Talk about mood swings.
"Join us, Crow. Come with us."
"…Huh?"
Cinelaria wasn't hinting at murder, but rather, she was inviting me.
Or rather, she was straightforwardly asking me to join them.
"I'm not saying this because you're useful. I don't particularly want to kill someone who saved my life."
I don't get it.
Does this mean she'll kill me if I don't join?
Jasmine, who was unconscious just a moment ago, is staggering to her feet and approaching, but she doesn't try to stop Cinelaria.Where did all that talk about stopping Cinelaria if she tried to kill me go? I pleaded with my eyes, but Jasmine didn't budge.
"I think of myself as an easy-going woman, but we really don't want to kill you."
"Then please don't put the Underworld Sword to my neck."
"If you refuse our offer now, you'll die."
"Because you guys will kill me?"
"No. Our master will."
"…?"
"Our master doesn't care if his subordinates or companions betray him. Even if the two of us became your companions and sided with the hero, it wouldn't bother him. It's not complacency or arrogance; it's just pure confidence and composure."
It sounds the same to me.
Complacency, arrogance, confidence, composure.
Emotions I'm completely unfamiliar with.
"If our master decided to, we'd all be killed in the blink of an eye."
"Is your master that powerful?"
"I think Amaranth might be stronger in terms of power. But still, no one can beat him. Not even the hero and the demon lord."
"What?"
"Our master is unfathomable. It's not just about being strong or smart. It's something else... everything he does is just ruthless."
Kind of sounds like how Holly views me.
Not that I'm ruthless or anything.
"You're all safe now because our master hasn't decided to act. If he ever seriously moves against the hero, it would be over in an instant. The matter would be settled in the blink of an eye."
"…"
"You wouldn't understand what happened. Things would worsen so fast you wouldn't know up from down, and without even a chance to respond or resist, you'd be defeated by our master."
"…"
When Cinelaria says "you all," she's referring to the hero's party led by Shion.
The strongest combat force, Shion, assisted by the timeless Holly, with the battle-hardened Instructor Cattleya and Platanus shoring up the sides, and the support of the young and talented Iris, Saffron, and Prince Heath. That's the hero's party.
Well, if I butted in, I'd probably die first, but I'm not that foolish.
If push comes to shove, I'll leave it all to them and disappear into the clouds.
Without me as a dead weight, the hero's party should be invincible.
Even if the demon lord were to revive right now and a multitude of powerful monsters and demons emerged, they'd surely be able to handle it with ease.The addition of Saffron, whose allegiance was always uncertain, and Platanus, who has become a font of wisdom, is significant.
I've already established such a foolproof setup that there's nothing left for me to worry about.
There's nothing to fear.
My life is hardly safe, but that's business as usual.
"…"
Thinking it over, could accepting their offer be an option?
The roles of Shion's advisor and strategist could be left to Holly and Platanus, and in terms of combat, Shion alone is more than enough, not to mention the excessive quality and quantity of forces available.
Pretending to join their master might actually benefit Shion and Holly by allowing us to understand the true nature of this mysterious master.
—Big brother—
No, that's not right.
I can't leave Shion's side.
I'm not a lolicon.
But as long as Shion wants me by his side, that's where I should be.
That's the one thing even an ordinary guy like me can do.
A promise to a girl who never received love from her parents.
Because Shion wants me to return, I will go back to him right away.
That's all there is to it.
And who knows what kind of scolding I'd get from Holly if I went with these people.
"I… cannot betray the hero."
I stated it plainly, just like that.
Cinelaria and Jasmine both seemed disheartened at the same time.
Huh? I would understand if they were furious about failing to recruit me, but to be this disappointed?
Do they not realize that I wouldn't be of any real help to them?
Understanding the shortest routes through dungeons.
Using the Pegasus Sword.
Having agility on par with those who wield the saintly swords.
It's all thanks to Holly.
In essence, I'm just utilizing a fraction of Shion, the hero's power, by association.
Despite having virtually no strategic value myself.
While I was pondering this, the Pegasus Sword came galloping down to me.
A horse that literally raced through the heavens landed beside me.
Holly must have summoned it, but where is she now?
Still with Shion, perhaps?
After glancing at the Pegasus Sword, Cinelaria removed the Underworld Sword from my neck, placed her hand on my shoulder, and leaned in close.The pointy hat is annoying.
"…I think it's futile, but do your best. You might not understand what I'm saying right now, but there's a crisis waiting for you beyond anything you can imagine."
Jasmine also, while holding my hand with both of hers,
"I will never forget the kindness you showed us today. It's been a long time since strangers have treated us kindly or spoken to us with such familiarity."
She said something so heartfelt.
No, I don't think I was particularly kind or familiar.
It felt like a completely normal interaction to me.
The two sisters, dressed in a witch's attire and a nun's habit, mounted the back of the dragon zombie and flew away from the spot.
"…I should head back too…"
I approached the Pegasus Sword standing beside me.
I wonder if it's okay without Holly around?
"…"
The Pegasus Sword, Ramrei, flew without issue, despite Holly's absence.
I was worried about riding alone, but it seems my worries were unfounded.
The Pegasus Sword seemed to automatically head towards the capital, and all I had to do was hold the reins and stay mounted.
Somehow, the flight of the Pegasus Sword felt rougher than usual.
Maybe Shion and Holly are urging it to hurry back.
"Phew…"
But, what a tiring day it has been.
I've been walking all day, and after being possessed by Holly multiple times, my body aches, and I feel incredibly fatigued.
Maybe this is the punishment for all those naps I've been taking without doing anything.
Yet, I don't think I'll learn my lesson; I'll probably continue to nap all day from tomorrow.
And it's not just physical exhaustion.
I've had experiences walking around dungeons with the saintly sword bearers, but I never thought I'd be working alongside Cinelaria and Jasmine, who are supposed to be adversaries.
Moreover, it's a strange phenomenon that while they were terrifying as enemies, they didn't seem all that reliable as allies.
As I pondered these things, the capital came into view.
Finally, I've managed to return.
After landing near the stable in the castle, I parked the Pegasus Sword in its usual spot and headed towards Shion's private room.
I wonder if I'll be greeted with "Big brother! You're back!" and get jumped on again.
Honestly, I'm exhausted from walking around all night, but since I didn't inform them of my absence in advance, I've probably caused more worry than usual, so I need to apologize first.At that moment, my eyes met with Instructor Cattleya’s as I walked through the corridors of the castle.
"Crow! You!"
For some reason, Instructor Cattleya rushed over to me with a look of urgency.
"Where have you been at a time like this!"
She's angry, as usual.
"What happened? Did something happen?"
"Don't play dumb with me, idiot! Why weren't you here when we needed you most!"
"Please, don't be unreasonable, Instructor. It's not like I left the capital because I wanted to. I can't always be around at crucial times..."
"...? You... don't know? Haven't you heard anything from Holly?"
"Eh? Holly should be with Shion, right?"
"Instructor? What's wrong?"