life and death – 3
Three years after this meeting, Neryl passed away.
It was a much earlier death than I thought.
“I should have been alive at least until the youngest ones became adults. It bothers me that I lost my mother too soon.”
“It was said that his vitality was rapidly diminished at some point. It’s not your fault, so don’t make that face.”
“yes. Take good care of the children.”
“okay.”
“At the end of the day, I wanted to talk to you a lot, but I’m so sleepy right now. sorry… … .”
“You can continue in the underworld. Sleep well, Neril.”
She smiled faintly.
Then I closed my eyes and never opened them again.
I did everything I could for my children as a father to keep Neryl’s will.
Of course, I couldn’t use the name of Maid Mohan, so I couldn’t take advantage of my reputation.
However, thanks to the return of the amount invested in Serane thousands of times, he was a rich man known in the region.
First, he was evaluated as an outstanding talent to be named as Xenia’s successor in the Guardian Knights.
The second is whether he inherited the blood of Neril and made great progress as a wizard.
The third is said to have taken a career path after learning business from Serene.
The fourth and fifth, who are two years older, left to explore the world heartily.
When I slept with them, I often told them stories of my wandering around the world as a wandering mercenary.
That seems to have been the issue.
‘I’ll hear what you said to Neryl later.’
However, with the help of the party members and the power of funds, I made them look after them without knowing it, so there would be no serious danger.
Anyway, about a month after the two youngest members left home.
Offense passed away.
He said that he left the words to Serane, ‘You were my happiness, my luck, and my life.’
I didn’t know he would say such a wonderful thing at the last minute.
I’ll give Neryl something more plausible.
The Serene I saw at the funeral had a more blunt face than I expected.
Regarding Offense’s will, she said:
“I usually say things like that often.”
I thought it was fortunate to see that Serene was taking control of her heart.
However, as the butler of the mansion later heard that she cried so much that she passed out.
Serene died half a year later as if to follow.
As we continued to check her condition, we were fortunate to be able to protect her from death.
Serena looked at our sullen expressions and said playfully.
“There are gold coins in the underworld, right?”
“Go and ask Offense.”
“yes. I’ll go first and make a lot of money, so please come slowly.”
Serena closed her eyes.
And the day her funeral was all over.
Lissel and Bion told us.
“We’ll stop, too.”
“What? Aren’t you going to wait until the end?”
“yes. When about half of the hero’s party died, I decided to leave for the underworld.”
“… … .”
“Don’t make those faces. Queek must be a few years apart.”
Isn’t that a bit of a joke?
In the end, Lissel left first to the underworld.
After returning his body to the energy of wealth, Bion left.
The remaining members are me, Xenia, and Ardwin. three people.
I remember Ardwin saying this with a face that looked like he was about to cry.
“Probably, I will be the last, right? Probably the youngest.”
“There is an order for coming, but no order for going.”
“I got caught in my wife’s beast and joined the Guardian Knights, but I met various connections.”
Desperately swallowing tears, he continued.
“You can’t compare it to the relationship with the brave party members. I think it would be really sad if my brother and my wife left first.”
“… … You can call the soul. Even until now, I called my friends who went first.”
“I don’t mean to say it in front of hyung, but I think it’s a bit of a burden because I’m older. Besides, your soul is so huge… … I think it will take a few minutes at best to sing it all together.”
I kept my mouth shut.
The sea was noticing that Ardwin was having a hard time calling the souls of those who went before him.
At that time, Xenia gently embraced Ardwin and patted him.
But, surprisingly, Ardwin passed away before Nana or Xenia.
It is said that he left these words to Xenia.
“Are you nervous because I’m sending you first? I’m afraid I’ll take a look there.”
“not really. Now you won’t be able to look at any other woman but me.”
“You are confident. However… … yes. It’s true. So come in peace and quiet, honey.”
Xenia is said to have managed to somehow make him smile at the last minute.
At the funeral home, she quietly closed her eyes and said:
“I’m not Maid, but somehow I had a gut feeling that my husband would go first.”
“why?”
“I haven’t been on the strong side since a long time ago.”
“It was better than Neryl, though.”
“You can’t compare him to him.”
We smiled softly at each other.
“Since Ardwin went first, I can’t even call him from the underworld anymore.”
“I’m saying this just in case, but don’t think of it as strange.”
“How do you really see me?”
“sorry. The older I get, the more I worry.”
“Do not worry.”
“take care of your body. Is it true that the commander of the Guardian Knights is retired?”
“yes. My son did a good job.”
Xenia was a good friend of my old age.
