Too much info, and you can’t think straight. That’s the thing.

Revised and re-recorded.

No change to the story, just a few tweaks to the timeline.

Ryuko reads from his journal.

So far, it’s been the shock of learning he was born in the alchemist village.

And then… everything changes.

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The village was attacked by a massive army of monsters led by demons.

It happened all at once.

Now I’ll write down everything that happened that day.

◆

That day was rare—a day when all the villagers gathered together.

The air was thin. There was no proper vegetation here except for the World Tree. So few monsters lived in this area. Still, every few months, some would show up. So someone was always on watch.

One of the watchmen tumbled into the village, bloodied and gasping.

"Ma— a horde of monsters’s围住了 the village!"

The watchman forgot even to use a Healing Potion, shouting at the top of his lungs. For a split second, everyone thought it was a stampede. But then they thought, if we all pull together, it’ll be tough, but manageable. Then the next words shattered that thought.

"Plus, there’s an individual we think is from the Demon Clan! The ones left behind are buying us time—but it won’t last long! Village Chief! Decide now what we do!"

The Village Chief burst out into the square, voice cracking.

"Ma— a Demon Clan member!? Could you be mistaken!?!"

"Zeb was killed in an instant! And that thing isn’t just some monster!"

Everyone froze at those words.

Zeb wasn’t much for magic or alchemy back in the village—ranked low in skill—but he was sharp with a blade. He’d been the village’s guard captain. That Zeb had been killed in an instant? Impossible to believe.

But the desperation in his face said otherwise.

The village elder’s voice trembled.

“Can we escape from the village?”

“Not a chance. We’re surrounded completely. Only way out might be if we all jumped into the waterfall.”

“Monsters… no, enemies. How long until they reach us?”

“Somehow, the beasts are under control. Like they’re slowly tightening the noose. That’s why we didn’t notice until now… hell, it’s too late to dwell on that. I’ll take the blame later. The enemy’ll be here in under thirty minutes.”

“Too little time. We won’t have time to prepare even if we try to flee from the waterfall side!”

The village chief fell silent. So did everyone else gathered in the square.

The moment we realized the monsters were under control, it was certain—there were demons among us. Unbelievable, but true.

I’d save the details for later, but we’d concluded long ago that the demon race was extinct. Now, in that silence, I finally understood—reality wasn’t that kind.

The first voice to break the quiet came from my husband, Menbua—no, Butt.

“Village chief! Hide the old man and the women in the research lab! There’s a little food there! The rest of us men will face the demons!”

“What?!”

“If we beat them, that’s all that matters. Even if it’s hopeless, those who survive can stay hidden and wait them out. They’ll leave eventually. We just have to live through it!”

I wanted to fight alongside them. But I just clenched my lips, watching my son asleep in the basket I held.

The village elder and Butt had been arguing for a while, but the men were already set in their resolve—they hurried to prepare for battle.

I stepped closer to Butt.

"Butt..."

"Relax, Yenza. I’ll crush the enemy and come back. But if something goes wrong—"

I cut him off. The village elder slapped him on the shoulder.

"Menbouat. You’re staying hidden with the women."

"What!? What are you talking about!? I’m the best—!"

"That’s why you’re the one guarding the women. Everyone okay with that?"

The elder scanned the men. They all grinned and nodded, as if it were obvious.

"Always planned on it."

"Would’ve suggested it myself if you hadn’t said a word."

"Who else here’s gonna guard the village’s treasure?"

"Sure, the women here are strong, but we still need a guard. Wouldn’t do to be without one."

"Besides, with Butto around, we’d manage even if we had to live underground for good."

"Leave the wife to me, Butto."

They all chime in, agreeing that Butto should stay behind.

"D-dammit!"

"This is a command from the village elder. Consider everyone’s feelings!"

"Guh..."

"Regardless of what happens, Craft must be protected. Only you, as his father, can do that."

"S-so… that’s…"

The elder doesn’t wait for argument. He barks orders at the men.

"Everyone! Don’t worry about us—go ahead and let loose!"

"“““Yessir!!”””"

Right after we slipped into the hidden lab, a fierce fight erupted aboveground.

And the fight aboveground ended just as fast.

The village had lost.

◆

From here on, I’ll write this down—for the future.

I hope one day, my sweet Craft finds this diary.

If someone other than Craft picks this up, I hope they’ll pass it on to Craft Walker after reading the warning about the demons.

Below, I’ll record as accurately as possible the demon conversation I heard through the speaking tube—for the sake of future generations.

G refers to the demon known as Gloutis. L refers to the demon known as Lucas (Lugandor).

Only these two spoke the language… just the two of them.

◆

G: "Lucas, how many humans are left?"

L: "Twenty-one."

G: "You’re certain?"

