Chapter 198
Chapter 198
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 198
Chapter Title: Play - 1
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All the secrets of the world, as seen through the complete Eye of Omniscience.
They were truths so staggering that even calling it science fiction wouldn't be an exaggeration.
Even the party members found it overwhelming to process everything in just one day.
They spent their time huddled together in groups or apart, feverishly debating the truths they'd heard.
I did my best not to interfere or offer advice, simply watching quietly.
[Is this okay?]
'Well, these are the same guys who were cracking jokes the day before the final battle with the Demon King. They'll be fine.'
[Hmm.]
'That said, we don't have much time left before contacting Idria. Ideally, I'd like them to pull themselves together by the end of today.'
It had been a full day since I'd shared all the secrets.
I'd told Idria we'd meet again three days after we parted, which meant tomorrow was the day we'd settle things.
I hoped everyone could return to their usual form before then.
That's when it happened.
Knock knock.
"Maide, you there?"
It was Neril's voice.
Instead of answering, I flung the door open.
She looked far better than I'd feared—quite cheerful, in fact.
"What's up?"
"You've been holed up in your room all day. I got worried and came to check."
"I was the one worried about you guys."
"Pfft. The others are fine now. They've all got pretty tough heads."
"Isn't that usually called mental fortitude?"
Neril smirked and said,
"Anyway, there's something I want to tell you."
"Sure, come in."
"Uh... before that, Trail? Sorry, but could you give us some space? You can go hang out with Adwin. I cleared it with him beforehand."
Trail stammered in a fluster.
[Have a good time.]
He wasn't visible to us, but we could feel him slip away smoothly.
I sat Neril on the bed.
She spoke.
"You remember those secrets you told us about yesterday?"
"Yeah."
"Out of all of them, guess which one shocked me the most?"
"...Probably something about how this world really works."
The infinite hero and the infinite Demon King. Their infinite war.
And the infinite worlds spawned as a result of that war.
This place was just one of those countless worlds.
And...
"If I had to add one more, maybe that I was originally the master of this world?"
"Hmm. Nope."
"Nope?"
"Sure, they're all shocking enough to blow anyone's mind, but there was something even more intriguing."
What could it be?
I tilted my head.
Neril continued.
"And the other party members felt the same. Out of everything you told us, there was one thing that hit us hardest."
"...?"
"That you met us in the past."
I drew in a sharp breath.
Last night, while revealing all the secrets, I'd also mentioned that this was my second life.
With so much mind-bending info, I hadn't thought this part was particularly standout.
But for Neril and the others, this was what they'd zeroed in on.
Scratching my head, I said,
"Why's that the most interesting part?"
"What kind of people were we back then?"
"Huh? What do you mean? It was the same people—just a different timeline."
"I have a feeling we were totally different."
I fell silent for a moment.
She was right.
In my previous life, Neril was still the Witch of Atrocities.
She and Jenia were always at odds, barely speaking outside of official business.
Adwin had a more melancholic vibe than now.
Offense had built invisible walls with the rest of the party.
Risel hardly ever spoke first, and Serein always seemed like she was hiding something, which made things awkward plenty of times.
'Are these really the same people?'
That's how much it made me question.
Neril said,
"I get it. I can tell just from your face."
"Neril."
"I have two things to say. First... I'm sorry."
I gave her a puzzled look.
"Sorry? For what?"
"In that era, we didn't believe in you."
"No, hold on. Back then, I never even said Kaild was a fake hero. I didn't have the Eye of Omniscience or anything."
"..."
"That wasn't something for you guys to apologize for. I kept my distance from the party back then. If anyone's sorry, it's me."
Why had I acted like that?
What made me think I was too good to get close to these great people?
Even without the Eye of Omniscience.
Even if my reputation was worthless.
Even if I didn't know how to turn reputation into power.
None of that was reason to distance myself from my comrades.
I'd never dwelled on it before, but right now, bone-deep regret hit me.
Swish.
Then Neril took my hand.
"Don't apologize. Without the Eye of Omniscience or Trail, you had every reason to believe Kaild was the hero back then."
"If you're saying that, then you guys don't need to apologize either."
"Hehe. Got it. Now, the second thing."
Her face flushed a bit.
"Thank you."
"Huh?"
"Thank you for seeking us out after your return instead of looking for new party members."
"...!"
"Thank you for meeting us again this time. Thank you for building a completely different relationship with us."
I couldn't muster a reply and turned my head away.
But I realized that would just give away my red ears.
So I looked back into Neril's eyes.
"I just thought it'd be more efficient that way."
"You're killing the mood again."
"Ahem."
"Anyway, that's all. Everyone, you can come in now."
Neril called out toward the door.
As if they'd been waiting, the door clicked open, and the party members filed in.
"Time to eat, guys."
"At this hour? It's midnight."
"Yeah. Exactly."
"Yeah. Exactly... Huh?"
They all had refreshed looks on their faces.
I said in disbelief,
"You were eavesdropping."
"Neril just said what we all wanted to. But they're kinda embarrassing words, right?"
"..."
"So we decided to dump it all on one person. For the record, Neril volunteered."
I looked at Neril.
She just shrugged like it was no big deal.
