“…What are you talking about? Did you hit your head?”
“Huh, that’s your reaction?”
A somewhat pitying look met my words unexpectedly, causing an involuntary forced smile to slip from my lips. Delivering a cool catchphrase with a triumphant expression only to receive such a response is an unbearably awkward feeling. I’d rather avoid it if possible.
“By the way, why are you really here!? Where’s Alexis!? How did you even get here!?”
“Ah, yes, yes. We’ll discuss that later. There are more pressing matters at hand, right?”
“……Well, yes.”
Upon my words, Rouge reluctantly looked ahead. The Demon King’s army was slowly closing in, but there was still a considerable distance between us.
They weren’t launching an all-out attack, likely aiming to wear down Rouge’s stamina. The counter-type magic she had learned from the Rock Worm incident was probably continually consuming her mana just to sustain it.
“Haa. We’ve ended up here, but what’s your plan? Honestly, your presence isn’t going to change the situation.”
“No, no, sorry, but we’ve already won.”
Facing Rouge, who was perspiring profusely, I responded with a relaxed smile. Yes, we had already emerged victorious from this battle. Because—
“Well then, if you’ll excuse me.”
“Huh!?”
Casually stowing away my Sword Of Silver Wings into the [Stranger Box] and lifting Rouge’s body, I took a sideways glance at the approaching army… and activated [Hermes Dash!]
“See you later, Demon King’s army!”
“Hyaahhhhhhhhh!?”
With Rouge, who let out an unexpectedly cute scream, in my arms, I surged past the Demon King’s army and fled the scene. This was the ultimate tactic—running away equals victory! Someone somewhere had once said these words. If you could escape with your life, that equated to triumph!
“Wha-, wha-, wha-, what’s happening!?”
“Don’t talk, you might bite your tongue! Just hold on a bit longer!”
Holding the surprised and bewildered Rouge close, I continued to sprint. I could manage this now due to my week of Gonzo-style training. The amount of newfound strength coursing through my body was almost unbelievable compared to my usual state. Consistent training truly had astounding effects.
“Hurry, hurry, hurry, hurry.”
“Just a bit more, wait… There it is! Hey, Alexis!”
In no time, I left the Demon King’s army far behind and caught up with Alexis, who was running with all his might. Both Alexis and Gonzo, who were dashing desperately, turned at the sound of my voice, expressions of shock on their faces.
“And here!”
“Ed!? And Rouge!?”
“What’s the meaning of this, kid!? You vanished, and now you’re back holding Rouge…?”
“Ah, yes, yes. I’ll explain everything in due course, but for now, let’s keep moving a little further. Just a bit more, and we’ll reach a spot where we can easily hide.”
“……….I’ll need an explanation!”
“Yeah, yeah, of course. Now, I’ll set you down, Rouge… Rouge?”
I carefully lowered Rouge to the ground, and she knelt there, trembling. Suddenly, she turned her face towards me, and without warning, her hand came hurtling toward my cheek.
“You were too fast, you idiot!”
“Ouch!? What’s gotten into you, Rouge!?”
“What’s gotten into me? That’s what I want to ask you! What are you, an imbecile!? Do you want to get yourself killed!?”
“I don’t completely understand, but this is no time for games! Kid, are you sure there’s a hiding spot up ahead?”
“Ye-yes… there is.”
“Then all will be explained once we get there! Both of you get it?”
“……I understand.”
“…..Understood.”
At Gonzo’s words, Alexis and the others reluctantly nodded. Subsequently, under my guidance, we veered off the road and entered the forest, eventually finding shelter in a small cave along the way.
“……So it really was here.”
“Yes. Now, kid? Why did you have information about this place you’re visiting for the first time? And what was that earlier?”
“That’s right, explain it properly! I never knew you could run so fast!?”
As Alexis looked around with curiosity and Gonzo questioned me seriously, and Rouge shot me an angry glare, I reassured them with a wave of my hand.
“I get it, I get it. I’ll explain now. Actually, I… heard the voice of a god.”
