IF Route: Chapter 11: Saint's Light

From then on, Hero Trust continued to win every battle.

Of course, not all the fights were in his favor.

In fact, the opposite is true.

Strategic, tactical, situational, emotional.

Despite all of this, there has never been a battle that went well for the Trust.

It was as if the world wanted the Demon King's army to win, and hopeless situations stood in his way.

But...

But Trust brushed it all aside.

He transforms despair into hope, to the point that it could be likened to a backlash against the things he had been running away from up until now.

It's like an arrow being pulled tightly against a bow.

The more you pull the string, the more powerful the arrow becomes.

Trust also increased his power and rushed onto the battlefield.

Many people were impressed by this.

Before long, many warriors had gathered around Trust.

In other words, Trust reallycembodied what he calls a Hero who can inspire others.

Despair is turned upside down and transformed into hope.

I continued to watch from the side, wondering how much nonsense was involved in the process.

It's not just the two of us that have fought against the Demon King's army once or twice.

An overwhelming difference in numbers, despicable traps, and impossible interference.

To overcome this, it was necessary to make considerable efforts.

Miracles don't happen in normal battles.

Of course it's scary.

Of course it's going to be painful.

Of course I don't like it.

But still... I fought.

And so, after surviving dozens, even hundreds, of life-threatening situations, we finally arrived.

--To the Demon King's Castle.

The Demon King's Castle was incredibly huge and had an ominous shape.

It is unclear what purpose such a castle was built for, but its scale is extraordinary.

I know stories from my past life about pyramids being built by human power alone, but nothing on that scale.

I don't know how much material and human resources were spent to build it, but I do know that this castle is a symbol of the demons.

"Hero-sama, Saint-sama, the battle has already been decided."

As I gazed at the Demon King's castle before my eyes, a knight wearing armor suited for combat spoke.

He's a comrade who has accompanied us in all our battles so far.

Yes... he's the knight who stayed in the city where the revived Trust first fought.

Before we knew it, we were being called the Hero and the Saint.

At first, the two of us spread courage to people all over the place.

To be frank, at that point it was pretty clear that humanity had lost.

It's not because Trust has been away from fighting for a long time...

Simply put, the difference in military strength between the demons and humans was fatal.

If it weren't for someone with a special power that could turn the battlefield around, the demons would have completely won.

The humans also vaguely understood this.

Some await death in their hometowns, some flee as far as they can, some try to curry favor with the demons, some are determined to fight to the end, and some give up and commit suicide.

There were all kinds of people, and despair was rampant among the humans.

They needed hope.

Someone who can show them the way to live for tomorrow.

And Trust showed the light to such people.

A light that shows them that if they join forces, they can move forward on paths that they cannot clear alone.

"There's still the Demon King left."

Trust said calmly.

No matter how many times they fought, I realized that in reality they were harboring fear and pain.

Yet he stands and gives courage to others.

"The war may be over, but the battle isn't over yet."

I said, following Trust.

I know from past experiences that I can trust him.

Now that we have reached the demon capital and the Demon King's castle, the war between humans and demons is about to end with the humans' victory.

Unless something extraordinary happens, these scales will not tip.

"The battle is certainly over. From now on it's just for my own satisfaction. Only those who are still willing to follow me can come."

"Ha! I'll tell everyone that."

The knight left with a look of mission on his face.

There was a hint of loyalty to the king in his demeanor.

"What do you think, Trust-sama?"

"I think it's strange."

Trust is right, it's strange.

The Demon King's army was certainly vicious and strong.

With such a huge army, he was able to take over various cities.

It is also true that seeing this, many people in many countries fell into despair.

However... I can't see what the Demon King is thinking.

First of all, the Demon Generals, in other words the heroines, do not appear, except for the Vampire Princess Lumina.

Above all, it's puzzling that the Demon King doesn't appear until we get close to the Demon King's castle.

According to common theory, it would have been safer for them to join the armies to fight us, but they chose to remain in their fort until the very end.

I wonder what kind of traps there are...

"But I'll fight anyway. I've come this far. I have to settle things with him."

"Yes. Please let me accompany you."

"Yes, please."

The final battle was about to begin.

•

•

•

"...!"

Conquering the Demon King's Castle was far more difficult than expected.

