Phew... That was a killer performance.

I slowly raised my head, leaving behind the presence of DeB, who had left first. The snake, who had suddenly ended up watching my entire despair-filled performance, looked somewhat awkward.

Of course, that didn't mean it said anything to me.

It was only natural. If it ran its mouth wrongly here, my concept would immediately go down the dark corruption route. I would try to chop its head off.

So if it had any sense, it had no choice but to keep its mouth shut.

[So, uh, should we head back now?]

A folksy tone that rose in the middle rather than at the end gingerly made the suggestion while studying my complexion.

There was no need to refuse. I had been wanting to head back soon anyway.

No matter how clear the waterfall water was, it felt uncomfortable because the leaves and twigs mixed in it had dried while stuck to my head.

[Um, well. Aside from my rather unwholesome origins, isn't the ability I got this time pretty great? The previous Mountain Lords only had ridiculously huge bodies, so it was hard for them to roam around outside, but I don't have those restrictions because of this ability. It's also good for avoiding the eyes of the Priestesses.]

When I walked forward to signify that I accepted the suggestion, the snake also wriggled its body to move. Because its body was so large, even making a U-turn definitely looked like a struggle.

If it didn't have the ability to pass through trees, it would have been just a destroyer rather than the guardian of the forest.

[And, funnily enough, thanks to me being born like this, I could also take care of the corrupted mana, couldn't I?]

"…What do you mean?"

[Well, I was born like this because the mana melted into the swamp and festered without being able to disperse. That affected things. But since I can eat mana and demonic energy, I ate it all up after I was born. Then it returned to the original swamp.]

The snake swished its tail, saying that while it wouldn't change since it was already born that way, the next ones to be born would be just like normal since the corrupted mana had been removed.

[Ah, the spot that formed in Zatab's territory didn't seem too serious yet, and they were trying to do something on their own, so I just left them to it, saying 'give it a go'... But since this incident happened, I'll gulp that side down and clean it up too, so don't worry.]

More importantly, this guy is making excuses really desperately. I checked my surroundings for presences before speaking up after some thought. My hoarse voice rang out solemnly.

"Why are you telling me that?"

[Uh…….]

At that, the snake became flustered.

[Well, I thought you might want to know……? Seeing your party, it looked like you came to investigate this, was I wrong?]

Well, that's not wrong. It's true that we came to investigate that.

I just asked because the snake's attitude was so favorable and desperate.

I beat around the bush and asked again to fit my concept. At that, the snake went stiff as if it had been hit on the head.

[Are you asking because you don't know……?]

Suddenly, I felt like I had done something terribly wrong.

[No, well, you possess a massive amount of demonic energy and mana, and you also hold an orb that condenses the power of someone who is on the same level as my ancestor and of a higher rank than me……?]

However, as I listened, it made sense.

Setting aside my amount of demonic energy, the orb I possessed was a power transferred to me by one of the primeval beasts. And that guy had inherited the blood of another primeval beast.

In that regard, it was enough for it to be walking on eggshells around me. I mean, probably?

[Honestly, my heart still pounds just thinking about when you entered the forest, guest. I suddenly felt an immense amount of mana, and you seemed to harbor demonic energy, but on top of that, you also possessed a power of a higher rank than mine.]

As I silently agreed, the snake finally poured out its true feelings. It felt like a dam bursting, as if it had been suppressing quite a lot.

[I even worried that you might have killed a primeval beast and stolen its power. So I was planning to stay dead quiet until you left... Hah. But after observing you for a few days, I figured your character was quite decent and that I didn't need to worry, but then those crazy bastards had to cause an incident, seriously. When you used your power, I really thought, 'Ah, the forest is finally doomed,' you know? And of all things, the curse was just about to spread, too…….]

R-Right. Sorry about that. My bad.

No wonder it only showed its face at the very end. It was keeping its head down out of fear that I would kill it.

[Still, I'm somewhat relieved now. Thinking that the entity of the sea didn't give you that power for nothing.]

But if that's the case, its intervention must have been because it noticed my signs... Perhaps it choosing the Chief of Serhang as the Great Chief was also because of me.

It might be an overinflated ego, but anyway.

Still, from what I could see, the result wasn't bad. At the very least, the Chief of Serhang didn't seem like trash like those guys.

So well, I thought it was fine.

