Chapter 45
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 45
Chapter Title: Secret (1)
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There are times when such thoughts cross my mind.
What would be left for me if I succeed or fail, and in some way meet my 'end'?
Usually, the end for a possessor like me comes surrounded by the bonds they've forged and changed.
Those altered characters and memories are achievements in themselves, rewards upon return.
But all I've done is torment the protagonist.
I've thrown myself wholeheartedly into being a nuisance to them, and succeeded a few times.
My achievements are resentment, my rewards pain.
[You are the Inner Evil.]
I am not the protagonist.
Not a supporting character, not even an extra.
A being whose origins and purpose are unknown.
Nothing more than a disposable villain, used as fodder for growth.
That's what possessed me.
So I can't be understood.
From another world?
Didn't want this?
Does that even matter?
Even if it was a struggle for survival, that excuse lies utterly outside common sense.
I can never remain among them.
"Will you lean on me?"
That's what I thought.
"Ortella."
"Yes, I'm right here."
Here, silently trying to understand me, was someone.
"You said you see sins."
I turn and look up.
Ortella's white eyes gaze down at me.
"How much have my sins grown?"
"......"
Ortella falls silent for a moment.
Her small hand brushes back my bangs.
"Quite a lot."
A voice tinged with slight sadness and sympathy.
It didn't feel bad.
"But don't worry. I pray for you every night, and also......"
Ortella understands me.
At least in this world, no one understands me more than she does.
Sadly, I can't understand her in return.
"I'll bear your sins with you."
Why is she so kind to me?
Out of pity for my plight?
No, that can't be.
'Compassion' doesn't hold that much power.
"......"
The answer was simple, really.
It's just who Ortella is.
A girl beautiful from birth, so beautiful even the gods were enamored.
In this world, the title of Saint means unparalleled mercy above all.
"You don't need to do that."
"No, I do."
"Why?"
I'm not that kind of person.
I'm not merciful.
I don't know forgiveness or understanding.
I'm fragile enough to crumble from killing a few people.
Easy enough to rally with a few gentle words of comfort.
Raised ordinarily in an ordinary world, I have no heroic qualities.
"Because you're suffering so much."
That's why I can't understand this Saint.
"......I see."
Still, I wanted to lean on her.
I needed support.
Stroke.
The stroking sensation had grown familiar.
Even the ticklish itch didn't bother me anymore.
"Feeling a bit better?"
"Thanks to you."
I sit up.
Once settled, I roughly fix my messy hair.
Ortella sits straight, watching me.
"Time to head back, I suppose."
"Yeah. I've been away too long."
About an hour here.
I worried about what had become of Roel.
"Just remember one thing."
As I move to retrieve the avatar, Ortella adds one last word.
"No matter what sins are forced upon you, don't lose yourself. You're not a demon, after all."
Many thoughts flooded me.
Gratitude, guilt.
I smile faintly.
"See you next time, Ortella."
Once the mysterious man vanished, only Ortella remained in the cathedral.
Beston approaches the pensive Saint from outside where he'd been waiting.
"That's the man from before."
"Yes."
"What in the world is he?"
Not annoyance.
Genuine, pure curiosity.
From how he entered and exited the city undetected, to the power that let him vanish without a trace.
Beston couldn't comprehend it with his common sense.
Ortella answers.
"Sir Beston, what do you think of fate?"
"Like a divine mission from the gods."
"I once thought the same."
Her gaze turns to the emblem.
Other believers might not notice, but faint divinity continuously emanates from it.
A sign the gods are watching.
"If a single human bears a fate beyond endurance, can that still be called a mission?"
"I'm not sure."
"I think such a fate is punishment."
Punishment without sin.
Punishment breeds sin, and that sin brings more punishment.
An unreasonable vicious cycle unfolds.
"Harsh, isn't it?"
"......"
"Who he is doesn't matter. I simply extend a hand to one endlessly falling."
Ortella steps forward.
Time to handle delayed duties.
She'd be busy for a bit.
"Still......"
Creeeak.
The cathedral doors open.
Though the sky had darkened, the Saint shone in the moonlight.
"Next time, I'd like to at least ask his name."
Returning to my inner world, I immediately pull up the screen without rest.
Only an hour had passed, but much must have happened.
[ "......I'm sorry. This is the best I can do." ]
Roel was confined.
Fortunately not in an underground cell, but under 'indefinite' house arrest in her dorm.
Considering she'd braced for expulsion, it was lighter than expected.
[ "I'm sorry in your tough time, but we can't have repeats." ]
Cigarette Lindelhart had staked her position to cover for Roel.
If Roel couldn't overcome me, Cigarette would share the blame.
Dillon's 'student brainwashing' charges also surfaced.
These factors led to the mild punishment.
[ "......Professor, do you believe in me?" ]
Roel suddenly asks while listening.
Even through the screen, her dejection shows.
She'd lost confidence in herself.
Hurting Laila had hit hard.
Cigarette replies.
[ "I do. So prove it." ]
With that, Cigarette leaves.
Roel sits motionless for a while.
No words, just there.
Time passes.
Unable to leave the dorm, Roel's routine grows monotonous.
Wake in the morning, eat supplied food, lie in bed all day, sleep.
Sera visits occasionally, but never reaches Roel.
Blocked by the professor at the dorm entrance.
Laila......
Thankfully, recovered.
No further news.
Vacation arrives.
Despite house arrest, Roel is allowed home.
Cigarette argued it made no difference to the Academy whether dorm or home.
Roel boards the carriage home without seeing anyone.
As said before, this world favors Roel.
It flows toward her overcoming again, but her silence the whole ride worries me.
This darkness is new.
The carriage stops; statue-still Roel moves.
Door opens, she descends slowly, gazes at the manor.
Roel, Hero Academy candidate.
Now returned as Griffith family eldest daughter.
[ "I've heard everything." ]
Before the carriage stand retainers and the Griffith family head.
Short golden hair, cold demeanor.
Roel's father.
[ "You killed someone." ]
Blunt fact-checking.
Roel hesitates, then nods.
[ "Yes." ]
[ "Sigh......" ]
The sigh is stark.
Even watching via screen, the mood sours.
Roel swallows hard.
Bracing herself.
For disappointment, reprimand.
Worried she might break, I nearly mute the audio.
[ "The day has come, it seems." ]
[ "......Pardon?" ]
But.
[ "There's something you need to know, daughter." ]
No disappointment or scolding from the family head.
An unexpected 'truth'.
[ "About the family's secret." ]
I'd never deeply pondered my role.
Why? Unknown.
「A disposable villain, mere growth fodder.」
Vaguely assumed that.
[ "Heard of the founding patriarch?" ]
Truthfully, it was obvious.
The Inner Evil device wouldn't be so carelessly used.
[ "He was like you." ]
Suddenly, I'm the family secret.
[ "Let me tell you about the demon inside you." ]