Morning, in a certain plaza within the royal castle grounds.

From a distance, I watched Sogou as she spoke with the White Wolf King.

In the plaza, Kirihara Takuto stood upright, frozen solid in ice.

I couldn’t hear what the two of them were saying.

The White Wolf King also had an attendant with him.

A female knight named Sicily Artlight.

Apparently, she is the commander of Magnar’s White Rabbit Knights.

When the White Wolf King first appeared in the plaza, his shoulders were tense with anger.

He was quite large, so the way he strode forward had an intimidating presence.

Having found the killer of his silent brother……

“It’s this guy huh.”

He said sharply, glaring at the frozen Kirihara.

First, I explained the situation, then I introduced Sogou.

The White Wolf King had never met Kirihara or Sogou directly before.

This was their first meeting.

Of course, however, the White Wolf King already knew about the existence of the S-Rank Heroes.

What Kirihara had done to the White Wolf Knights had also been properly conveyed to him.

……You could call it irony.

Regarding the White Wolf Knights incident……

I had someone from Mira tell him that the distant cause was Vysis.

When the White Wolf King learned that, he most likely defected to the anti-Vysis side.

As a result, Magnar was completely switched over at a relatively early stage.

Now…… The White Wolf King appears to be exchanging words with Sogou again and again.

“I want to try speaking with him alone. With my own words.”

Those were Sogou’s words when we came to this plaza.

So I didn’t intervene, I’m merely standing by formally.

For now, there seems to be no need to interfere.

……Kirihara Takuto.

“If he becomes an obstacle in the fight against Vysis, eliminate him.”

That used to be an absolute condition.

But things are different now.

You could say he’s no longer someone who has much to do with me.

So for the moment, I’ll leave it to the people directly involved.

Eventually———— After politely bowing to the White Wolf King, Sogou left the spot.

After that, Sogou walked over to Sicily, who had been watching from a distance like I had.

Then the White Wolf King beckoned to me.

When I approached, he looked me over with an appraising gaze and said,

[I thought so earlier as well, but…… for the infamous Fly King being such a young hero. It’s still hard to believe.]

I glanced toward Sogou, who was talking with Sicily in the distance.

[It seems your discussion with Ayaka Sogou has ended. How was it?]

The White Wolf King snorted and let out a heavy breath.

[That girl is quite troublesome.]

[———I see.]

[She talked about wanting to understand evil, wanting to learn about it…… but her true feelings are probably only half of that at most. Until she can judge something as truly evil, she doesn’t want to hand down a death sentence recklessly, and she likely doesn’t want any more people to die. Well———- at the very least, she doesn’t seem to be a fool whose eyes are completely clouded. That much I can give her.]

……For someone who used to be on Vysis’ side.

Even if it’s a bit rude to say——— He seems like someone with relatively decent sensibilities.

[But are you truly fine with this? Takuto Kirihara is…… your younger brother’s killer, isn’t he?]

[……To be honest, it’s also a bit anticlimactic.]

The White Wolf King approached the frozen Kirihara and casually tapped the surface of the ice with the back of his hand.

[If he weren’t in this state, I might have beheaded him on the spot without another word. But this condition won’t be lifted for more than 200 days. And when I first heard of my brother’s death beneath the imperial capital of Mira, my body burned with a maddening desire for revenge…… Yet time is a frightening thing.]

[So with the passage of time, your grudge faded?]

[Perhaps it was also because such a brutal battle happened in between. Until now, I had never had the chance to interact directly with Heroes from Another World. But during the battle at Azziz, I fought alongside Tomohiro Yasu. That may have taken some of the malicious thoughts out of me as well. To begin with, I hadn’t heard very good things about that Upper-Rank Hero. But once we actually fought together…… Honestly, his resolve and the way he fought stunned me to the core. That is what I would call a “hero” now.]

[……………………]

The White Wolf King tapped the ice again with a small knock and raised the corner of his mouth slightly.

[Ah, don’t misunderstand. It’s not like Tomohiro Yasu’s exploits made me feel inclined to forgive this fool. It’s just…… the passage of time is a frightening thing. Not only hatred but even passion…… the peak of human emotions usually doesn’t last very long. Or perhaps it’s precisely because time has the power to heal…… that people can soften their painful memories and stand up again.]

[In other words…… you intend to accept Ayaka Sogou’s request and allow Takuto Kirihara to return to his original world just like that?]

[Well…… that’s how it will be.]

