episode_0105

Reality is different from media.

There is no superhero in reality who is easy-going in any situation. Especially when the lives of tens of millions of people on the continent depend on those shoulders.

I shed tears in Maria’s arms and felt the warmth of her affection.

Frey thought.

‘It was like this… .’

The reason why Canos brought Maria.

‘he is… She knew.’

Suddenly, I got goosebumps.

‘I know that Mary will forgive me… Look at her heart.’

Also, after learning the truth, Maria will do her best to help Frey.

‘He has frightening insight and self-righteousness… You brought Maria in front of me just because ‘it would be beneficial to you’ without even thinking about the hurt that Maria or I would suffer. If the Demon King had hoped for something like the destruction of the continent rather than a rival who would do his best, the world would have already been… .’

Should I laugh or cry at that fact? Frey didn’t know.

“What can I do? As per the original purpose, can we just do our best to make Joker repent?”

“Uh, huh? ah… That’s right. This is something that only you, Maria, can do in this world.”

“Yes, I will carry out my assigned duties no matter what. Because that is the mission the Lord gave me.”

“You have to be careful… Because Joker is a scary person.”

Closing his eyes tightly, Frey remembered the Joker he had seen in his past life.

In fact, she didn’t have much of a connection with the Joker. Except when there was friction in Tartarus.

However, I heard something.

‘Cheonwoong was in charge of Joker in his past life. Cheonwoong handled Joker for nearly 13 years, but eventually collapsed after experiencing ‘the incident’. Joker is in jail.’

When a conflict broke out between the Demon World and the Continent, the Continent lacked the power to handle the Demon World. Even without the Demon Lord, if absolute powerhouses like the Seven Great Demons or the Four Dukes of the Demon World decided to launch a guerrilla war, the continent would be unable to resist.

However, fortunately or unfortunately, two of the demonic dukes did not have much interest in invading the continent. The two were the slothful Grand Duke of the South, King, and the arrogant Grand Duke of the North, Joker.

But it was impossible to leave Joker unattended. He was not only interested in the war between the Demon World and the Continent, but was more passionate than anyone else about throwing the world into chaos from a third party position.

In some ways, he was more dangerous than the Demon King’s army. That force was enough to defeat the Dragon Lord. In order to control such a Joker, the continent assigns one of its strongest heroes as the Joker’s full-time handler.

The end was a terrible tragedy that is difficult to describe… .

“Maria, it won’t be easy. I placed too much of a burden on you.”

“It’s okay. Rather, I am just happy that I have found something to do.”

“I don’t know exactly what Joker feels for Maria… It may be harder than you imagine.”

“No, the world just didn’t recognize it. Joker is a better person than you think. I firmly believe that He can be saved.”

“… It seemed like that when I saw it in Tartarus. That was only possible because of you, Maria.”

Frey chose her because the only person he could take on was Maria, but he was quite worried.

“What do you plan to do now, hero?”

“Me? Now I have to do whatever it takes to hold on for the rest of the year. You know that my birthday is a few months later than Maria.”

“What about after that?”

“Umm… Are you talking about this life? I’m trying to be as similar to my previous life as possible. That way, the Joker won’t find anything strange and won’t notice our intentions.”

“It’s a tough road.”

“Don’t say things like that. I am a warrior. Even if everyone hates me, I have to love people. Because that’s a hero. You’ve been taught that way since you were young, right? Both Maria and I.”

Actually, Maria was more worried about Frey.

“Walking the same path as in your previous life… Does this mean you will bow to the devil again?”

“Yes, of course, only the surface. Behind the scenes, we have to help the continent. Rather, it was more comfortable that way in a world ruled by the devil’s army.”

“People will curse you. Even if Joker finally defeats the devil, the glory of defeating the devil will only go to Joker. Once your reputation is lost, it is difficult to get it back.”

“It doesn’t matter. If I can save the continent, it’s right for me, the hero, to stand there. In the end, everything happened because I wasn’t strong.”

“His status as a hero… It may break down. I will do my best to prevent the denomination from declaring excommunication.”

