(Aren’t the demon folk, who recognize ability without any prejudice, superior to humans?)
Ralph came to believe this and increasingly worked for the organization.
Currently, Ralph has risen to a position overseeing the entire organization. Within the organization, Ralph’s status is higher than that of nobles or wealthy merchants.
However, despite his elevated position, Ralph is self-made and often handles important tasks alone. That’s why when he heard rumors about Leonard, he carefully investigated his reputation and took action to recruit him into the organization himself. Due to his contempt for humans, Ralph was a man who couldn’t trust and utilize people.
Threatened by a sword, Ralph reconsidered his perception of Leonard.
The investigation had reported that Leonard was “a skilled adventurer, but greedy for money,” but it seemed he was also clever. He knew a lot about demons too. After talking with him, Ralph got the impression that Leonard was a man capable of rational and detached judgment. He also had a strong distrust of human society.
(Would it be alright to introduce them?)
After turning various thoughts over in his mind, Ralph came to this conclusion.
“I understand. I’ll arrange a meeting. However, it will have to be at a location of our choosing. Is that acceptable? It will likely be within the Demon King’s army’s sphere of influence.”
This was a non-negotiable condition. Or rather, even if he asked Belzera to come to human-controlled territory, she wouldn’t agree.
“That’s not a problem,”
Leonard said, sheathing his sword. He wore a satisfied expression.
“Three of my companions will be coming with me. They’ll want direct assurances for their lives too.”
Ralph thought this wouldn’t be a problem either. No matter how skilled these adventurers were, they were just four people. Surrounded by powerful demons, they wouldn’t be foolish enough to consider fighting.
[What do you intend to do?]
That night, the Prophet appeared in Leonard’s room.
“Were you watching?”
[I was. Have you been waiting for this all along?]
“At first, I thought it might be you. I thought you might be pretending to be a prophet to test me, intending to recruit me into the Demon King’s army. Or maybe you were planning to lure me out and kill me. Either way, I never thought you were the real deal.”
Leonard gave a wry smile.
[Is this your goal?]
“Well, something like that. Ever since the Demon King’s army began its reinvasion, I’ve been watching for a chance to defeat Belzera. How to approach Belzera, how to fight Belzera. Fortunately, or unfortunately, I had a bad reputation, so I often heard rumors about organizations within the human side that sided with monsters. But they were very cautious, you see. I heard their base was in the west, close to the battlefield, but I didn’t know exactly where. So I headed west while spreading my bad reputation. Well, the bad reputation wasn’t intentional though.”
[Do you intend to defeat Belzera with just four people?]
“Don’t you think I might be planning to defect to the Demon King’s army?”
Leonard’s shoulders shook as he chuckled.
[I don’t think so. You’re not that kind of man.]
“Considering the situation, Ralph’s proposal isn’t bad. The human side is at a disadvantage. It’s only a matter of time before the Demon King’s army destroys all countries. Besides, the demons aren’t unreasonable. As far as I know, unlike humans, they don’t lie. They’re actually smarter than most nobles in the countries around here. If they understand it’s to their benefit, they probably wouldn’t mind leaving some humans alive. In that case, it would be smarter to side with the Demon King’s army.”
[Even understanding all that, you’ll still fight?]
Leonard stopped laughing and looked straight at the Prophet.
“Who knows? I might just run away when faced with a powerful demon.”
[…You didn’t run away. You’re destined to die there.]
“I see, so you knew my fate too. That’s why you kindly advised me [Don’t go west], is that right?”
Leonard showed no sign of distress even after learning of his death.
[Don’t go, Leonard. Listen to me this last time at least. Belzera is a powerful demon. There’s no shame in running away.]
“I can’t do that. This is also my companions’ wish. My friends and I survived Malica, but we couldn’t move forward from there. It’s not about winning or losing. We left something behind in Malica. We have to go back and retrieve it. I can’t run away anymore.”
[Wait for another opportunity. There’s no reason it has to be now.]
“The human side won’t hold out much longer. Am I wrong?”
Leonard’s eyes were filled with tranquility as he gazed at the Prophet.
[That’s……]
Leonard’s guess was correct. After this, the Demon King’s army would launch a major offensive, and the human side would quickly crumble. It was probably one of the turning points, but it had never been overturned.
Even Solon, who reached the Demon King, had traveled ignoring the war.
“That’s beyond my capabilities,” was the great sage’s excuse. The Prophet thought this was correct too. Humans aren’t omnipotent enough to accomplish multiple things at once.
“Even if you manage well and the hero defeats the Demon King, it won’t bring back the lives lost. The refugees I went to the trouble of saving will be finished too. After I spent so much money on them. What a waste, don’t you think?”
[That’s not for you to worry about. Isn’t your life and money more important than anything? You said money is everything. What you’re saying and what you’re trying to do are different. Why are you trying to fight when you know you’ll die?]
“Let me tell you, I have no intention of dying. You’re the only one saying I’ll die.”
[Don’t you believe me?]
