The Hero Who Returned From Death Quits

83 – EP5. Wind Memory

The emperor broke into a cold sweat. He had never expected such results just from a fairy girl stepping forward.

“Damn it…!”

He clenched his fist and bit down on it. He could never have imagined that the world’s situation would turn out this way.

Lena, the fairy princess, expressed her unfavorable opinion about the empire’s recruitment of magicians. When Tirantus expressed his concerns about this, the repercussions spread throughout the world.

Still, the emperor thought it would be of no consequence. No matter how fierce Tirantus’ growth was, his influence could not compare to that of the empire. Compared to the empire, his power was insignificant. Therefore, the emperor believed that Tirantus alone could not challenge the empire’s spirit.

But he was wrong. Very wrong. It was a grave mistake. One of the reasons for Tirantus’ increased influence was also because of such miscalculations. Five years ago, Tirantus would not have been able to exert such influence. However, since every country affected by the demon king required elemental mages, Tirantus’ influence grew greater than expected. But that was not the most important issue.

The most critical issue was that Tirantus was instilling fear of the empire’s aggression in other countries through his persuasive arguments.

Compelling other countries to pressure the pursuers of the heroes by forceful visits created anxiety in those countries, as they expressed their distrust towards the empire.

The emperor wanted to say, “What concern is it of yours?,” but he couldn’t. Even though the Tower of Magic was located within the empire, it influenced magicians worldwide.

If the empire had enough strength to devour other countries, they wouldn’t have cared about petitions from other countries. Sadly, the empire did not possess such power.

When other countries petitioned, expressing their concern about what would happen if the empire devoured the Tower of Magic, the empire couldn’t ignore it either.

There was no other choice. The empire had acted ruthlessly towards other countries, and now the consequences were returning.

“Stupid, didn’t you know it would turn out this way?”

Feria set down her teacup and spoke. It was ironic. She, who had manipulated everything in her hands, was now unable to do anything in a situation beyond her control.

Yes, just like when she received a threat from Angel.

Her expression turned bitter. The one who had bewildered the emperor for the first time by fighting for her own sake came to mind.

What was Angel doing now?

What was Sain doing when he went to find him?

Peria hadn’t heard any news about them.

That’s why she wondered what had happened to them.

But deep down in her heart, she feared that there might be news of Ainzal enduring a wretched life that didn’t suit him because of her.

She had a memory that resurfaced every time her mind became entangled with such thoughts.

It was the last image of him as he departed.

She thought it would become a memory she’d eventually forget.

It was only natural, given his mistakes and his apparent betrayal, that it would be buried under the waves of other memories.

However, even now, a vivid memory remained etched in a corner of her heart, resurfacing every time she dwelled on these thoughts.

It was his final gaze when he looked at them.

With black and red eyes filled with various unrecognizable emotions and thoughts, he gazed at them, then turned away and left.

What emotion had driven his gaze? Did he despise them, not knowing their kindness, and felt disgust as he cast them aside? Or did he revel in the thought of not having to look at those repulsive faces anymore?

His final breath came to mind.

As if preparing for something, he took a deep breath, then exhaled loudly, as if starting something new, and he left.

What emotion had driven that breath? Was it pessimism about his wretched situation? Or was it excitement about returning to his homeland with no good memories and leaving the empire behind?

His final steps came to mind.

The first step seemed hesitant, as if it was still stuck in doubt, the second step was deliberate and slow, as if making a firm decision to stride further, and the third step was taken with a determined, brisk pace as if shedding a burden, and he left.

Where were those steps leading? Was it an instinctual return to what he had lost, or was it a challenge towards a future that would never be buried and forgotten?

Every time this memory resurfaced, her heart ached.

His gaze, his breath, his steps, they all came back to her vividly, but he left no trace behind.

She had driven him away herself.

Now, whether he truly was a wicked villain or not, it didn’t matter anymore.

She regretted not embracing him during his torment.

The hurtful words she had spat at him, the way she had looked at him with eyes filled with hatred, they left clear scars that lingered behind her eyelids even when she closed her eyes.

It shouldn’t have been like this.

She had lived a life without knowing the meaning of regret. Her life had been a series of clear-cut problems, like solving puzzles or researching new truths, and she had always progressed and moved forward.

Yet, that vivid gaze left a lingering ache in the depths of her heart, a scar named regret.

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Even if he had truly fallen into corruption, even if he had conspired with the enemy, at the very least, she had no right to hold him accountable.

She was not allowed to be angry about it.

She delved into her mind, searching for the bright memories that had remained vivid.

The first time they fought the Demon Lord’s army and achieved a major victory, when she became a High Expert, when she defeated the Legion Commander, when she became the owner of the tower, when she became a Master, when she became a Grand Master, when she defeated the Demon King.

And then she understood.

His face occupied every bright memory.

Only now did she realize that all her bright memories had been built with him.

“…Is this for real?”

I sighed.

The monsters continued their rampage, and now creatures one might expect to see in any dungeon started appearing. I felt speechless seeing even a Minotaur mixed in.

“What’s next, bringing a freaking lich along?”

I scratched my head in frustration.

I felt uneasy. I didn’t fancy the character who pulled off such antics to the extent of annoying everyone, nor did I appreciate their ability to progress without even tipping me off. I couldn’t fathom what this person was aiming for.

Continuously, with the ongoing wave of monsters, I grew exasperated.

But there was someone going through all these processes with me.

I turned my head to sneak a glance at Sane. She casually wiped blood off her blade.

“…Aren’t you finding this hard?”

I asked Sane.

“Me? Why?”

Sane replied, perplexed.

“You’re doing this because you have to protect your hometown, but you have no relation to this, aren’t you finding it difficult?”

“…Not really, it’s not that difficult. I have to pay for living here.”

Gosh. I never thought someone would be fighting so many monsters just because of living here.

I looked at her with eyes that conveyed my lack of understanding.

“If it’s because you feel indebted or something, you don’t need to stay and help. I already said I forgive you.”

When I said that, she vehemently denied.

“No, no. It’s shameless to seek forgiveness just by doing this. Rather… I’m not someone who deserves forgiveness, so I have to do this kind of thing.”

“Damn.”

As I spoke, Sane added further.

“…It was difficult to live in the Empire.”

Upon hearing that, I began to understand a little.

“Well, the Emperor’s temperament is a bit hard to tolerate, to say the least.”

He replied to Sein’s words.

“… It was difficult to clash with the emperor, but it’s not just that… While living in the empire, I’ve always thought about it. I wondered if it’s right for me to live so luxuriously when you were chased away because of me.”

I decided to keep my mouth shut. It wasn’t my taste to see someone suffering like this because of past events.

I looked up at the sky. Crows flew around, and perhaps it was the beginning of the rainy season because dark clouds were gathering.

Feeling a ominous sensation, I turned my gaze to the sky. Somehow, I had a premonition that something momentous was about to happen.

And a few months later, news came that the emperor had died at the hands of black magicians.