Editing Shinmai Maou no Keiyakusha:Volume 9 Chapter 2 (section)

==Part 5==
The trap has been sprung.
Basara knew that this question signalled the start of the true intention of this meeting.
What Basara and the others accomplished was no small feat. Peace between two opposing factions in the Demon World does not happen often. But this is not an accomplishment they can just brag about here in the Village. For the Village, the new peace treaty between the two factions would only increase their threat to the Human World.
While Basara and Yuki made a claim that ‘resolving the dispute in the Demon World ensured that Mio Naruse would not be targeted in the Human World’, there were those in the Hero Tribe who believed that the best strategy would have simply been to watch the two factions destroy each other. Some even suggested having Yuki and Kurumi sabotage the peace by fanning the flames of war between the two factions while they were there.
However, that would mean supporting the killings and fighting between Demons who bore no threat to the Human World. Encouraging such actions will definitely lead to ‘corruption’ and will risk their relationships with the spirits and gods they have signed pacts with. The very reason they agreed to Wilbert’s peace treaty to end the Great War was to ensure that they didn’t ‘go against peace’ and risk angering the spirits and gods who did not wish to see a world in conflict.
Of course, Basara could use that as his defense. He could say that they were respecting the wishes of the previous generation by maintaining the peace. But by doing so, and legitimizing their actions, they would be ‘making excuses’ and ‘going against’ the Village. That was a position he didn’t want to put himself and the others in.
“I cannot say for sure how much of an influence we had on the peace treaty between the Moderates Faction and the Current Demon Lord Faction. All we did was fight to keep our way of life and our peace.”
Basara was very careful with his words. He made sure that there was no lie in what he said. “But you could roughly estimate your influence, can’t you?”
Atsuta didn’t let him off the hook however.
“As you surely understand, the peace treaty between the two factions is very concerning news for the Village. We just want to make sure that we understand everything that took place and all the options that were considered.”
“While that may be so, the actions we took were to protect Mio and our livelihood in the Human World. It will not be a fair assessment for us to compare our independent actions to the overall peace process as it was never our intention to bring the two factions together. That was simply the result of many different events.”
That was Basara’s angle: That their actions were taken independently without any intention to influence the outcome.
“Ah, well we don’t mind if it’s not a fair assessment. You guys were right there in the turning point of history. Don’t think over the details too much and just tell us how you felt.”
Basara knew that the Elders were leading them into a trap. He could see the various escape routes being cut off in the argument. He knew that if he were to speak based on how he felt, they would use what he said against him down the road.
When he was wracking his brains for an escape, his eyes glanced towards Takigawa and an idea popped in his mind.
“While I understand… we are currently joined by the special envoy sent by the two factions of the Demon World.”
“Huh? Me?”
Takigawa was taken by surprise with his sudden inclusion in the conversation.
“We just overcame the whole situation between the Demon World and Mio. If I were to say something here that causes a misunderstanding, we will risk having some new problems on our hands.”
Basara knew that the Village wouldn’t want to risk having any disputes or misunderstandings with the Demon World. Especially with the Hearing Officer from the Vatican arriving tomorrow.
“Perhaps you do have a point…”
Fuji gave the impression of agreeing, before turning to Takigawa.
“Then let me ask you special envoy… how would you assess Basara’s contribution towards the two factions finding peace this time around?”
Basara bit down on his tongue. They got him. If Basara was to say something, there would be a risk of him offending the Demon World, but if a demon himself was to say something, there will be no risks.
“Hmmm… his contribution huh…”
Knowing Basara’s situation, Takigawa feigned boredom while analyzing the question. If he was to say that Basara did have a big part in the two sides finding peace, the Village will use that as a reason to prove Basara’s closeness with the demons. On the other hand, if he were to say that Basara’s actions didn’t do anything to affect the outcome, the Village could press him as to why he didn’t take any measures to sabotage the peace. It was a loaded question designed to implicate Basara regardless.
But Basara had faith in Takigawa’s aptitude.
“As I said before, I’m just a messenger. I can’t speak for the Demon Lord or the Moderate Faction. If I were to say something here and you guys took it the wrong way, I’ll have a lot to answer to once I get back. If you guys really wanna know, you guys could always meet up and discuss with the higher ups of the Demon World.”
And just like Basara, Takigawa found a weasel his way out of trouble. “I see. Sorry for pushing that question on to you then.”
Fuji backed down. While he could interrogate Basara with further questions, that kind of disrespect to Takigawa will have its consequences. Consequences he cannot risk to shoulder. Basara made eye contact with Takigawa and he saw what he was saying with his eyes: “You owe me.”
Basara conveyed his thanks with a look then focused on the situation at hand. By now, it was obvious what the Village is trying to do by implicating him. The only reason Basara got off this time was because his relationship with Takigawa was kept a secret.
But one thing’s for certain. The Village did not see Basara in a favourable light. But if they did see him as an enemy, they wouldn’t have invited him all the way out here. Instead of doing something so troublesome, they could have just launched an ambush.
Or was it that they were afraid of angering the gods and spirits? They have already tried to assassinate Mio once, only to fail and put her on watch again. Unless they can prove that Basara and the others were a threat to humanity and the world, killing them would most likely ‘corrupt’ the relationship the Village had with many of their gods and spirits.
Damn it.
Basara had to control himself. There was just so many ways this meeting could go wrong and so many things he had to consider. But he has to keep his cool and find an opportunity to end all of this.
“Well then, allow me to change the question a little bit.” It was Kumano who spoke next.
“Knowing that Demons are no longer coming after you for now… what do you all hope to achieve? And what is the future that you envision?”
That was a question they knew they were going to be asked. And they did prepare for it. Even to the point of choosing who would answer the question.
In a quiet, yet strong voice, it was Mio who answered.
“I wish to live with Basara.”