01x08 - Tokyo, 2060 A.D.

[bunniefuu]

It's me, Steina.

Come in.

The tea party will be held as scheduled.

I see.

I believe Queen Echidna intends
to welcome Onyx as a core officer.

The day is finally here.

But before that,
there's something I'd like to ask.

I heard about what you told Mernes.

The reason you gave for joining
the demon army was a lie?

I'll reveal everything today,

Including my reasons.

Please trust me.

I won't betray any of you.

Very well.

You mustn't reveal your identity
until I give the order.

If Queen Echidna gets mad,

your hard work so far might be in vain.

That would be a pain.

I will give you a sign
when the time is right.

Do you understand?

Yes.

That's...

I felt like having a read.

You're reading
"Eibrad the Joiner of Hands"?

Queen Echidna used to read that often too.

Leo.

Will we be able to retrieve
the Wisdom Stone?

It won't be easy.

But there must be a way.

As long as I'm here, anyway.

Someone will inform you
when the venue is ready.

Got it.

See you later, then.

Still...

This drawing isn't even close.

Hey, wait! What's with that tone?

I hate it when people just assume
others are villains!

It's not like we came here
with the intent to attack humans.

Well, I don't know about the others,

but us imps intended to be civil.

You probably don't know,

but w*r is everywhere in the demon world.

I've had more conflict than I can take.

Then why are you here?

The demon king's experiments happened
to generate the Great Spirit Crack.

Oh, that's the hole that connects
the demon world and the human world.

I only came here
because the hole was opened.

I heard that this place was more
comfortable than the demon world.

So, you wanted to live here?

I wanted to check the place out first.
And I was also curious.

Curious?

Traveling to the human world
is no simple matter.

It requires lots of catalysts
and strong magical powers.

It's only when you have both
that the hole remains open.

Barely any of us had ever
seen the human world.

So of course, I wanted to see for myself.

Good. He won't k*ll me
as long as I keep talking.

Anything will do.
Just maintain the chatter!

And? What happened after that?

This world

was endlessly fascinating.

Besides, I like peace!

That's gone now, thanks to you all.

I'm telling you, I want to
get along with everybody!

Like I said,

I've seen enough conflict
in the demon world.

Is there no one in charge
of the demon world?

Belial is a jerk.

He solves every problem with violence.

Belial...

Our former ruler, the Demon King Belial.

That name has spread among our world too.

The powerful demons are all royalty
or from a noble family.

They opened the spirit crack and traveled
to the human world long ago, right?

They probably spread
Belial's name around back then.

I see.

This is bad.
His reactions are all so cold.

At this rate, the conversation will end!

Not only that, the sound
of his sword is terrifying.

D-Did I bore you with my stories?

No, they were very useful.

Thank you very much.

Damn it. I have no idea what's going on
in that thick skull of his.

I'll be k*lled at this rate.

Please get up.

W-Wait! I'm not finished...

We're going to take a walk.

Wh-Where are we going?

Why did the Demon King Belial
open the Great Spirit Crack?

At first, it wasn't to invade this world.

The wars in the demon world

have been fought for ages
over scarce resources.

Therefore, Belial opened the hole.

It was supposed to connect
to a deserted island here.

We thought we might be able
to migrate there!

And yet, he opened up a passage
to the center of Tokyo instead.

That's right.

I was shocked, too.

The stupid orcs and ghouls,

who live on instinct alone, wreaked havoc.

Soon, it had escalated into a w*r.

That's why I tried to hurry back.

Wait! Why is it closing?

It was truly awful.

Belial and the greater demons
are the only ones

who can close the spirit crack.

Which means that it was always
their plan to dump us here.

Those jerks.

What are the chances
that Belial and the greater demons

will try to colonize the human world?

The chances are quite high.

I hate to be rude, but you humans
are much weaker than demons.

Among those who traveled
to the human world,

there are scouts who returned
to report to the demon king.

I bet this is what they said:

"Now's the time to invade with full force"

"and take over their world."

By now, I'm sure you've realized
the difference in power

between humans and demons.

The rules require us
to form a three-man cell

when hunting down demons like you.

It feels odd to hear you call me a demon.

That term is reserved
for the ruling class.

Well, never mind.

The thing to know is that the gaps
in power apply within the demon world too.

