Xenia and Serein had collapsed from the aftermath of the grand purification spell.
Even while burning with fever and half-conscious, they’d insisted on finishing treating before passing out.
I was deeply grateful for that, and quietly offered my thanks to the two sleeping girls.
“Really, I don’t know what I would’ve done without you two. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart.”
“O Heavenly One… give at…”
“Mmmngh… ehehe… it’s a tree with gold coins growing on it…”
What kind of dreams are they having?
I stretched my arms with a yawn and looked behind .
“Let’s just leave them be for today.”
To that, Adwin replied,
“Yes. Judging by their soul colors, they’ll be fine by tomorrow morning.”
“Oh, you can tell that kind of thing?”
“You’re the one who should be resting today, don’t you think? You literally ca back from splashing around in the Redby River.”
“I didn’t go in that deep, so I’m fine. More importantly…”
I hardened my expression.
Almost reflexively, the rest of the party straightened their postures as well.
“To put it simply… I killed Kaeld.”
“Ah!”
“Knew it.”
“But we didn’t find a body.”
“Right. Idria took it.”
Thud.
It felt like a heavy boulder had dropped.
I decided to leave out all the stuff about the “oldest Demon King” and the “oldest Hero.”
I just told them that while I was unconscious and unable to move, a tear in space appeared and Idria escaped with Kaeld’s head and body.
Offense asked,
“I hate to say it, but… why didn’t Idria just kill you right then and there?”
“Because I’m a hero?”
“That’s ridiculous.”
“If you think about it, there must’ve been countless chances for Demon Kings in history to kill heroes before they grew strong.”
Everyone fell silent.
I continued,
“But none of them ever took that ‘easy route.’ Maybe it wasn’t out of arrogance or overconfidence, but because they couldn’t.”
“You’re saying Demon Kings can’t kill heroes.”
“Honestly, that’s the only explanation I can co up with for why Idria let go.”
And this isn’t just about Bion and Idria.
Wasn’t it the sa for every hero from the First to the Fourth?
…Well, no point in dwelling on it now. There’s no answer.
In any case, everyone nodded in agreent.
Neril asked,
“Why do you think the Demon King took Kaeld’s body?”
“Well, I doubt it was to give him a proper burial.”
“……”
“She could even abduct Lepia’s soul from the Underworld. I don’t know the exact plan, but she’s definitely going to do sothing nasty with Kaeld’s corpse.”
“Then that ans…”
“Yeah. The fight isn’t over yet.”
My firm tone cast a heavy silence over everyone.
So I quickly waved my hands to lighten the mood.
“But there’s no need to worry. Just like we’ve managed so far, we’ll figure sothing out.”
“You’re always so optimistic.”
“Haha. Well, in that spirit, how about we take today off? Xenia and Serein can’t move anyway.”
Co to think of it, we haven’t had a break in a long ti.
Resting for a day and starting fresh tomorrow wouldn’t be so bad.
Offense spoke up.
“That’s a good suggestion, but I don’t really have anything to do.”
“Want to show you so local sights?”
“You didn’t even know where the best inn was.”
“Maybe not inns, but I know so scenic spots. I spent a lot of ti roaming the mountains as a kid—my dad was a hunter.”
“Hm. That sounds tempting, but…”
Fwap.
He opened his cloak.
It was packed with all sorts of morization talismans hanging like ornants.
“How do you even carry all that around…”
“I need to check on my charms.”
“I see. What about you, Lisel?”
Lisel thought for a mont before answering,
“I’ll take care of Miss Serein. Her sleep habits are a bit wild—she might kick Miss Xenia.”
“That sounds more like surveillance than care.”
“Well, you’re right. Also, feel free to speak casually to , Mr. Mide.”
“Huh? But…”
“You talk casually with the other party mbers, so if I’m the only one getting formal speech, it feels awkward.”
I chuckled and nodded.
“Alright. It’s late, but I’ll count on you.”
“Of course! Likewise!”
Next, I turned to Adwin.
“What about you?”
“I’ll go with—mff.”
Suddenly, Offense covered his mouth.
“You’re helping .”
“What could I possibly help with? I don’t even know how to handle charms!”
“I need your ability.”
“…! Heh. To think you’d ask for help. Looks like you’ve got decent judgnt after all.”
What are they even doing?
Anyway, lastly, I looked to Neril—
“I’ll go with you.”
