It has been entrusted to me for now

Pashuro eventually collapsed on the ground and breathed his last. It is

impressive how, even though his heart was taken out, he still managed

to live for this long though.

Girista has lost both arms, and Ekdoik is injured in his whole body and

he seems to be barely managing to stand here. Well, most of all, these

two have completely lost their will to fight.

Now then, let's put the finishing touches. Ilias came back to her senses

and ran my way, and I also approached her.

"Just what in the world happe—mgh." (Ilias)

I ignored Ilias who was about to say something, sandwich both of her

cheeks, and stare at her.

"W-What are you…" (Ilias)

Stare at her.

Look at her eyes, pupils, and continue staring even deeper in.

"…"

I take a deep breath and exhale. —Alright, this should be enough of a

change of mood. I want to end this in a neutral mindset after all.

"Now then, Girista and Ekdoik. Is it okay to assume that you two don't

intend to fight anymore?"

"…Right, my motivation is kind of completely gone. Pashuro threw cold

water on it after all." (Girista)

"The knights must be encircling the place by now. If you are going to

run away, aim for the time when we join up with them."

"Wa, what are you—" (Ilias)

"However, I would like you to accept the conditions I am about to put

out even if it is just a verbal promise. If you can't, I won't stop Ilias."

Ekdoik and Girista looked at each other's faces and looked over here

again.

"Let's hear your conditions." (Ekdoik)

"The first one is to not be a threat to us anymore. I can trust Ekdoik

because of the previous instance, but we have to deal with your battle

mania somehow, Girista."

"That part is fine. Even if I heal my arms, it would take time for me to be

able to wave my greatsword like I have done until now~." (Girista)

"Once your arms heal and you can swing your weapon again, and you

bare your fangs once more, we won't be able to ignore you. There's the

chance you will learn some other fighting style after all."

"I get it. I won't put a hand on you in the future." (Girista)

"Girista, stop that. It will end the negotiation."

That's my trade. There's no way I would fall for it.

"…I won't be a threat. That fine with you now?" (Girista)

"Yeah, thanks. The second one is to break off connections with

Raheight."

"No issues with that. We have failed, so we are not in a position to show

ourselves in front of him." (Girista)

"If I can achieve my objective, I will accept the condition." (Ekdoik)

With this, we have reconciliation with Ekdoik and Girista even if just on

the surface. It is not clear whether these two will keep their promise,

but we have made a promise.

Judging from how Rakura is not interjecting, it must mean that they are

agreeing truthfully here. Meaning that we have secured safety with that

just now. Depending on what happens in the future, they might go

against their promise. There's no need to hesitate when that happens.

"Wait a moment! Do you understand what you are doing here?!" (Ilias)

Ilias interjected when we were proceeding.

"What, you ask? I am simply letting them go. Girista simply wanted to

have a deathmatch with a strong person, and Ekdoik was planning on

restoring the honor of his father. They are both matters that can be

solved, right?"

"But they kidnapped you and tried to kill you, you know?!" (Ilias)

"Yeah, that's why there shouldn't be an issue if I make the decision to let

them go, right?"

"That's…" (Ilias)

"The objective of Pashuro was the rebellion against the authority. That's

why he designated Pope Euparo. He could have affected the

surroundings, so I had him eliminated."

"Isn't the killing desire of Girista the same? There might be more

casualties in places we don't see!" (Ilias)

It is easy to imagine that. That said, when you go that far, I can only say

that's none of my busi—no, no, looks like I still haven't switched

completely. I smack my face and switch.

"Girista, how long will it take for both of your arms to heal?"

"Right. If it is just attaching them, it wouldn't take long, but if it is the

same as before… more than a month." (Girista)

"Then please endure killing people in that time. I will find a way to hold

down that impulse of yours. If it doesn't seem like you can, Ilias, you put

an end to her."

"Fine by me. I can endure a bit if you promise me a rematch. But can

you trust me?" (Girista)

"Yeah, I can."

"…I see, then I will do my best to keep the promise~." (Girista)

Ilias directed her gaze at Rakura. She nodded profusely.