The strong greater demons
treat us lesser demons like garbage.

You can understand why I'd want to escape
to the human world, right?

I can't empathize with you,
but I do understand.

Thank you, young lad.

Oh, is it okay if I call you that?

I don't have a sex.

But I am designed with a male form.

Designed?

In any case, those are the reasons
that I came to the human world.

Now I'm just waiting around to die.

What's so good about this place, huh?

Where are the warm sun
and the lush greenery?

No matter where I go,

all I see are these giant grey tombstones!

Damn those greater demons!

I wish they'd all just die!

Enough, already. Just get it over with.

Thank you for your valuable information.

You're not going to k*ll me?

You provided useful information.

Besides, we're traveling
in the direction of the prison camp.

Is something wrong?

No, I was just thinking that you're
a bit different from the typical human.

Now that I think about it,
he was that way from the beginning.

He's a monster, neither human nor demon.

So what is he, exactly?

You seem easier to talk to
than other demons.

I will ask my superiors if you can stay
in the Shinjuku prison ward.

Um, if possible, I'd actually
like to return to the demon world.

The prison camp is up ahead.

Is that so?

I guess I'm lucky to escape being k*lled.

Damn it. It's so quiet
that I'm actually getting anxious.

Forget it. Just shut your trap.

Your life is safe for now.

Don't say anything you'll regret!

What am I saying? If this guy's a monster,

he could behead me
whenever he felt the urge.

This is bad.
I can't stop thinking about it.

Oh, by the way... What's your name?

You must have a name.

You're the first demon
who ever asked for my name.

Did he just smile?

How can I put it...

Big or small,

most things born
into this world have a name.

A name is a treasure
that each of us possesses.

That's what my dad told me.

Sounds like a good father.

Telling people your name

means leaving evidence
that you were alive.

Even when your physical body is gone,

as long as someone remembers your name,

you'll never die.

The evidence that you lived
will remain forever.

It's that important to say your name.

I don't understand.

I guess you wouldn't.

I don't know why I'm telling you all this.

Somehow, I feel kind of close to this guy.

He's happy that someone asked his name.

If that's why he smiled,

then his heart isn't that different
from us in the demon world.

What's wrong?

Oh, nothing. I just meant that
it's important to tell people your name.

Sorry about that.

I'm Eibrad,

a proud member of the race
of Dark Valley Imps.

Thank you very much.

I am a self-developing
anti-demon biological weapon,

No. 5 of the Demonheart series.

Serial number: DH-05-LEO.

My name is Leo.

Demons appeared in Tokyo out of nowhere.

To defeat them,
12 bioweapons were created.

The ultimate in weaponry, created
by studying demonic powers.

The Demonheart series.

I was one of them.

We are imbued with the overwhelming power
and unwavering will to defeat demons.

We are the fortress
and the sword of the people.

In other words, you were created
to protect humans and nothing else.

Is that it?

Yes, I was created to battle demons

and defend humanity.

I pity you.

You do?

I don't get tired. Even if I did,
it's nothing compared to the noble cause

of protecting humans.

That's not what I mean.

He was a curious individual.

The demons called imps

are known to be highly intelligent.

Many of them learned
to communicate in human language.

In the neighborhood of Roppongi,

there was an eccentric imp that promoted
the coexistence of humans and demons.

After receiving a tip,
I went to the designated location

and managed to capture him in no time.

As the reports indicated, he is friendly

and gave me a lot of information.

But some of the things he said
were beyond my understanding.

-Mr. Imp...
-It's Eibrad!

Didn't I tell you my name?

Mr. Eibrad.

What did you mean
when you said you pity me?

Exactly what it sounds like.

When I think of the challenges
that await you in the future,

I can't help but feel sorry for you.

I don't understand.

Leo!

You said you were created
to protect humans.

Yes.

Let me ask you.

What do you plan to do after the w*r ends?

Lead an order of knights in some kingdom?

No.

We are forbidden from showing favor
to any particular country.

I will remain ready to serve

until the world faces another crisis.

Right? I knew it.

Why don't we have a seat?

A little while won't hurt.

We have enough time.

Protecting the humans.

You won't have any problems
while you're at w*r with the demon world.

But what happens when peace is restored?

