A small peace

After all that happened, we went back to the guild and reported that we had ignored the mission because they had attacked a camp.

They questioned us for a long time, since the guild is a part of the army.

After testifying, they canceled our mission without failing.

They did it because we were trying to help the camp.

At least, that's what they think.

We went back to the mansion and everyone went their own way to do their own thing.

I went back to my room, sat down, and used clairvoyance to see what the hero was doing.

The boy is training like crazy in the church.

He's moved back to the capital's headquarters, so attacking him won't do any good.

Fuck, that was so close.

And from the way he's training, he's clearly hoping to kill me next time.

If I had left him alone, he would still be a useless egomaniac. Now he's just an egomaniac.

I can't do the same. Trying to force my way into the church would be suicide.

The boy has a lot of catching up to do. I'll try to use this time to improve my base and join the mercenaries.

While I'm thinking, someone knocks on the door and comes through.

Turning around, I see Ingrid, now without her armor. She is wearing a simple blouse and pants.

Since she joined my group of looters, she no longer wears her maid's uniform.

And she looks much better this way.

"Hey Ingrid, what's up?"

"Master, I wanted to talk to you about what happened earlier," she asks me with a straight face.

"Tell me, what do you want to know?"

"Master, who is this boy and why is he so important? You could have killed him right away, but you didn't, and you even stopped us when we were about to attack him. May I ask what is your grudge against him?" she says looking at me seriously.

Looking at her, I think I should tell her.

Ingrid has proven to be trustworthy, maybe I could talk to her about it.

"Ingrid, you have to promise me that this conversation won't get out of here."

"Yes, master, don't worry."

"Fine. This boy is the human hero. He has tremendous potential in using mana, so I saw that his power is above his rank. Even though he is a newly initiated Rank 2, his power was compared to a maximum Rank 2. He is troublesome and will be an obstacle in the war. I told her a few more things about the hero and let her think.

"Master, I understand why he is your target, but I don't understand why you hate him and how you know about him," she said to me with a frown and a confused look.

"It has something to do with my past. I'll tell you anyway... Basically, I was also a human hero. The one who fought the Elven King and died. After my death, Decrea called my soul and I sat and watched the human world, this information is covered up here in the elven realm, but the human world accused me of joining the elves and declared me a traitor. Everyone I trusted stabbed me in the back, destroyed my legacy, and spit on my grave.

After that, Decrea offered me revenge, only I didn't want to be human. And she gave me this body, Marcus Runa, to wipe out the entire Church. I move only for this purpose. Decrea told me about the new hero and I couldn't help but hate him. I couldn't help but hate humans even more. This trash of a human is a hero who is celebrated and I, who died for them, am trampled on.

I feel resentment because he represents everything I was in my past life. Not everything, of course, the guy is a brainless idiot.

But he's just like me, following orders and protecting people who don't care about you.

And now I feel that if I really want to die in peace, so does he. I could ignore my hatred, and I know it's irrational, but I can't let it go because the hero won't let me either. "

With a sad sigh I stopped talking.

"Ingrid, I'm not who you thought I was. I don't really know who I am, I'm Marcus, but there's still something human in me, so you can go and I'll still help you find the man you're looking for, I just hope you don't talk about it."

I stood by the window and leaned out, waiting for his answer.

A heavy silence fell. I don't want Ingrid to leave and I don't know why I told her the truth. There was no need, I could have just said that Decrea had given me a holy mission or something.

While I was thinking, 5 minutes passed in silence.

Still looking out of the window, I was about to speak again when I felt arms hugging me from behind and a head resting on my back.

"Master, no, Marcus. You are who you are. You are not a hero or a villain, you are not an elf or a human. You are Marcus, a man seeking his own peace. Looking for a place to slow down and rest after years of war. And I will help him find that place that will give you peace. I am your weapon. You must lead me and I will do everything I can," Ingrid said in a soft voice, comforting me.

A tear ran down my face. After 2 years of being an elf, I finally feel like I'm not alone.

I have someone to help me on the bloody road ahead.

"Ingrid, you are not a weapon, you are a companion. I thank you... for helping me," I said, and I meant every word.

We stayed like that for 10 minutes while I enjoyed the peace I had with her.