“You answered before I even asked.”
“I don’t have any particular plans. Besides…”
She glanced aside and continued.
“I wanted to see your hotown.”
So Neril and I went around the territory, here and there.
At the base of a mountain, she said:
“Huff, huff…”
“……”
“Whew… The view really is amazing. Thanks, Mide.”
“We’re still just at the start.”
“Let’s head back. The sun sets early in the mountains.”
“It’s not even noon yet.”
Neril glared at .
To be fair, a hike like this was probably tough for soone her age
“I can totally handle it!”
“Oh? You read my mind?”
“It’s written all over your face. Besides, I thought it’d be more useful to check out the town, so let’s go down.”
“Useful how? There’s not much to resupply with here.”
“You sealed the Gem of Destruction yesterday and saved a bunch of townsfolk from dying. Don’t you want to see how that’s affected your reputation?”
I clapped my hands without thinking.
She was right. I should’ve been the one to think of that.
“You’re amazing. You really do catch everything I miss.”
“Because I’ve been with you the longest.”
“Technically, I t Xenia just a week later—”
She cut off.
“Because I’ve been with you the longest.”
…Yeah. She’s not wrong.
The entrance to the territory had been completely devastated by the Demon King’s authority.
The houses, trees, and wells hadn’t just collapsed—they’d been crushed. The rightful source is novel fire
I clicked my tongue.
“Reconstruction’s gonna be rough.”
“But everyone’s faces are bright.”
“These people are all really optimistic. As long as they’ve saved their lives, they can laugh off the rest.”
“Sounds like soone I know.”
She smiled gently and looked around.
And then—
“Oh? Could it be!”
“It’s the Saint!”
“The Saint of Compulsion!”
“Please wait! Just a mont!”
A huge crowd rushed toward us.
So many that I wondered if this territory even had that many people.
But—saint?
I looked at Neril, but she too had a bewildered expression.
One of the townspeople asked,
“Saint… you were the one who saved us yesterday, weren’t you?”
My mouth fell open.
From what I’d heard, Neril had created invisible hands with magic to fling the townspeople to safety.
Lisel’s spirits caught the ones falling.
Adwin soothed those on the verge of shock.
Offense saved the ones Neril couldn’t reach.
Still, no one could deny that Neril had stood out most during the chaos.
No wonder she’d left such a strong impression.
Neril answered—
“Ah, yeah. That was .”
“Knew it… sniffle sniffle.”
“Thank you so much for saving us.”
“What exactly happened back there?”
“Weren’t there others who helped too, besides the Saint?”
“I heard sothing… Aren’t you a party mber of the Hero known as the ‘Sword master of No Killing’?”
Neril was clearly flustered and at a loss.
To get things under control, I stepped forward.
“Yes, that’s right. I’m Mide Mohan.”
“Ooh! The Hero!”
“To think the Hero would visit our territory!”
“Where are you staying? Please, co to our inn!”
“Do your weapons need maintenance? I’ll do it for free!”
I waved my hand to turn them down.
“No, it’s alright. I already have a place to stay—”
“Wait. Are you really that Mide Mohan?”
“Ah! Uncle Ben.”
It was Uncle Ben, who used to run the butcher shop and was one of the best buyers for the prey my father hunted.
His once-muscular fra had withered, and his straight back was now hunched—but that warm smile hadn’t changed a bit.
“I knew it! I heard the na of the ‘Sword master of No Killing’’ was Mide, so I wondered if it could be you!”
“It’s been a long ti.”
“Haha. Hey everyone! This here’s Mide, the only son of the Mohan family. Our territory’s pride!”
The townspeople’s expressions changed.
They murmured among themselves.
“Mide…? You an that troublemaker?”
“Good heavens. Who’d have thought a Hero would co from our land?”
“It’s really been ages. Welco back.”
“Even Arald would be happy in heaven.”
That last, tactless comnt made my face stiffen.
Thankfully, Uncle Ben quickly changed the subject with a gentle tone.
“So what the heck happened this ti?”
“Well… about that…”
I was about to explain everything in detail, but decided against it.
‘Trail. You said Idria took that bastard Kaeld, right?’
[Yeah. Said she had a use for him.]
‘Is it even possible for Idria to revive the dead, no matter how powerful she is?’
[Hmm. I can’t say for sure, but I don’t think she’d brag without reason.]
