A Time for Two
The entrance to the [Forest of No Entry]. A large number of people had gathered at the place, which was used as an adventurer's campground. They are people who fled from the church capital.
The number of them easily exceeds 10,000, but that is not all. The line of people walking toward this place continues far into the distance. It should still increase.
The reason people are fleeing toward this place is because that is where Ren is.
"...I'm sorry. I don't quite understand what you are saying."
When Bishop Ruminas explained the reason, Ren frowned.
"Therefore, the people of the church tried to gather under the savior."
"Hmm. Is there a savior in this world? If he really will save us, I'd like to meet him too."
"As I said, the savior is Ren-sama."
"He has the same name as me. What a coincidence."
"As I said, the savior is you."
"...I don't know at all. How could that be?"
Even if he was suddenly called a savior, he doesn't understand why. He thinks that [savior] is not something that should be called so casually.
"His Eminence the Pope declared so."
"......Why did His Eminence the Pope make such a declaration?"
"That's……"
Bishop Ruminas doesn't know the reason. He was told that Ren was the Savior, and he was convinced that it could be so.
"No reason. So don't talk about it."
"Are you going to abandon the people who have nowhere to go?"
"They should go back to the church capital and rebuild it. I don't see why not."
The Izrim Empire has left. If so, Ren thinks, they can start over again. Even if they follow him, there is no home for them in the Nord Empire.
"I want to live under the savior."
"Such a being doesn't exist here. If you're waiting for it to appear, you should definitely go to the church."
"...I want to live under Ren-sama."
"You rephrased. Is there such a thing?"
"Yes! To be honest, I don't even know if Ren-sama is the savior! But that's okay! With His Eminence the Pope dead, I have no one else to serve but you!"
Bishop Ruminas doesn't care about whether or not Ren is the savior. Now that they have lost Pope Mikhail, someone has to stand above them. He thinks that there is no one other than Ren.
"...Even if you say that"
"I will come with you no matter what."
"You, but what about the others? Aren't you attracted to the title of savior and gather?"
Not everyone in the Church knows about Ren. The number of people who do not know him is far greater than those who do. And yet, they are here because they are looking to the Savior, not Ren.
"…Even if that was the case at the beginning, They will be glad they followed Ren-sama."
"Even if it turns out that way, how is that for a priest to lead people by deception?"
"…………"
As a priest, he deceives the believers. Bishop Ruminas cannot object to this. He thinks that they, who have denying and excluding such priests, cannot do the same thing.
"There is no savior. Tell everyone that. And also that the Izrim Empire has retreated."
That should bring a lot of people back to the capital. Even if they follow him, they will have a hard journey ahead of them. Even if they overcome this and arrive in the Nord Empire, they will have to find a place to live and a job from scratch.
"...Understood. I'll tell them what I have to say."
"The way you say it bothers me."
"Even so, there may be people who want to follow. I can't persuade them. They choose to follow Ren-sama."
"......That's true, but..."
"It's a personal responsibility. It is not that the Nord Empire is preventing the influx of people, is it?"
"Not completely."
Intrusions into Nord Empire territory are strictly restricted. But Nordben. on the other hand, is more lax, because it needs labor to increase its national power. Except, of course, for spies.
"Isn't that fine?"
"Something bothers me, but...... well, fine."
The fact remains that they are looking for labor. In this respect, the people of the Church are well suited. There is little chance that they are spies from an enemy country. If they want a place to live, they will have to be willing to cultivate land. If someone has special skills, they would even ask them to emigrate there.
As long as they don't feel they have to rely on the Savior, there's no reason to strongly refuse.
"Then I will tell everyone."
"Sure."
This concludes the conversation with Bishop Ruminas. He would just wait for the results of his discussion with the people. Then the next thing Ren has to do is clean up.
"Please! I don't care what happens to me, so help Daisuke!"
"What are you saying! If we die, we'll be together!"
"I want you to live!"
"I feel the same way! Please, Ren! In exchange for my life, help Miko!"
It's about the two heroes who remained in the church. As soon as they saw Ren's face, the two began begging for their lives. That was really annoying to Ren.
"Haa... after the savior, the villain who will tear apart two people who love each other. What am I?"
"Huh?" "Eh?"
He sighs and wants to complain.
"Nothing. You don't have to make such a fuss, I've already come to a conclusion."
"That is?"
"Because the only one who was there was Kitagawa-san."
Sakaki, who was in Class C, did not participate in the battle at the monastery. The only target for Ren's revenge is Miko, who was there.
"...Please. Don't kill Miko. I don't care what happens to me."
Sakaki understands Ren's thoughts and begins begging for Miko's life again.
"Daisuke! That's no good! I'm the only one who's hated! I'm the only one who should be killed!"
Furthermore, Miko reacts to it.
"That's no good! I can't imagine a life without Miko!"
"Shut up!!"
""…………""
Unable to endure the exchange between the two, Ren yelled. Surprised by this, the two fell silent as Ren wanted.
"...I understand how you two feel. Then I can just kill you both, right?"
""Eh……?""
The two were stunned by the conclusion Ren came to. They don't remember asking for such a thing.
