Chapter 2 Part 1 : Unraveling Darkness

Translated by Xean

Edited by Travistann

After I crushed the Demon King’s heart.

I received the order to return home and spent seven days going back to the agency’s headquarters.

The Terraria Kingdom.

That’s the country where I belong to.

As I approached Maikura, the royal castle which stood in the center of the royal capital where two guards held up their spears to block the gate. However, they immediately lowered their spears as soon as both of them saw my face.

As I tried to dive through the gate silently, one of the guards called out to me.

“Chris-sama is in the temporary conference room of the Imperial Guards, on the third floor, he is waiting for your presence.”

I responded to the guard’s words with a low, subdued voice, “Understood.”

The organization I belong to changes it’s base from one place to another — and it’s really troublesome. Even when the Hero – Demon War entered its final phase, it was mostly located within the royal castle. Still, even within that, the location of its operations changed from one place to another.

I opened the door of the temporary conference room on the third floor of the castle.

A young woman with her long, light red hair hanging down was sitting in a chair within that room.

“Well done.”

She looked at me and said with a soft smile.

“It’s been a while, Chris.”

“That’s right. Lately, we’ve only been in contact with each other through comms. Honestly, it’s also my first time this month out of headquarters.”

Chris said, while looking slightly tired.

She’s my superior. It’s been a long time since the last time we’ve talked face to face like this, but we’ve known each other for nearly ten years now, so I’m used to it.

I relaxed a little more than usual and sat down on the chair, facing Chris.

“What happened to the Demon King?”

“Everything is going smoothly. In a short while, the world will be informed that the “hero has defeated the Demon King.” Even though you are the one who really defeated him.”

“Honestly, it doesn’t matter who did it. In this case, it was the institution that killed the Demon King, and not me. For the past ten years, I’ve just been following the instructions that I’ve been given.”

“You’re really mature for your age.…… Well, I suppose that’s how the institution trained you.”

Chris said and let loose a sigh.

“This ten years-long task is finally over. …… At first, I felt like we were supposed to be just a support organization for the heroes, but we were on the front lines before we knew it.

“I agree.”

In the end, it’s undeniable that we’re on the front lines.

I lightly open my right palm. As I vaguely recalled the sensation, I felt when I crushed the demon king’s heart. I noticed that Chris was looking at me with a serious look on his face.

“You’re fifteen years old this year, right?”

“Yes.”

After confirming that, Chris slowly opened his mouth.

“This are the documents containing your background.”

While she said that, Chris pulls a large stack of papers from the envelope and spreads them out on the table.

“This is quite a lot, you know.”

“This just shows what you’ve achieved so far. Of course, all of which have been hidden from the public”.

Chris continues speaking as I take upon one of the documents from her hand.

“As you know, the role of the organization we belong to “The Special Force Institution” is to support the heroes from the shadows in the Fourth Hero – Demon War.

Chris flips the documents where all my achievements were recorded.

The Special Force Institution.

In order to explain this institution, you’ll need to know first how did the Hero – Demon War started.

One day, the Demon King suddenly appeared out of nowhere.

The newly-born Demon King immediately began to act to destroy humanity. He created many ferocious monsters and a vast underground space called the “Labyrinth” to serve as a nest for the monsters. Over time, some demons evolved into human forms and gained reason — they were called “Majin” and were more cautious because of their intelligence over other demons.

The Demon King and his army are strong. It wasn’t easy to prevent them from invading.

However, a Hero — a person who could defeat the Demon King, appeared.

Just like the Demon King, the Hero appeared suddenly from within the human race. It seemed like when a Demon King was born. A Hero shall emerge at the same time and vice versa.

The Hero and the Demon King. The clash between them is then known as the Hero – Demon War, and this was repeated three times ever since ten years ago.

So far, it has all been a victory for the Hero side — the human race.

“The Demon King which signifies akin to calamity. And the Hero who signifies hope. This phrase became widespread three centuries ago …… when the First Hero – Demon War broke out. And ten years ago, the fourth Hero was born here in the Kingdom of Terraria. That was the beginning of the birth of the institution,” Chris says.

