episode_0089

Since we don’t know when we will die, we should treat it with more respect.

I couldn’t help but think about those words in my mind for a while.

I’ve never thought of it that way.

At one point, in order to accommodate Sylvia’s complaints, I even thought that there was nothing I could do about it since I was terminally ill.

In that rationalization, I had no human value.

But Katy… .

“You… .”

Kati said, raising her head.

“You are so precious to me. So much so that I don’t know what to do… .”

My cheeks and hands are warm.

To be exact, it was the warmth I felt from Kati’s hands wrapped around me.

“I want you to know that… .”

I suddenly felt that Kati’s palm touching me was hard.

It was definitely a hand that was infinitely small, fragile, and soft at first.

When did I become this big, and when did I get so many calluses on my palms?

Even though he is still shorter than me… .

“I know what you’re worried about. So, you don’t have to say anything. just… .”

Katy grinned with red, swollen eyes.

The smile was clearer than ever, but it didn’t look that happy.

Katy said in a hushed voice.

“From now on, please just allow me to love alone. As always, I’m fine with that… .”

“… What does it mean to say everything you want to say and then do it alone?”

“But… .”

Kati became sullen and whined.

… what? Is this your first time seeing him like this?

Kinda cute… . Oh, no.

Wake… .

“Okay, first of all… .”

“But.”

Kati suddenly cut me off and asked.

You said you don’t have to say it, but are you deliberately trying to prevent me from saying it?

“If you kill the Demon King, will the curse disappear?”

“Yes.”

“I see… .”

Katy, who calmly accepted it, declared just as calmly.

“Then I will kill the devil.”

“… Huh?”

“It may be that someone other than me will kill him, but I will also actively contribute.”

“You said that… .”

“Yes. I will become a warrior.”

He is a Demon Hero whose purpose is to kill the Demon King… .

It’s awesome.

Even if it were a Kati of the same level as the first hero party, I had no choice but to welcome it.

Now, even if I ask if it’s okay to be a mine, all the common sense I know about ‘mine’ has already been denied.

“I won’t ask you to promise me anything after you kill the Demon King. If that happens, you will feel indebted to me.”

… Do you use mind reading?

What I was going to say was sealed in advance.

“So, from now on, it will just be the same as before… . Nothing has changed… .”

I couldn’t say anything more to him.

It was because I realized that this was exactly what Katy wanted.

Katy may have done the same, but it is also true that I also did not hesitate to do things that I should not say even if we were misunderstood because we were humans and demons.

There’s no guarantee that it wouldn’t have happened like this if it hadn’t happened.

It’s true that I’m not without responsibility, so I can’t let Katy do anything she doesn’t want anymore.

“… okay. Thank you.”

This time, Kati laughed again.

“Those words alone are enough.”

“… But aren’t you hungry?”

“It’s okay.”

“I’m not really okay.”

I took out some dry food for preservation and gave it to him.

“Eat this and sleep for today. Because it’s late. Where on earth have you been, putting something like this on… .”

Out of habit, I tried to clean up the stains on Kati’s clothes.

Things like tree branches and leaves that were stuck together no matter where they came from.

“… Ah.”

Then, I made eye contact with Katy, who was looking up at me.

“… sorry. It’s a bit awkward to do something like this now.”

“From now on, we will continue as before, so you shouldn’t be having a hard time with this already.”

… I feel like I’m being scolded for some reason.

“But it’s also true that it’s quite fun to see you embarrassed by something like this.”

“… Did you know you could say something like that?”

“That’s right.”

Kati grinned.

It was a brighter smile than before.

“So, it is right to make things a little more difficult since it is not yet time for ‘forward’.”

“… Are you a little excited?”

“Does it look like that?”

Kati shook off the branches and leaves herself.

“And likewise, I will definitely say everything I have to say today.”

“What are you trying to say?”

Kati took a deep breath, looked into my eyes, and spoke clearly.

“I will be by your side forever. So, the possibility of me leaving… Please don’t think about it.”

You’re referring to what I said earlier about the Ring of Subordination.

I was just trying to respect Kati’s wishes.

If he’s feeling this way, he must be quite concerned… .

“… Okay, okay.”

“Then I will go now.”

After saying that, Kati handed me something.

