78 – 26. I have a dream that catches me by the nape.
“I was watching you.”
I’ve experienced it before that things or places leave memories.
This memory must have been a memory that the sword saw and entered.
-Only you have the right to hold onto me.
A voice was heard.
-Even if you are determined to sacrifice something precious. Even if you can put your own life as collateral. I won’t let you
“… ….”
After that sound, only the sound of the wind grew louder.
I don’t know if it was the sound from the sword or if it was an auditory hallucination.
The voice cut off.
After stepping away from the place where the sword was, the next old man who arrived was busy muttering something with his head bent for a while as if he was praying while holding onto the sword.
“Qualified.”
On what basis do you make such a conclusion?
I’m curious.
But I said it wasn’t as good as you.
As if they were trying to identify me.
To think that they refuse to sacrifice and risk their lives.
If what you hear isn’t hallucinations or illusions, that’s an obvious rejection.
“… ….”
It is a position where you step back to one side and look down on the village, and a bare cliff that seems deaf to hear.
Perhaps right after reaching this empty place like a cliff.
I asked.
“What do you think?”
-I don’t know.
Still insensitive, irresponsible comments.
“If you reject me, you know something and express your intention to reject it, right? And… Why is the sword talking?”
-If it has something in it, it might be. Or was it that it was nested? Haven’t you ever heard of something like that?
Not the answer you want.
It wasn’t even an answer that solved my curiosity.
“… Am I supposed to find the answer? No I asked, but you just kept talking about what you said.”
-If you know it, try working hard. Maybe it’s because the stakes are low? Maybe it’s because I didn’t get the qualifications I wanted? The reasons vary. As always.
Who urged me to get that?
I exhaled to shake off the annoyance, and stayed there for a while.
‘It’s a qualification.’
What does it mean?
More than that, what’s the sword’s dissatisfaction with, so it’s rejecting this one?
… Let’s change our thinking.
Reason for refusal.
Or purpose.
What was in the hands of Grandeus and was used until the end, was released from that duty with his death.
Is it liberation?
Or is it separation or bereavement?
Is that the only owner?
However, then the premise is strange.
‘Only you are not qualified to hold onto me. Did I say that?’
That means.
Doesn’t that mean someone can grab it?
That means, you’re specifically rejecting Kariel herself? Does that mean?
Or if you are waiting for a true master or companion?
Is the sword that has been stuck for 20 years still looking for an opportunity?
May someone with the qualifications come?
Maybe years later.
Or decades. After well over 100 years, the desired existence might visit this place.
So now is not the time?
“… ….”
In that case.
Is it reasonable to accept the story and leave this place lonely?
So what? What next?
What’s left of me?
‘Nothing.’
No, I have one thing to do.
The process of building a body somewhere, and definitely learning what you got.
But.
Is that how I can compete with my father for supremacy?
That alone.
Destroy those who oppose me and hate me.
Can you pioneer a life without any humiliation or surrender, without regret?
The answer is no.
Especially in this situation, like now, where we are filthy with demon lords and all.
Alessia Alessia doesn’t think she’ll get herself into trouble by revealing this.
… No, even if it did, she had no intention of resenting it.
What I confided in was ultimately my own choice.
You have to fully bear the consequences of that yourself.
Even if she changed her mind and became hostile to me when she was told that she was the demon king.
… That would be unavoidable
So even at the time I read through a letter from Filbar that this news was spreading everywhere.
… She didn’t particularly suspect her.
Because there was no need to doubt it.
Then let’s change the premise.
If not her, then who is she?
Has anyone overheard your words?
This is a possibility.
But what if you rule out even this?
“… ….”
What if there is someone who knows my circumstances without my knowledge? Or if there is a specific person?
Here.
I immediately think of the damn guy who discussed the prophecy.
But not him.
Venus.
This guy is both a knife and a sword with sharpened blades.
Therefore, he is not a sly, sensible, flexible guy who is capable of plotting that kind of plot.
“The answer is.”
It’s when you’re most desperate for an answer.
Answers are hidden, and they rarely show their heads.
If you don’t even think about it, you don’t even prepare.
