Chapter 87 – Does Having Nothing Mean You Can Do Nothing? (1)  

Everything vanishes.

Sound. The world. Sensation. Consciousness.

Pain, as if his entire body were being wrung out.

Even though the pain was so intense he couldn’t move, 

…Now it all felt distant, like something from a long, long dream.

– “Maybe now… there really is no next time, huh?”

The girl before him.

A girl woven from strands of gold, calm and composed, as if it were someone else’s problem.

Even in the face of his despairing question, her expression didn’t change.

– “They say even if the sky collapses, there’s always a hole to crawl through.”

“…….”

To say something so brazenly with that mouth…

– “I said from the beginning, I don’t claim to know what I don’t. I only said I know what I know. Meaning, if the information turns out different from what I believed, well, that’s all it means.”

“…So, I just have to deal with it? Since I chose to believe you?”

– “Not quite. I’m not that heartless. And while this doesn’t technically violate the terms of our contract, depending on how you look at it, it might come close. So, I’ve decided to stay involved for now.”

“What do you mean?”

– “I’m not going to bail you out of danger directly, but I can help you find and identify a path forward. Some… strategic coaching, let’s say?”

…Now?

This body was already broken.

And the monster standing in his way, unless you’re someone like Father, there’s no way you’d even dream of holding your ground.

– “Still, don’t forget: that girl who came to help you, she was only able to do so because you managed to endure, even just for that brief moment. If you hadn’t, her effort would’ve been meaningless.”

“…….”

– “Those who wield power often forget that it’s just a tool. And when that power disappears, those who relied solely on it are suddenly left helpless, like fools.”

“…That sounds nice, but isn’t the result the same? Still ends in failure either way.”

No matter how you dress it up, the outcome doesn’t change.

– “Try to see it as an opportunity. Moments like this don’t come often.”

“Easy for you to say when it’s not your life…”

– “Exactly. It’s not my life, it’s yours. Still, don’t let your guard down. I’m offering advice, not a miracle. Although… it’s probably close enough to one.”

So, what comes first?

– “What did that damned Holy Sword say again? That it already told you everything? Gave it all to you?”

“…….”

– “If it’s something you can use immediately, fine. But let’s assume you can’t. I hate those miraculous savior moments from heaven or earth. The idea that hidden power suddenly awakens and explodes into strength? The world isn’t that kind.”

So we’ll discard that uncertain variable.

– “If you lack information, then go and get more. Ask the Holy Sword again. Think carefully about what they said. They mentioned a prophecy, didn’t they? Something about that sword being drawn, and they think you are the one.”

“…….”

– “Imagining yourself as the one who inevitably drew it might not hurt, but you and I both know that’s impossible. Even the will dwelling inside that sword would agree.”

Then here’s the issue.

– “Understand what the ones who started this want, what they expect. Then use that. If you can’t do anything on your own? Then borrow someone else’s strength.”

“That’s…”

– “A tool’s a tool, isn’t it? Why be squeamish about that?”

Not wrong…

…But not entirely right either.

– “Let me lay things out clearly.”

The fact that he ended up in this dreamworld meant that in reality, he had lost consciousness.

– “Thanks to that helpful young lady who came for you, you’ve bought yourself a bit of time.”

And then, like moving images on air, the scene from earlier played out vividly before him, just like real life.

…He’d seen it so many times by now, it wasn’t even novel anymore.

– “But that time might last only a few hours at best.”

Barugo, was it?

Sure, killing him himself was an option.

But if he could get the townspeople to do it for him, keep his hands clean, 

…It would be convenient, in its own twisted way.

– “The villagers, gripped by fear, are demanding custody of your body.”

The scene shifts again.

A familiar building.

The chapel.

Outside its entrance, a crowd of townspeople had gathered, pushing forward, while a smaller group held them back.

Luines and Luirin, along with Leo’s group, and a few unfamiliar faces.

Some wolf beastkin. A few dwarves.

Though none wore full armor, they were clearly equipped with solid gear.

– “In the Empire, something like this would be an act of aggression, but unfortunately, this isn’t the Empire. From the Irenis Church’s perspective, this is heretical land.”

Which was why they could so brazenly display force in front of the chapel, threatening conflict at any moment.

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

And inside?

– “Luines was the one who initially treated you.”

“She did?”

She didn’t seem to have divine power…

Then again, what the Empire defined as ‘divine power’, 

Externally, it was referred to as white magic. The opposite, dark and vile in nature, was black magic.

And the forms of magic that lay in between were the ones most commonly recognized and used. They were generally categorized by element and color.

– “But as you know, your body isn’t the kind that recovers from that sort of thing.”

If your mother, Ermina, had been there…

Even she would’ve been at a loss trying to treat something like this.

– “So they’re relying on drugs. But medicine isn’t as fast or effective as other methods.”

“Can I… wake up?”

– “If you want to, sure, even right now.”

In any case, you understand what’s happening now, right?

“Why did Barugo back off?”

– “He was bluffed.”

The vision returned to the earlier scene.

Cariel, staggering, blood pouring from his mouth, nose, even eyes, teetering on the edge of collapse.

And the woman, who hadn’t spared him a single glance, instead smiling directly at Barugo, a cold and lethal edge in her sharp grin.

