episode_0048

Each Person’s Choice

“…. Ah…”

Aria, Alten, and I sat beside Veronica, watching her intently as she stared blankly upwards. Veronica held my book, containing her father’s will, tightly in her hand, her mouth agape as she continued to gaze into space.

“…. Uh, Veronica. I can tear out the part with your father’s will and give it to you separately, so can you give me back the book now…?”

“Huh…? Oh, oh…. Here.”

Veronica seemed greatly flustered and handed me the book she had clutched tightly. But I noticed her hands trembling as she passed it over. Sigh… This makes me feel bad. How can I take my book back like this…?

“Veronica. Are you sure you’re okay?”

“Huh…? Why?”

“Your hands are trembling.”

“Ah…”

Hearing my words, Veronica realized her hands were shaking. She then squeezed her eyes shut and extended the arm that had held the book further towards me. Seeing her like that, I took my book back from her. As the book left her hands, Veronica spoke.

“Honestly… I still can’t believe it. That I’m human, that humans aren’t inherently bad…. And that Dad raised me to understand what kind of species humans are… It was too shocking. So I just wanted to kill everything. I couldn’t understand anything, so I just wanted to kill everything that lied to me.”

‘…. So that’s why you suddenly attacked me earlier.’

“But… when I read Dad’s will, strangely, those thoughts completely vanished. Before reading Dad’s will, everything was so confusing, but after reading it, I calmed down. Isn’t that strange?”

Perhaps it’s because you realized that Prosh’s love was genuine. More than anything, you must have been constantly suffering mentally from the anxiety that your father’s love might have been a lie. Well… this is just my intuition… Huh? Wait a minute.

“But you… aren’t calling him ‘Father,’ but….”

“…. When I saw Dad’s will, it reminded me of the smile he gave me… and the happy times we spent together… I started wanting to call him ‘Dad’ intimately, not formally…. I want to see that face again….”

“But Prosh trusted you. That’s why he intended to pass this sword down to you. He told me I could use it until I gave it to you… So, as promised, now to you…?”

As I tried to hand Trahan to Veronica, she spread out her palm and blocked my hand holding the sword. When Veronica stopped me from giving her the sword, I looked at her, and she smiled sweetly, speaking to me.

“Trahan is a divine weapon that chooses its wielder. Although Dad left that sword for me, Trahan chose you. I’m not worthy to wield that sword, Zeke. Even though it was for a short time, I doubted Dad. But you believed in Dad, an elf, even when everyone treated you harshly. So, Zeke, like Trahan, I think you’re the one who deserves to have it.”

“What? But this divine weapon is for the Elf Commander…”

“Hmm… It’s a divine weapon passed down through generations, true. Since Trahan disappeared, Commander Alten has been using a different divine weapon.”

“That’s right, Zeke. The divine weapon I have now was newly made because Trahan had disappeared. The previous Commander, Prosh, who was its owner, passed it down to Veronica. So Veronica also has the right to choose Trahan’s wielder.”

“Alten…. Are both of you sure about this?”

“What problem could there be? Thanks to you, I was able to erase my prejudice against humans. When you forgave me, I felt a kindness I had never experienced before.”

“Me too. If you hadn’t met Dad, I would have kept killing everything I encountered. And… you took responsibility and delivered Dad’s will to me. You even tried to hand Trahan to me instead of keeping it for yourself. I think this Trahan suits a kind human like you. Dad would think so too.”

“….”

I began to ponder deeply. Was I truly worthy of possessing Trahan, which was called the Elf’s Medal? It was Prosh’s request to give it to Veronica, so wouldn’t it be wiser to give it to her after all? I deliberated for a long time before finally making up my mind, and I raised Trahan high.

“Alright. Prosh said he trusted you, so it’s probably better to listen to your words. This sword. I will never let it be damaged. Thank you, Veronica! And Alten too.”

“Yes… Your heart is filled with nobility, Zeke! Now that you’ve received the Commander’s divine weapon, you are also an honorary Elf soldier!”

“Wha… what?! Receiving this goes that far?! Ugh…. The pressure is getting intense… But Veronica. Are you going to stay in that form?”

“Huh? Oh…”

Veronica heard my words and realized she was still in her human form, then began to examine herself. Seeing her pink hair again, Veronica chuckled and said.

“Yes. Dad loved me no matter what form I was in. And if the time comes when the elves accept me like this, Dad will be able to smile from afar too. Besides, I was originally human. Now that I’ve realized my true identity, I intend to live in this form…. *Gasp*…!!”

“*Gasp*….”

“Huh? Why are both of you suddenly…. *Gasp*…”

Suddenly, the two of them looked at me and recoiled in surprise, making me wonder why they were so startled. Then, in that instant, my own breath hitched at the overwhelming presence behind me. This feeling… I can never forget it… This presence is…

“Let’s stop the conversation there, Veronica-ssi…? How long do you intend to talk with Zeke-nim….?!”

“Ah…. Ah….. Aack….”

“?!”

Veronica suddenly recalled something, her eyes rolling back to white as she toppled backward. Sh-she fainted?! As Veronica instantly collapsed at Aria’s warning, Alten and I were gripped by fear and looked at Aria, who was smiling terrifyingly. I… I somehow have a feeling about what happened…?

