Chapter 43

The day after the mini-demons finished their work.

All over the Royal Capital, notices like this were posted:

＜Heh heh heh… listen well, you tiny humans. I am the one known as the “Indescribable Ancestor of Nightmares.”

I have commanded my kin (within the boundaries set by the Demon Realm Employment Laws) to roam the city where you dwell.

This was made possible because the Crimson Moon, red as blood, bestowed power upon me.

I have the power to uncover those who commit sins while feigning to be saints. For such people among humans have the potential to become my “friends.”

Now, I have discovered companies that break the law and work the people like slaves; they are listed below. I have also included detailed descriptions of their violations for your reference.

I am merely listing them.

Whether you choose to sentence these companies to death by fire or allow them to continue wringing the life out of their slaves is up to you tiny humans.

If you allow such hideous deeds to continue unpunished, this human capital shall be scorched black and seized by the demon race.

(Company names omitted below)＞

“I don’t expect results instantly, but I’ve done everything I could.”

On the morning following the incident, Mary nodded with an air of satisfaction. Since she had been clinging to me all night, it seemed she had slept very well.

“This new way of ‘destroying’ things might be quite good. Letting humans destroy human things… it’s a fun little twist, in its own way.”

True, since humans were the ones who created the companies, her logic wasn’t wrong. Though coming from her, it sounded much more terrifying…

“Also, I think I’ll try showing the executives of those ‘black companies’ some nightmares. I wonder how long it’ll take before they start screaming for mercy. Hehe…”

As long as it’s bad people suffering, I suppose it’s fine. There’s no law saying you can’t show someone a nightmare, so it shouldn’t be a crime.

As for what happened after that—

Combined with the appearance of so many mysterious, cute animals, these posters became a massive topic of conversation throughout the Capital.

While the government offices couldn’t move immediately, the industry guilds were the first to act. They began pointing out that there were indeed members within their associations engaging in illegal practices.

Furthermore, the newspapers published in the Capital gave extensive coverage to the “whistleblowing by a mysterious demon,” exposing the company names and their crimes.

It also seemed that at least some of the workers had begun organized strikes. Company images took a massive hit, and some businesses found themselves unable to sustain their exploitative part-time labor models.

In fact, arrests were made at staffing agencies that had been involved in illegal double and triple-dispatching. Several companies reportedly received orders to suspend operations.

While it might not lead to an immediate increase in the overall happiness of the Capital, it served as a catalyst for people to think about the way they work. After the “Red Moon Incident,” few companies would be brazen enough to openly force exploitative conditions on their staff.

●

One day in late June, about two weeks after the incident.

I was out shopping in the Capital with Mary and Cerulia. By the way, Mary had recently stopped clutching her pillow when moving around. Since she was sleeping soundly at night, she didn’t seem to care much about the pillow anymore. I, too, had started to feel a sense of peace while sleeping close to Mary.

Occasionally, I’d get a “glitch” of carnal restlessness, but I was keeping that firmly suppressed…

“Yeah, I feel like I’m seeing more people with happier faces than before.”

These were the words of Mary, who was the first to notice how many people were suffering in black environments. I felt I could believe her.

“Then what we did was meaningful.”

“According to the newspapers, consumption is expected to grow because more people will have higher wages and more free time,” Cerulia added.

Hearing that made me realize that Mary had actually done something quite incredible.

“If I can destroy a nation, there’s no way I can’t crush a few black companies. Hmph!”

Just as Mary was wearing a triumphant “smug face,” her body suddenly emitted a flash of light for a brief moment.

“Mary, what was that light just now…?”

“Ah, that’s the signal that I’ve fulfilled my role since being summoned. It means I can return to the Demon Realm now.”

Hearing those words, my heart felt a sudden ache. Not just me—Cerulia looked downcast as well.

“So, Mary… does this mean we have to say goodbye…?”

Ultimately, Mary was a being who had come here to fulfill the summoner’s purpose.

“What are you talking about? I’m not going back.”

Mary wore her usual expression.

“It’s not like I have to return the moment the job is done. Besides… if I leave Franz, I won’t be able to sleep again…”

Mary turned her face away shyly. But, as if gathering her courage, she slowly tried to meet my eyes.

“Franz, at first I was just chasing the memory of my brother… but now, I think I might be starting to like Franz…”

“Wait, was that a confession…!?”

But Mary immediately looked away again.

“N-never mind, forget what I just said! It was a mistake! It’s just because Franz is such a wonderful ‘hug pillow’ that I got confused!”

Her face was beet red, but I suppose anyone would look like that after saying something so bold.

“I see. Well, I’m just happy to be able to keep living with you, Mary.”

“H-honestly! Saying stuff like that right after I’ve been mouthy… that’s cheating!”

Cerulia was strangely hyped up, saying, “That ‘not-being-honest’ vibe has come full circle and is just calculatedly cute!~”

That night, as I was sleeping while being hugged by Mary as usual, I was woken up in the middle of the night. Mary was pinching my cheek.

“Listen well. This is a dream. You are to forget everything when morning comes.”

And then, Mary kissed me. After that—

“Everything that happens from now on is also a dream.”

I felt like we did the kind of things I usually do with Cerulia, but I suppose it must have been a dream. After all, that’s what Mary said.

However, the next morning.

“Finally, the two of you have shared your true feelings!” Cerulia said, looking incredibly delighted…

“I-I don’t know what you’re talking about… I have no idea… You must have been seeing hallucinations…”

Mary continued to play dumb, her face completely crimson.