The Heroes Who Executed Me Are Obsessed With Me

How much time had passed?

Drip, drip.

In the wasteland, where rain had begun to fall again, Lirien slowly opened her eyes.

“Am... am I alive?”

Trying to recall what had happened made her head throb, and she frowned in pain.

“What… what even happened…”

She looked around and was met with the sight of knights who had died standing on their feet. They had all turned to ash.

Swallowing dryly, Lirien finally recalled the last scene.

Beatrice had incinerated everything with a curtain of flame. And yet, she spared Lirien’s life, telling her to deliver a message:

"We found nothing."

When Lirien, still dazed, asked how she was supposed to explain the death of her entire squad, Beatrice had cast her a cold glance and told her to make something up.

But she had also made one thing very clear: if they ever met again, Lirien would die. It didn’t feel like a threat—it felt like the truth. And so, even if belatedly, Lirien could only let out a long sigh.

“The difference in power… was overwhelming.”

The stories of Beatrice being the progenitor of the Dragonoid weren’t just legends. She was a disaster incarnate, something far beyond what any ordinary human could overcome.

“But the Hero… what happened to him?”

After the battle, Beatrice had taken Clay and flown away from the flames.

“Was he really a corpse?”

Clay had looked far too intact to be a reanimated undead. And Beatrice had treated him with unusual care.

One might treasure even a undead servant, but this felt different.

It felt… like how one would treat a living person.

Fwoosh.

She saw embers still glowing, blown by the wind. Lirien slowly pushed herself to her feet.

“Kh… haaah…”

Though she hadn’t burned to death, her muscles were torn from Beatrice’s repeated attacks. Just trying to walk made her groan in agony.

“Damn it.”

Step by step, she forced herself forward.

She had no idea how much time had passed, which only made her more anxious.

“Her Majesty… must be waiting.”

Tia was probably on edge, plagued by neuroses in her absence. Though the outcome wasn’t good, at the very least, Lirien had to return to her.

“Can I… make it?”

She was conscious, yes, but her body was weak—too weak to be sure how far she could go.

“My strength…”

Thud.

Eventually, she collapsed again. A sandstorm was approaching.

“I have to… tell Her Majesty…”

She had to report that Beatrice had taken Clay’s body. Otherwise, they’d waste time continuing to search for it.

“…Lirien?”

Just then, a familiar voice pierced her ears.

“Why are you here?”

Turning her head, Lirien saw Nael, the Beastkin warrior. Her large, drooping tail was soaked by the rain, glistening in the gray light.

“Um, well…”

Lirien didn’t know if she should tell the truth.

If she said Beatrice had taken Clay’s body, how would Nael—one of the Hero’s party—react?

No matter the reaction, it would certainly stir Tia emotionally.

“A powerful monster appeared… things turned out like this.”

But if she didn’t say anything, she couldn’t explain her current state either. “Getting lost in the wasteland” wouldn’t convince Nael.

“A monster?”

“Yes.”

“Monsters don’t usually show up in places like this.”

Nael looked around, skeptical.

“Yes, it was a rare kind. A giant fireworm that tunnels underground.”

“A fireworm?”

“Yes. If you keep walking, you’ll see scorched earth. All the knights I brought… were burned alive.”

“That’s… terrible.”

Nael let out a sigh.

“If I had come earlier, I could’ve helped. I’m sorry.”

“No, this wasn’t your burden to carry, Lady Nael.”

“Still… But what was the Royal Guard doing out here in the first place?”

Of course she’d ask that. Lirien gave a wry smile.

“There was a report. A rare monster was sighted in this area.”

“What? That really happened?”

“Even with the Demon King dead, monsters still roam. The Royal Guard was out on patrol to help suppress them.”

At those words, Nael clenched her fists.

“The war is over, and yet the sacrifices continue…”

“Lady Nael?”

“I just don’t understand what’s going on anymore.”