“I do believe you.”
READ THE ORIGINAL TRANSLATION AT GADGETIZEDPANDA.COM
[What?]
“I believe that someday you’ll guide a real hero. I don’t know if it’ll take a hundred years or two hundred, but you’ve been working hard to save the world. It’s an incredible effort. I’m sure it will bear fruit someday.”
His tone was as joking as ever.
[What do you know about me! What do you know about the hundreds of years I’ve walked alone? No one remembers what I’ve done. No one knows. Even if I travel with someone, they soon forget. I’m powerless. Even now, you’re not listening to me and are about to go into battle!]
The Prophet’s voice grew harsh. This had never happened in the journey spanning over hundreds of years.
“I understand a little.”
[Huh?]
“You’re probably a woman, of high status, and beautiful. Am I right?”
Leonard’s tone was gentle and light, like a pickup line.
[…Why do you think so?]
“Beautiful people are full of confidence. They’re always praised and treated kindly by others, so they don’t have an inferiority complex. I can’t tell if your voice is male or female, but from the way you talk, I sensed that kind of confidence unique to beautiful people. In the case of confident men, they tend to be more arrogant and impose their correctness, but you didn’t have that. Your haughty tone seemed a bit forced, but the words themselves showed familiarity. Proper speech, you know. So I could imagine you’re of high status too. And well, the content of your conversation. How’s that?”
[…I’m not beautiful. I’m an ugly woman who can only parasitize others.]
“So I’m right? I thought so. I’m quick to notice beautiful women, you know?”
Leonard snapped his fingers.
[Were you listening to me? I’m not beautiful. I’m old now. I even have a daughter. Besides, beauty isn’t just about appearance. I’ve sent many young people to their deaths as heroes. I’m ugly. I hate myself. I don’t want to continue this anymore…]
The Prophet’s voice gradually became faint, almost disappearing.
“You don’t need to worry about those who died, right? If you redo it, it never happened. They’re not dead. Someday, if you do well, that’s all that matters. And you know, they became heroes because they believed in you. There’s no lie in that. Maybe some of them even realized you were beautiful, just like me? If so, they thought it was worth risking their lives for you. Take it easy.”
Leonard shrugged.
[Don’t give me empty consolation! What do you know about me!? Even if I redo it, the faces of those who died are forever burned into my mind. I see them in my dreams every night. Those scenes of them dying in agony. Sure, if I redo it, they might be alive. But what I did, I will always remember. It can’t be undone. My sins will always be remembered by me. Even if everyone forgets about me, I won’t forget about everyone……]
The Prophet’s carefully maintained words changed to their raw form, becoming tearful.
With each repetition, everyone forgets, and only she accumulates failures and sins.
She had come this far fueled by her family duty, love for her daughter, and atonement for those who had fallen, but she had reached her limit.
“Then I’ll remember for you. It’s not difficult. You can remember, so it’s not strange if there’s one more person who remembers, right?”
[It’s impossible. That’s not possible. This is God’s……]
“Unfortunately, I’m the type who doesn’t forget women. I’ll remember you properly. I’ll prove it to you after you successfully defeat the Demon King. I’ll meet you and say this:
“‘Yes, You really are beautiful’ Look forward to it.”
[Leonard, then don’t go. Listen to me.]
The Prophet pleaded.
“I can’t do that. This is our fight.”
[Then let me guide you. As many times as it takes for you to succeed. If that’s the case……]
“Don’t bother.”
Leonard smiled gently.
“Even if we could start over from six years ago, we wouldn’t reach the Demon King. I understand that best. Don’t waste time. You go your own way. Don’t worry, we’ll have to redo things many times too. We might succeed at least once.”
[That’s……]
──Impossible──.
The Prophet was about to say this but swallowed the words.
“Prophet. Find another hero. No matter how many times you try, I’ll make this choice. Sorry about that.”
Saying this, Leonard fell back onto the bed, indicating the conversation was over.
While waiting for next chapter , I implore you dear readers to read other masterpiece novels that also written by the same author :
- Monster Meat Led Me to the Throne
- The Wicked Princess and 12 Eyes – The Strongest Squires and the Legendary Evil Woman, the Second Time in Her Life
- The Suspects of Necromancy
- The Exiled Merchant Saves the World with the Power of Gold (translated by my friend meerkat)
The poll is open again, please vote!!!
Also check out my friend Localizermeerkat for more LN translations!
BUY THE SOURCE MATERIAL TO SUPPORT THE AUTHOR !!!
Kindly click on the green button above and contribute to filling the green bar if you’re interested in having another LN from the request page translated. Also, every donation is being used to purchase the source material and to fund more English translations.
Please consider joining my Ko-Fi membership. By becoming a member, you’ll also gain access to 2-10 additional chapters of all of the novels from this site translated into English. Last but not least your support will also assist me in upholding the translation quality and speed. For more information, please follow the link.
Donation for faster release is always welcome
Additionally, I am now accepting translation requests.
