Chapter 37: The Hero Ran Away!!

“So, you’ve decided to run away? That suits a fake hero just fine, doesn’t it?”

We had arrived at her workshop and conveyed everything about yesterday’s discussion as it was.

Surprisingly, even after hearing that we planned to leave the city, Aldebaran didn’t seem particularly concerned.

“Actually, the goddess kept nagging me to stay away from that bunch, so this works out nicely.”

“...Please, take care of this city.”

“Needless to say. I’ll blast every last demon away with my hellfire.”

Aldebaran nodded firmly at my request.

Apparently, the goddess had repeatedly warned her not to cooperate with Karl either, so she had no complaints about us leaving the city.

“You lot should hurry up and leave as well. Unless you want to get caught in my hellfire and vaporized.”

“...Right.”

I didn’t know how powerful Aldebaran really was. But seeing her so confident, I figured she must have the strength to back it up.

All that remained was for us to leave the city as quickly as possible, just as the goddess had instructed.

---

“Are demons really that terrifying?”

“It might not feel real to you, Yuri, but they’re a very, very dangerous enemy.”

“Hmm. In the legends, they just seem like punching bags for the Hero. Aren’t they just slightly tougher monsters?”

On the way back, Yuri asked us about the demons.

Apparently, in her mind, demons were little more than disposable small fry. True, in most Hero legends, demons are portrayed as mere fodder, thoroughly defeated to make the Hero look good.

She even seemed to believe that the relatively skilled adventurers in this city would be able to handle them.

“It’s only because they’re up against a Hero that they can be taken down. For a normal adventurer, encountering a demon is basically a death sentence.”

“Is that so...”

Seeing how seriously I and Aldebaran spoke about the demons, Yuri seemed to be growing more curious about their true nature.

It looked like she had already figured out from our reactions that Karl and Aldebaran were the real deal—true Heroes.

“Have you ever fought a demon, Irine?”

“...I have. When I did, even my spirit cannon was useless, and close combat was hopeless. I was shredded and nearly died.”

“Even the spirit cannon didn’t work? Then that means most existing magic won’t be effective either.”

“Exactly. Oh, but that happened back when I was wearing the monkey mask, so please keep it a secret from the rest of the party.”

“At the very least, take the mask off during a life-or-death battle...”

It’s not like she wanted to be wearing the mask. To be precise, she’d been ambushed while she happened to be wearing it.

“A massive creature, several meters tall—smashing houses with a single swing, splitting the earth with its roar. For an ordinary human, it was simply too much to handle.”

“...And one of those is about to attack the city? Are we really going to be okay?”

“Karl, empowered by the Hero’s blessing, drove off a horde of them by himself. I believe Aldebaran has similar combat ability.”

“From the sound of it, Karl’s really strong, huh. Honestly, I thought he was just a pervy idiot... He groped me the other day, after all.”

As if recalling something, Yuri looked down slightly, her cheeks reddening.

...That bastard. I figured he’d pulled something like that, but to think he even made a move on Yuri...

“I apologize for our leader. I’ll give him a good twisting next time.”

“Well, it was an accident. And I kind of discovered I don’t mind a bit of forcefulness... So I don’t really care.”

“Yuri, please stop opening any more strange doors.”

As expected from Yuri—her tastes were far too open-ended.

“But hearing all this about the demons... it’s starting to scare me. Is Karl really not going to stay in the city?”

“Apparently it’s because of a dispute between goddesses. Completely ridiculous.”

“Hmm... I see. But if something happens, promise you’ll come help, okay?”

“...Yes, of course. We owe you a lot, after all.”

Seriously, I’m getting fed up with the goddesses’ petty feuds.

We’ve been deeply indebted to Yuri during our time in this city.

She helped us with food, shelter, introduced us to scholars, gave us insights on staff-making and the theory behind future-vision magic. We learned so much from her.

To just leave her behind and run away from the demons... is that really something a Hero would do?

“...Maybe I should leave Karl’s party and stay behind here alone──── No. I wouldn’t be much of a fighting force on my own. If anyone needs to stay, it has to be Karl himself.”

“D-Don’t look so serious about it. Didn’t that Alde-whatever say she’d protect us? Isn’t that enough?”

“That’s true.”

But the real question is, can Aldebaran actually defend the city?

I don’t know her true combat strength. There’s no guarantee her power matches Karl’s.

Even the goddess said it herself: “I don’t know what kind of power Aldebaran received.”

“Yuri, can you see two days into the future?”

