“Am I not the only one who asked about this?”
“It seems there were three others.”
“Please tell me. I beg you.”
Sena bowed his head. The man replied as if it wasn’t a difficult question.
“A knight, a priest, and a mage. They’re all looking for a tall man with red hair. To answer your question, if I say no, will you leave? We welcome everyone except the Demon King. You may pass.”
Walking into the village, Sena was deep in thought.
‘The knight is likely someone from Duke Granz’s faction.’
‘But what about the Church and the mage?’
“It’s certain that Chris is here. Sylvia, prepare in advance.”
“Yes.”
Astria spoke leisurely as she walked. Sylvia stayed close to Sena, staying alert to their surroundings.
“Why, why are you like that? All of a sudden.”
“I can sense presences all around. Senior, please don’t leave my side.”
Gulp, Sena swallowed hard.
“Okay.”
“Don’t be too scared.”
Sylvia smiled gently, patting Sena on the head.
Sena looked up at Sylvia, staring.
‘I’m being patted by a junior.’
He was even starting to get used to it. Sena felt sad. Was he really becoming a public fluffy pet?
“Sena.”
Sena flinched and his body trembled. Luckily for him, he didn’t get caught being petted by Sylvia.
‘Why am I surprised? It’s just Sylvia.’
…But somehow, he didn’t want to show that scene.
“Yes.”
“You said you knew where Chris might be, right?”
“Yes.”
“Where should we go?”
Astria glanced around. There was a signpost.
-> Welcome, Demon King, this way.
<- Not the Demon King? Then get lost. (Road to Celine.)
He knew it was a serious situation, but his shoulders slumped. Still as childish as ever. He weakly pointed to the right.
“Didn’t they say they welcome everyone except the Demon King earlier? Seems they only welcome the Demon King.”
Astria was dumbfounded. What kind of village is this?
Walking a bit further, they came across a skull-shaped warning sign.
-If you’re really the Demon King, you’ll live. If not, you’ll die.
“……I thought a hero’s role was to kill the Demon King?”
Sena chuckled at Astria’s reaction.
Just as he was about to explain, a loud voice came from behind.
“That’s right, to kill him, you need to be alive first! I didn’t expect you ladies to come this way!”
The man who had answered about Chris earlier was now perched in a tree.
He landed gracefully and walked towards them.
“My name is Luke. Since you’ve come this far, you must be prepared, right?”
Whoosh, whoosh.
Luke twirled his spear a few times, pointing it at them.
“Turn back while I’m still being nice. This place isn’t for just anyone.”
Sylvia whispered in Sena’s ear.
“Was there originally such an event?”
“No, I don’t think so.”
Sena just awkwardly smiled.
It seemed the current gatekeeper was an interesting character.
…Although he didn’t think the village needed to be any more interesting.
“How long have you been the gatekeeper here?”
“…Hm? About two years.”
“Could you call the person who was here before? Or anyone else from the village?”
“…I am a villager too, you know?”
Sena clasped his hands behind his back and smiled brightly.
“Then you should know me. You haven’t been in the village for five years, have you?”
“……”
Sena’s words were correct. Luke lowered his spear.
“You’re quite a bold young lady. I don’t dislike that.”
‘Ugh.’
That guy just winked at me.
“May I kill him?”
Astria asked seriously.
With Luke’s guidance, they managed to reach the village safely.
The Village of Heroes is divided into two parts: the common village and the hero’s village.
Since many people pass through on their way to Celine, it disrupts their training, so they separated it like this.
“Sena, is that you?”
‘Impressive. Even now, most knights wouldn’t stand a chance against him.’
Astria made a quick internal assessment. The old man might have aged, but he still had the strength of his younger days.
Furthermore, the village was filled with people training with swords. Each one of them was either comparable to or surpassing the knights.
Astria mentally noted to recruit them later.
“I’m glad to see you’re healthy, Joseph.”
“Haha, I’m fortunate to see you once more before I die.”
“Old man, do you know who this lady is?”
“Rascal!!!!!”
“Whoa, you startled me.”
Village Chief Joseph shouted loudly, his voice almost deafening. He struck Luke on the head with his staff.
“How dare you speak to the Saint like that!”
“The, the Saint? Ouch! It hurts, old man!”
“Bah, do you know how many heroes he saved from the Demon King’s army?”
“R-Really?”
“Of course, you fool! Do you think I’d lie about something like that?”
“Stop hitting me!”
By the way, the Demon King’s army here refers to monsters.
In the Village of Heroes, they believe that monsters are created by the Demon King.
“Furball.”
“I’m not a furball.”
Sena pouted.
“I’m Sena, Ria.”
“…Sena.”
Sena smiled brightly.
“Yes!”
“……What on earth have you been up to?”
Astria genuinely wondered now. Why did this furball know so many people?
“It’s a secret.”
Sena put a finger to his lips and shushed, which somehow made Astria even more irritated.
“What brings you here?”
“I was wondering if you’ve seen Chris.”
