Vol 1 Chapter 2 – World

Holes.

That is what this continent is called. Or rather, since humans know of no other continents and have no idea what lies beyond the outer sea, it might be more accurate to call it this world.

Aside from a few scattered islands, this doughnut-shaped continent forms one massive, continuous ring. There is ongoing exchange with the islands located in the inner and outer seas via regular boat services departing from ports all over the continent. The ratio of the inner sea to the land is roughly seven to three. Due to the continent’s shape, land and sea routes are of equal importance when traveling from country to country.

Carriages run cutting through the wind, and ships sail catching it.

Those with talent use mana to spark fires, while those without wealth stare at the ground searching for spare change.

There are humans, Demons, and beast-kin. God watches over humanity, and the spirits are forgotten.

As long as the strong prey on the weak, the rich lord over the poor, innate discrimination exists, magic is real, and people feel joy, anger, sorrow, and pleasure—the random number generator known as “fate” remains as entirely unpredictable as ever.

The myth of safety has been shattered.

The long-lasting era of human dominance is broken, and the world is now on the verge of falling into the hands of the Demons.

To break down the state of this continent a little further:

First, it might be easiest to understand the layout of the major countries if you picture Holes as a clock face.

From the two o’clock to four o’clock position lies the economic superpower, Indira.

From four to five o’clock is Seneca, the headquarters of the world religion, Salia.

From five to eight o’clock is the military state, Volks.

From eight to nine o’clock is the beast-kin settlement, Rill Marl.

From nine to ten o’clock is the spirit sanctuary, Ista.

And from ten to two o’clock lies the Demon territory, Agusta.

There are other smaller nations on the islands of the inner sea and sandwiched between these major countries, but I will omit them for now.

Among them is a small village in the northernmost part of Ista, bordering Agusta, right alongside the “Unyielding Forest.”

The place that used to be called Nile Village.

The inhabitants of Holes will likely never forget it. Because everything started from this place.

Among the people, it is known as the First Lost… the first place to be destroyed.

Yes, the Demons have already eradicated the humans from Ista all the way to Rill Marl, and in Indira, the establishment of autonomous zones and special economic zones is steadily progressing.

Well, I’m sure both sides have their own ulterior motives.

…As for the cultures and specific details of the other countries, well, I’m sure I’ll talk about them eventually.

By the way, according to the holy scriptures of Salia, the world religion (anyone who worships a different faith is branded a heretic and tends to face persecution), this continent of Holes was created by God.

On the first day, God appeared in this world.

On the second day, seeking a place to stand, God created the land.

On the third day, God slipped on His heel, caving in the center of the continent and creating the inner sea.

On the fourth day, He created angels to act as His divine messengers and do His bidding.

On the fifth day, breath was given to the earth, and trees covered the land.

On the sixth day, He created humans in His own image. Following that, He brought forth various other creatures.

On the seventh day, while He was resting from exhaustion, Demons emerged from the outer sea.

Mind you, the original texts have long since been lost, so no one actually knows if any of this is accurate.

Some people only believe it because everyone around them does, some project their simple reverence for nature onto the religion, and others chant its prayers purely to make a buck.

The only certainty is that no one doubts the actual existence of God.

So, what gives them such absolute certainty?

God does not speak.

As an example of the supernatural, spirits are certainly believed to exist in Ista, but these spirits—said to be the physical manifestations of natural phenomena—and the arts used to control them are already a lost technology.

There are those who claim to have seen angels.

However, it’s said that even among Salia believers, one cannot see them without an extraordinary level of devotion, so it’s hardly enough proof for the masses to believe.

Therefore, the one thing that truly convinces people of God’s existence is nothing other than the existence of Demons.

“Especially on this continent right now, the number of people praying to God has absolutely skyrocketed. Even if they pray right on the verge of death, God’s just gonna tune them out… Humans can never bring themselves to pray until they’re backed into a corner. That’s why they end up in such a pathetic state.”

“That hurts to hear. Ah, no, no, please continue.”

“…Tch, I got off track. This is getting annoying, so I can just half-ass it from here on out, right? Asking about this kind of stuff now… there’s a limit to being ignorant of the world.”

“I truly apologize for that. I had a rather poor upbringing, you see. Besides, there were some things I wanted to confirm.”

“Hmph. Bowing your head so easily… this is exactly why you base-natured shits are… Besides, you’re from Ista, aren’t you? For a spirit worshipper, the idea that spirits sit beneath God must be a pretty unpalatable story.”

“I don’t particularly mind it myself… Ah, no, I’d appreciate it if you could be mindful of my feelings.”

“Hah? …The point is, we beast-kin and Demons, the ones everyone calls devils, are currently in the process of sweeping across the world. We’re gonna thoroughly embarrass that shitty God of yours.”

All right?

If you understand, then hurry up and go wash the damn dishes! I have no intention of keeping a freeloader around… especially a human, Nine! It’s always a moonless night for you in here. Don’t forget, I’m itching to bite your head right off this very second!

Receiving those words to my back from Garon-san—a werewolf and the captain of the Demon Lord’s Royal Guard—I fled the scene.

The fact that the Salia scriptures had been passed down among the Demons too was actually a pretty fascinating story…

I wasn’t really all that enthusiastic about it myself, but I guess there was no harm in listening.

He was clearly getting into the story himself, but if he bites my head off just to hide his embarrassment, I’ll be the one paying the price.

And it also put that person who hates God in a bad mood…

Well, whatever.

Now then, the educational small talk is over, so time to get to work. Washing dishes, prepping ingredients. Once that’s done, I have a chat with the beloved Demon Lord-sama, and then I get to play companion to the Little Sister-sama.

Ah, the joys of manual labor!

—A servant to the Demons, and their emergency rations.

That is the sole survivor of the First Lost, twenty-two years of age this year. Every year is his unlucky year.

Such was the current situation of the young man known as Nine.