As we grew older, we talked a lot about what happened at the old hero’s party.
All the stories were clear as if they had happened yesterday.
Xenia once said that her wish was to die the last of us.
He wanted to close his eyes after watching everyone else live happily ever after.
But that wish didn’t come true.
“How amazing. Of course, I thought Maid would come first.”
Xenia was about to die.
I held her last seat and shed tears.
I shed tears at the funerals of my friends who went before, but there is one thing different now.
‘It was me. Hopefully I’ll be the last.’
Xenia slowly closed her eyes.
“Mr Maid. I’ll be waiting… … .”
So I lost all the party members.
To Idriana Velocian, a guy called ‘Time’ that is more powerful than the Demon King in the beginning.
The next ‘time’ attack will be directed at me.
I decided to wait patiently for the attack.
Three years passed like that.
Another 5 years passed.
Another 10 years have passed.
10 years again.
Another 10 years have passed.
“… … .”
Stupid I only realized then.
Unlike other party members, I have declared that I will give up my true retirement without cheating the law with the twig of corruption, so I still have tremendous power within me.
That is why he did not feel strange that his body did not weaken alone.
But now we have to face reality.
‘Something is wrong.’
I was ‘not dead’.
I asked Trail to call me into the arms of the world.
When I woke up, Trail, Idria, and the Demon King’s children were looking at me.
Trail says with a serious expression.
“What are you talking about? I can’t die.”
“Literally. I am now 120 years old.”
“Well… … Let me tell you, it has nothing to do with you giving up your retirement to turn fame into power. As Bion said, it’s the bluffing law. It’s a rule without sanctions.”
“I know. That’s not why I can’t die.”
“Then why?”
I sighed.
“Rule.”
For a moment, the air froze.
Idria, who had been listening quietly all the time, opened her mouth for the first time.
“Is it the law of the universe or something like that?”
“okay.”
“Why is that being trying to keep you alive?”
“I have a guess.”
I sighed deeply.
“The Law is looking for someone with whom you can talk on an equal footing. I am the only one who can do it.”
“There must be a civilization that created the original Demon King.”
“There is no way that civilization would have discovered ‘everything’ of the law. This is purely my guess, but maybe one individual of me has discovered more laws than that civilization.”
“… … .”
“So the law seems to value me. Maybe he’s keeping me alive because he wants to keep talking with me.”
Even though I said it, goosebumps came up on my back.
Trail says with a serious expression.
“Then what do you do? now.”
“You can’t fight a being like the laws of the universe. We have to figure it out through conversation.”
I popped up the screen.
“In the fight against the Demon King in the beginning, Law spoke to me through the eyes of omniscience. Perhaps this is the only way to communicate with the being.”
“… … .”
“The question is, will you answer my call? He must be a great person, so if he doesn’t like it, it doesn’t matter if he doesn’t respond.”
“then.”
“So I tried to intimidate you.”
I opened my mouth as if growling against the screen window.
“Hey. Law Mr. Leave me to die gracefully.”
“… … .”
“If you don’t do that, I will create a hero system again.”
For a moment, Trail and Idria were astonished.
“What did you just say?”
“… … .”
“You destroyed the hero system with your own hands. Oh, are you cheating? What you do best.”
“Calm down and watch.”
I stared at the screen window.
“Do you think I can’t? Rule?”
“… … .”
“It’s not surprisingly difficult. Thanks to Idria’s hard work, the lab has accumulated a lot of wealth. I will pour the energy of this wealth into the proper core of the world. That kind of work will be done by Trail, the great caretaker of the world.”
“… … .”
“I naturally forbade the coming of the Demon King. Do you think it’s impossible to create a demon ‘artificially’?”
You can feel it yourself.
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My voice was so cold that even I could hear it.“The hero system has stopped, not gone. Naturally or artificially, once the Demon King descends, a hero is also supposed to be born.”
“No, Maid.”
“A world where demon kings and heroes are artificially born! Humanity will once again live under the hero system. You can’t face humanity forever. Even if they die, they won’t find you.”
That was then.
A line was written on the screen.
＜You can’t do that.＞
It’s a rule!
I said calming my beating heart.
“no. I will.”
＜I can’t. Your heart for humanity has already been confirmed over and over again.＞
“… … .”
＜You must choose the latter between the future of mankind and your own sacrifice.＞
I don’t think it’s going to be an easy decision.
I said slowly.
“Let’s not talk in sentences like this. call me To the place that called me when I was fighting the original demon king.”
＜… … I see.＞
“ah. Wait a minute before that. Say hello.”
I hurriedly told everyone.
