Vol 1 Chapter 27: 【Part One Complete】 For the World Everyone Desires

Seeing my relaxed demeanor, Sieg looked like he might get angry, but he just laughed it off with a “Hahha!”

“You’re trying to teach me about the difference in our strength? Ah, so that’s it—you think you’ve gotten stronger and now want to act like a champion of justice? Then that’s just hilarious! I’m the hero, you know? Who says you can win?”

“Quit yapping and come at me already.”

“Ah—then I’ll take you on!!”

Excalibur glittered, and just when I thought Sieg had vanished for a moment, he closed the distance until he was right in front of me.

Excalibur was already gripped in both hands and raised.

With a smirk on his face, his downward strike sent a shockwave rippling outward.

However,

“Is that all you’ve got?”

“…Huh?”

I intercepted the descending Excalibur with Asterion—held firmly in one arm. Such a blow didn’t even warrant it being wielded with both hands.

Clearly not expecting that, cold sweat broke out on Sieg’s cheek, yet his next attack came immediately.

If one blow wasn’t enough, he must have planned to overwhelm me with a flurry of strikes that would be impossible to follow.

He swung Excalibur relentlessly, yet I could see every single slash clearly.

I blocked and parried with minimal movement. Without launching any counterattacks, I simply repeated that process over and over.

In both raw strength and speed, I was outmatching Sieg. Eventually, realizing that he couldn’t win with swordsmanship alone, he unleashed magic—but I sliced through and nullified every spell.

A clear sense of urgency began to show on Sieg’s formerly complacent face.

Seeing that, I finally declared my intent for revenge.

“Now it’s my turn!”

I charged forward with Asterion still poised, swinging it back. Naturally, he tried to guard with Excalibur, but I could see right through that.

Even though I saw his intentions, I deliberately slammed Asterion into his guarded Excalibur.

“Take this!!”

Unable to withstand the full force of my swung Asterion, Sieg let go of Excalibur.

With no means left to defend himself, Sieg stood dumbfounded—but I didn’t care. I immediately kicked him, sending him crashing into the chapel wall.

He still seemed conscious, but any trace of his earlier confidence had vanished.

On the contrary, as I advanced, he began shouting in a pitiful manner.

“W–what the hell are you?! I’m the hero, you know!? I was born with power that even the Demon King can’t overcome! And yet I’m losing to some mere Sword Saint! Is this even possible!?”

“…You may have plenty of reasons for your defeat, but I’ll give you just two. First, you’ve been drowning in your so-called talent and that ridiculous scenario, lacking both real combat experience and any effort.”

At that moment, I recalled all too well the time when I joined the hero’s party as the Sword Saint—only to be betrayed.

All the powerful foes, including golems, were left for others to handle, while I was stuck with nothing but the small fry. I’m sure it had always been that way.

“I’m the hero, so I’m more than strong enough—I don’t waste time with small fry.” That haughty mindset had thrown off Sieg’s swordsmanship and even his magic.

But I had been fighting with nothing but Asterion for two years. I possessed neither exceptional talent nor extraordinary power, but I swung my sword relentlessly for one singular purpose.

Nio-san laid the foundation, and I learned the advanced techniques with my own hands, etching them into my very body. By that point, I’d already surpassed Sieg.

Moreover, I had taken down countless demons unleashed by Grain from the very depths of the Grimmoire Great Labyrinth. I devised the perfect tactic for each one and utterly pummeled them.

All of that accumulated as experience, fueling my growth. I fought more battles than anyone could imagine to increase my strength.

That’s why I succeeded in bringing high-ranking demons to this place. Not coincidentally, thanks to Grain—the Demon King—I even gained the ability to wield demonic power. Besides, it was more than enough justification for them to follow me as demons.

Sieg, who shirked real fighting, indulged in his so-called talent, and battled with a warped spirit, was now no match for me.

“And the second reason is…”

After finishing my explanation, while Sieg was at a loss for words, I closed the distance in an instant, snatched Excalibur right from his grasp, and thrust Asterion at his neck as I declared,

“Because I’m the ‘Sword Saint of Hope.’”

That was all there was to it. But it made all the difference.

Originally, the hero was meant to bear the burden of hope—but he abandoned it. And though Sieg was supposed to support that hope, as the Sword Saint who actually took on that role and responsibility, he wasn’t even in the same league.

“If you’ve got a complaint, then spit it out. When you betrayed us, you were awfully loquacious, weren’t you?”

