The Setup

,”Ellie-ssi sacrificed herself to pass on the memories… but I don’t think I’ve received any help from Headmaster-nim to achieve victory yet?”

To Roel’s mocking question, Nelson wore a playful smile.

,”That’s why I’m here today, isn’t it? To help you.”

,”…It’s too late. I believe using the Holy Grail is what’s best for everyone. That’s… the answer I’ve come to after endless deliberation.”

,”Sacrificing your own life as an offering to the Holy Grail?”

Roel’s eyes widened at Nelson’s words. He hadn’t expected anyone to notice his plan. But he quickly regained his composure and spoke again.

,”…How did you know? I thought I hid it well.”

,”You’re a hero who fights for everyone, aren’t you? If you could save everyone with your own life, you’re the kind of good kid who would choose to give it up without hesitation. It was easy to guess.”

,”….”

,”The reason you, who doesn’t usually care about people getting hurt or dying, showed such extreme behavior… is because you and the God of Chaos believe that existence will disappear and everything can go back to the beginning and start over, isn’t it?”

Nelson grabbed Roel’s hand. Roel flinched for a moment at the warm touch and tried to pull away, but he couldn’t because he was captivated by Nelson’s gaze that was fixed on him.

,”This whole story revolves around you, the protagonist. Defeating the Demon King who hates humans, saving the world on the brink of destruction, it’s all your role. It’s like a destiny that no one else can fulfill, and I think you yourself are aware of that fact. That’s why I stopped your plan to use the Holy Grail today. Because that’s not a choice the protagonist should make.”

,”…Then is there a way to win against the God of Chaos?”

,”Not right now.”

Roel was greatly disappointed by Nelson’s answer. He had hoped that the Sage would give him some special advice that he hadn’t thought of. Then, Nelson suddenly brought up something out of the blue.

,”Based on the memories Ellie-ssi passed on to me, I’ve been secretly focusing on building a setup for victory.”

Nelson stroked his beard and added.

,”What you need most right now isn’t the Holy Grail, but a variable that can defeat the God of Chaos.”

,”…What does that mean?”

,”It means you need to use Ross, the variable that the God created through the Saintess… In order to help you, the protagonist of this world, Ross has lived in countless worlds, creating various variables for you.”

At that moment, Roel’s breath hitched for a moment. Without paying attention to Roel, who was in shock, Nelson continued.

,”The Ross in this world will be different from the Ross in other worlds, to the point where the Saintess says he’s special. I’m confident that the stronger Ross becomes, the more it will help your victory.”

Roel stared blankly into Nelson’s green eyes for a moment. And then he realized. The true nature of the setup that Nelson had prepared for his victory.

,”…Are you aware of what it means for Ross to become stronger when you say that?”

,”Yes, I know.”

At Nelson’s answer, Roel felt goosebumps all over his skin and clutched his face, feeling a heavy pain in his chest.

,”…From the beginning?”

When Roel asked in a low voice, Nelson quietly replied.

,”Yes. After regaining my memories, I realized what I had to do. I used the Sage’s power to consider the direction with the highest probability of victory. And from the moment I first saw Ross at the entrance ceremony, I decided. To make the most of Ross’s role that the God had determined.”

At that nonchalant answer, Roel retorted with an emotion he couldn’t control.

,”Ross truly believes in you. He relies on you even more than I do.”

Nelson gave a bitter smile and replied in a choked voice, unable to hide his guilt.

,”That’s why he can become even stronger. Because he’ll lose more than in any other world.”

Roel was speechless at Nelson’s words and couldn’t say anything.

No, he couldn’t argue because he knew that Nelson’s choice was for his own victory.

The act of plunging Ross’s life into hell… he had done it himself many times.

Roel didn’t have the right to.

***

The plan was successful, and as promised, we headed to Ludwig’s portal station to return to the capital.

All the comrades who had scattered gathered in the soundproofed cafe room that Estelle had booked in advance.

No one was hurt, and no one was left behind. Only after confirming that everyone was safe could I finally relax and breathe a sigh of relief.

When I took Luna’s hand, who was worried that I might have been hurt, and smiled at her, Luna was finally able to smile with relief.

,”I’m glad things worked out according to plan.”

When Ellie-ssi said, taking a sip of her coffee and sighing in relief, Raelran and Eunice nodded.

,”Fortunately, there were no unexpected variables. Roel didn’t move, and the Undead is definitely dead, so… our plan is a complete success.”

Everyone cheered with joy at Raelran’s words. After waiting for the cheering to die down, Raelran continued when it became quiet around him.

,”When the Undead’s death becomes known, Roel will come up with another salvation plan. At that time, we’ll have to convince him that we are the new hope that can lead Roel to victory. Well, we’ll have to think about how to do that in the future.”

After saying that, Raelran turned to me and asked.

