OnlineBookClub.org

Demons are, in modern culture, evil. However, in Demonslayer this dynamic is not followed completely.

Yaxus wants to follow the treaty with humans and saw them as equals.
Xaxus wanted to enslave humans and saw them as inferior livestock
Astaroth is unsure.
What do you think influences Astaroth's the most until he makes his final decision?

I think his family and desire to avoid war were strong motivators. The demons were starving and he wanted to fix this as well.

The fact that demons were attacking demons was against the grain, almost like cannibalism. He can see that demon society is crumbling, and is thinks twice about what his next move as hound be. Yes, his family were part of his decision.

Astaroth sees that demons are at risk of starvation, and some of them are already starving. However, he's faithful to Yaxus and doesn't want war. That is until he suffers the greatest possible loss, which throws him over the edge, so to speak.

Family always has a great impact on one's actions and opinions and I agree with you, family must've played a role there. Additionally, all of their opinions are drastically different and come in arguments towards each other. It's an interesting dilemma.

It seems like Astaroth's decision-making process is influenced by multiple factors:

1. **Family and Desire to Avoid War:** Astaroth may be motivated by a desire to protect his family and avoid conflict. This could lead him to consider the implications of breaking or following the treaty with humans carefully.

2. **Concern for the Demons' Well-being:** The demons' starvation could weigh heavily on Astaroth. His desire to ensure the survival and well-being of his kind might push him towards seeking a solution that benefits both demons and humans, rather than risking conflict.

3. **Uncertainty and Deliberation:** Astaroth's uncertainty suggests he is thoughtful and cautious. He might be considering all aspects of the situation, including the potential consequences of each choice, before making a final decision.

Considering these influences, Astaroth is likely balancing his personal motivations, his concern for the demons' survival, and the potential outcomes of his decision regarding the treaty with humans. His final choice may hinge on finding a solution that addresses both the immediate needs of the demons and the long-term peace with humans.

I think Astaroth's decisions were based on his family, his loyalty to Yaxus and also the reality of his kind. The fact that demons were starving definitely conflicted his opinion as it is in every beings nature to first protect their own, on the other hand his loyalty to Yaxus and the reality of how many deaths can and would occur during a war makes him uncertain if war is the right way to go.

Astaroth prioritizes the peace and well-being of his people, which is commendable given human nature and loyalty requirements; yet, he is a kind and forgiving person who is blind to the fact that the demons are starving. Yaxus wants every community to live in harmony and is an advocate of equality. But, by eliminating human existence, Xaxus also wants his society to live in peace.

Taking into account each character separately, they each have different goals for the welfare of their own floks.

Astaroth is probably trying to figure out what he wants, how to keep the demons safe, and what might happen if he agrees to the treaty with humans. His decision will likely depend on finding a way to help the demons right now and keep peace with humans in the future.

The author definitely portrayed the demons as having some kind of moral code which mattered to them, beyond just being "evil." That said, on the whole, they did trend towards being more "evil" in general than the human characters--they were more hardened, cold-blooded, lacking empathy. Except Astaroth, of course, who gets a more nuanced portrayal. This was one facet of the book that I enjoyed-- switching to the demon's side and their point of view, so that some of them had more depth. And you get some "sympathy for the devil." This isn't common in this type of book.

I think Astaroth was completely loyal to Yaxus. He believed in loyalty. He had many other demons encouraging him to betray Yaxus, but he resisted even though in his heart he was ambivalent about Yaxus' political beliefs. His priority was his family. it would not make sense for him to support starting a war with humans if it meant putting the safety and security of his family in jeopardy.

Astaroth, loyal to Yaxus and against war, sees starving demons and faces a personal loss. Witnessing demon attacks on their kind shakes him. He grapples with the crumbling demon society and weighs his next move, influenced by his family.

Astaroth is morally conflicted and unconvinced that humans are truly evil. However, he is tricked by one of his own in a devastating way that leaves no more doubt in his mind that humans are truly evil and should perish.

Astaroth is committed to peace and the well-being of his people, balancing his loyalty to Yaxus with the need to address the immediate crisis of starvation. His ultimate decision is likely shaped by the loss he experiences, which shifts his perspective and prioritizes both the survival of the demons and the potential for peace with humans.