Chapter 178
Translator: Vine
Chapter: 178
Chapter Title: O, Hero
The human resistance and the Hero's party began their swift advance.
Their first target was the Corps Commander who had occupied the eastern part of the continent.
Years ago, during the resistance's raid, the Eastern Corps Commander had lost his Demon Generals at Rain's hands, so his forces were considerably weakened.
Still, a Corps Commander was a Corps Commander. He held out against the Hero's party for quite a while as the human resistance fought the demons of the east.
But the Hero's sword was fierce.
Though her body was still small, her sharply honed sword, alongside Melissa, easily took the Corps Commander's head.
Once the Eastern Corps Commander fell, the human resistance immediately turned their sights to the west.
The demons sought to turn the Astria Continent into a demonic realm through the power of an absolute few.
But humanity, now possessing a matured Hero, no longer had any reason to hide in silence.
Humans who had been biding their time in the remote wilderness, just trying to survive, returned to the continent, and other races that had vanished began to reveal themselves on the front lines.
The human resistance had, before they knew it, gained enough power to overwhelm even the forces of the mighty Western Corps Commander.
And finally, the Western Corps Commander also fell.
The human resistance faced no real crisis.
Starting with the Northern Corps Commander, who was assassinated by the Hero's party, then the eastern and western commanders. The commanders of three directions had all been defeated.
Now, the only otherworldly invader left was the one hunkered down in the southern continent, which had become a demonic realm descended upon the mortal world.
Only 'Demon King Lucifer'.
*
"Perhaps humans were never weak."
"The reason the demons were so strong was because they had the power of absolute beings that humans couldn't dare to face."
The Corps Commanders, and their subordinate Demon Generals.
Beings that even the strongest masters of humanity couldn't dare to oppose, who generated demonic energy on their own to consume the continent.
In truth, the only true otherworldly beings were the Corps Commanders. The rest were merely creatures born from the demonic energy that had consumed the continent, or beings that had evolved after being corrupted by it. The demons, whose source of power was the Corps Commanders and the demonic energy they produced, couldn't properly wield their strength after their leaders fell.
A force maintained by the charisma of a few will rapidly collapse when they are gone. In a way, the demons' distorted power structure gave humanity an opening to counterattack.
"All of this was possible because of Rain."
Thump, thump.
"What are you two talking about?"
As Bernhard and Leoner spoke while gazing at the dense demonic energy covering the entire southern continent, a familiar sound of footsteps approached from behind.
Bernhard and Leoner greeted her with bright faces.
"Rain."
"Just thinking that now, only the Demon King is left."
"Yeah. It's been a long time."
Rain, with her short stature, stood proudly between the tall princes, gazing with them at the southern continent—the demonic realm on earth.
Instead of looking ahead with them, Bernhard stared intently at the small Hero.
Beautiful and strong.
Timid and very shy around strangers, but affectionate once you get to know her.
She possessed a devoted nature befitting a Hero, always prioritizing the safety of others over her own well-being.
Who could possibly not fall for her?
"Heheh."
For some reason, Bernhard found it hard to hold back his laughter.
Humanity survived thanks to this one small girl.
How would the continent record this amusing piece of history?
"It's not completely over yet. I'm curious why the Demon King, who showed himself when the Holy Kingdom fell, hasn't appeared on the front lines while his Corps Commanders were being defeated."
"Hmm, he'll surely be incomparably stronger than any enemy we've faced so far."
The princes conversed with each other, observing Rain's expression.
The immense power held within her small, slender body was palpable. In terms of ability, she was now a Hero close to completion.
But Bernhard could read a faint confusion in the depths of her obsidian eyes.
Though she never showed it in front of them, Rain had always been troubled by something since she was young. The oblivious Leoner might not have known, but the surprisingly perceptive Bernhard was aware of it.
Rain glanced over, saw Bernhard's slightly worried face looking at her, and let out a small smile.
Then she looked forward, her gaze clear.
"My own battle... I plan to end it with this one, too."
"Huh?"
"Of course, it's the final battle."
Was she planning to retire as the Hero?
It would be good if she could lend her strength until humanity's life stabilized even after the Demon King was defeated.
Unconcerned by the questions that arose in the princes' minds from her sudden remark.
"A battle just as important as the one with the Demon King—a battle with my identity."
Rain pointed to her head.
"This strange thing in my head... I'm going to send it away for good. When that happens..."
Then, in a slightly embarrassed voice, she said quietly.
"I might even be able to call you guys... b-big brother."
