Volume 4 Chapter 75: Are We Running Through Time…?【Final Volume: Balor and Nanashi Arc】

Konoha suddenly barged into the room. Moreover, the things she said were absolutely outrageous.

I was dumbfounded.

“Am I… really going to die…?”

It was so unreal that I couldn’t properly express any emotion. More than shock, I felt sheer disbelief.

Me—so virtuous and perfect—dying…?

“Your self-evaluation is way too high; I can’t tell who you’re even talking about.”

“But I’m talking about me!”

“Ah—well, people eventually die, right…”

Is that some kind of future talk? Sure, I’m a living creature too.

Living things always die, and I’m no exception. But I’ll put up a hell of a fight, too.

I’m not about to just die easily. The thought of someone like me—with such a strong will—dying is simply unacceptable.

“Balor-chan, you’re going to die in this Gorgon extermination battle!”

“Seriously? Then there’s even less reason for me to join the Gorgon extermination team. The rest is up to you, Nanashi.”

“!?”

Nanashi looked astonished. She averted her gaze with her pitch-black eyes and nodded repeatedly.

Alright—now I’ve got an excuse to back out. Lucky me.

I hadn’t planned on participating in the first place, so it’s easier to decline now. Just then, Konoha shook her head.

“No, that’s not it.”

“Huh?”

“Back then, Balor-chan didn’t join the extermination team but stayed here in the mansion. When we somehow managed to defeat Gorgon and returned all battered and broken, what we saw was… Balor-chan, sunk in a pool of blood.”

“Nnnnnnnnnnnnnn??”

My neck twisted so much it nearly broke. What the hell is going on…?

Even if I don’t take part in the Gorgon extermination, I’m still going to die, aren’t I? That means someone’s definitely going to kill me.

“Who is it?! I’ll fucking kill you!”

“Why am I being killed? Who on earth…?”

“Because every single maid who’d serve as my fighting force is gone. From an outsider’s perspective, there couldn’t be a more vulnerable situation, huh?”

I accepted Konoha’s roundabout explanation. Ah, I see. Indeed, with no meat shields around me, I’m the perfect target.

And if someone were to aim for me at a moment like this… my gaze fell on Nanashi.

I see—it’s you.

“Naturally, the master who doubts me—impressive as always.”

“But if that’s the case, what can I do…?”

I grumbled while racking my brain. I knew full well that having no maids at my side was a major problem.

But can I afford to hold back my fighting force against Gorgon? It would only result in the maids being worn out.

…Well, that might be fine, but I had just been lamenting my shortage of subordinates.

Reducing their numbers further would only lead to regret in the near future. Damn it! I should’ve increased their numbers!

I shouldn’t have been so cheap with my payroll!

“…I know I’m saying some pretty absurd things, but will you believe me?”

“Of course.”

Konoha looked at me in surprise. Normally, no one would believe what she said—not because I’m me, but any reasonable person wouldn’t.

Who in their right mind would trust someone who prophesies their own death?

But I’m different. When it comes to matters concerning me, I’ll even entertain wild ideas.

If this turns out to be one of Konoha’s lies, so be it—I’m not going to die anyway.

But if I brush it off as a lie and then actually end up dying, I wouldn’t be able to accept it—even in death.

“Hmmm…”

After replying to Konoha, I began to worry once again. What could I do?

We’re short on manpower.

“To ensure Balor-chan doesn’t die, I’ve got one idea.”

“What is it?”

I waited expectantly, hoping that Konoha would say something to break the deadlock.

“We’ll take on Gorgon as the entire Apophis family—with Balor-chan included. That’s the only way.”

“Guuuuuuu…!”

My face contorted as if I had chewed on a bitter pill. I hadn’t never thought of it before, but the urge to avoid facing a legendary monster was overwhelming.

Scary! A monster like Gorgon isn’t an opponent a human should confront!

“And yet, you send in the maids…”

Of course. They’re my pawns—I can use them however I please.

“Don’t worry, Balor-chan. I will, even if it costs me my life, protect you.”

Konoha’s forceful words were hard to trust…

After all, it’s Konoha who’s saying them…

“After all you’ve said up to now…”

Because I’ve nearly been killed several times.

“Y-yeah. I guess I should try to trust you, Konoha…”

“It clearly shows that you don’t trust me at all, Master.”

After all, I’ve nearly been killed more than once (this is the second time). Overcoming trauma is no small feat.

It would require considerable resolve and determination—and I just don’t have any of that.

Thus, I’ll forever remain at odds with Konoha.

“Konoha, why are you willing to go to such lengths for me?”

You were trying to kill me, weren’t you? (third time) Unless you make your reasons clear, I just can’t trust you.

I take what Konoha says seriously because it affects me, but frankly, entertaining such an idea is absurd. Konoha is saying something so ridiculous, after all.

“Hey, Balor-chan. Can you remember how I ended up becoming a maid?”

“Huh? Of course…”

I have no idea what that question is supposed to mean, but I’ll answer. Because our numbers were so few, that encounter is indelibly etched in my mind.

For example, Ashvin—who had escaped being a slave to her foolish younger brother—was picked up by me. Izun, looking all tattered, caught my eye, so I picked her up too.

I even picked up Artemis when she was in tatters. …I really just pick everyone up, huh!

See, I remember it well. As for Konoha…

……Wait? How did I turn her into a maid again?

Originally, when I hire someone as a maid, I scout for people who seem likely to be useful to me. …But I don’t see any sign of Konoha being useful.

Then why did I hire her?

“You probably can’t remember, right? I made sure it wouldn’t feel off, but I never provided a clear reason.”

She didn’t react with shock over my inability to recall—it was perfectly natural, she just nodded. A clear explanation…?

It was as if she was trying to say, 【It’s because I wasn’t given that memory that you don’t know】. …Eh? Seriously?

“…I came from the future.”

Running through time…?