"…I don't even know anymore."
It may have been but a fleeting moment, yet during that brief time, I agonized over all manner of things.
Whether it was truly fine to leave Leon as it was, what would happen if I left Leon like this, whether this world would truly flow according to Noah's story, and so on—truly all sorts of things.
But though my worries were many, I was not slow in deliberating over them.
["Very well, I shall go."]
The sight of countless knights and soldiers staring at me blankly in confusion is still vivid in my eyes.
The group that had been on standby to attack me immediately should I break my promise and attempt something wore expressions like dogs watching a chicken atop a roof, gazing up at the sky in utter bewilderment.
"…There's no way I could kill them."
Of course, having become Faust, my heart was quite broken. As seen in Matthias's case, I was unable to empathize with others' emotions and had come to feel nothing much in the face of others' deaths, hadn't I?
But… some things are simply wrong no matter what, and some things just can't be done.
Of course, if this world's flow were to proceed exactly like Noah's story, this measure would be utterly useless—nothing more than a fleeting amusement and mere personal satisfaction.
If Leon is not corrupted by demons, Leon's player—that is, the protagonist—loses the place and opportunity to grow, which in turn means they will be unable to properly fight the powerful enemies that await them later.
"…I'll think about that when the time comes, I suppose."
Doesn't a player who was level 24 become level 60 after finishing the Leon story?
If they are deprived of experience by being unable to slay countless demons, undead, and demonic beasts, and are left to linger around level 24, it would be simply terrible from the player's perspective.
Beyond simply being unable to clear the next story, there is a high risk of dying a dog's death outright.
No, it's not merely high—one could safely say it's certain.
Still… it can't be helped.
This world is astonishingly similar to Noah, but even so, it is uncertain whether the future, too, will flow according to Noah's scenario.
I cannot create millions of innocent victims just to serve as the player's experience points, under the pretext of preparing for an uncertain future.
"And if things truly go awry, I can step in and take care of it myself."
It's not as though leveling up is only possible through Leon, is it?
There are plenty of routes to raise one's level, such as completing quests or hunting monsters of similar levels to those appearing in Leon.
If the scenario truly flows like a game, I could move personally to resolve all the problems, or even train the player.
It's laughable that a mere weak modern human like me would presume to train others, but anyway.
"…By the way, where should I go?"
Looking down, all I saw were forests and fields stretching everywhere.
I had recklessly used flight magic to leave Leon as promised to the Knight Commander, but I had no idea where to go.
Even if I went to another nearby country, the people there would show the exact same reaction as the people of Leon.
Wouldn't they likely organize a subjugation force to come and kill me?
Of course, I'm Noah's final boss, so unless it's a raid decked out in end-game gear, there's no way I'd fall to some low-level raid party like that… but it's not as though I can slaughter everyone who comes, is it?
My appearance is that of a demon, but my heart is human, after all.
For now, I should get as far away from human settlements as possible.
If I head straight north from Leon, I'll reach a snowy mountain region, so I can stay there for the time being—
Fwoosh—
"…Huh?"
Then, a familiar red light suddenly surrounded me once more.
The light curved like a laser, wrapping around me, and simultaneously formed a magic circle. Its shape was exactly the same as the magic circle that had summoned me to Matthias earlier.
"What the hell, it's following me?!"
Not wanting to experience that stomach-churning sensation again, I hurriedly leaped out of the magic circle, but it simply followed me.
No, rather than following, it was more accurate to say it was stuck to me. Like a shadow.
Could it be that instead of physically getting out of the magic circle, I have to use some kind of spell to— hurk…
**********
That demon… he really just left obediently.
I thought it was just the usual wicked lie of a demon… what the hell… I feel like an idiot for being so tense.
"Recovery potions are… what? You're telling me to endure?!"
"Yeah, they say since there won't be any more battles anyway, don't drink potions and just wrap bandages to deal with it."
