*Content Warning: This chapter contains mature themes, violence, blood, and morally dark actions. Reader discretion advised.*
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Kevin met the Heavenly Demon's gaze steadily, white eyes unblinking amid the steam-wreathed chamber.
"Yes, I guess I sure did something reckless back there, didn't I?"
The Heavenly Demon lowered his eyes to the rune-veined floor, voice heavy with restrained thunder.
"Yes, that was definitely so damn reckless of you. Do you have any idea just how dangerous it was? You were fighting the very successors of the Heavenly Demon—they'll soon be as strong as me."
He continued, tone shifting to calm insistence.
"Kevin, I know you're strong, but that doesn't mean you can defeat anyone except me. And even if you did win, do you have any idea those brats could have killed you back there?"
His expression softened to paternal concern, pale eyes searching.
"Kevin, did you consider my feelings? What would have happened if you'd died back there?"
Kevin offered nothing but that persistent smile, gaze locked on the Heavenly Demon's face.
The kind smile faded abruptly from the Heavenly Demon's features, fury igniting as he slammed a fist on the blackwood table.
"Kevin, why do you keep smiling? I need an answer, not a smile!"
Outside the chamber door, atop a gnarled branch, two birds perched in serene companionship—preening feathers, chirping melodies, utterly carefree in their simple existence.
Kevin's voice cut through gently, smile unwavering.
"My lord, calm down and listen to me."
His tone sharpened with focus.
"My lord, are you seeing those birds out there, sitting in the tree?"
The Heavenly Demon tilted his head, glaring at the oblivious pair, fury undimmed.
"Yeah, I see them. What are you trying to imply there, Kevin?"
Kevin set his tea cup precisely on the table, eyes fixed on the birds with quiet amusement.
"Yes, my lord. That's it. As you're seeing those birds, you must think they're happy, enjoying their lives with their partner."
A pause hung heavy.
"But that's what we see from the outside. We humans cannot understand their language—nor do we want to, right?"
The Heavenly Demon's mood frayed with every syllable, voice cooling to wary restraint.
"Yeah, so what? I don't need to understand bird language either."
Kevin's smile deepened.
"That's it, my lord. Imagine it right now: the birds are happy, and they might stay happy for a while, I guess. But what happens if a fight breaks out between them? Or what if one of them dies?"
He leaned forward, frank.
"Just to be frank, let's say the male bird dies. Do you think the female bird will be sad, crying and shedding tears forever? Do you think she'll stay alone forever?"
"No, that's ridiculous and impossible. In the future, the female bird will most likely find someone good enough for her—someone better than the last male she was with."
Kevin's gaze turned serious, pinning the Heavenly Demon.
"Then what do you think she'll choose? Will she stay alone forever, or choose a new male bird?"
The Heavenly Demon's face paled, sadness etching deep lines; words failed, stare hollow.
Kevin beamed brightly.
"Well, I guess you've guessed the answer by now. The female bird will choose the new, better male. Humans, animals, birds— are all the same. Their mentality, most likely their behavior too."
"Same goes for humans. Even if I had died there, I know one thing for sure: there will come someone—someone better than me. And you will replace me with that person. Am I wrong?"
The Heavenly Demon bowed his head, silent.
"T-that's no—"
Kevin cut him off smoothly.
"My lord, I can imagine one thing for sure: you would have gotten a little sadder, a little sorrowful, a little pale too—for a few days, a few years. But after that, I'm sure one day someone better than me will come."
"And you will have no choice but to choose that person over me. That's just how human behavior works. No matter what we call ourselves—demonic nature or anything—at the end of the day, we're all humans, right?"
The Heavenly Demon shouted, voice cracking.
"There is no way I would do something like that!"
Kevin paused, then spoke softly, smile lingering.
"I really do appreciate how you feel, my lord, but there's no need to make me feel better. My apologies if I've offended you somehow, but that is the truth. Humans and persons are something very easy to replace. That's just how I've been living up until now. I know every single thing about how humans are, how they like to live, how they make choices at a time."
He closed his eyes briefly.
"It seems I've said too much, my lord. Please excuse me—I should go train now. If you need anything, please call me."
The Heavenly Demon fell silent, voice dropping to a murmur.
"Yeah, you may go. I'll call you if I need anything. And I apologize for screaming at you, Kevin. I'm truly sorry. After all, that's just how I've been living up until now too, so I can't change my nature too suddenly."
Kevin rose, smile warm.
"Well, that's okay, my lord. I'm sure you can change too. Keep it up. Bye."
Void didn't say anything. He just left the room, wide smile on his face yet quiet expression too.
Void mumbled while smiling.
"Oh my, I guess I said too much this time. It feels quite weird after all it's been so long since I talked to someone like this. But I have no regrets about what I said to the Heavenly Demon dog. After all, it's the truth. Even though he seems like the type who's seen and learned all about the world already... how disappointing.
"Someone like him doesn't even know how humans truly are, yet they have the nerve to call themselves demonic. How ridiculous. Humans are truly arrogant—their arrogance has no bounds. And I'm so tired of that arrogance. I am a true person who has no arrogance, nor pride. I am just... true."