“A-Aria. Did you happen to do something in front of Veronica…?”

“Hmm… I killed all the Alraunes that rushed at us. I kept swinging my staff and killing them, you see. But for Veronica to faint, even though she was enjoying herself…”

…. That was when Veronica was temporarily insane…. You must have been killing Alraunes that were getting in the way of you reaching me…. As I stood in shock, Aria’s cheeks flushed, and she swayed her hips from side to side as she spoke.

“Hehehe…. Zeke-nim is truly wise… You already knew Alraunes were bad, so you tipped me off not to kill elves, didn’t you? That’s why you deliberately told me not to kill Alraunes, right? Hehehehe…..”

…Indeed, I only said to spare the first Alraune I saw, but I didn’t say not to kill Alraunes in general… Thanks to that, Aria was able to come to me, I suppose… But how many did she kill for even the Grand Elder to look scared, and for Veronica to faint…?

“More importantly…. Ask me a lot of things too!! Why aren’t you saying anything to me!!”

“Oh… uh…. You’re not hurt anywhere, are you?”

“…!! Z-Zeke-nim is worried about me…. Hehehe… As someone who loves Zeke-nim, I’m always perfectly fine…!”

“Right… How many Alraunes did you kill for Veronica to faint?”

“Hmm… I didn’t count, but… I probably got around 40?”

“F-four….”

“40?!”

At the number Aria stated, Alten and I gaped. Alraunes that Alten struggled to kill…. She talks as if she was hunting slimes…. No wonder Veronica fainted… She must have fully realized how terrifying Aria is…

“Haa… Right… Still, I’m glad you’re safe, Aria.”

“Uwaaah… My head hurts…. It feels like I just met Dad again…”

Veronica, who had fainted in terror, suddenly clutched her head and pushed herself upright. Then she saw Aria’s face and was startled again, clinging tightly to Alten’s back and peeking at Aria. Alten, looking bewildered, looked at Veronica.

“Veronica, is she that scary…?”

“C-Commander, you don’t know… In front of that woman, there’s no pride or anything…!!”

“What…?”

“H-How did the Commander and Zeke survive the Alraunes, anyway?”

“Oh, that? I threatened to burn down the World Tree. With this ignition stone.”

When I took out the ignition stone and showed it spewing fire, Veronica’s face stiffened, and she kept staring at my ignition stone. Then she sighed deeply and said.

“Haaah…. That woman is scary, and Zeke turned out to be a terrifying presence too… Are humans really a benevolent species…”

“Did you dare insult Zeke-nim…?!”

As Veronica spoke in a tone that seemed to misunderstand me, Aria shot up from her seat and glared at Veronica, gripping her staff tightly. Veronica, once again terrified, hid behind Alten.

“Kuaaaaaaaah!!! No! No!!!”

“…. Stop it, Aria… She’s going to faint again…”

“Let me remind you again…. Don’t forget that you survived thanks to Zeke-nim….”

“Yes…. Yes!!”

…. I’m worried Veronica might develop a trauma related to Aria…. No, she probably already has. Moreover, Alten, too, seemed frightened by Aria’s terrifying demeanor just now, looking down and keeping his mouth shut. I know that feeling well… I really do…

“…. Anyway, I also met the Grand Elder-nim, you know?”

“The Grand Elder-nim…?”

“…. Uh… Alten, you explain this. I don’t know anything about Elf society.”

“Understood. The Grand Elder-nim said that all five elders turned to the Alraunes’ side. The elders brainwashed the elves for a long time, telling them that humans were harmful, and the Alraunes offered the humans the elves killed, and occasionally the elves they hunted, as sacrifices to the World Tree. Furthermore, humans had already apologized to the Grand Elder-nim in the first place. But the Grand Elder-nim was threatened by the elders and Alraunes, so she couldn’t tell us the truth.”

“…. What? Th-then if only the Alraunes hadn’t existed… Dad wouldn’t have suffered because of me… and Dad might not have died, right…?”

As Veronica learned the truth, she realized that Prosh’s hardships had, in fact, been caused by the Alraunes. Yes… all of this is because of the Alraunes. The Alraunes who casually killed many lives just to save one!

“I’m going to grant Prosh’s request and the Grand Elder’s request. To stop the World Tree’s revival. And to subjugate the Alraunes. What about you two? In this matter…”

“Don’t have to interfere in this matter? Nonsense! Two heroes sacrificed themselves for us! Just as Veronica received the former Commander’s smile, I cannot forget the warm heart the former Commander showed me. For his sake, I will join this effort!”

“This concerns Dad, and more importantly, it’s an opportunity to let all the elves know that humans are no longer evil beings! I’ll join too!”

“I see… Then Ari…”

“I refuse.”

“Huh?”

When Aria said she refused, everyone present was greatly surprised and looked at Aria’s face. Then Aria puffed out her cheeks and spoke to me.

“Tell them to handle their own elf business, Zeke-nim! Let’s just think of ourselves and leave this place! Now that the elves know the truth, isn’t that enough?”

