Chapter 103 – A Tale of Defectors

The Cradle is boisterous as ever. Of course, it is, teeming with young folks in their prime.

They’re still somewhat unfamiliar with their abilities, unsure of just how to wield them.

Yet, they still dream of becoming the impressive ability users they envision themselves to be.

So they focus intently on the lessons of their senior instructors, diligently carrying out the training they’re assigned.

And just today, two new teachers have arrived to stand before the students of the Cradle.

“Alright, settle down.”

The Cradle’s instructor, more often called ‘Doe Eyes’ than ‘Hunter’, pushed up the sunglasses he was wearing and tapped lightly on the podium.

“As I mentioned before. We have new teachers joining us here at the Cradle. They’re still adjusting, so I ask you students to welcome them warmly. Come on in.”

—Creak

The door opened, and a man in a pristine uniform strode into the classroom.

Tall and handsome, he radiated an aura that suggested he was anything but ordinary.

No, it wasn’t just an aura. The instructor who had just entered was, in fact, not human.

“Pleased to meet you all. It feels like just yesterday I was a guest, and now I’m formally greeting you as a teacher. I believe you all know who I am, yes?”

The students nodded. Frankly, how could they not?

This man. No, this demon, was quite famous within the Cradle.

The one Deus personally subdued. One of only two demons to defect to the Empire.

Contrary to the expected savage and violent nature of demons, he presented himself as remarkably intellectual and gentlemanly.

“But just in case. My name is ‘Jarvis’. A gift from Deus, your senior by one year. You might wonder if I have a real name, but this is actually the first time I’ve ever been given one. Haha!”

Yes. Along with a name, he’d also been granted a new life. If he’d resisted, he wouldn’t be in this world anymore.

It struck him anew what a wise choice he’d made. Even as a demon, he could live among them, being treated as a teacher of sorts.

“From now on, I will be teaching you Monster Information Science. You already know quite a bit about monsters here, but I’ve noticed there are still some gaps in your understanding. I intend to fill those missing pieces.”

He wasn’t involved in raising and dispatching beasts, but he needed to at least be familiar with it.

The reason? Well, naturally, Astaroth wasn’t interested in such matters, so *he* had to step up and learn. Otherwise, the other demons would constantly give him grief.

And that effort had now become his new job.

“Ah, and additionally. I’ll also share stories about demons whenever I have the time.”

“Mr. Jarvis! I have a question!”

“Yes? Go ahead.”

“Are the demon stories not part of the official curriculum?”

“Ah. Hmm. Well, that’s still under discussion.”

Originally, the Empire had requested it first, and Jarvis had been seriously considering it.

But Deus had questioned, “Monsters can’t change, but demons can. Wouldn’t going into too much detail be pointless?”

It wasn’t a far-fetched concern. Just because Hell might reappear didn’t mean the demons would be the same.

In that situation, rather than specific and detailed information, it might be better to teach the basic, common characteristics and weaknesses.

“For now, we’ll see how it goes. It might just end up as random stories I tell you, or it might become a formal lesson in the future.”

“Aww. What’s that supposed to mean?”

“So. To summarise, it means the number of subjects you all have to take hasn’t increased. Ah. If there are still complaints, should I formally propose it again?”

At Jarvis’s words, the students immediately chorused, “No!! We’re sorry!!”

Yes. That’s how it should be. Even Deus himself shuddered and grimaced at the thought of exams, so how could the students be any different? It’d be even worse for them.

“Alright. That’s all for my introduction. I’ll see you again after Hunter Teacher’s class.”

Jarvis left the classroom, checked the time, and then headed somewhere.

At this time… yes. He’d be at the training grounds right about now.

*

“Alright, alright! Quiet, quiet! Kids. Shhh! Or I won’t introduce him!”

At Tiamat Teacher’s words, the students, who had been buzzing, immediately fell silent.

Indeed, setting conditions is much more effective than simply telling them to be quiet!

“As I said yesterday. I’ll introduce the teacher who has officially joined our Cradle. Some of you have seen him and talked to him, but some haven’t. So, please introduce yourself!”

“…Do I really have to do this?”

“You do! From now on, you’re a teacher at the Cradle!”

At Tiamat’s words, Astaroth sighed heavily.

Embarrassing. He wondered why he even had to do this. But he had no choice.

