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“······.”

Before the empty round table, the Man in Robe swallowed hard. Usually, he would have said something by now, but his silence reminded everyone of how things were unfolding.

“Kihihihik! Is this all your brilliant mind can come up with? If that’s the case, why not just charge in as I said!”

The man sitting across from him taunted. Unlike the Man in Robe, he was fully visible, sporting a pale purple skin, dark red pupils, and sharp teeth like a shark.

“Be quiet.”

When the silent man finally spoke, the air around them felt heavy.

“A few dead won’t matter. Preparations are underway, so just do your part.”

While each Demon was indeed a disaster, their numbers weren’t small either. Due to limited capacity in passing from the Demon Realm to this world, some Demons still remained where they belonged. Therefore, there were plenty to replace those who died. There’s no need to fuss over a few Demons’ deaths.

“Kikik… What did the Master say?”

“…Nothing at all.”

“Again?”

Though he hadn’t been one for many words, he would give orders from time to time. But lately, he strangely hadn’t given any commands. Was it a sign he wanted them to maintain the status quo, or had he relinquished all authority to them? As the Man in Robe fell into thought, he was quickly mocked from across the table.

“Kihihih. Has he kicked the bucket?”

–Crack!

With a fierce glare, the Man in Robe smashed the table in half. Simultaneously, an overwhelming killing intent surged towards the man across.

“You’d do well to watch your words. As a mere creature, it’s far too early for you to speak of the Master’s death.”

“Kihayahayahah! I thought you’d lost your edge from being quiet lately, but you’re still alive!”

An atmosphere thick with impending violence brewed. Yet, it was the Man in Robe who ultimately withdrew. With humans uniting, it would only serve to prove they were even more foolish than the humans they considered dimwitted should they engage in a fight here.

“What’s up? You not going to? I thought I might enjoy myself for a moment.”

But regardless, the man on the other side simply licked the blade with disappointment. The Man in Robe sighed at this and shifted the topic.

“I have a job for you.”

“Kehehek—I’ve been waiting eagerly!”

“Head to Alvheim. The Seal will be broken soon.”

“So we’re done hiding, huh?”

“It’s not us. That monster will handle it.”

Once the Seal is broken, Alvheim would disappear from the map in an instant. Even with the World Tree, it was more focused on defense and support. Unable to defeat it, they’d only buy time until it vanished.

*

Someone called my name, and a momentary silence fell over the guild. It was so quiet it felt like time had stopped. But that was an omen; soon after, hushed whispers grew louder than before. Judging by the situation, it was clear that someone searching for me was the root cause of this commotion.

So who could possibly cause such a stir just by showing up? If I had to guess, it would be an S-Rank Adventurer, but they wouldn’t bother searching for me, so they’re out of the running. With S-Rank Adventurers excluded, no one came to mind. So, I decided to act like I hadn’t heard anything. After all, such situations were always tiresome.

Then, heavy footsteps approached the center of the guild and stopped at one point. Listening closely, it had to be the reception area where we had just been. Judging by the direction, Adela must be there.

“Receptionist. Is there a man named Luke here?”

Please say there isn’t, Adela! I desperately tried to send telepathic messages to her, believing the universe would help if I wished hard enough.

“Um… Mr. Luke is the one with black hair over there.”

Damn it! Adela betrayed me! My heartfelt wish didn’t reach the cosmos. As soon as my location was revealed, I heard a group approaching me. If I’d known this would happen, I would have worn my invisibility cloak the moment they called my name.

“Human. Are you Luke?”

A woman from the group that had closed in on me spoke. Who on earth was so desperate to find me? With the thought of at least acknowledging their face, I turned around. The person seeking me, as it turned out, was an elf. In this world, elves are typically haughty. They possess an inherent arrogance, look down on all other races, and seldom leave their villages. Thus, I had excluded them from my list of likely intruders at the guild. So why on Earth are they here?

Of course, it’s not that elves don’t appear in the story. There are episodes involving the World Tree, such as directly visiting Arthur at the Academy. The issue is that the timing for such events is too early. The monsters involved are of a strength that far exceeds anything we’ve encountered so far.

“Human. I ask you one last time. Are you Luke?”

“No! I’m Arthur!”

Beside me, Luna and Riche stared at me as if I were crazy, but so what? There’s no way I’m giving my name to someone I don’t know.

“Since you’re repeating what the Master said, it seems you must be Luke.”

Ah, damn it, future vision. I got snared in a trap.

“No, I said I’m Arthur!”

“You don’t have time for wordplay.”

You came looking for me but don’t want to humor me? These people are completely insane.

“I have something to discuss, can you move to a place with fewer listeners?”

I had just arrived at the Adventurer’s Guild, and already they wanted to change locations? Such a hassle. I merely pointed to an empty table inside the guild. I hadn’t planned to talk anyway, but since I was caught in this situation, I just wanted to hear what they had to say and get rid of them quickly.

The elf woman frowned at my finger.

“…Do you not understand my words?”

“If you don’t like it, just leave.”

“······.”

A long silence ensued. The elf woman, staring intensely at me, seemed to be pondering her next move. Not long after, her contemplation came to an end.

“Fine.”

