Some people raised their hands.

But more people did not raise their hands.

That scene was shared with us, and with everyone on the continent.

Neril murmured without thinking.

[This is unexpected.]

[Yeah.]

[I thought it would overwhelmingly be ‘spare the Demon King.’]

Well, even I had expected something like 9 to 1.

But unexpectedly, the people who raised their hands weren’t that overwhelming.

Then Xenia spoke.

[It’s roughly between 6 to 4 and 7 to 3.]

[No error?]

[I can’t count the exact number of votes right now, but when it comes to whether it’s over a majority or not, there’s no way it’s wrong. We saw it through Agril’s eyes.]

Honestly, even without borrowing Agril’s name, if you grabbed any random passerby and asked them, you would get the same answer.

I waited for the right timing, then opened my mouth aloud.

“In case there’s any misunderstanding, I will say it again. Those who want the Demon King killed, those who want the Demon King executed, please raise your hand.”

But the ratio still didn’t change.

I nodded to Neril.

She quietly showed the next territory.

“This time it’s Avis Territory. Those who believe the Demon King must be killed right now, please raise your hand.”

Again, it was roughly the same.

Then the next territory.

And the next one.

Occasionally, some territories shifted to something like 5.5 to 4.5, but one thing was clear: more of humanity wanted Idria spared.

How long did that go on.

“For the last one, let’s look at the capital.”

And the result was the same.

Serein said,

[Calculating it based on the entire continent’s ratio…… it’s about 6.2 to 3.8. 62 percent of people are saying the Demon King should be spared.]

[Oh, you were calculating?]

[Yes. As you know, I have a genius-level talent for arithmetic.]

[Normally people say they are a bit good at arithmetic.]

[You can’t lie in front of the Demon King of Lies.]

I let out a small laugh.

Then it happened.

Tak.

A screen window appeared.

<This is a proposal regarding adding a new law.>

<The content is: ‘From now on, all negative energy will concentrate in the Demon King Idria.’>

<If this law is added, Heroes and Demon Kings will no longer appear in the world.>

Ever since gaining the complete Eye of Omniscience, this screen, Bion, had spoken to me with sentences, almost like a living person.

But this time, it felt slightly more business like.

It wasn’t because it held some personal resentment toward me.

‘Rather……’

It felt like someone returning to a professional tone when doing the work they were assigned.

<This law had the potential to violate the cornerstone ‘core law.’>

<Therefore, several conditions were attached. I will now check whether the conditions have been met.>

I swallowed once.

<You informed humanity that ‘all negative emotions concentrate in Idria.’>

<You hid the existence of Trail, which serves as a safety device.>

<Despite this, you obtained agreement from a majority of people to ‘spare the Demon King.’>

Then one more sentence appeared.

<Even though it was a huge loophole.>

“I thought you were acting professional just a moment ago.”

<In any case, with this, the new law can be added. Would you like to add it now?>

“Wait.”

There was one more thing I was aiming for while planning this whole event.

No, maybe I was looking forward to this part even more.

I was one hundred percent sure humanity would choose to spare the Demon King.

So that part didn’t worry me much.

Well, the result was closer than I expected…… but the outcome didn’t change.

‘What I’m really curious about… is this part.’

I took a deep breath and opened my mouth.

“I will now announce the results. Though you all already saw them.”

“…….”

“A very unexpected result has come out. Xenia, cancel the shared vision first.”

Xenia whispered something to Agril.

Soon, the view shifted.

Neril’s Append View remained, so the entire continent was probably watching this courtroom… and watching me in particular.

I spoke.

“As you all saw, you chose to spare Idria.”

“Uuuugh.”

“Hero, we don’t know what to say……”

“Hic… I’m sorry. Truly sorry.”

“Damn it. I just want to die.”

Sighs and murmurs mixed with grief came from the crowd.

Unexpectedly, they didn’t criticize those who made the opposite choice from themselves.

Was it because I was standing here?

That may be one reason, but certainly not the only one.

‘It’s because they understand.’

They understand the ones who chose differently.

Very good.

I hope that after Heroes and Demon Kings disappear, they continue with this mindset.

They may fight.

They may clash.

They may be hurt or upset.

But there is something all of them must now engrave deep into their bones.

There will no longer be a Demon King descending.

But at the same time, the Hero who protected them will also no longer exist.

I spoke in my heart.

‘The one who will protect you now is not a Hero.’

It is the person next to you, an ordinary person just like you.

I smiled without thinking.

Among the people regretting, someone saw my smile and spoke.

“Hero… you smiled?”

“It seems all of you are misunderstanding something. Not just those here, but everyone across the continent.”

“……?”

“Why are you apologizing to me? I’m not disappointed in you at all.”

At first, they all seemed unable to accept my words easily.