I said,
"You really don't have any other questions? We talked about some massive stuff yesterday."
"Who cares about that, Maide."
"..."
"Honestly, it was just 'huh, guess that's how it is.' What matters to me more than some huge-scale story is whether this party can keep going."
Serein sat in a chair, swinging her legs.
Jenia picked up after her.
"Plus, it's not all that practical. Right now, we need to focus on the fight with Idria."
"Right, bro."
"What's the best route to take?"
"Route's secondary. Presentation is key. Presentation."
I closed my eyes gently.
A ticklish smile played at my lips.
Swish.
Trail, back with me, said,
[Your party members' guts never cease to amaze me, no matter how many times I see them.]
'Yeah. Truly.'
As if this was all par for the course.
Clap.
I clapped my hands lightly and said,
"We need to sleep early to prepare for tomorrow, so let's wrap this up quick."
"Yeah."
"Alright. First, the map."
Rustle.
Neril spread out the map.
We huddled our heads together and began final preparations for the play with Idria.
Yeah. The secrets of the world? Whatever.
Let this world keep turning as it always has.
All that matters is removing the grit jamming up those gears.
Let's do this.
Not for the world. Not for humanity.
Just for the future these guys will live in.
The next day.
I contacted Idria.
We'd agreed to meet at the Koscart Mountains as planned.
Whoosh.
With Agril and Mime's help, we arrived at the rendezvous point in just over two hours.
"She's over there."
Jenia pointed to a spot.
Sure enough, Idria was standing there, looking up at us calmly.
Beside her were Sobius, Pirensha, and Sabak.
The absence of Bartore, who was supposed to be with them, was palpable.
We descended and soon landed on the ground.
"..."
"..."
There was a moment of silence between us.
I noted their faces looked pretty grim.
I said,
"You all look worn out."
"It's not exactly a sing-song occasion, is it?"
Idria's voice was low and husky.
"Three days ago, I lost my child. And today marks my utter downfall."
"..."
"Even if this play wraps up perfectly and you kill Velosian, to me it'll just be one threat gone."
Idria's threats were twofold.
One went without saying: Velosian.
The other was undoubtedly me.
I replied indifferently,
"Don't tell me you've changed your mind now."
"I'm not saying that."
"Good. I sent over the flow of the play, the routes, and everyone's lines last night, right? Have you rehearsed enough?"
Idria and her minions answered with bug-sucking faces.
I took that as a yes.
Neril counted on her fingers and said,
"It's been quite a while. Maide."
"Yeah. Let's get started."
I looked back at Idria.
"One last rundown for final checks."
"...Fine."
"First, I'll give a speech. Then..."
I explained calmly, step by step.
Idria, who had wiped out our party in my previous life.
The final battle with the Demon King of Lies was about to begin.
Lena McCree of Drucker territory had been run off her feet lately.
Her father, the head of the merchant company, was giving her systematic training.
When Maide had first saved her from the bandits, she was just a girl, but now she could handle operations in his absence.
The spoiled brat who'd stormed off in a pique during a picnic was long gone.
"Whew."
After nonstop scribbling, she suddenly felt fatigued and stretched.
Whenever she took a moment like this to clear her head, one name always came to mind.
'Sir Maide.'
The Unyielding Sword Emperor who'd saved her that day was actually the hero.
No, beyond that—he was a giant who'd toppled even the Heavenly God.
That fact was a tremendous source of pride for Lena.
At first, she'd felt jealous of the pushy saint who claimed to be his lover, but now Maide was on such a different plane that even those feelings were gone.
Remembering her immature days made Lena's face flush.
That's when it happened.
Swoosh.
Her vision suddenly shifted.
She'd experienced this sensation several times since the great flood.
'Sir Maide!'
In the changed view, Maide was climbing a mountain path with his companions.
Maide spoke.
-Everyone. The day has finally come.
My comrades and I are heading to fight the Demon King of Lies, Idria.
Forgive me for stealing precious time from your busy lives.
But I need your strength.
Your cheers.
Please share the moment we defeat the Demon King with us.
'Of course!'
Lena clasped her hands tightly.
-There they are. Demon King Idria and her minions.
Even though she didn't need to turn her head, Lena instinctively shifted her posture.
There stood a woman with purple hair and golden eyes.
The Demon King.
Her minions flanked her on either side.
'Those bastards!'
The Demon King and her gang who'd deceived humanity from the shadows.
Maide said,
-Neril, Jenia. You two handle Sobius.
-Got it.
-Leave it to us.
Maide turned his head.
-Adwin and Offense, take Sabak.
-Will do.
-Be careful, bro.
-Serein and Risel, Pirensha's yours.
-Yes. We'll finish quick and join you.
-Stay safe, everyone.
Maide was impressive, but the other heroes matched humanity's hope perfectly too.
Warmth from Neril. Solemnity from Jenia.
Strictness from Offense. Humility from Adwin.
Wisdom from Risel. Nobility from Serein.
As if they embodied those very words.
'They are humanity's hope.'
Lena started to habitually pray to the Heavenly God, then startled herself.
'Get it together.'
The Heavenly God was nothing but trash.
She'd been praying to the wrong one.
She prayed from the heart.
'Hero. Heroes.'
Please save humanity.