“Just that much is enough. And I’m used to being criticized, so it’s no problem. Even if you’re not used to it, you have to endure it.”

‘Physical violence is engraved in the body, but verbal violence is engraved in the soul. How can you be okay with this? .’

Maria’s soft hand stroked Frey’s downturned head.

Frey slowly closed his eyes. Maria’s touch had the power to strangely calm people.

“I have one question.”

“I’ll answer anything.”

“During the Eden Academy days… We were good friends. According to my memory. Is that correct?”

“… Yes, so even after it was over, we formed a warrior party. I respected and adored Maria.”

It’s like bringing out the confession of a child who has committed a mistake.

Saint Mary’s voice contained a strange power.

“But why during the exam… Did you leak the answer sheet?”

“… .”

“I am not someone who rushes to my death because of past mistakes. No matter what mistakes you made in the past, I love the Joker you are now. So please tell me. As a priest, I must listen to the hero’s confession.”

“… Okay.”

Also, he had a strong will. I guess I’ll have to hear the truth from Frey somehow.

Frey, overcome by that will, reluctantly opened his mouth.

“At that time… I was a little too young.”

“To be honest, I liked competing with Maria. I was always in second place and Maria was first, but contrary to my reputation as the fate of a warrior, my self-esteem had fallen a lot. Rather than feeling ashamed of being second place, I felt proud, thinking, ‘Am I competing with that saint Mary?’”

“But… It seems like it wasn’t like that for adults, haha.”

Around that time, Frey stopped talking for a moment. Frey hesitates a little. Maria tilted her head.

“Why, there is such a thing as a battle of pride. Is this some kind of battle for face? Especially since the empire and the castle are rivals… .”

“The warrior comes from the empire, but the saint comes from the holy country. And while the saint is the strongest of all time, the warrior is the weakest of all time. This alone is enough to make people chew and tear apart, but even while attending the same academy, the difference in academic levels is drastic.”

“It’s called corporal punishment, right? Physical assault for educational purposes. There’s probably no kid who hasn’t experienced that. If you get a question wrong, you get caned, if you don’t do your homework, you get caned, if you don’t practice enough, you get caned again… If you’ve been through it since you were young, you might get used to it, but I found it really painful when I was young.”

“If you read a novel, there is a picture of a teacher hitting a student and a student bickering. Even though they bicker on the outside, they actually get along well. But it was just a novel. The solemn and strict teachers told Maria that every time I fell behind and the prestige of the empire was diminished, it seemed like some kind of hell. Training a warrior is not an easy path, right?”

“No way… so… .”

“Yes, that was the reason. I thought corporal punishment would stop only if I won first place. what… Even when I stole the test paper like that, Maria eventually found a loophole in the answer sheet and took first place, and I stayed in second place.”

Frey himself confessed in a tone that seemed like it was no big deal, but for Maria, who heard it, it was a very depressing story.

“Well, like that… I didn’t even think about it.”

“It’s not Maria’s fault. If I had to argue, it was my fault for not being first place.”

“ Then, in this life, I… !”

“Don’t think about useless things. Joker shouldn’t know that I’m a regressor. In order to do that, I have to lose to Maria in this life as well. No, it doesn’t matter if Maria loses to me, but I have to achieve second-place grades similar to my previous life.”

“… .”

It was when clear teardrops formed in Maria’s depressed eyes. The girl who was quietly watching from behind the two girls cooed.

“Warrior, stop talking nonsense. It’s almost time to go.”

“ is going? Where is Maria going?”

“The time has come, so let’s go to the continent. To be born.”

“Ah… Before I knew it, time was running out… .”

There were no clocks in the New World. Even if it was there, it wasn’t anywhere Frey could see. Only then was Frey able to regain his sense of time.

“Saint, now that you know the truth, go to the continent. There is no reason to stay in the divine world anymore.”

“… Yes, just give me a brief reprieve.”

“What kind of delay is needed anymore?”

“Hero, please look this way for a moment.”

“Maria? Why?”

Maria’s slender fingers wrapped around Frey’s middle finger.

White flowers bloomed like bean sprouts during a drought and surrounded the pillar.

