Chapter 52 – Please Save Me

“Go.”

The moment those words left Deus’ lips.

“…Haa…”

The man, who had barely clung to composure, crumbled.

His entire body was slick. He was drenched in a cold sweat.

Unbelievable. He hadn’t felt this way even facing other demons.

What manner of being was this, to wield such power?

“Y-you really…”

His words faltered of their own accord. He wondered if this was a dream, or reality.

Unbecoming of a creature forged from a fragment of Astaroth.

He had treated other demons with nonchalance.

But at this precise moment, he was no more than the vermin someone might speak of.

“You’re really letting me go?”

He felt the gaze of the demon, or monster, before him, studying him.

The look in those eyes seemed to say, “Why. Don’t you believe me?”

“It’s not that I don’t believe you. It’s… truly, you promise?”

“If I promised, I’ll keep it. Besides, the answers you provided were surprisingly credible.”

“…”

“Go, now. Before I change my mind. While no one else is watching.”

Come to think of it, the human woman from before had gone quite far away at the behest, or command, of this monster.

She likely knew nothing of the situation here. This was his chance. He had to retreat, quickly.

If the human returned and refused to let him go, the monster might hesitate!

“The humans the Duke knocked unconscious are about an hour away from here. They’re not dead… but they’ll all be strewn about the road, so you best find them quickly.”

“Understood.”

“And… one last thing.”

The man carrying Astaroth on his back turned back before taking his leave.

“The demons already know about you.”

“About me?”

“Yes. ‘The trumpet that echoes in the dawn’s sky.'”

Then, a chilling intent flickered in Deus’ eyes. Enough to send shivers down the spine of anyone who beheld it.

Even the man flinched, his body trembling slightly, intimidated by the force.

‘Was that a challenge? A declaration that he was ready to take on anyone who dared to come?’

Truly an arrogant display. Perhaps more so than any demon he had ever encountered.

But it was warranted. It would be stranger if he weren’t arrogant.

This wasn’t just any demon but Astaroth, and he had crushed one of the dukes of hell.

Meanwhile.

‘Son of a b*tch.’

Why did they know? Why, for god’s sake? That phrase I blurted out without thinking.

I was so embarrassed even after saying it that I was squirming, and now, what? The demons know?

So much so that they were calling him a trumpet in the dawn’s sky right to his face?

How mortifying. Humiliating. Embarrassing. Why did I say something so strange?

This must be how it feels to fail at following the hero’s lead in a story.

That demon probably thinks, ‘What a pathetic excuse!’ He’d be right to laugh.

One regretting his damn fool words, the other seeing it as a chance to survive.

A strange silence hung between them, broken only after a few minutes.

“…They’re starting to arrive.”

It seemed Nefertiti, having left earlier, had linked up with the other ability users who were searching. And they were heading this way.

Judging by their speed, they’d be here within twenty minutes.

“Why are you standing around? Get moving.”

“I’m going. I’m going. Definitely going.”

The man ran, not daring to look back.

As if hesitating for even a moment would mean the monster would leap out and kill him.

“….”

Ah. Maybe I should just catch up and blast those two right now.

It’s tempting, at least. A little regret creeps in, wondering if I really had to keep my promise.

I could do it. No matter how fast they run, one is wounded, the other unconscious.

I only suffered a few scratches and bruises. It’s not impossible.

‘No. First, I need to take care of those scattered by the roadside.’

I head in the direction the man indicated. He said an hour away; ten minutes should be enough.

I even considered that if one of them was clinging to life by a thread, I’d give chase immediately.

“Oh.”

Luckily for them, all four ability users were still breathing.

Nothing cut off, nothing broken. Just unconscious.

He said he wouldn’t kill. It seems that wasn’t a lie.

Is he really becoming an enemy-turned-ally?

Well. Astaroth *is* a named demon. I guess that’s possible.

It would be great if internal conflict turned him into a complete enemy though.

While those thoughts swirled in my head, I hoisted two ability users on each shoulder.

Then, I sprinted like a madman, covering the distance and returning to my starting point in ten minutes.

“Senior!”

Nefertiti came into view, having joined up with other ability users from the Ability Bureau.

They had just arrived, it seemed, and were surveying the battlefield.

“You’ve arrived. Director. And everyone else.”

“A-are you alright? The demons… what are those on your shoulders?”

“Ah. These are the ones who lost contact.”

