116. Fate and God
“Yes, its true identity is the blood of the devil. “Perhaps the reason why the demons went crazy was because their egos collapsed due to the will of the bastard contained in their blood.”
Surprisingly, Alfred shakes his head with just his head and is said to be shocked.
“Now that I think about it, you only cut off the Demon King’s head, but you didn’t dispose of the body itself, right? “Do you know what happened to the Demon King’s body?”
“I know that too…”
“Oh, that’s right. “He obviously fainted and was in a coma for a while.”
“As far as I know, Hermod’s people took care of it.”
“If what Grandma said is right… The puzzle roughly fits together.”
“But how was his blood freely controlled in the Kingdom of Hermod? “It is clearly a dangerous blood that is eating away at the surroundings just by existing. How could it be there that not even the elves could control…”
“Maybe there is someone who can control it.”
It is the blood of the Demon King that has eroded the spirit of not only the elves in the forest but also the tempered knights.
I didn’t think anyone could control that.
“The world is wide, so is the hero’s holy sword, right? I thought there was only one hero per era, but that’s not true. Also, it is now known that a holy sword can be used even if you are not a warrior.”
Alfred said, looking up at Arcel.
“You humans have a bad habit of dismissing events that haven’t happened yet as impossible. Of course, we can’t always prepare for emergencies.”
“I’m sure that’s true… But I still can’t believe it.”
Arcel frowned and looked at the kingdom of Hermod.
“If his body remains in the kingdom of Hermod… He must go and dispose of it as soon as possible. We can’t allow another tragedy to occur because of that. “Because that is also my task.”
“Good idea, I too am horrified that the disgusting demon lord’s corpse is still intact. If you burn it, it will smell, so let’s destroy it without a trace. “What about grandma?”
“Why do I call you?”
Alfred called Sion before leaving for the kingdom of Hermod.
“Grandma is a little girl too, don’t you have any special feelings?”
“That’s what happened when I left there. Besides, if I had been there, it wouldn’t have happened. Besides, it’s also because the elves were careless.”
That is also the result of the elves’ choices.
He was not involved at all, and it seems that Zion was only interested in preserving the remaining elves and did not hold a grudge against his own people.
“Really? “It’s a shame, I was going to leave it all to her grandmother and run away.”
“Some say they don’t want to go because they think that’s the case. Normally, I would at least go see the sights.”
He also knew what Alfred had done to Clen before, so he also wanted to prevent something similar from happening to him.
If Alfred added more to him, it would never be less.
“Then we’ll go back. It’s getting a bit chilly, so grandma, please come in soon.”
“Yes, I guess so.”
As Alfred said goodbye, Arcel bowed her head.
So Alfred returned to the Kingdom of Hermod with Arcel.
Sion, who was left alone, looked at the kingdom of Hermod for a moment, then took out a small pendant from her arms.
“…This brings back old memories to me too.”
The pendant contained a photo from the past when Zion was traveling through the human world.
There were several humans in the photo of the pendant.
Among them, there was a blond young man with a sword at his waist.
“I really don’t know what life is like even though I know it…”
Maybe it was because I was thinking about the past for the first time in a long time, but it felt like God and fate were so cruel.
“No matter what path your baby takes, it is only your baby’s choice. “Whether it is a path guided by God or a path that follows fate, in the end, it will all be your own choice.”
†††
“Alfred, today I learned a lot, but there is something I still don’t understand.”
“Which one is it?”
“I still don’t know why the Queen planned this. Why on earth?”
Anyway, you can find out if you go to the Kingdom of Hermod.
But since Stella may have already finished it, she hoped to know the answer in advance if possible.
Why did the queen try to kill them?
She could not understand why she, the princess who had dedicated her life to defeating the Demon King, and even held the hand held out by the warrior in the past, had transformed into such a queen.
“Well… Humans are the most predictable yet difficult intelligence among the animals I know. Have you ever done anything wrong to the queen? She spoiled the ending of the work the queen was about to read. “If you did that, you were wrong.”
“I don’t know what you mean by spoiler, but it seems like a very cruel act. But I never did that. “In the first place, all I met with her was as a warrior and a princess.”
“So, I’m really curious too. All of Hermod’s royal family must have liked you, so why is it only the queen?”
Maybe something different happened when she ascended to the position of queen.
