201 So I'll follow you.

Marya's house was simple and somewhat smaller than Ilias's house. She seemed to live alone, and there were no other housemates in sight. She was led to sit in the living room, where there was nothing to do until the meal was ready. Marya is cooking in the kitchen nearby, and the smell of her cooking tickles my nose.

Is there anything I can do to help?

No problem! It doesn't make any difference if it's for one or two people!

I told Lakra and the others that I'd be back after dinner, but I wonder if Ao is worried. I told Lacla and the others that I would be back after dinner, but I wonder if Ao is worried.

Thank you for waiting! Let's eat before it gets cold!

Marya said a quick prayer before starting to eat. I, not being a Yugraist, watched her and brought the food to my mouth as she began to eat. The food is similar to the food Lacia once taught me, but each dish is carefully prepared and ingenious.

...... is delicious.

Are you sure?

"Oh, I don't mean to flatter you with this. You can see that it's been well polished.

My sister is the one who taught me. But she had a lot of work to do as a holy knight, so I started making them for her and got really good at it.

What about your parents?

My mother got sick shortly after I was born. My father was a holy knight, too, when I was young. My sister was also a holy knight. ......

Marya must have cooked for Lacia every day. But Leixia was taken by demons on a mission and killed. And for more than ten years, Marya has been living alone.

"I see. So you still wanted to become a holy knight?

My father and sister weren't very famous holy knights. But they were proud of being holy knights and fulfilled their duties. I wish I could have protected what they were trying to protect for them.

Didn't you ever want to avenge them?

I thought about ....... But now I'm inexperienced. If I wished for anything other than to protect my country and people as a holy knight, I would never be able to become even a full-fledged knight. That's why I'm only thinking about becoming a holy knight that my family can be proud of.

Marya's words made me feel as if my heart was being squeezed. I lived only for revenge and became strong only for that. Unlike that twisted me, Marya has a great human heart.

I think you're a holy knight with a great heart, even if your skills are inexperienced.

No, that's not true! It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for. I'm not sure what to say. I'm sure you'll be able to understand why.

After cutting them, you soak them in water overnight, right?

Did you know that?

Yes. I learned it from Laceia.

Did you know my sister ......?

I thought about deceiving her. But I don't think I can do that. At least I can't bring myself to lie to Marya. I've become a very honest person.

What I'm about to tell you is the life I've lived and the time I met Lacia.

I told her the whole story. I was raised by the great demon Vegragudo. That he captured Lacia to teach me about humans. How I and Laceia spoke to each other. And the end of Laceia. Marya listened quietly to my story without interrupting.

That's all I have to say.

So ...... was it?

Marya, I owe you an apology. If it weren't for me, Lacia wouldn't have been taken by the demon. It's like she's dead because of me. You have the right to blame me. You have a right to revenge. But I can't die now. I can't give you this life. I've already given my life to someone else. I'm sorry.

I bow my head deeply. I promised Ao I'd help him find hope for life. I can't break that promise. I can't repay my debt to my people. There are more reasons I can't die now than there were when I was willing to die for revenge. Still, if Marya wants me to, I'll take her grudge as far as I can. I've already made that decision. But Marya shows no sign of moving, not even a hint of hostility.

"...... Please raise your head. I don't want you to die, Mr. Ecdyke. Because my sister led you. And now you're a hero for saving your country.

I'm not a ...... hero.

I'm a hero. You fought alone to evacuate the people of a village invaded by demons. You weighed the lives of the villagers against the life of your mother and tried to prioritize the lives of the many. If that's not heroic, then we're not even knights. Even if you're not a man, you're still a hero to me. You're the one I wanted to be just like my sister.

I would have given an arm or two if you had just slashed at me with your sword. If you had cursed me, I would have lived with those words for the rest of my life. But Marya doesn't blame me. That hurts more than any attack or verbal abuse.

"But I left you alone. I took something from you that you cared about.

But you knew I would hate you for telling me. You told me the proud end of my sister whom I adored. That she was fulfilling her role as a holy knight until the end. There's no need for atonement. That's enough for me. So don't bow your head anymore.

"I'm ....... I'm .......

