208 So, tell us what you really think.

It's been a long time since I've felt a physical body, and I feel more comfortable with my own body than with someone else's. I guess I should be thankful that the Yugoslavs took such good care of this body.

It's a little complicated to be on a corpse, even if it's been repaired.

My whole body feels a little stiff. I can't deny that my muscles have deteriorated to some extent. But it's my own body, and I'm sure I'll fit right in. I turn my shoulder and open the door.

"Raheit. How are you feeling?

"No problem, Mr. Nektokhar. In a week you will be able to move as before.

The man in front of me, Nektokhar, only muttered, "I see," and returned to his work. Dark hair, dark eyes. The man in front of him, Nektohar, has dark hair and dark eyes, and his appearance reminds me of that man, so I feel my shoulders tense up. Nektokhar is silently drawing a series of plans for the construction of magic on a piece of parchment. I'm familiar with magic to a certain extent, but with this much complexity, it's hard to tell how it's progressing just from a quick glance.

Rahite, why don't you take a look and not sneak a peek?

"Oh, there you are, Mr. Littoral.

When I looked towards the voice, I saw that Ritual was making a pot of tea. It's quite a funny sight to see a former Guildmaster of one of the three major guilds taking care of his personal affairs.

He may be old, but he's still very physical. There's only so much I can do after I've given orders to my men. If only I had a little more skill in espionage, I could be active in many places.

"We just need to work on what we're both good at. I think you're doing a good job, Mr. Lytial.

Liyal's talents are very capable of identifying bastards. It is more efficient to appraise all the rare talents found by his comrades than to run around the world directly. However, recently, as many countries have recognized the existence of bastards, the search itself has become stagnant.

Among the bastards who are still alive, we have found almost all of them. In that sense, I'd say my work is almost done.

Yes, sir. Mr. Nektokhar, what is the current status of your progress?

Not too bad. But I still need information on the owner of the decisive talent. The bastard is like a piece of Yugra's wisdom scattered around. By finding and analyzing it, we can get a full picture of its power. But without the key pieces, it is difficult to reach the core.

Each of Yugra's bastards is born with a piece of the same talent as the all-powerful hero, Yugra-Nariya. No, I honestly doubt that this should be called a talent. The reason is that this power is a deliberately created talent. But conversely, if you can analyze this mechanism, it is possible to acquire this talent on your own.

The white subhuman who was beside the man, I really want to secure that.

I'm sure you'll be able to figure out how to use it.

It's tempting. But what we really want is the ability to interfere with reason. That is the reason why Yugra was able to create so many forbidden spells.

Yugra has acquired a power beyond reason. That's because he had the talent to control reason. If I can get it, I can reach the abomination that Yugra created.

"Resurrection magic, the ritual of becoming a demon king. I'm not sure if I've ever had a longing for an immortal being,......, but I do. You will find a lot of people who have been in the business for a long time.

In the event that you're looking for the best way to get the most out of your business, you'll want to take a look at the following. The one who tried to be a permanent threat to humans. The one who rejected his immortality and kept hoping for death. It's beyond ridiculous.

"There are three Demon Lords who have transcended reason including Yugra. There are four if you include the colorless Demon Lord who is a demon. If you know their transcendent existence, you'll have a little more ambition.

"That's why Nektokhar left the Blue Demon King, didn't he? Wouldn't you have been able to approach wisdom a little more efficiently if you had stayed with the Blue Demon King?

The Blue Demon King did not want to give his servants power beyond reason. Even if he served for another thousand years, he would never reach his current level.

You want to keep your wisdom to yourself.

No, not exactly. It's similar to the fact that I only give you the bare minimum of information. If you give knowledge half-heartedly, there will be those who, like me, become embittered and turn to wisdom individually.

"How is this different from the desire for exclusivity?

I do not want to monopolize wisdom. I don't want to monopolize it, I want it fast. If you move on your own, my research will be delayed. I just want to avoid that.

In the end, it's all about selfishness. In the end, it's selfishness. But I can't help but understand what Nektokhar is trying to say. If Nektokhar shares the information he has obtained with his comrades, there will be people who will try to get away with it. If that happens, more forces will be created, and the search for the bastard will be delayed even more.

