A hero is a being that endures.
Enduring pain.
Enduring trials.
Enduring tragedies.
The first hero who defeated the original Demon King once asked a wandering bard, “What path must a hero walk?”
The bard replied sweetly, “If you endlessly walk the road of hardship, it becomes the royal path of heroes.”
Though distant now, Frey took those words to heart, feeling they described her situation best. She had accepted the pain and hardships, ever since pushing her most precious friend into the arms of a cruel demon. Frey resolved to accept any divine punishment calmly.
500 years as a gladiator in the Divine Realm wasn’t enjoyable, but Frey gritted her teeth through it all—for the continent. Because a hero must endure such suffering.
It was her duty as the weakest of heroes.
But right now…
Frey’s heart was wavering like reeds in the wind.
“Ah… r-really…?”
There was a clear mark on Maria’s lips—the trace of a male’s kiss.
The identity of said male was obvious.
There was only one person who had been with Maria just now. Only one who shared affection with her. Only one man, throughout history, who had stolen Maria’s heart.
“Yes… hahaha… It kinda happened last night…”
Maria lowered her head shyly. Her face, directed at the floor, was uncharacteristically flushed pink.
“Did you enjoy it?”
“Huh?”
“Did you enjoy it?”
“…Yes… I did.”
“…”
Frey felt an unsettling sensation in her chest.
Why? She wasn’t some naive kid surprised by Maria kissing Joker.
She’d uncovered affairs before—like the empire chancellor’s adultery, or learning the prime minister was secretly involved with the first princess. She’d even witnessed the head of a duchy crossing forbidden lines with the wife of a count.
Yet none of those moments made her heart feel this inexplicably heavy, this wordlessly frustrating ache.
It was strange.
“It must’ve been… good. Yeah, makes sense… Maria loves Joker after all…”
Maria and Joker being happy together was reasonable—it was all part of Frey’s original plan. So why should she be surprised?
So why does her heart feel so complicated?
“Are you happy?”
In response to that unsettling feeling, Frey asked somewhat aggressively.
“…”
Reading the tense atmosphere, Maria hesitated to answer.
“They should be happy… That’s why I set all this up… for everyone to be happy…”
‘Damn, why am I being so harsh on Maria? I should be kinder… She’s suffered enough too…’
Frey couldn’t understand why she was acting this way. And it made her angry—at herself for taking out frustration on her dear friend, and…
“I want to be happy too…”
While enduring so much, seeing her friend fall deeply for their continent’s sworn enemy, the demon…
Frey knew these feelings were inappropriate. Deep down, she realized it was all just petty whining.
No one appreciated her sacrifices and pain.
The only person who understood was happily living life according to her plans—even flirting with ‘that guy’ who had tormented her earlier that day. Jealousy bubbled up.
Frey found it terribly embarrassing and disgraceful. If she could, she’d whip herself demanding why she felt this way.
“Hero-sama, um…”
“Please leave.”
“…”
“Thank you for coming to check on me. Your healing feels great. But… I might say something rude to you right now. Sorry, please go.”
‘What’s wrong with me, being short with Maria like this? She’s suffered plenty too…’
Before making a bigger mistake, Frey wanted Maria to leave.
Maria was clearly confused, but sensing the unusual tension, she reluctantly stood up.
“Yes, I’ll take my leave then.”
“…”
“Just… keep the window open, alright?”
“Uh?”
“I’ll come every morning to treat you. I haven’t been attentive enough to your needs. My apologies.”
“What, wha-!?”
But just before disappearing through the window, Maria suddenly turned serious and left a unilateral statement. Before Frey could protest, she was already gone.
“Ugh…”
Alone in the room, Frey leaned against the wall. Soon, her legs gave out and she crumpled into a crouch.
“Haa…”
Her mind was still chaotic. With her arms crossed like a barrier, Frey buried her face in her knees.
“I want to be… happy too…”
Such a pitiful wish—if anyone heard it, especially those who knew her circumstances, they’d find it laughable.
But the complaint slipped out anyway.
* * *
“Hey Aru, are you asleep?”
“Yeah, sleepy.”
“Then wake up.”
“Kiing… Soooo tired…”
“Tch, there’s no lazier dog than you.”
“Woof!? I’m not a dog! Not a mutt either!”
“Shh! Keep it down! What if someone hears!”
I covered my ears while yelling. Aru immediately went on high alert, growling and glaring at me.
What’s my problem? He just glared silently and looked away when he realized he lost the staring contest.
“Zzzllleeeerrr…”
“Man, you’re the happiest dog in the world.”
“Bark, yeah.”
“Huh? You admit that so easily?”
“Happy’s true. Being with Evans is nice. Makes me happy.”
“That’s a pleasant thing to hear.”
Looks like I’ve become someone who spreads happiness too!
Our relationship started with nothing but screaming and hostility, but now we’ve reached a point where just being together brings joy.
Makes me feel good about how far I’ve come.
*Clunk*
Breakfast arrived on a tray, always looking delicious at Eden Academy.
Seeing the food, Aru perked right up, wagging his tail and drooling.
“You love eating that much?”
“Bark! Of course!”
“Same here. Food fuels life.”
All living things go through the cycle of life and death. Even gods aren’t exempt from time’s absolute flow. The Supreme God, and even Demon King Canos, the strongest being now, will eventually follow this path.
While alive, we consume—air, food, water, energy.
After death, we return—our nutrients to the earth, insects, animals.
Thus the chain of cause and effect turns like clockwork. From life to death, death to life.
The recycling of energy. Circulation.
Life is about absorbing. Occasionally giving back, but fundamentally, life is about voraciously seeking.
Right now, both Aru and I eat because we live, to survive, and because we simply want to eat.
“Mmm…”
“You sure can eat. You wouldn’t notice if I died mid-meal, would you?”
“Woof!? Young demon dying!? Why, why!?”
“Relax, just saying. Enjoy your meal.”
“Cough, choke! Gasp!”
Even now, he’s so focused on eating he forgot to call me ‘Evans’ and started choking on his food.
Anyway, why bring up this random talk about life and death?
Well…
“Kyaaaahhhhhh!!”
“They’ve finally found our cute little noble miss.”
“?”
Aru, clueless as ever, barks in confusion. How do the equally clueless ‘outsiders’ feel about all this?
“Uaaaaahh!!”
I can picture it. Chaos erupts. Doors slam as students rush out of neighboring rooms asking what’s going on.
Screams, screams, screams!
Here in the middle of the academy, screams echo like festival cheers.
Turning to Aru with a friendly smile, I asked:
“Aru, don’t you smell anything?”
“Smell? Blood?”
“Oh? You noticed?”
“Bark! Since last night! But why?”
“You piece of crap, you smelled blood and kept sleeping? Impressive. Though, I guess that’s normal for you?”
He lived 500 years in the wild. Changing his nature after a few weeks at the academy would be stranger.
“People will panic. They’re too used to peace.”
“Want to see?”
“Bark!”
Imagining the students viewing my masterpiece, I cheerfully headed outside.
![[TS] The End of Magical Girls Has Come](https://i3.wp.com/darkmtl.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/1737407792-8993-TS-The-end-of-magical-girls-has-come.png?resize=85,105 "[TS] The End of Magical Girls Has Come")