It was a bell necklace that I usually wore.

“Please tie it.”

“… Yes, do whatever you want, do it all. So what’s in here?”

“It’s a secret.”

I obediently tried to put the necklace around her neck.

… Since I had to hook it at the back of the neck, I had no choice but to get so close that my breath could touch it.

“… Why are you smiling?”

“Because I like it.”

“… … .”

I barely managed to fill it up, trying to ignore the soft skin of my neck brushing against my hand.

“Thank you. Then let’s go now.”

“Okay, sleep well.”

“Good night.”

After saying that, Kati hesitated for a moment and then added.

“… You.”

“… … .”

Then he quickly left the tent.

It was so fast that I didn’t even see it disappear.

All I noticed was that the tent entrance was flapping.

“Ugh… .”

I was so exhausted that I collapsed on the bed.

from now on… Should I be careful, and what should I do?

They said they would continue as before, so I guess I will have to do that as well.

Rather, Kati is a hero… .

The basic composition is 4 people per group, so it’s just right.

There is no problem because it is not necessary to fill the four people with different specialties.

Although it is extreme, there are parties with 3 knights and 1 priest.

Above all, Kathi is strong in herself and has a lot of experience, so she can play any role.

Long distance combat… It may be a bit difficult, but that’s because Vivian alone is enough.

However, Carty’s skills are so overwhelming compared to the other three that it will take a long time for them to work together on equal footing.

Does that mean Kati also has to complete registration as a hero? .

Anyway, what on earth is a mine?

Galatea and Marlion, those two might know more than me.

I’ll have to ask tomorrow.

I’m worried about what to do with those two now.

Then, suddenly, I thought of Katy standing side by side with the others.

Strawberries, oranges, grapes. And Kati.

… What kind of fruit is this?

It is a fruit that is mainly white and black… .

*

Kati finished eating the preserved food Ian gave her and carefully returned to the tent.

I made eye contact with someone sitting there.

Mercy was awake.

“… Are you here?”

Mercy’s voice was somewhat bitter.

Since my companions were sleeping, I couldn’t just assume it was something to put it mildly.

Before Kati answered, she slowly opened the tent door and looked outside.

Ian’s tent is visible.

The lantern is still on, so you can see what’s going on inside by the moving shadows.

“… … .”

Kati looked at Mercy again.

“Mercy… .”

“It’s okay. Don’t you know? Anyway, elves… .”

Mercy trailed off.

Since Katy knew what was going on, he didn’t ask any more questions.

“Still, I’m glad I came back.”

“… Yes.”

Katy glanced at Vivian who was lying down.

Although she seemed to be sleeping peacefully, Kati could tell that she wasn’t asleep yet.

Actually, Vivian was awake until just now.

“Keep going.”

Due to Mercy’s nature of having to hug someone to sleep, she stayed up late today and that target was Kati.

Kati lay down next to Mercy as usual.

Mercy also naturally hugged Katy as usual.

“… Why are you sorry?”

“… … .”

“Have you not been patient enough? So you don’t have to feel sorry for me.”

“… Yes.”

After those words, the two remained silent.

I wasn’t asleep.

Mercy simply smelled Ian’s scent from Katy who was hugging her.

*

Kati looked down blankly at the baby in Galatea’s arms.

I couldn’t believe that something so small would one day become as big as other humans.

The sleeping baby looked like an angel or a devil.

This is because it had horns that were about to grow.

“Isn’t it cute?”

Galatea asked with a smile.

It was a happier and warmer smile than any smile Katy had ever seen.

“… Yes.”

Not only Kati, but Vivian, Helena, Lucia, and Mercy also came to look at the baby.

Just in case, stay a few steps away.

Unlike those who were busy loving the little baby with their eyes, Helena’s expression could not be brighter.

Kati was just as complicated, but for different reasons than Helena.

“Do you remember me?”

Lucia asked Galatea carefully.

Galatea glanced at her and made a puzzled expression.

“I feel like I’ve seen this somewhere… .”

“Why in the past… .”

Only after hearing Lucia’s old story did Galatea remember her.

“Ah, was that child then you?”

“Yes. I should have said thank you, but I was too busy at the time to do so.”

