Chapter 79

Originally, my gaze was solely fixated on the hero’s party. My purpose was to observe how much they would grow—and break—within this Demon Forest.

But…

“That’s way too cruel…!!”

After hearing a goblin desperately cry out as it was stepped on by the hero, everything changed.

Who would’ve known? A goblin that could speak, lament its fate, and even harbor resentment toward the Supreme God who created its very essence existed.

In its past life, this goblin would’ve likely met a meaningless end with its forehead pierced by the hero. It’s truly regrettable that such a genius disappeared into the annals of history.

This tragedy must never happen again in this lifetime—I will ensure it.

“Hey! Where’d you suddenly come from?!”

The golden-haired youth, the hero, shouts. He looks like he barely passed adolescence—a young boy still.

His name… was Claire, right? The tragic hero, Claire.

“Haha, honestly, I don’t really want to fight you. I just wanna take this goblin and go. How about we pretend we never saw each other?”

“…! Are you siding with demons?! I thought you were human because of your appearance! You’re a black magician, aren’t you?!”

“Technically, I’m a pure and righteous white magician… tch, is there no way to get through this without fighting?”

Before I interfered, maybe I wouldn’t have known. But now that I’ve already meddled and altered history, I don’t have a choice. Not like I have the power to rewind time anyway.

At least one fortunate thing: this place is the Demon Forest. Anything that happens here doesn’t leak into the human world. Moreover, the hero Claire’s party was originally supposed to be wiped out here anyway.

In other words, even if I silence them all now, it won’t matter. Whether they die now or later, the human world will remain completely unaware. The ‘environment of the Demon Forest’ might change slightly, affecting the hero party that arrives a hundred years from now, but…

Well, if this mutant goblin gives up and runs away now, everything might return to normal…

“Beatrix! Aru! Mister Yohan! Everyone, come out!”

Nope, not gonna let that happen.

That long-forgotten wish of mine—to elevate the lowest, most insignificant beings to a position of admiration by all. I’ve found hope for that dream in the most unexpected place. Someone to crush the pride of that self-righteous emperor guy.

My boiling ambition rises to the brim.

“!? Were they hiding allies?”

“Great Knight! Raise your shield!”

“Just a sec, but are these people actually on our side?”

“People aren’t automatically allies, you know! Everyone, stay on guard!”

Beatrix, Langwang, and Uriel burst out from the bushes, breaking through the fiery barrier and entering.

Uriel? Why are *you* here? You’ll only get in the way during combat!

“What’s with that look of distrust?”

“Uriel-sama! It’s dangerous! Please step back!”

“Hmph, you think too little of me. I was once an archangel.”

“Huh? You’re seriously thinking of joining the fight?”

“Is there any reason I shouldn’t? I’m confident I won’t lose.”

What nonsense is this, bug food? Ever since catching that rabbit, Uriel’s self-esteem has shot through the roof. That’s why spoiling kids is a problem—they run wild without realizing their own limits.

“It’s been nearly three hundred years since I’ve fought humans. To do so alongside my Lord is truly an honor.”

Even after living over three hundred years, Beatrix hasn’t changed at all. She seems more knightly and rigid, perhaps.

“Isn’t the target of your blade supposed to be the righteous hero party? Is that alright with you?”

“I follow only my Lord’s orders. ‘Justice’ or ‘heroes’ mean nothing to me.”

“Wow, loyal sword, huh? Isn’t that a bit evil though? What happened to the spirit of chivalry?”

“My Lord only.”

The Greatsword gripped by Beatrix, heated to a scorching degree, emits a chilling aura. With her sword lowered, she approaches step by step.

Upon sensing Beatrix’s prayer, the entire hero party simultaneously swallowed hard. I smiled cruelly.

The most important part of a party is the damage dealer. In that sense, Beatrix can confidently be called the ultimate damage dealer.

If Beatrix swings her sword infused with holy power and demonic energy, enemies won’t even dare to block before vanishing like dew.

“That human is huge. Should we fight him?”

Langwang snorts roughly, excited. His gaze is fixed on a towering barbarian warrior in the hero party. The Great Warrior, was it?

“Do as you please, but don’t get hurt.”

“Thank you!”

BOOM BOOM BOOM-!

Langwang made the first move. With steps that shook the ground, he charged forward. Seeing the massive barbarian running towards them, the hero party looked greatly bewildered.

But even without much combat experience, the hero party consists of the most talented hopefuls from across the continent. Excluding Claire, who has a sword in my possession, they quickly formed up and prepared to counter Langwang.

