IF Route 2: Chapter 12: For The Rest of Your Life

"Is it really okay for us not to go to the front lines...?"

The decisive battle had already begun.

A battle that will decide the future of humans and demons.

A war between countless armies, so large that they fill the entire earth.

In that final battle, we were stationed at the back edge of the battlefield.

"It would be better for both of us if we weren't needed."

It was clearly an unfair placement for political reasons.

Not sending these heroes who have contributed so much to humanity to the front lines would be nothing short of foolish, both strategically and morale-wise.　

If we take a realistic view into why Trust lost to the Demon King in the game, it may be because humanity was uncooperative.

"We don't need any rights, so if they could just defeat the Demon King on their own, that would be great desu no."

Ai-chan also seems a bit annoyed.

Even though we are fighting the Demon King's army, humans are getting in the way.

Well, I guess it's understandable that people are shocked.

However, as Ai-chan said, it would be best if they could defeat the Demon King's army without Trust.

But I don't think it will end like this.

The Demon King is strong and well versed in strategy.

If it was an opponent that they could easily defeat, they wouldn't have had any trouble up until now.

This is an enemy of such level that it would be impossible to defeat them without the Hero, Trust.

"Filia, Ai, please make sure you're prepared."

"Got it"

"Alright desu no!"

Trust and Ai-chan understand.

A tense feeling that burns your skin.

The battle is not over yet.

Is this what they call a bad feeling?

My body trembles at the powerful threat of the Demon King.

But I won't give up.

I believe that Trust will definitely defeat him.

Plus, if something happens, I won't let him die.

"That's right, Ai-chan."

"What is it, Onee-sama?"

"I'll lend you this. Feel free to use it."

I hand the short sword to Ai-chan.

My weapon given to me by God.

I haven't used it for a long time, but I still take good care of it.

"Isn't this something important to you desu no?"

"I'm lending it to you because it's something important."

This weapon never breaks and is extremely sharp.

Due to the nature of the weapon, it has a short reach, but I think it's just the right weapon for Ai-chan and me, given our heights.

If this is the final battle, it would be better for Ai-chan to have it rather than me, who can't use it properly.

"...I'll be grateful to borrow it."

"Please make sure to return it?"

I made her to make me a promises to return alive.

I want Trust to be happy, but I feel the same way about Ai-chan.

I want them both to be happy.

So I'm going to put an end to this unfair fate.

"...I understand. I will definitely return it."

Ai-chan hesitated for a moment before nodding.

Then she glances blankly at Trust for just a moment, before quickly returning to her normal expression.

"With Onee-sama and I, we are as strong as a hundred men desu no. You can just take it easy, brother-in-law!"

Trust also has a serious look on his face and a heavy atmosphere.

Still, he brightened up and spoke.

"Yeah, I'm counting on you."

Trust and Ai-chan are clearly pushing themselves too hard.

But I didn't know the reason.

However, I'm not a woman who can't read the atmosphere.

Let's say something nice to improve the atmosphere here.

The moment I thought that.

"...!?"

A loud noise echoed from the front line.　

There are no massive bombs in this world, but there is magic.

So powerful magic like that isn't unusual.

Of course, it far exceeds the level of personal use.

"Well, I know it will come to this desu no."

Ai-chan starts saying ominous things like that.

In Ai-chan's mind, it may be that when people are in a critical situation, our turn as Hero to help has come.

Well, it's quite realistic, so it's worrying.

•

•

"Hero-sama, a messenger has arrived requesting urgent assistance!"

Three hours later, my fears were confirmed.

For the past three hours, constant explosions rang out from the front lines, and pillars of fire and flashes of light were visible.

There was also a time when I saw a huge creature in the distance, and I couldn't tell if it was a demon or a monster.

And yet, no request for reinforcements came.

"It's finally here."

And yet, now they wants reinforcements to come.

In short, the enemy has pushed them so hard that it's difficult to maintain the front line.

Does this mean that the discussions at the desk for us are over?

These are the kinds of things Ai-chan might say that come to mind.

"Trust-sama, Ai-chan, let's go right away."

"Yeah, let's settle this."

"I'm going to go on a rampage desu no!"

With this in mind, we each make up our minds and start running...I choose to fly as it's faster to float.