“Betrayal?” The knights glanced at Sieg, and even he pleaded for them to stop, but I declared loudly,

“Ah, that’s right! This hero offered up those who received an oracle deep within the Grimmoire Great Labyrinth as if they were mere tributes, and together with the Demon King, he mocked me! This wicked custom has persisted for generations—and the current King is in cahoots with the Demon King! I allied with the demons to set things right!”

The King desperately tried to offer excuses, and even Sieg seemed to scramble for a response.

Then, as if playing my final trump card, I signaled the demons.

And with that, Grain—entangled in chains that suppressed his magic—shambled over. 

Both the King and Sieg were rendered speechless as Grain, with a completely defeated expression, vowed to reveal the truth publicly.

After that, Grain, in a feeble voice, asked me,

“D–does this mean you won’t kill me…?”

“I never intended to kill you from the start. But don’t even think about any funny business.”

“I–I understand…!”

All three were present, along with Yuu and Nio—both of whom know the truth.

I relaxed my stance with Asterion and exhaled when Nio came over and patted my shoulder.

“Good work. I’ll handle the remaining tedious talks, so why don’t you take a break for a while?”

I wanted to snap back, “Don’t underestimate me,” but after two grueling months of battle, I was undeniably exhausted. We’d finally escaped the Grimmoire Great Labyrinth, and it seemed unlikely that any more fighting lay ahead.

Before I could leave it at “I’ve got this,” I glared at the King and Sieg and warned them that the remaining negotiations would be handled by the three races—Nio, Yuu, and me. Realizing that the situation was utterly hopeless, both the King and Sieg hung their heads and were led away by the demons.

While the negotiations were underway, I was escorted to a room in the royal castle—a royal sleeping chamber with an extravagant bed that seemed to beckon me. They said it was to help me recover from the past two months of relentless fighting. As I lay there, recalling the days since being chosen as the Sword Saint, I quickly fell asleep, only to awaken deep into the night.

I wondered whether the talks had finished, and what the future might hold. There were so many issues at hand that nothing could be decided in just a few hours. I was lost in thought when Yuu entered the room with a wry smile.

“That bastard… he left on his own again,” she said.

They said the negotiations went off without a hitch. As the head of the demons—and as someone who had lived through endless ages—Nio had resolved every problem swiftly. As a result, Nio, in his capacity as the demon leader, has already returned to the Grimmoire Great Labyrinth to order the scattered demons to cease their attacks on other races, and he’s even persuading those affiliated with Grain’s faction.

That’s all well and good, but he’s already left the royal capital, taking his subordinate demons with him. He asked Yuu to tell me, “Don’t worry, I’ve regained some strength,” but that wasn’t the real issue.

“My two years were meant to bring you back and keep you from escaping…” I thought bitterly.

I had intended to confront my own feelings of love and gratitude together with Nio, but with him already gone—and with circumstances making it impossible to call him back—I ended up letting Nio slip away in the very end.

“Sigh…” I exhaled deeply.

Yuu, looking almost guilty, said, “Don’t worry. We both know that Nio meant to face these challenges head-on. I’m sure he chose the good of the entire race over his personal desires.”

“Logic might explain it, but emotions don’t always understand,” I murmured.

I sighed again, and soon silence fell between Yuu and me. Since the battles in the Grimmoire Great Labyrinth, we hadn’t had much chance to talk. Although it was unclear what would happen once the truth was revealed to the world, we could at least make some predictions.

To end discrimination against the oppressed demihumans and to correct the twisted history—and as a safeguard against those who might try to silence us by force—Yuu plans to reveal her identity as an Ancient Elf. Then, as the representative of the demihumans, she will once again journey to the hidden village where the Elves dwell.

Then what about me? Should I take responsibility for saving Yuu by accompanying her to the Elven forest for the sake of the demihumans, or should I follow Nio to make sure he doesn’t escape?

For the past two years, I had spent every day chasing after Nio; if I were to follow my personal feelings, I should also head back to the Grimmoire Great Labyrinth and stick with the demons until things settle. But that would leave Yuu alone. I had planned for the three of us to work out our future together—ensuring that Nio wouldn’t slip away.

“…So now, is it my turn to follow Yuu?” I wondered.

I felt uneasy about leaving the demihuman issues solely to Yuu. And with Nio gone, how can that be right?

But if you look at the pathetic state of the current King and the Hero, who can the human race—both in the capital and across the lands—trust? With the demons and demihumans uniting, won’t the humans be left behind?

Such worries churned within me, but when it comes to Yuu, I must be cautious and treat her with care. Otherwise, my previous mistake with Grain would have been all for nothing, and I’d be left questioning the very choices I made.

What should I do? Lost in thought, I was startled when Yuu began speaking in a quiet voice.

