Chapter 115
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 115
Chapter Title: Failure Means Rebellion, Success Means Revolution, But Ruin After Success... (7)
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"...Coming here so often, even the road feels familiar now."
Three days since departing Hasler.
The trolls in the Ode Swamp had drastically decreased in number, allowing us to clear a path between Carmen and Hasler. Thanks to that, travel was much faster than before.
Not long ago, construction had blocked the way entirely.
Who knew it was already complete?
We'd been slightly delayed by King Orlando of the Orlando Kingdom, who was practically under escort, along with his guard knights.
Even so, it only took three days. It would've been four or five even crossing the Ode Swamp in the past.
Anyway, we arrived at the capital comfortably and quickly.
"I used to live around here before. It feels weird saying I've been coming here often."
Jenny laughed as if she found it amusing.
She's right.
Lin, Jenny, and I... well, precisely at the Hero Academy, had stayed here before.
But oddly, it feels like I'm wandering the capital more now than back then.
We were holed up in the academy and never stepped out.
I don't know about Lin or Jenny, but.
"...Not memories I particularly want to remember."
Lin's expression hardened slightly.
Oh, right. Lin went through a lot of bad stuff at the academy.
She nearly died to an orc.
Almost got possessed by a demon and lost her body.
She even cut ties with the Hero Academy over it.
No wonder she doesn't want to remember.
"...An academy where Instructor Kane wasn't a teacher. I really want to erase it from my memory. I miss Teacher Kane..."
Wait, that's what she meant...?
"I haven't really been here much."
Meanwhile, Scarlett scratched her head and looked around the capital.
"Just briefly on the way to Revaskar before, and coming back."
Come to think of it, the day I quit the academy, that's when I ran into Scarlett.
She said she had business in the marquisate.
If she hadn't recommended the adventurer instructor position in Hasler back then.
I'd probably be farming in some village by now.
Thinking about it, I'm incredibly grateful.
Thanks to her, I got a great job.
And met great people.
"It's a bit belated, but thank you for introducing me to the adventurer instructor position, Miss Scarlett."
"Huh? Oh, right, I told you to go for it. Hahaha! Talk about belated."
As expected of Scarlett, she accepted the thanks with an awkward grin.
"......"
At that moment, I felt dissatisfied glares from behind.
"Aren't Big Brother and Sis a bit too close?"
"...They're practically glued together."
Jenny and Lin were glaring at us with faces full of displeasure.
What? I was just saying thanks. Why call it 'too close'...
"...Hmm."
Looking now, we were only about a fist's width apart.
When did we get this close?
"Ah, sorry. I got too close."
I subtly stepped back.
Scarlett wasn't the type to get embarrassed over something like this anyway.
It probably just felt like friends being buddy-buddy.
Lin and Jenny were overreacting.
"......"
...Huh? But Miss Scarlett.
Why are you staying silent with a flushed face?
T-This isn't the usual Scarlett.
When an absolute beauty like her makes such a genuinely pure and pitiable expression...
"Ah..."
"Uh..."
Suddenly, everyone around froze.
Lin and Jenny, who were full of complaints about the situation.
King Orlando, brimming with anxiety and fear about his fate.
Even the passersby.
Her stunning beauty melted away all dissatisfaction, irritation, and jealousy.
We could only stare blankly at her face.
...T-This is Scarlett's aptitude, the power of Pure and Pitiable...?
It vividly showed what it means to conquer purely with appearance.
Yeah, even if someone was a hundred or a thousand times stronger than Scarlett, they'd lose.
Man or woman, they'd be captivated by her beauty and unable to act.
Hmm, actually, if not for her bold personality and behavior.
If she were truly pure... maybe Scarlett really is the strongest?
"W-What are you staring at?! Let's hurry to the palace!!"
Perhaps embarrassed by all the stares.
Scarlett yelled like usual and marched toward the palace.
"Ah, r-right. We should go."
"Y-Yeah. Let's hurry."
Jenny and Lin finally snapped out of it.
We headed to the palace too.
"...She's my sister, but she's seriously dangerous."
Jenny muttered from behind with a grave expression.
Lin, I, and even King Orlando nodded in agreement.
"You've had a hard journey escorting the state guest here."
Upon arriving at the palace, we were immediately granted an audience with His Imperial Majesty the Emperor.
