Chapter 87

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

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It’s all fading away.

The sounds. The world. The sensations. The consciousness.

This excruciating pain, squeezing every inch of my body.

Even though I couldn’t do anything thanks to this unbearable agony that felt like death itself, still…

…Now it all feels distant, like a story experienced in some far-off dream.

“Isn’t this really the end? No next chapter, right?”

The girl before me—

A girl crafted from spun gold—looked completely unfazed, as if it were someone else’s problem entirely.

Even to my bleak question, her expression didn’t waver one bit.

“They say even when the sky falls, there’s always a way out somewhere.”

“…Huh.”

And she spouts such bold-faced lies so casually.

“As I’ve said from the start, I don’t pretend to know what I don’t. I only claim knowledge of what I truly know. What does that mean? That the information you got differs from what I knew. That’s all.”

“So you’re saying I should just deal with it myself? Because I trusted your words and followed them, it’s my responsibility now?”

“Nope. I’m not that stingy. Besides, while this might technically breach our contract terms, depending on how you look at it, it could also be considered fair game. So, let’s stop observing for now.”

“What are you talking about?”

“I’m not going to directly save you from this crisis, but I can help scout things out and give pointers. Like… amateur advice or something like that?”

…Now?

My body’s already wrecked beyond use.

The monster ready to kill me outright is someone only you, Dad, could handle without hesitation.

“Still, don’t overlook the fact that there was a girl who came to help you. If you hadn’t held on, even for that short time, her assistance would’ve been meaningless.”

“…”

“People with power often forget that it’s merely a tool. And when they lose that power, they instantly become useless morons because they relied solely on it to solve problems.”

“…Even with all the fancy talk, the bottom line is still failure, isn’t it?”

No matter how you dress it up, the result doesn’t change.

“Rather, see this as an opportunity. Chances like this don’t come around often, you know?”

“You sure act like it’s none of your business…”

“Well, is it mine or yours? Still, don’t let your guard down completely. My advice isn’t absolute, but it’ll be close enough.”

So, first things first.

“What did that damn Sacred Sword say again? Did it already give you everything? Or did it hand it over, as it claimed?”

“…”

“If immediate action isn’t possible… let’s proceed under the assumption that it isn’t. I’m not fond of sudden divine interventions from heaven or earth anyway. Suddenly awakening hidden powers and becoming super strong? The world isn’t that easy, you know?”

So, let’s rule out those uncertain factors.

“If there’s a lack of information, gather more. Ask the Sacred Sword again. Carefully consider what they’ve said. They heard some prophecy or something about this sword being drawn, and they think you’re the protagonist, right?”

“…”

“It’s not bad to imagine yourself in their shoes, but deep down, both you and I know it’s impossible. The will within the Sacred Sword knows it too.”

Then, the issue:

“Figure out what those troublemakers want or expect, and use it to your advantage. If you can’t handle it yourself right now, borrow someone else’s strength.”

“That’s…”

“It’s the same tool, no need to get so worked up about it.”

It’s not wrong…

…But it’s not exactly correct either.

“Let me summarize the situation for you.”

The fact that I’ve entered this dreamlike realm means I’ve lost consciousness in reality, right?

“Thanks to the kind young lady who came to help you, we’ve bought some time.”

Soon after, the people from earlier appear vividly in the air, like moving pictures.

…I’ve seen this so many times, it’s no longer surprising.

“But that time is likely capped at a few hours max.”

Wasn’t it Bargo?

While dealing with me himself is certainly an option, he could also use the townsfolk to dirty his hands less directly.

…Which might actually work in our favor.

“In fact, there are already anxious individuals demanding your custody.”

The scene shifts again.

Familiar buildings.

The chapel.

Crowds of villagers gathered at its entrance, blocked by a small group.

Ludines and Louilin, along with Leo’s group… and a few unfamiliar faces mixed in.

Some wolf aquarians and dwarves.

All equipped with sturdy weapons, lacking only metal armor.

“If this were the Empire, such a situation would make intervention impossible, but unfortunately, from Irene’s Order’s perspective, this land belongs to pagans.”

Thus, they’re pressuring openly, almost flaunting their readiness for violence outside the chapel.

While Louilin and Leo’s group valiantly try to hold them back.

And inside?

“The first person who treated you was a young lady named Ludines.”

“Her?”

She didn’t seem to possess any special divine power.

After all, divine power is measured by imperial standards.

Externally referred to as white magic, its polar opposite being the extremely malevolent black magic.

And the middle ground between them constitutes the commonly used magic types, categorized by attributes and colors.

“However, as you know, your body isn’t the type that can be healed by such methods.”

That kid.

If only your mother, Hermine, were here, she’d embarrassingly cure you in front of everyone.

“So they’re using medicine instead. But medicine is slower than those methods, naturally.”

“Is there any chance I can wake up?”

