-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 5
Chapter Title: Reunion Preparation Work - 1
-----------------------------------------------------------------
While staying at the merchant's house for a few days, Lena came to see me without fail every single day to chat endlessly.
But aside from the time spent with her, I invested all my time talking with the 'voice.'
[You did really well. It hasn't spread widely yet, so you only got 50 points, but this father-daughter duo will soon start spreading your name far and wide.]
"Ah. So the points I'm scheduled to get from this incident..."
[Yeah. I've seen a lot of people rejoicing over Lena's safe return these past few days. She must have been a popular figure in the village. You made a lot of people happy. So, you'll get an additional 700 points.]
"..."
[Now do you get it? Always keep 'the greatest happiness for the greatest number' in mind before starting anything. This absolute principle will raise your fame and eventually make you a hero.]
Yeah. Got it.
By the way, there's something I've been wanting to say.
'Why did you use informal speech from the very first moment?'
The voice fell silent for a while.
Then it asked in a very hesitant and unsure tone.
[...Is it no good?]
"No, I mean, you don't have to look so down about it and ask back like that."
[Then we'll keep it like this. You can use informal speech with me too, as much as you want.]
'More importantly, I can't keep calling you "you" forever. You already seem to know my name. Tell me yours.'
[Hoo. I forgot my name. Call me whatever's comfortable. Or you can make one up for me.]
You won't regret it?
My naming skills are renowned across the continent.
'Transparent.'
[What?]
'Invisible, so Transparent...'
[I almost forgot, but I remembered. My name is Trail.]
"..."
[Trail. For real.]
Got it, Trail.
I rubbed my palms together.
The new ability is great and all, but what I'm interested in right now is something else.
Memories from before the regression.
All the quests and information I experienced up until defeating the Demon King are still intact in my head.
'Let's see. It's been 7 years since I came back, right?'
Kaild had said, 'The hero died right from the start.'
In other words, at this point in time, the real hero 'Bion Kunze' is already dead.
It's impossible to find the real hero and crush Kaild's schemes.
But there's no need to despair.
'Yeah, for example...'
Tap tap.
I drummed my index finger on the table, lost in thought.
'For example, Kaild hasn't even gathered all his party members yet.'
I was the last member of his party.
According to my memories, it would be 3 years before he comes looking for me.
And I remember exactly when and in which year and month he first met the other party members.
'At this point, there are probably about three left. Heroes the hero hasn't met yet.'
Soon, I grinned.
Then I should meet them first.
Memories from before the regression and the new ability.
If I use these...
'Wait for it. I'll definitely rip off your mask.'
Fake hero Kaild.
[It's Trail. Believe me.]
I said I got it.
'More importantly, tell me what you want.'
[Hm?]
'You seem eager to help me with this weird ability, but I don't accept favors without reason.'
[You're a dry one.]
Can't be helped.
Aren't 'sinners' surrounding me every day?
Of course, no one lives without sinning, and I'm one of them.
But knowing exactly how many times someone has sinned against a particular person is a whole different matter.
'Anyway, what's your purpose.'
[The world is still beautiful and worth living in. You should fix that habit of twisting others' goodwill...]
"Okay. Let's part ways here."
[W-Wait! Why are you in such a hurry? Calm down.]
'Why are you using formal speech again?'
The guy fidgeted a bit before speaking soothingly.
[My goal is simple. Kill the Demon King of Lies and Deceit, Idria.]
"..."
[Before the regression, you succeeded in exposing Kaild's 'lie.' But you couldn't even touch the lord of lies, Idria, and died.]
'Cheap phrasing.'
[I have my reasons for killing Idria. But the Demon King can't be killed by anyone other than a hero.]
Ah, so that's it.
'So you're going to make me a hero? By helping me build fame?'
[Exactly. It was what you wanted before you died too. You become the hero and bask in glory, and I defeat the Demon King. It's a perfect win-win relationship.]
"...Hmm."
To be precise, I just wanted to enjoy a peaceful retirement life.
But whatever, it's basically the same.
Someone has to kill the Demon King.
Kaild can't do it.
So I'll do it.
It was a perfectly logical progression and a complete meeting of minds.
I smiled softly and said.
'Alright. Let's do this. Transparent.'
[Trail.]
'Whatever, that's not important.'
[It is.]
'Time to move. You said fame is what I need to become a hero. It won't build just sitting in one place.'
[Hm. Good thinking.]
Tick.
Suddenly, the familiar large screen appeared before me.
But unlike before, it now displayed a massive continent map.
'You can do this too?'
[Yeah. Take a good look. The Drucker fief where you are now is here.]
As it spoke, light began to shine at one point on the map.
[The brightness and size of this white light represent the fame you've gained. Over the past three days, your rumor has spread enough to reach about 450. Even if you squeeze out every last bit left, you won't hit 1,000.]
"..."
[In a word, a firefly.]
'Some metaphor.'
[No. It's real. Compare it to this.]
Snap.
It sounded like fingers snapping.
Then, in the southwest region of the map, a gloomy, malice-filled black mist billowed up.
