Sera volunteered for the Hero Party partly because of her loyalty to Ariel, but more than anything, she had nowhere to go after graduation.
She had never seriously thought about her future path. Of course, with her abilities, there would be many places she could go if she wanted, but it was questionable whether that would be the path she desired.
So she decided to follow Ariel. She thought that being by his side was where she belonged.
And the reason Clana joined the Hero Party was even simpler. She was the Saint. It was her fate to stand on the battlefield someday.
While others feared the Hero Party because it was a battlefield, Clana would have to go to an even harsher battlefield if she didn’t join it.
In fact, she could be said to have almost no choice.
And the reason Iria volunteered for the Hero Party.
“……”
There was a really plausible story behind it.
She heard the news that Ariel was forming a new Hero Party and would soon go to the battlefield.
To confront the remnants of the Demon King’s army and, this time, to uproot the roots of the war.
Ariel, who had awakened the power of the stars, had the strength and talent to do so.
Sera and Clana, who had similar talents, would also be with him, so they had more than enough potential to become the hope of humanity like the previous generation’s Hero Party.
And,
“The new headmaster is making the new Hero’s Party and will head to the battlefield soon.”
As much as all the students at the Academy heard the news, Iria also heard it.
Iria was also thinking of leaving the Empire soon. The ones who held her secret were the Demon King’s army. She would embark on a journey to confront them for the truth.
Iria and their destinations were the same. The timing of leaving was also similar.
“Could this also be some kind of fate?”
Traveling with them would be faster and more efficient than traveling alone.
So, her joining them was not out of personal desire. It was purely for efficiency, and she would betray them immediately if an opportunity to contact the Demon King’s army came.
“That’s why.”
Iria volunteered for the Hero Party.
It sounded like Albert’s heart was breaking from here.
***
To conclude, Iria was also welcomed into the Hero’s Party.
She already had a friendship with the three of them, and above all, she was strong. There was no one at the Academy who didn’t know Iria’s skills.
She had an incredible record of being undefeated in duels and was evaluated as being in the top two along with Ariel.
“If Iria helps us, it’ll be reassuring. I welcome you.”
“Actually, even if you said no, I was going to bring you anyway. Does it make sense for you to be left out when the three of us gathered like this?”
“I, I’m not really happy about it! Someone like you will definitely be useless…ouch!”
Sera smacked Clana’s head.
It probably didn’t hurt at all because of the divine power’s protective barrier, but for some reason, she screamed.
Anyway, with a grand welcome from the three of them, she was able to join the Hero Party. As such, it was not very difficult for the Demon King’s pawn to infiltrate the Hero Party.
Was it because they had been together until now? Actually, she didn’t want to be the Demon King’s pawn either. It would have been nice if she could have truly joined the party as a fellow human.
“Am I wishing for too much?”
What was natural for others was not for her, so it was a dream she had given up on long ago.
In the realm of the unconscious, it seemed like she could hear the Demon King whispering.
That no matter what, she could not mix with them due to her fate. That she had been a monster from birth.
That she could never return to being human again and would forever feel a sense of deprivation.
If she thought about it coldly, the Demon King’s words might be true. Due to the limitations of her race, it was impossible for Iria to completely assimilate among humans.
But still.
“……”
She wanted to follow them, even if she didn’t know how long it would last.
But she can resist the whispers for now.
***
There were two weeks remaining before the Hero Party embarked on their journey.
Until then, they had some free time. All four of them. And the way they spent that period also varied.
Ariel devoted himself to training as usual, and Sera also went to duel. Now that she was unsatisfied with the Academy students, she went with the professors.
Clana, as befitting a saint, was spreading miracles around. Originally, she tried to bestow them upon Iria, but at her request to please go and do it somewhere else, she complied.
Clana was also easily influenced by others, but her basic nature was not bad, so she did not do things others would dislike.
And,
Iria was.
“……”
She was pondering how to spend that time.
Unlike the others, Iria had nothing she liked and didn’t need training.
At first, she wandered aimlessly around the Academy’s streets. It wasn’t a walk with a set destination; she just headed anywhere, not having anything else to do
While wandering around like that, she encountered some people.