The Emperor ordered knights to drag away King Orlando, the state guest.
His guard knights were all relocated elsewhere.
To isolate him from his escorts and confine him to the state guest quarters.
Anyway, afterward, he was commending our achievements.
"We'll send the rewards to Hasler soon. It'd be hard to carry them from here."
...No idea how much or what, but.
We'll gratefully accept whatever it is.
"Rest well in the capital for now. We'll contact you once the next schedule is set."
The Pacific Kingdom rescue operation.
Including me, Jenny, Scarlett, and Lin.
All four of us were slated to join as mercenaries.
Of course, lacking the power to fight demons, I'd handle investigations into the mastermind behind this and the half-human half-demons from a safe rear position.
Officially, it's as an advisor consultant.
Honestly, wouldn't heroes like Mersenne or Jenny, who've actually subjugated demons, be better suited for consulting on half-human half-demons and demons, since my knowledge is mostly theoretical?
I don't know much.
Just what I've read in books...
Half-human half-demons.
Unlike demon possession, where the demon directly enters the body, these are wicked beings who sell their souls to demons for power directly.
They lack the immense power of demon possession.
But they retain nearly all their original human or subrace abilities.
And since they willingly accept demonic energy for power, they're far more dangerous.
Especially if heroes or saviors seek greater power and obtain it— it could cause severe issues.
They might even rival or surpass demons in strength.
Plus, being half from the middle realm, holy power or light magic doesn't affect them as strongly as pure demons.
...At first glance, they seem invincible without weaknesses.
But half-human half-demons have a fatal flaw.
Being unstable mixes of demon and middle realms, they're extremely vulnerable to status ailments.
Like their bodies are inherently fragile with low immunity?
Weakening, slowing, poison, paralysis.
Scarlett's physical specialization aside.
Lin uses ice magic, which inherently slows.
Jenny's a genius who knows nearly all magic anyway...
She can even use debuff or buff magic, covering Scarlett's physical focus.
Jenny alone perfects the party.
...That's about the extent of my thoughts.
Grasping some weaknesses and countermeasures?
Half-human half-demons are rare cases anyway, and even known ones lack much data—hard to find info.
This is my limit.
Those who've fought them directly would know better and prepare accordingly?
"Instructor Kane."
"Ah, yes. Your Imperial Majesty."
Oh no.
I was lost in thought.
Spacing out before the Emperor.
Isn't that lèse-majesté? Will I be punished?
"Use this while resting in the capital."
Far from punishment, the Emperor handed me a large pouch of gold.
"It'll take about a week, so I put in around 40,000 brett. That should suffice?"
"......"
Suffice...?
This could last four months...
A-As expected of Carr Empire's Emperor.
Spending on another level.
I'll use it very gratefully, Your Absolute Imperial Majesty.
"Then we'll take our leave."
"Mm, one moment."
"...?"
What? More rewards left?
Or not like demons, give and take back?
"Mersenne asked me to pass on a message."
Phew, not that.
But a message from Mersenne?
Come to think of it, we haven't seen him once since arriving.
I figured he'd make a fuss about escorting the saint and goddess the moment we arrived.
A message means...
He moved somewhere we can't meet?
Where to?
"Mersenne headed to the Mera Alliance."
"...Pardon?"
Huh? Wait.
Why does Mera Alliance come up suddenly?
"As you suspected. Parus Remnant had ties to the Mera Alliance."
Mersenne used guided interrogation, baiting him with extending his lifespan.
As a result, Parus secretly took Mersenne to the Mera Alliance...
"...To that extent."
It was just supposed to be an investigation.
But he risked his life infiltrating enemy territory... and he's the man dubbed the most hero-like hero.
His father colluding with demons, demons toying with saviors' lifespans, and their underlings.
He must want to tear them all apart.
Yet he endures to uncover it...
"Then, Mersenne's message."
"......"
"Instructor Kane and Miss Jenny, don't worry about me—do your duties. I respect you always... or so he said."
...Honestly, at first, I wondered what kind of guy he was.
When he went on about saints and goddesses.
Thought he was nuts.
Now I can say for sure.
He's nuts, but he's our comrade.
"Your Imperial Majesty. Forgive me, but may we adjust our schedule slightly?"
And if a precious comrade is in danger.
It's right to save him.