We Just Beat It Down and That's the End of It, Right? (13)

'Even battered as you are, the fact remains that you made it here. But that's quite a large party... Judging by the familiar face among you, I take it you're acquaintances of that villager—and came here by a route other than the official one?'

The Dark Dragon turned a gaze that seemed to see right through Menou. Perhaps quickly deciding that lying would be pointless, Menou meekly nodded in answer. The Dark Dragon sighed wearily and said, 'As I thought.'

“How did you know?”

Tina asked, tilting her head.

'It's simple. Given the agreement I made with that villager, the chances of anyone coming here after the Demon King was defeated are exceedingly low. And it would have been impossible to get enough tickets for everyone here in the three years since that villager left. Then there's the demon who appeared before me three years ago. Surely that's more than enough information, is it not?'

“That's true, but you're taking this awfully well. I was bracing myself for you to get furious and scold us for cheating.”

'The route that villager discovered cannot be opened without considerable strength. At least some of you here must possess great power, do you not? In that case, I will acknowledge you. I was taught that the right to proceed does not belong only to those who came by the official route.'

Perhaps taken aback by those words, the others—who had been staring tensely at the Dark Dragon's imposing appearance—breathed sighs of relief.

'Besides... I knew you would come eventually.'

“What do you mean? You make it sound as if you know everything we're thinking.”

Takako folded her arms and frowned at the Dark Dragon's cryptic words. She herself had only decided to follow Kagami after he was gone. And they had all decided to go help him at different times. Alice, Tina, and Parna had only made up their minds recently. So Takako wasn't the only one who found the claim that the Dark Dragon had 'known' puzzling.

'Of course, I didn't know you would come on this very day. And I wasn't the one who predicted you would come... That was the villager.'

“The villager... You mean Kagami-san, right? What exactly did he tell you, Dark Dragon-san?”

At the mention of Kagami, Alice was the first to react, hurrying over to the Dark Dragon.

The Dark Dragon looked at Alice, whose gaze was so direct it was hard to believe she'd been intimidated by its appearance just moments ago. Once again, the Dark Dragon thought, 'That man really is interesting,' and recognized just how much Kagami meant to Alice—enough to make her forget her fear.

'You may already know this, but I grant one wish to anyone who reaches me by their own power. I granted that same right to the villager.'

“What... did Kagami-san wish for?”

'He wished that when you arrived here, I would allow all of you to proceed to the next stage—even if you'd come by an illegitimate route.'

Everyone looked bewildered, unable to understand why Kagami would make such a wish. But Alice seemed to grasp his intentions, and a smile slipped across her face as if she couldn't contain her happiness.

'That villager was certain you would come to help if he took too long to return. He also said that, when that time came, he himself would surely be struggling. So he made his wish in a way that wouldn't compel you to come.'

They were genuinely surprised to learn that such a conversation had taken place three years ago, and held their breath. Then the Dark Dragon murmured, 'That villager left a message for you,' and opened its mouth as though reading the words exactly as they'd been received.

'Hurry up and save me.'

The moment they heard those words, not one of them thought, 'That's so like Kagami,' or, 'Amazing that Kagami-san foresaw this three years ago.' They simply kept quiet, savoring the pleasant warmth swelling within them.

Rather than doing something for their sake, Kagami was simply asking them for help. The man who was so strong that he seemed to have no need of help, and who had always fought to protect them, was relying on them. He wanted them there.

They wanted to fight alongside him. They wanted to catch up to his strength, even a little. They wanted to help him. Anyone who knew Kagami and had ever felt that way couldn't help but be happy that he felt the same way about them.

'But even I don't know whether that villager is still alive. It was three years ago, after all... There's no guarantee he's still alive.'

“W-wait, so the next stage really could put our lives in danger!”

When told Kagami might be dead, Parna, who had been swept up in the same warmth welling in her chest, shook her head vigorously and came to her senses. She reconsidered: she couldn't take Alice to such a dangerous place.

'Naturally. The next stage seeks the strong... That is what it means. Still, only those who go to the next stage can learn what it is like. I cannot tell you what awaits you there.'

“It's all right. Kagami-san is alive.”

Alice said this to Parna with her usual bashful smile, as if she had no worries at all.

“How can you say that for sure?”

“That man won't die. I... I believe in Kagami-san.”

Seeing Alice's words and smile, Parna instantly realized that no matter how dangerous the next stage might be, there was no way she could hold Alice back now. She gave a soft, weary sigh and a faint smile, then replied simply, “I suppose so.”