“No. Where are you now that you have grown so well? Rather, I should be thankful.”

Galatea smiled brightly and looked around at the group.

These were people who did not have the slightest hostility toward the Mine people.

Although Kati and Helena’s expressions were complex, they could not be interpreted as hostility.

Above all, these are the people who directly helped with her childbirth.

If there had been hostility, it would have been impossible.

“… I was really thankful yesterday. Because I was in a hurry, I couldn’t say hello. It’s called Galatea.”

Galatea made eye contact with each person and bowed her head politely.

I couldn’t get up because I was lying down holding the baby, but that was enough to let everyone know that I did my best.

“You probably have a lot of questions. Right?”

Although the question was directed to Helena and Katy, the other party members also had many questions.

What I was most curious about was, of course, the identity of the demon.

How are demons and humans different?

Why have humans and demons classified themselves as completely different species and been at odds with each other?

“First of all, what about Mine…? . If I were to be specific, it’s a type of human.”

“… Yes?”

The others tried to accept it, but it was difficult for Helena.

“And… .”

Galatea looked at Helena with pitiful eyes and then spoke.

“Behind the truth you know, there is Seonghwagyo.”

“That… .”

“Umm.”

A sullen Galatea looked at Kati.

It was obvious that what I was going to say from now on would not be good for Kati.

Kati, who immediately understood the meaning, said.

“I’m fine. In front of these people.”

“… Yes.”

Galatea spoke slowly so that they could more easily accept the truth.

“There was something called the ‘Majin Soldier Training Plan’ planned and implemented by the imperial family.”

“Yes… ?”

“It was a plan for humans to use demons as power. To do that, it was necessary to basically brainwash Mine. Erasing memories… .”

“Brainwashing… What?”

Why is this story suddenly coming out?

The eyes of the group focused on Kati, and Kati spoke calmly.

“I was a victim and one of the test subjects of that plan, and my master saved me.”

Helena suddenly intervened.

“Now, please wait a moment! I’ve never heard of anything like this before! Aside from that, Kati, who are you to know such things? ?”

Galatea glanced at Kati, then lowered her eyes and spoke.

“… He was one of the administrators of the brainwashing plan that was carried out in several places.”

*

“Please help!”

Ian looked down at Marlion, who was kneeling in front of him, as if he were annoyed.

“… What do you mean?”

“Please, please allow us to be together… !”

“… Ah.”

I know why Marlion is like this.

It’s none other than his wife and child.

Unlike Kati, Galatea is too striking in appearance.

Of course, you can’t live among humans.

It would be nice if the three of us could live happily and safely forever, but it is not easy in this world.

Therefore, Marlion wants to ensure safety by being with Ian and his group.

“Do you know what I do?”

“Ah, that… .”

“I am the hero manager. In other words, it means that our group is a warrior.”

“Well, I see… .”

“Are you good at fighting? He doesn’t look like a superhuman.”

“Yes… .”

“I know that your situation is pitiful. But you can’t carry them around with that kind of sympathy alone. What can I do?”

“Do some paperwork… .”

“There are already two people who can do that.”

“If you let me order anything else… !”

“Then, can you enter a grade A dungeon alone and explore it? Or what about going on a reconnaissance deep into the demon world?”

“… … .”

The four warriors are now equipped.

If Iris invents the warp portal in time, the need for a supply unit will be reduced.

So, what Ian needed now was a scouting party.

But it didn’t seem like Marlion in front could do the job.

“If it were my wife… .”

“I’m asking about their capabilities.”

“… … .”

Because I knew it would be like this, Ian’s answer was set.

The moment when you want to say that the favor ends here.

[master. Can I come in?]

Kati, who naturally changed her name, sent a telepathic message.

‘Uh, uh… .’

As soon as there was an answer, Katy opened the tent and came in.

She glanced at Marlion and then spoke to Ian.

“Please allow Galatea and Malion to accompany you.”

“… What are you talking about all of a sudden?”

I wondered if he was doing this because he sympathized with them, but Kati’s expression said otherwise.

“Those two can help me grow to a stronger level. For sure.”

“… What?”

Grow Katy who is already comparable to the individuals in the first hero party?

Surely?

“… Explain.”

It was a proposal that could not help but move Ian’s heart.