Chapter 91

Next to me stood Leinhart, and in front of us stood Casper and Arnold.

--- After the modest expedition training ended, Leinhart accompanied us back to the castle. He came to request the cooperation of Arnold and Elvira.

We visited Arnold immediately after returning from the training. We managed to secure a meeting with him in the evening after his work hours.

"--- I understand the situation. I'm sorry... but can we discuss this internally?"

As soon as Leinhart finished explaining everything, Arnold quietly said this. Leinhart, standing next to me, nodded slowly. I could feel his amber eyes turn to me, and I turned to face him.

"In that case, I'll escort Leinhart back to the inn."

Arnold and Casper both had unusually stern expressions. It was only natural. They thought Leinhart had suddenly brought an unknown clan, the people of Rustu, and then learned from the man about the existence of a demon king.

If I didn't have the memories of "me," I would have been bewildered and taken time to accept the facts. They would need some time to think about it too.

With that in mind, I turned to leave with Leinhart. At that moment,

"Ampeur, after you guide Lord Leinhart, please come back."

Arnold's voice called out to my back.

I turned halfway and nodded, but Arnold was no longer looking at me.

I walked with Leinhart to the inn. During the walk, he didn't say a word. I tried to start a conversation a few times by glancing at his side profile, but he had a serious, stern expression, as if he was deep in thought.

For the people of Rustu, this must be a gamble.

In the end, I couldn't find the right words to say to Leinhart's serious expression, and we parted without exchanging a single word at the inn.

"When Arnold makes his decision, I'll let you know."

"Ah... No, thank you."

Leinhart still seemed to harbor a feeling similar to guilt. For a moment, I thought he would respond in a more casual tone, but he quickly bowed politely.

While gazing at the setting sun, I deliberately walked slowly back to the castle. Arnold and Casper were probably deep in discussion.

However, no matter how slowly I walked, the distance was short, and I soon arrived at the room we had just left. I hesitated for a moment but then decided and knocked on the door. "Come in" was the immediate response from inside.

"Excuse me."

"Ampeur, what do you think?"

The question was thrown at me as soon as I entered the room, without even a moment to catch my breath. They seemed to have been waiting for me.

To calm myself, I took a deep breath before answering slowly.

"There are no contradictions in the story of the people of Rustu, and I think it's worth trying."

"Can we trust these people of Rustu?"

His gaze was sharp, almost accusatory.

From Arnold's perspective, it must be hard to believe that a demon king is nesting inside his beloved sister, especially when this story was suddenly told by a clan that just appeared. It's understandable to be skeptical.

"Me" believed the story because I knew the story of "The Last Brave." My memories from my previous life were the basis for my trust. However, this basis only made sense to "me" and not to Arnold and the others.

"They knew about the power of the hero of Lucash and have been watching over the patients with the self-destructive disease for a long time. They also told us about past patients."

"Even if they suddenly appear and start talking about gods and demon kings, it just sounds suspicious to me."

Suddenly, Casper's calm voice cut in. I turned to him, and our eyes met, his cold purple gaze piercing.

Casper seemed to have a negative feeling towards the people of Rustu, and it was evident from his expression.

"Well, they probably realized this and that's why they haven't approached for cooperation until now."

Casper's words left me taken aback.

This was the first time I had seen him show such negative feelings towards someone. Despite his light tone, he was always calm, and he never let his emotions show in his words or expressions.

Before I could respond, Casper continued.

"But if the story about the demon king is true, it's a situation we can't handle on our own. It will be difficult to help Elvira without their help."

His words were reasonable. Arnold must have felt the same way, as he leaned back and stared at Casper intently.

"Whatever path we choose, we'll provide the best backup possible. Leave the decision to Arnold and the others."

With that, Casper spoke quickly and then fell silent. He even left the room.

As I stared at the closed door, the creaking of wood behind me caught my attention. Turning around, I saw Arnold sitting in a chair, his head in his hands.

"Demons... gods... Ampeur, do you really think they exist?"

"... The monsters are rapidly gaining power, which could be a sign of the demon king's revival. The monster we met in Platoven said, 'His revival is imminent' before dying. It might have been referring to the demon king."

I tried to remain as calm as possible, focusing on past facts rather than emotions.