Like that, I returned to the tribe.

【I know you're trying to help me. I won't deny that.】

【So?】

【... However, separate from you trying to help me, it's also true that you outlanders killed my parents.】

[Eyy.]

But as I was heading back to the village.

Around the time I even learned of the snake's ability to set its body to be visible only to specific people, I spotted exactly six people gathered together: Akata, White Wind, the Archmage, the Chief of Serhang, the Priestess, and someone who appeared to be from the Bigabol tribe.

【I'm definitely grateful for the help. I'm grateful... but that doesn't mean I want to receive your help. Whenever I look at you, I just keep, keep thinking about my dad...】

Furthermore, out of those six, Akata was crying sorrowfully.

Hiding behind a nearby building out of reflex, my heart somehow ached in one corner.

[My goodness... Things have become quite complicated for that little kid, too. Not only is she the child of a rebel, but since she even tried to kill the Chief, it will be hard for her to remain here.]

... Meanwhile, this prediction of mine was spot on again.

I recalled the hypothesis I had formed while wondering why the child pointed a knife at me. If it was an assassin sent by Atart, that would be tragic in its own right, but this side wasn't any better.

[From the looks of it, um, the humans you brought seem to want to take the kid with them. But since she hates them so much, it'll be a bit difficult. What to do.]

Among the people captured because of me, or perhaps among the people I killed, there might have been that child's family.

【So, you will choose to remain here?】

【... But I can't follow you guys, either.】

At that moment, White Wind spoke up. I repeatedly clenched and unclenched my fists before giving the snake a look.

'Translate. 'Why are you looking at me like that...' I said, translate.'

After exchanging a few glances, the snake understood. Its ability to catch on was quite good.

【But you won't see anything good by staying here. Isn't that right, Acting Chief?】

【... Unfortunately, that is correct. You may not have directly killed the former Chief, Atart... but didn't everyone see you try to kill him?】

【... Then.】

【They will demand at least banishment, or at most, execution. Regardless of whatever wrongs Atart committed, there are still many factions that support him.】

【The one who killed him is someone from our side. Would it be difficult to send her to another tribe like the other children?】

【It's not impossible, but... you know how it is, don't you? Usually in times like these... anger is directed toward an easy target they can mess with rather than the one who directly caused harm. Even if she is sent to another tribe, there will definitely be those... who try to kill her. Her situation is different from the other children.】

Anyway, like Chief, like tribe.

I ground my teeth while listening to the snake's translation. If they were to just come at me, I'd just give them the middle finger and be done with it, but if they targeted the child, there was nothing I could do about it.

Because I couldn't protect her for the rest of my life.

【If our tribe takes her in...】

【... I am against that. Great Chief, you must delegate your position as Chief as soon as this matter is concluded, and aren't you in a position where you must formally succeed the duties of the Great Chief?】

【But Priestess.】

【This is also for the child's sake. In an environment where both I and the Great Chief will find it difficult to pay attention to her, we are even geographically close to the Bigabol tribe. Our village's location is hidden, but interactions happen frequently, so there are many tribe members who have been influenced by them. On top of that... you know, don't you? How sensitive our tribe members are to threats against the Chief. Even if we crack down on it, there will definitely be discrimination.】

【... Still. We will be better than anywhere else. If you think it won't work from the start, how many things in the world would actually get done? We just need to pay a little more attention.】

【... That is.】

【Hold on, hold on. I understand both of your intentions, but shouldn't we still listen to the child's opinion?】

【Ah, you're right. We do need to hear the opinion of the person involved. What do you think? If you stay, there's a high chance you'll die, or even if you don't die, you'll have to live a very difficult life; are you okay with that?】

【... I don't know. However, I don't want to follow you guys just to live comfortably.】

At that point, I looked back on whether my choice had truly been right.

I didn't regret killing them to save the children, but couldn't there have been a better way?

Instead of taking her along out of worry that she would be taken hostage, shouldn't I have hidden her so that Akata couldn't see that sight?

【Hmm. Is that so? But from the looks of it, you don't seem to actively want to die, huh?】

【... That's obvious!】

【Right. So in the end, you don't want to die, but you don't want to receive our help.】

However, a retry was impossible. I quietly crossed my arms while listening to the snake's translation.