You will lose your job, right?

That's right. Once the enemies are gone,

the work of those
from the DH series will be done.

See what I mean? That's awful.

You're risking your life
to bring about a peaceful world,

but you'll have no work or place
where you belong in that world.

I think having peace
would be a good thing.

It's not good for you!

Think about it.

I'm talking about your reason to live!

My reason to live?

You were born shouldering
a clear purpose in life.

But that's why

living in a world
where that purpose is taken away...

is certain to be unbearably painful.

Are you threatening me?

As if!

I'm saying this out of concern!

A demon is concerned for me?

Yes. You got a problem with that?

No, continue.

Anyway, when peace
is restored to the world,

it will be a painful world
for you to live in.

Doubts about whether you're needed here

will gnaw at your heart, year after year.

Plus, you said you don't
have a limited lifespan, right?

Basically no.

A limited lifespan is our salvation.

Whether one enjoys or despises this life,

we all end up buried in the ground.

But you...

I will have to live forever

in a world where I no longer
have a reason to exist.

I'll be peeled away from the glorious days
when I was useful to humanity

and forced to live on,

never knowing which way I should turn.

That's what you meant?

That's right.

But if w*r happens again somewhere,

I will become useful again.

Probably.

With your infinite life, you'll save
an infinite number of worlds.

You'll gain a purpose fighting in battle

and then lose it once more,
again and again.

I don't think you'll ever
know tranquility.

That's what I meant
when I said I pity you.

Perhaps he's right.

The day I mature and gain my humanity,

the day the w*r ends
and the world is at peace...

I, who was born to save the world,

will have nowhere to show my worth.

I was born to save the world and yet,

I can only wait with anticipation
for the next crisis to arrive.

A day may come when I question

whether that's a proper way to live.

However, that's only
if I don't die in this w*r.

Don't worry, w*r with the demons...

No, I mean w*r with the races
of the demon world, will only escalate.

What?

Unfortunately,

I'm the weakest of the Demonhearts.

The other DHs will probably wipe out
the forces from the demon world.

I will likely die in the w*r
before I gain humanity.

You're the weakest one?
With that incredible power?!

Yes.

That's why I am being given
battle experience on the mainland.

Humans sure make some crazy stuff.

Anyway, so you're saying
that since you'll die soon,

you don't have to think
about when the w*r ends?

Yes, so don't worry.

What you said earlier
probably won't happen.

Right. I hope that's the case.

That would be for the best.

I pray that you die
before you become invincible.

Thank you very much.

That's a lie, you moron.

SHIBUYA STATION

We're here.

That's the unit
that collects prisoners of w*r.

So, I can't return
to the demon world, huh?

Well, whatever!

Bury my bones in the human world then!

I'll live out the rest of my life here!

The rest of your life?

Yes.

I'll create a world
where demons and humans coexist.

Here's to no more fighting and getting
along with each other, instead!

I'll keep raising my voice!

That would be nice.

Since we can't send you
all back to the demon world,

we too will have to learn to coexist.

Remember my name, okay?

One day, they'll build a statue

honoring me as the one who brought
humans and demons together!

By then, you'll...

It seems my work here is done.

Hey, Leo!

Do you hear me?

Don't push yourself too hard!

If this is too painful for you,
you can just leave everything and run!

If it gets too painful,
do the things you really want!

I don't care if you're some bioweapon.

It's your life, after all.
You should live it as you please!

Right.

Oh,

and listen here!

Don't get yourself in a bind thinking
that you're born to save people.

If humans don't need
your protection anymore,

seize the opportunity!

Find a new purpose

and live a happy life!

Right.

Leo! I'll remember your name, okay?

Remember mine, too!

Do you understand...

Right to the end,
I didn't really understand

what he was trying to tell me.

But I remembered it.

If there comes a day
when it feels too painful to live,

I will do what I really want to do.

I'll forget about protecting humans,

leave everything behind, and run.

I understand, Mr. Eibrad.

This all took place in Tokyo,
in the year 2060,

beneath the cold June rain.

I understand now, Mr. Eibrad.

I will live my life as I please.

Now is the time!

If I'm with them, it will all be fine.

Today is when I reveal everything.

That my name is not Onyx, but Leo.

and my real motive
for joining the demon army.