"…Quite a spectacle."
From what I heard, despite the demon not launching a single attack, casualties occurred simply because our side had overexerted themselves so much.
Still… considering a demon appeared, this aftermath is rather clean.
Normally, everyone would be corrupted and end up killing their comrades, or die in a horrible state, or fail to find salvation even in death and live on as undead monsters.
"Rena, are you alright?"
"Ah… yes, I'm fine."
Emerging with a bewildered face and looking around, the Knight Commander approached and asked after my well-being.
He was not merely asking how I was.
Whether there was anything strange about me, whether I had forgotten anything, whether my mana had been contaminated, what had happened with the demon inside—all of these things and more.
And the Commander's face as he asked was not the expression and posture with which he had regarded me before meeting the demon.
He was tense and guarded, prepared to wield his weapon swiftly at any moment.
Well… I can understand that completely.
Having been alone with such a great demon, I had to keep in mind the possibility that some trickery was played, didn't I? If it were me, I would have acted just like the Commander.
"Matthias seems to have done something to offend the demon's sensibilities and dropped dead on the spot… the demon looked at my reaction and simply left. That is all."
"The demon killed Matthias, so why didn't it lay a hand on you?"
"I don't know."
The Commander's eyes furrowed at my answer.
Had the Commander looked at me with such eyes on any other day, my mood would have soured instantly, but as I'd thought before, this was completely understandable.
Even putting myself in his shoes, I couldn't believe the claim that a demon had seen a helpless victim and left without doing anything.
If it were me, I would have seriously wondered whether this brat's memories had been tampered with by the demon, or whether she had already fallen and become the demon's minion.
"Is that so… hm, then where is Matthias's body? We need to take it with us and verify."
"There isn't one. Matthias, whose entire body had swollen from mana overload, exploded on the spot and soon became chunks of meat scattered throughout the room."
"What? Then this blood is…"
"Yes, it is not mine, but Matthias's."
The Commander's face twisted into something indescribable.
Did he think this blood was mine? Was that why he had been so guarded?
Well, I had been with the demon until moments ago and was covered head-to-toe in blood, yet I was perfectly fine mentally. That really made no sense.
"But that demon… just what was it?"
Judging by its appearance, aura, and magical power, it was clearly of a higher standing than an Archdemon—so high that I couldn't even properly gauge its level.
And a demon of such caliber would naturally have some legend attached to it.
Even low-level demons far weaker than it have records; there should be no way that information on a great demon of that level—a great demon whose mere existence would cause tremendous upheaval in the demon realm—does not exist.
"But… there isn't any, is there?"
And yet, despite that, there is not a single piece of information on that demon from just now.
From its name to its race—truly, everything.
Of course, it could be that I am simply too ignorant to know… but that possibility is nearly zero.
It is the same principle as how even ignorant country wives know the legends of great heroes who shook the world.
The strong create legends simply by existing.
"…Should I return to the Great Forest and search for information? But… it's still a bit too soon for that."
Wouldn't it take at least 500 years before I am forgotten from the elves' memories?
Right now is far, far too early.
I need to stay outside a while longer… very well, I'll just look around out here. There's plenty of information beyond the forest as well.
"…Rena? You're truly sure you're alright?"
Lost in thought about the demon, when I suddenly came to my senses, the Commander was looking at me with questioning eyes right in front of me.
"Hm? Ah… yes, I'm fine. I was just thinking for a moment about what that demon was."
"Is that so? Then that is a relief… ahem, anyway, go inside and wash up first. And I think we'll need to keep you in isolation for a while to monitor your condition—is that alright?"
Ugh… I definitely need to wash up quickly.
The reek of blood from my entire body is so strong it makes me nauseous…
"Of course, naturally. I'll take my leave now."
Hearing the Commander's words, Rena hastily left the royal castle to wash herself.
Never suspecting that the Commander's order to wash up included something other than blood as well.