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

57. Painful Excuses

“Hey, please listen to me, Kyle.”

Mirabel approaches me with an anxious expression.

Come to think of it, there’s still that god (person). What did Takeshi mean by “Don’t trust Mirabel”?

Is it because she’s so clumsy and naive that I shouldn’t trust her?

It’s not like I can just ignore it. Disregarding it would be pitiful.

“I’ll listen, but you’re in the wrong, aren’t you?”

“I didn’t do it on purpose! I had no choice, I had no choice.”

I end up looking at her with a cold gaze. She’s definitely in the wrong. Even in my past life as a socialite, I’ve seen people who would do anything for money. There have been cases of corruption reported in the media.

When they get caught, they’d come to the company, taking responsibility, and causing trouble for their colleagues. Honestly, I can’t forgive such behavior. Once someone does it, they’ll do it again, and it’s clear they’ll cause trouble for those around them.

What would happen if Mirabel’s wrongdoing is exposed? Would she get demoted or receive a pay cut? Would we, the reincarnators, be held responsible as well?

That’s what’s causing my anxiety. But, as a god, would she really worry about demotion or pay cuts? I’ve somewhat understood her nature, but she’s surprisingly human-like.

“Originally, my job as a god is to manage souls. I guide the determined souls to their designated world.”

She starts talking.

“Kyle and the others are a different case, but originally, those who send new souls to a new world can’t do anything.”

“What do you mean?”

“It’s okay to give them a little talent. But if I give them abilities, who knows what would happen?”

Her words remind me of history. In every turning point of this world’s history, there’s always a reincarnator present. The demon tribe’s rebellion, the beast people establishing their nation, the dwarves taking land from the elves, and the elves establishing the church. In every major upheaval, there’s always a reincarnator.

There are cases where records of past events are incomplete, but there’s always a sign of a reincarnator.

“The change brought by reincarnators with abilities is toxic. It’s like releasing a shark into a fish tank with only tropical fish.”

“But, you’re the one who gave them abilities, Mirabel.”

“That’s true.”

There, she falls silent. Honestly, I’ve often wanted to ask her, “What are you doing?” when I’ve looked into history or heard Durandal’s stories.

I think it’s because of Mirabel that the world is in such a state. Is this what Takeshi wanted to tell me? Either way, I’ll investigate first.

“Yes, I gave them abilities. I know the world is in a big mess because of it.”

“And yet, you still sided with the reincarnators?”

“Yes. Because I made a mistake and they died. Just giving them talent and leaving them alone would be irresponsible, don’t you think? I saw everyone struggling in an unknown world, so I wanted to give them abilities to make their lives easier.”

She’s trying to justify her actions, but the root cause is Mirabel, and if she hadn’t made a mistake, it wouldn’t have come to this.

Mirabel notices my cold gaze and starts to falter.

“The root cause is definitely me. If I hadn’t been careless and signed the documents, you would’ve lived for another 50 years.”

“Hey…”

“So, I properly gave you talent and abilities, Kyle!”

“I don’t think that makes up for it.”

“…………”

“……………”

“Can’t you forgive me, cute me?”

“……………”

“It’s my mistake. I’m sorry.”

Is she saying that I died because of her mistake in signing the documents? Is our life that cheap? The more I listen, the more terrifying it becomes…

“Is it wrong to give someone abilities?”

“That’s right. These powers don’t originally exist in the world. They have a huge impact, so they’re prohibited in the manual.”

I have so many things I want to say. Honestly, if I could, I’d spend at least an hour questioning her, but I don’t have that much time to talk to Mirabel. Mirabel, who’s already a god, knows everything.

It makes me wonder why I trusted Mirabel in the first place. Was I really that desperate?

“You can’t tell the gods because it’s wrong.”

“I don’t want to hear it. It’ll probably get me demoted.”

Wouldn’t demotion be fine? I think it’d be better if someone else managed souls…

“Wrong or not, it’s fine at this point. Can I ask one thing?”

“What is it?”

“Is there a connection between our party’s hero, Eclair, and Mirabel?”

“I reincarnated her, of course, there’s a connection.”

Silvy said Eclair has some kind of restriction on her soul. That’s probably why she can’t talk.

“Is Eclair’s inability to talk because of Mirabel?”

“Rather than saying it’s me… well, yes… maybe it’s me?”

I can’t help but hold my head in my hands. It seems like Mirabel is involved in all the troubles I’m currently facing.

“Can you release Eclair’s restriction?”

“I can’t. It’s wrong, and it’ll be exposed.”

Mirabel declares this with a straight face, making me frustrated. I’m searching for faults, and if I hit her, dust will fly everywhere. I’m prepared, but please go easy on me.

How many wrongdoings has Mirabel committed? If giving abilities is wrong, that’s at least five cases. There’s Takashi, the first demon king, Diabolos, the nameless reincarnator, me, and Eclair. But there are many more reincarnators sent to this world.