There are countless demons hiding in unknown places, and a huge number of deadly traps have been set up.

Many of our friends have fallen along the way.

Still, we continued to advance through the Demon King's castle.

I just defeated a monster with a huge club.

"Everyone, I'm leaving the control of this area to you. The battle is nearing its end, so please be careful."

When Trust said this, the warriors who had joined the battle nodded.

Everyone has faith in Trust, and we have an elite team.

They weren't strong from the start either.

They were all people who had grown stronger through the long battle.

There's no way this situation will change, but the enemy is the Demon King.

It's not surprising what happens.

"Filia, let's go."

"Yes!"

Saying that, we runs through the Demon King's castle.

An ominous decoration that humans cannot understand appeared before my eyes.

From the demonic perspective, these may be expensive items that represent the height of prosperity.

But I'm not interested in money at all.

"Is this it...?"

And so, as we walked down the quiet corridor, I arrived at a huge door.

This one is also large and heavily decorated.

It's a door that seems to tell you that there is something special beyond it.

["Break Power!"]

Without being told, I cast a spell on Trust.

Trust responded by swinging his sword at the door.

The door was destroyed by the strengthened sword attack, and what was visible beyond it was... a throne room.

The Demon King sits on the throne.

The two heroines lay at his feet, motionless.

What is the situation here?

"...You're here."

The Demon King looks down at us from his throne.

Trust pointed his sword straight at the Demon King.

I too erased every opening and paid attention to not only the Demon King but also my surroundings.

It's my job to make sure Trust can concentrate on the fight.

"Demon King, I have returned to defeat you."

"That's so stupid."

"..."

After being mocked, Trust opened his mouth again with a cold stare.

"What did you do to them... no, your own subordinates?"

"It's a dead end now. I let them go first."

Dead end, huh?

It seems he already understand that he have been defeated.

Well, unless something extraordinary happens, it's unlikely that the demons will win, as we have cornered them.

Even so, just because defeat is certain, would he commit suicide with his subordinates?

I'd like to say, "If you're going to die, then go ahead and die on your own," but I think he will really died willingly.

"If you think you can cause a stir with something like that, you're seriously mistaken."

"Hmph..."

The Demon King snorted.

It doesn't seem to be a trap at all.

"Hey, you there."

"..."

It seems like the Demon King is interested in me.

I wouldn't say I have none at all...

When it was a game, I sympathized with Trust, so I felt resentment towards him.

Since coming to this world, I have developed a strong hatred for Demon King, seeing him as the culprit who drove my Trust to the brink of ruin.

I won't feel satisfied until I at least complain a little.

"Who are you?"

...What does that mean?

I don't understand the intent of the question.

No, he's the kind of guy who steals someone else's girlfriend and gets the woman he stole from him to kill Trust.

There's no way I could understand a word this guy is saying.

"You all say it together, a 'Saint.'"

"What do you mean, Saint? You disgusting being."

It seems like the Demon King is getting annoyed with me.

Well, I can understand that.

The woman who saved Trust from being executed and defeated the Demon King's army together with him.

From the Demon King's perspective, I am the one who ruined everything.

And that is the reason I came to this world, and my reason for existence.

I came here hoping that Trust would have a happy ending.

In other words, this thing that makes Trust unhappy is like oil and water, like light and darkness.

The moment I achieve my goal, his misfortune will be confirmed.

It would be unnatural if people didn't resent him.

"You've stolen the happiness of others, yet you act like a tragic king? It's disgusting."

That doesn't mean the hatred will go away.

I hate this world.

The impact is slightly diluted when I am next to Trust, but this one is different.

The one who took everything away from the person I loved and caused him so much pain.

The center of hatred, an enemy that must be killed at all costs.

"I don't like you."

"I'd rather die than be liked by you."

"...Then I'll kill you."

Hearing those words, Trust took action.

Driven by a murderous intent I had never seen before, Trust swung his sword at the Demon King.

"I won't let you do that!"

A sword line runs.

And then... he cut the Demon King to pieces without a single resistance.

"Hahaha... You guys have been caught up in this as well. Hero, I will definitely show you despair..."

"--!"

The Demon King left those words behind and then simply....simply, his head was chopped off and he died.