“Whether this discussion goes well or not, I probably won’t be able to see you again.”
“Made.”
“Live well. Idria, Sobius, Florence, Savaq. and… … trail.”
Trail made an indescribable expression.
“You have a good life, my friend.”
“I am about to die.”
“Just find out. I wish you success and go to the underworld. Say hello to the party members who went there first.”
I nodded.
Then Idria opened her mouth.
“Send my regards as well.”
“Surprisingly. I didn’t know you would take care of that.”
“You guys made me not die indefinitely. It allowed me to live with the trail and with the children.”
“… … .”
“So, I hope to see you again. Heartily.”
she reached out to me
I was a little embarrassed, but without saying a word, I grabbed her hand and waved it.
When the handshake was over, he extended his hand to the children of the Demon King.
“Because of my friend?”
“There is no atmosphere.”
They quietly grab my hand and wave it once in a while.
I finally asked Trail to shake hands.
He closed his mouth and grabbed my hand.
I said.
“Thank you. everything.”
“Made… … .”
“Take care of the world.”
In the end, the boy burst into tears.
Even at this age, I am still admiring that the tear glands have not dried up.
I quietly closed my eyes and said.
“You can call me now.”
next moment.
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My vision turned white.Retirement ＜Epilogue＞
The beginning and the end exist at the same time.
A strange world where floor and ceiling coexist.
As I looked around, I heard a voice.
– Now tell me.
“Let me die.”
– You can’t.
There is a firmness in the voice.
– You are misunderstanding one thing in the first place.
“What do you mean?”
-Do you really think I’m keeping it alive to talk to you? I am only preparing to establish you as the Absolute of Mankind.
Humanity’s Absolute?
-Civilization that was the source of the original demon king. There are races that can be said to be the ancestors of mankind.
“I know that.”
-When they discovered many of the laws, I picked one of them and gave it omnipotence.
“Does it mean that one of their representatives has become the Absolute?”
-Yes.
“why? What are you doing for that?”
– If you don’t, you will perish.
The law explains it calmly.
-Made. This universe is a very dangerous place. You can’t even imagine how many crises there are.
“·················ogue.”
-The crises brought by the energy of wealth are so trivial that they are not even worth talking about on a cosmic scale. You, mankind, have not been able to overcome even such a crisis properly.
“·················ogue.”
-All civilizations need an Absolute to protect them from such a crisis. If you don’t do that, trillions of ships in a small crisis called the Demon King will not be able to withstand a bigger crisis.
The law seemed to let out a sigh.
But then he spoke in a rather stiff tone.
– It’s fine to say. If Maid does not become the Absolute, mankind will not be able to perpetuate.
“·················ogue.”
– Did I mention that I look forward to the day when I will speak on an equal footing with humanity? That was on the premise that Maid-sama stood as the supreme man of mankind.
“·················ogue.”
– What is the next crisis? The sun in the sky might swell and swallow the world. Or maybe the moon is leaving the universe, or the galaxies in the night sky are pouring down on the world.
“·················ogue.”
-Unless an almighty being like me protects humanity, we will never be able to escape from such a crisis. And I can’t directly defend a specific civilization. Only you, who was born as a human and became the absolute, can save the human race in the future.
I said keep silent.
“A civilization with such an Absolute will never find you fully.”
-······Excuse me?
“The reason I got rid of the hero system in the first place is that if there is a huge being called a hero, humanity will forget how to stand up on its own feet. Didn’t you agree with that and help me?”
-I was just saying that the energy of wealth is always stagnant. As long as you have successfully separated it, mankind will move forward, whether there is a hero or an Absolute.
There must have been a difference of opinion here.
Law and I agreed that the original demon king should be killed.
However, the law believed that only the energy of wealth hindered the development of mankind.
I think that ‘both the energy of wealth and the hero’ is what stagnates mankind.
I put my thoughts together for a moment and opened my mouth.
“Aren’t the advanced civilizations of the human race that you were talking about unable to find you? It’s all about establishing the absolute.”
-I founded the Absolute among them only 3 million years ago. It’s probably just not enough time has passed yet.
“Then, did that civilization develop in 3 million years?”
The law did not answer.
But it didn’t feel like he agreed with me.
‘This is not going to be easy.’
He doesn’t seem to want to let me go.
Then there’s nothing wrong with that.
Let’s do what we always do
I said with a sigh.
“Still, I understood. My thoughts remain the same, but stagnation is better than destruction.”
-·········.
“You cannot die comfortably knowing that the human race will perish. Because I am a warrior.”
– I thought you would say that.
“But it is true that the burden is too heavy.”
