Little Pink Starfish

Why is there no god in Hell?

The Demon God had long pondered that question. Everything in this world was created by the Savior Who Is One and All. There were gods who governed the winds, gods who embodied babbling streams, gods for every aspect of existence. And yet, why was there no god in Hell?

Because that’s simply how it was made, one could only say.

On the hotel rooftop.

Perched on the railing, the Star Hated by All spoke.

The many watching eyes had long since departed. Only the Star Hated by All and the Demon God remained on the rooftop.

Once, many human scholars sought to uncover how this world was created.

The Star Hated by All murmured calmly.

“I know. After I was reduced to a human, I studied human history.”

The Demon God stood behind the Star Hated by All. The latter’s dim gray wings stirred in the wind, shedding old feathers. Watching them fall, the Demon God spoke.

“Until humanity became certain of the existence of the Thrones, their history often flowed in denial of gods. Thus, many theories arose—like how a massive explosion birthed the universe.”

It’s the same either way. Whether the Savior Who Is One and All suddenly created the world or whether the universe formed through a massive explosion. In fact, the Savior sometimes created universes that way.

One way or another, the world came into being at some point.

The Star Hated by All continued.

A world thrives on endless predation, coupling, and excretion. That’s how flowers bloom, forests thicken, and seas are cleansed. There’s no need to assume it was all designed by one being. The Savior Who Is One and All merely built the house. The fate of the house belongs to those living inside.

“Are you truly going to return me to Hell?”

Of course.

The Star Hated by All smiled.

Whenever you wish, I will send you back to Hell. I’ll even grant you a portion of my power. Consider it a succession. It will be insignificant compared to my full strength, but enough to govern Hell.

“What if I try to invade the human world again?”

Then I’ll stop you. I’ve grown rather fond of this world.

…Ha.

The Demon God let out a sigh.

“There’s something I’ve come to realize while calling myself a god.”

What is it?

“A god needs believers. But what gods bear at their thrones—formed by those believers’ faith—is not faith itself.”

Gods do not survive by consuming the faith of their believers.

That’s what the Demon God thought.

“A god must remember the convictions of their believers.”

All those who had gathered under her were collectively referred to as demons, but that was merely for convenience. Each had a name, each bore distinct forms of malice, and amidst them existed values that could even be called virtuous. To recognize these as individual convictions was only natural. The Demon God firmly believed this.

You’re right.

The Star Hated by All calmly acknowledged.

Gods cannot bear faith toward anything else. I’m the same. Though stripped of my throne, I fundamentally distrust humanity and question this world itself.

It’s rather absurd.

The Star Hated by All chuckled softly.

Those who receive faith cannot trust those who give it. Thus, gods are vessels—not beings who simply receive faith, but those who endure countless convictions created by their creations.

The Demon God nodded.

“I’m not ready to return to Hell yet.”

The Demon God spoke gravely.

“It’s not because I like the human world. Nor because I’ve grown fond of having a human body. Even if you reach out to offer salvation, Father, I have things I must do before I can take your hand.”

She gazed upon the world she had once tried to destroy. Judging right and wrong was no longer her role. She understood that both the human body and this world were prisons for her.

“I have no intention of savoring the pleasures or wallowing in the ugliness of human life. I have no right to. I simply haven’t served my full sentence yet.”

Your contractor…

The Star Hated by All turned his gaze to the Demon God.

That child truly loathes this world.

“Yes.”

The Demon God nodded.

“She hates this world. She finds human life repulsive and believes civilization itself is meaningless. That’s why she requested the Savior Who Is One and All—to contract with me.”

What can you do for her?

“I’m not sure.”

The Demon God smiled faintly.

“I merely exist at her side. Unlike normal contracts between Thrones and humans, I cannot sponsor her, nor do I intend to save her life. I simply handle chores as her manager. Anyone could do that.”

Not anyone. Let me tell you something—being a manager isn’t easy.

“…Pardon?”

I say this as one who is also a manager.

“You… a manager?”

The Demon God’s eyes showed surprise.

It just sort of happened. Since I manifested physically, I thought I might as well try a human job. Then Mikael played a prank, and before I knew it, I was managing my contractor and his companions—scheduling, waking them up, tagging along, and tending to them like changing diapers. Exhausting work, really.

Had I truly become human…

The Star Hated by All trailed off.

I’d have wanted to die. Needing sleep, needing to eat…

If the demons in Hell knew the King of Hell became a manager for human idols, they’d die laughing.

The same goes for you. Who would’ve thought you’d become a manager in a human body?

The Star Hated by All shrugged.

“I…”

The Demon God hesitated before continuing.

“I want to grow old in this human body.”

Only afterward will I return to Hell.

The Demon God muttered softly.

“I never experienced aging as a demon. In this limited life, I wish to accumulate modest knowledge, form values, struggle to uphold them, face disgrace, yet continue striving—a human life I know little about.”

You wish to know that?

“It’s not that I want to know. I must.”

The Demon God smiled.

“Unlike you, Father, I don’t have the luxury of choosing only what I wish to learn.”

Listening to you, one might think I control everything in this world.

The Star Hated by All chuckled.

“…Vanessa needs me.”

Indeed.

The Star Hated by All easily grasped the Demon God’s intent.

What one filled with hatred needs is someone who can fully understand that hatred. Just as those unfamiliar with hatred cannot redeem the hateful, one who sees all creation as repulsive needs a god who can accept that repulsiveness.

No Throne in Heaven can save Hell. Only a god who exists solely for Hell can do so. Even as a lowly demon, countless others followed the self-proclaimed Demon God because she shone like a star unseen in Hell.

You cannot save her. But you can be with her. Live together, and one day, grow old together.

The Star Hated by All smiled at the Demon God.

Seeing that expression, the Demon God couldn’t hide her confusion. That smile was far too innocent. And she understood—it was not the smile of the King of Hell, but the smile of a being full of curiosity, one who had rebelled against the very Creator who made this world.

“I never imagined you could make such a face, Father.”

Oh?

The Star Hated by All placed his hand gently on the Demon God’s head.

I only show this face to those I’ve opened my heart to.

“You almost sound boyish.”

A boy? I’ve lived far too long for that.

The Star Hated by All shrugged.

But having lived eternally, I’ve learned too much. It’s hard to cover what I already know. The Savior Who Is One and All knows everything, so He cannot learn more. The Thrones beside Him know so much that even grasping small things requires great effort.

That’s why we feel moved.

By the deeds of mere humans.

That’s why we support them.

And sometimes destroy their civilizations in disappointment.

The same goes for me.

I realized it far too late.

If I have any kin in this world…

It must be you.

The Demon God’s eyes widened. She stared blankly at the Star Hated by All. Feeling awkward under her gaze, he turned his head for a moment, then steeled himself and whispered:

My sinful daughter.

No one else may forgive you—but I will.

So go forth and savor it fully.

This vast world.