Chapter 50

It didn’t feel right, so I revised it (3/25).

Leen came to Ines’s house, saying she had something to talk about with me.

When I heard her out, it turned out I had been invited to the coming-of-age ceremony of the prince of the Holy Misra Kingdom. She had come to confirm whether I would go with her.

──To be honest, I don’t understand.

I can’t really grasp the reality of it.

It feels like a dream.

But it seems to be true.

So, I was at a loss for how to respond.

Misra hates the ‘Demon Clan.’

I don’t know much, but I know that much.

It’s a country that has always been at the forefront of ‘Demon Hunting.’

In that country, I would be someone who should be killed.

If I were found, it would be natural to be killed.

We, the ‘Demon Clan,’ have always been told that we are such beings, and I think that’s just the way it is.

“I’ll probably be killed if I go there.

It’s probably different from the kingdom.

I think the ‘Demon Clan’ is surely hated there.”

I’m sure the invitation to eat delicious food is a lie, and if I go, I’ll be captured and killed. That’s what I thought when I heard Leen’s story, and I said what I was thinking.

“Yes... As you know, everyone fears the ‘Demon Clan.’”

Of course, I think she knows that much.

Why does she want to send me to such a place?

“But maybe it’s because they haven’t seen the real thing.

It’s just a simple thought... but maybe if they actually meet and talk, it will be different.”

That’s what Leen said.

Is that really true?

“But even if I’m seen and known, I’ve been feared, hated, and despised.”

That was normal for me.

I was just stating the facts, but she looked sad.

“But at least we don’t think that way. You understand that, right?”

“Yeah... mostly.”

“There will be all kinds of people there.

Of course, as Roro said, there is a possibility of danger.

──But I thought it might be a good opportunity.”

“A good opportunity?”

“Yes. It’s more of a selfish desire... but if possible, I want the people there to see you properly and understand that my friend is not a terrifying being.”

Friend.

She called me that.

I’ve gotten used to a princess of a country calling me that, but it still doesn’t feel real.

But at least, there was no lie in her words.

I had told her before that I have the ability to read minds, but it didn’t seem to bother her much.

There was no fear of me or the ‘Demon Clan’ in her heart.

Not in Ines or Noll.

Even when I met Leen’s father, King Crease, I didn’t feel any dark emotions.

Rather, they treated me warmly.

Of course, not everyone was like that, but mostly, they were.

It seemed that there were many such people in the Kingdom of Crease.

The people around me now are all very nice.

They are so nice that it’s strange.

Sometimes, I even think I must be dead and in heaven.

──But it’s still reality.

Because there are people who change their attitude as soon as they find out I’m a demon, showing hatred and contempt.

I think that’s natural and can’t be helped.

I’m used to being hated by someone.

To the point where I don’t feel alive without it.

When I said that, Leen looked very sad at some point.

Even though I didn’t really care about it.

──She is very kind.

To the point of caring about someone like me.

“...Why does Leen do so much for me?”

I never understood that.

“Is it strange to want the hero who saved my country to be properly recognized?”

“But that was Noll...”

“That might be true.

But, Roro... if you hadn’t been there, it wouldn’t have gone so well.

I think you should be a little more proud of yourself.”

Be proud of myself.

I can’t think of myself that way.

When I said that, Leen smiled a little sadly.

Come to think of it, Ines had the same look on her face.

One day, Ines asked me:

──“Roro, what do you want to do from now on?”

Do whatever I like.

But I couldn’t answer.

What do I want to do?

What am I looking for?

Even if I’m told I can wish for something, I don’t know what to wish for.

But──

Looking at her face, I understand a little.

What I want now.

Seeing her sad face makes me sad too.

It’s very sad and painful to see someone who is kind to me with a sad face.

If I can remove even a little of that sadness from in front of me.

I──

“Alright... I’ll go.”

Going to Misra is a little scary.

If I go, I’ll probably be met with contempt and fear from many people.

But it’s just scary.

I’m used to being hated and despised, and it doesn’t bother me.

Even if I’m met with hatred and contempt from many people, it’s just that.

If I’m hit and it hurts and I bleed, I can endure it.

I’m very used to pain.

“...But, Roro.

Never think that it’s okay to sacrifice yourself.

I said earlier that you should do what you want.

I want you to be safe more than anyone.

You don’t have to go if you don’t want to.”

“No, that’s not it. I want to go.

It’s what I want to do.”

“I see...

If anyone tries to hurt you, I, Ines, and Noll will not allow it.

We will protect you with our lives, so please believe that.”

“Okay... I understand.”

That’s all I said.

◇◇◇

After parting with Leen, I told Ines that I would go to Misra.

“I see.”

Ines nodded quietly.

“...By the way, about what you asked me before.”

Then I told her about the other thing I had in mind.

“I want to become an ‘Adventurer.’

I’m sure anyone in this kingdom can receive training for that, right?

I’m not ‘human,’ but the king made me a ‘citizen.’

So, maybe──”

“Yes, that should be fine.

Roro is already a citizen of this country.”

Ines doesn’t show much emotion.

But at that moment, she seemed a little happy.

“I’ll go talk to the instructors at the training center right away. There’s a meeting today where all of them will be gathered──I was planning to attend anyway, so it’s perfect. Come with me.”

Saying that, Ines started walking briskly, and I followed without hesitation.

Yes, I have no more doubts.

Because I finally understand what I want.

It was simple once I understood.

Why didn’t I realize it before?

I want to be someone who can remove the sad faces in front of me──someone like Noll.

──To do that, I need to become much stronger.

If someone like me can have a wish.

To fulfill that wish.

I’ll do anything from now on.

I swore that.

Even if I can’t get what I want right away, I’ll keep trying until I can.

I’m like someone who has died and been reborn.

This time, I want to be useful and needed by someone.

Because that person──Noll told me I can do it.