“Two days is a bit far. The further out I look, the more magic it costs, and the less accurate it becomes. Right now, I can only reliably see about half a day to a full day ahead.”

“I see. Then Yuri, please use your foresight just before our departure tomorrow to check on the day after tomorrow. If we can confirm the city is safe, we’ll be able to leave without regrets.”

“Oh, you don’t even have to ask. I was planning on it from the start.”

We’ll have Yuri predict the future and confirm the city’s safety. That’s the most I can do.

If even a hint of danger shows up, I’ll do whatever it takes to convince Karl to stay.

The same goes if there’s any threat to Yuri or Yuma-san.

“Well then, until tomorrow.”

“Yeah.”

By the time our conversation ended, we had arrived back at Yuri’s mansion.

I patted the white-haired girl, who we would part ways with tomorrow, on the head—and headed into the living room.

---

"Oh, welcome back, Irine."

"I'm home, everyone."

When I returned to the mansion, Karl and the others had already come back.

It was a bit late, so they were all already gathered around the dinner table.

"We went ahead and started eating."

"I'm sorry for being late."

"You were helping out with Yuri's research, right? It can't be helped."

"Actually, that wasn't the only reason. I happened to meet someone just a short while ago."

Since everyone was here, I told them about my encounter with Prince Garius and how he had foreseen a demonic assault.

I left out the part about secretly going to see Aldebaran.

"I'm sorry for acting on my own without permission."

"No, I think it’s fine. If we can anticipate an enemy attack in advance, we can evacuate people and minimize casualties."

"As long as you didn’t spill the beans about Karl being the Hero, I don’t see a problem."

Even though I’d acted on my own, no one really objected. Phew, that’s a relief.

"Also, I’d like to ask Yuri to do a prediction before we head out tomorrow. I want to be sure Aldebaran can really protect the city without any casualties."

"…Hmm. And if the prediction shows the city won’t be safe?"

"Well, that depends on what Yuri sees. But if there’s a risk to Yuri or Mr. Yuuma, then I believe we should stay behind. We owe those two a great deal."

They might think I'm being stubborn, but I firmly stand on the side of cooperating with Aldebaran.

Maybe it’s because I have less faith in the Goddess than most people.

"I get Yuri, but I don't really feel that indebted to her dad… Sure, he made some introductions and all."

"Let’s set that aside. Leaving behind a debt to someone who treated us so well during our stay would be a disgrace for any noble."

"I agree. For example, if Yuri were to die and we just walked away… That’s something I couldn’t do—not as a noble, but as a human being."

Seems like Sakura’s opinion is close to mine. She was originally in favor of staying, after all.

"Yeah. On the other hand, if the future shows the city will be protected, then we can leave with peace of mind. I support Irine’s idea too."

"Same here. I mean, it is what the Goddess said, so the prediction will probably show the city will be safe, right?"

"…Hmm. I suppose it's fine, then."

Alright. They’ve all agreed. Now we just have to wait for tomorrow’s prediction──

"But hey. What if the city really is doomed?"

"Huh?"

"What if Irine’s fears are right, and the city of Youin is destined to be destroyed? Are we still supposed to stay behind and try to protect it?"

Just when it seemed like everything was falling into place…

Maika looked at me with a blank expression and dropped that question.

"Of course, in that case—"

"The future only changes when spirits get involved. Otherwise, it's absolute—certain and unchangeable. Isn’t that how Yuri’s divination magic works?"

I was just about to say “Of course,” when Maika exhaled softly and looked me straight in the eyes.

"Whether Karl stays or not, if the prediction shows destruction, then that future won’t change… will it?"

"…But that’s only because Karl wasn’t here to protect the city!"

"Then if Karl stays, the future will change for sure?"

"I can’t say for certain, but I believe it’s very likely. After all, Karl can take down an entire horde of demons on his own, can’t he?"

"Karl is also weak enough to nearly die from one slap from your dainty little arms, Irine."

Why does it feel like Maika’s words have had a sharp edge ever since I made my proposal?

"Even when you look at the battle records of past Heroes, Karl’s offensive power ranks among the best. But he has no divine protection when it comes to defense. Let your guard down, and he could die instantly."

"…"

"Irine, do you think Karl is some kind of invincible weapon you can deploy at will? He’s a human being with his own will. Just a fragile, slightly strong swordsman."

"I-I never thought of him that way—"

"Every time he fights, the enemy gathers more data. Karl isn’t someone who should just be thrown into combat lightly. And on top of that, there’s another ‘Hero’ in this city with strength equal to Karl’s. If the Goddess told us to keep them apart, maybe that’s the reason why."

