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When a group of humans saw a single person create fire with his bare hands, they feared him.
They isolated him.
They labeled him cursed.
And the one they called cursed grew sad.
He began to question everything.
Why was I born different?
That was when gods — or other supernatural beings — appeared.
They offered acceptance.
They said he was special.
They said he was needed.
Some were sincere.
Most were not.
And the saddest truth of all was that sometimes…
humans were the ones who manipulated other humans.
"You have to understand, Gilgamesh-kun."
Sona sighed.
"It's not as though we act out of malice. Evil Pieces exist to increase the number of devils. The war with Heaven and the civil war nearly drove us to extinction. On top of that, devils are not a fertile race. We cannot reproduce in large numbers like humans or other species."
"So you need strong devils to survive. That part I understand."
Gilgamesh gave a crooked smile.
"But survival doesn't justify treating people like toys."
Sona nodded slowly.
"I know. But what can I say? We are devils. We were never meant to be innocent beings. As for Rias… she was desperate."
"Desperate?"
Sona closed her eyes briefly before answering.
"It isn't my place to explain her situation. But she needs strength. She needs powerful companions to pursue her dream."
"And that's why she tried to recruit me."
Sona nodded.
"Before she did… I was the one planning to recruit you. But she needed you more. And as her friend, I couldn't abandon her. So I gave her a chance."
Gilgamesh snorted.
They had spoken about him as though he were an object.
A tool.
A possession.
For a brief moment, he felt the urge to summon a blade and drive it into the earth just to vent the irritation — but he restrained himself.
"And how would you have done it?" he asked dryly.
"Would you have arranged some dramatic rescue? Let a monster attack me so you could save me and become my hero?"
"Of course not."
Sona's answer was immediate.
"I was simply going to ask you."
Gilgamesh blinked.
"…What?"
"I would have asked you to become a devil and work under me. Like offering someone a job."
Despite how absurd the statement sounded, her expression remained completely serious.
No deception.
No hesitation.
"…You just walk up to humans and ask them to become devils?"
He stared at her incredulously.
"What kind of idiot would agree to that?"
"Well… Saji Genshirou did."
Sona answered flatly.
Gilgamesh blinked again.
"The one who always stares at me?"
She nodded.
Gilgamesh suddenly smiled.
"So he joined because he likes you?"
A faint blush crept across Sona's cheeks as she adjusted her glasses.
There was embarrassment — but also a trace of discomfort.
Jealousy, perhaps.
"…That is partially correct."
Gilgamesh sighed.
"So idiots like that really exist."
"Unfortunately, yes."
Sona's agreement came surprisingly quickly.
"Rias originally intended to ask you directly. But you were… difficult. You never showed interest in her. You didn't chase her. You didn't even acknowledge her charm. That made direct recruitment unlikely — which led to her desperate plan."
She paused.
"I am not excusing her actions. But she is not malicious. Only desperate."
"This is devil politics," she added quietly.
"And even as the wielder of Boosted Gear… there are boundaries you shouldn't cross."
"Politics," Gilgamesh murmured with a faint smile.
She didn't confirm it — but she didn't deny it either.
"Let me guess," he continued casually.
"A contract tied to her noble status. To break it, she must win against her fiancé's peerage."
Sona stared at him for a moment before sighing softly, an amused smile forming.
"You really are dangerous. Strong and intelligent. That's exactly why I want you."
Gilgamesh raised an eyebrow.
"Oh? Was that a confession from the Ice Queen of Kuoh Academy? Is the Queen seeking the King's warmth?"
Sona blinked — then immediately flushed.
"T-that's not what I meant!"
Her voice rose slightly.
"I meant I want you in my peerage!"
"Ah. Now you sound like a tsundere."
"I am not a tsundere!"
"You want me as your servant. That technically means slavery. So you're cold and sadistic. Quite the combination."
Sona sputtered incoherently while Gilgamesh laughed.
When she realized he was teasing her, she shot him a cold glare — but after witnessing his true presence earlier, that glare lacked its usual impact.
Still…
Perhaps he had been too harsh with Rias.
Not wrong.
But harsh.
Maybe an apology would be appropriate one day — if she earned it.
"Regardless," he said calmly, "I won't become a devil."
"That's what you believe."
Sona adjusted her glasses again.
"To be honest, it isn't as terrible as you think. My approach would have been calm and logical. Fame, power, influence — those things become accessible. Yes, you would begin as a low-class devil. But the benefits would outweigh the cost."
Between Rias and Sona, the difference was obvious.
Sona was the strategist.
The scholar.
Her name constantly appeared at the top of the academic rankings displayed on Kuoh Academy's bulletin board. Perfect scores. Perfect conduct. Perfect discipline.
Even the way she spoke reflected competence and preparation.
"I will make the offer formally," she continued.
"Become my ally, Gilgamesh-kun. You will not regret it. Tell me your dream. I will help you achieve it — and in return, you will help me."
Her voice carried the warmth of someone offering salvation.
"Then tell me your dream first," Gilgamesh replied, resting his head against his hand.
Sona considered his request.
"…That is reasonable."
She nodded.
"My dream is to create a combat academy for reincarnated and low-class devils."
"A combat academy?"
"Low-class devils often function as servants — slaves, if one wishes to be blunt. Many are reincarnated humans. Only a few high-class devils treat them properly. Rias and I are among those few."
Gilgamesh's eyes narrowed in understanding.
Ah.
Now he understood.
"You're trying to prevent rebellion," he said.
"By giving them dignity. Recognition. Protection."
"You want to show them that nobles can be guardians — not tyrants."
Sona's eyes widened slightly before narrowing again.
"That's a pessimistic way of describing it."
"You're a devil," he replied simply.
To his surprise, she laughed softly.
"I won't deny that fear of another civil war is part of it. Our race cannot survive another one. But I also genuinely want to help them. They are our people."
Gilgamesh watched her silently.
He would never change who he was.
Even on the brink of death, he would never surrender that.
Humans were fascinating.
Capable of kindness greater than angels.
Capable of cruelty worse than devils.
They could sacrifice everything for others.
They could destroy everything for themselves.
Humans were weak.
They lacked claws.
Fangs.
Natural weapons.
They cried.
They mourned.
And yet…
they ruled the world.
Because among all beings —
humans were the most beautiful…
and the most monstrous.
As the saying went:
The brighter the light within a heart,
the deeper the darkness it could cast.
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