How far is Mirabel involved? I’ll ask.

“When I investigated history, I found that there are reincarnators scattered around, but are they all connected to Mirabel?”

“Yes, most of them were sent by me.”

“Was that also a mistake by Mirabel?”

“…………….”

“Was it a mistake?”

“It was my mistake. Like when I messed up the seal on Kail’s document, or spilled a drink…”

I didn’t want to hear that. Is it too harsh to say it’s her mistake? She might accidentally shred important documents…

How can I trust someone who manages souls? I think the god’s selection is wrong.

But I got the answer I wanted. As expected, Mirabel is involved with almost everyone. Silvy’s words come to mind.

“───Live without regrets. You reincarnators have all had glorious deaths. If you defy your fate, you must not change what you believe in.”

The reincarnators sent by Mirabel have all had glorious deaths.

“───Don’t trust Mirabel.”

If you defy your fate, you must not change what you believe in.

All the reincarnators have had glorious deaths. It’s not a coincidence; some power must be at work. Only Mirabel can do that. Did Takashi realize that, and that’s why he left the message “Don’t trust Mirabel”?

It’s not about how much to trust, but rather not to trust Mirabel at all. Is that what it means?

I see. My hunch was right. This reunion is going to be the worst. I had a feeling it would be.

“Are you okay? You look deep in thought.”

Mirabel looks at me with concern. The reason I’m deep in thought is because of Mirabel (you), but I can’t say that.

Well, it seems I’ve lost the only person I could trust in this world. Who should I talk to now? Carrying this burden alone will drive me crazy.

“What’s going on?”

“Does the ‘Mind Reading’ magic used by the Demon King also work on inanimate objects?”

“That’s a weird question. Of course, it doesn’t work on inanimate objects. But if Kaile is saying that ‘Mind Reading’ works on the magic sword Durandal, then it does work.”

“Even on Durandal?”

“That’s right. So, I’m the only one who can discuss the Demon King’s matters.”

───If you suspect Mirabel, you can’t trust anything she says. You can’t tell how much of what she says is true. It’s possible everything she says is a lie. Then, the fact that the Demon King is involved would also be a lie.

This is bad. Suspecting Mirabel only makes things more complicated. I can’t judge what’s true or not. I’m becoming paranoid.

───”Don’t trust Mirabel”

Is she an enemy? Since she’s involved in the deaths of all the reincarnators, she’s not someone to be trusted unconditionally. She’s openly dishonest, after all.

But how is she involved? Mirabel doesn’t seem to be directly involved. Harold was poisoned, Takeshi was executed, and the reincarnators killed by Diavolo are crippled. The methods of killing are different.

It’s not a direct power, but something more indirect.

───I need someone to talk to. It would be better if it’s someone who can keep it from Mirabel.

Mirabel is watching this world. If I consider her an enemy, I’ll always be under surveillance. There’s no way to win. The Demon King’s problem is also an issue. It’s impossible to handle everything at once.

No, there’s one person. Someone who can obtain information about the Demon King while keeping it from Mirabel’s eyes.

───Diavolo, the “Illusionist”.

Mirabel can’t even confirm things in the dream world. Then, Diavolo’s ability to control dreams would be effective against Mirabel. If I discuss everything in the dream world, Mirabel won’t find out.

Diavolo is one of the four heavenly kings from the 5th Demon King’s era. He’s likely to know something about the Demon King.

Then, what I should do is clear. It’s the opposite of my original goal.

───Instead of killing Diavolo, I’ll try to win him over.

Like with Silvy, I’ll make him an ally. Then, all the problems I’m facing will be resolved.

Just like during the 4th Demon King Rondalgiar’s era, Silvy’s information helped us find the Demon King’s location.

Takeshi, it seems I’ll have to follow in your footsteps.

As a pioneer, I respect Takeshi from the bottom of my heart!

“I’ll wake up soon.”

“Already? I have a lot of things to talk to Mirabel about.”

“I’ll come back to visit you. I’ll participate in the discussion, so don’t worry.”

“Thanks, Mirabel.”

“Don’t overdo it, Kaile!”

It’s the same flow as before. Mirabel smiles, but her smile feels a bit cold.

Before, I felt sad when we parted ways. Now, I don’t feel any sadness at all.

Mirabel’s figure is fading away. It’s almost morning. What do I need to do after I wake up?

It’s not easy to find Diavolo’s location. Then, I should investigate how the reincarnators died. Takeshi’s information is likely to be related to that.

Hmm? What did Mirabel just say? But I couldn’t hear it. What did she say?

Damn it, my vision is clearing up. I’m waking up.

“Huh? Did you suspect me, Kaile? I thought you’d take your time to depend on me… Ha ha, that’s ridiculous. I should observe you a bit more before making a judgment.

Well, I’ve given you a blessing as insurance, so you’ll be fine.”