First, Rena. She appeared as if she had been waiting on the path Iria was passing by.
“Ah, Iria. I was just looking for you. I heard you’re leaving for a faraway place soon.”
“Yes.”
“In the end, you’re going too…”
Rena, whom she met after a long time, had a somewhat complicated expression.
She looked happy to see Iria but sad that she was leaving. She expressed disappointment that Iria was leaving her but also as if it couldn’t be helped because it was Iria.
But soon she smiled. Because she knew there was nothing she could do even if she was sad.
“Iria is an amazing person. I’m sure you’ll do well even after you go. As a member of the Hero Party, you’ll save many people’s lives from now on. Just like how you saved me back then.”
“……”
“I’m proud to have you as a friend. Iria, you’re a good person.”
Wouldn’t Iria be someone who saves many people?
Rena told Iria she could become a good person, but she was neither a good being nor a “person.”
I don’t know.
Perhaps because this might be their last meeting, Iria also conveyed her words to Rena.
“I’m sorry.”
It was a concise statement that seemed to contain various meanings.
These were also the words Iria wanted to convey to Rena.
Perhaps Rena’s tragedy started with Iria. Iria might have been the root cause of Rena’s trauma.
Iria.
“……”
Because she killed her friend.
Iria didn’t have enough humanity left in her to feel guilty about that, but still, they were words she wanted to convey.
“What are you sorry for? If it’s about leaving me alone, don’t worry about it. I hope we can see each other again later.”
“…Yes.”
The words were conveyed.
Iria passed by Rena and continued walking. The next person she met was Lucia.
Unlike Rena, who had directly sought out Iria, this was a chance encounter.
Lucia glanced at Iria and opened her mouth.
“You’re going, huh?”
“……”
“I’ll apologize for ignoring you last time. You’re a person stronger than me. You’re the strongest in the entire Academy across all grades. And well… it’s true that I survived thanks to you during the external practicum.”
“Did you eat something wrong?”
“Hey!! I finally thought about it and told you!”
Lucia shouted, then sighed and faced Iria again.
“Ahem, ahem. I didn’t eat something wrong. Think about it carefully. If you leave, who will become the top student of the 1st year?”
“Who would it be?”
“You’re deliberately making fun of me, aren’t you?”
“……”
“Of course, it will be me, the runner-up. Separate from the fact that I still dislike you, I’m in a good mood right now. I can afford to treat you kindly, at least for today.”
The reason Lucia disliked Iria was because she was the top student. There was no reason to hate someone who was leaving soon.
Anyway, it was true that she had received help from her during the last practical.
The moment the monsters rushed in, Iria sacrificed herself to send Rena and Lucia away first. In the end, she played a big role and helped Lucia earn points.
So Lucia faced Iria once again.
“It’s good that you’re leaving, but don’t die. I just wanted to say that, as my last words.”
Iria nodded and walked a bit further.
After wandering through all areas of the Academy like that, she met Wendy this time.
She met her, but she wasn’t particularly happy. At least Lucia had some cute affection, but Wendy didn’t have that either.
And it seemed to be the same for Wendy.
“What are you looking at? Do you have something to say to me?”
“……”
She responded to Iria with a cold expression, still looking ill-mannered. She was from the same high school as Rena, was that it? It would have been nice if she had resembled Rena even half as much.
“If you’re going to leave, go quickly. You don’t think I’ll kindly see you off or something, do you?”
“No, I didn’t expect that.”
“Then hurry up and go. Don’t annoy me like your friend.”
If there are people who warmly welcome someone who is leaving, there are also those who don’t.
Wendy was like that.
For Iria, the people at the Academy were clearly divided into those she liked and those she disliked.
In that regard, it couldn’t be helped. Rather, for Iria, she was treated better than she deserved.
Maybe that’s why.
“……”
Iria, who had left the scenery of the Academy, seemed to be in deep thought.
Although it wasn’t a long time, it was still a place with many memories in various ways.
This was the ridge behind the Academy.
Iria, who had reached the top of the mountain, looked up at the sky blankly.