Destiny, destiny, someone’s intention, it will be used or flowed according to the purpose.
What is that situation?
Puppets and slaves.
A prisoner who lost his freedom or whatever.
No matter what it is, there won’t be much difference between the position you’re in and the position you’re in.
“The answer was obvious after all.”
-What is it?
“… If you’re willing to accept that something like a sword was rejected, you shouldn’t have been outraged. It’s enough to just calmly accept fate or whatever, live moderately, and search moderately.”
Don’t leave your fate to others.
It is even more unreasonable to entrust it.
It’s a very obvious truth.
What did Venus say so confidently, even after being told by some goddamn bastard that the sword wasn’t yours?
Didn’t I say it’s enough to kill the bastard who pulled out the sword?
This is indeed a clear answer.
It’s such a simple and far-fetched idea, but it’s absurd.
Rather, that’s why it’s closer to the truth.
“… ….”
Of course.
I didn’t intend to try that.
On the contrary.
If you ask me if I should be clinging to someone who says I don’t like it.
… I chose to fight, I chose to resist, and I chose to fight because I thought that was sh*t.
To submit and submit.
… That doesn’t mean holding a sword.
I didn’t voluntarily push through that damn contract.
“I will only stay until tomorrow.”
If tomorrow does not come into my hands.
“… Then I will refuse.”
-Are you surprised? There must have been a choice to buy a heart or not to give up until I got the qualifications.
“Do I look relaxed enough to be optimistic?”
I don’t have time.
It was not a metaphor, it was the reality.
Because my situation isn’t easy enough to wait carelessly without even realizing that I’m being chased.
I don’t know who will pop out for me, even today.
And.
If news of my personal affairs reached the upper echelons of the empire in any way.
“Because whoever it is will be coming.”
If Elhermina really wants to hold on to herself this time.
Can I escape her grasp?
However, no matter how you think about it, the risk she bears is considerable.
In that sense, the empire is overflowing with talented people who can act on her will.
Whether any of them come, will you be able to shake off their unfair offer?
And worst of all.
… Father, if you come.
“… ….”
Involuntarily, laughter leaked out.
If they reunite like that.
I wonder how we’ll solve the conversation.
Although it was a bit interesting.
On the other hand, along with the cold sweat that broke through the skin.
I feel like I have to squeeze out even the lack of courage, and I’m wrapped up in the absurdity that takes my breath away.
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As long as he didn’t unilaterally give up on whatever it was at the time of the encounter.
It is an escape, and escape is impossible.
There are no other answers.
The result is so obvious that it’s almost fun.
“Definitely. Looking back, I really don’t have time.”
Even if that sword is in my grasp.
… Father, it’s meaningless when you face it.
Of course I won’t die.
However, the moment he is unilaterally dragged along according to his intentions.
With all the things I gave up and threw away with my determination and terrible feelings.
We have to face each other again.
I can’t stand that much.
At the time, what was El Hermina’s indiscriminate coercion and why did she shake off her begging?
“… ….”
I haven’t thrown anything away yet.
I couldn’t overcome it, and I wasn’t even prepared to face it.
So, at least you can’t face it now.
For me, as myself, to support myself.
They are still.
Scars and scars nestled in the deepest, darkest part of me.
Because it was the worst nightmare.
Still I am.
… I dream they hold me by the nape
—-
The woman rummaged through the corpses scattered on the plain.
In any era, rummaging through corpses is a cursed thing to do, but it’s not enough if you don’t get caught.
Moreover, since she was the one who turned the corpses of her living children into corpses, her movements were even more unstoppable.
“This is it.”
He has pale white blonde hair and clear eyes.
The white skin reminded me of that of a fairy, and even its appearance had a fair impression comparable to them.
The bridge of the nose stands out.
Lips with thin lines.
The eyebrows and eyes were very appropriate, and even though there was no expression, the figure was very well-groomed, like a well-crafted stone statue or a work of art.
Although it has platinum hair that is barely long enough to tickle my shoulders.
Perhaps it’s something he doesn’t like to go around his eyes, but thanks to the fact that his bangs were trimmed short, and his bangs barely touched his eyebrows, the neat and tidy impression was all the more noticeable.