As we run through the battlefield, we can see the scars of battle.

Traces of magic gouging out the earth, and a large number of casualties.

While we were resting on the sidelines, an extraordinary battle was unfolding on the front lines.

"I see it!" ["Magic Breaker!"]

Since I was floating a little higher and had a clear view, I could see the demon trying to use magic.

So I used the magic destruction spell that I had already become proficient at using.

As a result, the enemy's magic failed to fire.

Human soldiers swarmed around the enemy.

They look like ants or bees.

At this point, it was barely possible to maintain the front line.

From what I can see, the Demon King's army is not unscathed either, and has suffered considerable losses.

However, it was clear at a glance that the humans were being pushed back, perhaps because they were losing in fundamental quality.

"Ai, let's go!"

"Leave it to me desu no!"

Using the corpse of a huge demon as a foothold, the two leapt to the front line.

Ai-chan then strikes a demons on the head with her short sword, and Trust cuts off his torso.

I chant the spell accordingly.

["Feather Charge!"]

I use a support magic to increase speed on the two of them.

They were used to it and even though their bodies had become lighter, they continued to move without stopping.

"That's the Hero!"

"Holy Spirit...?"

"This is the first time I've seen it."

I continued floating and landed a little behind the two of them.

Since I cannot attack, I am wary of my surroundings.

"The hero has arrived!"

"Kill the woman he's with!"

"If you do that, you'll get promoted!"

The demons all shouted this.

The woman he's with is me, right?

Or is it about Ai-chan?

Ai-chan and I are always with Trust, so it's definitely one of us.

...It seems the Demon King is still desperate to make Trust unhappy.

["Break Power!"]

I won't let that happen.

I won't let Trust be unhappy.

Above all, don't think people like you can defeat us so easily!

"Oh, is that about me desu no?"

"Hiiii...!"

Ai-chan says this as she cuts through the victim's neck with a short sword.

And then she turns her gaze to me.

I see... I stood next to Ai-chan and said with a smile.

"Or is it about me?"

When we stand side by side, Ai-chan and I look picturesque.

Both are beautiful girls, a Holy Spirit and a Saint.

Dividing the characters into different types of martial arts and magic is not a bad idea in terms of character development.

"What!?"

"Wh-Which one?! Which one should I kill――"

"There's no way I'll let you kill them!"

Trust mowed down the confused demons.

There is no hesitation in his swordsmanship, and he keeps nothing at bay.

This is what a Hero and protagonist feels like.

After all, the Hero has to be strong.

"It doesn't matter. I'll kill you! Fire..."

["Magic Breaker!"]

"Die!"

The demon recovered and tried to use magic, so it was quickly destroyed.

At that moment, Ai-chan threw the sword she was carrying on her waist, which she was supposed to use instead of the kodachi, and it hit him in the head.

I floated away, watching the demons fall, while Ai-chan ran across the ground.

"We are the Holy Spirit and the Saint...we will not run away or hide!"

"Only those who want to die should come at me desu no!"

……………….

………….

…….

"...Here it comes."

The Demon King's army was strong.

It was really strong.

Should we call them an elite unit?

The first giant.

A mysterious bird wrapped in flames.

Jet black dragon.

No matter which one you choose, they are monsters that could destroy human armies...no, even nations.

It's frightening that they're not monsters but demons.

The only saving grace is that the heroines are already dead.

If they had been there, we would have been even more exhausted by the time we reached the Demon King.

"Demon King, I will defeat you."

Trust points his sword at the Demon King.

It's exactly like a hero and a demon king facing off against each other.

However, the Demon King pays no attention to Trust.

Ignored?

The Demon King ignores the hero?

The Demon King looked at me and Ai-chan and said this with a bitter expression on his face.

"If you kill one, it will multiply into two... What a monster."

To be called a monster by the Demon King, the king of the demons, we've really come a long way.

Well, we are the ghost and the dead for sure.

We definitely falls into the monster category.

"There's no reason for you to call me a monster desu no."

Being called a monster seemed to irritate Ai-chan, who pointed her short sword at him in displeasure.

If I had a weapon, I would have raised it as well, but the Holy Spirit keeps a watchful eye on the surroundings so that the two of them can fight in peace.

