I Was Reborn in Another World, but Hold On – No Parents? Was I Abandoned? - Chapter 33

Chapter 33: Living Long Sounds Lonely

“Attendants…?”

Summoned to my father’s office one day, the Demon King, I was instructed by him to “gather attendants.”

“Yeah, it’s best to start looking for attendants now who will support you when you eventually become the Demon King.”

“Apart from Kaito and the others?”

“Well, Ars, you may have forgotten due to being raised among humans… but there’s a vast difference in lifespan between demons and humans. Especially considering you have inherited my blood. As a result, you have a lifespan of several hundred years. No matter how much you trust them, in a hundred years, two hundred years… by that time, your human subordinates won’t be in this world anymore, you know?”

Huh!? Indeed…

Wait a minute… Does that mean I can live for hundreds of years?

Wait, does that also mean inheriting the role of Demon King from Father could happen in a hundred years or so?

Certainly… Kaito and the others won’t be around at that time, huh.

“I see… so even friends won’t be around at that time…”

Hmm, it feels unexpectedly sad.

I see… all of them will depart from this world before me, even without anything happening, including Maria and Kaito.

“Well, don’t get too down. Parting with friends, parting with comrades in arms, experiencing that is the duty of a long-lived being. Yet, still living on… that’s a tribute to our friends.”

To continue living on… huh.

That’s kind of profound.

“Understood. Of course, Kaito and the others will be included, but I’ll also consider demons as attendants.”

“You have plenty of time, take your time to think about it.”

After talking with my father, I headed to the training grounds.

Not for training, but to tackle the difficult task of selecting attendants.

There, I observed the demons training and fighting.

The demon race is a mixture of various species.

The most common is the demon-human race, like my father and me… Demon-humans have horns and wings, but if their power level is high enough, they can retract both into their bodies, so they don’t look much different from humans.

However, they excel in magical power, magical aptitude, and physical abilities, making them particularly adept in combat.

There are also other races like the giant race, vampire race (Vampires), Dark Elves, and even some demi-humans with a leaning towards the demon side, among others. All of these diverse races are collectively referred to as demons.

As a result, their appearances and abilities vary greatly.

Consequently, the soldiers who fight are also diverse.

At this moment, a fox-like Yokai, wielding three tails and employing various offensive magic, is battling alongside a beast-like humanoid resembling a black panther, moving swiftly and wielding a sword with great agility.

And a little further away, Gazef is seen battling a giant.

Well, they both look like giants, though.

When did they become so familiar with each other?

“What’s wrong, Arus? What are you doing here?”

Father and Keires approached me from behind as I sat overlooking the training grounds.

“I actually… spoke to Father about…”

I told Father about the attendants’ discussion and the longevity talk.

“I see… That’s right. Indeed, Arus will live many times longer than us. But, my father is happy, you know? Knowing that his son will live long…”

Somewhere, Father’s laid-back demeanor… He must genuinely think so.

“But, it’s kind of sad to know that familiar faces will undoubtedly live shorter lives than oneself, right?”

“Yeah… you’re kind, Arus. But, wouldn’t everyone else be happy that you will live long? What you can do is make the most of the time they have with those people, right? Honestly, no one really knows about lifespans. Maybe someday there’ll be magic to extend them… who knows?”

“It’s possible to live a long life. So, instead of making distinctions, just be with the people you want to be with! Don’t suppress your feelings of affection like that.”

Father really is a good guy, after all.

Yeah. But he’s right, isn’t he?

The length of life doesn’t matter.

Maybe I should try creating that kind of magic now.

“Thanks, Dad. Yeah, I’ll do that! I feel like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders.”

“Life is unpredictable. Even I never thought I’d end up living here in the Demon Kingdom. And the world is vast, you know? I never imagined the Demon Kingdom thriving like this, with so many good demons around. Meeting you, Arus, has brought such happiness into my life. Thank you so much! You’re the best son I could ask for.”

“It really is vast. I used to think demons were scarier people until I ended up like this. But it’s completely different. Dad, you’re my proud father. Of course, Father, Mother, Mom, Mel, you’re all the best family to me.”

With that, Dad smiled and ruffled my hair.

“I wonder what kind of life lies ahead for Arus… But, no matter how tough it gets, remember this one thing.”

Dad suddenly stepped forward and looked me in the eyes.

“No matter what happens, we’ll be here for you.”

What are these tears running down my cheeks?

Why are these warm drops coming out?

But those words are clearly etched in my heart.

“…Thank you, Dad.”

As I parted with Dad at the training ground and walked back to the castle, I heard a beautiful singing voice coming from somewhere.

It was like opera from my past life… Incredibly beautiful.

Is this already considered art?

As I walked towards the source of the singing, I arrived at a place leading to the courtyard of the castle, and there I found Mother.

It was Mother? She sings so well!!

Entranced by her clear voice, I approached Mother…

“Huh? Arus… Were you listening?”

Mother stopped singing and turned towards me.

“Mother… You sing so beautifully… It’s like art.”

“Huh? You didn’t hear it from him? I’m half Siren and half Demon.”

“Huh? Is that so?”

I’ve heard that Sirens are a race known for their healing, enchanting, and controlling abilities with their singing voices.

No wonder her singing is so good.

“But, Mother, you seem more like an angel than a Siren…”

With her beautiful platinum blonde hair, jade-like eyes, and exquisite features, she truly resembles an angel, without any bias because she’s my mother.

“An angel? Oh, how delightful! My beloved son is truly a wonderful child…”

Mother seemed delighted and embraced me.

I’m used to it by now, but… Mother’s embrace… it’s warm…

“Hm? Does that mean I’m good at singing too?”

Does that mean I have Siren blood too?

“I think you can sing! Want to try singing together?”

Mother taught me as we sang together.

And indeed, I was good at it too.

If this were my past life, I could have joined a famous boy band, right?

I had a singing ability that could rival that of a professional.

But I couldn’t shake off the feeling of confusion. What was I doing? Coming to another world, being the son of the Demon King, singing with my mother… But then again, I was only 9 years old. Isn’t this what being a child is all about?