【Th-That's not it...!】

【I'm saying this in advance in case there's a misunderstanding, but I'm not being sarcastic or criticizing you right now. Saying that I sympathize with your feelings would obviously be a lie, but I at least know that accepting your family's murder can't possibly be easy. So there's no need to deny it. No one is criticizing your mindset. It's just that my way of speaking is like this.】

【...】

【Separate from that, there sure are a lot of people who care about your safety. Hmm.】

【... Then how about doing this.】

【...?】

【First, follow us outside.】

【But I...】

【Listen until the end. I said let's go outside together, not that you have to stay with us forever.】

【... You're going to entrust her to people who have no connection to us?】

【Well, is there any other way?】

【True, the reason she hates us is ultimately because we were involved in her parents' deaths. Then finding someone with no connection might definitely be the best option.】

【... That person is an outlander, too.】

On another note, I had felt this earlier as well, but Akata was not very cooperative.

However, considering her situation where all her relatives had died and she was left alone, and even her revenge had fizzled out to nothing—and furthermore, considering that all she had left were a few hometown folks who didn't welcome her and high-ranking officials discussing her fate.

The child's grumbling was, if anything, just pitiful.

【So? Of course it's an outlander. But it's not like all outlanders tried to kill your parents, right? Are you going to hate those people too? Well, that doesn't matter. But if you want to live, you'll have to compromise on this part. Because we have no intention of offering any further proposals. I mean, who are you that we should care any more than this?】

【...】

Because all of that rebelliousness surely stemmed from the judgment that she was the only one who could protect herself.

【Akata.】

At that moment, the Chief of Serhang—or rather, the Great Chief—who had been staying silent, spoke up.

【Then, may I understand it as you not wanting to stay here, but choosing this place because you are reluctant about the outside?】

【...?】

【If you wish to remain here even if you have to endure adversity and hardship, I will do my best to help. However, from what I can see, it doesn't seem like you absolutely want to stay here.】

【That's... obvious. Everything, everything is gone, so there's absolutely... nothing good for me by staying here...】

【Understood. Then Akata, I will ask another question. What is the reason you are reluctant about outlanders?】

【That's because... they are the ones who killed my parents.】

【I know that there are also those in the Bigabol tribe who lent a hand in the execution. If so, do you hate everyone belonging to Bigabol? Also, do you resent all the people of other tribes who were not involved?】

【That's...! That's...】

【That wouldn't be the case. Because you already know that they are innocent.】

Just as the Priestess under the Great Chief did, his voice was also low and quiet, sticking clearly in my ears.

【Then I will ask again. What is the reason you are reluctant even about outlanders who would know nothing of this matter?】

Suddenly, a glimpse of wisdom seemed to flow over the boy's face.

【... That's. That's...】

【Yes.】

【Because they're outlanders...】

【Simply because they are outlanders?】

【My parents said... the outside is a bad place...】

【Ah, because the outside is a bad place, you thought outlanders are bad. I see. But do you really think that's true?】

【That's...】

【Do not recall the stories your parents and the adults around you told you. Try to tell me what you have experienced or thought yourself.】

【... They don't seem bad. If they were, they wouldn't be helping me right now. It's just, I... just...】

【Yes. That's exactly it. That is your answer. That is your correct answer.】

【But, my father...】

Amidst the quiet, gentle words, Akata spoke up to argue back. At that, the Great Chief's eyes narrowed and he gave a slight shake of his head.

【Akata, this is a bit out of nowhere, but there are a few things I consider to be karmic burdens we must shoulder during the process of becoming adults from the moment we are born.】

【...?】

【And one of them is exactly this. We must eventually acknowledge that the people we respected might actually have been wrong. That is our karma.】

The Great Chief took a step forward and even held Akata's hands.

【It is hard to acknowledge. The desire to live with your eyes and ears closed in denial will definitely shake your body. Or perhaps acknowledging their mistakes might feel like a betrayal toward them.】

【...】

【However, it is not. Akata. That is not a betrayal. It is merely the process of becoming an adult, and simply the path to your independence as a single human being.】

【... It's not, a betrayal? That is?】

【Because Akata, everyone cannot choose only the correct answers. That is what it means to be human. Also, the people we admired and loved are ultimately just human beings as well. It means that they, too, can be wrong. Just like how my mother, who was so great to me, was actually a failure as a Chief.】

【... Such. Such a thing.】

【Akata, do not be blinded by love. Love is a right thing, but the ones we love are not always right. It is merely your love making you want to believe that they are right. However, what is truly right is everything that your eight eyes have seen and your ears have heard.】

【There's no way that's true...】

Amidst the connected warmth, tears began to fall in drops once again.