"Now then, let's disperse. If we talk for too long, who knows when the

knights will come pouring in."

This is how this matter was wrapped up.

Pashuro died, and Girista and Ekdoik escaped. The gauntlets Pashuro

had on and the greatsword of Girista she left behind were transported

to the castle.

The knights chased after the escapees, but they couldn't get their

whereabouts. They couldn't catch the people who lived in the darkness.

There were some unsettling rumors going around, but the Harvest

Festival resumed, and we safely reached the last day.

Marito called for us after that, and we are currently in the guest room.

The other ones that were called are Ilias, Rakura, Pope Euparo, and

Archbishop Ukka.

We explained what happened there.

"That damn Raheight. To think he would aim for the Pope-sama as if he

were an afterthought!" (Ukka)

"Don't make a ruckus, Ukka. But it is great that the harm was kept to a

minimum. Pashuro was the disciple of the Holy Fist Gradona. I am

impressed you managed to come out fine." (Euparo)

This is the pattern where there's going to be some sort of crazy

backstory added afterwards. He actually managed to fight on even

grounds against Ilias, so I won't be surprised.

"But why did you let the other two escape? The chances of them

becoming enemies again is higher." (Euparo)

"Judging from the personality of Raheight, he won't be sending the

same people twice. At the very least, we have dealt with them as the

assassins of Raheight. The other reason would be in order to get

information."

I say this and look at Archbishop Ukka.

"W-Want something from me?" (Ukka)

"I am grateful for your cooperation in scooping out information,

Archbishop Ukka. There was no important information per se, but it has

served in learning of Raheight. I have let those two escape for a similar

reason. Those two were not controlled. They were facing Raheight in

their natural state, so we should be able to peek at a different side from

him."

His way when he interacts with a brainwashed target, the way he

usually interacts; by learning those differences, we will be able to get a

more three dimensional view of Raheight.

Of course, making direct contact with him is the fastest shortcut, but it

should be safe to assume that Raheight won't be showing himself in

front of us personally.

"That might be true, but I don't think they will spit out that information

honestly though." (Euparo)

"There's no issue there. I plan on meeting with Ekdoik at a lair of the

bandits at a later date to exchange information. The condition to

cooperate is to do something about Rakura though."

"Me?!" (Rakura)

That's where I tell them about the objective of Ekdoik.

Ekdoik had been raised by a devil. He hated the humans that threw him

away and admired the devil who raised him. With Rakura having

defeated that father of his, he directed his attention at Rakura. However,

Rakura is normally airheaded, so she is evaluated lowly, and that

irritates him.

She not only has a low evaluation among humans but devils too. Due to

him being the son of a devil that lost to someone like that, his selfrespect was in tatters.

"And so, we just have to improve the reputation of Rakura."

"But… isn't that an extremely difficult thing to achieve?" (Euparo)

"Pope-sama?!" (Rakura)

"Yeah, honestly, it is on the level where I want to puke."

"Counselor-sama?!" (Rakura)

"But it is not like there's no avenue. The reputation of Rakura within the

humans is in a realm that can't be done anything about, but the story is

different if it is within the devils. She just has to show that she is a

threatening existence to the devils after all."

Actually, the biggest reason why I accepted this proposal of Ekdoik was

because I learned of the strength of Rakura.

The result was that Ekdoik couldn't deal a single scratch on Rakura and

lost. On top of that, it was after she was complaining so much about 'not

wanting to kill' so she was holding back. His internal evaluation of

Rakura must have increased by quite a lot with that. Honestly, it is on

the level where it might be fine to just raise that one to the extreme.

"Fumu, so it is fine to just send Rakura to the Nether." (Euparo)

"That's not fine!" (Rakura)

"I would like you to do that, but it should be fine to just send her to the

frontlines where she can show her true strength. Or rather, why is it

that you have been moving her away from the frontlines when she has

shown so much results in subjugating devils?"

I threw the natural question at them.

The battle prowess of Rakura is actually being evaluated highly. If all

her other points are useless, she is basically asking to be used in the

frontlines.

