Archive Of Potentialities.

Short Story: Dreamer [10]

Chapter 10: Demonic Honesty.
.......

Carrera remembered, and as she remembered, she thought.

And as she thought, she watched.

Watched the scene that meant the most to her, the sight that made her what she was, the moment that turned it all.

It was not the time she had been named, it was not the time she had been formally bound to her master. It was the moment she had angered him for the first time.

Ironic, but she looked upon it fondly all the same. For that reason, she hated having to share it with the boy beside her.

As she watched and seethed, she returned to remembering.

Demons had no parents, no family, no friends. As beings who simply came into being of their own selves, they were built for individuality, for conflict.

Never was there any dispute involving her kind that didn't involve enmity of some kind. Of their own, for their own. Every event was self indulging. They laughed for themselves, they fought for themselves.

And they died for themselves.

Rarely was it that a demon ever fell into an altercation without desiring to murder the other party, but that day was different.

It was also the day she began to consider her lord a friend.

Carrera sighed, and drowned in her memories, ones that she hoped would remain private.

......

She had been called into Rimuru's office, after he had stated he did not want to have such a conversation with her in public.

"You heard what I said down there, Carrera," He said, not turning to look at her, but the disappointment was evident in his voice.

Carrera kept silent, in contradiction to her usual nature. He always found a way to bring out that side in her.

"Why?" He asked.

"I apologize for my actions, master."

But instead of answering, she apologized.

Rimuru did not like that development, and he turned from where he had been gazing holes into the city below.

"I know you're sorry...actually, I'm not sure if you are. But I still want an answer."

"...."

"You too, huh?" Rimuru sighed. His earlier anger that he had shown in the courtroom after revealing himself hadn't dissipated at all. It wasn't obvious in his reserved tone, but his eyes, whose gold had been tainted with a hint of nebulous black, told it all.

"You know, I talked with Ayase a little while ago. About a decade, I think. I told her I wouldn't get tired," He rambled, playing with a coil of black lightning as he spoke.

"She was concerned...about my...apathy." He closed his fists, snuffing out the electrical discharge.

"So, I decided to do something about it, after ten years. Not too long, you know? I came there today to check on you, see the people. I made the laws, set up the justice system, put you in charge. I talked a big game, talking to you guys about morals and principles. And I get there and see I actually have been growing tired, otherwise it wouldn't have gotten that bad. I told her I wasn't, you know? I actually did..."