I'm Playing as a Nun.

"...While going there isn't difficult, would you still be alright with that?"

The moment I turned my back on the demon, an unexpectedly meaningful remark was quietly spoken.

A chill ran down my spine.

Not only did my footsteps stop, but the surrounding air seemed to grow heavy.

The demon's characteristically gloomy energy seemed to creep up my back.

"..."

I tried not to look back.

It was clear that the voice was implying something.

But somehow, it felt too unsettling to just continue walking.

"What do you mean by that suddenly?"

Finally, I slowly turned to meet the demon's gaze again.

The demon remained standing there motionless, not budging an inch.

"If I were you, I would have blown off this demon's head without a moment's hesitation. After all, it's clear we're enemies."

I unconsciously frowned at the provocative words from the demon's mouth.

Though their tone was calm, there was clearly an ulterior motive to test me.

"Why are you just letting me go?"

"I don't want to make more enemies by raising my hand against just anyone. At least not until the children have grown up somewhat."

I answered the demon's question just as calmly.

The demon tilted its head slightly to the side as if somewhat puzzled.

"I know you care for those children more than anyone else. But I'm not sure if that's really worthwhile."

"Ha, are you trying to act cold and rational now?"

"No. I'm not trying to appear rational - I'm saying this because I'm genuinely worried about you."

"Why would you worry about me? Could it be that you feel sympathy because we're both demons?"

"Of course. And that tremendous power that surpasses all others. I hold you in very high regard."

"...I'm sorry, but I hold you in very low regard. And hearing such words doesn't particularly please me."

As the conversation went on, the demon's expression grew increasingly interested as they unpleasantly twitched the corners of their mouth.

"That's fine. As I mentioned, since I serve as the Demon Lord's eyes, I don't particularly care whether your evaluation of me is low or high."

"..."

"The reason I'm suddenly saying all this is simple. I find it too unfortunate to see your abilities wasting away in a place like this."

"First, you looked down on me for being a vampire... and now this?"

"Yes, I know. It's true that most demons have an unfavorable view of vampires as a race. But you're different."

The earlier light atmosphere was completely gone, and now the demon continued the conversation quite assertively while filled with seriousness.

By this point, I could roughly guess why they were going on at such length.

"I really want you to join our Demon Lord's army."

The claim that they approached us by chance after passing by was indeed a lie.

They clearly approached us with a purpose, and it's suspected they created this situation to persuade me naturally.

"No."

But for that, I myself was a mass of contradictions, and I didn't have much fondness for demons either.

That's because I only appeared to be a demon on the outside.

"...As expected, you refuse outright."

"Another demon who came before said similar things. If I had even the slightest intention, I would have switched sides then."

Their voice carried a slight disappointment, yet still held deep interest.

As if trying to learn something more about me through this conversation.

"Well, can't be helped. It's not like we can force you to come─"

Just as I thought that, somehow, the flow of conversation began to take a strange turn, and an inexplicable, unsettling energy began to circulate.

The demon still wore a calm smile and showed no particularly suspicious behavior.

However, the disappointment and regret clearly conveyed in their voice made me feel increasingly uncomfortable.

Since I was too bored to continue the conversation further, I had no choice but to ignore that feeling and turn away.

Then─

"It seems you see something in those children, but humans are humans, after all. No matter how exceptional they may be, they can never overcome their innate limitations."

Another suspicious remark quietly reached my ears from behind.

Their subtle provocation showed no signs of stopping.

"I don't understand why you, a demon, are raising human children and preparing to face us, but those children will surely never even reach the threshold of demon territory."

"..."

The demon repeatedly making me stop in my tracks was now making my mind confused.

How did they know I was secretly preparing to oppose the demons...

For a moment, my whole body broke out in goosebumps, but nevertheless, I maintained an expressionless face while trying to appear unconcerned.

"Do the children I'm raising appear worthless to you?"

"Yes. I look down on those children very much. Even if time passes and they grow up, this opinion of mine will never change."

"I see. Since you look down on the children so much, I have nothing more to say."

"This is only natural. How could mere humans possibly deal with demons?"

"For saying that, there seem to be quite a few demons defeated by humans."

"That's because those ones were inadequate and obsolete. They failed to properly keep up with the times."

The demon immediately responded to my casually thrown question and began speaking in an increasingly excited voice.

Their words clearly revealed a cold mindset that only the strong should survive.

"With that mindset, doesn't that mean you're also an obsolete demon who failed to keep up with the times?"

"No. If you lack strength, you should at least be clever. You need to know how to use your given abilities to their fullest."

"..."

Moreover, the demon's extremely self-centered thinking attitude made me feel increasingly unpleasant.

Their face increasingly overflowed with conceit and arrogance, and their words reflected a conviction in their own righteousness.

"Why that expression? Is there some problem?"

"Well, I have no intention of arguing about personal beliefs. If that's what you think, so be it."

"Thank you for understanding. Indeed, it seems there's something that connects those who are awakened..."

My footsteps moved indifferently before the demon could finish speaking.

There was no need to listen to the demon's words any further.

It was all pointless talk, seemingly trying to spread their inferior beliefs to me.

To think that the Demon Lord's army is a gathering place for ones like this - I have doubts about how they've managed to maintain their power until now.

"Just when I thought we'd finally found some common ground, you're just going to leave like this?"

The demon's voice quietly reached my ears from behind, as if muttering.

This time I didn't stop walking.

I just silently continued forward.

"How disappointing in many ways. To think you'd be this passive..."

Nevertheless, the demon continued speaking until the end, throwing mocking words at me.

"You're not a demon who should rot away passively in such a shabby place."

"..."

"What you're doing now is meaningless and will have no impact on the future. It's useless."

"..."

"In the end, it's a waste of time. No matter how hard humans try..."

After distancing myself from the demon, I stopped briefly and took a deep breath.

"Exactly ten years."

"...?"

"In exactly ten years, an extraordinary wind will blow that directly refutes your words."

The demon showed no reaction to the words I quietly threw while showing my back.

However, their expression must have changed during that long silence.

The strong will and conviction felt in my voice must have stirred them.

"By then, there will be no more dealings between me and the Demon Lord's army."

"What do you mean?"

"It means the one demons should be wary of isn't me."

"Ha... I clearly said it earlier... No matter how hard humans try, they'll still have limitations..."

"They will surpass them."

I proudly threw out those words while removing my veil and slowly brushing up my hair.

"Because that's how I'll raise them."

With those final words, I didn't exchange any more conversation with the demon and calmly walked into the dark undergrowth.

Although they may be beings that demons openly disregard right now,

In exactly ten years, they will become tremendous beings that no one can easily ignore.

That's what it means to be children chosen as Messiahs and Heroes.

Perhaps they might even become stronger than me...

After all, no one can predict the future.

******

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【Aizen】- [Messiah]

 [Race] Human

 [Class] Hero

 [Level] 70

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【Ellie】- [Messiah]

 [Race] Human

 [Class] Saint

 [Level] 70

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【Iris】- [Messiah]

 [Race] Human

 [Class] Sage

 [Level] 70

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【Rune】- [Messiah]

 [Race] Elf

 [Class] Divine Archer

 [Level] 70

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─────────────

【Levinia Fallen Grace】- [Guardian]

 [Race] Progenitor

 [Level] 100

─────────────

Translator’s Corner

Honestly, I don’t know if Progenitor is the best way to describe her title. The korean text literally translates to true ancestor, but its not like she got any older nor did she gain any descendants. Progenitor kinda works since vampires were thought to be extinct, and she’s the progenitor of the new gen.

That’s my logic anyway. If anyone got better ideas, do tell.

-Ruminas