I'm speechless. My eyes are hot. I feel something running down my cheek. I've never felt so hard to just be forgiven. I know what it's like to live alone. I know what it's like to live alone. I understand some, but not all, of the sorrow Marya felt.

"Oh, I don't like it when you bow to me! Look, the food is getting cold.

...... I'm sorry.

It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for. You'll be able to find a lot more information on the web.

"Thank you, Mr. Erdyk. Thank you, Mr. Ekuduku, for suffering so much for me and my sister.

Marya's eyes were filled with tears as she said this. I'm sure you'll be glad to know that I'm not the only one.

I'm in the castle of Taze.

I went into a room in the castle of Taze. There was Marit-Thayes, the king of Thayes, and Salvette-Ragdor, who was said to be teaching Ilias how to use a sword. I'm not sure what to make of this, but I'm sure it's a good idea.

I'm not impressed that a subordinate of the Demon King's would show up alone in front of the king of the country, no matter how cooperative the relationship is.

"This is not the Lord's order. I've come to ask your opinion personally.

Speak to me at .......

We found the man. We have him.

Are you sure? Where is he now?

As soon as he mentioned the human, Marito's expression faded. I've heard that he's a good friend of that human, but I didn't expect him to be so upset.

"It's in my stomach. He's alive, but he's in danger. Is there anyone who can treat him?

We have a doctor on call. We have a room for you.

Then let's get you there. Lead the way.

In the room I was shown, there was already a doctor and various tools. Considering the fact that I was quite injured when I escaped from Garne, this preparation was natural. I took the human out of the "lost belly" and laid him on the bed. Seeing this, the doctor turned bloodthirsty and began to treat him.

"I have a question for you...

The moment he turned around and looked at Marito, his whole body tensed up at the expression on his face. It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for. I've faced many enemies in my life, but I've never felt my body cower like this before. Even though I know that this anger is not directed at me.

"Your Majesty, the doctor's hands are slowing down. Please restrain him.

"I'm sorry, Lord Raggedy.

Perhaps Sylvette's words had brought him back to his senses, for Marith exhaled heavily and turned to face me.

"Continue. When I saw the devastation of these humans, I was torn as to whether or not I should show them to my Lord. But it is my role to carry out the Lord's orders. That's why I want to confirm with you, the third party. If the master sees this human. What would happen to you?

"...... Frankly, your instincts are right. There is no guarantee that the Purple Demon Lord will remain sane after seeing his friend now. Good call.

What exactly do you mean by insane?

I don't think I understand the Purple Devil as well as my friend does. I don't think I understand the Purple Demon Lord as well as my friend does. ...... But at least I won't forgive the person who did this to my friend. They will consider any means of retaliation.

That's what I was thinking. But that's not the answer I'm looking for.

"That would be quite natural. This human being is the Lord's highest priority. There's no reason to forgive him for trampling on that.

"The question is what means. The Purple Demon Lord has a weak will to live like a human like the Blue Demon Lord and the Golden Demon Lord. Depending on the opponent, he may have to act as a Demon Lord.

What's the problem with that?

My friend would not want that. My friend was trying to avoid the Purple Demon King becoming an enemy of humans. But now he's in this state. That means there's no one who can stop the Purple Demon Lord. If he becomes as angry as I am and moves freely, all the work my friend has done so far will fall apart.

The anger that Marito had just displayed was considerable. If the Lord becomes even more angry than that and wields his own power, he will surely become a threat comparable to the ...... Scarlet Demon King.

I understand. But I have a duty to report to my Lord.

I'm going to tell the Gold Demon Lord anyway. There's a good chance he'll pass on the information from there. I'm not going to stop you. But if the Purple Demon King gets out of control, I have to stop him as the human king. You must understand what that means.

"...... I understand.

I'm sure Marito can handle this human for now. But with a body that doesn't accept magic and this injury, it's almost impossible for him to survive.

"Your Majesty, how will you notify the others?

They will. But no one is to see him.

As you wish.

Especially not Lord Ratzel. He'll go off the rails.

......, I presume.

I've heard of the human knight's life to some extent. They are said to live proudly, following the justice they believe in. The strength of the Iliad is cultivated from such things. Marith said that so many would go astray. Then what of the Lord? I don't know what path he's on. But I do know the consequences of making a mistake.