It’d be nice to just laze around as he always had. But Deus had threatened to use him as a punching bag every day if he kept doing that, hadn’t he?

Honestly, it was a bit unfair. I mean, it’s not like he was just being lazy for no reason.

His very reason for existence was sloth, after all. He thought he’d done his part by briefly going to hell, but now… He thought he’d just live comfortably as a defector!

“…Astaroth, in charge of the advanced practical training course, starting today. Nice to meet you.”

Still, Luciel, Nefertiti, and Yurishia were pretty impressive, so he’d agreed to take it on.

Deus had said he’d been teaching them beforehand, and they were truly better than expected. It was actually quite enjoyable.

In contrast, the students in front of him now wouldn’t even measure up to half of half of those three, no matter how highly he assessed them.

Frankly speaking, even if he taught them, they wouldn’t be able to use the experience.

What good is a blacksmith’s skill if the iron they have to hammer is too weak? It’s completely useless.

‘Deus. That guy should toughen these ones up a bit. Why isn’t he?’

Astaroth sometimes forgot the fact. Deus was, strictly speaking, a student of the Cradle.

There were several special circumstances, but he initially felt unsuited as a teacher, leading him to train only Luciel, Nefertiti, and Yurishia.

“As you all already know! Absolutely refrain from being rude! He’s a defector who has greatly benefited our empire, and above all, he’s an expert on Gates and monsters!”

“Aww, Teacher. We already know that!”

“I’m saying this because you can still make mistakes even if you know! Alright! That’s all for now. Let’s get back to physical training! Astaroth Teacher will be in charge too, so do your best!!”

And the students were able to realise, to their very bones, why Astaroth was a demon.

“What are you doing! Collapsing with just this?! How are you going to properly catch monsters like that? Huh?!”

“But, but! This is the official Cradle training course!”

“In my class, you have to do twice that! Ugh! Deus would ask what this is if he saw it! Humans aren’t this weak! Get up! Get up, I say!!”

Having watched Deus do it, and even experienced it himself, he was frustrated by everything.

So, he simply pushed Tiamat aside and began directly instructing the students himself.

“Heh. He seemed grumpy at first, but he’s so passionate now?!”

Tiamat, on the contrary, was delighted with the sight. Showing such enthusiasm was a good thing, wasn’t it?

“Uwaaah!”

“Hiiiiiiiik!”

“Kaaah-ah-ah-ang!”

Students screamed for their lives from every corner, but it was alright. They wouldn’t actually kill anyone, would they?

Rather, if going through this near-death experience allowed them to survive the real battlefield… Tiamat was prepared to cheer on Astaroth as many times as necessary.

*

“…So. You’re saying the students aren’t afraid of you?”

“Yes, Lord Astaroth.”

“That’s strange. They seem plenty terrified of me.”

“Forgive my curiosity, but doesn’t it strike you as odd, saying something like that?”

“What do you mean?”

“I’m wondering if you left your conscience back in hell.”

Hadn’t he just brazenly admitted to pushing the students to their limits?

How could they *not* be afraid? Screaming was the only natural reaction.

“Lucky you? You follow orders relatively well.”

“It’s just my nature. After all, I am a demon.”

“The Empire’s first acquired demon. Don’t forget that. The Empire recognizes its importance, that’s why they’re employing us.”

“…Indeed.”

The two demons sat on the bench, staring blankly ahead.

“Hey.”

“You’re going to ask if I’m alright, correct?”

“…Can you read minds too?”

“I’ve been at your side for so long, Lord Astaroth. Is it so surprising that I know you this well?”

Javis smiled and shrugged once.

“Defection. Surrender. Capitulation. Whatever you call it, it was the best choice. I have no second thoughts about it. The losers lost, and we were smart enough to adapt.”

“Wow. Truly a demon-like statement.”

“Thank you for the compliment.”

“Then tell me this.”

With a *heave*, Astaroth rose to his feet and continued.

“If, by some chance, hell were to rise again. And demons were to swarm forth. What would you do then?”

“Are you talking about returning to the other side?”

Astaroth nodded, and he simply chuckled.

“Do you really think that’s possible? No matter how horrific the hell that comes, no matter how great the demon that arrives… Could they surpass *him*?”

“…No. Absolutely impossible.”

“Then we simply continue on as we are.”