The Hero Who Returned From Death Quits

EP7. At the End of Darkness

“…Why now?”

“Why, Rani?”

Ainzel spoke to the thoughts of the previous warriors.

“Don’t pretend not to know. Why are you giving me that choice now of all times?”

“That’s because I judged that without the Holy Sword’s help, you would be unable to complete your mission any further.”

“Mission, you say?”

“Yes. The Demon King of this generation is quite different from the Demon Kings I’ve met. He’s probably quite different from the Demon Kings I’ve met before. The fighting power itself is similar, but… the difference I’m talking about is the difference in authority.”

“warrant?”

“Yes. Just as warriors have powers, so do archangels… spirit kings… and demon kings… each have their own powers. While demon kings usually receive powers that directly affect battles, warriors each receive… unique powers. Some have the power to be good at blacksmithing, others have the power to make animals obey their commands, and some warriors even have the power of speaking.”

Chin, that thought placed a hand on Ainzel’s shoulder.

“And the result, as you know, is always the victory of the warrior. That’s why the demon god thought. He couldn’t win with just the power of battle. So instead of receiving the power of battle, this generation’s demon king received power related to war itself. If you only look at his direct fighting power, you could say that this generation’s demon king is the weakest. However, he’s actually harder to catch. That’s why I’m giving you a choice now.”

“…My question is still not answered. Then why are you giving me a choice?”

“Because I respect your will. I give you the right to choose between what you don’t want to lose and your mission. In fact, even without my help, if you go back in time, there might be a way to break through. So… so.”

“Even if you say that, don’t you know that in the end nothing will change? In the end, I have to choose between enjoying a brief respite with Beatrice, or giving up her for now and completing my mission.”

“…That’s my opinion. The Holy Sword’s judgment is also the same. No matter how much I judge, I’ve come to the conclusion that it’s impossible to complete it without my help, so I’ve made this offer to you. However, if you prioritize Beatrice as she is now, I respect that opinion, so I’m giving you the choice. However, to be honest, I’m not sure if you’ll be able to complete your mission if you use my power right now.”

“It’s not that I don’t know if I can complete my mission, but I know that I will definitely fail, and yet I’m given a choice. Is this a final mercy? If the Holy Sword made this offer with the intention of showing me mercy, I’d say it would have backfired. It would have been better… not to have given me a choice in the first place.”

“…the choice is.”

“I can’t. I can’t choose. Reason clearly tells me that it’s right to go back and use your power, but this woman in my arms,”

Ainzel looked at Beatrice in his arms, took a deep breath, and spoke again.

“Beatrice is so precious that I cannot bear to choose to abandon her.”

“Then what are you going to do?”

“…well.”

Ainzel bit his lip and said.

“Let’s postpone the decision for now. It’s just a problem that I absolutely cannot decide on right now.”

“Yeah… Time will start moving again soon. If you can avoid Malecidus’ attack, you can buy yourself some time. Then think about it.”

“…Fuck.”

“Remember this one thing. Choosing a hero and empowering a hero are all choices made to fulfill a mission. Your tragedy is unfortunate, but it is a necessary procedure… and that is why you are going through this.”

“That’s not very comforting.”

Ainzel came to his senses. Time began to flow again, little by little.

The whip was also slow to come, but his own body was even slower. It seemed best not to expect that his limbs would be able to dodge it without any problems.

Ainzel gave up one of his arms in exchange for the remainder of his body and Beatrice’s life.

The moment his arm touched the whip engulfed in black flames, it evaporated.

I don’t feel any pain. I’ve already thrown that away a long time ago.

Instead of screaming in pain, Ainzel grabbed Beatrice with his remaining arm and ran.

Of course, even if he had run like that, he would have been caught by Malecidus anyway. That is, if there had been no interference.

“Stop it! Don’t let Malekidus get near the warrior and the saintess!”

The soldiers had many questions. Why were the warrior and the saint alive? Why were they hidden? But right now, those things were not important. What was important was protecting the warrior and the saint.

The soldiers were willing to give up their lives to buy that little bit of time.

With each swish of the whip, hundreds of people died.

Malecidus smiled wryly.

A weak race. An inferior race. But their courage alone is quite valuable – so thought Malecidus.

Ainzel took a deep breath. Beatrice was greatly surprised to see Ainzel’s missing arm.

“This is…!”

“Don’t make a fuss. It’s nothing.”

Beatrice hugged him tightly.

“…to Malekidus…”

“Yes. Malecidus took my arm. And hundreds of people are dying right now. That’s not what really matters.”

Beatrice looked at Ainzel’s face and said.

“…Then what is important?”

Ainzel bit his lip. Only when blood began to flow out did he open his mouth.

“I have a decision to make and would like to ask for your advice. Can you help me?”

Beatrice momentarily did not understand what he was saying. It was absurd that Ainzel would ask her for advice.

She always had a hard time making important decisions, and Ainzel was there to help her. And now, he was asking her for help.

Beatrice looked at his face. She saw his bloodshot eyes. She saw his distorted expression. She saw his eyes looking very, very sad.

Beatrice said, stroking his face.

“It’s okay. Talk to me.”

She smiled affectionately, just like when she first met Ainzel in the past.

Meanwhile, Malecidus was getting closer.

As death approached, Beatrice and Ainzel stood face to face.

“The Holy Sword, the Holy Sword said. It said that I could neutralize Malekidus here and now and live with you. But if I give up on you, there is a way to normalize this world. Choose between you and the world, that is what it said.”

Ainzel took a deep breath and then said.

“I, I can’t choose. I can’t give up either you or my mission as a warrior. What should I do?”

Beatrice looked at him and opened her mouth.

“…Even if I survive here anyway, the continent has already become the property of the demons. I will have to spend my entire life running away or living in hiding.”

Ainzel looked at her.

“Yes, that is.”

Ainzel scrunched his face and urged Beatrice to answer.

“Please make the world normal. Don’t worry about me.”

“Aren’t you afraid of dying?”

“Where is the person who is not afraid of death? I just think that if more people can be saved, that would be enough.”

“You… You’ve only been free for a short time.”

“Yes, it hasn’t been long since I abandoned my faith and realized my true nature. So what? Even though it was only for a short time, I am happy.”

“but.”

Ainzel felt as if he was suffocating at the subject he had asked to help him choose.

Beatrice smiled at him.

“Hehehe, how cute. Are you saying that after asking yourself that question? Ainzel, listen carefully.”

Beatrice said, holding Ainzel’s remaining wrist.

“I was able to find the real me thanks to you. And… because I love you, because you are my love, I am happier than anyone in this world, and I am happy.”

Note. Beatrice left Ainzel with a short kiss.

“It’s proof that I love you. Do you see? I’m the happiest person in the world right now.”

Beatrice was laughing through her tears.

A tear fell from Ainzel’s eye.

“You were my salvation. I am already saved. That’s what I’m saying. I am already saved, so save others.”

Ainzel shed tears.

“You promise, right?”

“Yes, definitely.”

They felt Malecidus approach them again, swinging his whip. This time, there was no dodge.

Rather than trying to avoid the whip, Ainzel and Beatrice embraced each other.

The embrace I held was warm. It was as if I was in the arms of God.