The one who can answer this is most likely Archbishop Ukka who is her

direct superior.

"About that, it is because when awarding her the medals for her

achievements, she strongly requested to be away from the frontlines…"

(Ukka)

"…"

Everyone looks at Rakura with judging gazes.

"No uhm… the food in the frontlines is not tasty and there's no

bathtubs, you know. The beds are also hard and it is unhygienic…"

(Rakura)

"At least talk about the fear and emptiness of battle or something like

that."

"Ah, let's go with that." (Rakura)

"…"

She has been crushing her own chance to show her potential for the

sake of her own peace.

But it must be true that it is harsh on the frontlines. You are exposed to

danger and can't even lead a satisfying lifestyle. Couldn't you say

Rakura is quite the big deal for only thinking about the quality of life

there?

"Alright, I will entrust Rakura to you. I am sure you will be able to

reform her!" (Euparo)

"Wait, the one with the highest responsibility shouldn't be pushing the

problem to others and running away!"

If Pope Euparo says that, no one in the Yugura Church can go against it.

That's not fair.

I did expect to get involved to a certain degree, but it would be

troubling if you throw the whole life of someone to me.

"No, I am not running away. We couldn't put Rakura to full use. I am

now sure that you will be able to guide her into becoming a wonderful

cleric! I have decided to convince myself of that!" (Euparo)

"You are spilling out your real thoughts at the end!"

"Now then, I will leave the future of Rakura to you under the orders of

the Pope." (Euparo)

No fair. No, I do understand how he feels, but that's not fair.

It is so horrible that he is using his authority in such a blatant manner.

How can you stand above others like that?!

"Wait, please wait, Pope-sama! Rakura is not an object. She has the right

to choose her path!"

Now that it has come to this, I will latch onto the rights of Rakura and

stick her to the side of the Pope! It should be possible. Turn your gears

full power!

"Fumu, you have a point. Then, let's ask the person herself. Rakura, I

shall respect your will above everything else. Where would you want to

stay from here on?" (Euparo)

"Me…?" (Rakura)

"Just for your information, if you are left to me, I will be merciless. Don't

think you will be able to lead the same lifestyle as you have until now."

"Uuh, in that case, the Pope-sama would be better…" (Rakura)

"By the way, I plan on sending you straight to the Nether by today."

(Euparo)

"To the Counselor-sama please!" (Rakura)

"Not fair! No, isn't it horrible for the Pope to throw a threat?!"

"Threat? What are you saying? Isn't that the best way to make use of

her abilities to the fullest? Didn't you say just now that you wanted to

do that?" (Euparo)

"T-Then, here too."

"You would need the permission of Mejis in order to enter the Nether

that is connected to the territory of Mejis. There's no way we would

permit you to push a young one with a bright future to their death,

right?" (Euparo)

"Can you please remember what you said just before?!"

If I say this, he says that. In order to face this person, I need to make

proper preparations. I can't win against him with adlib. We have way

too much of a difference in social status.

Anything goes for his side, but there's a limit to what I can do.

"It is not only because I want to push a problematic person to you. I

have also heard from Archbishop Maya. You apparently found a job for

Rakura." (Euparo)

"That's…"

"Even though it was a given after being told, we couldn't notice it. Due

to this, we have been burying the talent of Rakura and wasting it. Our

heads are way too hard. That's why I thought from the bottom of my

heart that I wanted to entrust her to you with your flexible mind."

(Euparo)

If you tell me that, I can't say anythi—I obviously have a lot to say back!

Why are you trying to wrap it up nicely? Now that it has come to this, I

shall debate to the end.

"That's how it is, so I would like you to ask him for my stead too, King of

Taizu. For the sake of an amicable relationship between Taizu and Mejis

too." (Euparo)

"If you put it like that… I am sorry, my friend." (Marito)

"Et tu, Marito?!"

Being faced with the power of the Pope and the King, there's no way the

complaints of a commoner will be effective. Rakura Salf has become a

resident of the Ilias house in name and reality.

———

Due to the decision of the Pope-sama, I am now going to be polishing

myself under the guidance of the Counselor-sama.