"In the end, I would like to gain your wisdom, even if it means taking it. I'm intelligent enough to understand that it would be faster for you to pursue your research than for me.

"That's fine. I can't shake the balance of the world if I alone become the new Demon Lord. My original purpose is to act upon the wisdom I have acquired.

Yes, it is. That's why I'm not betraying you. There is no need to betray me.

Ritual also serves Nektokhar obediently because he sympathizes with his ambition. It is easy to understand that they are using each other.

I'm sure you've heard from Archbishop Serraes that there are no bastards with healing talents.

"Hmm. Perhaps he failed to train the man and overdid it.

I suppose so. The man has no magic at all. Ordinary healing magic won't heal him. There are people with talents that might be able to prolong his life, but ...... I have to say, I disagree.

If Archbishop Serraes can successfully use the man as a pawn, he can be a powerful trump card against the existing Demon Lords. He could even manipulate that trump card by ingratiating himself with him. But I honestly wish that man was dead. He's too dangerous. He has no talent for interfering with reason, yet he can bite us in the throat without mercy.

You seem to dislike him a lot, Lahite. But I agree with you. We agreed to the deal with Archbishop Serraes because of the value of retrieving the materials left behind by Yugra in Mejlis. To tell you the truth, I'd like to see that man go sooner rather than later.

"You two seem very cautious. Do what you want. I have one thing to do. I'll leave all the other details to you two.

That's it. I'd go in and finish him off if I could, but I can't risk making an enemy of Archbishop Ceraes. Now that the Scarlet Witch King has fallen, we are the only enemies he has left. If we help that enemy, we'll only be strangling ourselves.

◇

"Oh, my friend! I'm glad you're okay!

Marito hugged me crying as soon as we arrived at Taze Castle. I'm glad you're okay! Neil Ryates was going to take up residence in the Purple Villa, so we parted ways and sent him in that direction. The original purpose was to discuss with Marito about the future plan.

"Sorry. I'm sorry for worrying you.

I'm the one who's sorry. No, there's a lot I want to say to you. But I'm more than happy that I didn't lose you.

"Yeah, yeah. I get it now, so relax a little. It's rather painful.

After meeting the Blue Demon King, the behavior of Marito, who has the same face as the Blue Demon King, is a terrifying gap. Ilias and the others are also very surprised. No, only Mixu looks happy, though. Somehow, I managed to calm Marito down and explained what happened between him and the Blue Demon King.

I see. I'm sure you've found a good solution.

"We'll have to deal with Raheit and the others anyway. I'm not sure if I'm going to be able to do that, but I'm sure I'll be able to do it.

"That's a wise decision, my good friend. If that happens, I'll just refuse to go along with it, and the Blue Demon King will have invaded Tarz.

As usual, the voice of the Dark Lord speaks in a light tone. I'm sure the Blue Demon King wants you more than he wants Wolfe. But if he refuses, there is no way for anyone to force him to do so. For now, he is an ally in protecting Marito, but his first priority is his own position.

I know. I'm glad there's no one in my family who would say that without thinking.

I have to admit, I'm a little torn.

"Your Majesty, you can't be a king if you're weighing your country against your friends.

What's scary is that Marito's saying it with a rather serious face.

"I don't want to be saved at the expense of my country. I've got too much on my shoulders. So, there's a good chance I'll be bringing the Blue Demon King's demons to us. Can you hide undetected?

That's no problem. The only one who can perceive my existence now is the Colorless Demon Lord. He can't make an enemy out of me.

"That's great. I'm sure you'll be able to figure out what to do. Have you told Pope Eupharo about this?

No, not yet. If we tell him about this, he will certainly take care of Archbishop Serraes within the Church of Yugoslavia.

I can't imagine Pope Eupharo defending Archbishop Serraes. As the head of the organization, he is likely to dispose of Archbishop Serraes quietly. In that case, the information we can obtain will be limited.

The advantage we have for now is that we have been misled into believing that we are still dying under Archbishop Serraes. I'd like to take advantage of that if I can.

"Then you'll have to stay in the castle for a while. We don't know where there are people connected to Archbishop Serraes.

