Chapter 294: Yoru (5)


    The negotiations werepleted smoothly, as expected.


    A few old men copsed due to high blood pressure, but thanks to the miraculous divine power, it was dismissed as a minor ‘incident.’


    Despite the trouble of having to save senile old men who, despite their trembling hands, still tried to assert dominance, Shiron was not the type to let personal feelings ruin a task.


    Bang!


    “Old man, live long enough to smear dung on the walls.”


    Shiron pped the old man on the back with a mischievous smile.


    […Brat.]


    “Stop saying things you don’t mean and pack up your things already.”


    […Did you hear him call you a ‘brat’? Are you just going to leave him like that?]‘I have to pretend to be a good person for a little while longer.’


    Shiron paid no attention to the grumbling old man as he passed through the door.


    ‘I told you. What I want is the unification of the Empire and Silleya. If possible, I’d like to merge all the surrounding countries as well, but I’ll settle for this.’


    [Would that help us deal with the cmity?]


    ‘I’m not sure, but when cmitiese, people always appear who are waiting to seize an opportunity.’


    The rise of warlords. It was fine for those who had some strength and brains to conquer or unify regions. But,


    ‘If the Empire seeks to dominate the entire continent, I won’t just stand by. I’ll crush them, no matter what.’


    […So you’re saying you’ll eliminate the ones who could betray youter.]


    ‘Of course. As long as I’m a hero, I won’t personally get involved, though.’


    Though part of the reason was to manage his reputation for Latera, Shiron thought that by the time that happened, he’d be facing the Demon God anyway.


    The event that caused the great earthquake came from the Yoru, the Warrior of Silleya expansion.


    That scenario took ce 10 years from now, at a time when Lucia would have already cut down the Demon God. A scenariopletely unrted to heroes.


    The problem was that Shiron Prient had been killed before the Demon God was, but Shiron believed that the fact Shiron Prient was still alive had nothing to do with natural disasters.


    [Hero.]


    It was at that moment, when he was deep in thought about grand ns.


    [I have a question.]


    ‘What is it?’


    [Since you haven’t officially dered yourself a hero, can’t you just continue doing whatever you want like now?]


    ‘…Didn’t you say you wanted to be an archangel? Don’t I need to remain the ideal hero for that to happen?’


    Shiron wondered what this sudden talk was about.


    [But, you know.]


    Latera mumbled as she clung to Shiron’s head.


    [Even though I’m blessing you and watching you on behalf of the Lord’s Eye, I feel like things are going too much in your favor.]


    ‘…’


    [Whenever you suffer, I feel like it’s because of my selfishness, and it weighs on my mind.]


    ‘What suffering?’


    Shiron waved his hand dismissively at thest patient.


    ‘You said you needed to be an archangel to meet that senior archangel who traveled with Kyrie, right?’


    [Yes.]


    ‘I want to meet that person too, so I’m doing this for both of us. It’s not just for you, so don’t worry.’


    “Really?”


    Latera appeared out of nowhere and held her face with both hands, looking excited. Shiron found himself staring at her bright, excited face up close.


    “Really? You really want to meet my senior, too?”


    “…I told you, didn’t I?”


    Shiron, still bewildered, answered. Hearing his response, Latera’s face lit up with joy.


    “Then, Hero! How about announcing to the world right now that you’re the Hero?”


    “Why?”


    “That way, your name will spread across the continent! People will gather faith in you! You won’t have to scrape together a few pieces here and there like now!”


    “…Are you sure?”


    “Of course! Why would I lie?”


    With a confident look, Latera thumped her chest. Shiron lowered his head as if in thought, then spoke.


    “No.”


    “Huh? Why not?”


    “…No means no. Now hide your form. We’re about to leave.”


    Shiron tidied up and stepped outside. Like a leech, Latera clung to his waist.


    “I said hide your form already!”


    “But why? If I be an archangel faster, you can meet my senior sooner, so it’s a win-win!”


    “Trying to save 10 minutes can cost you 10 years.”


    Shiron gently pried her off, wearing a benevolent expression. Faced with the cold treatment, Latera pouted and hid her form.


    “If I announce that I’m the Hero, everyone will ask me to solve all the problems in the world.”


    [The Lord will not forgive those who try to pass off their problems onto others.]


    “Anyway, I just want to kill the Demon God cleanly and talk to that archangel afterwards. Rushing things could make everything go wrong.”


    As he left the tent, Shiron muttered while observing the scene of almostplete withdrawal. Across the river, people were boarding carriages, and the lead group had already departed.