The girl wearing a mage’s hat raised her wooden staff. Soon after, a clear voice rang out.

“RENTEO (léntĕo)!”

“Hmm!?”

Instantly, Langwang’s movements slowed. Seizing the opportunity, the elf in the hero party drew back their bowstring.

SWISHHHH-!

The green wooden arrow fired from the bow carried an intensity that could rival solid metal. Truly fitting for elves, a race born and dying within the forest.

Ah, seeing this elf reminds me of the time I burned down the World Tree in my previous life. That was exhilarating. If I could burn something again in this life, that’d be great.

CRACK-!

“Huh!”

The wooden arrow embedded itself in Langwang’s chest but merely made him stumble briefly. No wound or scratch appeared on his iron-hard hide.

Of course. Unless it’s Elain, the future elven queen two hundred years from now, an amateur-level elf simply cannot harm Langwang. Realizing this, the archer’s eyes trembled uncontrollably.

“What…! He’s not an ordinary human!”

“Move aside! Let me try attacking!”

The mage shoved the elf aside and began channeling magic into her staff. Fascinated by the gathering crimson energy, Langwang stood still, observing curiously.

“IGNIS PILA (ignis pĭla)!”

KABOOM-!

A tremendous explosion occurred. Heat waves radiated outward from the blast site, shaking the trees and causing leaves to fall.

Smoke rose from where Langwang had stood. A worried Uriel shouted out.

“Langwang! Are you alright?”

“…It’s over. No one could survive an Ignis Pila. Damn, this feels disgusting. This is my first time killing someone…”

Gradually, the smoke cleared, revealing Langwang standing firm. The mage, immersed in the shock of their first kill, began to tremble like the elf earlier.

Heh heh, kids, a fight isn’t over until you cut off the opponent’s breath. Take this chance to learn well. Though you probably won’t need it next time.

“…! H-how…!”

Though engulfed by the mage’s fireball, Langwang remained intact, albeit charred black. However, that’s all it did. Impressive attack nonetheless.

“Soreness everywhere. Quite the performance.”

CRAAAACK, Langwang cracked his neck while speaking calmly. His voice sounded perfectly fine, betraying no worry. I picked a damn good tank, didn’t I?

But fighting isn’t possible with toughness alone. Quickly realizing that physical attacks wouldn’t harm the barbarian easily, the mage cast another Renteo spell to slow Langwang, and the elf archer seized the moment to shoot arrows at his vital points.

Even the toughest body can’t avoid arrows piercing eyes, ears, or groin. Honest hits would deal considerable damage.

Of course, surviving in the wild has taught Langwang that these wounds are manageable, but I already gave the order: don’t get hurt. To faithfully carry out my command, Langwang is taking a defensive stance, keeping the mage and elf occupied.

CLANG-!

From the opposite side came the clear sound of swords clashing. Turning my head, I saw the Great Warrior battling Beatrix. They were engaged in fierce strength competition.

How can anyone compete with Beatrix, even called the Great Warrior? Just as I doubted this possibility, I noticed a girl behind the Great Warrior channeling white energy into him. A priestess in white robes from the Holy Order.

HUUMMM-.

“Great Warrior, be careful! That woman’s aura isn’t ordinary!”

“Grgh, I know. I’m barely holding my ground thanks to the priestess’s buffs.”

“I’ll heal minor wounds immediately! While being cautious, exchange blows when you can!”

“Would love to, but she doesn’t give me any openings. Incredible swordsmanship.”

KAANG-!

With the priestess’s buffs, the Great Warrior fights boldly. Beatrix is having some difficulty. Partly due to being outnumbered 2-to-1, partly due to type disadvantages, but mostly…

KABOOM-!

“…You’ve got quite the strength. Must’ve been top-notch in the continent.”

That ‘Great Warrior’, they’re incredibly strong. Probably the strongest in this hero party.

Their slightly reddish skin suggests they might be from Tou Country. Back when Beatrix was a Holy Knight in the Sacred Kingdom, it was the same Tou Country that invaded and almost obliterated the Sacred Kingdom. A nation obsessed with eating and training.

“In the Demon Forest, meeting such a strong warrior is amazing! HAHAHA! Fun indeed!”

“How long do you think you can keep that fun going?”

“Till my last breath! Of course, I have no intention of dying soon, so I must defeat you!”

“…So you’re familiar with swordplay, huh? You’re from Tou Country then. Your speech fits a warrior perfectly.”

“Ooooh! Do you know my homeland?”

