It Seems That the Demon King Is Among the Members of the Hero’s Party

42. Important Things

“He tried to revive his daughter, who died in the war against humans, using an ability that can only be used once in a lifetime. However, the soul of the daughter he wanted to revive had already traveled to another place. The body that was revived without a soul created a personality to move on its own, and that’s me.”

The ability that can only be used once in a lifetime is likely a gift from God. From the flow of events so far, it’s highly likely that the god who granted it was Mirabel. The soul of the deceased travels to the heavens and then to the next world. Kobayashi’s daughter’s soul must have already traveled to another world.

“The face of Kobayashi, who realized that the personality controlling the revived body was not his daughter, was filled with sorrow.”

He must have wanted to see his daughter so badly that he used the ability given by God. The despair of realizing the revived person was not his daughter is immeasurable.

“I thought I would be rejected, but that didn’t happen. He treated me as an individual, not as his daughter.”

I’m not sure if I could do the same. I would be tormented and hesitant, and there’s a possibility I wouldn’t be able to accept it. But Kobayashi accepted me.

“He told me to live on behalf of his deceased daughter. My body is already dead, and I’m only alive because of my personality. A soulless body is just a corpse, no matter how far it goes.”

The body has no heat, no emotions. That’s why her voice is always flat.

“That’s why I decided to live according to Kobayashi’s words. To find out the meaning of my existence. Why was this personality created? I’ve been living to find out.”

Silvy’s name has existed since the time of the first demon king. The brave warrior and the demon king have changed, but Silvy and Drake have remained the same from the beginning. She has lived for an unimaginably long time.

“You reincarnators appear at the turning points of eras.”

“The turning points of eras?”

“When the demon king changes, a new brave warrior is born. It’s as if you reincarnators appear on purpose.”

It can’t be a coincidence. If some power is at work, it must be God’s doing.

“Takeshi also appeared at a turning point of eras.”

Her voice, which should be emotionless, trembles slightly when she says Takeshi’s name.

“Those who are called ‘reincarnators’ always interfere with our demon tribe’s plans. That’s why they disguise themselves as humans and make contact. If they become a threat, we eliminate them. But, as I interacted with Takeshi, I realized I had grown attached to him.”

Her voice has a hint of emotion. When she talks about Takeshi, she certainly has feelings.

“I felt like my heart was racing when Takeshi spoke words that shouldn’t exist. I felt like the part of me that touched Takeshi was burning hot. I, who was once dead, wanted to live as a human. I realized the meaning of my existence when I spent time with Takeshi.”

She must have thought of Takeshi with a one-track mind, like a lovesick girl. Takeshi moved the heart of Silvy, who shouldn’t have emotions, and started the heartbeat that was supposed to be stopped. She met Takeshi and learned the meaning of her existence. But, if my memory is correct, Silvy sealed away the demon king after defeating him. In other words, she didn’t get to be with Takeshi.

“It’s only when you lose something that you realize its importance. I only realized the magnitude of my love for Takeshi when I was sealed away.”

Those are words of regret. She regrets not being able to convey her love to Takeshi.

“I was left behind, alone, for a long time. Takeshi died, and all my rivals died too. What’s the point of me still being alive?”

“Don’t you think of revenge?”

“Who would I take revenge on? The mage who sealed me away is already dead. Meril, who killed Takeshi, is also dead. Revenge? I don’t have the emotions to move my body now.”

During the 500-year flow of time, Silvy was left behind, and everything changed. Her loved one was killed by her rival, and that rival was killed by the demon tribe. The mage who sealed Silvy away also died during that 500-year period.

She had already lost her target for revenge. All that’s left is her love for Takeshi.

“I’ve talked too much. Let me tell you my request.”

Her voice is flat again. There’s nothing I can say to her. Takeshi would know what to say.

“I wanted to talk to you because Takeshi asked me to.”

“Takeshi asked you to?”

“It was before the battle against the demon king. ‘If you meet someone like me, a reincarnator, please give this to them,’ Takeshi entrusted me with.”

A magic circle appears right next to Silvy. I instinctively tensed up, but I immediately realized it was a ‘storage’ spell. What fell from the magic circle was a small, palm-sized box. Is this what Takeshi entrusted to Silvy?

