Chapter 10: The Master of Numbers
Translator: Soafp
However, it wasn't all good news.
In the fourth year since I had formed the party—three years after Nonoa joined—an unfavorable change began to occur in Lena.
“My skills have been honed enough by now. I don't think we need Accounting Nonoa anymore,”
Lena began saying things like that.
At the start, she wasn't very active in combat, and since part of the party's funds had to go to church donations, she behaved modestly. Nonoa, on the other hand, contributed nothing to combat during her four years in the party but had demonstrated her skill in Accounting from the very beginning.
Perhaps during the period before Lena gained confidence in herself, she felt inferior to Nonoa.
At first, she didn't show it outwardly, but as time passed, whenever she saw me showing concern or attention toward Nonoa, she would clearly become displeased, and eventually stopped hiding it.
…In short, it was jealousy.
However, it wasn't all bad.
Lena, who was originally somewhat shy, began to act more proactively, perhaps motivated by a sense of rivalry with Nonoa.
The stabilization of party funds and Lena's increased assertiveness elevated her skills to a higher level.
By the time four and a half years had passed, she began awakening powerful abilities associated with a saint: “Advanced Healing Magic,” “Intermediate Holy Attack Magic,” and “Intermediate Holy Protection Magic.”
“You joined because you asked Erius. I'm in this party because Erius insisted. That's the difference, keep that in mind”
Lena once said with a sharpness that made me doubt my ears. Until then, she had never expressed such an attitude.
Nonoa didn't argue much with her. I once asked Nonoa why, and she replied bluntly,
“I don't need to indulge childish whims.”
I could say I was helped by her strength in that regard.
As Lena's “Saint” skills grew stronger, battles against demons lasted longer.
Although we still couldn't defeat them completely, it felt like we were always “one step away.”
The battle itself…
In the demons' initial attack, Nonoa would die.
Phalan and I would attack the demon with support from Lena.
If only Nick were here, it would surely make things easier, but there's no use wishing for what isn't.
Unlike me, who knew the demon's attack patterns inside out, it was Phalan's first fight.
Phalan was killed first, then I received concentrated fire from the demon, and together with Lena, we fell.
Once, when the two of us collapsed together, I was wounded, and she had exhausted all her magical power—a truly hopeless situation.
“Lena… I'm sorry. I swore to protect you…”
At my words, Lena shook her head.
“It's alright. After all… at the end, I'm not alone. Erius, thank you for keeping your promise.”
With death approaching, she smiled. That was the last memory I had of her in that cycle.
From the repeated outcomes of each battle, I imagined one terrifying possibility.
If…
If that moment came when we finally defeated the demon, and the deaths of our comrades were recorded in red text?
Nonoa's death.
Farlan's death.
Lena's death.
What if—just what if—they were required sacrifices?
What if this path could only be advanced by giving up our friends?
Could I continue if faced with that reality?
That question remained unanswered.
By the eightieth cycle, perhaps as an escape from such thoughts, a new doubt began crossing my mind.
“Could it be… that we aren't the ones meant to defeat the Demon King?”
A troubling question.
After all, we had been killed countless times, not even by the Demon King himself but by his subordinates.
Even assuming the “full party to defeat the Demon King” and starting to feel a bit of progress, the demon standing in the path to the Demon King's castle had still not been defeated.
After all this repetition, we still couldn't even reach the Demon King.
Above all, I reconsidered my interactions with Kuro.
Right after Shiro intervened, he said:
“The man from earlier wants you to defeat the Demon King. And I want you to awaken a new skill and aim for the Demon King's death.”
Unlike Shiro, who said he wanted the Demon King “defeated,” he said he wanted the Demon King's “death.” Not the same as wanting you to defeat him.
Moreover, he said “the path to the result is different.”
Immediately after, he mentioned “five years and ten years,” as if referring to a period of time—but if that were the case, he could have simply said “the time to defeat the Demon King differs.”
I am grateful for the skills I received, but I shouldn't trust that man.
The Guide he gave me also reflected this indirect phrasing:
“This book guides the user toward the conclusion of the Demon King's death.”
It's unnecessarily convoluted.
If we were meant to defeat the Demon King, it could simply say:
“This book guides you to defeat the Demon King.”
But then the question remains:
“Who will do it if not us?”
Accounting Nonoa aside, I've never seen a party as skill-equipped as ours—including the Swordmaster, the Saint, and either the Spear Master or Dragon Eye.
…So I began to suspect, vaguely.
First, Lena's change.
Then, the factor causing that change.
And yet, a person who seems unimportant in the battle against the Demon King.
The one who always dies in the demon's opening attack.
Nonoa.
Considering her role…
She likely exists only to stabilize party finances and influence Lena—both positively and negatively—to enhance her skills.
Perhaps that is her sole purpose.
Thinking of it as a repayment for saving her life would suffice, but I couldn't bring myself to decide.
“My skills have improved enough now. I don't think we need Nonoa in the party anymore,”
For Lena, it was the first time speaking such words aloud.
But I had been persuaded by her arguments countless times.
Until now, I had somehow managed to reject her suggestions.
Yet her words themselves, regardless of intent, were logical.
“Listen, Erius. From here on, battles will become increasingly severe. You and I have the means to fight, but Nonoa, who still cannot fight properly, will surely lose her life if she confronts the Demon King. Giving her a break now is actually an act of kindness.”
…She was right.
She always dies in the demon's initial attack.
If I try to protect her, I die.
No way has been found to prevent her death…
“Then we should expel Nonoa. If you say it clearly, I will follow your lead and speak cold words to her so she won't harbor any lingering attachment.”
Regardless of her intent, if we were to expel her, it would be necessary.
But… I couldn't bring myself to be as detached as when I first decided to recruit Nonoa. I couldn't just try expelling her and, if it didn't work, redo everything.
We had spent too much time together for that.
Yet…
Does that mean I give up?
If expelling Nonoa were necessary, would I just quit?
I couldn't do that.
If I could, I would have given up long ago.
Mission or Nonoa.
If it's a choice between the two…
Very well.
Once.
Just once, I'll try.
Can't be detached? Fine.
If I can't be detached, I'll accept it as it is. I'll swallow the guilt whole.
“Understood. I'll tell Nonoa today.”
When I gave my answer, Lena nodded, satisfied.
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