Ch.8729. Does Having Nothing Mean Being Unable to Do Anything?

Fading away.

Sound. The world. Sensation. Consciousness.

Pain that feels like it’s wringing my entire body.

Despite being unable to do anything due to the pain that felt like death.

…Now everything felt distant, like a story experienced in a far-off dream.

“Is this really the end for me?”

The girl before my eyes.

The girl made of combed gold appeared completely composed, as if this were someone else’s problem.

Despite my grim question, her expression remained unchanged.

“They say even if the sky falls, there’s always a hole to escape through.”

“……”

How brazenly she speaks.

“From the beginning, I said I wouldn’t pretend to know what I don’t. I only claimed to know what I know. What does that mean? It means that information differed from what I knew.”

“…So I should bear the consequences myself? Because it’s my responsibility for believing and following your words?”

“No. I’m not that heartless. Besides, while this doesn’t violate our contract terms, I’ve judged that it could be interpreted that way, so I’ll stop just watching.”

“What do you mean?”

“I’m not saying I’ll overcome the crisis for you, but I can search for and point out possible solutions. Like giving advice? Something like that?”

…Now of all times?

My body is already broken beyond use.

The monster threatening to kill me right now is not something anyone but Father himself would dare to face.

“Still, don’t overlook the fact that a girl came to help you. If you hadn’t held out even for that short time, her assistance would have been meaningless.”

“……”

“Even those with power often forget that it’s merely a tool. The moment that power disappears, those who have relied solely on it to solve problems instantly become fools.”

“…No matter how nicely you put it, I’m still in a hopeless situation, aren’t I?”

No matter how you dress it up, the result remains unchanged.

“Consider it an opportunity instead. Such chances don’t come often, do they?”

“You speak so easily when it’s not your problem…”

“Well, it’s not my problem, is it? Still, don’t completely let your guard down. My advice isn’t absolute. Well, it might be close to absolute.”

So about what should be done first.

“What did that damned holy sword say? That it had already given you everything? Handed it all to you, was it?”

“……”

“If it’s something you could mobilize right away, that would be fine… but let’s proceed on the premise that you can’t. I really dislike salvation suddenly descending from heaven or earth. Suddenly exploding with hidden potential or awakening to become stronger? The world isn’t that accommodating, is it?”

So setting aside that uncertain element.

“If information is lacking, just acquire more. Ask the holy sword again. And carefully consider what they said. They heard some prophecy about that sword being drawn, and they think you’re the protagonist, right?”

“……”

“It wouldn’t hurt to imagine yourself inevitably wielding it, but you and I both know better than anyone that’s impossible. The will residing in the holy sword must know that too.”

So the problem.

“Identify what those who started this want, what they expect, and use it. If you can’t do anything yourself right now? Then borrow someone else’s power.”

“That’s…”

“It’s the same tool, isn’t it? Why make a fuss?”

It’s not wrong, but…

…it’s not exactly right either.

“First, let me clarify the situation.”

My entering this dream world means that in reality, I’ve lost consciousness.

“Thanks to the kind lady who came to help you, you’ve bought some time.”

Then, like a moving picture, the people from earlier appear in the empty space as if they were real.

…I’ve seen this so many times that it’s no longer surprising.

“However, that time will be a few hours at most.”

Was it Bargo?

While he would certainly like to deal with me himself.

If he could use the villagers to dispose of me without dirtying his own hands.

…That would be fortunate in a different sense.

“In fact, those who feel anxious are demanding your custody.”

The scene shifts again.

A familiar building.

The chapel.

Villagers gathered at its entrance, blocked by a small number of people.

Luiness and Luirin, Leo’s group, and… several unfamiliar faces.

Some wolf beastkin and dwarves.

All equipped with substantial armaments, just without metal armor.

“In the Empire, this kind of approach would be impossible, but unfortunately, from the Irenis Order’s perspective, this is a land of heretics.”

That’s why they’re openly pressuring the chapel, looking ready to stage a show of force at any moment.

Luirin and Leo’s group were doing well to restrain them.

And inside?

“Initially, it was the young lady Luiness who treated you.”

“Her?”

She didn’t seem to possess holy power specifically.

To begin with, that holy power is by Imperial standards.

Officially called white magic, with its opposite extreme nature called black magic.

And the magic that lies between these stages refers to the commonly used magics, distinguished by properties and types categorized by attributes and colors.

“But as you know, your body isn’t something that can be healed with such things.”

That fellow.

If your mother Ermina had been by your side, you would have healed spectacularly, to an absurd degree.

“So they’re using drugs. But drugs are inevitably slower in effect than those other methods.”

“Can I… wake up?”

“Immediately, if you wish.”

Anyway, do you understand the situation now?

“Why did Bargo withdraw from there?”

“He was bluffed.”

The scene changes again, returning to the previous location.

Myself, Kariel, staggering, blood dripping from my mouth, nose, and even eyes, looking like I might lose consciousness any moment.

