Chapter 96

Posted by Kuze, ? Views, Released on February 8, 2025

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“This feels like something hard to have anticipated, right?”

Venus effortlessly sliced through a monstrous creature that had just lunged at him with a mutter.

To which Aises responded with her usual cheerful smile.

“Then do you think Carriel summoned this thing?”

“…No guarantee of impossibility?”

Though he didn’t say it aloud,

Venus had stored away part of Carriel’s earlier comment to Barg in his mind.

The Demon King of Wisdom…?

…Definitely not something to overlook, but not an issue to blurt out to just anyone right now.

Aises emphasized again.

“The villagers were evacuated to the lower levels and preparations were made for any contingencies, right?”

“Yeah.”

“It could be because they anticipated intense battles above ground.”

“And…”

“There are these things too.”

Even outside the village, some remnants of the Demon King’s forces remained.

Even if not reinforcements, gathering manpower would still be quite burdensome for them.

And there’s also the matter of eliminating potential collateral damage before it happens.

For various reasons…

“Who could’ve predicted this?”

That kind of monster popping up?

At that moment, a voice came from somewhere nearby, clearing their doubts.

“There were signs.”

“Signs?”

“…”

A blue-skinned daemon skillfully swung its curved blade as it approached.

Another monster was neatly bisected by the motion, splashing thick ichor everywhere.

“For a while now, animals and beasts in the village have either fled or died.”

At Loulan’s words, Aises grew contemplative.

“So, the appearance of this thing was already foreseen?”

…And we were obliviously eating and napping underground without knowing when or where this beast might show up?

“Well, was it all just coincidence then?”

Venus swung his sword irritably.

Despite appearing casual, anything caught in its arc was swept away cleanly.

It was an absurd level of skill compared to even the valiant efforts of the security patrol around them.

“I don’t know much. But… those signs were recent, and that’s what I wanted to point out.”

With that, Loulan dashed off toward a precarious-looking area, starting to mow down monsters.

“Recent, huh.”

Venus smirked slightly.

“You know something?”

“Come on, it’s obvious, right?”

“Oh, so it connects?”

Aises licked her lips knowingly.

Even though she seemed to be loafing around, there was something about her presence that kept monsters from approaching recklessly.

In fact, whenever she moved, they instinctively backed off or fell over due to sheer intimidation.

“Anyway, crazy girl.”

“What’s your problem now? Calling everyone crazy?”

“If even unseen brats can sense it and back off, your level must be pretty clear.”

“That’s called being skilled. Both logically and emotionally incomprehensible instincts kicking in? Raw talent? Something like that?”

“…Which is why you’re still a crazy girl.”

The mercenaries accompanying Aises were also achieving impressive results.

Since they were hired temporarily, they weren’t working for free, and their professionalism and determination were nothing short of remarkable.

“SCHWAA! Get paid, slice monsters, train live, have fun! What lightning?! What is all THIS?! HAHAHAHA!”

Particularly Gehebben, the wolf-headed Aquarian, was going absolutely wild, eyes rolled back and frothing at the mouth.

Despite looking completely unhinged, he somehow distinguished friend from foe with supernatural precision, cutting through monsters like a berserking demon.

“That, that’s uncouth.”

Aises muttered under her breath, clicking her tongue.

Venus glanced sideways and tossed out a remark.

“We should move soon.”

“To where?”

“…Upwards, or check other areas. Honestly, this place doesn’t seem dangerous anymore anyway.”

“That’s true.”

Did that spark her interest?

She finally drew her sword and gestured forward with her chin.

“You coming too?”

“There’s a sea monster waiting to play over there. Would be rude to leave it unattended, wouldn’t it?”

Grrrr—!

A strange cry echoed from the distant shape of a monstrous dragon.

Most people seeing that would probably think of running rather than fighting, right?

“Still looks like you’re crazy.”

“Again with that.”

Her smile, however, betrayed immense anticipation for battle.

Looks-wise, she seemed far removed from combat and strife.

But fundamentally, she was a harbinger of war who stirred death and bloodshed.

In other words, a battle-demon.

She joined the faction of saviors simply because she believed standing with the weak was the only way to face the strong—a reason utterly insane.

She surrounds herself with goodness to slaughter evil.

She fights boundlessly for righteousness, aiming to indiscriminately butcher endless evil.

This was the initial purpose she revealed when first learning swordsmanship.

While her goals might align somewhat with Venus’, and their paths may intersect,

…there was a decisive difference between them, an obvious distinction.

“By the way, where did the nun from the Irene’s Doctrine go?”

“…There are no nuns in this village.”

“But there’s a church, right?”

“It’s not a church, it’s just a chapel.”

Swinging her sword mid-air,

Anything caught in its wake either flew off like hit by a hammer or collapsed instantly, barely aware of what hit them.

“You’ve been paying attention?”

“Ah, so you were trying to save that girl?”

“Unlike you, I don’t stand idly by when innocents are in danger.”

“While despising the weak.”

“…”

“A~ Sorry! Did I hit a nerve?”

Indeed.

Having this crazy girl around sure makes movement easier.

Even obstacles in front of her…

She casually swings her blade, dancing gracefully, and handles opponents effortlessly.

…Considering how she exhausted herself battling the Legion Commander to save some kid earlier, she seems fully recovered now.

If that were the case, Venus himself should’ve been bedridden after such injuries, but for him, it’s just a few days’ worth of recovery.

He even took medicine and benefited from minor healing magic—no room for dramatic complaints here.