Then she pulled out her leather paper from the bosom of her man, who seemed to be exceptionally strong, who was wrapped in layers of leather and chains.
“Is it poisonous vellum?”
Paper is also a region, and depending on the country, durability and use vary greatly.
It is said that it is used popularly only inside the empire because there are many regions where paper is produced, but that is the case.
She carefully examined her contents, then rolled up the vellum again, tied it in a knot, and tucked it under the purple cloak.
“As long as requests can be accepted even for these idiots… Is this some kind of bounty?”
It is said that there is a separate catcher, but just in case you don’t know, scatter manpower to replace your hands and feet.
Of course, this requires astronomical costs, so it’s not something anyone can try.
“Still, it’s fortunate that there is nothing special about it.”
“Why are you talking to yourself like that?”
“Surprised.”
The words reacted as if they were surprised, but the tone was plain.
The wolf-headed man asked while stroking his thick brown fur.
However, the hair below the chin is not brown, but white, but is that because dust, ash, and some blood have soaked into it? I don’t know if it’s because of the pure white, but it felt pretty messy.
“Are you here? How was it there?”
“How is it? Either that or that.”
The wolf man glanced at the corpse lying beneath the woman.
“The scale is not good for a mercenary group.”
“Because this area is not in a state of war. If you want to find a famous mercenary group, you have to search the conflict area or the campaign.”
“… What if I go there now and the battle and the war are over?”
“Isn’t that why the latest information is important?”
She smiled and the wolf man gave her a wild laugh.
“So, robbing these guys is a lot of fun?”
“Of course. Even if the equipment was properly disposed of, it would be the income of a serf for several years.”
“Is serfdom the standard?”
Should I laugh at this or question it?
“It’s about punishing the guilty and making extra income from their equipment and belongings. It’s about getting the full price.”
“… It would be fortunate if the corpses didn’t wake up again because of their injustice.”
“Then let’s kill again.”
It was very bloody when he shouted that he was doing it with a smile on his face.
No malice, no hostility.
Still, being able to commit such a murder without batting an eye means that it’s quite twisted.
How much more does that twisted being have outstanding skills?
There really is no such thing as a disaster.
“That village of Somern over there? What’s over there that all these mongrels are pouring in? Isn’t it time to tell you something?”
“Are you curious?”
When she smiled at her as she shook her poisoned vellum document, the wolf man who snatched it pretended to read it and asked.
“… What is it written for?”
“Since the great warrior’s crazy son is there, I’ll give you a hefty reward if you secure a new recruit. That’s what it is.”
“The Great Prophet. Are you talking about the nine heroes? Their bastard bastard?”
“Yes.”
The wolf man whistled.
“I heard that the princess or the prince came over there? Here? Why?”
“I don’t know. And… They are bloodlines of brilliance, not bloodlines of gold.”
“Brilliant lineage? That… huh? No way?!”
“Yes. That’s right.”
She smiled.
“A knight of brilliance. Speaking of his son, it’s pretty obvious who he is, right?”
“… Did you hear the genius from the sky when you were young and then become an asshole that won’t happen again when you grow up?”
“I don’t know. Rumors are inherently exaggerated.”
“Aces. Are you aiming for that too?”
The wolf man asked with a serious face.
Aces. She opened her blue eyes wide and smiled.
“No way. Rather, I don’t know if it’s the other way around.”
“Huh? The opposite?”
“Gehben. You have to move in the opposite direction from others to get rich at once.”
It wasn’t long before the dwarves and beastmen who brought the carts began to rummage through the corpses and collect useful ones.
The corpses are stripped naked in an instant and returned to their original form.
The rest will be taken care of by the beasts that roam around the neighborhood or use it as a territory.
And she is a woman who watches the scene as if she is enjoying it. She
At first glance, she looked young enough to be misunderstood as a girl.
“And. It’s not really because I don’t have a relationship with you.”
With a mysterious smile, she said while receiving the reins of a horse pulled by a gray rabbit-haired beastman.
“If you do well, you will be able to secure your share. I bet you.”