up and came running from afar, ears flapping with excitement.

Then, keeping pace with the carriage as it ran up to the front of the mansion, Cookie chased along, barking “Woof! Woof!”

There were many people gathered in front of the Grand Ducal residence.

Terestia widened her eyes and looked at them.

They were all servants working at the residence or her retainers.

“Did you tell them to stand there?”

“I merely informed them of Your Highness’s arrival.”

Argo said this, then stepped down from the carriage first and extended his hand to Terestia.

Terestia naturally took his hand, stepped down from the carriage, and carefully surveyed the people looking at her.

Their expressions all seemed pleased.

She could also sense Cookie’s expression, wondering when she would play with him.

Some, meeting Terestia’s gaze, politely greeted her, asking if she had returned safely.

But as Terestia maintained her stern expression, they began to subtly exchange glances with one another.

After looking at the people for a moment, Terestia clasped her hands behind her back and opened her mouth gravely.

“Ahem. I, the Grand Duke, am not a demon.”

“……”

At Terestia’s sudden declaration that she was not a demon, the people widened their eyes and exchanged glances.

Whether they stared at her in bewilderment, or Argo let out a silent sigh behind her—

Regardless, Terestia felt quite satisfied inwardly.

*’Just in case, it’s better to say it beforehand.’*

Then she strode confidently into the mansion.

—

“…Did she just say she’s not a demon?”

Meanwhile, at Terestia’s sudden admonition, the servants exchanged looks.

Oliver, a servant who usually liked to boast about the goings-on in the Grand Ducal residence outside without fear, wore a troubled expression as he cautiously spoke, feeling something was off.

“Could she have heard the rumors?”

“What rumors?”

“Well… you know, the talk we had among ourselves. Saying the Grand Duke was like a demon…”

“Oliver. It’s your fault. You were the one fanning those rumors excitedly.”

Ben, the stable keeper, let out a deep sigh and spoke.

Ben, who was usually of a prudent disposition, voiced his concern with a worried face.

“Did we do wrong? We never thought she would care about such rumors…”

“Well, she used to be called a queen, after all.”

Bess, a maid who had been listening quietly, nodded and said in a serious voice.

None of them bothered to point out that the ‘queen’ Bess mentioned was the ‘Queen of Debauchery.’

“Then what should we do? Should we spread rumors that Her Highness is actually a just and benevolent ruler?”

Philip, who hadn’t been working at the Grand Ducal residence for long, swallowed nervously and spoke.

He was terrified at the thought of losing this satisfying job.

“Yeah, that Her Highness is actually a really good person…”

But before Ben could agree with Philip’s words, Oliver quickly shook his head and cut him off.

“No, absolutely not.”