The people around seemed to be confident that they would be shouting in victory, and had already begun wiping out the remaining demons.

However, everyone is extremely exhausted.

Above all, it was written on their face that they didn't want to lose the life they had somehow managed to hang on to fighting the Demon King.

"I recall that it was one of your woman who was the cause of it all?"

If the necromancer Luries hadn't resurrected my corpse, Ai-chan wouldn't have been born.

Well, I guess I am quite a monster too, being resurrected as a Holy Spirit after dying.　

However, who cares about that?

We're not acting according to the Demon King's wishes.

I've been struggling desperately to live my life so that we can all be happy.

"Ah, that woman... I never thought I'd be able to get her in one try."

One...?

Although Luries is what you might call a pleasure-addicted heroine, she must have shown some willingness to resist at least a few times.

That was back when it was an erotic game.

Otherwise, there would be issues with the number of scenes and so on as an erotic game.

Or is it that in this world, she is defeated after just one sexual encounter?

"Saint, you are the complete opposite of her."

The exact opposite.

On the contrary, I feel happy when people say I'm the complete opposite of that woman.

After all, the necromancer Luries is a woman who sold her lover in order to obtain pleasure.

"Don't make fun of Onee-sama any more!"

Ai-chan shouted in anger.

The voice is sharp, so sharp that it sounds like it could really stab someone to death.

The same goes for Trust, which seems set to jump ship at any moment.

...That's right. There's no point in having a friendly conversation with a Demon King.

"The outcome has already been decided. If you are the King, will you not be defeated like a King?"

To be honest, I just want to hurl some insults at him.

He's a hopeless scumbag who stole someone else's woman and then had Trust executed by them.

However, it would be more convenient in many ways if he quietly offered his head to us than if he were to act violently.

"Hmph... This time it's a dud world anyway. I'll give it to you guys."

...Is this a dud?

What does that mean?

What is this guy talking about?

"But you must disappear, Saint!"

Immediately afterwards, a vortex of magical power erupted from the Demon King.

I can understand this because I have unraveled the science of magic and become a being of magical power and soul called the Holy Spirit.

A deep, black torrent that seemed to be condensed darkness was disintegrating the Demon King's body.

Is this... a suicide bomb?

["Magic Breaker!"]

I reflexively used magic destruction magic.

But…….

"Hehehe... Do you think a mere human can undo my power?"

The power of destruction moves to destroy the Demon King's magical power.

But I can't destroy it.

It won't break.

King of the demons.

A Demon King who is well versed in magical powers.

It's been less than half a year since I came to this world, so no matter how much I learn, there's still a huge difference in experience.

The difference in race stood in my way, something that humans could never reach.

Damn... I wasn't arrogant at all.

I'm not strong enough to be conceited and think I'll definitely win.

I knew that.

I can't do anything without Trust and Ai-chan.

Supporting the two of them was my reason for living and my mission.

"..."

Ai-chan moved with a lonely smile on her face.

She stood in front of me and ran towards the Demon King, pointing her short sword at him.

That won't work.

You will definitely die. You will die!

No...does she know she's going to die and try to act as a shield?

"Filia!"

At almost the same time, Trust was working to help me escape.

In other words, that would mean leaving Ai-chan to die.

I couldn't believe it.

Because I believed that Trust thought of Ai-chan as a friend.

But Trust was determined.

It was written on his face.

It's as if it was decided from the beginning ... but it wasn't...

...no.... they had decided.

If anything were to happen, Ai-chan would act as a shield and Trust would let me escape.

That was the agreement between the two of them.

"...!?"

The world loses its color.

A silent world.

A space where time seems to have stopped.

I remembered this situation.

I remember.

When I woke up in this world, I was standing in a space like this.

But unlike back then, there is no God.

Even if I try to call out to her, my body won't move.

My body has also lost its color.

"...Move."

It doesn't work.

"...Move."

It doesn't work.

"...Move! Damn it!"

And yet the world remains unmoved.　

Colorless, silent, time continues to stand still.

Damn it!

Damn damn damn!

"Don't mess with me!"

There's no way I'd be happy surviving at the expense of someone else!

Such a life has no value.

Living with regret and anguish is just sad!

"――――――――――――――――!?"

I thought about it and it came out...