“God? Ed, have you really hit your—”
“No, it’s not like that! While I was running with Alexis earlier, a light suddenly appeared in my mind. It told me that if we continued in that direction, we’d all be wiped out. So, I needed to take action to prevent that. Oh, and that super-fast running thing was a temporary power I borrowed from that god, I guess.”
“Annihilation? Does that mean we’re going to lose to the Demon King?”
Rouge cast me a truly skeptical look, while Alexis inquired with a serious tone. Naturally, upon being told you’re going to lose even before the battle, Alexis would react like this.
But I met Alexis’s gaze straight on and affirmed.
“Yes, you’d lose. Hero Alexis, you’d end up beheaded by the Demon King without even scratching him.”
“……Heh, that’s quite an amusing god.”
Alexis’s eyes narrowed, and his hand instinctively moved towards the sword at his waist. He might be a comrade, but he’s not the type to tolerate baseless insults… well, that’s if it’s actually baseless.
“But what can you do, huh? Only an attack with the Holy Sword will work on the Demon King.”
“!?”
“? What do you mean? Alexis has the Holy Sword, doesn’t he?”
Rouge looked perplexed at Alexis, who appeared taken aback and lost for words. It was common knowledge that Alexis possessed the Holy Sword… Even the Demon King knew it, and that fact had even managed to deceive the Demon King.
“Ed, you can’t possibly mean…!?”
“I told you, didn’t I? I heard the voice of God.”
With a smug grin, I addressed Alexis, who had widened his eyes in disbelief. Gonzo then turned his attention to me.
“I see, so we’re all going to be wiped out… But wait. Kid, you said, ‘I will act so that doesn’t happen,’ right? If that’s the case…”
“Heh, heh, heh… Of course, I’ve got it covered. A special strategy.”
At that time, most of my power was taken by the Demon King. The power transfer wasn’t bound by time, so the Demon King of this world had been strong from the outset… well, now replaced by that scenario. At present, I was guarding against the rewriting of history as an absolute observer. However, if I left and re-entered this world… In other words, in the next loop, the world I visited would be one decimated by a powerful Demon King.
Well, that’s fine. No, it’s not fine, but there’s nothing I can do. The opponent who had originally been out of reach was now even more formidable. If I didn’t make a decision here and now, the world itself would crumble in this dire crisis… but there’s an exception to everything.
“Hey, am I being excluded from this conversation? Ignoring me like this, you’ve gotten pretty arrogant, huh?”
“Ouch, ouch, ouch! Don’t pull my ear! It’s okay! Rouge, you’re going to play a significant role too!”
“Oh really? Well, you stole my spotlight, so I guess it’s only fair!”
“Phew… Seriously, you’re unstoppable.”
“…Hey, Ed. Your demeanor seems to have changed since you brought Rouge along. Is that the effect of hearing the voice of God?”
“Eh!? Ah, no, it’s just…”
At that moment, I hesitated for a brief second, and my words wavered. Right, the relationship between Alexis and me this time around was a bit more distant. Well, to cover it up now…
“What are you talking about, Alexis?”
Rouge jumped in, snorting at me before swiftly turning her attention to Alexis.
“Ed is Ed. There can’t be more than one person with such a foolish face, right?”
“Gahahaha! Exactly. Those muscles are undeniably the kid’s own! It couldn’t possibly be fake!”
“Rouge, Gonzo… …”
At their words, at their warm gazes, my heart warmed. Even if the world changed or time rewound, what had been built up wasn’t completely lost. It’s like there’s this convenient illusion, and my lips curled into a smile.
“…Yeah, that’s true. I don’t feel strange being called by my name by Ed either. It’s a strange story, but… that’s fine. So, Ed, are you going to explain the strategy you’ve come up with?”
“Got it.”
If there’s no second chance for miracles, then there’s no need for despair to strike twice either. To save the world, regain my power, and reunite with Tia without any worries… Now, it’s time to set things in motion toward a happy ending.
