A monster emerged in this world so long ago that it could be considered from ancient times. Or perhaps, rather than being born, it would be more accurate to say it appeared suddenly, without warning.
The monster was born with an overwhelmingly powerful force, but on the other hand, it possessed nothing else. Having no fixed form, formless and indistinct, with an appearance like black smoke, empty inside, it would not be an exaggeration to say that the monster was essentially the embodiment of nothingness, manifested solely by its power. And so, it first began to search.
First, a form of its own, and then, a heart of its own…And one after another, it went around the world searching for its own existence, as if fumbling around in the darkness. Or perhaps, it might be a walking calamity travelling around the world. The monster touched many things and looked at many places in the world, and before long, it came to believe—
That this world is full of impurities—
It was neither simple nor complex, hopelessly unstable, vast and profoundly deep. As the monster wandered the world, traces of impurities clung to its empty form, slowly accumulating over time.
And then, how many countless years had passed? The monster, having roamed endlessly and gathered impurities within itself, returned to the place where it was born and gazed upon the world once more.
This world is brimming with impurities. It is neither pure nor entirely rational, uncertain, fragile, and ever-changing. Yet, it feels as though this world itself is a singular, living existence.
And that is why this world is so beautiful and precious—
Silver-white hair swayed by the wind, golden eyes mirroring the world. A heart that has gained many impurities and the figure that appeared with a gentle smile on her face.
Thus, the monster that could have destroyed the world begins to walk again. It gained form and acquired a heart, establishing the collection of impurities it gathered as the testimony of its existence, it took upon the name of Kuromueina and began to etch out its existence as it started out a new journey.
The story of she who bears that name “The One who was Once a Monster” began with her reaching out to a little child who looked very much like herself in the past.
[Come with me!] […]
Holding the little child, she gave her the name “Ein,” and the Demon called Kuromueina was truly born into this world.
There exists a High-ranking Demon called Kuromueina. She held immense power, yet unconcerned with wealth and power, as she walked around as if she’s wearing the very concept of freedom.
[Whoa, that looks tasty. Can I have one?] [Thank you for your patronage!]
Kuromueina bought a spit-roast from a street vendor, savoring each bite as she observed the bustling activity of the Human city preparing for the New Year.
Kuromueina often goes from place to place, sightseeing and eating. This is an unusual hobby for a stand-alone High-ranking Demon, where most of them set up their own territory, making their subordinates and dependents move in their stead, and don’t go out much themselves, but Kuromueina liked to get involved with the world this way.
Kuromueina had no fixed form. Her appearance shifted with her mood. Sometimes, she took the form of a boy or a young man, and in order to avoid causing a commotion for having a reasonably well-known name, she sometimes wear Information Concealment Magic in her peace time, getting these people on the street to not realize that this girl walking around with a spit-roast in her hand is a famous Demon.
Those familiar with Kuromueina, however, knew her well. Seeing her in her favorite young girl form, casually strolling, was a clear sign that she was in high spirits.
The Demon known as Kuromueina is an oddball in many ways.
Though a High-ranking Demon, she has no subordinates and doesn’t discriminate against other races, whether Humans or Gods. She treats everyone as equals, and talks to commoners such as food stall owners in a friendly manner.
Her actions stem from a genuine love for the world and the people who live in it, regardless of their differences. That’s why she loves to take a leisurely walk around the city like this and watch the world change little by little.
Naturally, Kuromueina has her own tastes and preferences. Her favorite form is the one she currently takes, a young girl, but she is also capable of transforming into a fearsome magical beast when her mood is particularly foul, though such occasions are rare. She has a sweet tooth, favoring treats large enough to enjoy while walking.
As far as others are concerned, she can be said to like people with any kind of personality, but she doesn’t like those who do anything just to hurt anyone.
Yes, she has a very large number of likes, and conversely she has an extremely small number of dislikes. However, among such a wide range of likes, there is one that she has a special fondness for.
[…Oh?]
Kuromueina, who was leisurely strolling through the city with a smile on her face, stopped in her tracks. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw a large fountain and the figure of a young man standing in front of it. Black with light brown hair, a face that isn’t particularly beautiful nor ugly, a body that is somewhat lean but not unhealthy, and an average height of about 170 cm. For better or worse, mediocre was the word that applied to him, but Kuromueina muttered as she looked at the young man.
[…It’s a baby bird…]
The expression on her face as she mumbled is like a child who has found her favorite toy, and also like a mother looking at her beloved child.
—A baby bird. Kuromueina would sometimes describe others as such. However, it was never meant to be mocking. Rather, to her, the expression was used in a positive sense.
The young man’s anxious glances, the flicker of subtle emotions behind his eyes, they reminded her so much of “her former self,” the self that once had nothing. That look, the fragile uncertainty, was what she liked best.
That’s why Kuromueina stepped forward towards the youth without the slightest hesitation. Canceling the Recognition Inhibition Magic on the young man, she also removed the effect of her Information Concealment Magic from affecting the young man…
[What’s wrong? You look like you’re in some kind of trouble?]
She called out to the young man with a big smile on her face, as if she was truly enjoying the encounter she had with “someone who looks a lot like her old self” that she hadn’t come across for a while.
As Kuromueina gently stroked Kaito’s head in a heartfelt affectionate way, resting peacefully in her lap, a tender smile spread across her face.
An innocent and lovable baby bird that still knows nothing, the existence that she most favors right now.
[Little by little, it’s changing…]
Words she gently muttered.
Despite her emptiness, there was nothing she cherished more than seeing someone with a desire in their heart, a baby bird, stumbling and searching for wings, longing to fly, even if it didn’t yet know the way.
[Kaito-kun…One day, when your wings are fully grown and you’re ready to take to the skies, I wonder what kind of beautiful wings you’re going to show me? I’m really looking forward to it.]
To her, a baby bird is a being with “infinite possibilities.” With an empty heart, it searches for something, and when it finds it, that very thing becomes its wings, allowing it to soar into the sky. Most of all, she loves to see it happen up close and personal.
Gently moving her gaze, she could see many of those who were once baby birds.
The High-ranking Demon who was named after the beginning, and wanted to stay by her side longer than anyone else.
The lich who has gained a lot of knowledge and is active in a wide range of fields.
The fairy who loves nature and flew around innocently, away from the place she used to live in.
The ogre valiantly laughed as he came to terms with his days of being different from his kind.
The human who got the answers she’s looking for and became a Demon.
They are all different, but all of them have beautiful wings, and they fly around in the sky of this endless world together with her family that she can’t help but love.
There’s one High-ranking Demon called Kuromueina, an oddball who has great power and deep, warm kindness, and she who continues to love this ever-changing world full of impurities and uncertainty. Looking at the lovely world today, as if to bless the people who live in it, as if to thank the impurities that continue to fill her that was born from nothingness, an affectionate smile appeared on her face.