That day, the day I died in battle with the Demon King's army.

I killed myself.

It was too late.

The spear that entered through my back had pierced my stomach and the bleeding wouldn't stop.

Trust looks desperate, desperate to do something.

There was nothing I could do...it hurt, it was so difficult...but I still didn't want to complain.

I also knew that I didn't have the luxury of doing something like that.

If this continues, even Trust will die.

That was the one thing I didn't want.

I came to this world because I wanted Trust to be happy.

But I'm getting in the way.

So I killed myself.

I killed anyone who stood in the way of his happiness.

I killed Filia.

I thought that was the best.

"Wrong……"

No difference.

I killed her because I thought it was the right thing to do.

"Wrong……"

The people who had been saying so many times that the heart is important were the ones who didn't understand it the most.

It doesn't matter how much your body hurts.

But you have to protect your heart.

This is correct. It's not wrong.

But what I did was wrong.

I thought I'd saved Trust.

It may not have been a complete saving, but I was proud that I had saved him enough to survive and walk towards tomorrow.

……Wrong!

Trust is not saved.

He had just experienced something far more painful than being betrayed by the three heroines.

It was just trauma piling up more trauma.

There's no way someone who survives after killing the girl they love can be saved!

"……"

Ai-chan knew that was a mistake.

I'm such a fool that I easily sacrifice my life.

I believed that it was the right thing to do, and that it was a beautiful thing.

Even if the body is saved, the mind cannot be saved.

He can't be happy if the person he loves isn't with him.

I'm an idiot.

I'm a real idiot...

I don't know what Trust was thinking when he abandoned Ai-chan.

But I can imagine.

It must have been frustrating.

He must have felt a sense of powerlessness.

But Trust still put me first.

Because that's what they had decided...

I can understand a little bit about how Ai-chan feels about making the sacrifice.

It's an honor to die protecting someone.

But at the same time, I feel very lonely and sad.

But they are people I want to live, so I am going to use myself.

Does the person who made me feel this sad have a heart?

It makes me laugh.

I am so stupid I want to punch myself.

"……"

I already know.

What do I have to do?

What should we do from now on?

“I Love Them.”

Trust, Ai-chan.

I wouldn't hesitate to sacrifice my life for the two of them.

But to save these two, I must not die.

I have to be alive.

"I will save Trust-sama and Ai-chan"

Put into words the reason why I came to this world and the meaning of my life.

I don't have a body.

A soul, a being made of magical power.

Even if I can't move within this space...just show me how.

"……"

I move the soul that build the body of the Holy Spirit.

Magical power moves like a vortex.

Move my mind in a highest output.

"……Ghh"

It hurts.

It's painful and difficult.

It feels like someone is slashing directly into my soul.

But I still won't stop.

I will never stop.

There are people who are feeling even sadder right now.

I want to help those people, so I will do my best.

"……Are you okay, Ai-chan?"

Taking one step at a time, I get in front of Ai-chan.

Then I picked up the short sword in her hand that was aimed at the Demon King.

Immediately afterwards, the world begins to regain its color.

["Divine Shield!"]

I put my hands out in front of me and chants the magic words to protect Trust and Ai-chan.

In an instant, a magical barrier was deployed in front of me.

"What!?"

"Filia?!"

Time resumed normal, and my beloved let out a confused voice as they saw me teleport and jump forward.

For the time being, I was successful in saving my body.

Next, I must defend against the Demon King's power.

Before that, there's something I need to say.

"Don't give up, please!"

I was the first to give up.

I mistakenly thought that it was for the sake of Trust and that saving lives was all that mattered, so I gave up.

But that doesn't mean giving up is right.

"Don't give up on what you want to do... Don't give up on living!"

In fact, there was a lot more I wanted to do.

Still, I wanted to save the most important thing, to keep it alive, so I gave up.

There's no way Trust would approve of abandoning Ai-chan.

There's no way Ai-chan would want to die protecting someone.

I wanted to protect what was important to me, so I used what I could to do it and gave up on myself.

"I know it's all my fault...BUT!"

My life became easier because I committed suicide.

But I didn't think about how many people would be saddened by my death.

So I need to correct that mistake.

"Trust-sama, Ai-chan, I... it was a mistake to commit suicide."