,”So, was there anything special that happened separately? I don’t think the Undead would have died so easily.”

At Raelran’s question, I briefly explained what happened when Estelle and I killed the Undead. After hearing the story, the comrades thought for a moment and exchanged their opinions.

,”The Undead is a suspicious character. He must have been secretly looking for other trading partners besides the Emperor. If it’s the Order of Chaos, it’s a big force that would think it’s okay for the Undead to join hands.”

Eunice nodded in agreement with Raelran’s words.

,”The reason why Confession Cormo was in the City of Pleasure might have originally been for a deal with the Undead. It seems like he was trying to secretly get the compass that Luna has from Roq, avoiding the Undead’s gaze.”

Estelle, who was sitting next to Eunice, put down the chocolate she was eating and joined the conversation.

,”We have to be careful in the future. Now that Cormo and the Undead are dead, the Order will definitely try to figure out the situation. Our identities won’t be exposed, but the Order will move in some way.”

The atmosphere in the room became serious at Estelle’s warning. Everyone quietly pondered, sipping their ordered drinks.

Suddenly, I felt that this heavy atmosphere wasn’t good. It was the moment when a seemingly impossible plan had succeeded. We had saved Ludwig and gained an opportunity to save the world. I felt that when we should be happy, we should only focus on being happy.

I said clearly to everyone.

,”Whatever the case, the Undead is already dead, and the Order was our enemy from the beginning anyway. There’s no need to worry yet. Right now, we should be happy that a seemingly impossible plan has completely succeeded. Everyone has worked hard, so when we return to the capital, don’t worry about it anymore and rest well, cherishing the pride of saving everyone in Ludwig.”

The atmosphere in the room, which had been serious, changed at my words. They realized that they had saved countless people in Ludwig and ended Roel’s crazy salvation plan by killing the Undead.

Luna, Ellie-ssi, and Eunice somehow looked at me as if they were proud of me. I scratched my cheek, feeling embarrassed for no reason, and Raelran looked at me and raised one corner of his mouth as if he was satisfied.

It wasn’t intentional, but it seemed like I had shown Raelran the image of the lord he wanted.

In the heartwarming atmosphere, Estelle pouted her lips and grumbled for no reason.

,”I’m just saying to be careful. I didn’t mean to ruin the mood, okay? You pig! Why are you picking on me!”

Luna muttered quietly at Estelle’s words.

,”Ross isn’t a pig….”

Estelle flinched at Luna’s muttering and said defensively.

,”I, I don’t mean he’s really a pig! It’s just an expression. Like an expression of affection!”

,”Affection…?”

,”No, not that kind of affection! Like the kind you feel for a puppy…!”

Thanks to Estelle, who was genuinely flustered by Luna’s teasing, the atmosphere became even better.

Thinking it was a good time, I opened the space warehouse and took out the things I had received as a gift from Roq before parting ways in the castle.

When I placed several boxes with fancy jewels on the table, Estelle, who had been making a fuss, became quiet like a cat waiting for mealtime, putting her hands together in front of her chest as if nothing had happened.

I explained to my comrades who were looking with interest.

,”Roq gave them to me as a gift from the family’s warehouse before we parted ways. He said it was a gift for the heroes who protected Ludwig.”

Raelran chuckled.

,”He chose to offer bribes before we took everything from him. Well, now that the World Tree is in front of the city, Ludwig only has to rake in money, so this much isn’t a loss if you think about the future.”

I smiled at Raelran’s sharp analysis and said.

,”Whatever the reason, I plan to share it fairly with my comrades who have worked hard.”

Before I could finish speaking, Estelle hugged the biggest jewelry box that was placed in front of her.

,”Wait, fair? I’ve worked the hardest here! I can’t give this up!”

,”That’s why I deliberately put the biggest one in front of Estelle. Of course, I was thinking of giving Modest, who has a lot of people, a little more.”

,”…You’re always making me the bad guy!”

Estelle, who had been grumbling, opened the box slightly and made a lascivious expression as if she was melting in ecstasy.

,”He wasn’t just a pig. Ross was a pig that brings good luck.”

I let out a dumbfounded laugh at Estelle’s appearance, which seemed to be the most moved I had ever seen her.

The other comrades all followed my choice without objection. If it weren’t for Modest’s tremendous information power, the plan would have definitely failed. Everyone realized today that good results would come back as much as they invested in Modest.

The rest was divided fairly according to value. It wasn’t possible to distribute it completely fairly because there were so many different types, but everyone was able to get what they wanted satisfactorily.

Raelran and Eunice chose jewels and relics that could be easily traded. Ellie-ssi chose materials related to magic, jewels, and books.

Luna and I divided the rest. Luna insisted that it was natural for her to help me and refused to receive her share until the end, but in the end, I was the winner of the argument.