“If you wish, anytime.”

Anyway, you understand the current state of affairs, right?

“Why did Bargo back off?”

“He fell for the bluff.”

The scene switches again, returning to the previous location.

There I am, barely conscious, blood streaming from my mouth, nose, and even eyes, swaying precariously.

And there’s that woman, ignoring me completely, smiling coolly at Bargo with a sharp edge of malice in her gaze.

She said,

Both you and I expected this sword to be drawn, didn’t we?

Recalling her initial dominance and reminding herself of her purpose here.

Though her resolve to eliminate me seemed unwavering,

…the woman’s counterattack was relentless, leaving no room for Bargo to gain the upper hand.

Bargo didn’t recognize her, which worked against him.

Moreover, rumors and infamy sometimes bolster one’s reputation as a reliable ally in moments like these.

Most importantly, she’s known as the final Legion Commander.

…As a leader of an organization, she can’t recklessly throw herself into battle.

Plus,

“Using hostages was effective too.”

Ignoring the deaths of humans and villagers, she neutralized Bargo’s subordinates and promised a peaceful surrender of custody.

“One scheme wasn’t enough; she used multiple strategies to achieve her goals.”

Of course, one wonders what might’ve happened if Bargo had gone berserk here.

“But as I said, it was all a bluff.”

Despite successfully making them retreat,

the woman collapsed shortly afterward.

“This is the aftermath of forcibly enhancing her physical abilities through some means.”

The Demon King pointed to his own head while speaking.

“That’s…”

“Though it’s more delicate than what Venus used, the stamina difference seems extreme.”

Thanks to that, she lay bedridden, not much better off than me, while Venus looked on with visible dissatisfaction, grinding his teeth.

“That one’s healthy, huh.”

“There are occasionally freaks like that in the world.”

Once you cross into this territory, calling them superhuman isn’t far-fetched.

“So, given this situation, how were you planning to break through? Don’t get disheartened if you don’t know. As I mentioned earlier… I’ll kindly offer some guidance.”

“…Is there even a way?”

“Plenty. Loads of them.”

It’s hard to believe.

If you think positively, could a solution really emerge?

“Facing it with brute force would be the worst choice, right?”

“Even if you suddenly awakened hidden powers, considering your current condition, you’d die immediately afterward.”

She casually remarked.

“You practically burned through most of your life force just to survive earlier. Right now, dying wouldn’t be unusual.”

“…”

“Why are you so eager to believe me? Honestly, compared to your attitude, that twisted Venus fellow behaves far better.”

“…What’s your point?”

“No matter how convincing my words may sound, reject them if they go against your will. You didn’t stray this far from common sense just to live, did you?”

“How can lifespan issues be resolved by sheer will?”

“Who knows? Not until you reach that point.”

Sometimes, you encounter those bizarre cases.

“Surely, last time I saw someone who was supposed to die soon, they stubbornly hung on and somehow survived till the very end.”

“…”

“Anyway, if you’re doomed, resisting death won’t help. Unless, of course, you’ve achieved your revenge and feel no regrets about dying soon.”

“…”

There was resentment once, but now…

It feels incredibly distant.

“Or will you wait for your father to arrive? That’s what everyone considers the best option now, right?”

“…That’s problematic.”

“Quick thinker today, aren’t we?”

Indeed, the most influential factor remains the same.

Why are children so deeply tied to their parents’ existence, whether through love or hatred?

Whether through grudges or affection.

Sometimes, because of that, they throw away their entire lives, wasting everything.

Just to resolve their resentment toward them.

Or to fulfill the affection they received from them in some way.

“Take a moment to organize your thoughts. Things will get busy once you wake up. Don’t worry, I’ll guide you thoroughly.”

She confidently smiled and promised.

“With just clever words, you can quickly turn the world into chaos. Though it might become a nasty hobby if you enjoy it too much.”

The cheerful girl, showing a flower-like smile free of any malice, as if she were just another innocent young girl.

…Knowing her true nature, I secretly shivered.

Is it all just a bluff?

Or is it real?

Could she mock the world effortlessly just by borrowing her own voice?

“By the way, don’t confuse your options. Revealing my existence carelessly here… well, you might survive this place, but you’d quickly become a wanted criminal across the continent.”

Heh~ From what I hear, you’re already halfway there.

“Someone will benefit from this situation and achieve their desires soon.”

And then…

They might throw unreasonable contracts or unfair proposals at you under the guise of a lifeline.

“In forms that are tough to refuse.”

The Demon King spoke.

“Disrupting this flow and thwarting their intentions, or focusing solely on survival—those decisions rest entirely on you. Stay sharp.”

“…You sure do drag out the obvious.”

“Once you wake up, you won’t have the leisure to listen to anything peacefully.”

You’ve experienced it often enough to know.

“In this state, you won’t be able to listen to my words calmly like now.”

“…”