"Filia, do you remember?"

"Onee-sama..."

That was wrong.

If I valued their hearts above all else, we all had to live together.

"So if I collapse here, please die with me."

It would be many times better to die together than to live a pathetic life alone.

It's certainly cool to sacrifice your life for someone else.

But you don't think about the other person at all.

This is what you say in situations like this.

"I want to live with just myself, Trust-sama, and Ai-chan."

So no one dies.

I must not let anyone die, including myself.

If you want to save someone, save their mind and body at the same time.

"Ugh…"

The Demon King's suicide bomb reached the defensive wall.

A torrent of evil power rushes towards the magical barrier, trying to destroy it.

The Demon King is an evil being who can freely use magic.

His powers are magical and skillful, far beyond the reach of ordinary humans.

It's a power so strong that it wouldn't be surprising if it destroyed everything.

If I let my guard down even for a moment, it would be easily broken through.

But I won't give up.

If I lose here, I'll lose both of them.

"I want to live... live together and be happy!!"

That's what it means to save.

I will spend my life living with the people and everyone I want to save.

That's what saves the soul.

The flow of magical power becomes stronger and more purified.

Fill with holy power.

Transform my soul into a form of protection.

Transform my body into the Holy Spirit in the truest sense.

"……"

Repels evil magical forces that are trying to break through the barrier.

I will never let anything I wanted to protect or save be hurt again.

Because I... I want to be happy.

"Trust-sama, when this is over, please marry me."

"Okay! Actually, I already have a ring ready."

"What!? You were so depressed, yet you still bought those kinds of things?!"

Well, that's a boy for you.

It's a sign that we will get married and give each other a ring after the battle is over.

"Ai-chan, please be my real little sister."

"Heh? So I wasn't your little sister until just now desu no!?"

So that's how it is.

She definitely has a lesbian vibe to her, so I thought she was thinking of me as the older sister she could date.

Maybe her view of love is normal.

A smile naturally...really naturally came to my face.

I'm just happy to be with these two.

"Guuuuuh...!"

The evil magical power burns the barrier, chipping away at it.

I won't lose. I can't lose.

If my feelings aren't strong enough, I'll amplify them as much as I can.

That was the time...yes, the time I decided to become a woman.

That feeling of thinking that 90% of it was true.

Change the remaining 10% into the real truth, here and now.

I love Trust.

I give it my all from the bottom of my heart.

I live for the person I love and adore the most in this world.

"Hmm...!"

Power overflowed from the short sword.

It transforms romantic feelings into power.

It will protect those I want to protect.

It allows me to save the people I want to save.

Only 10%.

However, the power increased by 10% and strengthened the magical barrier.

Such power repels evil forces on a particle-by-particle basis.

I won't let them give up.

I won't let Ai-chan and Trust give up on what they want to do.

And I want to support those two.

I won't give up on what I want to do.

--That's why I won't lose to the Demon King who so easily give up!

"Haa... haa... it's done."

I managed to block all of the evil magical power that was flowing in like a muddy torrent.

In the end, it's nothing more than a suicide bomb...a magical bomb with no directionality.

It was just a little bigger.

However, the scenery ahead was completely reduced to ashes.

Most of the demons were caught up in it and not a trace was left behind.

"Ah…"

"Are you okay, Filia?"

Perhaps relieved, I just wandered over and was supported by Trust just as I was about to fall.

Yeah, I protected this guy.

Thinking about that makes my heart warm.

"Onee-sama, you're getting a little thinner!"

"Oh, this is――"

"Time to have sex desu no!"

"Huh!?"

How does Ai-chan know how to restore this body?

She doesn't look like she said it without thinking.

This is a follow-up for later.

But, well... I'll say what I want to say today.

"Trust-sama... I'll do anything if you kiss me right now."

It was at the last minute, but I had just realized my feelings, and because I had only just realized them, I asked for him.

The truth is, I had fallen in love with him a long time ago, but I had been hiding it.

The fact that I was a former man, the embarrassment, etc. were all irrelevant.

"You don't have to do that, I'll kiss you as much as you want."

Yeah, I knew that.

Men are weak when it comes to women doing anything for them.

Well, I've done it before.

And so, Trust and I shared a kiss.