Kidnapped the Saintess of the Hero Party

46 – The Left Letter

Lucion was rather bewildered by Dara’s words.

“Do you really consider it sincere?”

“Well, yes. Did you hope I’d believe such nonsense from a young lad?”

His voice was calm.

It was a sincere remark.

Dara brought up the term “Devil King’s conquest” first.

Lucion couldn’t help but admire.

A mage over seventy didn’t just see Lucion as a mere child.

“When I was seventeen, I sparred in magical combat with the Grand Mage Master.”

Dara had absorbed all magic since childhood.

Mages were not people who memorized spells from a distance.

To be called a “Grand Mage,” one had to be able to handle all roles easily designated by people, such as Battle Mage, Enchanter, and Sorcerer.

No matter how excellent one was in a specific field, even if praised as a great mage, it wasn’t enough to ascend to the position of a Grand Mage.

They had to achieve the master level in every aspect and surpass the master level in their field to become a Grand Mage.

The Black Rabbit, a candidate, was no exception. Although specializing in sonic magic, they could handle general magic like melee combat, long-range sniping spells, equipment dismantling, enchantments, and more.

“You’re still lacking.”

There was no way to refute.

It was true.

“I’ve just left the orphanage and entered the village.”

◈

“I might need your help.”

Even if someone didn’t lend a hand, it wasn’t the time to be wishy-washy when facing the Demon King.

# # #

The moment people started clamoring that humans had to eradicate demons was three years before the formation of the hero party, during a large-scale disappearance incident.

Unease about the kingdom’s security led people to protest. Initially dismissed, the unrest grew as victims multiplied, making tax collection difficult. Regional lords, unable to handle it on their own, sought help from the royal court.

Eventually, a kingdom-wide investigation was launched.

The Royal Mage Guild discovered, within just a month of starting the investigation, that demons were systematically moving. Moreover, it was confirmed that numerous demon clusters were scattered around the kingdom.

Isn’t it said that it’s already too late when you see a cockroach?

When things that move unseen start becoming noticeable, it means the influence has grown uncontrollably, and extracting the roots would require considerable effort.

The problem was, it was too late, even if a bit late.

Requests to exterminate demons began pouring into guilds. However, the rate at which demons proliferated and were defeated seemed to form a nearly parallel line.

Thanks to his dedication to extermination, Lusyon quickly built up achievements as an adventurer. Drawn to his dazzling growth, he received an offer from the knight order. Eventually, joining the knights, he found himself on the path to becoming the youngest knight commander.

However, what about the results?

The demon multiplication couldn’t be prevented, and Lucia, chosen as a saint, left only to return defeated.

The kingdom actively began demon eradication about two years ago from the present.

‘Then it’s already too late.’

Lusyon decided that he needed to immediately engage in demon extermination.

If he waited any longer, Panathia might become the land of the demons throughout.

#

“We need to inform the kingdom leadership that demons have been hiding among the people.”

“Of course, we should discuss it.”

However, when to inform the people was uncertain.

Whether to announce it after the expulsion of the demons, or the other way around, was just a matter of sequence. It would happen the same way.

Unsettling rumors only caused social unrest—though that wasn’t the only reason. It was because once the demons heard the news, they would start preparing, and that posed a dilemma.

The demons pondered.

They might have already gathered quite a bit of knowledge while hiding among humans.

Lucion spoke after careful consideration.

“The demons move systematically. If so, we should move even more systematically than them.”

“Correct.”

System was Daraan’s favorite word.

It was straightforward.

All artifacts created by Daraan were designed based on algorithms.

Daraan’s thinking circuits clearly distinguished between yes and no. Intermediate values were seldom considered unless absolutely necessary.

“We should be the starting point.”

Daraan closed their eyes, deep in thought.

There was a mountain of tasks ahead.

There were urgent matters to the extent of sidelining even family. Daraan’s day involved saving a hundred lives. There was a sense of “they’ll manage” attitude, but ever since their wife’s death, there had been hardly any leisure to care for the family.

The consequence might have been Durahan following Daraan’s lead.

