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Chapter 441. Parting and True Form

— Arthur seemed to be troubled right up until the ship’s departure.

The city of Kaemuran, under the encroaching twilight, was enveloped in a frenzied atmosphere.

Residents, including cat-type beastmen, were carrying their belongings as they fled, fearing the empire’s oppression. Those who chose to stay behind were frantically securing food and necessities. It’s said that there was a rush of hopeful passengers wanting to board the Sardarun; if the bishops Lexar hadn’t been there to directly ask the captain, they might not have made it at all.

“I can also handle miraculous healing. If the imperial army attempts to harm the citizens, I have the power to stop them. I can protect the Kaemuran branch from the Light Blade Cultists. And yet…”

I can’t take on the imperial army, but there’s still much I can do as a healer. Should I really just leisurely escape by myself? Is it okay for me to enjoy a peaceful vacation…?

Arthur was biting his lip. The fact that Bishops Lexar were heading to the front lines was likely another source of his distress.

Is it right for me to dawdle while others are fighting desperately or preparing to fight? That guilt nags at me.

…Well, a vacation is exactly for that purpose, so I shouldn’t worry about it at all. I get how he feels, though…

That said, if he decided right here and now, “I’m staying!!,” that would really complicate things.

“I’m sorry, but this is where we say goodbye, Arthur.”

“Huh?”

So, I stepped in to take the lead before Arthur could say something strange.

“If Bishops Lexar are being called up, there might be something for me too.”

There might be something (most likely nothing), but Arthur and the others probably interpret me as one of those special operatives from the ‘Seventh Bureau.’

“I’ve seen and heard various things while on vacation at Aulitos Lake… I’d been thinking I should report back to the homeland at some point. Now, I plan to head east.”

To the homeland (Demon Lord Kingdom). It’s true I think I should head back sooner or later.

Well, when members of the Holy Church say ‘homeland,’ they usually mean the Holy Kingdom!

“So, farewell, Arthur.”

I put on a sad smile and lightly tapped Arthur’s shoulder.

“Alex…”

Arthur squeezed the hand resting on his shoulder and pursed his lips.

“Bishops Lexar… and you, Alex… we all have our own duties to fulfill. If that’s the case, then I too—!”

“Arthur.”

I cut him off and leaned in to whisper in his ear.

“—You still have a wife and children you haven’t met yet, right?”

“…!”

That’s right.

From the next town, Arthur’s wife and children are waiting.

Kaemuran is a port town at the southwestern tip of the duchy. If we head further west, we’ll leave the duchy and once again return to the city-states around Aulitos Lake.

“While we’re talking, ships are continuously leaving Kaemuran.”

At the port, under the hues of the sunset, I watched as merchant and passenger ships unfurled their sails and hurriedly departed one after another.

“If Kaemuran is occupied, ships won’t come here for the foreseeable future. Isn’t your vacation almost over, Arthur?”

“…”

“If you miss this opportunity… not only will you not meet your wife, but it could also affect your return to the front lines after the vacation.”

“…”

I could travel on land, but who knows what might happen if I stay in the duchy because of the imperial army?

“I’ve thought a lot about it. Honestly, I can’t stand the imperial army, and I want to charge in immediately. But… what I can do as a hero is limited…”

So…

“For the sake of humanity and the alliance, I’ll do what I can.”

I smiled at Arthur.

“I might not be able to stop the war right away. But I think I can at least spark some efforts. For now, I’ll do my best in Arthur’s stead. So during the rest of your vacation, I want you to think about your family.”

Having a family waiting for you is a good thing. Really.

“I… don’t have a proper family left anymore… So at least for Arthur, who does have family…”

Aware of my shadowy handsome smile, I made that firm statement, and I felt a heavy pressure from Leila, who had come to see Arthur off.

“…I guess Leila is the only one I can call family!”

“Smile…!”

“And once your vacation is over, Arthur, you’ll have to give it your all, whether you like it or not.”

Arthur gave a wry smile at my blunt words.

“But… Alex, you’re not on vacation yet either.”

“For me, it’s not so much a vacation… let’s say there’s a special situation I can’t disclose…”

I’m under house arrest…

“Oh, that’s alright. It must be complicated.”

Probably about fifty times more complicated than you think.

“Well, I’ll take it easy with Leila while we’re on the move.”

As I playfully draped my arm around Leila’s shoulder, she blushed and smiled shyly.

Arthur smiled as well, and soon we all quietly gazed at the lake.

“…You know, as a hero, it’s not fitting to say this, but to be honest, I really want to spend time with my family.”

The sun sank, and the port darkened gradually. Looking toward the Sardarun, which was preparing to depart, shadows fell across Arthur’s profile.

“If the approaching enemy were truly humanity’s foe, I couldn’t run away as a hero of the Hilburn family. But… for better or worse, the imperial army isn’t the ‘enemy’ per se. It really doesn’t sit right with me…”

He said with a self-mocking tone.

“…Unlike the demon lord’s army, the residents of this city won’t be slaughtered.”

Turning around to look back at the chaotic Kaemuran, he spoke to himself.

“Compared to the demon’s invasion… it’s better, right? Of course, it’s unfortunate for the cat-type beastmen.”

“I feel the same way about that.”

“Is it really okay to prioritize myself, though?”

