It was exactly as I last remembered it. I paused for a moment, letting my gaze drift as I scanned my surroundings, taking note of the pristine walls and the soft red carpet that lay beneath my feet.
The air felt still, almost welcoming, and from the moment I stepped into the castle, a quiet sense of comfort settled over me as I took a slow, steady breath.
’Honestly, besides home, this is probably the place that I found myself most comfortable in.’
I wanted to admire the place longer, but as I looked around, my feet began to move on their own, guiding me through the familiar halls. Without thinking, I climbed the stairs, each step echoing softly beneath me.
A certain door stood in front of me before I knew it.
To Tok—!
I knocked on the door twice, standing by the door in silence, and waited.
The wait wasn’t long, as the door opened soon after, a soft creak spreading through the silence around me as the door slowly gave way. Beyond it, the interior of a well-kept office came into view.
A soft tune drifted through the air as my gaze settled on a certain chair, its presence drawing my attention almost immediately.
"You’ve come."
A voice followed after that, the voice belonging to a face I still couldn’t quite discern.
"...Hello, again."
I entered the room, closing the door quietly behind me as I made my way toward the chair that sat opposite Paimon. Without hesitation, I took a seat.
"I didn’t expect you to come to me so early. Do you already have a question that you wish to ask of me?"
I just smiled while staring at him.
The smile wasn’t because I found the situation amusing or I was glad to see him. It was more of a smile of... annoyance?
Yes, annoyance.
My lips parted.
"I’m sure you’re already aware of the reason why I’m here."
"Oh?" Paimon feigned ignorance, his legs crossing, "and what makes you think that? I’m a rather busy demon. It’s not like⎯"
"You’re Paimon, the demon of knowledge. I’m sure you’re more or less aware of the reason I’m here. I don’t believe for a second that you aren’t."
"....."
Paimon sat in silence, his lips stretching as he eventually laughed.
His laugh was warm, almost inviting, and it stirred an unexpected sense of comfort. Yet the more that warmth settled in, the more unease crept beneath it. Even so, I didn’t react. I kept my gaze fixed on Paimon, meeting his attention as it remained steadily on me.
He eventually leaned back against the chair.
"You’re right. I’m quite well aware of the reason why you’re here. I just had to keep up appearances, you know?"
"No, I don’t."
"But you know, I’m curious about something."
Paimon suddenly leaned forward as he observed my face carefully.
"Although I do know a great deal, that doesn’t mean I know everything. I may have an idea of what you want from me, but I struggle to understand why you’d seek that kind of information. I’m sure you’re aware, but I know a lot. The breadth of knowledge my mind contains isn’t something your minuscule mind could truly comprehend. Despite this, I can only say that I won’t be able to fulfil your request. Perhaps one or two, but not all of them. And that’s already pushing it since we’re dealing with an authority that is stands above me. Are you sure you want to still ask this?"
He leaned his head closer, trying to observe me more closely.
"Tell me, why do you seek such trivial knowledge when I can provide you with the answers you truly desire? Your origin, I can tell you that the moment you ask. How to cure the disease inside your head, I can give you that answer as well. Wasn’t that your goal to begin with? If you simply ask, I can tell you. Or maybe..."
Paimon paused, his eyes flickering for a brief moment before a slow smile spread across his face.
"Or maybe you want to know about your old world, whether it’s possible to return, and how. If you ask, I can tell you. I can..."
All of a sudden, Paimon stopped speaking.
Perhaps, he realized it.
The smile faded from his face as he observed mine.
"Hmm, I see."
Indeed, he seemed to have finally realized it.
"I understand."
He suddenly stood up and moved back toward his office desk. Without another word, he began sifting through several files, his eyes scanning each page carefully. I watched him in silence.
Even without saying what I wanted, I knew he had already guessed.
And sure enough⎯
"All the information that you seek is here. I’ve had it prepared in advance."
"Thank you."
I reached for the papers, only to pause the moment I was about to grasp them as Paimon pulled them back slightly.
His voice echoed softly once more.
"Are you sure? Is this what you wish to use your request for?"
"....."
Once more, I didn’t answer.
I just smiled.
There was no need to answer.
His gaze lingered on me for what felt like forever before he finally stepped forward and handed the papers back, his expression unreadable as he let them fall into my hands.
As the files fell into my hand, I couldn’t help but overhear his soft muttering, "I’ve never seen a human like you. No... can I even consider you human?"
His words had no effect on me.
He was probably saying those words to make me waver, but nothing could make me waver at the moment. There was nothing that was going to stop me from doing what I had set out to do.
"Very well."
Paimon moved back into his chair.
I was just about to stand when he suddenly pressed his hand down.
"There’s no rush. Just because I’ve completed your request doesn’t mean you have to leave now. I’m sure you’re aware that time here flows differently. Have a bit of a conversation with me, is that alright?"
I looked at the papers in my hand.
In all honesty, I wanted to study them as soon as possible. However, when I looked up at Paimon again, I realized that this was a great opportunity.
’Maybe I can figure out some information while talking.’
"Yes, that’s a good idea."
Paimon spoke as though he could read my thoughts. No, he could read my thoughts.
Or at least to some extent.
"Oh, you can learn a thing or two from chatting with me... if you’re clever enough. But don’t expect me to just hand over the answers you’re after. Nope. You’ll have to tease them out, piece by piece. Think of it less like a Q&A and more like a little game between us. Ready to play?"
A game?
I looked at Paimon. His features still didn’t quite stick in my mind, but I could see them clearly. His eyes, the shape of his face, and even his lips. I could see it all. But at the same time, his face just refused to show up inside my head as I muttered.
"You did it on purpose, right?"
I spoke slowly.
"...When you showed the entire world what had happened to me during the Limbo. You showed it on purpose. You had a goal by showing the entire world that. There’s no way you wouldn’t have a goal when you showed the direct weakness of the Limbo in that way."
From the moment it was shown in the World Congress, I knew that it had been due to Paimon’s will. Otherwise, it would’ve been impossible. I was also aware that this wasn’t because he was trying to do me a favor.
He did it for a reason.
And that reason was⎯
"You’re trying to spread your name into the real world. Why is that? Are you doing it to warn the other demons? Or is it because you want to spread your name?"
I had mused over the situation over and over again.
In the end, the only conclusion that I came up with was, "You’re trying to ascend into the mortal world. By spreading your name, you’re..."
My words came to a sudden stop.
Ba... Thump!
Lifting my head to stare in Paimon’s direction, I saw it clearly for the first time, his face fully revealed as his lips curled into a sinister smile, his fingers interlocked neatly before him as he watched me.
Feeling his gaze, my breath came to a sudden stop.
Was I right?