Yeah, from Tou Country. There’s no other country in the whole continent where citizens are mad about fighting.

Wait, Beatrix was the Holy Knight who massacred Tou Country. Is this a rematch?

“Too much talking. Focus on the battle.”

SLIIING-.

Pointing her sword at the Great Warrior and the priestess, Beatrix spoke quietly. Her voice was filled with killing intent. Tou Country is a nation Beatrix couldn’t possibly like. Naturally expected reaction.

“You’re right. Great Warrior, focus. This isn’t an easy opponent.”

“Understood. Phew! May the grace of Agasilias be upon me!”

Eh? Hold on, ‘grace of Agasilias’?

In my memory, Agasilias was only the king who invaded the Holy Order. The great conqueror who almost annexed all territories surrounding the Holy Order but was ultimately bisected by Beatrix’s sword after contracting with Lucifer.

Could the Agasilias mentioned by the Great Warrior be the same person?

“…Agasilias?”

“Do you know my ancestor? He was once the king of our country! No one could stand against his mighty valor as he almost conquered the Holy Order, but tragically fell due to the combined efforts of Knight Beatrix Constantinople and the Pope.”

“…”

“If it weren’t for those despicable individuals… Ah, sorry Priestess. Did I offend you?”

“No, it’s fine. Anyway, Beatrix betrayed the Holy Order by contracting with a demon and killed the Pope, committing filial impiety. Our Order doesn’t praise the knight herself, only her achievements. We even removed her name.”

“Then that’s fortunate!”

Same person, confirmed.

And you guys seem doomed now.

SNAP-.

Our knight seems really pissed off. Seriously, who just goes around insulting someone from two hundred years ago? What if that person is standing right in front of you?

“…Looks like things are speeding up.”

Today, Beatrix’s voice sounds especially bleak. Good, I can leave this side to her. Now, let’s handle the task in front of me.

“Goblin, what are you doing?”

“Wha, whaaaat?”

The goblin who was giving such an impressive speech earlier now looks flustered as it stares at me. Even though my face is hidden behind a mask, I smile smugly.

“Don’t you see the knife in my hand? Hurry up and run. We’re helping you survive right now by allying with monsters.”

“W-why…? Why are you helping me…?”

“What stupid talk. You were just showing off your eloquence earlier. Haven’t you realized yet despite all you’ve been through?”

“Listen closely! As long as you’re weak, all you can do is struggle for basic survival! But when you become strong, you can enjoy pleasures and prosperity beyond mere survival! Like how those humans attacked your kind even though they weren’t planning to eat you! Or like how I’m protecting you now! You can act however you feel!”

“You still don’t understand, do you? You asked earlier why your kind gets attacked, right? The answer is simple! Because you’re weak! They’re strong! Strong ones have the ‘right’ to act however they please! That’s the only rule this world follows!”

“I’m helping you now because you’re weak, but soon you’ll stand on equal footing with those humans! Maybe even above them! Didn’t you ask earlier why goblins can’t become strong?”

“I’ll make you strong! Why? Don’t ponder such foolish questions! Once you become strong, you’ll naturally understand how I feel! A goblin longing to transcend species—what an intriguing creature!”

I extended my hand towards the fallen goblin as if a merchant offering a handshake.

The mutant goblin seemed utterly confused, unable to even consider grabbing my hand. I spoke in a high-pitched tone like a salesman introducing a product.

“Goblin! Don’t you want to transcend your species?”

“…”

Glancing at the goblin’s abdomen, I noticed it was packed with muscles. Despite its child-like stature, the lack of fat and abundance of muscle suggested intense training. Clearly, it had trained rigorously to become stronger, indicating determination.

“Is this… possible…?”

“Why wouldn’t it be? Just do it! Haven’t you heard that phrase before?”

“I’ve exerted countless efforts to transcend my species…”

“Fool! Can you see the sea by launching a ship on a mountain? You need to launch it in the river to see the sea! Your efforts were misdirected from the start! From now on, I’ll correct your misguided efforts!”

“…!!”

“Got it? Grab my hand!”

To finalize the contract.

“Really… if I trust you, can I transcend my species?”

“Have you lived your whole life being deceived? If you don’t trust me, what will you do? Keep digging holes alone? Might as well take the risk and grab my hand!”

“…! No! No way! I believe you! I trust you!”

SMACK-!

The goblin’s crude hand connected with my gloved palm. Though fragile now, it felt like I held the hand destined to mock dragons and trample elves someday.

Contract established.

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