“…I—I think I will once again dedicate myself for the sake of the demihumans.”

It was unexpected. I had assumed she’d say she didn’t want to be alone or that she’d leave such responsibilities to someone else. I never imagined she would shoulder such a burden until her wounded heart had healed.

I wasn’t about to blame her—Yuu had suffered so much and endured endless darkness. No matter how selfish one might be, forgiveness is possible. So, I decided to support her.

But Yuu’s heart was different. For the sake of the changing world, she intended to alter the oppressive reality facing the demihumans.

I couldn’t find the right words, and Yuu smiled wearily. “Afterwards,” she said.

“Honestly, I want to be with Kosutake forever. I want to live even a little longer with Kosutake—despite the differences in our time on this earth. I still have so many things I want to ask and say to Nio, too—but all of that will have to wait until we resolve the problems at hand.”

“…Is that really okay? It’s going to take an incredible amount of time, and nothing’s guaranteed to go smoothly. I don’t even know what will be expected of me in the future.”

I exposed the true nature of the King and the Hero, defeated Grain—the Demon King—and captured him alive. I left the abolishment of the next King and the so-called “scenario” to those higher up, but when power is needed, I’ll be the one they rely on.

As the Sword Saint who swept away every darkness and showed the world truth and strength, I might lose some of my freedom. Even if I don’t want it, the world will force my hand.

If I remain here, I can’t afford to consider my personal desires. I was the one who sparked this change. Not only do I have a responsibility to Yuu, but I must also shoulder the consequences of that very choice.

Becoming the Sword Saint of Hope means dealing with all these troublesome matters as well.

Yuu, who surely understood, smiled with eyes that had cleared of their previous gloom and vowed not to let me laugh at her.

“The light of hope that illuminated the despair I experienced in that darkness… Even if only for a short while, spending that time together made me understand how incredible it truly is. And I realized that, as an Ancient Elf, I can be a beacon of hope for the demihumans shrouded in darkness—even if just a little, I can believe in it.”

Then she added, “After that, come back to me.”

Come to think of it, it was the Ancient Elves who originally sought to use their power for world peace. Now that the truth has been revealed, and when the darkness of chaos descends upon demons, demihumans, and humans alike, I alone won’t be enough. Not even Nio is sufficient. So when that time comes, who will be the light we need?

Yuu vowed to become that light herself and, once everything is over, to walk alongside Nio and me again.

That decision will not be an easy one—there will be countless things she must know, consider, and confront.

Yet, she has made up her mind. When I asked her why, she answered with a clear smile:

“Because Kosutake saved me!”

The world can begin to change for the better just like that. I thought of her smile and all the expressions I had seen on her face. The light of hope will dispel Yuu’s darkness, eventually shining upon the demihumans, and one day, the three races will understand one another.

Perhaps this may never happen in my lifetime. Even so, having inherited Nio’s resolve and shown hope to Yuu, I’ve decided to keep a sliver of hope for the future.

“Then I’ll do what I can too. You do your best as well.”

“Yes!”

I prayed that we would no longer have to forcefully change the world by might, and my eyes wandered to Asterion—ever ready for battle.

Someday, I hope Asterion’s role will be fulfilled, too. I don’t yet know how to achieve that, but someday, I will create that kind of world.

Dreaming of the day when the Sword Saint of Hope can lay down his sword, Yuu and I talked until sleep beckoned us once more.

It was a conversation filled with promises of peace and happiness—a tale of the future, a world that will eventually come, one that everyone longs for.

◆　◇　◆

Vol 2 Chapter 28: Ominous Shadow

The battle is over. Nio and Yuu are each doing their best.

The process of exposing and disposing of those who had been lapping up the sweet nectar of the scenario, along with the alliance of the three main pillars, is also underway.

However, there was one thing that worried me.

“Where did Zeke go…?”

That very Zeke, whom I had utterly beaten, was imprisoned in the underground dungeon along with Grain.

I thought that neither of them would ever resist again. With that in mind, I went about fulfilling my own role.

And yet, Zeke vanished from the dungeon. Moreover, in the cell that once held him, the remains of Grain—whose heart had been ripped out—were left behind.

There is yet another twist in store. But that’s a human problem.

Without informing Nio or Yuu, I decided to search for Zeke.

Believing that, in the end, there would finally be peace.

I won’t let it end in a mere sorry state. By the time the Kakuyomu Contest wraps up, I will publish a mid-length story in which I settle things with Zeke once and for all.

If you’re looking forward to it, please give it a star rating—along with the two other works I’m writing concurrently, it will skyrocket my motivation, and I’ll finish it all in one go.