Chapter 146: Prelude – 4

Chapter 146: Prelude – 4

“You’re a peculiar person. A God from another world… or a being of similar standing, protected by a being from another world…”

“More accurately, it’s a contractual relationship.”

“In that case, I can’t help but ask this question. Why do you choose to walk this path? If it’s simply to save people, it might be too harsh for you.”

I had heard a similar question from the system before.

And my answer hadn’t changed much from then.

“If there are bonds deeply rooted in my life, can I abandon them?”

“……Even if your life might be stained with eternal suffering for it?”

“Then, if I choose to abandon those bonds and survive alone, will my life be eternally happy?”

Ultimately, for my own peace of mind, I needed the people around me.

The definition of who I am… ultimately, could only be formed through the eyes of others.

No matter how much I shouted about who I was and what kind of life I wanted to live alone, there would be no answer.

I, we, were ultimately beings who needed others.

Therefore, I couldn’t abandon the others, the people, beside me.

Because I breathe within my relationships with them, and because of those relationships, the current me can be complete.

The gaze and relationships of others, which once felt like chains… in this moment, were not chains, but a lifeline.

Of course, there are others who show hostility towards me, and there are also those who don’t know me.

However, the ‘others’ I speak of, who define me and allow me to exist, do not encompass such individuals… more precisely, they are those who belong to my bonds.

Therefore, I couldn’t abandon the bonds of this world.

I…… couldn’t abandon myself, who was finally becoming complete.

Rather than losing all my bonds and drowning in emptiness, I would rather throw myself into the predetermined thorny path and willingly endure suffering to protect those bonds.

*’……How about that? Isn’t that enough?’*

“……You are a strong person.”

Perhaps my answer was conveyed, as both the Holy Sword and the prophet fell silent for a moment.

The prophet, in particular, gazed at me with somewhat sorrowful eyes.

After a short while… the prophet’s mouth opened.

“The words I couldn’t say, but always wanted to say… you are saying them instead me.”

“……”

“I am a human who succumbed before God. Rather than confronting God, I cherished my own life.”

“Isn’t your situation different from mine? You don’t need to blame yourself so much.”

“No. Even if you weren’t protected by a being from another world, you would have willingly chosen this path.

…I, too, would have repeated my past choices.”

The prophet who said that seemed relieved yet also had much left to say.

However…… the sanctuary, vibrating all around, seemed on the verge of collapse.

As if telling us to get the hell out of here.

“As expected, God wouldn’t just sit by and watch this place.”

*’Get out first. I need to continue my conversation with an old friend for a moment.’*

“…You?”

*’You are not the only one with much left to say, Prophet. Whether it be resentment or joy, let it all be heard.’*

For a moment, I wondered if I should just leave that Holy Sword there…

Well, it was the Holy Sword that would escape from the Hero’s grasp and cause trouble whenever it wanted, so I figured it would find its way out just fine.

More than that… Ria, who seemed to have something to say, was more on my mind.

*Um… well…… Ugh, it’s nothing after all.*

‘That’s the third time you’ve repeated that, so it’s probably not “nothing” at all.’

Perhaps they had already escaped, as Melini’s group was gone, but they had left markers indicating which way to go, so finding the path wasn’t a big problem.

The only problem was the terrain, which was turning into a pure mess.

The ground would suddenly split, pillars would rise to block the way, and golems that had clearly been dealt with would reawaken.

It was terrain that showed traces of deliberation on how to torment anyone inside.

‘If the situation is like this, and you keep dragging it out, I can’t answer you, you know?’

*……I just, just… I was just curious if we also fall into that category of ‘bonds’ you’re talking about.*

In such a situation, even Ria, representing the system, was acting strangely, making me uneasy… but the question that came back was unexpected.

At the same time, it was a question that was truly obvious.

Dodging another pile of bricks flying from somewhere, leaping from the crumbling floor to follow the path, I answered lightly.

“You’re asking the obvious.”