Of course, no matter what the reason, it did not mean that what the Queen had done could never be forgiven.
The Queen caused her to take many lives.
Even if it was a sacrifice she didn’t need to make.
“First of all, the Kingdom of Hermod has been called the sacred place of warriors since ancient times. Anyway, it is said that the first warrior came from that kingdom. To be precise, it was a place where the concept of a hero holding a holy sword and defeating the devil was established at a time when the concept of a hero had not yet been created in the world.”
“In other words, it is also the hometown of a legend.”
Alfred nodded his head instead of answering.
The hero uses the holy sword to save the world from the devil.
But that was wrong.
According to the demon history book that Arcel found, it is said that heroes existed even before the demon king was created.
“Of course, demons are far from being born in a corner and writing, so they can’t just blindly trust that book. At least I think that’s true.”
“Is there any other reason?”
“No matter how much you think about it, it’s contrived, right? What is a hero, saving the world from the devil? Why does the Demon King want to destroy the world in the first place? “He can just live in his own territory, but he insists on waging war for thousands of years?”
“It’s definitely strange.”
“The legend of the hero and the demon king is so boring, it’s almost like a story about a prince saving a princess.”
Then, one fact must be pointed out here.
Why has the Kingdom of Hermod continued to carry on the legend of the warrior and the devil for thousands of years, even before Hermod?
“Maybe there is a reason why it has to be that way. The war between the hero and the devil must continue. “The reason it was worth killing all of you.”
Alfred ultimately said that unless he knew the reason, he could not get the answer Arcel wanted.
“…The conclusion is the starting point.”
Arcel looks a little disappointed.
“Why, did you think I knew all the truth in the world? Anyone who sees me will think I am a god. Of course, I am much better and smarter than God.”
Alfred says with a smile.
Even though it only had a head, it felt like it was making all kinds of gestures with a body that wasn’t here.
They are applauding and applauding themselves, or giving themselves a thumbs up.
Actually, I was actually doing it.
“What if I told you that, at least to me, you are considered like a god?”
Then Arcel smiled and said.
“Huh? Then what…”
Alfred seemed a little embarrassed.
†††
“Alfred.”
Arsel stopped in front of Hermod Kingdom and called Alfred’s name.
An expression of complete disbelief appeared on Arcel.
“Hey, didn’t that little guy try too hard? “Do you think you are being too sincere in dealing with a small kingdom like this?”
The reason was simple.
When Arcel arrived at the Kingdom of Hermod, the Kingdom of Hermod was covered with large tree roots.
“This is the magic of the forest that has been passed down from generation to generation by demons who say it is their tribe. It is one of the magics commonly passed down to trick blood and family members. “I heard from her grandmother that she is greatly influenced by her emotions…”
“Senior!”
At that time, someone suddenly spotted Arcel and started running towards him.
There is only one person who calls Arcel a senior.
It is Morian.
“…”
I was a little surprised to see blood on her outside, but luckily it didn’t seem to be her own blood.
Is the kingdom like that? Did blood come on while saving someone?
“Thank God, you’re safe…”
Arcel had complicated feelings when she saw Morian running in front of her.
In the end, if this child is also a warrior, and if it is also one’s future generation, then one should not coldly reject him or her like before.
“…Morian, what happened before-“
“It’s okay. Because I understand why you did that. “I may have been acting too carelessly.”
Morian said with a smile.
Arsel smiled bitterly when he saw a smile that resembled his own.
“…”
Perhaps her remaining role is to guide her down the right path.
Arcel had that thought.
“Anyway, I’m glad you’re safe. “The kingdom was like that, but no matter how hard I searched, I couldn’t find him anywhere… I was worried that he might have been caught up in the underground collapse.”
“The basement collapsed?!”
News that came out of nowhere like a thunderbolt.
In Morian’s words, it seemed like her roots extended across the ground and even affected the basement where people were gathered.
Arsel tried to save them right away, but Alfred stopped him.
“That’s not what’s important right now. Anyway, if they knew the basement had collapsed, at least someone would make a rescue attempt. If you say no, it would already be too late to save him. “How long will you take care of everything by yourself?”
“Yes, but…”
It was difficult to stay still, thinking that a disaster had now happened to people who were already struggling.
Especially if it is caused by Stella.
