I Became the Burden of a Conscienceless Party

86 – The Demon King and Lilith (12)

Demon King and Lilith (12)

The Manmata clan was a rare breed of kinship among the demon race.

However, as I said before, the Manmata clan’s love for their own kind is not about taking care of their own kind, but rather about making sure to control those who provoke their own kind.

Yes, so it was the same with Belphegor.

“You wretched lizards. And those dregs from Abaddon who have forgotten history and settled for reality, and those humans who dare to boast that they will kill me without knowing how high the sky is.”

The cool voice of the Demon King, who came with the blue sky, made each being called tremble.

“You don’t understand the topic.”

Tsk tsk!

At the same time, the body of the ancient dragon, Indra, was torn to pieces.

The ancient dragon, who had lived a ridiculous life for thousands of years, died without even realizing what had happened to him and without even leaving a scream.

The extra sighed deeply as he realized belatedly what Jim meant by ‘the weather is bad’.

‘This is a bad thing.’

There’s a limit to this, you little punk.

The extra muttered as if he was frustrated.

He didn’t seem particularly scared. No, it would be more correct to say that he had already accepted the ending.

There’s no way I could survive against a monster like that.

“… … .”

Esmeralda bowed her head.

I couldn’t make eye contact.

Esmeralda was terrified, feeling the most desperate despair she had ever felt since becoming a warrior.

I always believed that everything would be okay.

We have been drawing a picture of a hopeful future.

I have faced many strong opponents and suffered many defeats.

But she held on, believing that she would become stronger and that she would be the one to win in the end.

But is that the realm?

Could it be that she, a mere human, could ever defeat an opponent who seemed unattainable even if she trained her whole life with the strength of a warrior?

That’s a funny story.

It was a foolish and naive conclusion, like the knight who mistook windmills for monsters.

Maybe he was just dreaming of being a warrior.

“They’re not worth killing, but there’s no reason to keep alive those who messed with Lilith.”

The death sentence given to Esmeralda, who had become weak-hearted.

Esmeralda could not even think of resisting, and just looked at the ground in despair.

“Your Majesty! Let me speak to you briefly… …!”

Lilith, who seemed to have noticed that the situation was turning strange, was about to say something, but Belphegor was quicker.

Lilith’s figure disappeared as if she had never been there in the first place, and the black hole in the sky began to get smaller little by little.

And at the same time, a feeling of oppression descends around them, as if the sky itself is pressing down on the earth.

“ah…….”

Esmeralda looked up at the eerily beautiful blue sky and thought, isn’t that a miracle? Isn’t that proof of a god who was said to have disappeared from this world?

Esmeralda was finally able to realize what kind of being the Demon King, the one she had been trying to be hostile to, who had collaborated with humans to bring down the Heavenly God, was.

‘What should I do… … .’

Should she still take up arms against such a monster? Would it make any difference if she did?

Originally, Esmeralda would have thrown herself at the scene to save her comrades, but she was in so much shock that it seemed impossible for her to even pull herself together.

A look of complete loss of will in the face of the overly high wall of reality.

Esmeralda lowered her head and tried to adapt to reality.

And then.

“Indeed, you were so high up. It must be hard to meet you like this.”

“… … .”

There was a being looking up at the sky, opposite to her.

[Blue Blood Lv. 2] → [Blue Blood Lv. 3]

He had lost his strength and even his dignity, but he was not intimidated by such an overwhelming monster.

He was so weak that he could have been killed by a simple press of a finger, but he still looked up at the sky with dignity. He looked at what he could not dare to look down on as if it were nothing.

[Comprehensive Estimate Lv. 776]

He seemed to have grown even further, but he was still weak.

That power could never be seen as a source of confidence.

So what made him so confident?

Even in this critical situation, Esmeralda watched Jim’s every move as if she was curious.

And the moment he spread his hands as if to catch the falling sky.

“It’s a shame I couldn’t talk to you because you didn’t even give me a chance to talk… … .”

Damn!

The blue sky broke apart and seeped into his body.

“I feel like I understand you a little bit.”

[Comprehensive Estimate Lv. 1034]

It was the moment when the ascetic of Capilla retrieved some of the overflowing celestial energy from Belphegor.

***

Lived.

Only then did Esmeralda realize that she had survived.

I don’t know what the hell Jim did to catch the falling sky, but he was lucky. If it weren’t for Jim, no one here would have survived.

But more importantly, Jim and Esmeralda haven’t fainted yet.

“… Mr. Jim.”

“… … .”

Finally, I had the chance to speak directly with Jim in his original form.

