Published at 26th of December 2025 7:41 am

Chapter 491: The Value of the Most Brilliant Insight Usually Lasts for About One Night.

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Anyway, since it was getting late, we decided to stay the night in this village. Of course, there was no inn, and the spare room in the village chiefs house was being used by Lorenz and his party, being the hero and all. We were only given permission to pitch a tent in a slightly open area within the village.

Some villagers offered to let us stay at their homes, probably because we had worked hard to clean up the corpses, but we declined. The reason being

Youre not going to stop time and come here today, are you? I called out, lying in the darkness as I sensed a presence outside the tent. With a soft rustle, the entrance flap was pulled back, and Luka appeared in the moonlight, wearing a faint, wry smile.

Give me a break, senpai. That was only possible in that world. Theres no way I could do something like that in a normal world, Luka replied.

Is that so? I thought with that fancy title of Gods Apostle, youd be able to do at least that much, I retorted.

Well, God Himself might be able to do that easily, but Im just a collection of fragments, after all, Luka said as he disappeared from the tent entrance. So I started to shift my body, getting ready to sleep again

Hey, why arent you coming out!? Isnt this normally where wed talk outside!? Luka exclaimed, his head poking into the tent as he shouted in a low voice, displaying an impressive feat of dexterity.

Alright, alright, I was just joking, I laughed, getting up and heading outside. The moon floating in the sky I looked up at was shining much brighter than I had expected.

Nice moon Looks like we wont need any light, I muttered.

Indeed, Luka agreed, standing close to me as I stretched lightly while looking up at the sky. After spending a moment in silence, Luka slowly opened his mouth.

You know, I thought about various things in my own way. I never expected my plan to be crushed so easily It was truly unexpected, Luka admitted.

Haha, well, thats the difference in experience, I chuckled.

Youre really unbeatable, senpai By the way, what were you planning to do if I hadnt taken the bait? You could have squeezed Tia in, but with the hero, me, and you, three vanguards would have been too many, right? You wouldnt have been able to join, would you?

Hm? In that case, I would have played another card, I said, reaching into the air and pulling out two small bottles from the black vortex that appearedthe [Strangers Box]. I tossed one to Luka and uncorked the other, taking a sip. A cheap but nostalgic taste spread in my mouth.

Huh? This is Luka started.

Yeah, its cheap liquor from my hometown bought in the world you created. It was the first time I realized that the alcohol I used to drink often tasted like this. Come to think of it, did it taste like this because I thought it should? I wondered aloud.

Hmm, who knows? I think it had some influence, but I didnt go so far as to supervise the taste of alcohol or food Luka mused. So, whats this about?

Not the alcohol, but the storage. The reason for wanting to limit the party size is because the more people there are, the more water and food you need, right? And you have to look after more people. But with this ability, I dont have any problems carrying supplies, and I can take care of myself. In other words, theres no burden from increasing the number of people, and if I cooperate, we can travel empty-handed. Is there any reason not to make me a companion with this? I explained.

Wow, indeed So that means no matter what, its impossible to prevent you from joining the heros party, huh? Ugh, and I thought it was the perfect plan, Luka groaned.

Dont be so down. Everyone feels that way when they come up with something, I consoled him, putting my arm around his shoulder and patting it comfortingly. Then I posed an additional question.

By the way, what was the point of keeping me here in the first place? In the previous world, you said the Demon Kings power would be reduced if we stayed for a long time, but that was just for that world, right?

If the Demon Kings power diminished by staying in another world, theres no way a fragment of my power could be acting as the Demon King. Rather, theyre all powering up by gathering peoples desires and whatnot as time passes.

Besides, even if I couldnt become Lorenzs companion, as long as theres a Demon Kingessentially mein this world, heroes will continue to be born. I could eventually become a companion to a hero born after Lorenzs death and leave this world, so in the end, Lukas strategy seemed to have no purpose other than buying time.

Ah, that? Well, the power might not diminish, but the motivation would, right? Luka replied.

Motivation?

Yes! You see, if you stay in the same world for decades, youd form deep connections with the people you interact with, right? And if that develops further, like getting married and having a family, I thought you might not want to leave this world anymore, Luka explained.

I see, so its the same as the previous world after all. But remember, Im the man who chose to continue traveling over my mother, I reminded him.

I had already chosen to move forward when weighing important things against progress. Why did he think I would choose differently if presented with the same choice again? In response to my question, Luka twisted his mouth in dissatisfaction.

Because thats all I could think of! What else am I supposed to do!? Luka exclaimed.

Oh, I see. Sorry about that, I apologized, taken aback.

Seriously! What exactly should I prepare to make you want to settle down in that world!? If you tell me, Ill do my best! Luka demanded.

Eh? Even if you ask me that I trailed off, confused by his sudden outburst.

I couldnt think of anything myself, and even if I did, I wasnt planning to say it or was I? If there was something that could make me want to stay and forget everything else, and if he could prepare it, wouldnt that be acceptable?

Well? Is there anything? A castle bigger than a mountain, treasures that fill the sea, or even a harem world full of mes who adore you? Luka suggested.

No, Id sincerely like to decline that last one Sorry, I really cant think of anything, I admitted after giving it some serious thought.

Geez! Luka huffed.

I couldnt think of anything I wanted more than traveling happily with Tia. I wonder, should I be happy that Im satisfied, or sad that I have no desires?

You know, Im really quite satisfied with the current situation. So how about this? If you could pass a message to God saying, He wont do anything if you dont interfere, so please leave him alone, wouldnt that solve everything? I proposed.

Thats a bit Luka hesitated.

No good? I thought it was a good idea, I said.

Well, how would you react if Taruho seriously told you, The bug thats been flying around you lately said not to worry because it wont sting? Luka asked.

Id probably take away his alcohol and tuck him into bed at the inn, I admitted.

See? Thats what I mean, Luka nodded.

I see I sighed in understanding.

So, I guess the only option is to become a being on par with God or at least reach a level where I can communicate with Him, as per the original goal. That would give my words more credibility, I mused.

Thats right. But from my position, I have to prevent that with all my might, Luka pointed out.

Yeah, I know I agreed.

If I could evolve into a being that could communicate easily like Luka, it would be different. But normally, they would try to crush any growing threat in the process.

Its not easy, is it? I sighed.

No, it isnt, Luka agreed.

Looking up at the same moon, sipping the same alcohol, and sighing the same way. The night for us, who should have been enemies, quietly deepened like this.

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