Oh, yes, I forgot. Duvvleoris, where was your friend?

"One of the facilities in the Mejis territory. I smelled one of the archbishops of Quama, who had visited Tarz before.

Archbishop Serraes. I'll report to His Holiness Eupharo. Lord Raggedy will notify the others. Duvraeus, can you give us a description of what happened?

All right.

If this human is conscious, this one who understands you better than I do, he'll be able to think of the best course of action for you. What should I do, human? I stare at the human with this in mind. He has nothing to say to me, he's just going to die.

◇

"Oh, Hark-dog. Lord Ragdoll of the Taze called. He says they found the man.

What? We've only just got the adventurers going!

I was so excited to get back to my brother in Jestaff and find out what happened to him. Well, if they've been found, so much the better. But my brother, who was working in the demon world, came all the way back to his home country, and he's really being pushed around by his brothers. Well, he's the one who defeated the Demon King, so I guess it can't be helped.

The adventurers, let them keep searching for a while.

What? Why is that?

The kidnappers don't know they've lost him yet. I'm trying to keep him from finding out.

According to my brother, my brother is in a very dangerous condition where he can't even be moved. Duvraeus left the scene with an alter ego in the shape of his brother. He said that since they couldn't use magic, they wouldn't be able to be examined by magic.

"Can't I just go back to Taze?

It was Rahite, Rhaetys' people who took the man. You're one of the bastards they're looking for. There's a chance they're watching your movements from afar. If you don't know for sure that no information will leak out from there, you shouldn't move.

It's .......

My instincts are sensitive to danger of death, but they are quiet enough to observe from a distance. There's nothing I can do if they're watching my every move from outside the range of my detection magic. But it's too much to just sit around and wait when your brother might die.

I understand where you're coming from. I'll at least provide you with the means.

Are you sure?

I'll have it ready by tomorrow. You'll instruct the adventurers to stay here for a while.

Yes, sir! I'll make short work of it!

That's my big brother! You're the one who can quickly plan things I can't even imagine! But we can't stay like this. I'm leaving Quama tomorrow, I've got my work to do. I decided to run out of the compound and head for Riode's headquarters. On the way, I saw a familiar face.

Oh, it's Hark-dog.

Hey, Masetta. You're back in Quama, too?

Masetha, a Yuggra priest of Morgana. I had a lot of help with Natra in Quama. I haven't talked to you properly since then.

Didn't you hear that she was kidnapped by Leitis? The Yugra cult asked me to help find him. I'm also a member of Morgana's guild, so I thought I could use my connections there.

The brothers also said they could trust Masetta, and Masetta herself seems to like the brothers, so it's okay to tell them.

I'm sure you'll be fine. ...... give me your ear.

Okay, but don't breathe too close to ...... me, okay?

What, are you weak in the ears?

...... Yes, sorry?

...... I'm starting to feel embarrassed. It's okay. I'll tell you what Jest Staff's brother told me, while using detection magic to keep an eye on the surroundings. It seems that my ears are really weak, and although I've been careful, my body is shaking.

So ....... I'm not sure if you can take me with you.

I don't think that's a problem. Why?

One because I care about him too. For one thing, I care about her and for another, I've done something wrong to Lacla and I want to do something to make up for it.

Lacla's somewhere else right now, though.

She'll be joining us soon, right?

That's right. I'll talk to Jestiff's brother later.

Yeah, good luck. Let's go, shall we?

......?

What the hell is he talking about when we're leaving tomorrow? As I was tilting my head, he came up to me and spoke in my ear. That tickles.

"You idiot, it would be unnatural if you were listening in on our conversation. I'm going to show my face at Quama's headquarters.

"Oh, yeah.

So that's what Masetta's words are supposed to be. This guy's got a lot of tact. No, I'm just not good enough, am I?

You're amazing.

What the f*ck?

No, I'm just saying you're really good at what you do.

What, are you being sarcastic?

It's a compliment, pure and simple.

...... Well, okay. This is my first time in Quama's headquarters. Is it true that if you're not a member of the guild, you'll be approached as soon as you enter?

50/50. If I'm there, they'll just yell at me.

I was joking. ......