The events leading up to the demon king's revival have already begun, and Arnold has been involved in them. He must have been puzzled by the incident in Platoven.

Arnold didn't respond. Seeing him deep in thought, I spoke again.

"The people of Rustu say that Lucash's mysterious power was given to him to defeat the demon king. They were aware of the sudden appearance of this mysterious power in his childhood friend."

I paused for a moment, took a few deep breaths, and continued.

"Their story fits with the events so far. But... it only fits. There's no absolute proof that we can trust them."

I looked at Arnold. He remained still.

I needed to convince Arnold. This attempt might not succeed, but if we don't know whether it will succeed or fail, we'll just be stuck here, unable to move forward.

"True, the symptoms are currently being controlled by the spirit water, but if the people of Rustu are right, no one knows what will happen next. If we only prescribe the spirit water and something happens to Elvira... that's what I'm most afraid of."

Arnold looked up at me. I met his black eyes and continued.

"I don't want to regret not doing something when I could have. If there's something we can do, I want to do it. I don't want to see more people die from the self-destructive disease."

I held his gaze, speaking slowly. This was my true feeling.

--- I won't let Elvira die. I don't want to see more people lose their lives to the injustice of the self-destructive disease in this world.

Arnold lowered his head again, rubbing his forehead as if trying to smooth out the deep wrinkles. He took a deep breath and looked up, deep in thought.

Silence fell. After what felt like an eternity, Arnold spoke softly.

"I don't want to regret this decision. Let's prepare thoroughly."

--- There was no hesitation in his voice.

Arnold's decision was made, and his actions were swift. He stood up from his chair and quickly headed for the door.

"I'll request the cooperation of the knight order. Depending on the situation, this could involve the entire world."

Arnold's words made me start, but I quickly nodded in response.

From now on, we need to prepare for the worst. It will take time, and I need to do my part as well.

First, I need to talk to Lucash and ensure the supply of the spirit water. Then---

"Sorry."

The sudden words made me look up. I met Arnold's eyes, his hand on the doorknob, about to leave.

"I'm counting on you."

He smiled, his eyebrows slightly lowered, looking somewhat embarrassed. It was a new expression I had never seen before.

***

I walked quickly through the castle corridors to inform Leinhart, who was at the inn, of Arnold's decision. I passed through the courtyard, opened the double doors, and walked through the gate---

"Laurel."

I was stopped from behind.

I turned reflexively. There was---

"Casper...?"

"I'm sorry for stopping you. Can I ask you one thing?"

His tone was even lower than before.

I instinctively braced myself. His usually calm, light purple eyes felt unusually cold through his glasses.

"Did you hear why the people of Rustu have kept the true cause of the self-destructive disease hidden until now?"

--- I was taken aback by Casper's question. He had reached this conclusion in such a short time. He truly was an excellent alchemist.

I hesitated for a moment but decided to be honest.

"The only ones who can oppose the revived demon king are the heroes. To avoid accidentally stimulating the demon king in an era without heroes---"

"They intentionally kept the information hidden to prevent humans from treating the disease."

Casper's voice cut me off before I could finish. His eyes were serious, and the contrast with his usual demeanor left me speechless.

Silence fell. I didn't know the history between Casper and his master or why they were estranged. But he definitely knew about the self-destructive disease and the existence of his master's granddaughter, Annette, who died from it.

What was Casper thinking right now?

"--- Casper?"

I took a few steps towards the bowed Casper and looked up at him. At that moment, he gave a twisted smile.

"It's frustrating to understand. The existence of a hero is too significant for this world, and it's scary even for someone not directly involved."

Casper's words made me flinch.

--- The existence of a hero is too significant.

This was a statement that hit at the core of this world. This world was created for the hero, with the hero at the center. All the past events were the foundation for the main story, and everything converged on the main story.

However, Lucash, the hero, was also a young boy at the mercy of fate.

"Well, that's if what the people of Rustu say is true."

Casper laughed, his usual self returning. The cold purple eyes from before stuck in my mind.

Casper smiled again and said,

"Let's do our best, Laurel."

He turned and left.

I watched his departing back, which looked tired and hunched.

He must also hate the self-destructive disease--- but for now, I needed to inform Leinhart of Arnold's decision, so I ran off.