episode_0055

“What is the number of enemies?”

“Well? Penelope said there would be roughly over 2,000 people.”

“What are our numbers?”

“It’s just you and me. Is there anything to count?”

“This is more than enough to win.”

There were only two people who set out to subdue the elite detachment of the Demon King’s army.

It was a crazy operation that would have made anyone who heard it scream crazy, but the two men blocked the army without any fear.

“Is it coming soon?”

Raoul, who saw the elite troops charging in while creating a huge cloud of dust, began to carelessly smooth the ground.

“Hmm… It would be appropriate here.”

After finding an appropriate location, Raoul hit the ground with a strong sound.

“What, what…! Is it an earthquake…?”

Because of the suddenly shaking ground, the elite detachment that the Demon King’s Army was proud of lost its balance.

And as they lost their balance, a sharp plainclothes sword flew towards their hearts. There was no one who could dodge the plainclothes sword flying towards him while losing his balance.

The plainclothes sword stretched out as if drawing a trajectory and took the lives of numerous soldiers, and the soldiers who were fortunate enough to be outside the trajectory regained their balance and rushed at Layla.

He rushed in, aiming for an opportunity to retrieve the excessively stretched blade of the plainclothes sword. It wasn’t a bad decision as they were trained directly by the Demon King, but…

“It’s not a bad idea to aim for an opportunity when you’re defenseless… but we’re not stupid enough to not know that either.”

His body was blown apart by Raoul, who blocked his path. Unlike now, when he is weaker, in the past Raoul was able to instantly kill quite a few enemies with just a slight touch.

He was feared by the demons as he was called a behemoth hunter or a slayer, and together with Leila, he made numerous achievements on the battlefield and turned the tide of the battle.

When the two were together, they were virtually invincible. Because no being other than the Demon King could deal with those two.

Unblockable attacks, defense that deflects any attack, unavoidable attacks and countless means of attack. The only person who could beat this combination was the Demon King.

“They were truly bland enemies.”

“Arrogance is poison in war. Okay, my other half? Without me, you’d be in danger right away.”

“…… It was me who protected you. In fact, it would be the opposite.”

“If I listen to what you say now, I’ll think you fought independently, right? Because I killed more enemies?”

“Even if I fought alone, I could have annihilated this many enemies alone. If it were you, that fact would have been somewhat unclear.”

“Oh, I see. Half of my body wanted to die so badly. If you wanted to see harmony so quickly, you shouldn’t have told me!”

The two even fought on top of a pile of their enemies’ corpses.

Nevertheless, the two people just enjoyed the fight. The time we spent moving our bodies while looking at each other’s faces was happiness and the meaning of life.

Each movement they made to attack each other had more meaning than just a kiss between lovers.

It was such a fun time that even Raoul smiled brightly, and it was a time filled with so much pleasure that Leila looked ecstatic.

Of course, Camilla, who came to pick up the two after completing their mission, was just displeased with the sight.

“… Bad guy. A bad guy who doesn’t even look back.”

Camilla was jealous of their relationship. However, as I knew well what kind of relationship the two had, I also supported their relationship from behind.

It was an indescribably complicated relationship, but I was confident that my feelings for Raoul would not give up.

His feelings were so deep and sad that if Raoul wanted to have a mistress, he would have no hesitation in doing so.

A few days later.

The four heroes who were forcibly brought into the strategy conference room began to listen to Penelope’s story while yawning continuously, as if they were still half asleep.

“Now that the vampires, the commanders who were planning the strategy, have disappeared, the enemies will also be quite agitated.”

The bandage wrapped around Penelope’s ankle clearly proved that fact.

When the yawning stopped at the story, Penelope sighed and said,

“Hey. This is not the time for me to tell a story, so would you please just focus? When the atmosphere gets that bad, it’s hard to talk about it, right?”

Penelope continued her explanation as if she did not really care about what happened to her.

“And the anniversary of Queen Ma’s death is approaching. As you know, the Demon King is someone who always visits the grave to mourn on the anniversary of Rain’s death, no matter what happens. We will take advantage of that gap.”

Although it was caught taking advantage of the heart mourning the death of a loved one, the enemy was a demon that massacred countless humans.

Whatever the reason for the massacre, a massacre is a massacre. In order to survive, one had to use whatever means possible. Even if it is absolutely cowardly.

There was no longer any feeling of guilt in their hearts. The guilt that comes from killing a life could be easily eliminated by killing it as Leila taught me.

Leila, who is good at acting, taught everyone how to kill their emotions. All you have to do is bury your sadness, anger, and guilt with the thought that you can feel them later.

“… I know it’s cowardly. But that doesn’t mean you’re in a position to discuss such things, right?”

