Chapter 91: That's Why I'm Doing It

Skin the color of marble.

In stark contrast, the heavy presence of Panuela.

His appearance and attire were reminiscent of an era at least several centuries prior to the current age.

Like those of the old Great Empire, rather than the current Berg Empire.

He observed the village leisurely from a makeshift tent.

“Did you ask why I did not deal with it there?”

Perhaps because he had too much on his mind.

His reaction had slowed.

The man accompanying him as Temporary Deputy was a man of dark skin, appearing as a complete opposite to Bargo himself.

Though tall and lean, the muscles and scars covering his entire body vividly conveyed how arduous his past had been.

Perhaps because he was sitting on a small chair, the height difference between Bargo and the Black deputy seemed even more pronounced.

“Those who followed were well prepared for it. At that time, it would have been better to simply dispose of his offspring….”

“Do not arbitrarily weigh the lives of your comrades.”

“…….”

“Regardless of who he is, we are neither arrows nor arrow-catchers. Following a great cause does not mean one should recklessly spend lives.”

“However.”

“We fight to live, and we die to survive. If I dreamed of revenge, do you think I would be in this position?”

“…….”

“What was my purpose in coming here?”

“Was it not to see the one who is both a Hero and a Demon King, according to the prophecy?”

“Indeed. And looking at the flow of events so far… it seems to align to some extent.”

The situation where Lueld’s offspring learned the Swordsmanship of Grandeus and came to crave his sword.

And in the midst of that, a trace of that person was detected from him.

“…….”

Looking back now, there were more than a few unusual aspects.

However.

“That cannot be a reason to spare him.”

“Then why did you let him go back then?”

“I wish to test him.”

If the prophecy is true, and if fate truly chose him.

If the Demon King of Wisdom arranged it.

“Whether he can find a way to live with a single reprieve.”

“…Do you intend to save him?!”

“Not at all.”

He will be killed.

“…But is it not a very attractive implication that a Hero and a Demon King are born at the same time and place?”

Furthermore, if that condition is met by drawing the Sword of Grandeus?

In a sense, would that not make him Lueld’s greatest enemy?

If only Lueld’s Barrier could be brought down.

No, if he could at least hold him back.

“Yet, for that to be achieved by his own son’s hand. It is almost lamentable.”

“Does that man have a reason to oppose his own father? Rather, there is only the possibility of a greater enemy emerging….”

“Even so, he is not our enemy. We are of a lower caliber. If he were that dangerous, why would we still be alive?”

“That….”

“Though there is this. The Elves are still desperate to kill us. Out of pride, they have been striving to exterminate us for years, excluding the interference of others.”

If he had killed Kariel back then.

The forces attempting to exterminate them would likely have expanded across the entire continent.

The Empire would have been in an uproar, and they would have cooperated actively just to avoid being swept up in senseless venting.

“If that had happened, we would have died long ago. The problem was that I realized that too late.”

“But… please do not forget that those achievements are what placed you in your current position.”

“I know it well.”

He does not regret it.

He does, but.

Even if late, by fighting and winning, he will make his value shine and instill a sense of pride in his successors to follow in his footsteps.

At first, he had thrown himself into it for that purpose alone.

But he had learned too much.

He truly should have died in ignorance.

Still, he is foolish.

“If the humans were foolish enough to engage in mutual slaughter among themselves, that wouldn’t have been so bad.”

Bargo shook his head as if disappointed.

“Even if he truly draws that sword, if his skill is lacking, he will die then.”

In the first place.

If he cannot even overcome Lueld, what influence could he possibly have on Lueld or the world?

Moreover.

Lueld himself might arrive at any moment.

Even if he dealt with Kariel, he would need to buy time to escape.

Then, he would need to create a distance of at least a few days, or at the very least, one day.

He was hesitating now because he was moving secretly to guard against political and diplomatic disputes.

But whether Lueld would… coldly consider such things and track him down even after his son’s death.

…There is no need to dwell on that.

“Or.”

Perhaps, because he was so consumed by the great cause.

Perhaps he viewed even his own son as a tool to realize that cause.

‘…With that personality, unlikely.’

He was the type who could not abandon his humanity.

A being who grew strong while embracing humanity, and grew strong by protecting it.

‘It is hard to imagine he could abandon his humanity now.’

Above all, whether a Holy Sword or a Holy Relic would favor one who had abandoned their humanity.

…He wasn’t sure about that.

====

Among the guards, the man I had seen before caught my eye.

A scar etched into his face and a fierce expression.

Even his expression was locked tight, as if there were not a single inch of compromise or room for negotiation.

Yet, even they were merely following Kariel’s party for surveillance.

Even during the riot, they did not take the side of the chapel, nor did they join the rioters.

From that alone, their intentions and goals could be seen as very clear.

“By the way, Riel? Kariel? Which one should I call you?”

The journey back to the summit, the Fourth Layer, while being supported by Leo, was an exhausting one.

A distance that would normally be reached in an instant took nearly half a day with this body.

“Whatever you prefer.”

Aside from their appearance, the age difference between the two was only one year.

“Since I’m a Forest Keeper, I’m confident in my stamina.”

“…Forest Keeper?”

“It’s not huge, just moderately lush. I don’t know if you know, but… if left alone, the ecology of a forest can surprisingly break down.”

That was something I was hearing for the first time.

“Not all forests are like that, but I heard ours was. That’s why they say you have to cut the trees on time; if the forest becomes too lush, less sunlight gets through, which is bad for small animals and plants. Since sunlight doesn’t reach them, small plants struggle to grow, and because of that, animals suffer from a lack of food. Also, they say when trees get too old, they twist… and struggle. I’m still not entirely sure, though.”

