Getting off the rocking horse that was clearly the wrong size, Ryuya's head was filled with the chorus of 'Little monkeys jumping on the bed…'
There was no denying it, this thing was truly magical. Even he felt so happy.
For the rest of the time, the two continued to wander. Ishtar, fully experiencing what childhood joy meant, laughed like a hundred-pound fool.
'This girl is really having a blast. I should take Tia and the others to play sometime in the future. I can also take Yukino when I return to reality.'
Watching the smiling Ishtar, Ryuya noticed that time had unknowingly reached evening.
"Ryuya, Ryuya."
"What is it?"
Having been called by Ishtar all day, Ryuya could now tell what she wanted just by her tone.
For example:
"Ryuya, Ryuya." – This meant she had a question.
"Ryuya, Ryuya." – This meant she wanted to eat something.
"Ryuya, Ryuya." – This meant she was angry.
"Ryuya, Ryuya." – This meant she was happy, etc.... Don't ask how he could tell… the answer was pure metaphysics, relying solely on telepathy!
Hearing that this particular 'Ryuya, Ryuya.' indicated a question, he followed the direction Ishtar was pointing and saw the words 'Adult Demon Products' in large letters.
"Ryuya, what does 'Adult Demon Products' mean? Using them turns you into a demon?"
"When did the demons develop something so terrifying? Are they that powerful? They can change Spirit Origin and bloodline!"
Looking utterly surprised, Ishtar immediately wanted to go into the shop. Ryuya quickly stopped this silly goddess, the corner of his mouth twitching.
"Ryuya, can't I go in?"
Blinking her eyes, the extremely happy Ishtar asked.
"You're not suitable for it right now."
"Then when will I be suitable?"
"When you become an adult... no, wait until you're an adult."
"Adult? By human standards? I'm way past that age."
"Past what? With your brain, even kindergarteners are more mature than you. Just forget it."
"Kindergarteners? What's that?"
"Well, they're usually made of kids below six."
"You're saying I'm worse than a six-year-old?"
"Besides being able to talk and walk, where are you better than a six-year-old? If it rained, you probably wouldn't even know to use an umbrella to get home!"
"Your words hurt my soul."
Her eyes became vacant, as if life had lost all meaning. Ishtar was truly sad.
"Alright, stop acting cute here. Let's go home."
Knowing Ishtar just wanted to act spoiled, Ryuya shook his head helplessly and started walking back first.
"Tch, saw through me, huh?"
Raising an eyebrow, Ishtar followed Ryuya back.
But what the man didn't notice was that Ishtar had secretly gone back later and bought that underwear with the hole in the middle.
'I told you, this lady isn't some fool. This thing is clearly a super-powerful battle outfit, hmph...'
Having never experienced play or friendship before, Ishtar found the most lacking part of her life fulfilled in Ryuya.
On the surface, she might seem like a clueless, brash idiot, but was the Venus Goddess truly such a childish kid in reality?
It was only in front of Ryuya, and only in front of him, her only friend, that she showed her truest self.
To Ishtar now, Ryuya, this friend, was her most important treasure.
[The longer you spent with Ishtar among the demons, the more your reputation and prestige shook the demons' hearts.]
[Having both wealth and strength, many young demons began to follow you, and various nobles followed suit one after another.]
[When the time was right, you chose to challenge the Demon Lord.]
[The Demon Tribe always believed in the supremacy of strength. Although you weren't a demon, the Demon Lord still accepted.]
[The Demon Lord was powerful, possessing peak third-generation god strength, perhaps not inferior to a god like Ishtar. But he was still no match for you.]
["I've lost."]
[The Demon Lord frankly admitted his defeat, very straightforwardly.]
["Ryuya, over the years, you've been winning over demons' hearts in the demon capital. The Three Great Demon Dukes have already pledged allegiance to you, and many nobles and royals have befriended you. Now that you've defeated me, you are the King of the Demon Tribe."]
[Facing the Demon Lord's words that sounded like a last testament, you simply shook your head. "Demon Lord, frankly, I am not a demon."]
["So what? What is your purpose, not being a demon?"]
["It's not about my purpose, but yours."]
[Pausing, you continued, "Being slaves to the gods, killing each other under the rules called heaven and earth. The Demon Tribe's birth rate is quite high, I recall? But the gods don't allow you to develop too quickly, so every year, newborn children must be drowned."]
["Also, some of your demons are quite favored by the gods. How is life being treated like cattle and horses?"]
[Drawing the character for 'demon' in the air with magic, you looked at the Demon Lord. "What does this character read?"]
["Demon." The Demon Lord read it instinctively.]
["Wrong. This character reads 'god'."]
[Smiling bitterly, you helped the Demon Lord up and took him to a hinterland outside the royal city. This place had poor living resources and was home to many low-level demons.]
[Finding a spot where many children were playing, you took out a bag of candy and said you would ask two questions. The children could have the candy if they answered correctly.]
[Not understanding your intention, the Demon Lord followed behind you without speaking.]
["Children, who can tell me what this character reads?"]
[Drawing the character for 'demon' on the ground, you asked.]
["Big brother, this character reads 'demon'."]
[One child answered you.]
["Very good, first question answered correctly. Now the second question, what does the character 'demon' mean?"]
[Giving some candy to the children, you continued asking.]
["Demon is god. The gods said they are the masters, and we are cattle and horses. But Grandma told me, we are worse than cattle and horses."]
[Leaving the village with the Demon Lord, you looked at the silent man and smiled. "What's wrong? Feeling stung already?"]
["No, just feeling... a bit choked up."]
[Beginning to understand that all his efforts were futile persistence, the Demon Lord looked at you. "Ryuya, what does the character 'demon' truly mean?"]
["Demon? I don't know."]
[Shaking your head faintly, you turned your gaze to the sky, where the gods resided.]
["I only know that fighting each other on this land is meaningless. If you want to fight, go fight the gods in the heavens!"]