Personally, I miss my home. I'll let you. Ilias, would you be so kind as to bring me some of your personal effects?

Oh, yeah.

Bring Lakra and the mix, too, since they're bulky. Ecdysium, go get the purple ones and Neillertes. Keep them out of sight.

Oh, uh, Shishou. Wolfe...

Wolfe, go to your room and get some rest. You must be exhausted from all those battles with the dragon.

Yes, sir.

Well, I'm sure the Iliad fought just as many main battles, but as the landlord, I need you to go. After having each of you move, Marito will take you to the barracks in the castle grounds.

"Oh, you're feeling better, kid.

Oh, I'm not in a position to say anything about Marito either. I didn't think I'd be so ungrateful and disgusting.

I don't know.

I was waiting in the room where Shishou was staying when he came in alone. His eyes are a little red and swollen. He met Grandpa Kara, I'm sure he did. Bummer.

"Well... Can I talk to you for a minute?

Shishou brings a chair and sits down in front of me on the bed. I'm nervous. I'm a little scared. I feel like I'm about to have a bad conversation.

"......

You look like you know exactly what I'm going to say. Well, you're right. Next time, Wolfe, don't give yourself up to save me.

Shisho told me in the same calm voice as always. I knew that Shisho would say that. But when he really said it, my body started to feel cold. It's hard, I don't want to be here. But I know I can't run away from this.

But, but! Shisho wouldn't have survived if Wolfe hadn't done that. If it wasn't for the bastard Wolfe...

Gold would've offered the same terms as me. After you've talked so much sense and pretended to be so worried about it.

"What, you couldn't have said that? You couldn't have done it without Wolfe!

Even if Gold couldn't say it, someone else could have. That's exactly what Wolfe could have done. He could have given the same information to those who were there.

That's not true. I couldn't have gotten to that. I thought about all the ways I could help Shishou, but I couldn't think of any. The Golden Demon Lord's words about the bastard finally made me realize it was the only way.

I'm not saying don't help me. I'm not saying don't help me, but if you're going to do it, keep it to what Wolfe can do.

"...... What's the difference?

The fact that Wolfe is a bastard is not something that Wolfe earned by his own hand. It's an unavoidable circumstance for Wolfe. If that's what it takes to save her, there's no point in taking her out of the village.

I knew that. Shishou took me out of that village only because he wanted to save me. That's why he'll never be happy that I'm doing it this way.

That's what I'm trying to do. Still, there was something I could do!

Don't throw away your future over it.

No! If Shishou was in the same position as Wolfe, he would have done the same thing.

I wouldn't. Even if you were to give yourself away, it would be with the intention of doing something about it afterwards. Think about what you can do, rely on others, and don't throw away your future because you can't do it.

It's true that if you were in my position, you would have come up with enough content to negotiate with the Blue Demon King from the start. But that's something only Shisho could do. I couldn't do it. But that doesn't mean I want Shisho to die.

As long as Shisho is safe, I don't care if Wolfe dies!

"...... WOLFE, please stop trying to deify me. That's not good for Wolfe.

This is the first time I've been rejected by Shisho to this extent. I never thought I'd feel so much pain. No, no, no!

Shishou, Shishou doesn't understand how Wolfe feels!

Of course he understands.

Of course he does!

You know what the Iliad says. Ilias said I'm like a mirror. You can't help but see yourself that way, since you change your behavior according to your opponent. Did you ever think about why I spoil Wolfe more than others?

Of course you've thought of that. Shishou sometimes spits venom at Iliad, Lakra, and everyone else. He even scolds me. But he's never really scolded me. He just kept praising me, being nice to me, and taking good care of me. It made me very happy, but lonely.

That's because ...... Wolfe is immature. ......

No. There are plenty of immaturity in other people too. Of course I do. I've been doing it because that's how Wolfe treats me. I've been doing it because that's how Wolfe has been treating me, like a fragile object, always cautiously trying not to offend me.

No, I can't say that. Because I don't want Shisho to hate me. I don't want Shisho to hate me. As long as Shisho is there for me, the one who took me out of the empty world that day, that's enough for me.

