Published at 26th of December 2025 7:37 am

Chapter 418: Truth and Falsehood

This chapter is updated by JustRead.pl

With a faint groan, Yuto woke up. Immediately, the person beside him noticed and helped Yuto, who was laid on a soft mat, to sit up.

Are you alright? Slowly, raise your body. Bishop! Yuusha-sama has awakened!

Hero?

Confused by the unfamiliar term, Yuto frowned slightly. Before he could ponder further, a man in a white robe appeared and knelt respectfully before him. The man, with streaks of white in his hair and deep wrinkles on his face, seemed to be in his early old age. However, the joy and enthusiasm on his face gave him a somewhat youthful impression, making him a curious figure.

Ah, you have awakened! First, though it was unintentional, I deeply apologize for any offense caused to you, Yuusha-sama.

Um

Ah, you seem bewildered. Its understandable. We ourselves did not expect to find the hero in such a place.

Saying so, the man in the robe took out a transparent orb the size of a palm from his pocket and directed it towards Yuto. The orb suddenly emitted light, and the man gazed at it with a delighted expression.

This is a judgment magical tool created with technology bestowed by our god. It fills with light upon encountering the hero, and emits darkness when it meets the Demon King..

Uh

Even with the explanation, Yuto was still somewhat lost. He understood that they were calling him a hero, but heroes were characters from fairy tales, and he couldnt connect that to reality.

However, there was one exception the Demon King. Remembering that his dear friend was attacked under the name of such a nonexistent being, Yuto, filled with momentum, tried to stand up but almost fell, only to be supported by the knight who had first spoken to him.

Whoa, are you okay? Dont move so suddenly Well, Im the one who knocked you out, so I shouldnt be saying that.

Thank you but no! What about Mao-chan!? What did you do to Mao-chan!?

At Yutos shout, the man in the robe tilted his head, and the knight mentioned, Perhaps he means the Demon King, causing the robed man to frown slightly.

Hmm, Mao as the Demon King, thats rather straightforward Ah, I havent introduced myself yet. I am a bishop of the Holy Radiance Church, my name is Snail. This man here is Degas, the leader of this unit Well, explaining the organizational chart would only complicate things.

(T/N: Yk Maou being Demon King and she is called Mao)

Degas here. Nice to meet you.

Im Yuto So, what about Mao-chan No, first of all, what do you mean by Mao-chan being the Demon King!?

Lets explain things in order.

Unable to do anything by himself, Yuto suppressed his impatience and asked. Snail, as if giving a sermon, spread his hands wide and began to speak.

The story begins about half a year ago. Our founder received a divine revelation that the Demon King would descend upon this land. Therefore, we have been investigating this forest for some time without much success However, yesterday, we finally detected the Demon Kings presence!

Ah, we were naive. We assumed the Demon King would come from deep within the forest, never imagining it lived among people in the town I lament my own inexperience.

Saying so, Snail grimaced and dramatically shook his head. But soon, his expression brightened, and he looked straight at Yuto.

However, that worry is now a thing of the past. It seems we were just in time to thwart the Demon Kings scheme to ensnare you, the hero. Hahaha, the Demon King must be regretting it now.

Thats a lie! Mao-chan is just a normal girl

Would you like to see?

See? See what?

Of course, the true form of the Demon King. It might be a harsh sight, considering the heros age, if youve been traveling together.

I want to see! Let me see Mao-chan!

Understood. Then, this way.

Without hesitation, Yuto firmly declared his intention, and Snail, looking slightly sympathetic, bowed and led the way. They moved to a large space, likely cleared by cutting down trees, where a tent the size of a house was set up. As Yuto stepped inside

! Mao-chan!?

Dont!

There, Mao was restrained by shining white chains extending from a huge stone, looking like a tombstone, and slumped down weakly. Snail shouted sharply as Degas firmly stopped Yuto from rushing forward.

Careful, hero. Its dangerous to get close.

Let her go! Let her go! Mao-chan! Why, why would you do such a terrible thing!

Calm down, Yuusha-sama. Look closely at the limbs restrained by the chains of God.

The limbs!?

Prompted by Snail, Yuto looked at Maos limbs. They seemed to waver, changing shape.

Whats this? The shape is changing?

At times, the limbs were hooved, scaled, feathered, and then human. Continuously morphing into limbs of all imaginable beings, the sight stirred unease, making it unmistakably clear that the girl before him was no ordinary human.

That is the proof she is the Demon King. A Demon King of mimicry, who absorbs all beings into herself and uses their power. It seems even the power of Gods chains cant fully suppress her, as the restrained parts are fluctuating.

Mimicry But Mao-chan said shes Ed-sans sister

Sister? The Demon King lived with her family?

Yes. I heard she was traveling with adventurers named Ed-san and Tia-san, and that Mao-chan is Ed-sans sister So, it cant be that Mao-chan is the Demon King

Thats a more serious situation than I thought. So, the Demon King has the power to take not only the appearance and power of those she absorbs, but also their consciousness and memories?

At Yutos words, Snail showed a look of astonishment. If that were true, the Demon King could have killed and replaced any authority figure, potentially destroying the human world from within. Or even worse

Could it be that she approached you to steal even the heros power!? What a revelation. The world was much closer to destruction than we thought!

Ah, God! I am deeply grateful that we made it in time today. By your great guidance, we have somehow managed to protect the human world.

Kneeling, Snail looked up to the sky and offered prayers of gratitude. The surrounding knights also knelt, but Yuto alone stood there, dazed, unable to keep up with his thoughts.

So, Mao-chan is

Most likely, she was absorbed by the Demon King. I cant say when it happened, but I sympathize with your situation.

No

Yuto let out a groan and collapsed to his knees, overwhelmed by confusion and uncertainty. His eyes clouded over, and his thoughts went in circles.

From beyond the silent barrier erected by the church, someone watched Yuto.

Yuto Im glad youre safe

In a daze, Mao, relieved that her dear one was unharmed, let her faint whisper dissolve into the air, forgetting the pain from the chains as she did so.

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