And a woman with a refreshing smile tinged with sharp killing intent, staring directly at Bargo without sparing a glance at Kariel.

She said:

Didn’t both of you come expecting that sword to be drawn, based on some prophecy?

First briefly seizing the initiative with skill, then reminding him of the purpose and intention of coming here.

Though the man’s determination to eliminate Kariel seemed firm.

…The woman’s strength, not yielding an inch and even launching counterattacks, seemed unfathomable.

It also helped that Bargo didn’t know her.

Additionally, rumors and notoriety, or fame, reliably support one’s back as another ally in such situations.

Above all, that man is called the Last Legion Commander.

…As the leader of an organization, not a lone individual, he couldn’t recklessly risk himself.

Moreover.

“Taking hostages was also effective.”

While ignoring the deaths of humans and villagers, she neutralized Bargo’s subordinates and promised a peaceful handover of custody.

“She achieved her intention through multiple tactics, not just one.”

Of course, I wonder what would have happened if Bargo had gone berserk.

“But, as I said, it was a bluff.”

She managed to make them retreat.

But afterward, the woman quickly collapsed.

“It’s the aftermath of temporarily forcing her physical abilities beyond their limits using this.”

The Demon King pointed to her own head.

“That’s…”

“It’s more delicate than what Venus used, but the difference in endurance seems extreme.”

Thanks to that, though she didn’t completely collapse, she became as much a patient as Kariel.

And watching this, Venus was grinding her teeth in great dissatisfaction.

“That one seems healthy.”

“Sometimes abnormal beings like that appear in the world.”

Beyond healthy, at this point she could be considered superhuman.

“Now, given this situation. How were you planning to break through? Ah, don’t be gloomy if you don’t know. As I said earlier… I’ll give you some friendly advice.”

“…Is there really a way?”

“Many. Quite a few.”

I can’t believe it.

Thinking positively, will a solution really emerge?

“Confronting them with force would be the worst option, right?”

“Even if you suddenly awakened hidden powers, considering your physical condition, you’d die right after.”

She said casually.

“You’ve already used up most of your life force just to survive earlier. Now, you could die at any moment.”

“……”

“Why are you so quick to believe? Looking at it this way, that twisted Venus has a better attitude than you.”

“…What do you mean?”

“No matter how plausible my words sound, if they go against your will, don’t accept them—rebel. You didn’t come this far by living conventionally, did you?”

“Is it possible to overcome the lifespan issue through willpower?”

“Who knows. Not until you become that way.”

Sometimes, quite strangely.

“There are those who, despite seeming on the verge of death, stubbornly persist and survive until the end.”

“……”

“If you fail, you’ll die whether you like it or not. So why willingly accept death? Well, unless you’ve had your revenge and are content to die now.”

“……”

I had resentment, but.

Somehow, even that felt like a distant matter now.

“Or will you hold out until your father arrives? That’s what everyone considers the best option right now.”

“…That would be problematic.”

“Now your response is quick again?”

So that’s still the most significant factor.

Why are children so bound to their parents?

Whether it’s love or resentment.

Whether it’s hatred or affection.

Sometimes because of that, they throw away and waste their entire lives.

Just to resolve the resentment they feel toward them.

Just to somehow fulfill the affection they received from them.

“Organize your thoughts. You’ll be busy once you wake up. Ah, don’t worry. I’ll give you detailed advice.”

She promised with a grin.

“The world can quickly fall into chaos with just clever words. The problem is when it becomes an addictive hobby.”

The girl who spoke thus with a radiant smile.

Truly, as if without a trace of malice, she displayed a blossoming smile like a girl her age.

…Knowing her true nature, I inwardly shuddered.

Is it just a bluff?

Or truly.

Can she mock the world simply by lending her voice?

“Ah, but don’t misunderstand your options. If you clumsily reveal my existence… even if you survive here, you’ll quickly become a continental criminal.”

Well~ From what I hear.

It seems you’re already halfway there.

“Someone who benefits from that, who gets what they want, will soon appear.”

And then.

Under the pretext of offering a lifeline, they might throw unfair contracts, unreasonable proposals.

“In a form that’s uncomfortable to refuse.”

The Demon King says.

“Whether to go against this flow and disrupt their intentions, or to act focusing on survival, that much at least is entirely up to you. Stay sharp.”

“…You’re making a short story long.”

“Because right after you wake up, you won’t have the peace of mind to listen to anything.”

As you’ve experienced often enough to know well.

“With your body in that state, you won’t be able to listen to me comfortably like now.”

“……”

Probably.

From the moment I wake up, terrible pain crushing my body will eat away at my will and consciousness.

Perhaps I’ll collapse in a truly ugly, wretched way.

“……”

And that.

Would mean another end, even if I’m technically alive.

[Have you not already received everything?]

The holy sword’s words suddenly came to mind.

Received everything?

I’m aware of receiving something, but everything?

“……”

I don’t know.

What it is that I haven’t realized.

And even if I did realize it.

…Whether it could satisfactorily resolve this situation.