    “And besides, I’m only preparing for the cmity 10 or 20 years down the road because it happens to be within reach.”


    Shiron said as he pped the woman lingering near the entrance on the backside.


    Smack!


    “Kyah!”


    “Should I call you ckie again? Eavesdropping, I see.”


    “What? What did I eavesdrop on?! I’m not someone without honor!”


    Yoru protested, her face red. Shiron pped her butt again, the loud sound drawing the attention of people across the river.


    [To be fooling around in such an open space… No matter if she’s a princess, doesn’t she have any dignity?]


    [How disgraceful… The elder must be weeping in heaven.]


    [Mom, Mom. I need to pee.]


    Latera, who didn’t really need to trante,ughed as she did so, clearly entertained. Hearing the trantion, Shiron grinned and pped her even harder.


    “Alright, alright! I admit it! Stop it! People are watching!”


    Yoru tried to shield her backside with her hands, her face contorted in misery. Physical pain she could handle, but the sighs and gossip from her fellow people utterly crushed her spirit.


    “What was that about being a person without honor? Should I put the leash back on you?”


    “But how could I hold back when we’re talking about it! Just a moment ago, right? You said you’d gather the people of Silleya and… m-make them produce as many as they’ve killed!”


    Shiron sighed, feeling exasperated.


    “Don’t worry too much about your people. Once we’re back in the Empire, I’ll split the young men and women evenly and match them with reputable and skilled knights. How’s that? Isn’t that a fairly humane arrangement?”


    “…If it ends up like that, I guess I have noints.”


    “And who said your people would have to reproduce as much as they’ve killed? I only said you would.”


    “It’s still the same!”


    Yoru’s face was now flushed as if it was about to explode. Her blood pressure skyrocketed, causing her vision to spin.


    “If I keep getting pregnant and giving birth like that, even the strongest woman would die quickly! Are you nning to make me just give birth until I die?”


    She was hardly aware of what she was saying anymore, but one thing she knew for sure.


    “The reason I stayed by your side was because I wanted to wield my sword for you! I’ve been saved three times by you, and I wanted to repay that debt!”


    “It’s fine. You’re better suited for getting stabbed than stabbing.”


    “…What the hell are you talking about? If I get stabbed, I’ll just be a burden.”


    At Yoru’s bewildered expression, Shiron sighed deeply.


    ‘She doesn’t get it. Siriel understood just fine.’


    [Don’t worry! I understand perfectly!]


    ‘…Thanks.’


    Scratching his head awkwardly, Shiron looked toward the other side of the river, where Seira was. Since they didn’t need many people to return, the n was for just two of them to go back to the Empire first.


    “So, who’s going back first?”


    Shiron asked the group casually. Lucia raised her hand energetically.


    “Me, I’ll go back fi—oof!”


    “Brother and Yoru will go first. Lucia and I will manage the people until we get to the Empire.”


    Siriel, smiling, covered Lucia’s mouth.


    “Are you sure? You still have your duties with the knight order, Siriel. You and Lucia can go back first if you need to.”


    “Oh,e on. I’m telling you, it’s fine. Besides, you and Yoru should go first. Don’t we need to prepare a ce for all these people and the prisoners before they arrive?”


    “…Thank you, as always, Siriel.”


    Shiron hugged Siriel warmly, expressing his gratitude. Enjoying the affectionate embrace, Siriel then turned to Yoru and spoke.


    “Yoru, dear sister.”


    “Y-Yes?”


    “I care about you a lot, that’s why I’m letting you go first. You understand, right?”


    “…Yes.”


    Unable to meet Siriel’s eyes, Yoru nodded awkwardly. Shiron, noticing the strange tension between them, tilted his head in confusion.


    “What’s this? Why do you speak informally to me, but respectfully to Siriel?”N?v(el)B\\jnn


    “Hold on, brother. Seira, are you ready for the teleportation?”


    “Uh? Oh, y-yes.”


    Seira cast the magic upon Shiron and Yoru, and in an instant, they disappeared without a trace.


    After releasing Lucia, Siriel turned to Seira.


    “Seira, I’m counting on you for the next month. It’ll be tough, but I’m sure you’ll manage.”


    “Are you really okay with this?”


    “What do you mean? I’ve always prioritized my brother. It’s not like this is anything new.”


    “…”


    “Alright, let’s get going. There’s so many people. We’ve got a long road ahead.”


    Siriel drew her sword and began shing down trees that didn’t need to be cut.


    Lucia and Seira both silently agreed that they shouldn’t bother Siriel for the time being.