Vol 3: Chapter 9: Each Person's Thoughts

The Atonement of the Guilty

Each Person's Thoughts

We were walking to the castle gate to leave the royal capital.

After Chris invited me on a journey to save the world, I returned to the castle for a while.

When I told the king that I wanted to go on a journey to save the world, he immediately agreed.

Of course... if I, the Sword Saint, joined the currently talked-about hero party and performed well, the king's reputation for being the host at the royal castle would also rise.

People passing by saw Chris and Aleph and gave them looks of respect and words of encouragement. The hero of salvation and the saint of devotion were incredibly popular.

In contrast to that, some people looked at me with suspicious expressions and ignored me as I spent the whole time lazing around in a self-indulgent manner at the castle... I'm a Sword Saint, so I'm sorry.

Chris... gave me a chance. She wanted me to join her on her journey to salvation.

Even though I was brainwashed, I can't erase what I did to Aleph. All those despicable acts. This tainted body... None of it can be undone.

But if I can't undo what I've done, then I have no choice but to do even more good deeds. Save as many people as possible on this journey to save the world, and protect my friends.

Someday, someday! If the sins of the three of us are forgiven... That will be our salvation.

I stopped walking and looked towards the royal castle.

(Finne-san... Lily-chan. I'm going. I'll save a lot of people. Chris said that your feelings are in my heart... but even so, I want to say something...)

Taking a deep breath, I muttered softly towards the royal castle.

"...I'm off now."

Muttering this, I turned my back on the royal castle... I decided that from now on, I would face forward without looking back.

I jog towards Chris and the others.

I will no longer waver. And I have vowed to myself that I will never betray you again.

Today...I have once again resolved to defeat the Demon King.

-- A journey to save the world. I'm sure I can accomplish it!

Aria-san suddenly stopped, so we're waiting for her to arrive.

To be honest, I'm a little jealous of Aria-san. Onee-chan and her are blood-related sisters. Every time Onee-chan calls her "Nee-san" I feel like I don't belong there.

Maybe it's because I feel like she's taken my Onee-chan away from me, but I don't really like Aria.

I can do anything for you, Onee-chan. I even killed that scum of a hero. That I'm prepared to do anything, that's why I'm by your side, you know?

I wonder if Aria-san was prepared for that and decided to follow Onee-chan?

If she's just relying on Onee-chan because of the blood ties... I can't forgive her. Doesn't that mean she's just using her?

So, on this journey, I have to find out. Whether Aria-san is suitable to accompany Onee-chan... Whether she's a good presence.

"Onee-chan."

Because, you see, I...

"Hmm, what's wrong, Reno?"

"I'm always going to be your little sister, right? I can always be your little sister, right?"

"Of course. Reno is my cute little sister ♪"

"Ehehe, I love you, Onee-chan!!"

I'm a part of Onee-chan real family, you know? Ufufufu...

Aria stopped and looked towards the castle for some reason... I don't know what she was doing, but she shouldn't stop Chris from walking.

I feel bad for Chris, but I don't think of Aria as a friend at all. After what I said, I can't be so blatant and mean to her, but...

Aria is a fool who has been committing fornication with the hero for a year. There is no way that someone like her has been training, and even if she has the skills of a sword saint, I don't think she will be of any use on our journey.

In other words, she'll probably be killed soon. I agreed to her coming, but I never said I'd protect her. The only person I'll protect is Chris.

The exception is Reno, who is my comrade, so I like her enough to help her when her life is in danger. As comrades who care about Chris the same way. More than anything, if Reno dies, Chris will be sad.

However, Aria is a warrior type who fights on the front lines. As a warrior, you're prepared to die, right? I have no obligation or duty to support her even if she's in a pinch.

I'm not saying anything bad. If Aria is strong, there won't be any problems. In fact, if she is strong, it would be a welcome thing since it would reduce the danger to Chris.

"Aleph? What's wrong with that troubled look on your face?"

Chris asked me with a worried look on her face.