I'm wary that there might be a trap.

Even after checking the bodies of the Demon King and the heroines, no answer other than that they are dead comes out.

...That's surprising.

The being that had cornered us so much left this world with just one blow.

And the heroines who had become his subordinates are no longer there.

"..."

However, the Demon King left behind some worrying words.

Caught in this, huh?

As is the standard for this type of development, the Demon King's castle collapses...

The ground begins to shake!

"Trust-sama, let's run."

"Yeah!"

We ran along the shaking floor back the way we came.

And then... I looked back for just a moment.

They are dead. It's not some kind of magic. They will never rise again.

The Demon King and the heroines will never appear before us again.

"Filia, hurry!"

Hearing Trust's voice, I hurried back to the way we came.

Debris is falling from above and I feel in danger.

"Hero-sama! Saint-sama!"

Amidst this shaking, the knights remained, apparently waiting instead of fleeing.

How loyal are you guys going to be?

...I'm happy that my lover is loved by his friends.

Above all, people like this still existed in a world that seemed so dirty.

For some reason, it felt good.

"Everyone, run away immediately."

"The Demon King is..."

These words convey his determination to defeat the Demon King even if it means his death.

Naturally, there was hatred, anger, and resentment mixed in there.

But more than that, he had the will to fight for this world.

"The Demon King was defeated by Trust-sama."

"Oh……"

"In that case, we will have no regrets even if we fall here."

Many of these people have lost loved ones.

Of course, these are not people who have been cheated on like Trust, but people whose lives have been taken.

They have lost their hometown, their family, their lover, and important people.

They rose from deep despair and have lived their life with the goal of defeating the Demon King.

Those who were prepared to die achieved their goal.

In that case, they don't mind dying here.

I understood that feeling so well that it hurt.

But…….

"Don't be stupid! Make sure everyone returns alive!"

Trust exclaims loudly.

Hero is one who gives courage to others.

He has demonstrated this many times in his previous battles.

And this time, he is trying to muster up those courage.

"But... the retreat is already..."

Looking around, it seemed that the Demon King's castle had deteriorated and there was no way to go down.

The floor also gradually falls.

Is this the end for us too...?

No, I promised to believe in Trust until the end.

If he hasn't given up, then I can't give up either.

What has Trust shown me so far?

Turn despair into hope.

Inspire courage and shine light on the world.

If I, who walks beside such a Hero, can't believe in Trust, then who can?

Even if I die or become a ghost, I will continue to believe.

Go ahead and laugh at that stupid, foolish woman.

But we still live to see tomorrow!

"――――!?"

The moment I made that vow, the short sword hanging from my waist began to glow.

I take a deep breath and smile.

...Really, I'm always being helped.

"Trust-sama, everyone, I'll tell you at a time like this, I have met God."

"Filia?"

"This weapon was given to me then. Would you believe me if I told you that?"

I pull out my short sword and show it to him.

This weapon has always protected me.

A kodachi that never chipped, even after repeated long battles.

He lent me his strength many times and supported me until the very end.

"Filia, I don't believe in God. He is a god who has stood by and watched many people suffer misfortune, while turning a blind eye to my own sins."

"..."

But, after a long relationship, I realized that this continues.

I know that Trust believes in me.

The expression, the atmosphere, the amount of effort put into it, everything affirms me.

I'm very happy about that.

"But I believe in God if you say so."

"Thank you"

He believed me.

He believed in me unconditionally, and no one else.

So let me say this.

"I think that being a Saint is just a name. It's not my style, and I have a bad personality."

If that was the case, I should have done something more saintly.

Apparently he's a kind god who saves even the most crazy people with cracks in their hearts.

"So I ask once more!"

I want to save everyone.

I want to welcome tomorrow.

I'll do anything for that.

So please keep everyone, keep Trust, alive.

Even just a little bit is fine.

I hope he will be happy.

"――――"

Suddenly, I thought I heard a voice.

It's a familiar voice.

...A happy ending, huh?

I came to this world hoping for that.

Surely, that wish is right in front of your eyes.

"The light..."

The short sword shone brightly, illuminating the surroundings.

People will call it a miracle.

But I think...

Those who have worked hard up to this point have been rewarded.

That's all there is to it...