Who Have You Been Praying This Whole Time?

[00M : 00D : 02H : 37M : 22S]

"Gather around, everyone!"

As I summoned their attention, securing my scabbard to my waist, I took a moment to formulate my thoughts.

Their gazes turned serious as they focused on me.

"Did you all complete the tasks I assigned?" I inquired, locking eyes with each of them. My initial scrutiny fell on Solis, who promptly nodded before shifting her gaze outside.

"Hmm... I've scouted the entire area and collected all the explosives you crafted," Solis reported, carrying a multitude of potions she had procured days earlier as she headed towards the door.

Excellent... Those bombs might come in handy later.

Occiditis followed suit, "I've made all necessary preparations and identified a suitable spot for Odium's sniping. The escape route for us is also secured."

Satisfied, I stretched my arm and initiated a mental conversation with Otuko.

'Ensure Reina's safety at all costs,' I instructed.

She responded with a crisp, 'Yes, sir!'

On the contrary, my interaction with her was concise. There wasn't much for her to handle this time.

My attention shifted to Reaper. She rolled her eyes and sighed, remarking, "I've finished setting traps in the location Solis indicated."

With that settled, we were ready to proce—

"Wait!"

Odium's voice cut through the air, diverting our attention to her.

Maintaining a gentle tone, I inquired, "Is there anything else you'd like to add?" Knowing her introverted nature, I opted for a softer approach, avoiding any unintentional intimidation.

She hesitated before speaking, "Th—the spot on the maps you showed us... It says here that the Boss will be spawning at the center of this place, right?"

Ah, that question....

"Th—Then, why are we stationed to wait outside the walls?"

***

[The Central Fall]

This chapter marked the catastrophic event of Central City's destruction.

As detailed in the novel, the heroes, accompanied by Junior, found themselves abruptly transported beyond the city walls. The raised gate barred their return, leaving them helpless to prevent the unfolding massacre within the city.

The scene was gruesomely vivid.

Trapped inhabitants faced brutal slaughter by both the Boss and its accompanying horde, with no escape. Simultaneously, the heroes engaged in combat with monsters from outside the walls.

In the midst of this chaos, Junior, devoid of companions, had to fight tooth and nail for survival. Through a stroke of luck, he formed an alliance with Eveline.

"Miss Eveline, behind you!"

"...?!" Responding swiftly, she evaded an incoming monster's sword with a roll and countered with a powerful kick.

"Haaaa...!!"

The undead knight was forcefully thrown aside.

"...Thanks." Eveline glanced at Junior, wiping the sweat from her forehead.

...Anyways.

While I was recalling this, I quickly snapped back from reality. Sighing, I looked at her and said, "I already know what you're thinking..."

Shaking my head, I smiled at her gently.

"Yes, all the people here are going to die."

...

..

.

I waited for the others to depart before heading into town, taking a stroll to pass the time.

Earlier, the reactions from Reaper, Occiditis, Solis, and Odium were as expected.

Reaper eyed me with disgust, Occiditis remained expressionless, and Solis and Odium were silent, their thoughts concealed.

Despite their assassin training and the lives they've taken, discussing massacres lightly wasn't in their comfort zone.

What I was doing is simply madness.... No, calling it madness is still such a light word.

I was talking about death without batting an eye to the lives of people here.

Insanity... They must be thinking that I'm quite insane.

Truth be told, I surpassed that level long ago in my previous world, but I grew tired of it. Perhaps, I became sane.

...Too sane.

"Rider-san!"

"....?"

That voice...

While I was walking silently on the road with my hands inside my pocket, I heard a familiar voice calling for me using my second identity.

Turning around, I noticed it was the boy—I mean, girl from the potion shop.

It was Noah... What is she doing here?

Just when I was about to ask her this question, Noah smiled brightly and handed me some... Apples?

"This is for you!" she said, brightening up.

I accepted the apple and took a bite. "Thanks. It's good."

"Hehehe..." Noah chuckled, looking around. "Rider-san, what are you doing here? Are you going to the church?"

"Well, that..."

Uhh... I can't just say that I'm planning on setting the bombs to the wall.

While I was pondering for an answer, I remembered what she said.

"Yeah, I'm going to the church today."

Noah's eyes brightened, and she asked, "Can I come with you? I'm planning to go there as well to pray!"

"That... Alright."

It wouldn't take long, and her company wouldn't hurt.

Walking together, I decided to break the awkward silence by asking, "What are you praying for?"

Noah looked at me, contemplating with her eyes on the sky. "I'm going to pray for my father and sister!"

Oh... She have a sister?

"And also, I'm going to pray for the heroes! I'm going to pray that they would win!"

Ahh...

I abruptly stopped walking, looking directly at her. Confused, she looked back and tilted her head.

"Rider-san...?"

If Junior was here in front of me, I think we would have argued about my actions.

Or worse, he would have tried fighting me even though he has no chance of winning.

"Noah..."

...I'm really sorry for using your body to do things like this, Junior.

"I'm going to adopt you both your sister if you guys survive."

Shaking my head, I patted her head before continuing.

...Now, I'm starting to feel guilty.

Moments later, upon arriving at the church, I gestured Noah to seat down in the front.

"I'm going now~" she said, walking towards the front.

Observing her from behind, I looked around and noticed a familiar figure in the distance. With her head covered by her sweater, Reaper was silently praying alone on the side.

Approaching her, she asked without looking, "What are you doing here?"

"Nothing much... I just wanted to take a quick stroll."

Noticing her bleeding nails, I asked, "What about you?"

"I'm praying for their deaths."

"Oh... Who?"

Ignoring my question, she continued, "Even though I'm an assassin, I often pray to God that the people I assassinate die peacefully... I often apologize to them before I begin to kill them."

...Praying for the lives of their targets? Damn, ain't she a kind killer?

Then again, I guess the praying must be towards the people of their city.

Erm, I guess I should confess to this place, too...

Sighing, I sat down about a meter away from her to avoid making her uncomfortable. "What are you doing?" she asked, seeming confused.

"Actually, I'm an atheist..."

"....?"

"I don't really believe in these so-called 'Divine Beings' or 'Gods.'"

"But I do often go to church... It was probably around the time when I was being forced by my co-scientist to go to therapy."

"I kind of refused, so I decided to hide in the church whenever that happens."

Reaper became more confused by what I said. She was about to say something, but I stopped her by continuing,

"However... I did pray once."

Reaper finally gave in and listened silently, rolling her eyes.

"My prayer was for someone that I honestly cared for... It was to protect that person from harm... But, I guess prayers are merely just empty wishes that only have a small probability of coming through."

I fidgeted with my fingers before closing my eyes, letting out a hollow laugh.

"It was around that time that finally I confirmed that God is created from the belief of people... Their faith slowly turned into a divine power that was used by the God."

Reaper, annoyed, asked me with an expression of someone trying to hold back, "What are you trying to say? That God is merely created by our imagination?"

"Oh no, I beg to differ..."

Shaking my head, I called out to her.

"Reaper..."

Standing up from my seat, I looked at her straight in the eyes.

"Who have you been praying this whole time?"