She spoke.

– “Wasn’t it you and I both… who came here expecting that sword to be drawn?”

Having temporarily gained the upper hand through strength, she now reminded him of their original intent for coming here.

Barugo’s resolve to execute Cariel appeared firm, but the power of this woman, who had retaliated without yielding even an inch, seemed to have no visible end.

The fact that Barugo didn’t know who she was also worked in her favor.

After all, rumors and infamy, such things often served as another form of backup during times like these.

Above all, he was the one they called the last Legion Commander.

…Which meant he was a commander of an organization, not a lone agent. He couldn’t recklessly throw himself into danger.

And, 

– “Taking hostages played a big part too.”

She had ignored the deaths of the townsfolk while neutralizing Barugo’s subordinates and promised to peacefully transfer Cariel’s custody.

– “In other words, she used not just one tactic, but several, to assert her intentions.”

Still, what if Barugo had gone berserk and started a fight anyway?

– “But, like I said, it was bluster.”

She had managed to force them to withdraw, but immediately after, the woman collapsed.

– “That was the recoil from forcibly drawing out her physical strength through here.”

The Demon King pointed to her own head.

“That was…”

– “It was more refined than what that man Venus used, but in terms of stamina, the gap was tremendous.”

She didn’t collapse completely, but she’d become just as much a patient as Cariel.

And Venus, watching all this unfold, ground his teeth in visible frustration.

“He’s doing fine, though.”

– “Sometimes, those kinds of unnatural creatures show up in this world.”

At this point, he surpassed being merely healthy, he could be considered a superhuman.

– “Now then, given how things are, what kind of breakthrough are you trying to find here? Oh, don’t sulk because you don’t know. Like I said earlier… I’ll kindly coach you through it.”

“…Is there really a way?”

– “Plenty. So many.”

It’s hard to believe.

Could there really be some method that just magically appears?

“Charging in with brute force is the worst choice, right?”

– “Even if you suddenly awakened some hidden power, considering your body’s condition, you’d die immediately after.”

She spoke as if in passing.

– “You already used up most of your life force just to survive earlier. Right now, it wouldn’t be strange if you dropped dead any second.”

“…….”

– “Why are you so willing to believe me? At least that stubborn brat Venus has a better attitude than you in that sense.”

“…What do you mean?”

– “No matter how persuasive my words sound, if they go against your will, you should push back. You didn’t stray this far just to live ‘normally,’ did you?”

“Is lifespan something I can control with will alone?”

– “Who knows? Not until you try.”

Sometimes, strangely enough, 

– “There are people who look like they’re on death’s door, yet somehow hold on through sheer force of will and end up surviving against all odds.”

“…….”

– “If you’re going to die anyway, even if you don’t want to, then fine. But is there any need to invite death yourself? Sure, you’ve had your revenge and all, so maybe you’ve got no regrets, but still.”

“…….”

There was hatred.

But even that, by now, felt like something far away.

– “Or do you want to hold on until your father shows up? That’s what everyone thinks is the best option right now.”

“…That’s not ideal.”

– “You sure perked up for that one.”

So, as expected, that was the trigger.

Why are children so bound to the existence of their parents?

Whether it’s love or resentment.

Hatred or affection.

Sometimes, just because of that tie, they throw away their entire lives.

To settle a grudge they hold against their parents.

Or to repay the love they received from them in some way.

– “Sort out your thoughts. Things will get busy once you wake up. Oh, and don’t worry, I’ll guide you step by step.”

She smiled brightly, as if making a promise.

– “A little sweet talk can turn the world upside down in no time. The problem is when it becomes a hobby, then it gets nasty.”

As she said that, the girl smiled like a flower in full bloom, like a girl her age with no trace of malice at all.

…Knowing who she truly was, it gave Cariel chills deep down.

Was it all just bluster?

Or did she really, have the power to mock the world with mere words alone?

– “Oh, but don’t misunderstand your options. If you carelessly reveal my existence… you may survive here, but you’ll soon become a public enemy across the continent.”

Still~ judging by the rumors already floating around, 

It seemed he was halfway there already.

– “People who benefit from that, those who get what they want from it, they’ll be showing up soon enough.”

And then, they’ll offer unfair deals, under the guise of a lifeline.

– “In a way that makes it hard for you to say no.”

The Demon King spoke.

– “Whether you ruin their plans by disrupting this flow, or focus on survival and act accordingly, that part is entirely up to you. So keep your wits about you.”

“…You sure know how to drag out something that could’ve ended in one line.”

– “Once you’re awake, you won’t have the luxury to listen to anything calmly.”

You know it well, don’t you?

– “When your body’s in that kind of condition, you won’t be able to listen to me as peacefully as you are now.”

“…….”

Probably, 

From the moment I wake up, the unbearable pain will begin tearing at my body and mind alike.

I might break down completely, ugly, pathetic.

“…….”

And that, 

Would be another kind of end, even if I lived.

[Did you not already receive everything?]

The words the Holy Sword had spoken came to mind.

So I received everything?

I remember receiving it… but everything?

“…….”

I don’t know.

What haven’t I realized yet?

And even if I do realize it, 

…Would that really be enough to resolve all of this?