You think I see Karl as just a weapon? An unbeatable, invincible tool of war?

That’s not it. That’s not why I—

I just wanted to save everyone in this city. I believed that with someone as strong as Karl, we could definitely do that…

"If we see a future where the city is destroyed, then that’s all the more reason to leave. If humanity loses two Heroes at once, then we’re really finished."

"…So you're saying we should just abandon everyone in this city!?"

"That’s not what I said. I already told you, didn’t I, Irine? The only thing that can overturn a divination is the intervention of a spirit."

Maika was angry.

She was angry at me—for insisting that Karl should stay behind to protect the city.

"If you're that worried about the city, then you stay. You're the spirit guide, aren’t you? If anyone can change that future, it’s you, Irine."

…

I had no response to that.

"Hey, Maika. That was too harsh."

"Sorry, I let my emotions get the better of me. But the Karl I know… he wasn’t that strong to begin with."

Maybe she was just hiding it yesterday.

Karl insisted on staying and fighting in the city, while Sakura and I opposed him. Deep down, maybe he felt a fair amount of anger toward us.

"You nobles might’ve been taught that the people are something to protect. But for us, it’s enough just to protect what really matters."

"Maika, that’s enough."

"Don’t force your lofty pride onto us commoners. I couldn’t care less what happens to the people in this city."

"Maika!"

"You think I’m heartless? That I’m cold, ruthless, and uncaring? You’re right. I am."

There was an intensity in her voice.

And in that tone, real emotion could clearly be felt.

"We’ve known each other since we were kids, two orphans who only had each other. Even if you piled up every life in this city, Karl would still matter more… obviously."

"……"

She meant it. From the bottom of her heart, she was truly worried about Karl’s safety.

"I know I went too far. Got emotional… not really like me."

"No. I wasn’t thinking clearly either."

"I’ll go cool my head. In the end, if Yuuri’s foresight shows a peaceful future tomorrow, then there’s nothing to worry about."

Come to think of it, this might’ve been the first time I’d seen it.

Maika—always smiling, composed, and intelligent—showing this much raw emotion.

"The invincible battle weapon, huh? It’s true, I was only speaking under the assumption that Karl wouldn’t lose or get hurt."

"No, it’s fine if you think that way. I inherited the goddess’s power. I’m not going down so easily."

"You used to always get bullied by older kids, and I had to protect you. Sure, you probably got stronger after being chosen as the Hero, but to me, you’re still the same old crybaby Karl."

"Give it a rest. Ever since I started sword training, I haven’t been bullied!"

That’s right. Karl is surprisingly fragile.

He’s so lacking in toughness that even 50% of my power could leave him with a fatal wound.

"Sigh. Let’s just get some sleep, okay? We should talk after a good night’s rest, when we’ve sorted out our feelings."

"In the end, it’s up to Karl to decide."

What should I do? What action would be the right one?

If the future really holds the destruction of this city… then am I the one who should stay behind in Yowin, all alone?

"…Good night, Irine."

"Good night, Maika."

When we exchanged those parting words, surprisingly, both our voices were calm.

---

—Flames engulf the city.

—A crimson inferno scorches the people.

Agonizing screams echoed through the chaos.

People ran in terror. Cries of pain rang out. A woman stood frozen in shock before a burning infant.

Was this a vision of reality—or merely a dream?

—A familiar girl came sprinting past.

A girl with blue hair. Younger than Yuri or Lev—an impish little child they had met in the forest.

Rita, daughter of Garius, was racing through the burning streets, clutching something close to her chest.

“Hah... hah!”

Rita’s breath came in ragged gasps.

Pushing against the tide of fleeing crowds, the little girl ran with unwavering purpose.

“How dare you... do that... to Papa!”

Her eyes brimmed with hatred. She raised the object in her arms high—a device they had seen before in the forest, something called an Exploding Orb.

“How dare you—!”

And then—

In the next instant, the entire area around Rita was engulfed in a torrent of searing heat.

Nothing remained of the place where the little girl had stood—not even ash.

Only an overwhelming, merciless force of heat swept through the city, consuming it with mechanical indifference.

“—Fu... fu...”

At the center of that hellish landscape,

A lone mage stood.

And laughed.

---

“...!”

I jolted upright.

Looking around, I realized I had been sleeping in Yuri’s room.

“A... dream?”

My heart was racing, my breathing uneven.

It was just a dream. I had seen a nightmare—one where the entire city was reduced to ash.

I’m overthinking things. Even the goddess said it—so long as Aldebaran is here, the city is safe.

