『𝐇𝐮𝐛𝐫𝐢𝐬』 𝐃𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 『𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐞』
Demon Hubris.
He stands over 180 cm, with tanned skin and slicked-back pure white hair, appearing to be in his mid-forties.
He sports a refined beard and wears a high-end suit. At a glance, he looks like any other human. However, just like Abel, Hubris also has two horns curling backward from his head.
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Hubris was in a typical small farming village.
Noticing the village, Hubris confidently walked into it on his two legs.
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“Hmm, I like it. . . . . .This rundown atmosphere is worthy of my favor.”
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The village seemed even more deserted than it looked.
A narrow river flowed through, with its water used to irrigate the fields.
The villagers wore worn-out, faded clothes. Many had a pale complexion, perhaps due to malnutrition. Upon closer inspection, the fields seemed a bit unkempt. . . . . .apparently, the land wasn’t ideal for farming.
Then, a farmer who spotted Hubris exclaimed━━.
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“Eek. . . . . .What are you?! Those horns. . . . . .Are you a demon beast?!”
“Ha ha ha!! You call me a demon beast? No, no, I’m Demon Hubris. Villagers, are you hungry? Or do you need money? If you have any wishes━━.”
“Eeek!”
“Hm?. . . . . .Well, being friendly seems to be a challenge.”
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The villagers fled.
Because that villager shouted and ran, the whole small village quickly became chaotic.
The arrival of Demon Hubris.
The residents cast aside their farming tools and locked themselves in, placing their meager livestock in the barn.
In one house, a father held a hoe and sweated profusely, while in another, a mother embraced her young child, covered them with a blanket, and shivered.
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“Sigh. . . . . .Why are humans so timid. . . . . .I just wanted to give some charity.”
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He walked slowly through the village.
Within ten minutes, he had circled the whole place.
There were fewer than twenty houses and only some poor-quality fields. Such a boring village. . . . . .which made it perfect for Hubris’s charity.
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“Now, what to do. . . . . .Hm?”
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Hubris noticed.
A boy, around ten years old, was crouching in the shadow of a shabby hut.
Hubris approached the boy.
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“Little man. Let me share a piece of wisdom. 『Hide your head but not your rear』 . . . . . .Hahaha, it means even if you hide your head, your rear is still visible.”
“Eek… Ah.”
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The boy was trembling, holding a small weasel.
It seemed to be a pet-type summoned beast.
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“Is this your home?”
“Y, Yes, it is. . . . . .”
“Are your parents around?”
“No. . . . . .I live alone, really.”
“I see. Then, take this.”
“. . . . . .Huh?”
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Hubris used 『magic』.
With a 『power』 only demons can use, Hubris created a rift in space, reaching into it.
What he pulled out was. . . . . .skewered and cooked meat.
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“It’s Minotaur meat. I heard it’s a delicacy for humans, so I bought it.”
“. . . . . .”
“Don’t be shy. Humans love meat, right? I too enjoy meat. . . . . .Well, little man, eat it while it’s hot.”
“!!”
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The boy, snatching the skewer from Hubris, began to devour it greedily.
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“You have a good appetite. Good, drink some water. There’s more meat if you want.”
“T, Thank you!!”
“Ha ha ha. Don’t rush, young man.”
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Hubris gave alms to the boy.
After giving him meat and water, the boy’s guard seemed to have relaxed.
From the feeling of several gazes, it seemed that the villagers were listening to the conversation between the boy and Hubris.
Hubris looked up at the boy’s ramshackle house.
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“What a terrible shack.”
“. . . . . .It broke due to a storm before. I’m just a kid, so I couldn’t fix it.”
“Hmm, then leave it to me.”
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Hubris gently raised his hand.
Immediately, a huge magical circle that could cover the house unfolded, and gold surged from the ground.
The gold enveloped the boy’s house, transforming it, and in an instant, a golden house was completed.
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“That should do. Now, you can live here from today. Also, you’ll need some living expenses, right?”
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Hubris firmly clenched both of his hands and then opened them in front of the boy.
In Hubris’s hands were dozens of gold coins, jewels, and accessories.
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“This should suffice for your immediate needs. Go ahead and take it.”
“. . . . . .”
“Huh? What’s with that blank look on your face?”
“. . . . . .Are you a god?”
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At the boy’s innocent gaze, Hubris burst into laughter.
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“Ha, ha, ha! A god? No, no, not at all. I’m a demon. Just call me Hubris. . . . . .Oh, looks like they’ve come out.”
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Finally, the villagers started to gather.
Perhaps envious of the boy’s golden house, it was clear that the eyes of the villagers were slowly becoming filled with greed.
Hubris grinned.
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“The seed has been planted. Hehe. . . . . .now all that’s left is to nurture it patiently.”
“Um, Demon-sama. . . . . .I want to thank you!”
“Hmm?”
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The boy looked up at Hubris with sparkling eyes.
Those eyes were so bright that they dazzled Hubris. . . . . .At the same time, he wondered, how would this boy look if his pure gaze became arrogant and condescending towards others?
Just thinking about it warmed Hubris’s heart.
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“No need for thanks. . . . . .Hehe, just be wealthy and happy. That’s the best way to repay me.”
“Repay. . . . . .”
“Yes, little man. Accept the generosity and live happily. That’s the best gratitude you can show.”
“. . . . . .Yes!! Thank you so much!!”
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The boy bowed his head.
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“My name is Boobucky! Thank you, Demon-sama!!”
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This happened about twenty years before Albero and the others went to the slave auction.
It was before the Asgard Kingdom found the developing countryside and before they became aware of the existence of the demon, specifically before they identified the 『Pride』 Demon Hubris.
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