Family heirloom, then turned into a demon girl

Chapter 337 Mission: 02-1 Caged Bird
"Bang bang bang!"

Nero, curled up in a corner of the room, was rudely awakened by the sound of knocking on metal. As expected, Virgil appeared at the cell door, leaning on a long sword. He was still repeating the words he had said countless times:
"Are you going to speak?"

Nero didn't respond, but just lowered his head silently.

It had been who knew how many days had passed since Virgil had locked him up in this cell, and the situation had not gotten any better for Nero.

The collar and handcuffs Virgil used to lock her up seemed to be specially developed to deal with demons. From the few words Nero heard, the information that could be pieced together was that it was originally intended to be used against demonic enemies who had information about Kyle Reid.

That means taking hostages. Kyle Reid is the Mortal Emperor Mondes's name. Under this name, he founded the Silver Bag Bank in the city of Lingbo, operating as a financial tycoon and a superficial philanthropist. Recently, he has begun to gradually enter the political arena. Virgil and the "Order Society" he founded are secretly operating as opponents of Mondes, seeking an opportunity to defeat him.

Unfortunately, Nero is now considered to be a demon who may possess this important information.

He had good reason to believe this. Nero had tried to explain several times before, but was eventually silenced by Virgil, who was known for his eloquence. However, the most crucial piece of evidence was that Virgil had never provided Nero with any food or water during this period, yet she was still alive and well.

In other words, Nero is not human. She is a demon.

Since he is a demon, he must be a subordinate of the Demon Emperor Mendes.

This logic was completely impeccable. Nero later learned from Virgil that the world wasn't simply divided between the human and demonic realms, but also existed as a heavenly realm of angels. However, because Nero hadn't previously been aware of this, he missed the opportunity to falsely claim to be an angel.

Even if I told her, she'd probably be exposed. Even though Nero carries a scythe with the power of an angel, her body is definitely somewhere between human and demon.

In short, Nero could not find any evidence to convince Virgil that he was not a spy of the Demon Emperor.

Escape was impossible. After being chained to the demonic power in her weakened state, Nero's strength hadn't recovered in the long time since. Even now, she was still no different from an ordinary human girl.

"Yeah."

After a long silence, Virgil threw off his windbreaker, turned around and left the cell where Nero was imprisoned.

He wanted to learn Nero's true purpose and the plans and weaknesses of the Demon Emperor Mendes. However, Nero denied believing her, and couldn't answer the other. So Virgil only routinely questioned her once in a while, and if she didn't answer, he'd leave.

When will it end?

Nero gazed bewilderedly beyond the iron bars. During these countless chaotic days, she had no food to eat, no water to drink, and no bed to sleep in. Yet, Nero could endure all of this without feeling particularly sad.

The only thing she couldn't accept was that Virgil neither changed her clothes nor let her take a bath!
Even when she could use magic to cleanse herself of dirt, she still bathed regularly. Now, being locked up in a filthy, stinking room like this was unbearable for her. In this place without sunlight, these clothes, soaked in countless filth from the sewer, were going to mold!

Nero's scalp tingled at the thought of this possibility.

It seemed impossible to expect this world's Virgil to suddenly have a change of heart and let her go. While he appeared gentle and refined, unlike the Virgil Nero knew, possessing a soft demeanor, he possessed more than just strength—but his hatred of demons was even greater, and his heart was as hard as steel as his other self. Expecting such a man to soften towards Nero was worse than expecting the ground beneath her feet to suddenly explode.

But Nero couldn't escape on her own; after all, she didn't have the strength to do so. She vaguely realized that after losing the Yama Blade, she had become noticeably weaker. Although she seemed to be gradually shedding her dependence on the Yama Blade as she grew, from initially needing it to wield her magic to now being able to transform into a demon at will, after truly losing the weapon, she still felt a deep sense of loss, as if something was "missing."

It was a feeling she couldn't quite put into words. Rationally, she'd tell herself that the Yama Blade and rebellion were ultimately external objects. As a demon, she could still defeat the Demon Emperor even without the Yama Blade, just as Dante had defeated the Demon Emperor's phantom without the Spartan Blade.

But emotionally, she felt empty inside, as if she had lost an important pillar. She felt she didn't have the courage to say the above words out loud.

It was as if her will was broken along with the Yama Blade in that crushing battle.

Without will, there is no strength.

Closing her eyes, Nero once again let herself sink into a state of confusion. She forgot the dark and dampness that had made her huddle in the corner, forgot the smell of corruption that lingered at the tip of her nose, and let her soul drift away in the chaotic ocean.

Suddenly, as if time had gone back, she saw the scene where the broken Yama Sword was reborn in her hands.

The man in the blue cape and silver slicked-back hair turned his back to her and asked the question again.

"Did you hear that?"

Then Nero realized what he had lost.

"I...want...power..."

Her firm answer at that time still echoed in his ears, but now Nero was unable to follow that voice and shout it out.

So that's how it is. She suddenly understood.

At that time, Nero was determined to gain power because she wanted to protect her family, fight against future disasters, and help important friends...

But now, that's all done.

Kirie and Credo now live peacefully in Fortuna. The Demonic Tree that will appear in Red Grave City in the future was solved by her and V, and even Pest successfully survived the game.

It seemed that she had nothing to protect.

The Demon Emperor of this world naturally has his own Dante and Virgil to trouble. She, Nero, a stranger from another world, unfamiliar with the place—

What further effort does she need to make?
After figuring this out, Nero smiled with relief.

I fell into a peaceful sleep after a long time.

(End of this chapter)