episode_0142

“That’s different.”

“Different? How so?”

Elia’s face twisted as she stared at me. If we hadn’t been standing with our backs to the Student Council President, she would’ve noticed that expression and asked what was going on.

“So, you’re saying…”

My words caught in my throat.

Saying what?

That because you’ve been chosen as the Hero’s Party, you’re supposed to accept it without question?

“Seems you’ve got enough intelligence left to realize just how stupid what you were about to say would’ve been.”

“Sorry.”

I bowed my head without protest. There was no denying how ridiculous my words would’ve been.

Of course, I had my reasons for thinking that way. The current Hero Party’s motivation likely stemmed mostly from guilt toward me and a desire for atonement—so naturally, they wouldn’t refuse my request.

That might be true—but that doesn’t mean I should ever take it for granted.

To demand that they bleed or die for me just because they owe me something? That’s not something a sane person would say.

“Apologizing is enough. Unlike Cecillia or Chris, I have no intention of letting myself be used so passively.”

“But the others—”

“They’ve already given their implicit agreement. The more allies they have, the better. You’d do well to remember that you’re not the only one keeping this secret now. Having heard that prophecy, we’re practically no different from the Prophet ourselves.”

“So everything’s already in motion?”

“Yeah. We’re prepared to fight. To march into war, kill demons, even kill people. But no one will ever use me as a disposable pawn.”

“Good. Thanks.”

Fortunately, Elia didn’t seem interested in dragging this topic out any longer. She gave a curt nod before continuing.

“Now, about convincing the President. I don’t understand why you’re hesitating. She’s the sole heir of the Syxie Merchant Guild and the Student Council President of Fiend Academy. If she knew your circumstances, wouldn’t she be invaluable to the academy? You of all people should know that.”

“According to my vision, the President wasn’t chosen for the Hero’s Party. In the end, her future is one I can’t see.”

Of course, I know what choices she made in the first timeline—and how she met her end.

After the Hero’s Party vanished without a return date, she rallied the people, boosted morale, and held the front lines—until she died alone.

Surrounded by countless corpses of the Demon King’s army, she died with the same satisfied smile she always wore.

But in this timeline, I’ve explained to them that my foresight stems from the Goddess’s blessing—meaning I can only see the future of the Hero, who bears the Holy Sword as her proxy, and those closely tied to them.

Since the primary method of distinguishing fake prophets from real ones hinges on how accurately they can predict the Hero’s Party, suddenly claiming I can foresee others’ futures too would be too risky.

They might realize I’m not actually prophesying at all.

“I don’t want to drag someone who might live safely into this shackle.”

Even if I don’t tell her the truth now, she’d still step forward to help others eventually. That’s just the kind of person she is.

But even knowing that, part of me still wants to believe there might be another possibility.

“Selfish.”

“Yeah. It was wrong of me to take your sacrifices for granted, but that doesn’t justify dragging her into this without hesitation. You know better than anyone—what kind of end awaits the Hero’s Party, and what happens to the people around them.”

Elia grimaced. No doubt recalling the many Hero Parties who failed to defeat the Demon King—and those who died supporting them.

For Elia, Rin Syxie’s death wasn’t just a future—it was a past she’d already lived through.

“You’re not wrong. If you reveal yourself as the Prophet to the President now, she’d undoubtedly act for your sake. She’d give everything she has to protect you—even her life. Your reasoning holds weight.”

“Right? That’s why—”

“What difference does that make?”

“…What?”

“The President is a member of Fiend Academy. She’s already prepared to act for the Empire—no, for this continent. Probably long before you. Or even me. Do you really think she wouldn’t move just because she didn’t hear this from you?”

“Urk—”

“And what of this other possibility you mentioned? Are you really suggesting you’ll choose who lives and dies based on your prophecy?”

“No! I’m not—”

Again, my words failed me. Sparing the President here would imply I’ve already acknowledged treating the Hero Party as disposable from the start.

Even if I protect and strengthen them until the final battle, their deaths might be unavoidable.

Being part of the Hero’s Party is that perilous.