“It’s something not just anyone could do.”

Above all, Lucion immediately displayed exceptional skills. It seemed as if they knew a lot about demons. So why not entrust it to them?

“I’ll help as much as I can.”

That was all Darahan could do.

Originally, the baton of command belonged to Lucion.

“So unfold the will you want to unfold.”

Let’s hear it for now.

“Well then, speak now. Is there a chance of victory?”

“Not yet. There is.”

#

Lucion remembers when Lucia left with the Hero Party in the past.

– Zion, I must go.

– The goddess said so.

– If I don’t go now….

Sia was speaking with her eyes.

The destruction of the world.

Not that.

Lucion, the inability to prevent your death.

– I’ll definitely come back.

– When you return, I’ll share many stories from my journey with you.

– After all, Lucion loves adventures, right?

In the end, she returned.

Carrying the news of defeat.

Even after sacrificing ten years, she had transformed into a witch and became the morning dew of the execution ground.

She didn’t want to leave.

But Lucian never wavered in her determination.

Lucion understood the reason why Lucian had to leave, through the diary she left behind.

────────

Actually, I didn’t want to be hated.

I’m sorry for being stubborn.

I had to do this, otherwise stubborn Lucian wouldn’t let me go.

Was Lucian bad? hehehe

The goddess said this.

As a transcendent being, it is a rule not to use power on Earth.

However, I lend you my power,

because the destruction is certain.

To change the predetermined future, you must act as the representative of the transcendent beings.

I love people.

The principal, Lucian, the troublemaker Kellas, Sister Maria, the Sienna twins, they are all people I love.

I wanted to spend happy days together.

But on the other hand…

I was so scared, thinking that they would all die.

That’s why I made up my mind.

Definitely.

I will win!

That’s what I said.

But to be honest, I’m scared too.

Will I be able to come back?

Without Lucion, I am nothing.

Did they know that I was scared?

The goddess spoke quietly.

You can refuse if you want.

However,

If you refuse, that child will be the one to go.

That’s what she said.

Isn’t it too much?

I believe you will understand. Because if it were Lucion, I believe he would have made the same choice.

I’m sorry.

Instead, I promise.

I will definitely come back.

And when I do,

Back…

※※※※※※※

────────

Did I write and erase?

Or did the ink blur?

I couldn’t read beyond the last line.

After restoring it through magic—though not entirely—Lucion was forced to live like a recluse for a while.

Because I wanted to live longer with Lucion.

I must’ve erased knowing Lucion would fall into despair.

Time together outweighed time apart.

Every moment was joyful and blissful.

But we couldn’t be together.

#

There’s information to glean from the diary.

The moment when doom is sealed.

The birth of the saintess.

The fact that the saintess hasn’t appeared yet simply means the doom isn’t sealed.

“So far, it’s a situation where, even without luck, we can stop the demon king.”

Lucion glanced briefly at Lucia’s shoulder.

The mark of the saintess had yet to be etched.

However, I am convinced that it will be engraved someday.

The demons will continue to multiply, and it will take several years to break through to where the Demon King resides.

The party of geniuses, which consisted of warriors, only managed to reach the Four Kings’ Castle over a period of 10 years.

Before setting off, they designated a return teleport and left, so they could come back in just one day. However, they couldn’t break through the teleport from the kingdom to the front lines. The mana connection would be blocked by magic unless the priests performed a purification ritual.

However, the priests’ divine power is not infinite, so they couldn’t waste it until they attacked the Demon King.

Even with such a tight schedule, it took 10 years.

“We need to break through with fewer people and more certainty.”

It can’t possibly take another 10 years this time, can it?

To face all Four Kings and even the Demon King, it will definitely take more than that.

Come to think of it, in my past life, Dara-han didn’t help with the attack on the Demon King. Not just Dara-han, but quite a few other tower masters were busy with their own affairs.

I had to change my perspective.

The Demon King will surely bring destruction.

It was Lucion’s first task.

“We just need to prepare. Not just us. Everyone, together.”

Even if the warrior party fails, we must eventually be able to stop them. That’s the premise we need to change.