“The country that birthed the Hero can lead other countries, in whatever way they want. And when a Hero defeats the Demon King, his country would be regarded as a noble country, and even after the war is over, the money would continue flowing in. This is the so-called “Hero’s effect.”

Whether the fact that there is a hero or there used to be a hero, and that alone is enough to attract money to flow into the country. That said, after the war, the economy in the Hero’s country continues to boom whether the Hero decides to open a shop or becomes a knight and teaches swordsmanship.

“But if a Hero is unable to defeat the demon king, the country that raised the Hero will bear the responsibility. The leading figures of the Terraria Kingdom were concerned about the worst possibility that the Hero born in their own country would not be able to defeat the Demon King. As a result, we, the institution, were established.”

What Chris said is true.

The Special Force Institution was born out of the concern of the weak Hero.

“I don’t know how other countries have been supporting their Hero in the past three wars, but the kingdom of Terraria decided to support the hero from two directions, ‘Front’ and ‘Back’. The Special Force Institution falls into the ‘Back’ category.” The armies and knights of countries around the world fall into the ‘Front’ Category.

The “Front,” which were the soldiers and knights, fought alongside the Hero. On the other hand, we, the “Back,” operate — whether it is legal and illegal. We’ve done all sorts of dirty work: Espionage, assassinations, capturing, torturing. …… By its very nature, the institution, unlike the military, is a secret organization whose very existence is hidden from the public. So it’s literally a ‘behind-the-scenes’ organization.””

I nodded at Chris’ explanation.

“However, four years ago, the institution not only supported the Hero — but also took the place of the Hero. … You’re more familiar with this aren’t you?”

“…… Don’t ask me.”

Chris said I knew more about it, but that wasn’t true.

During the war, Chris spent most of her time working at her desk at headquarters. Compared to me, who only used in the field, she certainly saw and heard more information about the war than I did. Even if I was the one who had the direct hand in the war, she was probably more familiar with the process leading up to it.

Apparently, Chris isn’t asking for information but wants to know my opinion.

I spoke plainly, as if unconcerned.

“Four years ago. When the war was gaining momentum, an unexpected situation happened on the side of humanity. The Hero was unable to defeat a — “Majin.” He was an enemy that has to be defeated in order to invade the demon castle — the home of the Demon King…… But no matter how many times the Hero tried, he could not defeat that “Majin.”

Most probably, the Hero had fought that “Majin” countless times.

He challenged, lost, rechallenged, was defeated – even though he was with all the knights in the world.

So…

“—because there was no choice, the people from the institution killed that “Majin.”

The Special Force Institution invites talented children from the country’s orphanages and gives them a thorough Spartan education until they become useful as soldiers. It is tough to endure such fierce training, and many of them have lost their lives during the training.

It seems that the “soldiers” who grew up in such an environment had somehow acquired a more robust ability than the Hero.

No. …… It is slightly inappropriate to call it an ability. Those raised in institutions do not fight fairly. Even if the opponent is a demon or a demon king, they will engage in the most efficient combat for their purposes. Perhaps the demons did not expect the brutal fighting style of the institution. That’s why the institution’s soldiers could quickly kill the demons that the Hero couldn’t defeat.

“That’s a roundabout way of putting it. Honestly, you can simply say that you’re the one killed that “Majin.”

“I’m surprised to think that I’m the reason you got more work to do. In the first place, isn’t it was you who ordered me to do that”.

“Ara, are you asking me to take responsibility for this?”

“Who was the one who said that, “I’ll take all the blame, so let me go ahead and defeat that “Majin.”

“Ahhh…… Now that you mention it, I feel like maybe I did say those lines.”

Chapter 2 Part 2 : Unraveling Darkness

Translated by Xean

Edited by Travistann

Chris puts her hand to her forehead. Apparently, she really had forgotten about it.

At that time, she was in a panic. The Hero continued to challenge the “Majin,” and when we saw him who was rescued from a near-death experience every time, we thought, “Is this guy really going to die?” She feared that the human race was going to be defeated by the Demon King. She thought that the Demon King would finally defeat humanity. The institution was so busy at that time, so it was no wonder that her memory was fuzzy.