“Oh, you don’t have to worry too much. “When I went to check, the entrance had collapsed… Lord Karkal has gone, so he’s probably rescuing them.”
“I see, then that’s a good thing. “Lord Karkal certainly wouldn’t just abandon them.”
At least Arcel was relieved to hear that Lord Karkal had gone.
Karkal is the most upright and good person among the knights he knows.
That’s probably why he was so angry at himself.
Honestly, if you just look at the situation, all the evidence would have said that he was the culprit, so even if he misunderstands, it can’t be helped.
If you meet him again in the Kingdom of Hermod, you will be able to persuade him through a calm conversation.
…Maybe we can go back to the way we used to be.
From Noble mtl dot com
“Anyway, where have all the citizens gone?”
After Arcel entered the kingdom, he looked for Stella and discovered something a little strange.
There was not a single citizen left in Hermod’s kingdom.
Even if they had remained, they might have been sacrificed by Stella’s magic, but incredibly, not a single ant baby was seen in the Kingdom of Hermod.
“Probably an alarm went off and the drivers evacuated everyone. When the Hermod Kingdom’s barrier activates, a magic circle that allows you to teleport to a shelter in each area operates.”
“…If it’s that magic circle, then. “It seems like there was something to write about after all.”
This is a magic circle created by a wizard who was previously his colleague.
Although it only works inside the Kingdom of Hermod, it was a magic prepared to quickly evacuate citizens if something happened to the kingdom.
Honestly, I hoped that magic would never be used.
“What the hell is this-“
Arsel, who went further into the kingdom, could not help but be astonished.
The stream of Hermod Kingdom was greatly destroyed.
As if there had been some kind of major battle, buildings and roads were shattered here and there, and tree roots believed to be Stella’s were even set on fire.
In particular, it seemed like a conclusion was reached at this gateway to the capital.
At least one thing was certain.
Stella fought here.
It was quite a fierce battle.
However, with whom did this fierce battle take place?
Was there still anyone left in the Kingdom of Hermod who could fight such a fierce battle with Stella?
Surely everyone must have been sacrificed due to the war and the queen?
“…So where is that little guy?”
“Oh, now that I think about it, Morian, you might have seen Stella. Have you ever seen it? “Stella must have come to the Kingdom of Hermod earlier than we did-“
While Arcel was investigating the traces of magic, Alfred suddenly spoke to Morian.
Now that I think about it, Morian must have remained in the Kingdom of Hermod, so maybe she saw Stella.
“If you ask me that…”
However, Morian responded that he did not know much.
“If you don’t know, there’s nothing you can do. It looks like you also rescued citizens.”
It seemed like even Morian didn’t know Stella’s whereabouts.
“Don’t you know where it is? Well then, let me change the question, you idiot. Did you kill him? Or are you still alive?”
But Alfred smiled and continued asking questions to Morian.
“Alfred? “What does that mean?”
Arsel was greatly embarrassed.
Why are there suddenly ominous stories like Stella being killed or alive?
“No, what are you talking about? All the blood on that guy’s body is that idiot’s blood. “You can tell by the peculiar earthy smell of the blood of demons.”
“What on earth are you talking about… Morian, you explain. “Who is the owner of that blood?”
And the story I heard couldn’t help but be shocking.
Arsel looked at Morian with trembling eyes.
“…”
“Can’t you answer right now?!”
Arsel shouted, but Morian made no reply.
It reminded her of her past self, and all that remained was the cold face she had when cutting down her demons.
It was reminiscent of a puppet.
Someone who, as destined, cut down demons and overthrew only the demon lord.
“Please don’t criticize that child too much. In any case, it is true that we do not know Stella’s whereabouts.”
“…!”
Then, the gateway opened and she, who was also the reason Arcel came here, finally appeared.
Arcel’s eyes lit up at the sound of a voice she would never forget.
“You…!”
The queen was in front of her.
“Tsk, I guess it’s already too late.”
Holding the unconscious, bloody elf in his arms.
The elf’s hands were limp and weak.
Blood flows down the thin, white arms and drips onto the tips of the fingers.
The queen caresses the elf’s face and shows a happy face.
“It’s been a while, warrior. Did you enjoy my kingdom’s festival?”
The queen greets her hero and asks with a benevolent smile.
Instead of answering, Arcel held the holy sword in his hand.