“…What are you talking about? Did you hit your head?”
“Huh, that’s your reaction?”
A somewhat pitying look met my words unexpectedly, causing an involuntary forced smile to slip from my lips. Delivering a cool catchphrase with a triumphant expression only to receive such a response is an unbearably awkward feeling. I’d rather avoid it if possible.
“By the way, why are you really here!? Where’s Alexis!? How did you even get here!?”
“Ah, yes, yes. We’ll discuss that later. There are more pressing matters at hand, right?”
“……Well, yes.”
Upon my words, Rouge reluctantly looked ahead. The Demon King’s army was slowly closing in, but there was still a considerable distance between us.
They weren’t launching an all-out attack, likely aiming to wear down Rouge’s stamina. The counter-type magic she had learned from the Rock Worm incident was probably continually consuming her mana just to sustain it.
“Haa. We’ve ended up here, but what’s your plan? Honestly, your presence isn’t going to change the situation.”
“No, no, sorry, but we’ve already won.”
Facing Rouge, who was perspiring profusely, I responded with a relaxed smile. Yes, we had already emerged victorious from this battle. Because—
“Well then, if you’ll excuse me.”
“Huh!?”
Casually stowing away my Sword Of Silver Wings into the [Stranger Box] and lifting Rouge’s body, I took a sideways glance at the approaching army… and activated [Hermes Dash!]
“See you later, Demon King’s army!”
“Hyaahhhhhhhhh!?”
With Rouge, who let out an unexpectedly cute scream, in my arms, I surged past the Demon King’s army and fled the scene. This was the ultimate tactic—running away equals victory! Someone somewhere had once said these words. If you could escape with your life, that equated to triumph!
“Wha-, wha-, wha-, what’s happening!?”
“Don’t talk, you might bite your tongue! Just hold on a bit longer!”
Holding the surprised and bewildered Rouge close, I continued to sprint. I could manage this now due to my week of Gonzo-style training. The amount of newfound strength coursing through my body was almost unbelievable compared to my usual state. Consistent training truly had astounding effects.
“Hurry, hurry, hurry, hurry.”
“Just a bit more, wait… There it is! Hey, Alexis!”
In no time, I left the Demon King’s army far behind and caught up with Alexis, who was running with all his might. Both Alexis and Gonzo, who were dashing desperately, turned at the sound of my voice, expressions of shock on their faces.
“And here!”
“Ed!? And Rouge!?”
“What’s the meaning of this, kid!? You vanished, and now you’re back holding Rouge…?”
“Ah, yes, yes. I’ll explain everything in due course, but for now, let’s keep moving a little further. Just a bit more, and we’ll reach a spot where we can easily hide.”
“……….I’ll need an explanation!”
“Yeah, yeah, of course. Now, I’ll set you down, Rouge… Rouge?”
I carefully lowered Rouge to the ground, and she knelt there, trembling. Suddenly, she turned her face towards me, and without warning, her hand came hurtling toward my cheek.
“You were too fast, you idiot!”
“Ouch!? What’s gotten into you, Rouge!?”
“What’s gotten into me? That’s what I want to ask you! What are you, an imbecile!? Do you want to get yourself killed!?”
“I don’t completely understand, but this is no time for games! Kid, are you sure there’s a hiding spot up ahead?”
“Ye-yes… there is.”
“Then all will be explained once we get there! Both of you get it?”
“……I understand.”
“…..Understood.”
At Gonzo’s words, Alexis and the others reluctantly nodded. Subsequently, under my guidance, we veered off the road and entered the forest, eventually finding shelter in a small cave along the way.
“……So it really was here.”
“Yes. Now, kid? Why did you have information about this place you’re visiting for the first time? And what was that earlier?”
“That’s right, explain it properly! I never knew you could run so fast!?”
As Alexis looked around with curiosity and Gonzo questioned me seriously, and Rouge shot me an angry glare, I reassured them with a wave of my hand.
“I get it, I get it. I’ll explain now. Actually, I… heard the voice of a god.”