-then?
“Let’s do this. Give me the autonomy to add any ‘laws of the universe’ I want.”
At that, his voice was greatly disturbed.
-Uh, how did you know? that the laws of the universe can be added.
“Thanks to the gift of intuition from you, I established the laws of the world, a microcosm of the laws of the universe. So you can know.”
-·········.
“In the laws of the world, the hero who killed the demon king can add rules. Then wouldn’t a system similar to that exist in the laws of the universe?”
– That’s great. Also, my choice was not wrong.
The rules were simply explained.
-You have achieved certain conditions to become an Absolute. As a reward, you can add new laws of the universe.
“Good luck.”
– So what rule are you trying to add?
I said with a soft smile.
“Makes Neryl Slaine Absolute.”
-If it’s neryl.
“You know? It’s my wife who left long ago. I want to share this heavy burden with her. They are a couple.”
– That’s impossible. A soul that has gone to the underworld you speak of can never interfere with this universe and the world. That’s why I didn’t let you die.
Fortunately, the law was posted on my judo newspaper.
‘Once you leave to the underworld, this is it?’
Once I go to the underworld, there is nothing I can do about it anymore.
I put on a very sad expression and said.
“Then… it’s no big deal. Can I make my children Absolute?”
– That’s impossible. Conditions are necessary to establish such an almighty being.
Once again, he was caught in the judo newspaper.
‘I can’t take my anger out on the rest of my children.’
Finally one more.
I tilted my head as if I was really curious.
“Condition? Come to think of it, did I mention that I had achieved a certain condition before? What are the conditions?”
-It varies by civilization and race, but in your case, it’s fame. A reputation of at least 500 million.
great.
I think I’ve heard everything I need to hear now.
I opened my mouth with a sigh.
“Wow, it’s no big deal. If so… well… well. I have to do it to keep my 560 million reputation forever.”
-yes?
“For mankind, fame is soon replaced by strength.”
-If you become an Absolute, you wouldn’t even notice such a small power.
“It could be. But fame is my beginning and my end.”
I spoke slowly.
“As time goes by, the reputation of the hero Maid Mohan will decrease little by little. When the generations change, it will just become a thing of the past.”
– I’m sure it is.
“It’s okay as it is, but fame is the mark of my existence and everything. I would like to preserve it forever… is it possible?”
– It’s a little windy than I thought. Of course it’s possible.
widely.
screen pops up.
But the pattern was very different from what I usually see.
A veil of deep darkness where something sizzles and grumbles.
‘Is this a window into the universe?’
I said insignificantly.
“Can I write this myself? It’s a monumental thing.”
– If you wish.
A luxurious pen with feathers appeared in the air.
I grabbed it by hand.
And slowly began to write sentences on the black curtain.
＜All the fame of Maid Mohan is forever…＞
And so far, I wrote down the rest at the speed that would be the most wanted.
＜Disappears.＞
next moment.
The shrill voice of the law was heard.
-Gee, what are you doing now!
swish.
I threw the pen away.
“Are you asking me to rise to the throne of the human race? To serve them forever?”
-Unbelievable. This cannot be.
“Are you crazy? Why would I do that?”
The view begins to change.
The bizarre space was distorted and was pushing me away.
I just made all my fame disappear.
Losing my reputation, I lost the condition to become the absolute of mankind.
And, of course, he lost his right to be here now.
I said muttering.
“sorry.”
-Made.
“I’m sorry for deceiving you. That’s why I didn’t send it to you right away.”
-······ Now it is done. Please give me one last answer.
Law asked in a rather faint voice.
-Are you okay with the extinction of mankind?
“It’s not necessarily like that.”
-no. I can assure you. With this choice of yours now, the extinction of mankind has been confirmed. A race without an Absolute will never be able to get through the countless crises of the universe.
“Why are you so sure?”
-Until now, so many races and civilizations have…
“But mankind has not yet walked that path. Even if 99 people fall on a road full of obstacles, there is no guarantee that the next 100 people will fall.”
I quietly closed my eyes.
“And leaving everything and speaking more honestly about my feelings… it’s annoying.”
-yes?
“I have done enough. Whether it perishes, stagnates, or develops, the next generation will take care of it. I’m not going to worry about that.”
– Whoops.
Law let out laughter for the first time.
– I guess I’ve misunderstood you. I’m going to show you a step that is completely different from the past at the last minute.
I thought for a moment and asked.
“Can I ask you one last question?”
-Please speak.
“You said that the purpose of making me the absolute is to prevent the destruction of mankind. I have no doubt about that.”
-·········.