L: "Yeah. How many days do you think I’ve been watching this place? And I already told you—I changed my name to Lucas."

G: "Hmph. A human-sounding name. You should’ve just kept the fake one."

L: "You mess up if you're not used to it. No point getting attached to a name. Mess up when you're pretending to be human? That’d be a hassle. You should change it to something easier to say, Grootis."

G: "Seeing humans makes me want to crush them. No point pretending to be one."

L: "Same here. I get the urge to pluck off their limbs."

G: "You’re good at blending in. You even use that girl, Bell, pretty well."

L: "She’s easy to work with. If she stays young and beautiful forever, I don’t care if she’s a demon."

G: "Humans becoming demons…?"

L: "Most demonkind are wiped out. Be glad you’ve got demon potential. It’s rare."

G: "You’re the youngest demon around—maybe that’s why you’re so adaptable."

L: "Is that a compliment?"

G: "Ain't got a clue. But find survivors faster. Can't afford to keep anyone who’s figured out the curse of the World Tree alive."

L: "I know, I know. Ain’t leaving the village, so whoever’s hiding’s definitely hiding."

G: "Humans. Always so damn clever. Just stay docile like livestock, why can’t they?"

L: "That’s exactly why you overestimated them. That’s why magic got stolen—wrapped up in sigils—and the demon clans nearly wiped out."

G: "……Yeah. So this time, we’re taking our time. Re-enslaving humans, proper this time. How’s the plan with Bellar coming along?"

L: "You’re asking now? It’s behind schedule."

G: "What?!"

L: "Jabir’s a pain in the ass on the imperial side. We kicked him out. Now he’s a pain in the ass on our side too. He’s got a weird knack for medicine and poisons. Can’t even use a concealment curse properly unless we take our time."

G: "Troublesome."

L: "Bella’s already had two children by Lord Bairoroad. The boy’s about nine. The girl’s a babe—maybe one, maybe two. Still just a baby."

G: "So what?"

L: "You’re planning to make Bella’s kid the next Marquis, right? That kid—Zaid, was it?—he’s sharp. Things’ll go smoother with him."

G: "Aren’t humans supposed to pass the title to the eldest son?"

L: "Generally, yes. Flattens is good too. But Zaid’s better. I’ll just make sure to slip a curse into Flattens’ path soon enough."

G: "Won’t Jitarou catch on?"

L: "Bella’s got Jitarou working on rejuvenation potions. Pushing him hard. He’ll slip up eventually. Just wait it out."

G: "Damn, she’s a real pain."

L: "Seems like the Marquis leans toward meritocracy, and with the politics between the Empire and us, Zaid’s probably gonna inherit regardless. So I’m just gonna keep an eye on the curse for now. Don’t wanna get caught by Jabir."

G: "Hmph... can’t just pull ahead of Jabir, huh?"

L: "Yeah, messing with things now’ll just rile up the kingdom. Still don’t want humans knowing the demons are still alive, do we?"

G: "Not yet. Too early until our forces are ready."

L: "Exactly. You’re the most cautious one in the demon ranks. Figured you’d get it."

G: "Hmph. Always the one doing the heavy lifting while the muscleheads just charge in."

L: "Anyway, no way to pull Jabir away from Bella. Though that’s what got us kicked out by the Empire in the first place—Bella and him together."

G: "So the Empire’s progress is smooth, then?"

L "Oh! Leave that to me! I’ll spark a war between nations in about ten years!"

G "I don’t trust your ten years..."

L "Heh heh heh! Yeah, neither do I!"

G "Whatever. If the main plan’s going well, just handle Bella however you like."

L "I’ll use Bella on the main plan too. But yeah, at least make sure to turn her into a demon."

G "Hmph. I don’t like it, but we’re short on demons—can’t do much about that."

L "Yes, sir."

◆

The conversation between the two demons over the speaking tube ended there.

The content was unclear, but it was obvious they were hatching some grand scheme.

No one knows when this diary will be found, but I hope it helps, even a little.

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Ryuko stops reading aloud there.

Not a single word escaped anyone’s lips.

In short, the alchemist village was attacked by demons and monsters.

But this conversation’s got stuff that hits close to home for us. First off, the one who’s been pulling the strings behind the Empire’s attack on Goldendown—that’s Lucas.

That’s shocking enough. But apparently, it’s been planned for twenty years already. Just thinking about how things might’ve gone if the demon race had their way—war could’ve erupted ten years ago—makes my hands shake.

My mind couldn’t keep up—too much info, too fast.

But I have to know. What happened to this village… what happened to my parents.

"Ryuco. I'm counting on you to finish it."

You sure about this?

"Yeah."

...Got it. Then I'll continue reading.

And the reading rushed straight through to the end of the diary.

August 30

New release incoming