“Going back…… that incident was what led the institution to stand on the front line and fight a lot of demons. However, the fact remains that the institution cannot be made public. We eliminated the strongest enemies for the Hero in secret. …… Specifically, the institution continued to hide its existence by making all of its achievements credited to the Hero.”

“That’s right. What you said is completely correct.”

Chris agreed.

But a sullen expression was plastered across her face.

“Looks like you’re dissatisfied.”

“Well, what can I say. After all, the one who defeated the Demon King was a soldier of the institution – you, and we have contributed more to the war than the Knights and Hero on the frontlines. And yet our existence is never brought to light. …… Hey, you know what? We’re ostensibly perceived as a military tool, you know? The other day in the castle’s dining room, when I was taking a break after 10 days of work, I was scolded by a bratty apprentice knight who had never even seen a battlefield before: ‘Don’t take a break from your chores. How can he treat someone so cruelly?”

“I sympathize with that, but …… if you say too much, you’ll be considered a risk factor from the higher ups.”

“It’s okay! It’s just you and me here. Just so you know if this gets out there, you’re going to die in an unfortunate accident tomorrow… that is what I can assure you of that.”

Of course, it is an assassination faked in the image of accidental death.

It’s what the institution does the best. I know this because I’m part of a member. It’s not wise for an individual to make an enemy of the institution.

“I understand the situation. …… Just like the military and institutions, the Hero has a role to play. He’s there as a symbol — that’s his big role to play. If …… our activities come to light, that symbol will weaken. So therefore, all the credit for the institution goes to the Hero…… I understand, but it’s hard to digest. No, the truth is that I don’t want to understand.”

That’s why we’re being paid so much better than the military. The country is not disrespecting us in any way whatsoever.

“Well, yes, but ……”

The first incident. That is to say, the case of me killing the “Majin” was credited to the Hero.

The “Majin” is originally a subordinate of the demon king and has a lower rank than the demon king.

It’s not an exaggeration to say that the Hero, who exists in order to defeat the Demon King, cannot be able to defeat a mere demon. In fact, in the past wars, the Hero never struggled to defeat demons and “Majin”. If the fact that a third party other than the Hero killed the “Majin” is discovered–the Hero’s credibility will fall apart. The Hero symbol would cease to function.

“So? Why are you telling me such an obvious fact now?”

Chris answered my question with a cautious look.

“Earlier, a decision was made to disband the institution.”

I didn’t say a word to Chris, who informed me briefly.

I see. This is the decision the institution came up with, isn’t it?

Based on the institution’s creed, you can expect it to be disbanded. The Special Force Institution is an organization that supports the Hero to defeat the Demon King from the shadows. Now that the Demon King has been defeated, its purpose has accomplished. Unlike the military and the knightly order, which have an ex-supervisory role in maintaining the country’s security, our institution has no other role to do except for defeating the Demon King.

“With the disbanding of the institution, I would like to ask you about your future plans.”

I was astonished by that statement.

“You make it sound as if I have the right to choose my own future.”

“That’s what I’m saying”

I hadn’t expected to be the truth, and I was at a loss for words for a while.

The Special Force Institution is not exactly a “secret” organization. Many of the jobs the institution gave me were to clean up the mess in a dirty way. Today, with the war ended, everyone in the institution becomes a criminal. It’s only allowed to carry out illegal activities because of the Great War. I was a quasi-criminal, but I never thought that I would be given the freedom to make my own choices in life. There’s no way I could have predicted that.

“At worst scenario…… I’m prepared to be killed to keep my mouth shut.”

“They wouldn’t do that. As you said before, the country does not despise us, but rather gives us the utmost consideration. That’s why, when the institution is being disbanded, the present members will be given all the help they can get. If you have any aspirations for the future, we’ve been instructed from above to assist you as much as possible.”

It’s as expected there’s a hidden truth, but Chris is a person I can trust. Even if there were a backstory, it probably wouldn’t affect me in the wrong way.

