Mental Rebirth: The World's Savior Was Not Me, but My Childhood Friend and Stalker

If humans use despicable means, then there will be no mercy from our side. Ganof had pleaded to the Demon Lord and was granted the demonic sword, Balmung. It was a cursed blade that poisoned and rotted the soul of anyone it pierced, regardless of their physical strength. A vile weapon, and even among the Demon Lord’s army, many hesitate to use it. But… it was the humans who first resorted to underhanded tactics. With this sword, I will surely kill them, especially the ridiculous being called the Savior.

Monsters continue to be born, turning the Great Forest into a nasty plague. However, recently, something strange has happened. The number of monsters isn’t increasing as expected. Many powerful creatures reside in the Great Forest, predatory animals that can easily kill such monsters… beings far superior, immune to parasites. This was within Ganof’s expectations. But what he discovered next was not.

“This is…!”

Animals did not kill the corpses he found. It was gruesomely minced, its organs scattered about – a horrific scene of slaughter. It was not the work of the native creatures. Their only reason to attack monsters is for sustenance. Monsters attack only humans, and animals attack in self-defense. A monster killed by a native creature means it was preyed upon.

But this corpse was different. It was killed as if being toyed with as if to demonstrate power, and excessively so. Ganof was certain: Shukure had met the same fate at the hands of this despicable, vile Savior. Proud as she was, she must have died cursing her powerlessness, unable to report humiliation.

“Damn it…! I won’t forgive you, you vile creature…!”

Taking the demonic sword in hand, Ganof was convinced the Savior was nearby. He examined the surroundings of the corpse for clues – footprints, scent, anything dropped – all to track down this so-called Savior.

He resolved to find and chase down the traces like a gust of wind through the Great Forest. He discovered several camp remnants. Focusing all his senses, he found them. Three humans and one elf. From prior information, he knew the Savior was a man. There was only one man among them. By deduction, that man must be the Savior, the vile one.

“I will avenge Shukure’s death… here and now…!”

Ganof’s movement was but a flash. Silently and swiftly, he positioned himself behind the man, sword ready to strike. One thrust, and it would be over. The remaining women could serve as fodder for the monsters.

“Die! Savior!!”

Just as Ganof was about to bring down his sword, his consciousness vanished. Without even understanding what happened, his body exploded into pieces, and the masterless demonic sword Balmung fell to the ground.

“Ugh, what’s this? Gross.

◆

When I thought I heard something and turned around, I saw scattered flesh and a sword lying nearby. On closer inspection, it looked like a corpse, with remnants of what appeared to be an ornately decorated armor.

“The crest on this armor… it belongs to Ganof, a Demon Lord’s army commander, known as a warrior.”

“Why would the body of someone like that be here?”

“…Did the Savior do this?”

I glanced at Touko. Her right hand was stained with blood.

“Ah, yeah, haha… just a little joke! What’s this sword, though? It looks like a real masterpiece. Maybe I’ll take it!”

While making an awkward excuse under Mei’s suspicious gaze, I picked up the sword. It was shiny and beautiful, possibly valuable. It could be useful to fund my slow life in the port city.

But with this, our safety in the Great Forest is assured. All I can do now is hope that even if my identity as a fake Savior is exposed, the Lord of Ludon won’t get angry enough to come to the port city and enslave me.

“To defeat two commanders in such a short time, the Savior is truly amazing. I can see hope now…”

Mei’s admiration for me was skyrocketing. The guilt of lying weighed heavily on me, but I only had to endure it for a little longer. I planned to reveal the truth and say goodbye once we reached the port city.

“I’m sorry I couldn’t keep our promise. I had to kill him instantly, or Yuusha’s life would have been in danger… Are you angry? I’m sorry. It’s not that I disregarded our promise; I just got carried away because it was important…”

We were talking alone, away from Mei and Rubure. Touko seemed troubled by breaking our promise to avoid fighting Demon Lord’s commanders if possible.

“It’s okay, I understand. You saved my life. I have no complaints.”

“Good…! If Yuusha hated me, I wouldn’t be able to live. You do understand and accept me.”

“I didn’t say that. Don’t jump to conclusions.”

“Huh?”

I hastily covered my mouth, reflexively responding to Touko’s exaggerated claim. She stared at me with wide eyes, waiting for my words.

“Look, there’s no need to say all that now! That’s rude, Touko! We’ve been together for years!! To say that I understand you now is just too late!!”

“!!… You’re right! I’m sorry! I didn’t understand Yuusha… Can you forgive me…?”

“Uh, yeah…”

Watching Touko gaze happily at her chest, lost in thought, I felt a twinge of guilt. But I mustn’t be fooled. Right now, Mei and Rubure are a deterrent, making Touko seem somewhat normal. I mustn’t forget that she has stalked, eavesdropped, and stolen from me for years.

I steeled my resolve and followed after Rubure and the others, who had gone ahead.