[If you’re willing to wait over half a year, there are methods to ensure his death automatically. For example, sinking him into the sea or throwing him into a volcano and leisurely waiting for my skill to be released———-]

[Ha. That’s quite a twisted idea you’ve got there, Fly King. No…… if he can simply be sent back to his original world, that’s good enough for me. I don’t want to be involved with him anymore———- Just the fact that this fool would remain in this world for over half a year leaves a bad taste in my mouth. Even if he were to die after that much time passes. Besides…… from what I hear, even the high-ranking Deity can’t deactivate that freezing ability of yours, right? In that case, there’s no telling what unexpected thing might happen later.]

[You don’t want to leave such an uncertain factor behind…… so you’d rather send him back as soon as possible.]

[Umu. And besides…… Sigurd wouldn’t wish for it either. If this White Wolf King were to spend more than half a year with thoughts of revenge lingering in the back of his mind, he’d surely scold me and say I should focus only on rebuilding the country. There’s a mountain of things to do for reconstruction. And as king, I must lead that effort while supporting the people’s morale.]

“And another thing……”, the White Wolf King continued.

[In the life of royalty…… stories about someone disgracing or assassinating someone else are commonplace even within the royal palace. That’s just how nations are. Even the most glorious history, if you peel back the surface, reveals a world filled with grudges and resentment.]

In other words, he’s used to it.

That’s probably what he meant.

But when it comes to his own younger brother, it should be different.

……Yet at the same time, I can understand.

Rather than seeking revenge, one should move forward.

One should devote all their strength to leading their people toward the future.

That is——— perhaps, the duty and way of thinking of a king.

Revenge is an act that clings to the past.

For those who look toward the future, it can even be considered a kind of unnecessary “poison”.

If you are bound by revenge——— you cannot move forward.

Certainly, that way of thinking exists.

I won’t deny it.

For example, people like Eve and Liz are the kind who should move toward the future.

……Though personally, I won’t deny the usefulness of revenge either.

And also———-

“The peak of human emotions doesn’t last very long.”

In a sense, that might also be the truth.

Being able to sustain it would be the abnormal thing.

Everyone forgets.

They forget——— and are healed.

Perhaps it’s something like a human defense instinct.

Snap.

The White Wolf King pointed a finger straight at me.

[Let me say this in advance…… even if I’ve come to accept it, perhaps my dead brother himself might have wished for revenge———– that sort of tactless remark, keep it to yourself. Saying that would be an insult to my brother. Aside from his wife, Diaris, I know him better than anyone else in this world. If anyone other than Diaris starts running their mouth about this matter, I won’t tolerate it. But knowing him…… he would probably wish that someone protect Diaris and his child in his place. And if I follow that wish———– then the correct answer is to send that fool back to his original world as soon as possible.]

[I’ll ask anyway…… does his wife know about this?]

At that, the White Wolf King lowered both his finger and his tone, scratching his head.

[She’s pregnant, so I left Diaris in Azziz…… but I told her about the man responsible. Even so, she said she doesn’t want revenge.]

[She heard about the situation, looked down at her own belly, and said this.

“Even if it were only for a single day…… I do not wish to nurture this child inside a mother who is thinking about revenge. Besides…… even if vengeance were achieved, that person would not bring him back to life. And Sigurd———- rather than dwelling on revenge…… he would surely tell me to prioritize giving birth to this child safely and raising it well.”]

[……She sounds like a truly admirable person.]

The White Wolf King gestured toward Sicily, who was speaking with Sogou, with his thumb.

[Her sister, Diaris, said something along the lines of “Is that really so? Personally, I think I’d feel much more satisfied if revenge were carried out properly, even if it took some time~~” though.]

Incidentally, Jonato’s Saintess had apparently been an old friend of Sicily.

And indirectly, Vysis had killed Jonato’s Saintess during the Sacred Eye Defense Battle.

When Sicily arrived here and learned of Vysis’ fate……

“I felt a little relieved when I learned she had truly fallen into despair and will continue to suffer an excessively harsh punishment. How should I put it…… from the bottom of my heart, I couldn’t help thinking, serves her right. I hope she suffers unbearably for the rest of her life before finally meeting the most disgraceful death imaginable.”

Or so she apparently said.

With a dazzling smile on her face.

[……………………]

This might be rude since it’s only an impression.

But that woman, Sicily Artlight……

She carries herself with a soft and refined demeanor.

As for her appearance, she would certainly be considered quite beautiful.

Her smile has a somewhat otherworldly charm that draws people in.

But…… I get the feeling her true nature is rather calculating.

No——— Of course, that’s just based on my intuition.

What is it exactly……

I feel a slight sense of sympathy with her…… perhaps.

The White Wolf King continued speaking.

[Earlier I spoke about how emotions don’t last…… But when you are a king, you cannot afford to be constantly swayed by emotion. Especially negative ones. Among them, the desire for revenge may be the most extreme example. Revenge is like poison. Handle it the wrong way, and in the worst case…… you yourself may be consumed by that poison. In that sense, revenge…… is an emotion and an act that only those with the qualification and the aptitude to wield it should undertake.]