Esmeralda staggered towards Jim and clung to him.

There were many things I wanted to ask.

What is Jim’s true identity, what is his purpose, why did he save me then, why did he stop Irina’s rampage then?

Whether he is a real angel, and if he is, why is he not revealing the fact?

Many thoughts crossed her mind, but only one was engraved in her mind at the moment.

“Can I defeat the Demon King?”

Words from someone who solved this dilemma.

The assurance I want to receive from him.

It was a blatant desire. Already frustrated, it seemed like he needed a chance to get back up again. Yes, just a word.

With just those one words, Esmeralda can stand up again.

He was such a strong man.

but…….

“I think it is you, the warrior, and not me, who must find the answer.”

“… … .”

Jim didn’t answer. No, he didn’t really have an answer. Even if it was a lie, Esmeralda would have wanted to hear ‘yes.’

Still, he spoke frankly and without any pretense.

“The world cannot survive alone.”

Jim caressed Esmeralda’s cheek, who was blankly looking at him.

The blue flame warmly brushed her cheek, the warmth spreading throughout her body and healing it.

The hero party is centered around the hero Esmeralda, but she alone cannot do it. Yes, the same goes for people.

It is impossible to live alone.

So I understand why she would want to cling to someone.

but…….

“There are times when you have to rely solely on yourself as a light.”

It’s her life.

It’s up to her to decide which direction to take.

I can show you where the path is, but it is up to you to decide which path to take.

So, at this moment, when she is faced with an important decision, it would be better for her to think hard and come to a conclusion on her own, rather than relying on the answer given to her by someone else.

Because you won’t have any regrets.

“Of course, that may be a long way around. It may be a question I have to carry with me for the rest of my life.”

Esmeralda’s eyes began to close as the warmth spread across her cheeks. She felt sleepy. It was as if she was in a warm blanket.

“But isn’t there someone willing to join you on that journey?”

“I am…….”

“You seem tired. Get some sleep and try to think about it again with a clear mind. Worries can be surprisingly easy to solve.”

The moment Jim finished speaking.

Esmeralda collapsed as if relieved.

***

“Ugh… … .”

Tina opened her eyes in pain.

Tina, who had barely managed to get up by twisting her body and holding onto the ground, thought about why she had fallen, then quickly got up from her spot with her face turning pale.

“Esmeralda!”

The last scene in her memory is lightning that turned the sky white.

And after that.

The moment when I saw a phenomenon that seemed like a miracle I had read about in a book.

I don’t remember anything after that moment.

I can’t tell where the dream begins and where reality begins.

The situation is that unrealistic.

And Tina, convinced that more than half of them were not dreams, sought out Esmeralda first.

It’s only natural. She was the one who had the hardest time in this situation.

The fact that Tina is alive and well right now is also a blessing.

Rather than feeling relieved, I was worried about how much Esmeralda had risked to ensure her safety.

“Esmeralda?”

However, Tina was speechless as she looked at Esmeralda, who was looking up at the sky with a normal appearance.

Her intuition tells her.

That Esmeralda was in despair. That she was lost in her pain and anguish, and did not know what to do.

I have no idea what happened while I was unconscious.

“Tina.”

“… … Thank goodness. You seem to be okay.”

Tina decided to feel relieved first.

I don’t know what happened to Esmeralda, but as long as she’s alive, we can aim for the next one.

I don’t know what her concerns are, but I can help her think about them and find answers.

“Oh, of course. I’m fine.”

“Really? That’s good.”

An attitude that seems to be trying to gloss over it.

Tina knew of the blatant reaction, but she acquiesced.

If you want to pretend to be strong, that’s okay. She’s smart, so if she’s really having a hard time, she’ll consult with herself.

And from the point that I was trying to figure it out on my own, it seemed like a problem I had to solve on my own.

“Tina, your complexion isn’t too good yet. How about resting a little longer?”

“Even if I tell you to rest… … How on earth can you rest here? The tent has disappeared without a trace. But isn’t it a bit strange to just lie down on the bare ground?”

“Ah, haha. That, that’s right?”

“then.”

An unusually unnatural attitude.

Tina suddenly felt a thorn stuck in her throat.

Why is that?

I have a feeling that Esmeralda is hiding something. No, that’s for sure. I’m sure she’s worried about something.

But her intuition told her that it might be a slightly different worry than what she was thinking.

And Tina trusted her instincts and looked around.

I could still see Irina and Milia lying down. And I also knew that what I should see was not visible.

“But where is the luggage?”

“… … .”

Cold sweat ran down Esmeralda’s forehead.