That said, they are horrible people, pushing the custody of someone

else like a hot potato.

I am aware that I am just eating my just desserts and that I am being

seen as a troublesome person.

Even so, anyone would dislike being treated like that.

Counselor-sama was returning dejected after having been talked into

submission by the Pope-sama and King Marito.

"Haaah…"

"Counselor-sama, please don't sigh that much. I am the one who is

being treated the worst here after all!" (Rakura)

Even if I say this, I am sure of what he will be saying next. 'You just dug

yourself into that one though', 'I have been caught in the crossfire here'

or something like that.

"Think about how I feel as the one who will be shouldering your life.

You are the second after Wolfe, you know?!"

Oh, that wasn't it. Even though the words of the Counselor-sama are

normally ones I can predict, he would sometimes come out with things

that I can't predict like this one.

The way Counselor-sama dotes on Wolfe-chan is something I am really

jealous of. It is in part because Wolfe-chan has earnest loyalty towards

Counselor-sama, but it is most likely not only that.

"If you treated me like Wolfe-chan, I would also be more motivated

though…" (Rakura)

I said something I didn't really mean. Changing my lazy nature isn't that

easy to do. I have barely changed in these 20 years after all.

"As if I would treat you the same. Wolfe is Wolfe and Rakura is Rakura.

In the first place, your personality wouldn't change that easily!"

His point exactly.

I want to live freely and in comfort. When I think about too many things,

I always end up causing terrible things, and cause trouble to my

surroundings.

If I am going to be doing proper work, devil hunting would be a lot

more relaxing. Well, devil hunting doesn't hold a candle compared to

just living a lazy lifestyle though.

"If you think I can't change, you should just give up and accept it… It is

impossible to reform me." (Rakura)

"Listen here. Even if your core doesn't change, your environment can.

We create a method that can make the best of you even as you are."

"Isn't that a lot of work?!" (Rakura)

"That's why I am sighing here. I know the difficulties awaiting me after

all."

…This is it. Why is it that Counselor-sama doesn't give up on me? Even

though he should have noticed my true self a long time ago.

I normally try to act decent, but I have stopped doing even that recently.

And yet, he would just make a displeased face but doesn't abandon me

in the end.

"It is okay to not go through so much work for someone like me. I also

just want to take it easy." (Rakura)

"I will throw you away when I have to. The only reason I don't do it

right now is because there's still a way."

"So you would throw me away if that doesn't work either, right? That's

rough for me too as someone that has to tag along with it." (Rakura)

"No need to be so negative about yourself. Even if you haven't changed,

the eyes around you have changed bit by bit, right?"

That's simply because you are moving me in a way that's useful after

understanding me. It is true that, even if it is a hassle that work is going

my way now, I am also a bit happy about it…

"Even so, I think there's a limit. I feel like it would be impossible to

reach a point Ekdoik-san is satisfied with." (Rakura)

I have apparently killed the devil that raised him. I have almost no

regrets about it. I at most feel 'So that's how it was. It was at a bad time'.

It seems like he is angry that I am not worthy of being the killer of his

father. That's seriously a pain.

According to Counselor-sama, he would be satisfied if I became famous,

but I have barely changed.

I am a lazy cleric; this won't change. I won't become serious and it is not

like I will become a hero.

"There will be no end to the hardships with how you are right now. But

humans are not immutable. Even if you don't change, if the eyes around

change, even the small developments internally will provide

proportional developments to the outside too."

"I don't think I will change though." (Rakura)

"I will tag along until you do."

…Geez, can't be helped.

I can't deny it with him having shown results. Also, if he tells me that

with honesty, someone like me can't push him away.

I don't plan on changing, but I will at least do my best in tagging along

with it.

"Does that mean you will be looking after me for life?" (Rakura)

"If nothing works, I will modify you physically. What would you prefer

for an arm: a claw or a sword?"

"I don't want a change like that!" (Rakura)

He is foul mouthed and treats me horribly, but I don't know of a place

that's this comfortable despite me being myself. That's why let's be

under the care of this person in the meantime.