episode_0001

The consciousness that sank into darkness swayed like a piece of driftwood in the sea.

Amidst being swept away by the waves of the unconscious, fragments of old memories slowly seeped in.

“Nice to meet you, hero. I am dispatched from the kingdom…”

“Don’t speak.”

“Hero…? Did I do something wrong…?”

“No, you haven’t done anything wrong. But please don’t speak.”

On the day I first joined the party, I recalled the cold gaze of the hero looking at me again.

It was a gaze as if looking at a cockroach.

Even for someone like me who usually brushed off things lightly, it was quite a gaze to withstand.

I later found out that the hero suffered from a hatred towards men, though he didn’t give an exact reason. Probably had many wounds.

Living in the predominantly female hero party was quite challenging.

Handling all sorts of tasks and responsibilities, even taking on night watches alone outside the tent.

Nevertheless, we became quite close around the middle of our time together.

We could exchange light-hearted jokes to some extent.

He still seemed uncomfortable with any physical contact, but sometimes it was unavoidable.

I still remembered the hero trembling slightly when I supported him in a situation where he couldn’t move.

As the time spent with the hero party turned into memories within me, I shuddered with guilt.

I deceived them.

I didn’t reveal to them that I was a spy planted by the demon army.

I betrayed their kindness.

These facts, combined with the hero’s initial cold gaze, tormented me even more.

I wanted to escape this unconsciousness as soon as possible.

!

Suddenly, with a pain that felt like my heart tightening, I could return from the depths of the unconscious.

Is this hell?

“Have you woken up?”

“…?”

When I turned my head towards the voice, there was an ordinary-looking priest sitting there.

He seemed unlikely to be someone from hell.

It seemed like he had been waiting for me to wake up, as he put down the book he was reading and approached me.

“Are you feeling better?”

“What happened?”

“The hero brought your brother here.”

“Ah…”

In an instant, the puzzle pieces in my mind fell into place.

I survived.

With a damn sense of guilt accompanying it.

“Where are the other party members…?”

“They went to subdue the demon king. Your brother’s wounds were very deep…”

“Then… what about the demon king?”

I asked the most important question.

Selfishly, I fervently hoped for the day when the demon king would die, and I would be free.

“Coincidentally, today is the day of prophecy.”

!

The day of prophecy.

The day when the fate of the hero and the demon king would be decided – if the hero won, bright sunlight; if the demon king won, deep darkness would descend.

Forcing my body up with a scream, I slowly made my way towards the window.

Since thick curtains covered the window, the outcome was still unknown.

Swish-

Straining with the little strength left, I roughly pulled open the curtain.

…

There, brilliant sunlight illuminated the world.

The demon king was dead.

That fact pounded strongly in my mind.

Thud-

“Are you okay?!”

The priest rushed to support me as I suddenly collapsed, but I pushed him away by raising my hand.

If the demon king had truly fallen, and if the fact that I hadn’t died was true, then there was something I had to do.

“Brother…”

“Father, may I ask for a pen and paper?”

“As a member of the Hero Party fighting for peace, how could I refuse your request?”

“…”

Though the priest’s words were respectful, they felt like sharp daggers piercing my heart.

Is it right for someone like me to be accepted as a member of the Hero Party?

“Here you go. Brother.”

“… Thank you.”

Slowly, with trembling hands, I wrote the letter.

Writing a letter revealing my feelings, the situation I was in, and my truth was very difficult and painful.

However, it was something that had to be done.

Perhaps the hero might not even get to read this letter.

Having defeated the Demon King, someone like me might be ignored and sent straight to the capital.

Selfishly, I hoped the hero would do just that.

I hoped that someone like me would be out of sight, so she wouldn’t know about my betrayal.

“If the hero comes, please hand this over. If she doesn’t come after a year… I would appreciate it if you burned it.”

“… I don’t know what’s going on, but you seem to be struggling a lot, Brother.”

“It’s tough, but it’s something I have to do.”

The priest looked concerned, as if my pain was his own.