Lirien looked at her for a moment, then asked, “But why were you out here, Lady Nael?”

“Me?”

Nael looked surprised, then fell silent for a moment. She scratched her head and gave an awkward laugh.

“Just retracing my steps.”

“Retracing?”

“Some old places came to mind. I figured I’d check in and make sure nothing was brewing.”

It was a perfectly reasonable answer.

Almost as if… she’d prepared it in advance.

“In any case, may I help you?”

Nael held out her hand.

“I’d be grateful.”

There was no reason to refuse kindness at a time like this. Lirien leaned on her and was lifted onto Nael’s back.

“I’ll make sure to repay this favor.”

“No need. But if you really want to repay me…”

Rumble!

“Help me find Clay’s body.”

When the lightning flashed above, Nael’s face was briefly illuminated, revealing an expression Lirien had never seen before.

♧

Fwoosh.

Above the wasteland—or rather, in the mountain valley that marked its edge—a massive red dragon soared through the sky on outstretched wings.

『It’s been a long time since I’ve taken this form.』

The first of the Dragonoid, Beatrice.

Though born in a human body, her soul was that of a reincarnated dragon. Once she awakened to that truth, her powers had fully merged with her being.

『Even during my time in the Demon King’s army, I rarely showed this side.』

Riding on her back, nestled between her wings, was none other than Clay.

“…Beatrice.”

He felt the wind whip past him and asked,

“Am I… really okay?”

That question held many meanings—so many that even Beatrice, a being of immense knowledge, couldn’t fully interpret them all.

『You’ll be fine.』

It was all she could say.

They flew in silence for a while. Beatrice didn’t try to continue the conversation.

She knew he was exhausted—struggling just to stay conscious.

Where should I go?

Beatrice searched her memory for potential destinations.

There… that place should work.

A secluded location where Clay could stay safely, away from the public eye.

Though I don’t know if you’ll like it.

She gave a faint smile and changed course.

As she shifted direction, Clay opened his eyes and asked,

“Beatrice.”

『Yes?』

“You really did choose to help me, right?”

『Taking this form and flying openly means I don’t care who sees us.』

In other words, she had chosen to walk this path with him.

『Clay, what kind of help are you hoping for?』

“I…”

『You said you wanted a life worth living, even if you had regrets. So how far are you willing to go?』

Clay couldn’t answer immediately.

He wanted to act without restraint, but he’d never lived that way. He didn’t know what suited him best, how far was too far.

『You don’t need to overthink it. I just want to understand the depth of your will. Choosing a destination is important.』

Her wings beat powerfully against the wind.

『Wherever your will leads, I will become your wings. That, I can promise.』

“…Alright.”

He didn’t say what he wanted to do or become. And Beatrice didn’t push him.

I already know he’s made up his mind.

Beatrice recalled the Demon King she once served.

When someone is betrayed too deeply, they turn to the other side.

She knew that better than anyone. But she didn’t spell it out for Clay now. This was his first time feeling this way.

If his thoughts grew more tangled because of their talk, it would only confuse him further. She would wait until he reached his own conclusion.

He was worth waiting for.

I wonder who’ll regret this the most.

Nothing in life was ever absolute. And in that sense, when someone kills… there is always a price to be paid.

Judging by the deployment of the Royal Guard, Empress Tia was already starting to waver.

She may have acted in the name of duty, but in the end, she was just a person wearing a crown.

If she couldn’t bear the weight, she should never have taken up the cause—especially when she wasn’t sure if it was even worth bearing.

『Don’t try to take responsibility for everything, Clay.』

Beatrice murmured like a lullaby.

『People always try to pile their burdens onto those already carrying their own.』

Her gaze turned forward.

Their destination was now in sight. It was time to let Clay know they had arrived.

『Welcome… to the Demon King’s Castle.』

And with her Dragon Words, the tightly shut gates slowly creaked open.

(End of Chapter)