Save the Hero Party (5)
“Confirmed: the Users have no intention of opposing the Demon King.”
“They want the Academy shut down.”
Lydia calmly set down the report.
“Is this truly what you desire, Sisilia?”
Sisilia, bowed low before her, answered without a moment's hesitation.
“Yes.”
“……You're the Academy's greatest contributor. You were involved in every detail of the system, and with the Users especially, you were excessively kind. For you of all people to demand its dissolution……it's honestly hard to believe.”
“I've discovered flaws in the system, and I'm simply trying to correct them now.”
Even before Sisilia's proposal, the Users had been a headache. Their misbehavior had been escalating lately. And despite investing far more in them than planned, there were zero results to show for it. Pressure from the nobles was mounting.
Lydia agreed that the current Academy system had numerous issues. She just hadn't expected Sisilia to be the one proposing to dismantle it.
But more than that……
—Your Majesty, a report: Vice-Captain Sisilia has killed one of the Users.
The news of Sisilia killing a User was shocking. As a Windsor Knight, unavoidable kills happened, of course. But Sisilia was known even among the Windsors as the knight who took the fewest lives possible—a good knight.
Worry. Deep worry crept in.
……Worry that she might end up like Edward.
“……Then where will you send the Users?”
“Please expel everyone involved in the incident from Terezia.”
“……!”
Lydia's pupils trembled. Terezia was a safe city. Everywhere else crawled with monsters, and security was poor. Sending Users there implied one thing.
“……You're planning to let most of them die.”
“I won't deny it.”
“As an example?”
“That's part of it, but I've judged their growth is too slow at this rate. I thought raising them in a safe place would make them flourish, but it seems they need discipline too.”
“Even if that leads to some abuse?”
“I'll block what I can.”
My instincts……
Lydia's instincts saw no downside to approving these documents. Meaning this was the optimal choice.
She sighed.
“Wavering back and forth……you're such a troublesome child.”
“……Sorry.”
“We'll see after the meeting, but this is probably what everyone wants anyway. It'll pass.”
“Thank you.”
“You may go.”
As Sisilia finished her bow and turned to leave, Lydia asked one final question.
“Sisilia.”
“Yes.”
“……Even in this situation, do you still believe Users can bring peace to this world?”
Sisilia replied firmly.
“That much, I'm certain of.”
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
Sisilia's proposal was approved, and the Academy was swiftly dismantled—at least for the Users. The rest functioned fine without them.
Thus, Users lost access to even basic education in this world.
“Why's Sisilia doing that?”
“White burial shroud, bamboo in her mouth and everything.”
“Betty, she's an eyesore—get your superior back in the office.”
“Y-yes……”
Thanks to her thorough self-reflection ritual with the bamboo, Sisilia had come up with a solution.
The root of this mess was excessive intervention.
Sisilia had provided Users with the safest environments and basics possible. That's where the problems started. Those who should have naturally been weeded out banded together instead, forming power cliques to bully those with real talent.
……The design was flawed from the start. No wonder liberal democracy isn't humanity's best governance even in the 22nd century. Humans thrive most when left free.
Sisilia's sin was wanting to protect newbies while not trusting them.
So she decided to reset everything. Back to a world without interference from someone named “Sisilia Windsor.”
Henceforth, no more summoning rituals shall be performed. All shall be left to the Goddess's will.
And this was the result. Future Users would be summoned directly by the Goddess, not under the Empress of the Lydia Empire. The Empress entrusted everything to the divine will.
……Users summoned from now on would appear randomly across Liannen territory.
And that was the original future, had Sisilia never intervened.
“I'm really fine, Lady Sisilia. ……You don't need to worry about me like this.”
But some interventions were necessary.
Once things settled, Sisilia sought out Ruby.
“No. This happened because I was immature.”
“Th-that's not true!”
Ruby stood to protest Sisilia's apology, then shrank back realizing her voice was too loud.
“……Lady Sisilia did nothing wrong. You gave me this warm job, taught me how to survive in this world.”
But even Ruby's words couldn't dispel Sisilia's lingering sadness.
She'd neglected Ruby under the excuse of being busy. Too focused on the big picture, she'd ignored what was right in front of her.
Sisilia couldn't forgive Evan, so she couldn't forgive herself either.
“No matter what anyone says, you're my benefactor. So I've decided: I'll always obey what Lady Sisilia says.”
Sisilia looked up at Ruby. Her eyes sparkled like black stars for a moment.
“I'll get stronger and make sure to become someone useful to you.”
Excessive need for approval. Obsession or dependency. Underlying anxiety…… Classic symptoms of affection deprivation.
Physical wounds healed with potions easily enough. But Ruby's new scars wouldn't.
Ruby was showing classic attachment symptoms toward Sisilia. Reports said she was forcing herself into maid duties, pulling every string to become exclusive. As if it gave her life meaning.
