Telling the truth might get me killed. Lying could have the same result. So, should I concoct an impeccable lie? But why should I even have to lie? Have I done something wrong?
I was informed by Holly about the birth of the Hero and the imminent return of the Demon Lord. So, I went to deliver the Holy Sword to the Hero. Sure, I had my own motives, like not wanting to die and perhaps making a name for myself if things went well.Even so, I did my best and successfully completed my misshion. I delivered the Holy Sword to the Hero, preparing for the return of the Demon Lord. That was the right thing to do, wasn't it? If I had failed, everyone would have been troubled, right? I don't mean to sound self-righteous, but my efforts should have brought about a good result. So why do I have to desperately think about lying now?
"Big brother, answer me quickly."
I was taken aback when I looked at Shion. Her appearance had matured to that of an eighteen-year-old. Perhaps due to being emotional, she used the Holy Sword's ability of possesshion to rapidly grow into her prime, showing a stern expresshion.
Shion at her prime.
The unique existence capable of defeating the Demon Lord.
The strongest being in this world, in her prime.
Indisputably, factually, absolutely the strongest existence in this world.
I can't defy her, and any resistance would be futile.
Right now, I'm in more danger than when I was sentenced to death by the king, attacked by the sisters wielding Holy Swords, assaulted by monsters, or even when I encountered the Demon Lord.
Because the Hero is stronger than the Demon Lord.
I'm in more danger now than when I stumbled upon the Demon Lord.
It was then that Holly, standing behind Shion, said:
"Ha. What a question. If she weren't the Hero, who would bother helping a brat like you?"
Startled by Holly's typically tactless remark, I let out a shriek unlike any I had ever made before.
"Holly, be quiet!"
With a slight mutter of annoyance from Shion, Holly's presence vanished instantly.
What? Can the Hero actually make the spirit residing in the Holy Sword disappear?
Well, it seemed more like she temporarily sealed Holly inside the sword.
"Hey, big brother. Is what Holly said true? If I wasn't the Hero, you wouldn't have helped me?"
Unable to answer, I could only tremble uncontrollably.Suddenly, I shifted my gaze and saw Cattleya Instructor, Iris, Saffron, and Prince Heath huddled together in a corner of the room, having risen from their seats around the round table.
They must have sensed the gravity of my situation. They stood frozen, faces pale with apprehenshion. Well, except for Saffron, who, for some reason, was staring at me with what seemed like deep interest.
Damn it!
They're treating this like it's someone else's problem, just watching for their amusement!
"Big brother…"
Damn it! Damn it! Damn it!
How foolish have I been!
I never anticipated this day, this question!
How could this not have been a possibility?
It was an inevitable question, wasn't it?
Why didn't I prepare for it in advance!
...Ah, I see.
It's not that I didn't anticipate it, I just didn't want to.
Because the moment Shion harbored this doubt, I was finished.
It's not like I did anything wrong.
But still, the moment Shion decided to ask me this question, I was doomed.
So, it was pointless to anticipate it.
In the end, whether you live for a hundred years or just a few decades, preparing for death is futile.
You'll die eventually, regardless of your preparations.
It's all pointless.
Everything humans do is pointless.
No matter what you achieve in this world, what you leave behind, or accomplish, you'll die someday.
So, it's all the same if you do nothing.
Humans are meaningless, even in life.
Everyone might as well die tomorrow.
"Ha ha…"
Faced with such overwhelming terror, my thoughts became exceptionally clear.
Whether I die tomorrow, in a year, in ten years, or in a hundred years, it's all the same.
So, let's decide.
Die lying? Or die telling the truth?
"It's obvious, isn't it, Shion?"
I stood up and looked down at Shion.
Shion in her prime was about as tall as Holly.
So she was slightly shorter than me, allowing me to look down at her.
This is good.
Very good.
Grown-up Shion is incredibly beautiful and has a fantastic figure."She's absolutely beautiful."
With her looks and being the strongest fighter in the world.
She's perfect.
To be able to look down upon the most powerful and beautiful woman in the world before I die.
What more could I ask for as my last sight?
"The reason I helped you..."
So, let's give up.
"It's because you're the Hero."
Let's give up on living.
"Huh?"
Shion looked puzzled.
"If you weren't the Hero, I definitely wouldn't have helped you. If the person next to your house was the Hero, I would've just taken them and left the town. In fact, if the Hero was in another town, I wouldn't have even met you. And even if we did meet by chance, I definitely wouldn't help a slave who's not a Hero. Even if you were crying and begging for help, I wouldn't help you. I tried to buy you because you were the Hero, and when I realized I couldn't buy you, I kidnapped you."
"...Big brother..."
Shion remained frozen, looking up at me.
She's taking this much better than I expected. Maybe I can say a bit more.
"I don't help anyone. There are countless slaves in this world. There are countless people in as miserable situations as you were, and even more miserable. There are countless people in this world in miserable situations that I don't even know about. I know there are unhappy people in this world, but I will never help them. No matter how many unfortunate people there are in this world, as long as I am not troubled, I will never help them. Never."
"...Why?"
"Why? What do you mean why? That's normal!"
In a fit of desperation, I shouted, letting out all my frustrations.
"While I'm living like a noble in this castle! There are people starving to death! People lost on the streets! People getting killed by villains! People getting sick! People crying over their dead families! People becoming slaves and working to death! There are people suffering unimaginable hardships in this world! But I can't do anything about it! I turn a blind eye to others' misfortunes and live my life leisurely! Living luxuriously and carelessly!"
"I'm that kind of person! If I'm happy, I don't care how many others are unhappy! It doesn't bother me at all because it's someone else's problem! I don't care if everyone else is unhappy as long as I'm happy! Because I'm not unhappy!"
"That's how normal people are! They think it's okay as long as they're fine! They say pretty words and pretend to try hard! They turn away from the suffering and misfortune of others! Just living without doing anything! Because they're not Heroes! They're weak, stupid, and have no money! They're trash that can't help anyone! Everyone else is the same! Otherwise, there wouldn't be any unhappy people!"
"I'm not like you! I can't choose who to help and who to kill!"
"You're... the strongest in this world. So... just do as you like. Kill anyone you want to kill, and save anyone you want to save. Kill as much as you want, save as much as you want."
"...Big brother..."
I grabbed Shion's shoulders and said those words."These are the last words I can leave you with, Shion."
To ensure Shion won't be used or oppressed by others after defeating the Demon King.
"You can kill anyone. You can save anyone?"
"Yes..."
Wow, I really said something outrageous before dying.
"Well, I only want to save you, big brother."
"Huh?"
"Big brother, you're suffering because you feel powerless to help the unfortunate, aren't you? I can tell from your words. You're not ignoring the world's suffering. You're agonizing because you can't help."
"Uh...?"
"So, I will save you. I'll save everyone you want to save. If you're weak, I'll be strong for you. I'll become stronger than anyone and eliminate everything that torments you."
"...Why?"