Because I'm always so nervous about what 'I' think, I'm limited in what I can do when I don't have 'I' to judge me. If you can't be useful, you'll make mistakes in a hurry. You've been blocked up since you were defeated by the Scarlet Witch King because you were aware of that.

That's not true. ...... That's not true. ......

It's not possible that I don't understand Wolfe. I've been watching Wolfe ever since he left that village and became a man himself, right up until now.

"Then, then, Shisho! Do you know how much Wolfe cares about you?

"Well, you know. I don't feel comfortable saying anything naked about him, but I'm not impressed with you playing with ...... people's clothing without their permission.

"......?

You almost always sneak into my room when I'm not home, don't you? I've always tolerated it, even if it's just touching and sniffing my personal belongings.

How come, how come, no one is supposed to notice? I put it back in the same place, the same way, and I even smelled the air with the magic I learned, so there should be no trace of it.

It's not only Wolfe who sneaks in, you know. Lakra and Ilias also sometimes go into people's rooms out of curiosity. Lakra is basically in it for the booze, but ...... that's okay.

Why ......

I'm meticulous. I keep the doorknob at a certain angle. If you check it when you come back into the room, you'll know immediately that someone has opened and closed the door. Wolfe is very careful when he opens doors, isn't he? Lakra and Ilias turn the doorknob more brazenly. The chests of drawers are stored neatly in the back, but they are usually pulled out a little. Incidentally, Lakra sometimes leaves the door open.

Shishou scratched his head awkwardly. I'm the one who's awkward. All the things I knew I would get angry about, but still insisted on doing, are now known.

After that, I met Kim for the first time, and on the way back from Garnet, I told her that I was picking up some souvenirs. Since that day, Wolfe has been collecting things about me, hasn't he? Buttons, hair, clipped nails, all sorts of things.

"......

The tooth that Marito knocked out in the purple incident, that's in his room too, isn't it?

Oh, my God. ......

"Marito's guy looked for it to keep as a memento, but he couldn't find it. No, when you think about it, he's pretty much the same.

I can see my own face turning red. All the things I had done to satisfy only myself, so that no one else would find out, were all revealed to Shisho. The last thing I wanted was for Shisho to know.

He even knows I have bad thoughts about other people. I know you're jealous of the trust I have in Grandpa Kara, I know you're looking at Lakra's corruption with an open mind, I know you think Ilias is a musclehead who tries to solve everything by force, I know you're wary of Mixu as a dangerous guy with unfamiliar hobbies, I know you're worried about Exdoik's fashion. He thinks that the fashion on Exoik is too subtle to be honest.

I didn't want Shishou to be disappointed. That's why I was being so careful, but Shisho had already noticed and was disillusioned. My vision became blurry.

I'm not disappointed or disillusioned. I didn't tell you to stop.

"...... What?

Shishou stood up and hugged me. He was very gentle, not like that. Oh, I can smell Shisho. So close.

"It's not all bad. I also know that even if Wolfe thinks badly of someone, he still finds the good in them and accepts them. Well, what Wolfe thinks is bad about someone is usually what he agrees with.

"......

Same goes for me. Just because you know what's wrong with Wolfe doesn't mean that you hate everything about him. I'm sure there's a lot wrong with the Wolfe too, but it would be nice to see a little more of that, wouldn't it? Just a little bit, please.

Shishou pats me gently on the back. He pats me gently on the back, as if he were nursing a child.

You can say "master" so clearly, but secretly you want to be pampered, so you keep the same pronunciation you learned at first. You don't like to be called that because you were called 'you' and 'this girl' in that oppressed village. Don't worry, I understand those things too, Wolfe. I understand, and I accept Wolfe.

I know. Whenever I call him Shisho, he always responds with a gentle voice. He always calls me 'Wolfe'.

It's because of you that I've been able to live in this world for someone else. I've gained so much because of him. I'm really grateful for that. So I don't want to live at the expense of Wolfe. I'm sorry for being selfish.

If it's ......, please make sure that Wolfe doesn't have to do this anymore.

Yeah, I'll look into it.

That's not good enough.

You understand the nuances. I promise.

With that, Shisho left me. I was a little sad, but in return, I felt as if I could see Shisho's real smile for the first time.