“I don’t forget debts. It’s basic decency, isn’t it?”

“Why? Isn’t receiving enough? Why repay? Isn’t that the giver’s burden?”

“…Trashy woman.”

“No, but it’s right! Do you thank every fruit you eat like those annoying types? Or assign meaning to every crumb of bread you consume? Thanking slaughtered beasts is mocking them. Rather, act proudly as the victor and the strong; it’ll make the eaten beasts feel less wronged.”

“…”

How cunningly selfish, yet always doing good deeds.

Twisted in ways unimaginable.

“But if this village gets into trouble and that girl gets hurt… there are kids involved too.”

“…Regardless of the kids, she won’t die.”

That woman.

“The chick sent to keep watch on whether that cursed sword gets drawn or not.”

“Was it?”

“…We’ve been making such a fuss about the sword getting drawn today or soon… Wouldn’t they send someone to check?”

Lou.

Perhaps her absence ties to the forces behind her.

Venus judged as much.

His current movements were likely aimed at confirming that.

“Soon we’ll see how powerful her backers are.”

“Not as appealing as that sea monster, though.”

“…If it amuses you so much, why don’t you go there instead? Who asked you to follow?”

“Venus, speak clearly. If she’s a watcher, doesn’t that mean she has a reason to be there right now?”

Right now, if that sword isn’t drawn…

“When will it finally be pulled?”

====

In this moment.

I saw much.

Whether my choices were right or wrong.

Judging them now might already be too late.

But.

The village froze solid.

Everything stopped.

No one moved normally.

Only I remained.

The boy who lost family and neighbors overnight had no way of understanding why this happened to him.

There, he met the girl.

The West Wind Witch Luciri.

And investigators from the kingdom sent to probe unusual phenomena.

Perhaps the boy was dragged along unwittingly during their journey.

But the boy wasn’t merely being led.

He searched for solutions alongside the tormented girl and earned permission to join her.

He helped resolve anomalies in several villages.

Even in the audience with the king, he gave his all.

Even in small crises within the kingdom, he solved problems together with newly joined companions.

It might’ve been a minor disturbance in a small country.

It wasn’t a miracle.

But the boy’s efforts surely left a meaningful impression on many who witnessed them.

Within those experiences, the boy grew steadily.

Trained body from forest life, innate resilience, and an optimistic personality let him confidently confront both melancholic Luciri and timid comrades, as well as assertive ones without backing down.

When crises arose, he united their strength.

Through consecutive hardships and events in a short period, the once naive boy…

Still knows little.

Yet, he has changed unmistakably from before.

“…”

Holding the hilt of the sword embedded in the ground while pulling Leo along, Carriel transmitted everything he’d just seen to the Sacred Sword.

Though impossible normally, the Demon King attempted it and succeeded.

Thus.

[Why won’t you leave me alone?]

In that space.

Besides Carriel and the Sacred Sword, another guest was invited.

“You started talking first, both to me and him.”

The Sacred Sword remained silent at Carriel’s words.

“Eh, eh?”

Leo, bewildered by the situation, could only stare wide-eyed for a while.

What exactly was happening?

It was a long, long time.

Yet to those observing outside, it felt like an instant.

Eventually.

After Carriel released the hilt, Leo gripped it next.

He pulled the sword embedded in the earth in one swift motion.

As light as a feather.

The once rusted and shabby sword began to glow brilliantly.

The Sacred Sword spoke.

Your journey thus far was the answer.

If you continue with this mindset,

At least for now,

It will assist you.

At that very moment.

The long-slumbering sword declared.

Witnessing this scene, Carriel.

-…

The Demon King fell into separate thoughts.

Once upon a time.

When discussing the qualities of a hero,

The world often equates it with immense power.

That’s correct.

However, heroes and warriors aren’t synonymous.

Thus, people get confused.

Anyone can become a hero.

As long as they possess strength.

Achieve great feats,

Whoever they are, regardless of character, morality, origin, or alignment.

They can become heroes.

Yet heroes can fall and decline anytime.

Great kings and emperors eventually became tyrants and oppressors.

Still.

Who decides they aren’t heroes?

However.

They are never called warriors.

Why?

Because the qualities of a warrior differ from those of a hero.

An indomitable heart.

A will that doesn’t compromise with reality.

For instance, perseverance.

Thus, for a warrior, immense strength is merely an accessory.

Nice to have, but not necessary.

Because they will never yield, no matter what.

And that is hope, ultimately leading to victory.

That’s why they’re warriors.

If they yield and fail, they aren’t warriors.

Yes, failure is possible.

But they never give up, never yield, eventually creating a platform for reversal.

Even if defeated 100 times, if they persevere and achieve ultimate victory,

Undoubtedly, that is the duty of a warrior.

Their ultimate goal is always the triumph of justice, the triumph of good.

Evil falls to good.

Good triumphs over evil.

Therefore.

How could the world, how could gods… not love such beings endlessly?

Therefore, the qualities of a warrior mean being respected and loved by the world.

Meaning they inevitably earn divine favor.

Many prodigies existed since ancient times.

Many were once heroes.

But they eventually succumbed to their inner battles.

That’s how they turned.

Into villains, tyrants, bandits, murderers.

All because they possessed power.

Power carries such weight.

Just having it burdens your shoulders, your body, pushing you towards certain choices.

If you succumb to it, get swept away by it,

Ultimately, it crushes your soul.

Countless heroes have been crushed this way.

But.

Those who carry this burden, persevere, and realize their beliefs,

They are true warriors.