Published at 26th of December 2025 7:37 am

Chapter 420: As Long as You Dont Mistake the Means for the End, There Are Many Paths You Can Take.

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I see, so thats what happened.

Crouching down and listening to Yutos mumbled explanation of the situation, I stood up and looked around.

But what should we do about this

The scene before us was, in a word, a disaster. What used to be tents were now just tattered rags, and the large stones that seemed to have been used to capture Mao were all reduced to rubble. Nothing retained its original form.

In one corner of this devastated area, a group dressed in white robes or armor was piled up in a mountain. It was fortunate that there were no fatalities, only unconscious bodies, but this also meant we would have to have a lengthy discussion with them later Well, Id think about that later.

And at my feet, Yuto was still hugging his knees, mumbling with a grim expression. He seemed a bit calmer than at first, but it was clear he had been through a terrifying experience, so it would be best to just watch over him for a while.

As for Mao, who should have been comforting Yuto and was one of the causes of this commotion

Wahhh, Tia-dono! Everyones so mean! They all ganged up on me and shattered this maidens heart! Once a vessel called heart is cracked, it can never be restored!

There, there. Its all right now.

Mao was crying while being hugged and comforted by Tia. That one is truly beyond help. If I tried to comfort her, I might just end up making her angrier or cry even more. Leaving it to Tia was the only and best option. Dont call it relying on others; there are things that are simply beyond ones capabilities.

Well, now that I had a grasp of the situation

Seriously, what should we do?

If asked to explain the meaning of at a loss, I couldnt think of a more fitting situation than this. The blue sky above tempted me to escape from reality, but resisting that urge, I approached the white-clad group first.

Hmm, this one looks the oldest, probably this guy? Hey, old man? You okay?

When I gently tapped the cheeks of the elderly man I guessed to be Priest Snail, he groaned and woke up with a start but soon slumped his shoulders in resignation after assessing the situation around him.

So, we were defeated by the Demon Lord With this, the world is

Sorry to interrupt your gloom, but youre Priest Snail, right?

Yes, I am Snail. A fool who couldnt fulfill his mission despite hearing the words of God. And who might you be?

Dont be so hard on yourself Im Ed. An adventurer, Yutos companion and well, Maos brother.

The Demon Lords? I see, you are Im sorry. If we had more power, we might have been able to save your sister

No, no, its not like Mao was replaced or anything! Shes been my sister from the start Maybe I should put it this way?

I paused for a moment, then flashed a sly grin.

Nice to meet you. Im Maos brother and probably the Demon Lord you guys have been looking for.

What?

Snail looked puzzled, so I explained as much as I could about our situation. Snails reactions were extreme, turning red and then pale, and finally, he slumped to the ground, exhausted.

By the way, it was almost certain that the Demon Lord the oracle referred to wasnt Mao but me. The term descended wouldnt be used for Mao, whos been here all along, and the timing matches my arrival in this world Besides, the fragments of God usually mess with me.

What, what is this A Demon Lord from outside the world? And it just stopped by and will leave soon? The worlds Demon Lord fell in love with the hero at first sight and wont rampage anymore!? Haha, haha. My head is going to explode

Right?

Though it might not be my place to sympathize, I couldnt help but feel sorry for Snails stunned state.

So, all our efforts were in vain, and the world was safe without us doing anything?

No, thats not it.

I couldnt let that comment slide. Facing Snail, who seemed ready to discard all his past efforts, I spoke firmly.

Hey, Priest Snail. What have you been striving for until today?

Of course, to defeat the Demon Lord and save the world from destruction.

Hmm. So, whats important? Defeating the Demon Lord or saving the world?

! That is obviously, saving the world.

Then its fine. You thought the Demon Lord was a threat to the world, so you made various efforts, right? But when you actually found the Demon Lord, it turned out not to be a threat. The world will continue to be peacefulwhats wrong with that ending? Or what? Did you, as Priest Snail, want to be a hero who defeats a truly evil Demon Lord after making great sacrifices?

Snail froze at my words. Indeed, if he wanted to be a hero, he would need a fitting enemy. But if he just wanted to save the world

So, if evil is not vanquished but was never there to begin with thats a happy ending?

Exactly. And look, you guys have been exterminating monsters in remote areas where the countrys hand cant reach, right? Even without a grand enemy like the Demon Lord, to those youve saved, youre undoubtedly heroes and brave warriors. My family might have caused and received trouble but youre not our enemies. For Mao to continue living happily, its better to have people like you around.

I glanced back to see Mao cautiously approaching Yuto, who flinched every time, causing her to run back to Tia and cry again. Ah, that was going to take a while.

Indeed, the girl didnt kill us. We, who unilaterally deemed her evil and tried to kill her Of course, there was a significant difference in strength.

Probably, I dont want to be hated by Yuto was what kept her rational in the end. I mean, its not so rare for someone to have the power to destroy the world. For example, if a king of a great country went mad with power and aimed for world domination, the world could easily be destroyed. But just because they can, it doesnt mean we should kill a king who hasnt done anything. What you should be doing isnt discussing and eliminating potential threats but guiding them so they dont become threats. Using the sword is the last resort when all else fails, not the first choice.

If we pursued that logic, it would mean beheading newborns the moment theyre born is justice. Even the Demon Lord wouldnt think a world like that had a bright future. Perhaps my thoughts reached him, as Snails face softened.

As long as we live, both humans and Demon Lords make mistakes. Instead of closing off their future because they might cause trouble, guiding them in the right direction is the truly righteous path Hahaha, to think I would be taught such a thing by the Demon Lord. Since I was saved from a monster attack in my village at the age of ten and served God, its been fifty years. It seems Im still just a newborn baby

See, Yuto? Its not scary, right? Im not a scary kind of Demon Lord, am I?

But you sniffed my clothes.

Ugh!

Come to think of it, you sometimes sniffed my hair too.

Gah!

I dont even smell In fact, Mao-chan smells a bit

Wah, wah, wahhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!, Tia-donooooooooooo!

Yes, yes, Mao-chan isnt smelly well, maybe just a little, but I think its within the acceptable range for an adventurer.

Thats not acceptable! Thats not comforting at all!!!

Hahaha.

Was it me or Priest Snail who laughed at the sight of the fussing Mao and others? Thus, the noisy commotion with the Holy Radiance Church, who had received divine revelation, came to a close.

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