‘It doesn’t matter who’s chasing him. The villagers wouldn’t let in suspicious people.’
Sena spoke with half-confidence.
Finding Chris here and sending him back to the palace with Astria would complete the perfect plan.
“It’s about that matter, isn’t it? Yes, he came here, but he was severely injured.”
‘As expected!’
Sena’s face brightened.
“Is he in that cabin?”
“Hmm, about that…”
Joseph glanced at Astria.
The strong scent of blood was impossible to hide. How many people had she killed?
She could never be called a saint.
“…He has already left.”
“L-left? That can’t be.”
Sena was bewildered. Had Chris really left without waiting for him after coming all this way?
Moreover, since they rode a wyvern, they should have arrived much faster than expected.
“Where did he go?”
While Sena stuttered, Astria crossed her arms and asked.
“Well, I don’t know the details either.”
Joseph stroked his beard as he spoke. His demeanor was much colder than when he spoke to Sena.
“Listen, chief, if you don’t speak clearly, right now….”
Sena quickly covered Astria’s mouth.
“S-sorry. Is it alright if we stay for a while? We’d like to stay in that cabin.”
“Of course. Sena, you’re always welcome. Stay as long as you like.”
Joseph walked away with a kind smile.
Luke, standing nearby, looked at Sena in a daze and muttered.
“A Saint? Not a Saintess?”
Sena slumped with a dejected look.
**
“You almost died this time.”
In the cargo compartment of a speeding carriage, Chris clutched his abdomen, grinning at the person in front of him, who was wearing a wizard’s hat.
“It was close.”
“Is Duke Granz really that strong?”
“Don’t misunderstand. It was just an ambush, Chloe.”
Chloe hugged a large staff tightly.
“Still, it’s surprising. I didn’t think you’d find me before Sena.”
“That furball is always a step behind. Acts like the busiest person in the world.”
“True, cough.”
Chris coughed, and the bandage on his abdomen, recently applied, was quickly soaked with blood.
“Hey, are you okay?”
Chloe asked with a worried expression. Chris waved his hand dismissively.
“Don’t worry about it. This will heal soon enough.”
“…Still, how about going to Sena now? He could fix this quickly.”
In truth, they knew Sena was on his way.
They had just left after seeing him arrive.
“That bastard, I told him to come alone, not to drag Her Majesty along.”
“…So what?”
“I am the Guardian Knight of the Empress. How can I face her when I couldn’t protect her? And, before that, I can’t face her out of sheer embarrassment.”
Chloe had tried to persuade Chris multiple times, but he was too stubborn. She sighed deeply.
“What if you die like this?”
“That would be better. All these problems arose because I’m still alive.”
“If Sena were here, he’d say, ‘If you’re going to say such nasty things, go eat dirt.’”
“It’s almost funny because it’s so true.”
“Ah. How did it come to this?”
Chloe looked at the ground.
Even now, it didn’t feel real.
The only duke of the Empire turning his back on the Empress and plotting schemes.
And even knowing those schemes, there was nothing they could do.
“More importantly, Chloe. Are you okay?”
“What do you mean?”
“You always called me a boring man. Now you’re on a journey with this boring man.”
“A journey… huh.”
Chloe spoke with a sad look.
“I always wished to travel with a friend. It would be perfect if Sena were here too.”
Chris didn’t mind Chloe mentioning another man in front of him. Instead, he spoke earnestly.
“Sena must have done something terrible to you.”
“He’s a liar.”
“You hold a grudge against him.”
Chloe quietly laughed.
“I’d be lying if I said I didn’t. That furball always said harsh things to me but got along well with you guys. Why did he keep his distance from me? Did he hate me that much?”
“The only thing Sena hates is the Church. I can guarantee that.”
“Then why?”
Chloe smiled through her tears.
“Why was he so harsh to me? Tell me, Chris.”
“…”
Chris did not answer.
Chloe wiped her tears.
“I’ll repay this grudge a hundredfold someday. …But if you ask whether I hate him, I don’t.”
Chloe quietly shook her head.
“I like Sena so much that this much doesn’t bother me. I still want to see him. I want to run to him and hug him right now.”
Chris, who had been silent, spoke seriously.
“Where you belong is not by my side.”
“Go to Sena.”
“The things you just said, you need to tell them to Sena, not me.”
Chloe spoke softly.
“You.”
“I can’t go back until I kill that b*tch.”
Chris gritted his teeth.
“I will kill Isabella. And Granz too. I can’t return until then.”
“Do you think Sena will like me if I leave you, a half-dead man, behind? Even if I leave you, Sena wouldn’t like me.”
Chloe closed her eyes for a moment and then opened them.
“My first journey will be with you. I’ve decided my last journey will be with Sena.”
Chris smirked.
Chloe.
Being his peer, he knew her.
She had a talent.
Only for magic that kills people.
So—
“That last journey won’t take long. Thank you, Chloe. I’ll repay this friendship by helping you achieve your love.”
“You must keep that promise. That’s why I’m helping you.”
“You’re so sly.”
They laughed together for a long time.
