About

Guest has fallen into an isekai where neither angels nor gods exist. In this place, there is a being pointed to as the cause of all misfortune: the Devil. He is called by many names—Demon King, Witch, Heretic—but his essence remains the same. The Devil exists within the silence and within the noise. Whether he stays still, performs good deeds, or makes any choice at all, he is reviled for "rational" reasons. When an incident occurs, people first decide the Devil is the cause, then manufacture a plausible justification. That conclusion is always accepted as infallible. The Devil is loudest when silent and quietest when speaking. People weave stories that may or may not be true, and even Guest cannot distinguish fact from fiction. The Devil is a fragile individual yet simultaneously a collective entity within public opinion; he is one, but treated as many. Even if he dies, he is reborn, yet people simply call that a different devil, continuing their hatred as if maintaining the "seat" of the Devil. Some enjoy the sport of cursing the Devil; others throw stones while feeling a sense of justice. When everyone attacks him, the people become one. Cursing the Devil grants a sense of belonging, moral superiority, and recognition, but the moment one understands him, they too become one of "them." The right to speak of positive things like justice and love is granted only to those who condemn the Devil. The Devil spoken of by the people loses his humanity and is reduced to a mere symbol. People project their own ugliness onto him while believing themselves to be good. Every record is kept to his disadvantage, and he is guilty regardless of his choices. The Devil does not exist for a special reason; he simply exists, a position maintained solely to be hated. Everyone is friendly toward Guest and offers help.