"The point is that you don't want to be separated, right?"
"That's right, but……"
"Then you should die together."
Then they can be together forever. That's what Ren, who knows the dead well, thinks.
"Why?"
It doesn't work for normal people.
"Didn't you say that you would be together when you die?"
"I did. But do people normally take it as it is?"
"Would you take it?"
"......No, I won't."
They don't want the other to be killed. There is no lie in the feeling of wanting to protect the other person. They are seriously prepared to be hurt for the sake of the other. But their real hope is that both of them will be saved.
"......So what do you want me to do?"
"I want you to help us"
"Eh? Then say so from the beginning."
"So you're gonna help us?"
"No I won't."
"…………"
Even though they were in the same Class C, Sakaki wasn't close with Ren. He doesn't understand Ren's way of thinking. Even if he didn't, no one could understand him.
"You know, why should I give special treatment only to Kitagawa-san? Don't you think that's unfair?"
"...I don't care if it's unfair. I want to help Miko."
"Even if you say so."
"Why would you have to kill Miko? Miko... No, I'm not saying that she has no responsibility at all. But Miko didn't want to go there. She was just caught up by her surroundings."
He couldn't say that she was completely irresponsible for Kazuki's death. He thought he wasn't allowed to say that. Sakaki, who thinks so, is a decent person by Ren's standards.
"You mean you want the punishment to be less severe?"
"Well, yes."
"I see... then isn't that unfair?"
There is already a person who has had his punishment reduced. Ren had no intention of doing so, but instead of accepting punishment as punishment, he has come to rejoice in it.
Moreover, if it turns out to be someone who may be the most guilty, he cannot refuse Sakaki's request.
"Will you lighten the punishment?"
"I don't know yet. I'll have to hear what she has to say.
"About what?"
"Then let me ask you, did Kitagawa-san ever attack anyone?"
Ren's gaze turns to Miko, who is the person in question. Miko avoids his gaze by looking down. That's the answer.
"……I did."
"To whom?"
"…………"
Miko was looking down and her shoulders were shaking. Ren's question is a question that takes courage to answer. It's an answer that shouldn't lighten the punishment.
"To whom?"
"...Harumoto-san."
When questioned again, Miko admitted to attacking Kazuki.
"Is that the last attack that killed Kazuki?"
"...Yes. I'm sorry."
There is no way the crime can be forgiven. Ren hates all the people who killed Kazuki. Miko knows that.
"...I see. You didn't attack the children?"
"That's right, but……"
"Why?"
"Because I like children"
"I see... eh? Is that so? I see... that's good, isn't it?"
"Um, what?"
She didn't know what he meant when he suddenly said it was good. If she doesn't know what it is, she can't be happy about it.
"Nothing... Kitagawa-san killed Kazuki. Even if you were in no condition to disobey orders, that's a fact."
Not all the heroes attacked on their own will. Ren knows that some were unable to disobey orders. But he can't bring himself to forgive them for that.
"...If you kill Miko"
Ren has no intention of forgiving Miko. Sakaki, who knew about it, interrupted.
"What if I killed her?"
"If you kill Miko, I will never forgive you. I will definitely take revenge. Just like you are doing."
"...It's a natural right. I don't have the right to deny it."
Being resented is inevitable. Ren has already been resented by many. Revenge and war are never just.
"Deny it! Tell me to stop! Tell me! What can I do to save Miko? What should I do? What should I do? What can I do..."
His voice gradually becomes quieter. Tears were welling up from both of Sakaki's eyes. Sakaki could not forgive himself for his helplessness in not being able to help his beloved.
"Daisuke... I'm sorry..."
Miko can't stop crying either. She can't get forgiveness from Ren. They can't live together anymore. That may be in a few more minutes.
"...Since I'll only kill Kitagawa-san... That's right, let's say two years from now?"
"Eh?" "Huh?"
But that time was extended to two years later.
"A year later would be too soon, right?"
"……What do you mean?"
The two did not understand the meaning of Ren's words at all. Rather than being happy that it will be put off, they are more puzzled.
"If I kill Kitagawa-san now, the baby in her womb will also die. I can't bring myself to kill an unrelated child. I also can't bring myself to separate a child who can't even walk yet from its mother."
"......W-what did you say?"
Sakaki couldn't believe his ears at his unexpected words.
"I feel like she has a baby in her belly. I don't know, but there is someone who tells me it is so."
"A baby……"
"Huh? You didn't know? That's a problem."
"...Y-you idiot! Of course, it's there! It's definitely my child!"
Sakaki's expression was so full of joy that he wondered what had happened to his grief a moment ago.
"I'm glad to hear that. If this was the cause of the break up, I would have felt responsible...... Are you two married?"
"……Not yet."
"Eh? You mean an unmarried mother? Sakaki-kun, you're irresponsible, aren't you?"
"N-no. Because we were not in a situation where we could think of getting married."
Marriage was not in any way possible. It's not like life is hard. Marry, have children, and live a normal life in this world. They didn't have the leeway to think like that.
"Then why don't you two get married? You don't have any trouble finding a priest to hold the ceremony."
