My Prisoner

The Hands Stained By Greed

Even with the difference between the gods they worship, an extraordinary harmony existed between humans and demons. Despite their diverse beliefs, they treated each other with respect and equality, embracing the beauty of their differences. This lasting peace was rooted in the genuine friendship between the kindhearted Demon King and the compassionate Saintness.

To ensure tranquility between their peoples, the Demon King and the Saintness made a vital agreement: "Never interfere in each other's affairs." This one rule became the foundation of their peaceful coexistence, guiding them through the ages.

Over time, the bond between the Demon King and the Saintness grew stronger, setting an inspiring example of unity and cooperation for their realms. Their friendship bridged the gap between their societies, fostering a shared vision of progress and prosperity.

As the years passed, humans and demons began to trade with one another, exchanging valuable resources from their lands. This beneficial relationship boosted both economies and encouraged cultural exchange.

The humans taught the demons the art of agriculture and cultivating the earth, while the demons shared their knowledge of mystical arts and the world of gods with the humans. This exchange of wisdom led to a period of great growth and enlightenment for both civilizations.

As their nations flourished, they evolved from being neighbors to becoming allies. They supported each other's endeavors and celebrated festivals together, united as one community.

The harmonious coexistence of humans and demons showed the power of friendship and understanding. It proved that genuine connections and empathy could overcome prejudice and fear. Their tale inspired neighboring realms seeking reconciliation.

Even though they enjoyed living peacefully together, the future of their harmony was uncertain, as time brought unexpected challenges that tested their relationship between humans and demons. One evening, Malachi received distressing information from a demon tribe near the land of the humans as the Demon King Malachi was consumed by anger and grief as he listened to the report. The report detailed horrific acts committed by humans, who proclaimed all demons evil and proceeded to m******e them without mercy. The news shattered the fragile peace between the human and demon realms, igniting a fire of vengeance within the heart of the Demon King.

The demon king made up his mind. He went to see where the Saintness stands in this matter. The king brought his knight with him all with the task of protecting the king. If something had happened, the Demon King and The Saintnes met in a plain between the demon and human territories. In the middle of the plain, there was a table with two chairs on each end. The Demon king talked explained to the Saintness how the humans had killed his people. and ruined their lives. The demons just wanted to live happily, but instead, the humans took their lives and even enslaved some of them.

The Saintness found it hard to believe this because she thought her people would never do such things. She denied the existence of humans who were driven by greed. Upon hearing this the Demon King called Xerxes, someone who had witnessed the killings, and told the Saintness she could question him to find out the truth. She was free to use any means to confirm if the accusations against the humans were false. The Saintness used a magic called "Mindmeld" It uses the Saintess mana and transfers her consciousness to the target's mind. This skill has two purpose, first, to read the memories of the target, and the second is to cause a state called "Mind Break" This is to break the very mind of the target and make them insane.

The memories unfolded before the Saintness like a haunting tapestry, revealing the truth she had been reluctant to accept. The scenes painted a vivid picture of the atrocities committed by certain humans against her demon kin. She saw the villages reduced to ashes, innocent demons slaughtered without mercy, and the blood-soaked hands of those responsible after the horrible act they plundered the village of anything that seemed valueble.

As the Saintness delved deeper into Xerxes's memories, her disbelief slowly transformed into a resolute determination to seek justice for her people. The weight of responsibility settled upon her shoulders, compelling her to uncover the truth and ensure that those guilty of these heinous acts faced the consequences.

With the demon king's permission, the Saintness emerged from the depths of Xerxes's memories and confronted him directly. She questioned him relentlessly, seeking every minute detail to confirm the accuracy of his recollections. She spared no effort in verifying the authenticity of the accusations against the humans.

Xerxes, haunted by the trauma he had witnessed, recounted the events with a tremor in his voice. His words echoed with raw pain and anguish as he painted a chilling portrait of the humans' greed, their insatiable lust for power, and their utter disregard for the lives of the demon clan. He recounted the names of the perpetrators, describing their faces, their vile deeds, and the chilling pleasure they took in the suffering they inflicted upon the innocent.

The Saintness, now confronted with the undeniable truth, her heart heavy with grief, understood that she could no longer deny the existence of humans driven by darkness. The realization pierced through her soul, shattering the illusions she had clung to, and ignited a burning fire within her—a fire fueled by a sense of justice and a strong desire to protect her kin.

As she emerged from the abyss of memories, tears streamed down her face, mourning the demons whose lives were ruthlessly snuffed out. At that moment, she made a sacred vow to the demon king, pledging her unwavering commitment to seek justice for the blood that had been spilled. But before she could articulate her unwavering resolve, the king's voice thundered, silencing her plea.

"The very humans you cherished," he spat, venom dripping from his words, "have ruined both the lives of the villager and the very peace we both cherish. You, a feeble ruler incapable of reigning over your own subjects, are no different from those wretched beings who callously extinguished the lives of my people. Your sins run deep, as deep as theirs."

Malachi paused, his eyes piercing into her soul, as if daring her to deny his damning words. He drew in a breath, savoring the charged silence before resuming his harsh proclamation. "As we both shared our view of this world and wanted peace, I can no longer stand idle when my own people die without a proper cause. Listen very carefully I will grant you a limited time to deliver the perpetrators who have wronged my kin. And as for the enslaved demons, they shall be freed without question!"

Desperate for answers, the saint dared to inquire about the fate awaiting the guilty. A twisted smile played upon the king's lips as he revealed his malevolent plan. "Public execution would be too merciful for them," he sneered. "Instead, they shall face the unspeakable horrors of my torture chamber, a place from which no one returns. Their suffering shall be concealed within its unhallowed walls."

Without faltering, the saint, Eliana, sank to her knees, a gesture of humility and a plea for forgiveness. "If it means resolving this vile situation, I am willing to kneel and beg for absolution," she implored, her voice laced with desperation.

Malachi, though hardened by his people's pain, saw the flicker of love within Eliana's eyes. "Enough, Eliana," he interjected, a glimmer of understanding in his voice. "While you hold your people dear, I too cherish my kin. Either you deliver the humans who have stained their hands with our blood, or we shall bring the fires of war to the very doorstep of your kingdom!"

A profound silence fell upon them, as the weight of her decision bore down on her. Eliana stood torn, her heart torn between protecting those who had committed grave sins and betraying those she sought to shield. Words escaped her lips, failing to convey the turmoil within her.

Sensing her inner conflict, Malachi, the demon king, anticipated her response. "Reflect upon this matter for a month," he declared, his voice a chilling decree. "Once the sands of time have run their course, your inaction will be deemed a choice to protect the guilty, and you shall bear the burden of a sinner. I apologize, but I must also avenge the fallen who were denied justice."With his final pronouncement, the demon king, a figure of imposing authority, rose from his throne and retreated to his realm, leaving the saint to face her own loyal knight. The weight of their encounter hung heavy in the air, as the destiny of two worlds teetered on the precipice of darkness and redemption.

In the following days, the Saintness, Eliana, wrestled with the burden of her decision. The weight of her responsibilities as a leader and her unwavering love for her people weighed heavily on her heart. Each sleepless night was haunted by the faces of the innocent demons who had suffered at the hands of the humans. can war avoided can we once more restore peace? Such questions runs through her mind everyday.