【Therefore, rather than being swayed by their words, believe in and follow the answer you have made. Do not be entranced by your love and throw away yourself and your future.】

【... If that's really true, I, I.】

【Instead, say that this land was too small to embrace you, and go out to the outside without hesitation.】

【... Really, surviving isn't, a betrayal?】

【Of course. It is absolutely not a betrayal, but solely your growth and merely a choice for yourself.】

【Really...】

Akata burst into loud sobs and hugged the Great Chief. Instead of avoiding her, the Great Chief hugged her back.

The problem was that they were both children, so foolishly enough, it felt like I was going to cry too.

I was even weak against stories of children overcoming mistakes and growing up. Especially if it was a story of children growing up brilliantly amidst foolish adults.

[I... I think I picked the Great Chief too well this time...]

Whether it was a misfortune or a relief, thanks to the snake sniffing and crying beside me while translating, my tears slipped right back inside instead of flowing out.

This guy was even more moved than I was.

[Heo-eong, I only picked him to look good in front of you, guest, but it was a total jackpot...!!]

More importantly, you punk, was it really because of me that you picked him?!

【I-I'm sorry. I...】

【Not at all, Akata. I'm just sorry that this is the only thing I can do for you.】

Had she cried for a long time? Akata backed away slightly with a reddened face. The Great Chief just smiled warmly at her.

It feels a bit weird to say this, but he really didn't seem like a child, but more like a saint... Not meaning a grown adult, but a saint like when talking about people like Jesus.

[Heo-eong. Wise humans are the best...]

Please stop crying, you.

【Separate from this... you know, right? You must properly apologize to that person for what you did wrong. Saving the children wasn't a mistake, was it.】

【... I know.】

【Right. I'm counting on you.】

Because that guy quit translating to cry, I couldn't understand what they were saying anymore.

I glared at the snake. The giant snake was so busy wiping the sides of its eyes with its tail that it didn't even know if I was looking at it or not.

Well, I suppose it doesn't matter.

I uncrossed my arms and pushed my body off from where I was leaning. It would be awkward to butt in over there, so I was about to go somewhere else.

The ending had also turned out... in a way that I could believe it was the best possible outcome, so I was quite satisfied.

"Demon Knight!!"

Just then, someone came running over with a clatter. Flushed cheeks, sparkling green eyes, and red hair. It was the kimchi dumpling.

"Where did you go? I've been looking for you."

It... was true that it had been a while since I saw him, but wasn't he being a bit too happy to see me? I had just seen him earlier, too.

"How did you gain the Mountain Lord's recognition? Of course, you are more than qualified for it, Demon Knight. Ah! I also heard that you worked hard for the children. As expected, you are...!"

Still, I didn't dislike it. I let out a long breath, leaving the chattering Inquisitor be.

"U-Um. Are you back, Boss?"

Meanwhile, DeB stealthily slipped in as well. It seemed he had decided it was safe to approach after seeing how I treated the Inquisitor.

"Well... did you hear? They say the person from the Bigabol side who was elected as the Acting Chief heard about the wrongdoings committed by the former Chief and declared they would pay you a proper reward, Boss."

"Uh, what. I-I didn't hear anything about that!"

"I guess it's because you're bad at your job."

"No I'm not! I was busy healing people...!"

Anyway, these two dumplings were acting cute as a pair. Making me want to smile.

"You're being loud."

However, if I showed it, I'd break character. I walked past the two who had immediately snapped their mouths shut.

"Eek, I got scolded because of you!"

"What are you talking about. Anyone can see it's because of you."

"He said we were being loud as soon as you came!"

"At least I delivered information! Unlike you, who only made small talk!"

The ringing in my ears was drowned out by their bickering voices. That was enough.

"Comrade! I'm so frustrated I can't stand it! I need to get back my share for you taking my prey earlier!! Let's fight!"

No, maybe it's a bit too much?

Well, I think I like this better right now. Quests always leave a good aftertaste when they end brightly and boisterously, based on a happy ending, anyway.

Isn't that how it always is?