“God? Ed, have you really hit your—”
“No, it’s not like that! While I was running with Alexis earlier, a light suddenly appeared in my mind. It told me that if we continued in that direction, we’d all be wiped out. So, I needed to take action to prevent that. Oh, and that super-fast running thing was a temporary power I borrowed from that god, I guess.”
“Annihilation? Does that mean we’re going to lose to the Demon King?”
Rouge cast me a truly skeptical look, while Alexis inquired with a serious tone. Naturally, upon being told you’re going to lose even before the battle, Alexis would react like this.
But I met Alexis’s gaze straight on and affirmed.
“Yes, you’d lose. Hero Alexis, you’d end up beheaded by the Demon King without even scratching him.”
“……Heh, that’s quite an amusing god.”
Alexis’s eyes narrowed, and his hand instinctively moved towards the sword at his waist. He might be a comrade, but he’s not the type to tolerate baseless insults… well, that’s if it’s actually baseless.
“But what can you do, huh? Only an attack with the Holy Sword will work on the Demon King.”
“!?”
“? What do you mean? Alexis has the Holy Sword, doesn’t he?”
Rouge looked perplexed at Alexis, who appeared taken aback and lost for words. It was common knowledge that Alexis possessed the Holy Sword… Even the Demon King knew it, and that fact had even managed to deceive the Demon King.
“Ed, you can’t possibly mean…!?”
“I told you, didn’t I? I heard the voice of God.”
With a smug grin, I addressed Alexis, who had widened his eyes in disbelief. Gonzo then turned his attention to me.
“I see, so we’re all going to be wiped out… But wait. Kid, you said, ‘I will act so that doesn’t happen,’ right? If that’s the case…”
“Heh, heh, heh… Of course, I’ve got it covered. A special strategy.”
At that time, most of my power was taken by the Demon King. The power transfer wasn’t bound by time, so the Demon King of this world had been strong from the outset… well, now replaced by that scenario. At present, I was guarding against the rewriting of history as an absolute observer. However, if I left and re-entered this world… In other words, in the next loop, the world I visited would be one decimated by a powerful Demon King.
Well, that’s fine. No, it’s not fine, but there’s nothing I can do. The opponent who had originally been out of reach was now even more formidable. If I didn’t make a decision here and now, the world itself would crumble in this dire crisis… but there’s an exception to everything.
“Hey, am I being excluded from this conversation? Ignoring me like this, you’ve gotten pretty arrogant, huh?”
“Ouch, ouch, ouch! Don’t pull my ear! It’s okay! Rouge, you’re going to play a significant role too!”
“Oh really? Well, you stole my spotlight, so I guess it’s only fair!”
“Phew… Seriously, you’re unstoppable.”
“…Hey, Ed. Your demeanor seems to have changed since you brought Rouge along. Is that the effect of hearing the voice of God?”
“Eh!? Ah, no, it’s just…”
At that moment, I hesitated for a brief second, and my words wavered. Right, the relationship between Alexis and me this time around was a bit more distant. Well, to cover it up now…
“What are you talking about, Alexis?”
Rouge jumped in, snorting at me before swiftly turning her attention to Alexis.
“Ed is Ed. There can’t be more than one person with such a foolish face, right?”
“Gahahaha! Exactly. Those muscles are undeniably the kid’s own! It couldn’t possibly be fake!”
“Rouge, Gonzo… …”
At their words, at their warm gazes, my heart warmed. Even if the world changed or time rewound, what had been built up wasn’t completely lost. It’s like there’s this convenient illusion, and my lips curled into a smile.
“…Yeah, that’s true. I don’t feel strange being called by my name by Ed either. It’s a strange story, but… that’s fine. So, Ed, are you going to explain the strategy you’ve come up with?”
“Got it.”
If there’s no second chance for miracles, then there’s no need for despair to strike twice either. To save the world, regain my power, and reunite with Tia without any worries… Now, it’s time to set things in motion toward a happy ending.