Bernhard and Leoner gasped.
The Hero, loved by all.
She acted like an adult in front of them, but seeing this side of her, they clearly realized she was a girl, even if only a year younger than them.
Even if she was an adult by Astrian standards, Rain was still only seventeen. Furthermore, her small body, which hadn't grown much for her age, made her seem even younger.
And yet, she had shown them an adult's demeanor. Not like an older sister, but more like... an older brother? The natural feeling of an elder was something a small girl couldn't easily imitate.
The mysterious Hero girl, who had lodged herself deep in the princes' hearts.
Send it away for good? What was she sending away?
After the final battle, would Rain change from how she is now?
As if possessed, Bernhard spoke without realizing it.
"After this fight is over, where do you plan to go?"
"Bernhard...?"
Despite the dazed voice of Leoner, the prince of Betarion, Bernhard continued.
"Won't you come to Alpharion? When we rebuild the Alpharion Kingdom, we'll build a grand and splendid royal castle. If you come, you can live there. ...A-and I can even give you a title, like a Duchess!"
Not to be outdone by the blushing, impassioned Bernhard, Leoner also spoke up hastily. It was a similar recruitment offer for the Betarion Kingdom.
While a sudden battle to win over the Hero erupted with a tilting-her-head Rain caught in the middle, Melissa and Elena came looking for her.
"Rain. There you are. What are you doing with the princes?"
"Sisters."
Pitter-patter.
Rain smiled brightly, ran over to Melissa and Elena, and hugged them.
A completely different side of her from the mature demeanor she showed in front of the princes.
In front of her companions, Rain seemed to become a young girl who matched her appearance.
Bernhard watched the scene, once again, in a daze.
Thump.
"Bernhard."
Leoner's hand suddenly rested on Bernhard's shoulder.
When Bernhard looked at Leoner's face, Leoner shook his head.
"Look at Rain's eyes. You're perceptive, aren't you?"
The look in Rain's eyes, as she was embraced by her companions, was completely different from when she looked at the princes.
It was an unconcealable affection.
The fond emotions she held for her companions were clearly conveyed.
"It was never going to work for us from the start."
"Why not?"
"Rain said she doesn't like men, remember?"
For a moment, Bernhard's body stiffened as if struck by lightning.
"Kh, khaha. Ahahaha!"
And then, he clutched his stomach and laughed.
He felt strangely relieved.
Bernhard, the prince of Alpharion, decided that if he ever wrote a memoir, he would be sure to record this fact.
The little Hero girl who saved humanity.
Likes women.
*
The final battle began.
In the wastelands of the southern continent, completely shrouded in dense demonic energy, the great demon army and the human forces clashed.
A golden flash of light charged forward, breaking through the endless horde of demonic beasts.
The dwarf of the Hero's party, with a body like steel, endured the countless, vicious attacks of the demonic beasts with his bare flesh. His axe swung at the very front of the battle line, and the demonic beasts caught in its wake were sent flying into the air.
A seemingly light, green wind blew. But the power it contained was anything but light. The spirit commanded by the white-haired elf. The strong winds it stirred up began to tear the demons' bodies to shreds.
A massive sphere of demonic energy, gathered and unleashed by the Demon Generals, was blocked and dissipated by a brilliantly shining white radiance. It was the Saintess's divine barrier.
At the same time, with a flash, a volley of golden and blue sword auras suddenly erupted, erasing the Demon Generals before them. It was the sword of humanity's strongest swordsman, and the Hero's sword.
The advance of that golden flash did not stop until it reached the Demon King's castle.
In the end, the only ones who could face the Demon King were the Hero's party.
The human resistance devoted all their strength to securing the flanks of the path the Hero's party carved out.
"Go...! Rain...!"
The prince, who could only watch the brilliantly shining Hero's advance.
A third party, unable to become the protagonist who walks by the girl's side.
As he endlessly cut down demonic beasts, the prince of Alpharion, 'Bernhard von Alpharion', cried out.
O, Hero, who loves the beauty of this world.
O, Hero, who calmly fulfills your duty.
And at the same time, O, girl, who yearns for affection from those you love.
Cut down the final obstacle that blocks your path.
And at the end, may you become a beloved girl, able to live the life you desire.
The final battle raged on for several days, day and night.
Just as the human resistance was growing weary.
A golden flash of light burst forth from the Demon King's castle, and with it, the demonic beasts in the area began to melt away.
At last, the Demon King had fallen.
The people of the Astria Continent were saved.
But.
The Hero's party.
None of them returned.