As if the Hero was generously trying to cover their mistakes for them.

I spoke lightly, as if it were nothing.

“I mean it. Why would I be disappointed in you?”

“…….”

“If you have forgotten, then let me say it again. During the Great Flood incident, I said it. Who is it that creates a Hero…….”

“Humanity.”

“Yes. I am the Hero you created. So how could I possibly criticize your choice? By what right would I criticize you?”

I raised my voice.

“I understand your decision well. And I respect it.”

“……!”

“But at the same time, I will do what a Hero must do.”

“W-what?”

“Please watch.”

Whiik. Tak.

I turned toward Idria.

As we had arranged in advance, she was acting with a rather triumphant expression.

“Hehe. I won, Mide.”

“…….”

“Humanity, blinded by immediate survival, made a selfish choice. They will be condemned by their descendants a thousand years from now.”

“…….”

“Well, for me it’s fortunate. I will keep my promise. I won’t appear in the world for the next thousand years.”

I grinned and spoke.

“Did you not hear what I just said?”

“What are you… ah.”

“Right. I told you I would do what a Hero must do.”

“…….”

“You struck a valid weak point. I didn’t expect you to threaten humanity like this to save your life. Truly a Demon King’s wicked craft.”

I continued slowly.

“So I will also do something befitting a Hero.”

“W-what are you talking about. Speak clearly!”

“First, I will take my sword back.”

In Idria’s abdomen, the Hero’s sword, well, the fake sword disguised as such, was still lodged.

It was the one known to seal the Demon King’s power.

Sseuk.

I pulled it out without hesitation.

Kwaal-kwaal.

“Khk.”

Idria didn’t even think to heal the gaping hole in her stomach and simply looked up at me.

Murmurs rose from the crowd.

“H-Hero?”

“Why did he pull the sword out……?”

“No way, is he angry at us? Did he unseal the Demon King because of that?”

“Calm down. The Hero would never do that!”

I shouted to everyone.

“Everyone. Do you trust Idria’s promise of a thousand years?”

“……W-well.”

“Unfortunately, I do not. Think of the endless lies revealed during the first trial. Do you think someone with such a history of deception suddenly became honest in this era?”

Idria jumped in, startled.

“N-no. I will keep my promise.”

“I wasn’t talking to you!”

“……!”

“Now, I respect your decision. But at the same time, I wish for eternal peace in this world.”

Someone asked in a trembling voice.

“H-how is that possible?”

“I will watch Idria forever.”

“Excuse me? But Mr. Mide, you will eventually pass away. And in the underworld, you cannot influence this world……”

“Exactly. Which is why I will take Idria with me to the underworld.”

Everyone’s faces froze in shock.

I looked at my party members.

And with a sorrowful expression I said,

“I’m sorry for making such a sudden decision.”

“M..Mide.”

“I will die together with Idria. And in the underworld, I will continue an ‘eternal battle’ with her soul, so that she can never resurrect again!”

Sway.

Neril staggered as if dizzy.

Xenia grabbed her shoulders and cried desperately.

“No! I can’t allow that!”

“Xenia.”

“After all this, we can’t let you go first.”

“But this is the only way. To stop Idria, who resurrects no matter how many times she is killed, we must prevent her from ever returning from the underworld.”

Offense opened his mouth.

His usual public image was solemn and strict.

But now, he was agitated in a way that didn’t suit that image.

“No. After saving the world, you had your own life you wanted to live!”

“…….”

“You said you wanted to spend peaceful, happy days with your lover Neril in a quiet place. Yes, you said you wanted to retire.”

“…….”

“I always thought it was too humble a dream for a Hero like you. I believed you deserved far greater respect.”

He ground his teeth.

“And now you’re saying you will abandon even that humble dream? For the people of this era, who pushed their burden onto future generations just to protect the present?”

Good. He is doing well.

That was Offense’s assigned role in this play.

My dream, retirement.

A small, simple dream that even ordinary people would imagine.

Offense was intentionally pointing out that I was willing to sacrifice even that small wish for humanity.

‘With this, my fame will go up quite a bit, right?’

[You really are something.]

‘It’s the last one.’

[Huh?]

‘I can feel it. This is my last attempt to raise my fame.’

So I need to make it as dramatic as possible.

As Offense finished, Serein and Lisel spoke.

“Mr. Mide, please don’t do this.”

“Yes. Let’s find another way. We always have.”

I shook my head.

“Sorry to both of you for answering like this. But this is the best I have come up with.”

“…….”

“Offense is right. My dream was a peaceful retirement. It might even have been my lifelong wish…….”

I looked up at the sky for no reason.

Neril, you’re capturing this well, right?

My expression filled with countless emotions.

The face of a Hero willing to sacrifice himself for the world.

“But it’s a dream I can give up for this world.”

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