‘So Kaeld’s probably still alive, huh?’
Trail didn’t answer, but his silence was agreent.
I started thinking.
‘I was going to just leave it at “he’s dead,” but that won’t do.’
Might as well take this opportunity to ruin his reputation a bit.
I gathered my thoughts and spoke.
“I can’t give details right now. I’d like to speak to the lord of this territory.”
“To the lord?”
“Yes. I’ll explain to him what happened. You’ll all find out soon enough.”
“Hoo… Fair enough. Can’t go prying into a hero’s affairs too much.”
Uncle Ben nodded and asked,
“So, are you busy right now?”
“Not especially…”
“Then let’s have lunch together. You rember Trigger, right?”
“Of course. He’s the richest guy in the territory.”
I didn’t add “relatively speaking.”
“He worked it out with the lord to bring out plenty of booze and at. We were all feeling depressed about the rebuilding, but this was great timing.”
“Bet you made so profit too, huh?”
“Heh. Where do you think all the at for the feast ca from? Anyway, why don’t you join us? We’ve got lots we want to hear.”
Before answering, I looked to Neril.
She had a gleam of interest in her eyes—sothing she’d never shown before the regression.
“I’d love to. I want to ask why they keep calling a saint, too.”
“The Saint of Compulsion.”
“The Saint.”
“The Saint of Compulsion.”
A vein popped on Neril’s forehead.
“You’re called the ‘Sword master of No Kiliing’ but they only ever say ‘Sword master,’ don’t they?”
…Yeah.
Very logical.
Can’t argue with that.
The reason Neril got the title Saint of Compulsion was simple.
Her rescue thods had been far too forceful.
Ti was of the essence, so she didn’t exactly have the luxury to say, “Excuse , I’m going to toss you now,” to every townsfolk before flinging them away with invisible hands.
Though knowing Neril, she wouldn’t have warned them even if she had ti.
So, in that sense—compulsion. It kind of fits perfectly.
Apparently, Neril liked the new title quite a bit, because with a slightly flushed face—despite not having drunk a drop—she said,
“I think I’ll make this my official title. I’m dropping the ‘Witch of Carnage’ for good.”
“……”
“If you, as the Hero, introduce a few tis with the new title, the rumors will spread naturally.”
“You sure you’re okay with this?”
“Going from a witch to a saint? What better dramatic twist could there be? I love it.”
Looks like she’s conveniently filtering out the “compulsion” part in her head.
Anyway, Neril and I ate and drank to our hearts content until late.
Just as we were about to wrap things up, Uncle Ben spoke.
“Heading out already?”
“Yes. My other party mbers are waiting.”
“Where are you staying?”
“…My house.”
Ben’s expression darkened.
Clack.
He put his cup down and said,
“Is that place even liveable?”
“…”
“You left right after Dianne was arrested. For a few years, so of us—including —kept it up as best we could, but…”
“It’s still usable for a few days’ stay. Thank you for taking care of it.”
“Hmph. Don’t thank . We stopped doing anything about it a long ti ago.”
“It’s been years since I left. Of course you would. Anyway, we should get going.”
Scrape.
Neril and I stood from our seats.
Uncle Ben quickly added,
“Before you leave the territory, at least stop by and see Arald.”
“…”
“I’m still taking care of his grave. It won’t be as rundown as your house, at least.”
My chest tightened, and I bowed deeply to him.
“Thank you.”
“Co back again.”
“I will. Next ti, I’ll return after defeating the Demon King.”
“Heh. I’ll be waiting.”
Uncle Ben turned to the rest of the room.
“Hey, folks! Mide’s heading out. Everyone, raise your glasses!”
“Oooh!”
“That runny-nosed kid beca a Hero! We’ve got to celebrate this. To Hero Mide, the Saint of Compulsion, and all the other brave warriors!”
“To them!”
Everyone clinked their cups with enthusiasm.
Even mine overflowed with wine, wetting my hand.
And then—
My grin stretched from ear to ear.
Gulp, gulp.
“Khh.”
The wine tasted sweet.
Then Neril said,
“It is sweet.”
“You’ve been thinking the sa things as a lot lately.”
“Huh?”
“Nothing. But I didn’t think you were the drinking type.”
She never struck as soone who liked alcohol.
Neril, wearing a rare mischievous smile, replied,
“What? Is a saint not allowed to drink?”
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