*Ugh… well, I guess we’re more like business partners than bonds……*

“What are you talking about? In this world, in this life, you were the very first bond I met. And you are also the most grateful bond.”

If you asked if I hadn’t suffered because of the system at first, or honestly, because of the system all this time, it would be a lie.

If you asked if there was ever a time I hated the system, that too would be a lie.

But…… if you asked if I always hated Ria and the system, who gave me a new life and subtly helped me a lot, then of course not.

Because it was the system that allowed me to form bonds with people like Christie, the Saintess, the Hero, Melini, and Lily,

And because I am still alive thanks to the system.

The system and Ria are also my bonds that should never be erased from this world.

*Are you, really? There were even quests that were clearly sent to make things difficult for you…*

‘It doesn’t mean I didn’t suffer because of you, it means you are also a part of my life. And if I had to pick, you’re the one I’ve talked to the most, you know?’

As those words ended, the end of this damn sanctuary also came into view.

Stepping on the crumbling floor, I leaped towards the entrance where light was streaming out.

From the looks of it, Melini’s group, whom I had seen earlier, and Melini herself, were waiting.

And I barely reached the entrance… no, I just crossed over fine.

“……I thought you wouldn’t make it, and I was all ready to save you.”

“Even if I hadn’t made it, I would have gotten out with a potion anyway.”

“Ah, that’s true too.”

***

After safely exiting the sanctuary, I relayed the story I heard from the prophet to Melini’s group as it was.

Naturally, every single reaction was astonishing.

If it were just simple denial, I wouldn’t have even mentioned it. On the contrary, some clapped their hands, saying they knew that God, that son of a bitch, would be like that, and others seriously expressed their intention to participate in the Holy Kingdom’s rebellion.

Only Melini asked about the veracity of this information.

“……Is this real? If this is real, the whole world is going to be turned upside down…?”

And at those words, I realized something.

……How am I supposed to prove this?

Now that I think about it, the prophet is trapped in the sanctuary, whose entrance has even collapsed, and the Holy Sword has disappeared, saying it would talk to the prophet.

Meaning all credible witnesses are gone.

*Hmph, do you think we wouldn’t have anticipated a situation like this?*

‘…You prepared for it? Really? I didn’t believe you.’

*Oh, come on, that’s too much. Anyway, if you show them this, it should work. This is an actual document we found based on the prophet’s words earlier.*

I was too tired to ask what they had done or how, so I just vaguely accepted the system’s handling of things and handed Melini an old book the system gave me.

Melini hesitated for a moment, then opened the book, and soon closed her eyes.

When she opened her eyes again, they held a clear resolve.

“It’s real. I never thought there would still be places where ancient texts like this remained.”

“I heard the story directly, but it seems they gave it to me in book form because they couldn’t go outside.”

So I just mixed in a little lie to fit the situation.

Roughly, it seemed to be a book that directly transcribed the prophet’s words, or a book about God and the prophet.

And at those words, Melini stared at the book for a moment, then handed it back to me.

“Originally, I was going to use it to expose God’s true nature to other adventurers… but it seems you need it more.”

“It seems that rather than the leader, the one who will go directly to the Holy Kingdom and spread the truth is more important, isn’t it?”

“……Shut up.”

Judging by Melini’s reaction, it seemed to be genuinely credible material.

…What the hell did these system guys do to get such data?

No, in the first place, I can’t even guess what they’ll demand in return later, so it’s a little scary.

“I was going to retrieve that evidence anyway… because I have somewhere else to go.”

“Well… I don’t know where, but good luck?”

I couldn’t bring myself to say that ‘somewhere’ was near the Demon King’s castle, where Melini had been in danger in the past.

……It’s time to draw the Holy Sword again and return as Lucia, the imposter Hero.

To expose that your Demon God is actually the same person as our God. The evidence is this book and the Holy Sword recorder that will return on its own.

Truly, I couldn’t be a more uncool Hero. Using the Holy Sword not to defeat the Demon King, but to persuade her.

Well, I guess it’s still much better than the real Hero.