Happy reading...
---
Bright... Blinding... Pandora slowly opened her eyes.
"Huh?" She blinked, visibly startled by her surroundings.
Pandora glanced around, recognizing the place. It felt oddly familiar.
"This place... It's the same as when I died," she murmured to herself.
Amid her confusion, a familiar voice suddenly echoed around her. It was a voice that felt like it could shake one's very soul.
"So, how is it...? Are you still able to fulfill your duty?" the mysterious voice spoke.
Pandora immediately understood what the voice meant. She paused, reflecting on her answer.
"Honestly... after witnessing that mass slaughter... it made my resolve waver... again. Even though I already promised Master Vivian I was certain," she admitted.
Pandora looked at her open palm, then clenched her fist tightly, raising her head with a serious expression.
"So, because of that, can you give me some guidance?" Pandora asked.
The mysterious voice fell silent for a moment before replying, "Hmm... very well. I shall answer the questions I can."
"That easily?" Pandora thought to herself.
She shook her head, brushing aside unnecessary thoughts, then asked her first question.
"First, my purpose is too vague. You told me to be dutiful to my parents, but if that means following the Demon Queen, I might end up committing evil in the future, like killing people. Doesn't that mean I'll still be committing sins?" Pandora questioned.
In a gentle tone, the mysterious voice replied, "My command was clear – 'be dutiful to your mother.' Do what a dutiful child should do."
Pandora crossed her arms, feeling puzzled by the ambiguous response.
"A... dutiful child... If my mother is a world-class criminal, then shouldn't my duty as a dutiful child be to stop her and change her way of thinking?" Pandora mused to herself.
But what Pandora didn't realize was that her thoughts could not be hidden here.
Hearing her inner monologue, the mysterious voice responded with more clarity.
"O human... your thinking isn't wrong, but you are forgetting one crucial thing," the voice declared.
Pandora was taken aback, suddenly realizing something. "Eh? You can hear my thoughts?" she wondered.
She then asked what she had overlooked.
"Love. You've been staying by the Demon Queen's side because you see it as a duty. But think again – what should a truly dutiful child do?" the mysterious voice replied.
Pandora's eyes widened in sudden understanding. She lowered her head, her expression turning somber.
"Damn it! How did I not think of that?" she muttered.
No matter how flawed your parents might be, they are still your parents.
Making them happy is the duty of their children. If either side strays, it is their responsibility to guide each other.
"That's what a dutiful child should do... but I..." Pandora whispered to herself.
She stood up, realizing that despair was not the answer. She would do her best from now on.
"I get it. The rules of my old world don't apply here. You only commanded me to be dutiful. But... isn't it unfair if I end up taking lives and face no judgment?" Pandora asked.
"I will be the one to judge your actions as right or wrong, so choose your actions wisely," the mysterious voice replied.
Pandora then posed another question. "What happens when the inhabitants of Ijdornia die? Do they go to heaven or hell?"
"No. They simply cease to exist. There is no life after death here."
Pandora felt a cold sweat form on her brow at the unexpected answer. "What? Isn't that unfair? You mean someone who breaks into a house at night and murders an entire family won't face any punishment after death? That's not fair at all."
"From the beginning, Ijdornia was created as both a penance and a punishment for you. As long as you live, Ijdornia will offer you no justice," the mysterious voice replied.
Pandora swallowed hard, fear creeping into her heart. "So that means... if Master dies... she'll just disappear? Is that why the inhabitants of Ijdornia, including humans, have such long lifespans?" she wondered.
Pandora closed her eyes, struggling to accept the harsh reality. "My heart can't accept that truth... damn it."
She opened her eyes again, taking a deep breath to calm herself before asking her final question.
"Final question... Why does every demon hate me? Isn't it strange? I might be weak when it comes to magic, but haven't demons changed? They now accept the weak, working together to oppose the Demon Queen's tyranny. Even if I'm the Queen's daughter, shouldn't they try to save me from her cruelty? They could have made me an ally."
"Didn't I already tell you? Ijdornia is your chance at redemption, but it is also your punishment. When someone sees you, hatred will be the first thing that arises."
"What? So I've been hated all this time just because it's my fate to be hated? Without any real reason?" Pandora exclaimed.
"Yes, but your own efforts will determine whether that hatred remains. I never said it was unchangeable. Look at your master... she is a kind-hearted vampire. Hatred cannot touch her. So, treasure her," the voice advised.
Pandora stood frozen... she couldn't find the words.
Clack!
Tears welled up in her eyes, her hand clutching her chest. She felt a wave of relief. "T-thank goodness... I thought Master might secretly hate me too, but... there's still some justice in Ijdornia," she thought.
Suddenly, Pandora felt something. Her body began to be pulled away, as if an unseen force was dragging her back.
"What's happening?" she said, panic in her voice.
"O Pandora, your time here is up. I will not aid you again in the future. So consider this a final mercy. Seek out a girl from the dragon race – she will help you with her strength."
The force grew stronger, pulling her away faster. Before Pandora could ask more, she was completely pulled back.
---
"W-WAIT!!!"
Pandora awoke with a start, breathing heavily, sweat soaking her skin. Her face was pale.
"Ah! You're finally awake," said Vivian, wringing out a damp cloth for Pandora.
It seemed Pandora had been unconscious for three days. She had been unable to withstand the sheer pressure of the Demon Queen's aura and had passed out.
Pandora took a deep breath, her mind racing with thoughts of the conversation she'd just had. "A... dream?" she murmured.
In the midst of her daze, she suddenly remembered the baby she had saved.
"Master! The baby... where's the baby?" she asked in a panic.
Vivian smirked. "Calm down. Over there, sleeping peacefully," she replied.
Pandora quickly turned to look. The baby was indeed fast asleep, looking like a tiny, peaceful angel.
Pandora let out a sigh of relief. "Phew... thank goodness..." she whispered, a newfound resolve settling within her heart.