0 – prologue

“Don’t think it’s going to end like this!”

To say that it was a voice that did not sound like a human language would be an overly favorable response to that voice.

It is a ferocious and disgusting voice that is unbelievable for a living creature. An alien voice that shouldn’t exist in this world, as if one’s mental strength was shattered just by hearing it.

But none of us were afraid of that voice. The saintess confidently shouted in response to the scream.

“The evil energy is waning! I won’t be able to fight any longer!”

The energy that had been pouring out until just a moment ago, making it impossible to breathe, was gradually weakening.

“Kuaaa

The Demon King was strong. However, the warrior party was stronger.

There was a knight who inherited the blood of the imperial family and the strength of the warrior. There was an archer who swore to leave the World Tree and annihilate evil.

There was a magician who had pursued the truth for hundreds of years, and there was a priest who swore to dedicate everything to the goddess and was recognized as having the deepest faith among believers.

Their faces weren’t all that good either. The warrior’s blessed armor was torn to shreds like pieces of paper that a child played with.

Of course, the faces of those who should have been in the back row weren’t all right. The archers and wizards sat down from the fatigue of battle, but the joy of victory shimmered in their eyes.

The reason they stopped attacking was not despair and giving up. It wasn’t that he had exhausted himself by using up all his strength.

“Ugh, keugh, aaa!”

It was because the ultimate magic that the magician had last activated was still crushing the demon lord along with space.

“aaa!”

He was a demon king who said a lot, but at the end he let out a clichéd scream.

And soon, that too was gone. The Demon King is gone.

“You did it, you did it, Eleanor!”

The wizard grinned at the saintess’ bright voice. The hero’s expression was relatively unshakable, but there was a hint of happiness mixed with her determined expression.

“Thanks to all of you for being with us. Thank you for your hard work until the end. Nerwen, Celia, Farseer.”

“Among them, you are the one who put in the most effort and did the most honorable thing, hero. When you return, you will write a poem about your exploits. There are few elves who have accomplished the same feat as you.”

It wasn’t often that Nerwen said something like that. It’s probably more than the best compliment she can give.

“I’m in the red, but… Well, considering the experience I’ve accumulated here and the risk that could arise from the demon king’s army rampaging, I’m sure I’ll just barely make it. Oh, but I’m including the promised support for the magic tower.”

Although the wizard was relatively less happy, no one gave her a stinging glance. What we just saw was a sight that could be regarded as a human-made miracle that happened in the present world.

“It’s over. Let’s go back.”

“Should I call you Princess Nari now? Well, is it okay if we keep calling each other like this?”

“I don’t care what you call it, if you want to emphasize that much that you’re older than my grandfather.”

With a light joke, the party members who had been sitting down rose from their seats. After a long adventure, it was time to head back.

But my work is not over. I hurriedly picked up the arrows and scattered magic tools that had fallen on the ground and hurriedly called the party members who were really about to leave the demon king’s room.

“Hey, hold on!”

“What is it, ‘stinky bag’? You didn’t stop us by talking nonsense, did you?”

The archer’s cold gaze was fixed on me.

“It’s still time to pick up the arrow…”

“It’s stupid, but the Demon King is dead, so where are you going to use it by desperately picking up an arrow? Stop talking nonsense and follow me.”

The wizard’s words were blunt as always, but it was nice to see him today. As he turned around holding only the arrow in his arm, the archer’s cold eyes poured out.

“Are you going to leave the precious arrows of the elves with the foolish judgment of a bag of four?”

It’s this shit again Their opinions were divided, but they blamed me.

I could understand it because I was under a lot of stress, but I couldn’t help but feel irritated when I was hit.

“Then, shall we pick them all up?”

“It’s literally a slave’s instinct to need orders. But I like knowing the subject. Yes, pick it up.”

I sighed and bent down again to pick up the arrow. However, the other four did not wait for me.

“No, so please wait a little bit…”

“Since the Demon King is dead, the remaining ones are just remnants. Since you’re the one who went through training with me, you won’t be defeated by just this much.”

The cold voice of the hero tightened my throat.

Although it was called training, it was nothing more than a beating as she unilaterally knocked me down as she gained the strength of a warrior in addition to being a professionally trained knight.

Even if it’s a remnant that will soon disperse, it’s the Demon King’s Castle. If you get caught by a low-level monster by mistake, you will die that same day.

“Don’t you know what a great honor it is to be able to accompany you on this adventure, even as a porter?”

I gave up hope It was impossible to convince the hero in such a state.

“Even the laziest and most incompetent of my Order could be called a hard-working genius compared to you!

“under…”

I sighed deeply and just watched the warriors leave. The decision made by the princess, Eleanor, does not change.

If two or three other party members rush in and convince them, there might be a possibility. However, my voice wasn’t even worth half a person’s.

As always, I had no choice but to risk my life and avoid it somehow. I just survived the battle with the demon lord, so if it’s a low-level monster, I think I can somehow avoid it.

I sighed deeply and started to pick up the arrows that had fallen on the ground. The wounds from the demon king earlier ached.

In the empty Demon King’s room, only the rustling sound of picking up arrows could be heard.