“I understand. I will do as you wish, Brother.”

“Thank you.”

After spending quite a long time in a coma-like state, my body still ached, but slowly, sensation was returning.

I lightly clenched and unclenched my hand.

It might be too difficult to engage in actual combat yet, but at least daily life seemed unaffected.

“Father, is there a confessional room here?”

“Yes. There is a place where you can confess your sins and seek forgiveness from the Lord.”

“I see.”

Knowing it was hypocritical and selfish, I still wanted someone to forgive me.

The hero didn’t ask for it.

Whether it be God, a priest, or even passing villagers, I wanted to confess my wrongdoings and seek forgiveness.

Following my desire, as I stood in front of the confessional room alone, I suddenly had that thought.

Just this won’t be enough to earn forgiveness.

“May I go in alone?”

“Yes? But… usually a priest…”

“I’m asking you.”

“… I understand. May the Lord forgive your sins, Brother.”

Entering the confessional room alone, I began recounting my life as if possessed by something.

From before I was reincarnated into this world, up until when I took the blow meant for the hero against the Four Heavenly Kings.

It was a confession that no one would hear, yet strangely, it brought some peace to my mind.

Perhaps the Lord had heard my prayer.

In my original world, I didn’t believe in God, but in this world where God existed, I wanted to believe and hoped for His forgiveness.

“And now?”

As I finished recounting everything and stepped out, the priest who had been caring for me was standing there.

“The confessional room is soundproof, so rest assured.”

“… Thank you.”

Unintentionally moved by his consideration, I bowed my head with gratitude and apology.

The priest, seemingly unfazed, just smiled at me.

“You’ve been through a lot.”

I no longer wanted to stay here.

More accurately, I was afraid my selfishness and hypocrisy would be revealed.

Turning away and taking my first steps, the priest offered a final farewell.

“I don’t know what sin is causing you such pain. But if you help others even a little, the Lord will look upon you kindly.”

“…”

Something seemed to be said, but lips did not part as if they were sealed shut.

For a while, standing blankly, I took another step.

And it was only when I came out of the church that I realized I was shedding tears.

“…”

“…”

“…”

[Warriors who defeated the Demon King, I have prepared a grand reward for you, so I hope you come to the capital as soon as possible.]

The imperial decree that flew to the party of warriors who defeated the Demon King contained an ‘order’ to return to the capital quickly.

“… I can’t refuse the imperial decree. You know that, Aileen.”

A woman who looked like a magician said to the warrior.

Externally, it seemed like a mere recommendation to come quickly, but this was an ‘order.’

The magician also had concerns about leaving the party at the church, but she could not disobey.

“I know too.”

Aileen, with an unsatisfied expression, nervously bit her nails.

To anyone watching, it seemed like she was worried about the party members left behind.

“Don’t worry too much. Allen is an excellent warrior. He’ll shake it off and come to the capital in no time.”

“… That might be possible.”

Aileen nodded her head.

In her opinion, Allen was a very resilient person.

Perhaps he would quickly recover from such injuries and return to where they were.

At least that’s what Aileen thought.

“Is it decided then? Let’s start moving.”

“… Yeah.”

Still somewhat dissatisfied, Aileen mounted her horse without saying a word.

“After defeating the Demon King, we’ll receive a tremendous reward, right?”

The woman who appeared to be an archer said.

“Jenny, it’s fine to have expectations about the reward, but could you maintain some dignity?”

“What’s wrong with that? It’s just us. You’re too naive, Rebecca.”

“Well, maybe being naive is better than being ignorant.”

“What?!”

Seeing Jenny and Rebecca bickering as usual, Aileen smiled.

The journey of the past, adventuring to defeat the Demon King, could not easily be defined in a single word.

Sometimes it was difficult.

Sometimes everyone laughed together.

Sometimes they all cried together.

The one thing that never changed was that the party of warriors consisted of four members.

Currently, one member was temporarily absent, but soon he would wake up and stand by their side again.

Thinking that way, Aileen smiled softly.