And not just that. When Sisilia winced at the morning sun, Ruby—who'd opened the curtains—trembled violently and bowed her head in overreaction.
“So please……don't abandon me.”
Sisilia stroked Ruby as she burrowed into her arms, pondering.
……But is that really so bad?
If it's affection deprivation, just shower her with affection, right?
Sisilia thought it was for the best.
“Wanna be my meow-meow?”
“……?”
“You're special, Ruby, so special treatment.”
“Sp-special treatment……?”
“Mmm. Do whatever you ask, hug you sometimes?”
Sisilia's expression was unchanged. But if she had a tail, it'd be wagging furiously.
Because Ruby right now was Sisilia's ideal.
“M-meow?”
Ah, slip-up.
Sisilia realized her wording was ambiguous and rubbed her eyes.
She'd just meant to pet her……
“H-how do I do it? Nya……?”
Ruby balled her hands into paws, mimicking a cat. Sisilia's eyes filled with childlike wonder.
Cute……!
But she couldn't lose composure. Restraining herself, Sisilia placed a hand on Ruby's cheek and whispered softly.
“I'll grant whatever you want, if you grant what I want.”
Ruby stared blankly. Her reflection shone in those clear silver-blue eyes. The swaying silver hair tickled, but felt too good to move. A gentle breeze slipped in slyly.
Ruby shivered at the inexplicable sensation. One thing was clear: Sisilia was mesmerizingly alluring right now.
Ruby murmured dazedly.
“……What do I need to do?”
Sisilia smiled mysteriously, stood, and faced Ruby with moonlight at her back after a few steps.
“Kill the Demon King for me.”
Ruby's fantasy shattered.
Her eyes shrank to dots. Thinking she'd misheard, she tilted her head with an awkward smile.
“……P-pardon?”
“Contract established.”
“N-no, I didn't agree to that……”
She has long strived for peace in this world.
Killing the Demon King is the first task!
……Lady Sisilia asked, so I have to, right?
📍 Objective: With Sisilia's help, slay the Demon King.
Undefeated Demon King / [0 / 1]
🎁 Success Reward: Acquire title 'Hero Who Saved the World'
❌ Failure Penalty: 80% of humanity perishes.
“……??”
Ruby sensed something was wrong.
Meanwhile, the thrilled Sisilia extended a hand.
“Shall we start with some light part-time work?”
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
“Ugh, I seriously can't go on. Sigh.”
Beatrice strode forward, eyes brimming with tears.
Of all people, her cherished newbie 'Siu' had done that. She'd never imagined it.
—Hic, sorry! Y-you're too scary.
He hadn't joined in bullying Ruby but hadn't helped either.
Beatrice was furious and had thrashed Siu.
……She couldn't face Sisilia.
I'll take all her work today.
As Beatrice opened the vice-captain's office door……
She witnessed an unfamiliar sight.
“Oh, hello. I'm Ruby, the new hire. Nice to meet you, Betty.”
“……Good morning.”
Beatrice plopped into her seat and slowly looked up.
……Why was Ruby here?
An ominous premonition hit as……
She beheld a shocking scene.
“Gasp.”
Sisilia was doing paperwork…!
“Betty, five minutes late. Come earlier next time.”
“I've never been late……”
Putting that aside, something was off—many things.
Beatrice asked Ruby first.
“Wh-why is Ruby here?”
“Because Ruby's joining the Windsor Knights starting today.”
“……Wh-what?!”
“No need to panic. Not full member—just slotted into the beginner role I made before.”
The 'beginner' position created for new recruits. No one held it now; unpromoted ones were dismissed.
Sisilia tweaked it slightly. Too cushy a parachute wouldn't help Ruby, so she slashed the authority.
Sisilia glanced up from her papers with a bright smile.
“From now on, Ruby will contribute to humanity in the newly created 'Special Demon King Task Force.'”
Beatrice urgently checked Ruby. No way she'd agree to this insane plan willingly.
But Ruby looked motivated. Even……happy?
……Masochist?
Recalling a book term, she shot up.
Never mind that—something harder to accept.
“Lady Sisilia, did you eat something bad yesterday?”
“……What're you talking about?”
“It's weird. You always say you're sleepy in the mornings and won't work, but here you are buried in paperwork……”
Beatrice trailed off, sweat pouring. Sisilia's gaze held tremendous killing intent.
Beatrice tucked in her tail and meekly sat.
“I-I'll get to work.”
Meanwhile, Sisilia withdrew her aura and smiled proudly at the freshly written notice.
• Recruiting cool party members to hunt the Demon King.
• Non-mages must be Users only.
• Inquiries: Windsor Knights Beginner, Ruby.
Just three lines. Sisilia had no doubt.
Tomorrow, applications will flood in, right?
Thus, the hopeful notice blanketed the Adventurer Guild.