“In the form of a request, you’ll be asked to come near the demon army’s occupied territory,”
Ralph told Leonard as they met again in the same shop, in the same private room.
“The plan is to retrieve valuable items from there. It’s a common story, right? The items are prepared, and there’s even a foolish nobleman who actually wants them. It’s enough for an alibi. No one will think you met with a demon.”
Ralph snorted. He couldn’t understand the nobles who desired art from fallen countries in this worsening situation.
“I see. So that’s where I can meet Belzera,”
Leonard said, relaxing his cheeks as he drank his alcohol.
“Yes, Lord Belzera acknowledges anyone useful, regardless of whether they’re human or demon. He was aware of you and your team. He knew you were powerful humans who had defeated many demons before. Thanks to that, things progressed quickly.”
Ralph smiled pleasantly. He hadn’t expected Belzera and the others to agree to meet Leonard so easily. If the demons had shown even a little reluctance, this plan would have fallen through, and Ralph would have had to dispose of Leonard. That would have been quite troublesome.
“…Don’t they hold a grudge against us?”
Leonard asked, lowering his gaze to his cup of alcohol.
“Not at all. Lord Belzera is rational. He actually welcomed the idea of skilled individuals like you joining the demon army. You don’t need to worry about that.”
Leonard thought that demons were reasonable. If he got to know them, they might even be a better race than humans.
“However…”
Ralph’s eyes turned serious.
“Please don’t think of doing anything strange, okay? Let me tell you, Lord Belzera won’t be the only one there. There will be demon guards and monsters too. If you show any suspicious movements, you’ll be killed, understand? Even if you try to guide other humans, it will be immediately exposed. Think of yourself as being watched from everywhere. I have a reputation to maintain for introducing you, so please be careful.”
Ralph was a cautious person. Although he trusted Leonard to some extent, he couldn’t help but emphasize this point.
“I understand. Demons are smarter and stronger than humans. Even if we tried to guide other adventurers or knight orders, they’d see right through it, and if we fought, we’d just be defeated. I get it. Or do I look that stupid to you?”
“…You don’t. Yes, as you say, demons are strong. At this point, there’s no way the human side can win. Please be very careful not to offend them.”
“I told you, I understand,”
Leonard said, patting Ralph’s shoulder.
“I value my life, and I want money. That’s all there is to it. Isn’t that what humans are like?”
We gathered in a room at the inn. Being a high-class room, it had a fine desk and enough chairs for everyone.
Additionally, Sophia had set up a magical barrier, so there was no worry about our conversation being overheard.
On the desk was a map. I pointed to one spot on it.
“Our final destination has been decided. It’s Garnahazza, the former capital of the Malica Kingdom.”
My companions stared intently at the place my finger indicated. Its vicinity was also the battlefield from fifteen years ago.
“Is that where Belzera will come?”
Efsei looked at me, his eyes slightly bloodshot.
“Not just him. Seems like his demon friends will be coming too.”
“If he’s coming, that’s enough. I don’t care about the other demons.”
“That’s reassuring,”
The demons Belzera would bring were likely directly under the Demon King’s command, so they’d be incredibly strong. Even if we fought seriously, it was questionable whether we could defeat even one of them with all four of us.
“Sophia, are you prepared?”
I called out to Sophia, who was frozen, staring at the map.
“I am. I’ve been preparing for this day all along. I’m glad it wasn’t in vain.”
The bespectacled magician’s gaze remained fixed on Garnahazza on the map.
She must have a lot on her mind.
Nina, on the other hand, looked a bit scared. It’s a natural reaction, considering we’re practically going to our deaths.
“Nina, what does your god say? To run away?”
I asked, half-jokingly. If she wanted to quit, she should. I really thought so. I had no intention of forcing her, and I wanted her to follow her honest feelings.
“…I won’t run away. I’ll follow my own will, not God’s.”
Nina glared at me, but her eyes seemed frightened.
She probably saw me as the weak heart trying to lead her astray. I understand that feeling well. I knew there was a part of me that was hoping for someone to say, “Let’s stop.” To make it all disappear, for all of us to run far away and live carefree lives.
It wouldn’t be bad. How wonderful it would be if we could do that.
──But that’s not how it’s going to be──.
! Image
This isn’t that kind of scene. Unfortunately.
Before I knew it, I had surpassed Luke’s age. I don’t have children, but now I feel like I can understand how Luke felt back then.