“But that’s not all, is it?”
no answer comes back
Have you already been thrown to a place where you can’t hear your voice?
no. will still hear
I said.
“Are you really lonely?”
-·········.
“Didn’t the Absolute of other civilizations that you established earlier have discovered as many laws of the universe as I did?”
-·········.
“I must be the one who discovered the most ‘you’ in the entire universe. I am the only person who can talk to you in the most equal qualifications. That’s why he wanted to hold on to me.”
at that time.
A reply came back that made no distinction between whether I had actually heard it or a hallucination created in my head.
– That’s bad. Even if you notice it, you kindly leave.
I have only seen the overall appearance of the underworld, but I do not know what the inner world of that bubble is like.
I heard the explanation from the spirits of the party members who left first, but I didn’t get the inspiration.
I can finally experience it.
I opened my eyes.
and said
“The underworld is Neril.”
“What are you talking about?”
“Because the first thing I saw when I opened my eyes was your face.”
“Huhu. Isn’t the underworld more beautiful than you think?”
“It’s a very original boast.”
Whoops.
Neryl strokes my face.
“What are you doing now?”
“Many things happened. Would you like to hear it?”
“okay. Anyway, Xenia went to call the other kids. Let’s listen until we come.”
As I lay down, I relaxed and informed my final morale.
Neryl was very startled at first, but then burst into rage.
“Were you trying to steal someone else’s husband?”
“I know. The rules were a bit disrespectful.”
“What next?”
“I······.”
Neril laughs at the fact that he cheated a little by adding the laws of the universe.
“Ahaha. He deceived both people and demon kings, and in the end he deceived even the law.”
“It happened. It was kind of desperate.”
“You want to see me again?”
“Is there any other reason?”
Then tears welled up in Neril’s eyes.
In fact, it must have been tears from the beginning, but he had been desperately holding it down until now.
She grabbed my collar.
And he took him into his arms and said.
“Sobbing. I miss you. I really miss you.”
“Sorry, I’m late. When I sent you down to the world, and when I sent you to the underworld first, you always kept me waiting.”
“no. I’m so sorry I left you so soon.”
“Stop crying.”
“You called it.”
“is it. Then I won’t cry anymore. forever.”
She hugged me tight as if she would never let me go again.
We enjoyed each other’s warmth for a while.
Then Neryl opened her mouth.
“Come, kids.”
Indeed, from far away, the sound of footsteps was heard.
“I don’t think it’s only our party members who sang?”
“yes. Perhaps all of the dragons and heroes will come to meet you?”
“More than that. It’s almost corps level.”
“Fufu. So, it seems like we’ve brought in all the people we’ve had a relationship with in our lifetime.”
I slowly got up.
After waiting for a while, I heard the voices of the party members I longed for from afar.
“Mr. Maid!”
“brother!”
“Why are you so late!”
“okay. What are you doing now?”
“Mr. Neril, how long have we been waiting?”
“It’s okay because I’m here now. You have lived a very long life.”
I walked towards them.
Neryl naturally puts her arms around me and says:
“By the way, how could such a great being as a Law be deceived by such a trivial deception?”
“I think you figured out me based on my actions during my lifetime. He must have believed that I couldn’t leave without the threat of human extinction.”
“You read it completely wrong.”
“Well, I was once a hero too. Surely a normal warrior would have accepted the Law’s proposal.”
In fact, Grade, Lephia, and Leon rejected the new world because of the remaining threat of being a Velocian.
In addition, the warriors who preceded him were not given the gift of a new world for the prosperity and development of mankind.
All of them are great warriors.
So, he must have thought, ‘Since Maid is also a hero, the destruction of mankind cannot be ignored.’
“But I refused such a noble sacrifice.”
“yes. that’s just you Because you…”
Somehow I think I know what Neryl is trying to say.
We opened our mouths at the same time.
“Because it’s a fake warrior.”
All of a sudden, I looked around at the huge crowd around us one by one.
The faces I missed so much.
The brightest smiles.
An expression of joy and excitement at the reunion.
I said in a soft voice.
“It’s been a long time, everyone.”
on this day. this good day
I am truly retired.
-end-
author’s words
hello!
＜The Fake Hero Is Too Strong＞ ends with this.
It has been over 7 months since the prologue was uploaded at the end of last November.
It was thanks to all of you that we were able to reach the finale safely without a break.
Thank you very much.
We’ll see you again someday with another interesting article.
It would be really nice if we could meet again then.
Please always take care of your health in the hot summer.
I wish you all a happy day with good colleagues and loved ones like Maid.
See you again someday! 🙂