Unlike my faintly glowing point, the mist had already completely enveloped three or four fiefs.
It was incomparable in both area and depth of color.
[This is the fame Kaild has gained so far.]
'What?'
[He's already recruited three heroes. Since the oracle hasn't come down yet, he hasn't made a continent-wide name for himself. But in the southwest region, he's already on par with a hero.]
"..."
[That's the level of fame you need to catch up to. Got a sense of it?]
I swallowed hard.
Seeing that, my light really was just a firefly.
'Conveniently, I'm in the northeast. The continent is tall top to bottom... so I should build fame gradually from here as a base. I shouldn't even glance at the southern regions for a while.'
[I think so too. Got a next plan?]
'Hmm.'
I crossed my arms and sank into thought.
What should I do?
What famous incidents were there around this time before the regression?
Not enough to shake the whole continent, but at least something that would be on people's lips in this region...
"Ah!"
I jumped to my feet.
"That's it!"
[Indeed!]
"Don't pretend to know. I didn't say anything."
[I can read your thoughts, you punk.]
Trail spoke in a sly tone.
[It'll be a reunion after a long time. Right?]
That's right.
Soon, in the Quelk fief not far from here, a pretty famous—and brutal—incident will occur.
There's a terrifying woman who's made continent-dwellers anxious for ages.
A once-in-a-generation villainess who wanders east, west, south, and north committing all sorts of atrocities.
Commonly known as the Witch of Atrocities.
Neril Slaine.
My former party member.
To be more precise.
'At this point in time, she's a party member Kaild hasn't gotten his hands on yet.'
Then I should claim her first.
Time to go see the lady after a long while.
"Hueeeeng. Mister. Don't go. Don't go."
Lena, who saw me as a 'knight in shining armor,' clung to me and bawled her eyes out.
Our merchant lord showed a bizarre mix of a smile and a frown at his daughter's display.
"I have to go. I have business."
"What is it! Stay here with me. I'll make you happy."
"Sorry. But I'll come visit again someday."
"...Really? Not a lie?"
"Of course."
Lena finally let go after soaking my clothes with her tears and snot.
"Sniff. Okay. Come back for sure. By then, I'll have grown so much you'll regret this choice."
"Heh. Sure."
She wiped her tears and stepped back.
Then the merchant stepped forward and spoke.
"I'm really sad to see you go like this. As expected of the rumors."
"Hm?"
"I heard the Unyielding Sword Emperor doesn't stay in one place."
Please drop that title.
Just call me Sword Emperor!
[You like that one, huh.]
"Was the hospitality I provided lacking?"
"No, it's not that. And if I really wanted to stay, it'd be inconvenient for you."
"Hm?"
Instead of answering, I nodded toward Lena, still sniffling behind him.
The merchant's face stiffened slightly as he understood.
I whispered to him.
"A man of your stature must have things more important than your daughter's romance."
"..."
"No, don't make that face. I don't think badly of political marriages. I just mean you don't need to put up a front for me."
His expression turned somewhat displeased.
"Do I seem like that kind of guy to you!"
"..."
"I'm disappointed, Maide. I have no shame before heaven..."
"What sin did you commit against Mr. Id Blackett?"
At my words, the merchant's eyes wavered.
As a seasoned merchant, it didn't show on his face, but he couldn't hide it in the window to his soul—his eyes.
"Wh-What... What do you know?"
Actually, I know nothing.
I didn't use the Eye of Omniscience to peek at his secrets.
But I do know that you sinned against that person.
"Merchant lord."
"..."
"Live righteously. Farewell."
I left the dazed merchant behind and departed the Drucker fief.
Inside the carriage heading to the Quelk fief.
I reviewed the plan with Trail.
So far, Kaild has three hero party members in hand.
And excluding me, there are three he hasn't gotten yet.
I need to snag all three remaining ones to even the balance.
'Neril was the one whose opinions aligned most with mine, at least.'
A belated regret, but during the final battle with the Demon King, when we were on night watch... I sometimes wonder what would have happened if I'd told her then.
Kaild has sinned against 148 million people.
She surely would have burst into disbelieving laughter.
Maybe twirled her finger at her temple.
'But in the end, she would have listened seriously.'
[You trust her quite a bit, huh. That Neril woman.]
'Not sure if "trust" is the right word. At least she's not someone I'd dismiss.'
[Hmm. But even if you'd told her early, it wouldn't have changed anything. Against the Demon King of Lies, she wouldn't have stood a chance anyway.]
Watch the phrasing.
In any case, excluding me, she was the only woman who ever doubted the hero Kaild.
Not doubt backed by evidence like mine, but more like 'Does Kaild's power even befit a hero?'—still, incomparable to the other party members.
[But the Witch of Atrocities? That's a pretty fearsome title. Though not as much as the Unyielding Sword Emperoooor.]
'No no. The Unyielding Sword Emperor is nothing compared to Transparencccc.'
[...Sorry.]
'Besides, the title Witch of Atrocities is quite unjust. I only learned later after joining the party.'
[Huh?]
I paused in silence before answering.
'Most of it was a frame job.'