Thus, we, along with the elf entourage, drew the attention of all the adventurers as we approached an empty table. With seven of us in total, we couldn’t all fit around the table, leaving just me and the elf woman facing each other.

As soon as I sat down, a thin veil of wind enveloped us. Given the current situation, it looked like a soundproof barrier.

“Given the location, speak briefly and concisely.”

She got to the point as soon as we sat down. I couldn’t help but wonder how important this discussion must be. That’s a lie, as I already had an inkling of what it was about.

“The world is in danger. The Master seeks you, can you come with us to Alvheim?”

“But I’m not Luke.”

“I’ve already been informed, so stop the charade. The world’s fate hangs in the balance, and we must act swiftly.”

I was trying to maintain this act to the end, but, of course, she had future vision. What a cursed World Tree. I have no idea why they’re chasing me for the world’s salvation. They should go to that toilet of a character at the Academy instead. The elf woman’s expression grew more serious at my bewildered look.

“Do you not care if the world is doomed?”

“Not particularly?”

“···What?”

You all don’t care about the world’s doom either. Don’t act all righteous and filled with conviction. If the world’s demise didn’t include their precious Alvheim, elves would have had no more interest than a speck of dust in the world burning away and other races perishing. The only reason they’re visiting me directly must be that they’re the ones most at risk. Such typical elves.

“This is why humans…! Didn’t I tell you the world is ending! You’re going to die! Not just you, but countless humans will bleed! Yet, you have no thoughts on it?”

“You think the World Tree said that?”

“What?”

“Did the World Tree tell you I was a hero to save the world?”

I bet it never said a word about that. It merely called for my assistance. It sounded like these elves were simply interpreting my role as the hero saving the world in their delusions.

If that’s the case, they’ve got the wrong address. If they’re looking for the world’s hero, they should have gone to the Academy next door. Sorry, but I couldn’t care less what happens to the world.

Haven’t I always said this? I aim to be a psychopathic villain rather than a dumb protagonist filled with just justice. I strive to reclaim the true freedom of doing what I want without worry and not being oppressed by anyone.

“Do you know what the scariest thing in the world is?”

No one would be able to provide a definitive answer to what is the scariest thing. The fears people feel vary greatly. Ghosts, monsters, demons, the dark, the thought of death. All are potential sources of fear for someone, but I can state with certainty what is truly the scariest.

“What frightens the most is someone who has nothing to lose.”

For any race, someone with nothing left is genuinely terrifying. People live for a reason, however insignificant, because they must. Some may continue living out of fear of death.

But what if someone truly has nothing? No family, no friends, no wealth or honor. If they’ve got nothing left and thus can’t find a reason to live? From that point, who knows what such a person might do. They could commit serial murders up until death, kidnap and assault anyone, or decide to rob a bank with just a knife.

Why am I saying all this now? Because I fit that description perfectly. I’m someone who has nothing to lose. Luke’s family? I have no idea if they even exist, but judging by the fact that not a single letter reached their child at the Academy, they must either be dead or I was an orphan from the start. And just because I’m not rich enough to take a bath in gold coins? Not so. I only have enough money to get by.

In short, if the world were to perish, I could just die and hope for a better next life. As I seriously explained this, the elf woman merely stared at me as if struggling to comprehend. So the elf who had been watching quietly stepped forward.

“Evangelin, is it really necessary to go through all this trouble with a human? We could just cut off his limbs and take him along.”

What’s with this guy’s attitude? Did living long enough cause this elf to lose his marbles? The World Tree’s orders really seem to have no bound, considering the lengths he’d go to follow them.

To elves, the World Tree is akin to a god. Unlike the invisible deities humans believe in, the World Tree exists, and it grants elves power. To elves, the World Tree is a being on par with their god.

Thus, if the World Tree gives an order, they’ll follow it faithfully. However, the methods they employ are wildly misplaced. For instance, if the World Tree were to command them to bring the Emperor, they’d likely destroy the Empire to deliver him straight to the World Tree. If it orders them to bring me, they’d probably just chop off my limbs to bring me along.

Seeing the man draw his sword from his waist as if he really intended to slice me up, it was clear he had completely lost it. We decided to label folks like this as the worst kind.

“Sorry, but you have no right to refuse. We have our reasons as well, and even if it requires some forceful measures, we will take you with us.”

The elf woman spoke as the soundproof barrier came down. The sudden tension made the atmosphere within the guild grow quite heavy. The adventurers, even while bearing a combative demeanor, backed off slightly, knowing the elves’ power. With a disinterested expression, I turned to Luna.

“Luna. In this case, there’s no way I would get kicked out even if I fought back, right?”

“You wouldn’t get kicked out, but it’s not without consequence.”

Usually, the Guild Master Argo intervened to sort things out, but he was nowhere to be seen today, perhaps off on a mission.

“Human. Follow us, or have your limbs severed and become a cripple. Choose.”

“Is that all you have to say?”

“Yes. You have exactly one minute from now.”

During that one minute, I commanded Luna and the others not to intervene. Loose cannons like those who don’t even understand the topic need their confidence shattered, but Luna and Riche wouldn’t know how, and Yui is far too naive. Moreover, dealing with such matters is my forte.

“A minute has passed. What’s your answer?”

“Yeah. You can die.”

–Thud!

 

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