I didn’t know either.

It was content rarely found even in books.

“Depending on the season, we used to prune the branches of the trees near the village. Otherwise, they said the trees would get hurt.”

Leo continued talking as if rambling, yet in a way that made the journey slightly less tedious.

“Is this kind of story unfamiliar?”

“…….”

Instead of answering, I responded with a shake of my head.

Originally, I was interested in everything in the world.

I was curious about everything.

The reason I didn’t mind much even after my memories became vague was.

Because I thought there were more things to learn anew than what I had lost.

…I vaguely remember thinking that.

Very vaguely.

“Why… are you helping me?”

Because Luirin asked?

“Helping someone in need is only natural, isn’t it?”

“Because of that, you’ve ended up in a difficult spot.”

If things had gone wrong, his life could have been in danger.

Then again, if he had aimed weapons at the villagers or resisted with violence under the guise of a riot.

…That would have brought about another misunderstanding and catastrophe.

It was an expression that implied many meanings, but because my mind wasn’t functioning well, it came out as a question that skipped the middle context.

“In my village or country, various races live together besides humans. Then, occasionally, a small misunderstanding can spiral into a big fight.”

Yet, when they actually talked, most of it was over nothing.

But because that conversation didn’t happen, misunderstandings and distrust built up, and that’s when problems occurred.

That’s what Leo said.

“When I went to save Rio after receiving a request from Lady Luiness. Riel-nim, you stepped forward without hesitation, didn’t you? Even though no one paid for the request, it was just a simple favor.”

“…….”

“Strictly speaking, the current situation is the fault of those remnants of the Demon King’s Army, not Riel-nim’s fault, right? So… I just acted as my heart led me.”

And also.

“I heard that long ago, my grandfather’s life was saved. By Riel-nim’s father.”

“…….”

“As a human, one must fulfill their duty. Besides that, my father always told me that turning a blind eye to the right thing is a lack of courage.”

Humans.

Sometimes, they are strange.

Even in a place where everything is so wretched that there is nothing to salvage.

Sometimes, a flower blooms.

Suddenly.

A pure white landscape unfolds before my eyes.

No, it’s different.

Starting from the ground, it had frozen everything connected to it in a pale rigidity.

The dirt ground, plants, common weeds, houses, livestock.

Even the people.

Stepping on the frost-covered ground with leather shoes, the boy did not know what to do in a world turned white.

Overnight, everything froze.

Everyone was frozen as if they had fallen asleep comfortably in their beds or inside their homes.

Very rarely, a few were outside, but even they were merely staying in warehouses or leaning against walls.

The boy.

Leo wandered for a long time and looked around, not knowing if this was a dream or reality.

Nothing changed.

Overnight, he lost his neighbors, and he lost his family.

And so everyone slept, buried in ice.

Even in the broad daylight when the sun was high.

Even under the scorching heat.

The chunks of ice and frost covering the area continued to emit a pure white chill, like smoke rising from burning firewood.

He waited for several days.

But it never melted.

And they never opened their eyes again….

Never.

“Shall we rest for a bit?”

“…….”

Kariel shook his head.

Now, if he just climbed the stairs, the destination was right in front of him.

By the way, what I just saw….

-Did he say a great catastrophe happened in the village last time? That seems to be the result.

“…….”

Perhaps because the bond was tenacious.

I had a feeling the Demon King would know exactly what kind of incident and catastrophe that was.

-…….

Usually, he would immediately chatter after gauging my mood.

He is surprisingly quiet now.

My head is dizzy.

It felt as if Luiness had treated me only the day before; my entire body was in pain, and beyond that, it was grueling.

Chills and lethargy.

Thick, lingering pains.

Even the strength required to move my body slightly felt like it was pounding against my entire frame.

And when I stayed still, it felt as if my body was not just rotting, but softening.

I felt as if my mind would collapse at any moment under this indescribable absurdity.

Since facing the Demon King, there had never been a situation as grueling as this.

Above all, this is not a dream.

Because it is reality, if I misstep even slightly… my life and essence will quickly be laid bare.

“…….”

Death is imminent.

To that extent, life was also ringing out its presence intensely.

But all of it is being buried in pain and hardship.

“We’ve finally arrived.”

Once again.

That damn sword.

I reached the front of this cursed Holy Sword, thrust in diagonally.

“You said you wanted to talk, right?”

“…….”

And.

The question I had been holding onto.

The reason why I didn’t refuse when Leo offered to support me.

“You said you heard the Voice of the Sword?”

The reason why Leo was able to find Kariel at the right time in the early morning and guide him to the chapel.

“That’s right. Although it only gave me rebukes and kicked me out every time I saw it.”

“…….”

The sword gives rebukes.

It seems he received treatment that even Venus had never experienced.

Or perhaps everyone just didn’t show it, and it had actually been throwing a few words his way for a long time.

“…….”

My thoughts wouldn’t organize or connect.

As the Demon King said, it seems Mental Power does have a limit.

Perhaps because I was enduring and bearing the pain.

Even recalling a simple thought left me gripped by a sense of exhaustion, as if my brain were being squeezed.

“I hope you get the result you desire.”

“…….”

Leo, who slowly set me down in front of the sword, gave words of encouragement with determined eyes.

Did he notice that I didn’t even have the strength to reach out?

Held by Leo’s hand.

I barely managed to grip the hilt of the Holy Sword.

“…Huu.”

I steady my breathing.

Even if I get an answer here.

I don’t think the situation will improve more than it is now.

However.

…That is not a reason not to do it.

While holding the sword, I cast the ability I had been using, this time not on a living being, but on the sword.

And so, once again.

[You… will die soon.]

I faced the damn Holy Sword.