[……………………]

This——— is normal.

The past gradually becomes something you distance yourself from.

Convincing your own heart and choosing to forget is far wiser.

You expect that time will heal things.

Rather than burning yourself up with revenge……

You should prioritize becoming happy.

In fact——–

Forgetting and becoming happy———– could even be called the greatest revenge.

……That’s the cliché you often hear.

And that will likely remain the “publicly accepted answer” from here on out.

But still———

The White Wolf King’s way of thinking carries a certain persuasiveness.

“Revenge chooses its people.”

In other words, some people are suited for revenge, and some are not.

If I consider someone like Eve Speed……

It’s true that she is not suited for revenge.

But……

[……As for me,]

I spoke.

[I find it extremely unpleasant when someone who trampled on the dignity of the virtuous, causing pain to my heart, continues living freely without receiving any punishment. At the very least, I want them to suffer as much as the person they trampled. Even if it’s a selfish act of private justice, I want to make them experience the same, or worse. Yes…… I cannot endure it. It’s not about whether it’s right or wrong from the perspective of the law or society…… I simply cannot accept it. I don’t believe the entire world must operate that way. But at the very least, within the reach of my own hands, I want to appease this “restlessness” inside me…… I want to vent my anger. Even if it’s nothing more than self-satisfaction.]

[That is——– only natural.]

[ ? ]

At that moment……

The White Wolf King suddenly kicked the frozen Kirihara violently.

And then……

[That’s why——— if I were being honest, I’d cut off this idiot’s head on the spot! Don’t screw with me…… you sh*tty brat! Don’t you dare try to pin this on Vysis either! You think I’d leave you that kind of escape route, you moron!? It’s a fact that you killed my brother by your own decision! The same goes for the men of the White Wolf Knights! Don’t you dare crawl into some refuge called “sympathy”! What you did is your crime, your own d*mn crime! You piece of trash hero! Die! Drop dead! Die for the rest of your life! Keep dying forever! I sincerely hope you live the most miserable life imaginable! Suffer for the rest of your life! That’s right! I will never forgive you for as long as I live! Even if you return to your world and lose your memories, remember this well, you filthy scumbag of a hero!]

Again——- and again.

Thud. Thud.

Kick. Kick.

The White Wolf King kicked the frozen Kirihara, over and over again.

The ice block wobbled earlier and had already fallen onto the ground.

Kirihara, frozen in ice, rolled across the ground.

Accompanied by a stream of curses, the White Wolf King kept kicking him relentlessly.

Both Sogou and Sicily stared in stunned disbelief at the sudden scene.

After hurling insult after insult for a while——–

The White Wolf King was breathing heavily, shoulders rising and falling.

Finally, he spat on the surface of the ice.

Then he let out a breath, looking slightly more relieved.

[Even I’m not satisfied with this at all…… the optimal solution and my feelings are two different things. Frozen or not——— if I don’t at least vent the emotions that have built up inside me like this, it wouldn’t sit right with me.]

[You are…… truly an adult.]

He knows well how to find a balance.

[Hmph…… I also carry the stain of having once supported Vysis. Though if I may offer a small excuse…… whenever the Root of All Evil descends, Magnar almost always becomes the front line geographically. Given that, we cannot afford to antagonize Alion, the nation capable of summoning Heroes from Another World. But no matter what excuse I make, it remains true that I sided with Vysis. Reality and emotion…… they are not easily reconciled.]

“And besides……”, the White Wolf King said as he turned toward Sogou.

Perhaps because it was right after his outburst———

When his gaze fell on her, Sogou flinched.

[This is the first time we’ve met face to face, but I heard what happened in the battle at the Anti-Demon White Castle from the surviving people of Magnar. They said that before the Fly King Squadron arrived, Ayaka Sogou fought desperately…… that if Hero Ayaka hadn’t defeated the Human-Faced and taken on one of the enemy’s Confidants, they might not be standing here now.]

I looked at Sogou as well.

……See? I told you so.

You did save some people.

There are those who are grateful.

[So your decision regarding Kirihara took that into account as well?]

[To some extent.]

“Incidentally……”, I began.

I explained that Kirihara had suffered a complete defeat in his battle against me.

And that———- he had been frozen in ice amidst utter humiliation.

[……I see. In that case, my resentment is eased even further…… fumu, I see. You have my thanks, Fly King. I’m glad to hear that.]

[No…… I merely forced Kirihara to face the facts without mercy.]

[Fuhaha. Precisely why it’s so satisfying.]

At that moment, the White Wolf King’s expression suddenly changed.

[By the way, Fly King…… I have a request I’d like to discuss with you.]

[With me?]