“I won’t waste time asking pointless things like why me? or did it have to be me? I—Elia Periel—am prepared to sacrifice myself for the Empire. But as its inheritor, it’s also my duty to find and deploy talent. That’s why I made this proposal. For the Empire’s future, skilled individuals are invaluable. It’d be a waste to leave someone like the President idle.”

Elia pulled away from my ear.

“I’ve said my piece. The choice is yours.”

Coward.

I turned to look at the President. Though she seemed curious about our conversation, she politely waited without interrupting—so very like her that I couldn’t help but smile.

Right. Who am I to presume to judge someone else?

As Elia said, the President would act for the world’s sake—with or without me.

“She probably resolved herself long before you or I did.”

Those words echoed in my head. Even if Elia had maneuvered me, she wasn’t wrong. In the previous world, the President fought alone without needing anyone’s counsel.

“President.”

“Mhm!”

“There’s something I need to tell you.”

With a heavy breath, I spilled every secret I’d been holding onto.

About the prophecy. About the Hero’s Party. About everything I’d done so far.

And just as Elia had predicted—the President’s reaction was exactly as expected.

“H-Hic… Sniff… Eric… How could you—”

Though I hadn’t imagined her crying this hard.

“President? Please compose yourself.”

Only after calming her down from her wailing did I manage to continue.

“Don’t worry! I, Rin Syxie, heir of the Syxie Merchant Guild, promise to provide you with all the support I possibly can! Though, given my position, it may not amount to much now—”

“That’s already more than enough.”

“Eh?”

“In fact, by staying uninvolved, you’re already helping tremendously. The only reason I wanted to tell you was so I could have a safe place to discuss matters with the others. Your silence alone is all we need.”

Elia raised an eyebrow at that.

Sorry, but I couldn’t let things go the way she wanted. While I agreed on sharing the secret with the President, I had no intention of dragging another person into this perilous party.

“Is that truly all? Given the enormity of what you’ve revealed, your request seems far too small… The entire continent would upheave if they learned the Hero’s Party had already been chosen—even the Church.”

“That’s exactly why I’ve kept it secret. The fewer who know, the better. Especially someone as uninvolved as you.”

“So you only told me because… you considered me a worthy ally…? That wasn’t it?”

“No, President. This is strictly between me—the one who can see the future—and those who’ve chosen to believe in me.”

“—No.”

The President shot up from her chair. Papers scattered as her voice rang out.

“Enough of this nonsense between us!”

“Huh?”

“I heard your concerns loud and clear. Whatever deliberation led you here must’ve been agonizing—beyond anything even I can imagine. If that’s your decision, then naturally, it’s my duty to provide every possible aid—to ensure you, Luciella, and the rest of the Student Council can always find refuge here.”

“But this isn’t confined to the academy.”

“I’m well aware. Ensuring nothing leaks beyond these walls goes without saying!”

“It’s dangerous, President. This goes far beyond the academy’s curriculum.”

No matter how strong she is, right now, she’s just a third-year student. Compared to the others in the Student Council—who’ve amassed experience far beyond her—the gap is undeniable.

While she could undoubtedly grow stronger with training, sacrificing the growth of the other four for her sake would be absurd.

My current plan only allows for a brief respite until Luciella draws the Holy Sword at this year’s Fiend Festival. After that, we’ll have to scour the continent for artifacts and opportunities.

With the Demon King’s invasion inevitable, fortifying the entire continent would be futile. The only option is to strengthen the Hero Party swiftly—to strike at their leadership before full-scale invasion begins.

The Hero Party, myself included, has already resolved to risk our lives. There’s no need for outsiders to throw theirs away as well.

As Elia said—if the President truly is talented, she could contribute far more than by following us to an early grave.

Of course, if she insists, I can’t stop her—but if she simply nods along here, perhaps that’d be for the best. A faint, selfish hope.

“Then let me ask you this! If I obediently sit back—if I don’t interfere at all—does that guarantee my safety? If the Demon King’s invasion unfolds as prophesied, once everything burns, it’ll already be too late. Even then—could you still claim I’m better off doing nothing?”

“—Pfft.”

Elia’s stifled laugh came from behind.

Damn it. This is why I hate arguing with people smarter than me.