Luke must have been scared too, and probably wanted to run away with his family. He was certainly a hero, but he was also human.
But that was a scene where he had to put on a brave face. Luke understood that. That’s why it leads to now.
There are things entrusted to us. Things we’ve left behind.
I, who ran away back then, can’t become a hero, but I should be able to at least imitate one.
“Those words hit hard for someone like me who ran away without fighting.”
I shrugged.
“I didn’t mean…”
Nina had a confused expression on her face.
“I’m joking, just joking. But well, I’m sad that there’s no sensible person here to say ‘let’s stop.’ This party is full of crazy people.”
Efsei and Sophia were laughing. Even Nina’s tense face relaxed a bit.
“Well then, shall we go? Let me tell you, I don’t intend to die. I’m counting on you to be fully prepared. Coming back alive is what makes a truly good adventurer, you know.”
READ THE ORIGINAL TRANSLATION AT GADGETIZEDPANDA.COM
Currently, Garnahazza is under the demon army’s occupation and far from the battlefield.
Naturally, it was quite far from the town where we were.
We rented a carriage and drove it, but it still took three days to reach.
However, there was no interference from monsters at all. It was eerily quiet.
Belzera’s orders must have been well-communicated, but it made us even more uneasy.
“It’s like we’re on a normal journey,”
I said, and everyone nodded.
It was a peaceful journey. At night, we sat around the campfire, eating and chatting about trivial matters.
Perhaps everyone was hoping that there would be no one at our destination?
And on the night when we were one day away from our destination, as I stood watch, the Prophet appeared before me.
[Are you sure you won’t turn back?]
As always, I couldn’t tell if the voice was male or female, or even the age, but the tone was that of a gentle woman.
“Unfortunately, no. You should stop following me around and look for the next hero candidate, you know?”
[I will. I will search as many times as it takes.]
There was a strong will in that voice. I’m glad to see the motivation is back.
[But this time, I’ve decided to see your journey through to the end.]
“You’re quite curious. Even though I’m not a hero.”
[No, you are a hero. No matter what anyone says. Even if you’re not the one to defeat the Demon King, you are a hero.]
“I don’t think I’m that noble, but well, I’m happy. To be acknowledged as a hero by the Prophet. It’s like a childhood dream come true.”
Yes, the reason I aimed to become an adventurer. It was because I admired the heroes in fairy tales.
[I don’t think it’s just me. Surely, the people you’ve met along the way have seen the hero in you too.]
“I wonder? There weren’t many people who spoke well of me. Well, that’s partly because I made it that way.”
That was the path I chose. An adventurer who would do anything for money, an outcast who couldn’t fit into society. The kind of person demons would think perfect to draw to their side. I’ve been acting that part. Since it’s similar to my true nature, it wasn’t particularly difficult.
And now, my aim is starting to bear fruit.
The only question left is whether I can reach Belzera.
[Was there no other way?]
“If there was a smarter way, I’d have liked to know it myself. Belzera is like a king, you know? Usually, he’s in a castle surrounded by strong knights. Moreover, the king himself is strong. How is an adventurer like me supposed to defeat someone like that? Isn’t getting close to him the only way?”
[What about asking others for help……]
“Did you see Ralph? He’s a seemingly kind man you could find anywhere. He’s capable at his job. And someone like that is on the demon army’s side. You never know where traitors might be. Whether commoner or noble, everyone values their life. Imagine if someone came along saying, ‘I’ll save you.’ It’s hard to resist that temptation, you know? I understand how those people feel. I’m a coward who ran away too. That’s why I can’t trust anyone. The reason I chose my current companions is that they’re respectable people who survived the battlefield I ran away from. We have to do this ourselves.”
[…Among the heroes I’ve guided, there were those betrayed by humans too. Leon, the first hero I chose, was one of them. He had strength worthy of the title of Sword Saint, but he never thought he’d be betrayed by people. His nobility as an aristocrat became Leon’s weakness. The young knight I tried to guide this time was also a proud person, but it seems he was attacked by demons due to someone’s betrayal. No matter how many times we repeat this, it’s difficult to prevent.]
The prophet’s words were like a deep sigh.
“Human weakness, huh? The strongest aren’t always the ones who can fight cleanly and honorably.”
I shook my head.
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)
Also check out my friend Localizermeerkat for more LN translations!
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