“Takeshi knew I didn’t have a lifespan. I talked to him, so he thought I might have the chance to meet someone like you, a reincarnator.”

“That’s exactly what happened.”

“Yes. It’s convenient that my seal was released at the turning point of the era as well.”

Silvy has no regrets in this world. She has no place in this world without Takeshi. But before she can go to Takeshi’s place, she must fulfill Takeshi’s request.

“That’s Silvy’s only remaining attachment, Takeshi’s request. That’s why she called us, the brave party, to fulfill Takeshi’s request and head to Takeshi’s place.”

“Kyle Grahem, this is what Takeshi entrusted to me. Please take it.”

The small box floats in the air, carried by her magic, and lands in my palm.

“The contents of the box are the key to Takeshi’s house in Telma and a map showing its location. There’s also a letter written by Takeshi. He said to take a look when I’m calm.”

“Got it. I’ll look later.”

Takeshi’s house in Telma? Takeshi lived 500 years ago. Is the house still there?

“Let me give you some advice.”

“Advice?”

“Live without regrets. You reincarnators all die a heroic death. If you defy your fate, don’t change what you believe in.”

Those are ominous words. If what she says is true, what awaits me is a heroic death. What to believe in? That’s a difficult question. I’m searching for the demon king, suspecting my comrades. That’s why I mustn’t mistake who to trust.

“Silvy, can I ask you one thing?”

“What is it?”

“Do you remember the person who broke your seal?”

According to Durandal’s story, my seal was already broken before I drew my sword. It was done forcefully using magic. Considering the timeline, I think it was the demon king who did it.

“I apologize. I didn’t see that person’s face.”

“You didn’t see them?”

“Yes. They left immediately after breaking the seal.”

That’s quite cautious. If Silvy had seen them, we might have known who the demon king was, but it seems that’s impossible.

“However…”

“Just that?”

“She was the master of nostalgic magic. I know that master of magic.”

Is Silvy someone who feels nostalgic? A demon tribe companion, or Takashi-san’s brave party? No, the demon tribe is another story, but Takashi-san’s companions are all dead, and Meril, the only survivor, was poisoned to death by the demon tribe. That makes it more likely that she’s a demon tribe companion. Like Drake?

“Thanks for answering.”

“Hmm.”

“What will you do from now on, Silvy?”

She already has no purpose in life. Takashi-san’s request has already been fulfilled, so it’s questionable what she’ll do. I understand, but I wish it were different.

“I’ll indulge in nostalgia for a while and then head to Takashi’s place.”

“Excuse me, but I have to ask. Can the immortal Silvy die?”

“This body is already dead. It’s my personality that’s moving it. If I erase that personality…”

Erasing her personality? How can she do that? Saying it is easy, but actually doing it seems difficult. Wait, there’s a magic spell that the demon tribe uses that fits the bill. The most evil magic the ‘Soul Crush’ that destroys the heart. If the heart equals personality, then she can…

“Sorry, but can I be alone for a moment?”

I dislike how I’m succumbing to her request. But there’s nothing I can do. If I were Takashi-san, the outcome might be different. I can’t stay here forever. I’ll grant her wish.

───I turned my back on Silvy and headed back the way I came. After walking in silence for a while, I saw the entrance to the Leg Ruins. It took longer than I thought. My footsteps were heavy, I suppose.

“Kail! Are you safe!?”

As soon as I exited the Leg Ruins, Darl flew towards me, worried about me. He’s hugging me tightly, which is nice, but Noel’s gaze is scary. I didn’t hug him, so please forgive me.

“Kail, what did you do?”

“What’s going on?”

“The undead that were surrounding the ruins all disappeared right before you came out. The knights are making a fuss about it.”

“That’s right. I’ll talk about it later.”

Sasha looks dissatisfied, puffing out her cheeks. I’m not hiding anything from her; I just don’t want to talk about it now.

───The fact that the undead disappeared means the caster is gone.

I hope Silvy can meet Takashi-san.

───After a brief commotion, we arrived in the royal capital of Kremaltas and received some information.

The highest authority of the Church, ‘Law Emperor’ Edmond Armstrong the 2nd, was killed by one of the Four Heavenly Kings, ‘Red Dragon’ Drake.

The world has fallen into chaos again.