“What did you say?! What do you mean by that, Black Saintess…. ”

“Stay out of this. Do you think I’ll forget that you tried to drop Zeke-nim into this place and beat him up? How dare you shamelessly involve Zeke-nim in such a matter?”

When Alten yelled at Aria, Aria’s expression hardened, and she glared at Alten as she spoke. Alten then frowned and lowered his head, while Veronica, terrified, hid behind Alten again. This isn’t going to work…

“Aria, let’s help them.”

“What?! Zeke-nim! I know you have a very kind heart, but…”

“The thing is… this is related to us too.”

“Huh?”

“If the World Tree revives, the world will be destroyed. Then the world I wanted to explore will vanish… and you, uh…. The world where you and I can be together will disappear, won’t it?”

“That won’t do. Alright. I’ll help too.”

“….?!”

When Aria heard my words, she changed her mind instantly, greatly surprising Alten and Veronica. Right… I’ve had that kind of reaction too…. Hmm? Wait a minute.

“Aria, but you knew Veronica was human, didn’t you?”

“Yes.”

“Then did you perhaps… think you could kill Veronica since she wasn’t an elf?”

“Hmm… Yes! But I felt Zeke-nim nearby, so I momentarily forgot, you see!”

“Wha… what…. Uwaaah…”

“Hey, Veronica! Snap out of it!!”

At Aria’s words that she had tried to kill her, Veronica was greatly startled and fainted again. Ugh…. How many people have Aria and I made cry and lose their minds lately…? Just as I let out a deep sigh, that’s when it happened.

“Found youuuuuu! Sisters! They’re over thereeee!!”

“There’s a dark human too!!”

“Finally, the Great Mother will revive! Let’s devour them!!”

“…! Damn it…”

Alten was the first to react to the sound of approaching Alraunes, and when their shouts were heard, everyone stood up and looked around. As Alraunes approached them from all directions, Alten shook the unconscious Veronica and shouted.

“Veronica, snap out of it! The Alraunes are swarming in!! Are you going to die without avenging your father’s grudge!!”

“Ugh…. A… Alraunes?!”

“Wow… they’ve gathered en masse… There are so many… Dammit.”

“Uwaaaaaah!! Z-Zeke! You said you threatened the Alraunes with the Commander earlier!! Do something with that!”

“That threat only worked because the Alraunes had little knowledge of fire! It’s impossible to create fire with the ignition stone here in the first place! Plus, with this many of them… threats won’t work! There were some like that earlier too!”

“Ugh…. Ugh, well, no choice then!! We’ll have to break through here, even if it costs us our lives!!”

“There’s probably a leader, Zeke! Veronica! Saintess! If there are this many Alraunes, there must be a leader!”

“Before that, we might die, Commander?!”

“Hold on, everyone.”

At the sight of over a hundred Alraunes, Veronica was greatly shocked, and Alten was steeling his resolve. At that moment, I stopped the two of them who were about to charge at the Alraunes. They looked at me, puzzled, and I spoke to Aria.

“Aria. There’s something you need to know.”

“Oh?! Something I need to know?! Tell me anything, Zeke-nim!”

“You know those guys? They tried to seduce me earlier.”

“Excu… Excuse me? What did you say….!!!!”

Upon hearing that the Alraunes had tried to seduce me, Aria was greatly flustered. Then her face began to twist so horribly that Veronica gasped in terror, and she glared at the approaching Alraunes, shouting.

“Zeke-nim!!! Is it alright if I kill them all!!!!”

“Uh…. Th… That’s fine.”

“Thank you…!!! Oh, omnipotent one in the heavens…!! Your follower, who abides by you, seeks your strength, so please lend me your power!! With your might, I shall punish all sinners!!!”

As Aria offered a powerful prayer, an immense light burst forth from her staff. Alten and Veronica gasped in terror at the sight, and I too was startled by the light, which was even stronger than before. Moreover, I chuckled wryly at the anger mixed into the prayer, and the Alraunes rushing towards us stopped midway, shielding their eyes from the sudden, powerful light.

“Uwaaah!! My eyes…!! Sisters, I can’t see….”

In that moment when their eyes were blinded by the powerful light, Aria instantly smashed the head of the Alraune who had cried out about not being able to see. Seeing this, Alten gasped in terror, and Veronica lost her mind.

“Ha… hahaha…”

“Wh-what in the world was th-that…?!”

“You see, Aria. She’s been itching to kill you all ever since she was trampled and dragged around by you earlier. But I tipped her off not to kill elves, so she was reluctantly holding back. And then, coincidentally, Alraunes who even tried to seduce me appeared. So… where do you think all that anger she wanted to unleash on you will go? You can guess, right?”

“….”

“*Cough*….”

As I explained with a wry chuckle, Veronica nodded as if she already knew. But Alten, perhaps because he was facing Aria’s strength for the first time, watched her massacre the Alraunes with an expression of utter disbelief. Then Veronica spoke to me.

“You’re quite scary too… Zeke… You used the Saintess’s feelings, didn’t you…?”

“Hmm… Is that so? Still, I’m glad Aria could vent her feelings… Anyway, let’s go!”

“Uh… yeah…”