However, the country doesn’t operate on compassion.

“It’s like giving your former dog a piece of candy to keep him from biting you.”

“Well, that’s just it. Especially since you’re so special in the agency, we can get you a very big candy bar.”

I carefully considered Chris’s words.

“Aspiration, huh? ……It’s not so easy to come up with something out of the blue, I guess.”

“… Don’t you have Anything you want to do? Anything is fine, okay? You want to farm in the countryside, or join the Knights and contribute to the world, this time as a “public” person. Some people said they want to do nothing and live their lives in idleness. For those people, the country is going to promise them the best possible support.”

I bit my lips hard as I think about it while Chris gave me a somewhat sympathetic look.

I’m the youngest person in the institution. I’ve spent most of my life inside the institution, so I’m deeply imbued with the institution’s values than most people in the institution. To Chris, I may seem like a disabled person now that the institution will be disbanded.

In the end, I stopped thinking and asked.

“What’s Chris going to do?”

“I-I think I’ll be doing a similar job…. Unlike you, I’ve worked at headquarters in the institution, so I’m exposed to a lot of information, so I’m under a lot of restrictions.”

“If so, I will –“

“Don’t.”

Chris says sternly.

“You’re only fifteen years old. You were picked up by the institution when you were only five years old and spent the last ten years of your life dedicated to the kingdom until the war ended. …… That’s enough. You’ve got to get out of this kind of organization that treats people like tools. It’s time for you to find out what you want to do.”

“The things I wanted to do……”

Chris gave me an intense look and whispered deliriously.

“You have lived for the kingdom for the past ten years. So it is time to live for yourself. …… And after a little while, if you still want to do the same kind of work you did before, you can tell me then. I’ll admit that that would be your calling…… but for now I won’t.”

It seems like Chris won’t step back this time.

If I told her here that I prefer working for her is what I wanted to do, she would continue to shake her head.

“You don’t have to think too hard about it. You’ve seen a lot of people through your work over the past ten years, haven’t you? I want you to be like this,” or “I want you to do that.” Have you ever thought about that?”

I listened to Chris’s words earnestly.

I indeed lived in an inferior orphanage until I was five years old, where I often couldn’t even get one meal a day, and then I was picked up by the institution and spent my days immersed in training so severely that my days in the orphanage were blurred.

After the training was over, I was assigned to various missions as a disposable soldier. Still, as I survived, I gained the trust of the higher-ups, and eventually, I was given a mission to return home. However, for those of us in the “background,” failure in a mission leads directly to death. We were a person who is not supposed to be there or even exists.

If we failed our mission, we would be cut off immediately. Ever since I joined the institution, not a day goes by that I don’t get nervous.

To be honest, I can’t say that I’ve had the luxury of watching the people around me for a decade.

However, in the midst of my work, I thought to myself, “There exists a different path to my kind of life.”

“……I want to live a normal life.”

When I said it, it felt like it was crystal clear to me.

I realized what the complex emotions lurking in my chest were. Ah, I didn’t know I was thinking this.

Come to think of it. I didn’t know what “normal” is. Nor did I ever experienced or seen a “normal” life.

When I was working, there are times that I would wonder why I am doing this. Why did we exist to support the Hero? Then why is that Hero trying to defeat the Demon King? What will the people gain by defeating the Demon King?

The answer to that question is probably an answer from the everyday life of a person.

I didn’t know much about what I’ve been protecting.

Many people died in the Great War. Countless of my colleagues in the institution also lost their lives. But what’s it like to want to protect something so badly?

I wonder what kind of “peace” me, Chris, and the Hero risked their lives to protect.

“I want to live a normal life. I want to live a normal life that is free to do Anything as I please. Is that such thing ……or not?”

It was a very monotonous wish, even if I had to ask for it.

But Chris nodded sincerely.

“No, it’s not a problem at all.”

With that, Chris stood up.

“Thank you. For telling me your true feelings. Then, please wait for a while. I’m going to make your wish a reality.”

“Ahh, thank you.”