Chapter 326: [The End]

Chapter 326: [The End]

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HELHEIM SCANS

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I walked.

The mud that had clung to me for so long had all disappeared.

The terrifying screams that had once made my heart sink had turned into faint moans.

"......"

The one who downgraded humans to mere prey, to objects of one-sided plunder.

The demon who brought misery and sorrow to this world.

The Demon King was now pathetically shriveled, writhing on the ground.

I stood before him, pondering how to describe my current feelings.

When was it?

Someone had definitely told me.

That after despair, hope would come.

That after night, the sun would rise.

That after flowers wither, they bloom again.

So even at the end of this seemingly endless winter, spring would come.

As if they were sure of it.

As if it were as clear as a mathematical formula.

As if it were as righteous as a law, someone had told me.

'...Who was it?'

Perhaps because of the fragmented memories, I couldn't recall it immediately.

But the feeling I had when I heard those words was vivid.

A heart full of anticipation and a faint but burning hope.

I murmured, "Yes, that's right. It was true."

The Demon King looked up at me with crushed eyes.

There was no longer any fight or will left in his gaze.

Perhaps in exchange for my fading memories, my feelings of hatred and relief became even clearer.

Oscillating like a pendulum between those two emotions, I continued to mutter, not knowing to whom.

"...It was heavy."

Too many noble and righteous people had died.

Too many kind and innocent ones had suffered.

I had seen too many sacrifices from those who bore responsibility and conscience.

Too many things had depended on the tip of my sword.

It was always heavy even amidst the battlefield's cries and the night's silence.

Every moment was a continuous choice.

No matter how much I thought about it, I could never know if the results were right or wrong.

"But I did well enough, right?"

I lifted my sword.

Sling-

The black greatsword was worn and rugged.

It looked so dull that it seemed like a mere lump of metal now.

But it could still perform one last strike.

"Hoo..."

My consciousness was still a jumbled mess, all tangled up.

But one fact was clear.

The moment I swung this sword,

Humanity would be liberated from its long suffering.

Those who had left before us would finally smile before God.

And those who remained would live in a peaceful and tranquil world.

...But I would not be there.

For a moment, it felt as if a cold wind had seeped into my chest.

I gazed at the sword that had paused in mid-air.

"......"

I remembered seeing someone else's hands trembling like this not too long ago.

What choice did he make?

As I dug through my memories, I suddenly let out a small laugh.

"No, no."

What did his choice have to do with anything?

"This is my decision."

I wouldn't imitate anymore.

Every life I lived,

Every moment I experienced was mine.

Even though many parts of it were patched together from other people's lives, the one who felt, experienced, and lived through it was me.

I had created myself from within imitation, and I had crafted my way of being.

Therefore, even now, when those core elements were long gone... I remained.

I was still me.

So—

"Let me bring humanity a future."

I would answer the words that had started this journey in my own way.

Of course, the answer had been decided long ago.

"Yes..."

I smiled slowly.

Strength returned to the hand that held the sword.

This time, it didn't tremble.

"I'll take you there."

...To the freest future possible!

I swung the sword down.

The sensation of the Demon King's skull shattering was deeply satisfying.

* * *

"Everyone, stand by!"

"Don't lose focus."

"You never know when it might jump out."

Even as the Avalon forces regained consciousness and recovered their strength, the black sphere remained before them.

The massive sphere, which had absorbed all the world's despair and darkness, continued to tremble and shake even after the hero had entered it.

For those waiting outside, it was a nerve-wracking sight.

I opened my eyes to the voice calling me.

A familiar face wore an unfamiliar expression.

"Ah, Euphemia."

By some miracle, when the Demon King perished, a part of what he had taken returned.

It included the memories of my loved ones.

It was truly fortunate.

I could bring things to a proper end.

Euphemia reached out her hand.

"...What are you doing here? Let's go back."

"Yes, we should go back."

I tried to take the hand Euphemia extended to me.

But unfortunately, all I could manage was a brush.

The disintegration magic planted by Zero had already progressed more than halfway.

It was becoming increasingly difficult to exert physical force.

"......"

But my hand didn't fall to the cold ground.

Euphemia had grabbed my sleeve instead.

Her joints, where strength was concentrated, were abnormally pale.

It was then.

"P-Professor...?"

"You..."

"No, what is this...?"

"Professor!"

The group of crusaders who had belatedly followed surrounded Euphemia and me.

My blurry vision suddenly cleared.

Evergreen and Karen were weeping uncontrollably.

Gerald had his back turned, his shoulders shaking violently.

Luke and Ban looked as if they were about to tear their lips apart.

When I met Cuculli's gaze, she mouthed the words "Thank you."

...And both Leciel and Nyhill wore expressions full of regret.

It was clear that leaving my comrades behind would be just as difficult.

Noubelmag, who had bowed his head deeply.

Barun and Zion, kneeling in prayer for me.

Arpheus was still saluting.

Kasim, supporting the limp Pia, bowed his head to me.

Amidst the commotion, I saw Izaro leave.

Surprisingly, Yussi stayed by my side.

That damned Larze had a smirk on her face for some reason.

Well, it was better than seeing her bawling his eyes out.

Finally, Euphemia, my first accomplice.

"This isn't right."

"...Euphemia."

After a suffocating silence, the emperor's eyes turned blood-red.

"This isn't right!"

A torrent of incoherent words spilled out.

She spoke of taking turns.

That it was now the world's turn to love me.

That I deserved to enjoy what was rightfully mine, the emperor cried out in rage.

"How ridiculous... you fool."

Thud—

She fell to her knees in the mud, reaching out to support my drooping head.

Grateful that she allowed me to face the people,

I looked at those who wept for me.

"......"

Suddenly, I recalled my very first memory.

When I first faced this world, my first awareness was undoubtedly loneliness and pain.

But how was it at the end?

"Thank you for crying for me."

It was dazzling.

The sun was rising, the dawn was breaking.

I squinted my eyes and looked up at the brightening sky.

I used to despise this sight.

The sky where dawn breaks.

Another day begins.

A world where only I cannot take root.

But now, it was blindingly beautiful.

All my actions.

All my sacrifices.

Everything had meaning.

The proof was scattered everywhere.

I asked them aloud.

"Does this world still need a hero?"

The answer came after a brief moment of silence.

Warmth enveloped me.

Euphemia whispered.

"No, it's okay. It's all okay now."

"How... amusing."

Indeed.

There was nothing left to do but laugh heartily.

"It's amazing."

[TL/N: This was a journey that i’m glad i was on. Thank you for bearing with me and my mistakes.]

[PR/N: My first novel that I pr’ed. Damn. Sadder stories incoming.]

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HELHEIM SCANS

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