Chapter 66
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Name: Rifiris (Hinata Yukine)
Race: Human
Gender: Female
Age: 5 years old
Level: 15
Combat Power: 20,900
Magical Energy: 15,500
Skills: Holy Magic Lv.5, Light Magic Lv.5, Fire Magic Lv.5, Angel Summoning Lv.3, Physical Enhancement Lv.2, Darkness Resistance, Divine Protection
Titles: Blessed Child, Hero
(They say I'm extraordinarily strong for a five-year-old, but if I can't even beat Emma, I can't really call myself a Hero, can I?)
At the training ground within the church facility.
Looking up at the blue sky, Rifiris lies on her back.
She's not taking a nap under this cold sky; she's lying still after being knocked back during a mock battle with Emma, a Holy Knight.
"......Rifiris, it's too early to stay down."
Emma, a girl with bright red hair and eyes, spoke to Rifiris in a firm tone. She's a cool person whose short hair suits her well, but her dark and strict demeanor makes it hard for Rifiris to like her.
Emma has been training Rifiris in swordsmanship and magic ever since the Holy Knight Order was nearly annihilated in the battle against the Demon King. Originally, someone else was in charge, but that person died in that battle.
Rifiris had known of Emma before. However, she had only seen her face and never spoken to her.
Rifiris doesn't know much about the old Emma. Still, she thinks Emma was a much brighter person before returning from that battle. That fight might have changed Emma.
Losing many precious comrades would surely warp anyone's personality.
"Sorry. I was thinking about how I could beat Emma."
Rifiris stands up and picks up the slender sword that had fallen nearby.
Even though it's training, they use real swords. The order was to get used to it now.
(Making a five-year-old hold a sword... that's just crazy......)
Even though she thinks this, Rifiris doesn't show it on her face.
"Emma, you're strong. I can't match you at all."
"I'm already seventeen. Of course, I can't lose to a five-year-old Rifiris. Even so, Rifiris possesses the strength of a Class Two. That's more than strong enough for a five-year-old."
"......But the monsters I need to defeat are much stronger than Emma, right? Even if I'm blessed by God, I don't feel like I can defeat them at all."
Including the Holy Knight Order of the Seirene Faith, over ten thousand people challenged the Demon King, only to be utterly defeated. Not only were they nearly wiped out, but even the families—parents, siblings, and children—of the participating Holy Knights, soldiers, and adventurers became casualties.
Since only about fifty members of the Holy Knight Order from the Holy Capital participated, the damage there wasn't as severe. Even so, with the main force of the Holy Knight Order in ruins, the church is apparently facing various difficulties.
In the towns of Yusef and Rugimano, it's said that ten to twenty thousand people disappeared in each. With original populations of around forty to fifty thousand, that means over thirty to forty percent of the people died.
For a time, the towns fell into chaos due to the drastic population drop and fear of the Demon King. Afterward, the towns were dominated by the Demon King, and many people are said to be suffering.
There are concerns that the Demon King might continue to expand their territory in the future.
(How many tens of thousands were victims of the atomic bomb? It's not quite on that level, but if the atomic bomb is a point of comparison, that means a lot of people died, right? Too many deaths. There's no way I can defeat something like that.)
As Rifiris sighs, Emma speaks.
"......Honestly, Rifiris, you can't defeat that thing right now. However, if you grow and become much stronger than even me, you'll be able to defeat it."
"Emma, you fought the Demon King, right? Will the Demon King wait for me to grow up? Normally, wouldn't they come to kill me early on since I'm a potential threat?"
"......No, that probably won't happen."
"Why not?"
"......That thing doesn't actively attack anyone on its own, or at least it shouldn't."
"Is that so? But I've heard they're expanding their territory?"
"......That's...... well, if we believe Claire's story...... But there's no certainty......"
"Then...... if they do come to kill me, I'll have no choice but to die......"
"......I'll protect you. Rifiris, you are likely humanity's hope. There are several plans for defeating the Demon King, but as someone blessed by God and a Hero, you are probably our greatest hope."
"......That's heavy."
(Ugh. I reincarnated into another world and became a Hero! Blonde hair and blue eyes, so cute! I'm gonna do great things and get all the praise! I miss the days when I was excited about that. The responsibility of being a Hero is too much, and the enemy is way too strong. This is ridiculous. It's too much to put on a kid.)
Rifiris regained her memories as Hinata Yukine when she was three years old. She died at fifteen in her previous life, so her mental age is around seventeen.
If she were truly just a five-year-old, she might have believed Emma's words and imagined a bright future while laughing and playing.
However, with the discernment of a high schooler, she understands the gravity of the situation.
(Defeating the Demon King? Impossible. I should run away.)
Rifiris secretly resolves herself, but with her young body and immature strength, she can't even escape from the church.
"......Emma. If they don't attack us, isn't there no need to defeat them? Shouldn't we just leave them alone......?"
"That's not an option. That thing is an evil monster. It's too dangerous to leave alone."
"I see......"
(Isn't it worse to provoke them and get tens of thousands killed in retaliation?)
Rifiris thinks this but doesn't say it out loud.
Besides, if she shows too much weakness, a long sermon awaits.
You are a child blessed by God, there's nothing to fear, and so on.
(Emma can be a bit stubborn sometimes. What a pain. But...... if the Demon King waits until I'm strong enough, I might be okay with defeating them as a Hero. It sounds interesting.)
In her previous life, she was just an average girl, somewhat cute. Now, she's a special existence as a Hero.
If possible, she wants to achieve great things and be adored by everyone.
After fulfilling her duties as a Hero, she wants to gain vast wealth, honor, and titles, and act all high and mighty.
Perhaps she could even take control of the Rivalt Kingdom itself.
With the great feat of defeating the Demon King, she might become a queen and then dominate the country.
Rifiris hasn't discarded such ambitions.
Whether to run away or not depends on the Demon King's actions.
"......Anyway, I need to get stronger. I'll do my best."
"Yes. That's all there is for now."
"Then, here I go."
Rifiris enhances her body and charges at Emma. Though she seems to grow faster than the average person, unfortunately, her body can't keep up, so she's no match for Emma.
As she continues training that seems unfitting for a five-year-old, one of the sisters arrives at the training ground.
She calls out, so Emma pauses the training for a moment.
"......We've come to borrow Lady Rifiris's power. We'd like her to perform an Angel Summoning."
"Angel Summoning......? My magical energy isn't nearly enough, so I can't summon strong angels......"
Angel Summoning can call forth angels of decent strength relative to the magical energy invested. However, with only about fifteen thousand in magical energy, she can only summon weak angels that can't even match Emma.
"As for that, the choir and...... no, anyway, please come to the Chapel."
"Understood...... Emma, I'll be going......"
"I'll go too."
"Lady Emma, please wait here."
Emma makes a suspicious face. However, she doesn't insist on accompanying Rifiris.
"Understood. Rifiris, go ahead."
"Yes."
Rifiris follows the sister.
And she will come to curse her own power.