Although it brought about some change, the Demon King and the executives under him were monsters one by one.

Since they could be reversed at any time, they had to somehow take advantage of their advantage and drive a wedge.

“First, Your Highness and Camilla will attack the main camp where the Dark Elves, Orcs, Balrogs, Beastmen, and Beastmen are gathered.”

“And Raoul and Leila. Please stop the reinforcements coming from the western fortress to help the main camp.”

The 1st Prince, who looked at the map, glared at Penelope as if she was saying something crazy.

According to Penelope’s strategy, the reinforcements that Raoul and Layla would have to deal with were trolls, ogres, harpies, and dragons.

Even with the previous three, the dragon race was not an easy enemy to see. The Demon King also had some difficulty subduing the dragons.

“The dragon race is not an easy enemy to see.”

Raoul’s expression visibly hardened when he heard that he was a dragon.

The Queen of the Dragon Clan was in love with Raoul for an unknown reason, and was literally fighting this war to capture Raoul and make him her companion.

“I know. But… but…”

Penelope squeezed her voice with a more determined expression than ever.

“You can’t miss this trend… You know… What a monster the Demon King is… You can’t miss the moment when he’s away…”

Since all five of them had challenged the Demon King and were defeated miserably, they could not bear to persuade Penelope.

“Even so, the Demon King is not a fool either. That monster might sense the presence of a distant main camp and come running in an instant. Then you’re ruined, right?”

“Don’t worry about that. Because Master decided to buy us some time.”

“That dog… No, Master would be capable of dealing with him well. Because there is no one who knows the Demon King’s sword better than Master.”

Leila also disliked the military minister very much, but trusted him in his abilities. Although they are treated at a level below cockroaches.

“Last question… We can go as far as stopping the reinforcements led by the Balaur tribe. Actually, my abilities are specialized for dealing with them.”

But Raoul pointed to the map and asked a question.

“However, due to the location, the queen of succubi and other demons will also come to help the dragon clan. If she, who is good at illusions and even manipulates people’s souls, makes a surprise attack…”

Raoul could not finish his sentence.

Because I knew how terrible the consequences would be, I couldn’t bear to mention that miserable family.

“Don’t worry about that. The elite troops of the allied giants will stop them.”

“… To be honest, I don’t trust them at all.”

“Yes, I understand, Raoul. Because they tend to prioritize their own well-being. But not trusting your allies too much is also a shortcut to defeat.”

Raoul still seemed dissatisfied with the operation.

Penelope, seeing Raoul’s disapproving face, spoke carefully as if she understood him.

“Raul Leila. If you are against this operation… I intend to end it. Because you are more important to me than winning or losing this war.”

It was such an unexpected statement that everyone, including Raoul and Leila, was surprised.

“Because you are my treasure.”

“… Then I guess I should live up to those expectations.”

Leila stood up and grabbed Raoul’s collar, who had a shocked expression on his face, and forced him to stand up.

“I still don’t like this operation.”

“I’m going to the battlefield… Are you planning on sending your demigod to the battlefield alone?”

“I can’t help it. I have no choice but to step forward.”

The two were inseparable.

The two men often fought together, sat at the same table, ate the same food, and even rode on the same horse when marching.

They wore the same colored clothes, were together even when they rested, and when they went to sleep, they would fall asleep in the same bed, holding each other.

It was a relationship that could not even be described as lovers.

“As expected, Leila. He is the most mature and broad-minded honor student among us.”

After hearing Penelope’s praise, Raoul looked at Penelope and Camilla’s chest with eyes filled with sadness.

“Raul, why are you looking at me like that?”

“Perhaps the two of you.”

Aser and Layla sensed what Raoul was going to say and tried to silence him, but it was too late.

“Are you saying that you are not mature yet?”

That day, Raoul realized that the saying that people see flashes of light right before they die is true.

If Leila and Asher hadn’t stopped it, Raoul would have lost his heart and neck that day.

Raoul always missed these days.

Those were the days when it was enough to just worry about the day’s events.

Those were the days when Leila was alive and breathing.

A time when you could be completely yourself.

I missed it so much.

And Rosie could only stare at the vision of Raoul and Leila with their arms around each other, completely speechless.

The two people were laughing.

Brighter than ever.

Happier than ever.

More truthfully than ever.

“Sister…”

Rosie wanted to hold onto Leila like that.

Because I know the outcome of that operation.

Because I know what happens to Leila in the end.

Because I know what action Raoul will take in the end.

Because I knew the details, even if only fragmentarily, I wanted to catch my sister.

But no one could hold on to the illusion of the past that had passed away.

Because even Raoul couldn’t capture her illusion.