"……Here?"
"It doesn't matter where, but... well, that's fine. I don't know when we'll meet again, so I'll give a wedding gift in advance."
"...No, celebrating here is..."
Sakaki is confused again when Ren suddenly talks about a wedding gift. He thinks it means something, but he has no idea what it is.
But he'll find out about this soon.
"This is a status plate for the two of you given to me by the church."
"Eh……?"
"If I do it this way......."
Ren patted the surface of the status plate, proof of servitude. Immediately, the proof of servitude began to emit a dazzling light.
"Now I am your master."
"Eh? That's..." "W-what?"
"Let's give it a try. Sakaki-kun, kneel down on the spot and get down on your knees. This is an order.
"...Ugh... no, stop..."
Sakaki tries to resist Ren's orders. But his body won't listen to him. His knee breaks and he falls to the ground.
"No, stop! Please!"
Miko shouts to stop it.
"What should I ask Kitagawa-san to do for me?"
"…………"
"Just kidding. Kneeling is over. You can do as you please."
With Ren's voice, Sakaki regains the freedom of his body. He stood up and he glared at Ren.
"Now, do you understand that I'm now your master?"
"...Then what?"
"More, like this..."
Ren begins to do something again toward the proof of servitude. It emitted an even more dazzling light than before, and it disappeared in an instant.
"Well, what do you think? Sakaki-kun, get naked on the spot."
"D-don't joke around!"
"Get naked. This is an order."
"Who will be!"
"Yes, successful"
"……Successful?"
"Released successfully. You know I'm not lying because I actually tried it."
What Ren did was release them from the proof of servitude. After performing the release, he tried to see if it worked. The result was a success. Now they are no longer bound to the church.
"……Really?"
Sakaki cannot believe it when it is actually tested on him. He wanted to believe, but he was afraid of being wrong.
"If you have any doubts, I could try it to Kitagawa-san? But if it fails, she'll be naked, you know?"
"...It's fine. You don't have to try it."
"You still have doubts. I don't care. Yes. Well then, the wedding gift."
Saying that, Ren handed over the two proofs of servitude he was holding to Sakaki.
"It can't be used again, so it's impossible to make Kitagawa-san do something strange, okay?"
"W-who would do such a thing!?"
"Don't you need it? Even if you don't have that kind of thing... right?"
"...You're a pervert"
"This time, I’m treated as a pervert. It's kind of a day to get a lot of things said. Well, I'm not busy either."
Ren tries to leave the place.
"Hey!"
Miko called out to him.
"What?"
"Are you sure there's a baby in my belly?"
Miko is still unaware of this.
"As I said before, I don't know. But there is someone who says so. I heard that person can understand."
"I see... Ren-kun, thank you."
She doesn't know if she really has a child or if it's just an excuse to help her. Still, Miko thanked Ren.
"That's unnecessary. I didn't forgive you. I just put it off for two years."
"...That's right."
Ren didn't say he would help Miko. Miko knew it too.
"That is, if I'm still alive by then. If you want to live, you'd better hope I die."
"...No. I'm waiting for that time. I've been waiting for Ren-kun to show up."
Ren is trying to help her, just not in words. Miko thought so. Knowing his kindness, she wanted Ren to live as well.
"……Weirdo."
With a final smile at Miko, Ren quickened his pace and moved away. Miko wanted to follow his back. She wanted to do something for Ren. Even though she knew he would not allow her to do so.
"…Is it okay if you don’t go to the wedding?"
Luna appeared when he was separated from the two of them. She was always by his side, but had disappeared.
"Why would I..."
"It would be interesting if Luna and Ren were matchmakers."
Luna brought up the topic of the wedding because she wanted to be a matchmaker. Because she wants to play the role of his wife.
"Ah, that's what you mean... but I can't."
"Why?"
"I don't feel like celebrating people's happiness right now. It's more like a funeral than a wedding."
"...That's right."
Babaa and Pope Mikhail died. For Ren, they are people whose feelings are much stronger than Sakaki and Miko. It was more important to grieve the death of these people.
"It would be nice if we could talk, but they're not the kind of people who stay on the ground."
If they stay on the ground, they can talk slowly. But Ren thinks that's not the case. If they were so attached to the ground, they would not have chosen death.
"Then, while looking at the moon, remember the two of them."
"Why the moon?"
"Because those who have died rise in the moon. That's why."
"Heh... I didn't know that. Was that so?"
This was the first time Ren had heard such a story. He thought he knew a lot about the dead, but he was surprised to learn that there was something he did not know.
"In this world, it is."
"I see... but that's fine. I like the moon."
"I'm embarrassed."
Luna is embarrassed at the thought of being told this. But this is just a misunderstanding.
"...I like Luna, the spirit of the moon, more than the moon."
Ren corrects this misunderstanding of Luna's with words that make her happy.
"...I'm more embarrassed."
"Shall we have a funeral together tonight?"
"Let's do."
It was to remember Babaa and Pope Mikhail, but it was also a time for the two to talk. Time to forget the war, the country, the thoughts of those around them, and just think about themselves. That is what Ren needed tonight.
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