As long as she’s around, Yowin won’t fall.

“Hah... hah... hah...”

My breath was ragged. My throat was parched.

It was terrifying—truly a nightmare.

I should get some water. Calm down a little.

I sat on the edge of the bed and took a deep breath. The room was dark and quiet, with a cool breeze drifting in through the window.

Yeah... I’ll change and try to sleep again.

As I peeled off my sweat-drenched sleepwear and slowly stood up—

—Iri-ne.

Our eyes met.

A spirit I’d seen somewhere before.

“Eh—ah, gah!?”

Holy crap! Running into a spirit in the dark like this—it’s just like meeting a ghost!

Wait, this one... If I remember right...

“Uh, that form... You’re one of Rita’s friends, aren’t you?”

—Please... save Rita.

That’s right. Roppo.

This spirit was once a commoner child—Roppo was her name.

But why was she here, this late at night—

—That’s what this city will look like in two days.

—Please, Irine.

—Please... save Rita.

The spirit clung to me, pleading desperately.

She stood at my bedside and bowed her head deeply.

—Please... don’t leave.

---

“Karl, are you in!?”

“Mmgh, huh!?”

Spirits can see the future.

And their visions—granted only to spirit users—are more accurate than any divination magic known.

“Karl, I need a once-in-a-lifetime favor.”

What I saw moments ago… it wasn’t a nightmare.

It was real. A spirit’s vision—one that’ll come true two days from now.

“I-Irine? What the hell are you doing here in the middle of the night?”

“Just listen to me.”

It was deep into the night. The men's dorm was quiet except for our snoring Master. I slipped out and dragged Karl into the hallway.

After witnessing that hellish scene, I couldn’t just sit and wait.

“Wait… don’t tell me. Is this one of those pink-colored midnight visits—”

“No. I received a prophecy. From a spirit.”

“...Ah. So it’s that. Alright then. Tell me everything.”

I told him what I saw:

A town engulfed in flames. A literal hell on earth.

Rita—the girl we’d saved—gone. Not even ashes left behind.

The ones attacking? Human mages.

“When I woke, a spirit was right in front of me. So I know it wasn’t a dream.”

“…You’re serious.”

“I’m staying. I can’t abandon this town. And Karl—again, I’m asking something huge of you.”

After laying out the vision, I dropped to my knees and bowed low—forehead to the floor.

A full prostration.

“I know I’m putting your life on the line by asking this. But… please.”

“……”

“Please stay and help protect this town.”

This is the role I was born to play.

Saving strangers should be second nature. For someone of noble birth, that’s just common sense.

But Karl’s not like me. He’s a commoner, scraping by day to day. He doesn’t have the luxury to risk everything for others.

Wanting to save these people—it’s selfish. I know that.

“I hate watching people die. I hate seeing them suffer. If there’s a life within reach, and I can save it… I want to.”

“Irine…”

“If there’s anything I can do, I’ll do it. Even if it puts your party in danger. Still, I ask—please.”

That’s why I won’t guilt him into this.

This isn’t about what’s right. This is about what I want.

And I need his strength to make it happen.

“Please, Karl. Lend me your strength.”

Karl worships the goddess Sefa. He’s the type to follow her teachings like scripture.

So I braced myself.

“Irine… a girl really shouldn’t offer herself so easily…”

“I’m aware you’re moderately lecherous, Karl. I’ve made peace with that.”

“H-Hold on now. I’ve never intentionally done anything lewd—”

“But you do enjoy the results, don’t you? You get more attention than you admit.”

I still remember that last drinking party. You called me lewd, remember? You went on and on.

I remember everything, Karl.

“…Are men just wired this way? Was I really giving off that vibe?”

“Ask any girl in our party. You’ll get a unanimous answer.”

“No way. I wanna die.”

Karl looked genuinely hurt.

Come on. Did you really think you didn’t come off that way?

“Anyway, let’s shelve that for now. If I think about it more, I’ll spiral.”

“Right. So Karl… what’s your answer?”

“You don’t even need to ask.”

Honestly, I’d braced myself. I figured he might ask to grope me or something minor—and I’d probably have allowed it.

But instead, he just crossed his arms and smiled.

Calmly.

“I’m Karl before I’m a hero—and I’m the leader of this party.”

“…Yes.”

“If a comrade asks for help, I’m in. Even if it goes against the Goddess’s orders.”

With a grin, like he hadn’t just made a huge decision, Karl nodded.

“Let’s stay and fight. This is the kind of hero I’ve always wanted to be.”

Just like that—without hesitation—he accepted