“It’s alright. You’re not being selfish. It’s not like anybody is expecting less from Arthur.”

I patted him on the back.

“You’ve contributed to humanity on the front lines. Once your vacation ends, you’ll do that again. Once word spreads of how tough it is to fight against the demon lord’s army as a hero… no one will complain about you, Arthur. No, I won’t allow that.”

— I’ll make it widely known.

How hard and challenging it is to fight against the demon lord’s army and demon races.

I’m going to make those who’ve grown complacent in peace understand…!

“Alex, Leila.”

He sighed quietly and then turned back toward us.

“I’m really glad to have met you two. You helped me a great deal with the vampire issue, and you uncovered the night elf spies. Most importantly, it’s been fun traveling with you! This vacation is an irreplaceable memory. Thank you.”

I shook the hand extended by Arthur. He also shook hands with Leila.

“Likewise. I’m glad to have met you. It was super fun, and that gift… the glasses from Gura, I’ll cherish them.”

“Haha, their use is a bit unconventional, though.”

“Thank you for everything, Arthur. Stay safe!”

“Thank you, Leila. …I wish you and Alex happiness.”

Arthur smiled.

“Hey, Sardarun crew! They’re calling us!”

It seems they’re ready.

Arthur climbed the gangway and boarded the ship.

“…Goodbye! I hope we can meet again in a peaceful place!”

“Yeah! Take care—!!”

“Goodbye~!”

I waved to Arthur, the crew of the Sardarun, and the Bishops Lexar.

The gangway was removed, the anchor was raised, and the Sardarun slowly began to sail away.

…Ah.

I feel lonelier than I expected.

No matter how you slice it, I’ve been on that ship for a long time.

“…”

Leila quietly held onto my hand.

I could sense it without touching the [Kizuna]. She must be feeling lonely too…

We stood by the dock, watching the Sardarun sail away.

But we can’t linger here forever.

We have things to do—our own tasks.

“Shall we go?”

“Yes.”

Arthur and the others have departed from Kaemuran.

And now… I can fully pursue my mission.

I returned to the inn, collected our belongings, and along with other evacuees, I moved outside before the gates of Kaemuran closed.

As I declared to Arthur, I began walking east for now. Normally, travelers would camp when night falls, but everyone today was desperate, pushing forward along the moonlit road.

Seizing the moment, we subtly distanced ourselves from the crowd of evacuees, using concealment magic as we left the highway and stepped into the woods.

We pushed deeper into the thicket—away from prying eyes—

“Is this the spot?”

“We have plenty of space.”

We emerged in a little clearing, a kind of gap in the forest.

“[To make stealth taboo] Ahh—”

“Ahh—”

All around us, insects began chirping noisily, small animals jumped up, and birds flapped away.

But amid all that—there were no human voices. It was deserted.

Leila eagerly started shedding her clothes while I organized our belongings once again.

Soon, Leila, with leather straps biting into her fair skin, stood before me—

In the moonlight, she shimmered, her outline blurring.

— She regained her powerful form, adorned with silver scales and wings.

“Mm… I feel like it’s been quite a while since I returned to this form.”

Her voice resonated with a metallic tone, moving in a manner reminiscent of a carnivorous beast as she stretched.

She lightly moved her wings. Just that sent a gust of wind swirling around.

I truly felt the difference in her as a creature—especially compared to her current—’Human’ form.

“Actually, it’s been a long time, right?”

“I’m worried I won’t be able to fly well…”

“Hahaha.”

Leila said that with a serious dragon face, and I couldn’t help but laugh.

There was a time when she struggled with flying, and thinking about how she could joke about it now left me feeling nostalgic.

I secured the gear onto the saddle that had transformed from [Kizuna] and leaped aboard.

Concealment magic, check. Belt, check.

“— Here we go!”

Leila bent slightly, her wings bending back before she flapped widely.

She took off.

With astonishing acceleration, she soared up into the clear starry sky. Flying truly felt exquisite. Even now, I couldn’t help but suppress my racing heart.

No—perhaps it’s precisely because of now…

In no time, we reached the clouds. Leila seemed equally exhilarated after flying for the first time in ages. We had plenty of altitude. Looking down at Aulitos Lake, the sun had completely set, staining the horizon dark.

A crescent moon hung silently—gazing down from above, the goddess of night regarded this land with a somewhat cold gaze toward the tumult of mortal beings.

The gently undulating surface was shrouded in darkness, broken only by the faint glow of torches and campfires.

Alright—it’s time for the creatures of darkness.

I dispelled the transformation magic.

— It felt like emerging from a fog, my vision widened all at once. Every element that constructs the world could be discerned clearly, and yet, everything other than myself felt thin. The laws of reality shrank, loathing me. I felt Leila trembling beneath me, enchanted by my overwhelming magic—

I reached for my head.

Those damned, twisted horns.

A mark of the demon race.

Now, my red eyes could see through the darkness as if it were daytime.

Shifting my gaze, I spotted a multitude of campfires beyond the roads stretching from Kaemuran.

— The imperial army’s encampment.

“The strength they boast with claims of exterminating the demon race—”

I smiled fiercely with a demonic grin.

“Let’s see what you’re made of…!”

As an extra, let me show you what happens when a high lord-level demon prince steps onto the battlefield.

— What unfolds, I wonder?

 

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