[In this battle that could be called the Goddess War, you seem to be regarded as one of the greatest contributors, do you not?]

[From a third-party perspective, that does appear to be the evaluation.]

[I will accept Ayaka Sogou’s request…… but in return, my nation of Magnar will demand reparations from Alion, the country that harbored the goddess Vysis.]

[……You want me to mediate that?]

[You catch on quickly. Yes. I want you to secure a generous reconstruction budget for Magnar in the form of reparations, along with a promise of continuous reconstruction support over several years. I’m not asking them to empty their treasury. But considering that our country is geographically almost always the front line against the Root of All Evil, shouldn’t they continue to show us some consideration? That’s the proposal. You currently should be in a position to push through a request of that level, right?]

[Well…… considering everything involving Vysis, Alion will likely be held responsible to some degree. If it’s framed as a “proposal” taking advantage of that situation, I should be able to make it happen from my position.]

The White Wolf King grinned.

[The remarkable recovery of my nation would be what my late brother wished for most. And that would also allow Diaris to raise and protect the child she carries in prosperity. In that case, I will show a willingness to compromise regarding the Kirihara matter…… and in return, I will fulfill the promise I made to the dead.]

He also intends to demand generous compensation for the families of the fallen White Wolf Knights.

He wants it included within the reconstruction support.

With the tip of his shoe, the White Wolf King gave the frozen Kirihara a sharp kick.

[The families probably don’t know the exact circumstances of how the White Wolf Knights were wiped out. So instead, it will be said that “the White Wolf Knights fought and fell while defending this world during a series of battles known as the Goddess War”———- It will be recorded as an honorable death. That’s better than leaving it as a meaningless one.]

▽

The White Wolf King and his people would remain in Enoh for several more days.

A conference between representatives of the various nations was to be held.

At the meeting, they would discuss the future of the entire continent, as well as the cleanup after everything that had happened.

The truly shrewd one was the Bakuos Empire.

The Emperor of Bakuos declared that he would not attend the conference.

His reason was that “we contributed nothing in this matter”.

In truth, Bakuos as a nation had kept its stance ambiguous until the very end.

However, in place of the Emperor, a Black Dragon Knight of Bakuos would attend the conference.

The man’s name was Gus Thornfield.

After the Five Dragon Knights were gone, a new group called the Three Dragon Knights had been hastily formed.

But not long after its establishment, two of them were killed in the battle at the Anti-Demon White Castle.

As a result, only Gus Thornfield survived.

Since then, he had been the one leading the Black Dragon Knights alone.

From what I heard, his personality was also relatively sincere, especially for a dragon knight of that country.

Cattleya likely had complicated feelings toward Bakuos.

Yet even she seemed to trust that particular dragon knight.

During the battle at the Anti-Demon White Castle, he had carried out a desperate charge together with the Neia army.

He had also continued participating in the Goddess Subjugation Army while leading the Black Dragon Knights.

That same dragon knight had also taken part in the assault on the Genesis Labyrinth.

So, in that sense……

Whether for better or worse, the emperor of Bakuos was cunning.

If the Emperor himself attended, his influence in the conference would likely be almost nonexistent.

On the other hand, considering the actions of a man like Gus———-

The other nations would have no choice but to listen to him.

As for me———

I didn’t need to attend the conference.

Which meant…… there was one thing I wanted to do before Thesis returned.

This timing would be the best.

With a small gift in hand, I headed to Vysis’ laboratory and met with Thesis.

[About that teleportation from the other day…… you mentioned that if you could form a clear image of the destination, it would be easier, right?]

[Before that, may I ask something? Munch munch…… What’s the name of this delicious food?]

[It’s a matcha chou à la crème.]

[Matcha…… what exactly is matcha?]

[It’s a kind of tea.]

[And what about that chou à la crème?]

[To be precise, it’s cream puff.]

[Cream puff.]

Lick.

Thesis carefully licked the green cream clinging to her thumb.

[……This is troubling. It’s far too delicious. Ah, right——— teleportation…… teleportation, yes. If we can share and adjust the image of the location, the accuracy will improve. Hmmm, considering the structural durability of the teleportation circle I absorbed…… we could probably manage three or four more uses.]

[If the place we want to teleport to hasn’t moved since last time…… under that condition, how many people could you transport?]

[Since it isn’t a place I’ve personally visited before…… let’s see. The more people there are, the greater the deviation becomes. Including myself, five people———- no, to be safe, let’s say four.]

[I see.]

[You have somewhere you wish to teleport to, with my assistance, don’t you?]

“Yes”, I nodded.

[There are about two people I’d like to have meet someone face to face. And also…… while I’m at it, there’s someone I’d like to check on———— to see whether they’ve finally learned how to smile again.]

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