It's nothing, I was just wondering if that fool would be useful in combat or die quickly.

"No, it's nothing. I was just thinking about where to go on our next journey."

I smiled from the bottom of my heart and spoke to Chris kindly. Chris is the only person I treat like a man-in-love with.

Although I gives fake smiles to the people, I never truly cares for them. I only helps them because Chris wants me to.

What a hero of salvation... If Chefs, who is inside the holy sword, knew my true face, he would be very disappointed. Sometimes I even realize that I'm a terrible person.

I think in the past I had a bit more... a sense of justice and compassion for others.

I wonder how it all ended up like this. I don't have the slightest bit of regret.

Hayato ... Aria... Finne... Lily... It must be their fault. The four of them who twisted me to this point.

Hayato and Lily died, and Finne is mentally broken and will spend the rest of her life in the royal castle in care. And Aria has joined our party... After ruining my life, Aria is essentially the only one who is still safe.

She said they were brainwashed and stuff, but to me, whose life was ruined, that's not even an excuse. Don't think you can erase the fact that they did that to me with such a shitty reason.

It's not that I'm indifferent towards Aria... I hate her from the bottom of my heart.

However, Chris is my top priority, so I won't resort to stupid things like revenge.

Chris is my everything. I don't care about Aria anymore, but that doesn't mean I don't hate her. It may seem contradictory, but... that's how troublesome my emotions are.

"Actually, I'm... deciding where to go next."

As I was lost in thought, Chris spoke to me with a serious look on her face.

If that's what Chris has decided...there's only one thing I have to say.

"I see, then the next location is decided. Wherever the Saint of Devotion goes, the Hero of Salvation will simply follow."

"Oh come on, Aleph, talking like that is so formal...it's mean, isn't it?"

Chris puffed out her cheeks slightly and spoke to me in a sulky tone.

Chris is so cute like this. I was mesmerized by her face for a while.

"That's not what I meant. I'm sorry, Chris. I'm sorry..."

"Hehe, I was just kidding. I'm the one who should be sorry. And thank you, Aleph. For always leaving the decision of where to go to me."

"That's... nothing worth thanking for, right?"

"That's not true. I'm very grateful to you, Eiyuu-sama~."

"...Stop it with 'eiyuu' thing."

When Chris talks to me... she can sometimes be mischievous like this.

I'm sure maintaining her identity as a saint must be quite a burden.

I want her to be her true self, at least when she's with me. As a Saint, Chris is noble and filled with compassion; she is truly a goddess who saves people.

But, but... The real her is this kind of playful and joking persona... she's a very charming, normal girl.

Doesn't she have an excessive sense of responsibility, wearing herself out mentally and going on such a harsh journey for the sake of those who only see her as a saint?

I want to free her from the shitty role of a saint.

That's right, I am... My true, ugly feelings are...

--I want to get my beloved Chris back from the 'Saint'.

It's nothing special, the reason I'm traveling is... not a big deal.

To get the woman I love.

What a shameless thought... I can't laugh at Aria like this.

I have no intention of taking anything away from her... but my heart desires her.

I just ....love Chris...

Okay, I've got Aleph's permission, so I'll decide quickly.

If I just make a face that looks like it, he'll do whatever I say, so it's easy with him.

Well, I guess it's a miracle that could only be accomplished thanks to my unparalleled good looks.

All right! Let's start destroying the remaining Four Heavenly Kings and sending them flying all the way to the Demon King! Apparently, there's a really annoying condition that says the Demon King's castle won't be appearing unless we defeat the Four Heavenly Kings.

I've already killed the Four Heavenly Kings of Wind and Ice, so where should I go next...?

Somewhere nearby will be fine.

In the next town, I'll continue crushing enemies and raising my status as a saint.

Okay, let's go, guys! Aria, hurry up! You ugly bitch shouldn't keep me waiting!　

The journey to salvation begins again...!

This is the end of the story with the hero's party. The rest is... well, just go with the flow.