It was a pure white ring that radiated light.

“This is the saint’s blessing. Wherever you are, you will be able to bring good luck.”

Sigh-.

As if he couldn’t wait any longer, Kanos’ magic pulled Maria to him. A five-colored crack opened in the air.

“Maria! Well… !”

Frey, seeing this, jumped up from his seat and tried to see Maria off.

Ugh-.

“… A.”

Before Frey’s mouth could even close, Maria and Kanos disappeared into the crack.

Frey, who was left alone again, swallowed bitterly. It was the feeling of loneliness that comes from being left alone.

I was truly happy to meet a close friend after a long time and let go of my worries, but I couldn’t deny the sadness of parting.

“Something… Looks like the storm has passed… haha… .”

However, I couldn’t deny that my shoulders felt lighter after taking off the burden on my mind. Frey smiled softly. An infinitely pure smile.

Clap-.

The warrior held his weapon with renewed vigor. Holy sword Excalibur. An ancient sword used by the first hero, Siegfried of the Nibelungen, that cut the head of the first Demon King.

Although no one has been able to use it carelessly for hundreds of years, Frey was the chosen warrior among warriors. Although I actually didn’t like it.

That’s it -.

A heavy iron sword was drawn. Frey stood up, getting on his weak knees.

And then, he moved forward.

Because she has two strong legs.

*****

My narrow shoulders are so heavy that I feel like I’m going to collapse.

My weak legs are shaking and feel like they might break.

However, I must not faint from exhaustion due to suffering. Because that is the mission you gave me.

I have a place to go, but I feel like I’m wandering. I know where I need to go, but the road is so long and rough that I’m a weak-hearted sheep who gets scared first.

The lives of countless people rest on my shoulders. I wish I could easily handle it, but unfortunately my body and mind are not as noble as my honorable friend.

Sometimes, very sometimes.

A mysterious Satan sits in my ear and whispers.

‘It’s easier to give up.’

I know I shouldn’t do this. In reality, Satan is nothing more than an anguish in my heart and a conflict that is the spark of corruption. I don’t know that.

But it’s heavy. When I close my eyes for a moment and open them, I am afraid and painful to start another day.

Lord, you are greater and more noble than anyone else, and you are omnipotent and omnipotent.

I still don’t know. I didn’t understand what you meant.

Why me?

There are good people all over the world. There are strong people everywhere. There are many good and strong people.

Why did a weak person like me, rather than countless others, receive such a heavy mission? Why do I have to bear this pain? Because there is something wrong with me.

What on earth is my fate, destiny, and destiny? Sometimes I feel like the path the Lord has laid down is a curse. Why was I singled out for the great hand of the Lord?

I am a dull, foolish and profane servant.

This foolish servant is so foolish that he cannot understand the will of the Holy Lord. It is a mistake to dare to guess the Lord’s will on a mere mortal subject.

Even though I know I shouldn’t have such thoughts, if I let my guard down for a moment, my profane feelings soar. It’s because I lack discipline in my faith, but the thought that my fate is too difficult for me cannot go away.

You gave so much strength to that vicious Demon King, but why did you give me, a warrior, strength that cannot even be compared to the Demon King? Could it be that the Day of Judgment that was only told about in the Bible is truly coming, or is this really the reason why God is neglecting this poor world like an abandoned child?

As a weak person, I go through foolish wanderings like this.

Lord.

Why am I the weakest warrior?

Why is the Demon King the strongest Demon King?

Why do I have to live this life, rather than the life of heroism like other ordinary warriors?

… .

Lord, you brighten the path for me every day, and you always stay by my side even though I cannot see you.

Please, if you are listening to this pathetic prayer.

Give strength to your Apostle.

Power to defeat the insidious evil.

The power to establish noble justice.

Vision to cut through the thick and dark fog.

The spirit that will hold the holy sword that cuts down the evil beast that is a collection of evil.

A strong will not to be deceived by the temptation of ordinary pleasures.

The precious strength to overcome all the trials given to me.

Please give strength to your most earnest and desperate apostle.

It rains like a lowly servant.