Published at 17th of July 2024 7:27 am

Chapter 398: While It May Not Be Possible to Save Everyone, I Don’t Think Giving up From the Start Is the Right Approach

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The confused villagers, with a rather forceful and vague explanation that they were saved from illness by the hero’s power, were halfway convinced. Many wore expressions of disbelief, but in reality, since the epidemic… or rather curse had lifted, leaving them healthy, they seemed unwilling to risk the hero’s displeasure by delving further.

In addition, we used my [Akashic Compass] to locate and protect those who weren’t in the village due to work, and after properly dealing with the statue within the shrine, the true culprit, we left the village. Even Schwartz, who had been visibly uncomfortable and forcing smiles, finally regained his composure.

“I’m exhausted. Truly exhausted. It’s so difficult to be praised for achievements that aren’t really mine…”

“Hahaha, but it was quite an experience, wasn’t it?”

“Hmph, easy for you to say…”

Schwartz glared irritably at me but quickly looked away. His slightly rough stride was perhaps his way of resisting, at least to some extent.

Well, that’s fine. Schwartz’s annoyance was a trivial matter compared to another problem. And Tia, who noticed it, gently took my hand once again.

“Hey, Ed? The fact that the power of God manifested in that way…”

“…Probably means that the other side of this world has already been destroyed, I think.”

“Yeah, probably…”

Tia’s ears drooped sadly at my speculative words. Since I split the worlds in two, the fragments of the God had consistently prioritized destroying the world rather than me. But this time, it prioritized me… which meant that worlds were returning to their previous state before the increase.

But that’s inevitable. We didn’t know how many fragments of God there were, but since we’d defeated so many before, it’s certain that there were multiple.

On the other hand, I only had one body. Traveling through one world after another, solving their problems, and being expelled repeatedly. If attacked by multiple fragments simultaneously, I wouldn’t be able to prevent them all.

And in the previous world, the world was almost broken. No, even before that, if the Demon King of that world hadn’t been skillfully maneuvering, the world would have been lost long ago.

The fragments of my power, foreign to the world… it’s ironic that only by the Demon King resisting can the collapse of the world be stopped.

“Well, there’s nothing we can do about what’s already over. We just have to accept it.”

I’m the Demon King Of End, not the God of creation. I can end the imminent disaster before me, but reviving a world that’s already broken was impossible. Instead of thinking the same thing every time I lose something, it’s easier to just accept it…

“Tia?”

Releasing her hand, Tia clasped her hands in front of her chest. Her fleeting, poignant gesture of prayer was sad, lonely, but warm.

“…At least let me do this much. I know it’s just self-satisfaction in the end.”

“…That’s fine. If you’re satisfied, then that’s enough.”

The dead think nothing and say nothing. All prayers and offerings were for the sake of those living now, to continue living tomorrow. When I stroked Tia’s head, she smiled softly and then hurried over to Schwartz.

“Hey, Schwartz? What’s our next destination like?”

“Hmm? Ah, next… Well, I’m thinking of going to the town of Eden. It’s a town on the edge of the Calmeira Kingdom, but it seems that the lord there is wielding power and ruling with tyranny…”

“Oh… Can I ask something?”

“What is it? Tia-san, I’ll answer any questions you have without hesitation.”

“Then I won’t hold back. Is that the hero’s job? If the lord is doing something wrong, shouldn’t that be dealt with by, um… officials of that Calmeira country?”

“Haha, well, of course, that’s true. Normally.”

In response to Tia’s question, Schwartz gave a wry smile. Indeed, while it might make sense if it were about dealing with aristocrats who have been occupied by the Demon King’s army, it does seem a bit off for punishing nobles who were imposing tyranny to be the hero’s job.

“I understood what happened in that village earlier. If it’s a contagious disease that only affects the weak, then it’s not a bad idea for the strongest among humans, the hero, to go and confirm the situation. After all, they can safely investigate information that would normally require risking their lives. But getting involved in politics… I wonder about that. Oh, or could it be that Schwartz, you are from some royal family of another country?”

Since Alexis was a prince of a great nation, there were times when he would intervene in matters involving his country’s nobility. However, that was not as a hero, but as a member of the royal family. So it’s natural to have such a question about Schwartz, but he just deepens his wry smile further.

“No way! While I was indeed a knight in the castle, I’m not a noble… let alone royalty. And I understand that heroes shouldn’t get involved in politics. However…”

Schwartz’s expression tightened. It was somewhat precarious yet dazzling, the face of an idealistic hero burning with passion.

“There are people in trouble. And so, I cannot simply overlook that. I can’t just give up, saying ‘that’s not my responsibility,’ without doing anything.”

“Hmm… It’s admirable to have such intentions, but if you insist on things that don’t concern you and end up unable to do anything about them, isn’t that ultimately counterproductive, delaying the defeat of the Demon King?”

“Grr… The Demon King…!?”

“Come on, Ed, not again! But yeah, I think Ed has a point.”

“Even Tia-san!? …Well, yes. I have some awareness of that. But this is the form of heroism I aspire to. Some say I’m too old to dream, that I should face reality more. But if the tragedies happening right in front of me are supposed to be the reality I should face, then what is the reality worth saving? I… don’t want to run away.”

“I see. Well, isn’t it fine?”

“…What do you mean?”

Schwartz might have been addressing Tia, but when he said that to me from the side, he glared at me sharply.

“What’s your intention? Are you trying to affirm me…!? Huh!? Are you trying to corrupt my spirit and denigrate me as a hero!?”

“If I had said that, then maybe, but why would you react like that to having your own thoughts affirmed!? Hero Schwartz, you really should… think a bit more, shouldn’t you?”

“Grrr, my thoughts that no one in the castle recognized, acknowledged by the Demon King…!”

With a disgruntled expression, Schwartz turned away and started walking again. I couldn’t help but shrug at his reaction…

“…But well, you know. I’ll remember that you acknowledged my thoughts.”

Murmured in a voice barely audible, I exchanged a smile with Tia.

“Fufu. Schwartz is quite the awkward hero, isn’t he?”

“That’s an understatement.”

“Come on, Ed, not again! Right now, he might seem a bit overwhelmed by things he wants to do… but don’t you think Schwartz will become a good hero once he balances it out?”

“Then, is it the Great Demon King’s role to pull him up to that point? That’s quite a responsibility.”

The hero doesn’t have a path ahead; instead, there are only people trailing behind. But I, the Great Demon King, stand in the hero’s way. If he is coming to defeat me, then I’ll prepare some nice trials for the journey.

It’s only been a month since we came to this world. Our journey has just begun.

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