A look of bewilderment flickered across Nefertiti’s face.

Wasn’t he just fighting the demons a moment ago?

But now, instead of demons, he’s with ability users?

“During the fierce battle, they suddenly chose to flee. I gave chase, but unfortunately, I lost them. Fortunately, I found these ability users in the process.”

“….”

A fierce battle. But… doesn’t he look a little too unscathed to have just been through a fierce battle?

Nefertiti and the other espers who’d followed her couldn’t help but share the same thought.

*

“Ugh… what, what happened?”

“Is everyone coming to?”

“You imbeciles! Do you have any idea how worried we were?!”

Espers regaining consciousness, their comrades scolding them with relief.

Thankful that no one had perished, they helped each other stand.

“Princess!”

“Everyone! Is everyone unharmed?”

“This isn’t the time to be worrying about us!”

Nefertiti and the knights checked on each other’s well-being, exhaling sighs of relief.

“…”

Deus observed the scene from a slight distance.

He yearned to mingle with them, but after what had just happened, he couldn’t.

‘We almost lost everything.’

Where had things gone wrong? If he had to pinpoint it, it would be right from the very beginning.

At first, he’d thought he’d been transmigrated into an apocalyptic story devoid of dreams or hope.

He was fraught with tension, and he took as much time as possible to prepare.

This body, with its power that even demons would call monstrous, was the result.

But as he lived in this world, the notion gradually faded.

This wasn’t a world of betrayal and scheming, but one overflowing with love and faith.

Even though they were dealing with gates and monsters, the worst of the crises were said to be over.

There might be minor troubles, but surely they could navigate them together.

Since that was the genre, there was no need to intervene too seriously, right?

Perhaps, without realizing it, he’d allowed himself to become complacent.

‘There’s no room for that now. Even if I think there is, the others don’t have that luxury.’

The incident at the Yrisia orphanage wasn’t just a random occurrence.

He hadn’t realized it then, but it was a turning point for Yrisia’s inner growth.

Going back further, there was the appearance of Jagan, the first boss.

He couldn’t be certain, but perhaps that was supposed to be a catalyst for someone to lose someone and awaken.

Or maybe it was simply the time for the original protagonist to shine.

“At this rate, we could really face a complete annihilation ending…”

That couldn’t happen. Absolutely not. Which meant, he needed to grow faster.

Not just him, but them too. If he couldn’t protect everyone on his own, then a few others needed to be able to stand beside him.

“Chairman.”

Deus approached Nefertiti and immediately got to the point.

“Would you mind if we spoke privately for a moment?”

“Hm? Ah, yes. Of course.”

As he began walking, he considered the similarities between the novel he knew and this world.

It wasn’t the same novel, but it wasn’t completely different either.

Similar worldviews, analogous enemies. Even the settings aligned in an uncanny way.

Though one was a Covenant, the other a Gift, they shared common ground.

Especially in things like swords of light. Strong individuals chasing after romance. Fragile hearts dwelling in feral bodies.

And even the command over the very element of wind.

“President.”

Once assured they were alone, Deus spoke to Neferti.

“I hope you won’t take offense at what I’m about to say.”

“….”

“Perhaps the Duke’s concerns aren’t entirely misplaced. I wanted to believe this world was one where everyone, somehow, could pull through. But what if it isn’t?”

Some will die, some will live. And others will lose everything and be consumed by despair.

Neferti understood this last unspoken sentiment perfectly well.

“…I’ve… had a vague sense of it myself.”

Neferti parted her lips slowly, her tone tinged with bitterness.

“Wind abilities tend to remain in the support realm. But I always aspired to stand on the front lines, as a combatant. I believed that even if there were limits, I could overcome them with enough effort. At least, until these demons appeared.”

“Support isn’t a bad thing. You don’t necessarily need to inflict direct damage to—”

“I wanted to accomplish something. Whether it was to earn my father’s recognition. Or to avenge my little brother. Or maybe it was just my own ambition. But now… it’s become nothing more than a childish game played by a pampered noble girl.”

Deus shook his head at her self-deprecating words.

It’s no mere childish game. It shouldn’t be dismissed so easily. It’s merely the approach that’s been flawed.

There has to be a point of compromise. A way to grasp both sides.

Lost in thought, he recalled a hint from ＜The Guild’s First Day – The Gate Opens＞.

Neither focusing solely on support, nor going all-in on offensive techniques.

“…Self-buffs.”