[Genderswap, Purification]

“Hero Mars, may I join you?”

That was what the Demon Lord had said, wearing the disguise of a righteous woman. Because he knew that if he simply waited for the Hero to come to him, he would end up being speared upon one of the many legendary weapons that dotted the lands.

Instead, the Demon Lord had been proactive. He knew that the Hero needed allies. So why not disguise himself as one, and then take advantage of his lowered guard when he least expected it? He could exploit his kindness, find ways to chip away at his heart, and then strike when the time was right.

...That was what he had originally planned. And he had thought it wouldn’t be difficult. Because amongst his peers, before his ascension to the throne, he was known for his ability to act. Indeed, he was practically indistinguishable from another holy practitioner, much less from another woman. He had truly put on the best disguise.

So why was he starting to… Why was the boy starting to rub off on him? He didn’t understand why the Hero was visiting him in his dreams every night. Not to fight against him to the death and lose like he had always planned, but to help him up after a fall. Or help him bake a cake. Or gently run his hand through his hair…

Every night, these dreams became more and more real. Like visions of the future. The Demon Lord would dream of the blue-haired Hero doing everything to support him. Because he was his trusted ally. Because she was by his side.

It was getting harder and harder for the Demon Lord to keep himself in check. The more that boy travelled through his mind, the harder it became to remember who he was. Was he… Was he a man, or was he a woman?

...When she thought about it, it didn’t exactly matter. Because either way, Mars cared about her. It didn’t matter that her holy arts were actually just her demonic magic given another coat of paint to make them look heavenly. It didn’t matter that she stood taller than everyone else, even the Knight who had been unnaturally tall for a human. Because she stood tall to protect them all, blessing them with the Goddess’ light.

No matter what she did, he always smiled at her. Like he cared about her. Like he understood who she was, even if he didn’t really know. And he didn’t find it repulsive or angering that she was a demon. No, he just treated her like the ally she had always been.

Maybe… Maybe it was time to…

---

The stars were shining down on her. They hadn’t done that in a long time. The last time they did, she was crowned the Demon Lord… And then, they never shone again. Because they lost their belief in her.

At least that’s what she told herself. She didn’t know why the stars didn’t shine on her. She just knew that they did now. And she enjoyed it.

“You wanted to see me?”

The cold night wind brushed against the heavily armored blonde woman as she turned towards the blue-haired Hero. Mars. The boy that she had approached early on. A boy that she would’ve betrayed eons ago. A boy that she should’ve crushed and turned into little more than a subservient slave. And yet here they both were.

“Mars.” She said, with a smile on her face. Just seeing him was enough to warm her heart. A heart that she thought would never beat for anybody but demonkind. “Have you ever wondered… What would happen if the Demon Lord asked for peace?”

The Hero smiled a little as he stepped closer, letting the wind blow against him and sighing softly as it died down. “I would ask him what he would do to ensure peace would be kept.” He said, looking up at the much taller woman. “And then I’d tell him that I’d help him, as long as we can all live in peace. Humans and demons alike.”

“...You’re painfully naive, Mars.” The tall woman said, slowly looking up at the stars once again. “The Demon Lord would never stand alongside a Hero. Not as long as he breathed.”

Mars chuckled a little. “What’s brought this on, anyway? And why do you consider yourself the demon expert?” He asked, casually tossing his hands behind his head as he looked up at her. “I mean, you’re supposed to fight demons. I guess you’d know if they were going to be stubborn or not.”

“No, but you’re on the right track.” The paladin said as she slowly sighed. “What did I say, Mars? Try and think about my words. You’ll get the answer you seek.” She said, as she slowly walked towards a single larger stone, one that could caress her aching muscles…

The blue-haired hero slowly rubbed his hand against his chin, before the gears clicked into place. “...As long as he breathed?” He asked, looking towards the armored woman once more.

Only to see that her armor had disappeared. Replaced with an elegant gown, that of a healer. Not just that, but her skin had turned a deep blue, and her hair had turned deep obsidian black. Combine that with her figure struggling to stay stuck within the gown… There was only one answer as to who she could be, especially with what she had just let slip.

“You… You’re the Demon Lord?” Mars asked, as he stepped closer to the beautiful woman, the woman that he had been beside for so long. A woman that he trusted with his life… Now turning out to be little more than a white lie.

She nodded and smiled, resting her head on the palm of her hand. “So, Mars. You think peace is possible?” The Demon Lord said as she slowly looked into his eyes. “You really think your life is your own, when I’ve been by your side for your entire journey, manipulating you with my clever words?”

The Demon Lord was a devilish woman. At least, that’s what she thought she was. She still wasn’t quite sure, all these dreams were making it hard to make heads or tails of anything. But she knew that she had been manipulating him. That’s what her heart told her.

“Of course.” Mars said, without even missing a beat. “You’re proof of it.” Young as he may be, he knew a friend when he saw one. And even after this reveal, he wasn’t able to see her as anything but a friend and a constant ally.

It didn’t take long before the black-haired blue-skinned Demon began to blush, and a lot of her dignity went out the window as she pointed at him. “W-Wait, hold on, you’re supposed to be angry! I-I had been in your presence for so long, and now you’re just accepting me?!”

“Mmhm. Why wouldn’t I accept my friend?” He said, as he held out his hand and offered it to her. “Demon Lord. If that’s what you call yourself. I want peace for both our people. Will you do what you can to achieve it?”

She didn’t reply. Not initially. Because her mind was having trouble processing everything. She thought she had manipulated him. She thought she had taken advantage of him. But really, the truth of the matter was… She had fallen in love with him. Her dreams were the truth, and her behavior was little more than a mask to try and hide from it.

“...We can’t achieve peace. Not like this.” She muttered, keeping her face hidden from him as she lowered her head. “The Demons won’t respect my authority. Not if they find out about this entire charade…”

Before the boy could reply however, she lifted her head back up and started grinning. “But we can arrange for a truce. As long as we make it back to my castle.” She said, as her skin slowly turned human, her demonic features fading away as she brushed a hand through her hair.

“Please don’t trick people more.” Mars said, sighing a little. It was nice that they came to terms, but… He really didn’t want her to cause more trouble, especially knowing the power she had at her fingertips.

She nodded and smiled. “For you, I’ll try.” The Demon Lord said, as she motioned for the boy to come closer. And closer he came, since he did not think of her as a threat. Not now, and not ever. Because she was his friend, and closest companion.

It did not stop her from wrapping her arms around him and pulling him into her rather generous bust, giggling as she trapped him there. “But until morning comes, let me have a little fun. Okay, Mars?”

There were very few things that Mars regretted ever since he started his journey. This? Being this close to the Demon Lord? The Demon Lord who smiled down at him like a lover pining for him?

This was not one of those things. In fact, it would be one of the happiest moments of his life.