Is It Bad That the Main Character’s a Roleplayer?

Whew… That was quite the performance, if I do say so myself.

I slowly lifted my head when I felt Deb leaving first. The snake, having inadvertently also witnessed my award-winning act of despair, seemed a bit awkward.

Of course, it didn’t say anything to me.

Naturally. If it said the wrong thing here, my character’s mood would take a really dark turn. I might have to swing my sword at its throat.

So, if it had even a shred of sense, it would keep its mouth shut.

> [Erm, shall we head back now?]

Its quaint voice, rising in the middle, suggested this cautiously while observing my expression.

There was no reason for me to refuse. I also wanted to head back soon.

No matter how clear the waterfall’s water was, the leaves and pieces of wood stuck in my hair were now dry, making me uncomfortable.

As I started moving forward, indicating that I’d accepted its suggestion, the snake also began moving its body. Given its size, even making a U-turn would be fairly difficult.

Without this ability to pass through trees, it would certainly be more of a forest destroyer than a guardian.

> [And funnily enough, because I was born this way, I became able to deal with corrupted Arcane Power.]

“…What do you mean?”

> [Well, I was born like this because Arcane Power seeped into a swamp and got stuck there. Unable to disperse properly, it became stale and corrupted, which affected my birth. But since I can consume both Arcane Power and Demonic Energy, I ate it all up when I was born. As a result, the swamp returned to its original state.]

The snake wagged its tail while explaining that although it wouldn’t change since it had already been born that way, because it had entirely removed the corrupt Arcane Power, any creatures born there in the future would be normal.

> [Ah, and the area that appeared in the Jatav's territory isn't too severe yet, so I left it alone to see if they could handle it themselves… but given recent events, I'll clean that up as well, don't worry.]

More than anything, it was pretty clear that this snake was trying to justify its actions somehow. I looked around, sensing for others’ presence, and, after some deliberation, finally spoke up. My slightly hoarse voice echoed solemnly through the area.

“Why are you telling me this?”

> [Erm…]

The snake seemed taken aback.

> [Well, I thought you might want to know…? Judging by how your companions act, you came here to investigate this, didn’t you?]

Well, it wasn't wrong. We did come here to investigate that matter.

I’d asked because the snake's attitude toward me was so weirdly desperate and kind.

I posed a question regarding that in line with my character setting. The snake stiffened as though it had been hit over the head.

> [Do you really not know why…?]

I suddenly felt like I’d done something very wrong.

> [No, well, you bear immense amounts of Demonic Energy and Arcane Power, and you carry a pearl containing the power of a being on par with my ancestors, someone of much higher rank than me…]

When I heard that, it started to make sense.

The Demonic Energy aside, the pearl I had contained the power bestowed upon me by one of the Primordial Beasts. It seemed this snake had inherited the blood of another.

That would be enough to make the snake wary of me. At least, I thought so?

> [Honestly, my heart still races every time I think back to the moment you entered the forest. You have such an immense amount of Arcane Power, and you also seem to possess Demonic Energy, but more than that, you have power far exceeding mine.]

As I silently agreed, the snake began opening up. It seemed like it had been holding back quite a lot, and now it was all pouring out.

> [I even wondered if you’d killed a Primordial Beast and taken its power. So, I decided to stay as quiet as a mouse until you left… but after a few days, I realized you had a decent character and thought everything would turn out okay, but then those crazy fools had to cause trouble, and I genuinely thought, ‘Ah, the forest is finally doomed.’ Especially when that curse started spreading…]

Y-Yeah, sorry about that. That was my fault.

No wonder it only came out at the last minute. It had been lying low, afraid I might kill it.

> [But now, I feel a bit more reassured. I guess the Guardian of the Sea granted you its power for a reason.]

So, if the snake had stepped in after thoroughly assessing the situation, it might have chosen the Serhan chief because of me, as well.

I might have been overestimating my influence a bit too much here, though, but anyway.

At least from what I’d seen, the end result wasn’t too bad. The chief of the Serhan tribe didn’t seem like a trash bastard, unlike those other guys.

So, this could be seen as a pretty good outcome.

With that thought, I returned to the tribe.

【I know you’re trying to help me. I don’t deny that.】

【So?】

【…But, regardless of whether you’re trying to help me, it’s also true that my parents were killed by outsiders like you.】

> [Urgh.]

But what had we returned to?

By the time I’d realized that the snake could choose whom it was visible to, I’d found six people gathered together: Akata, White Wind, the Archmage, the chief and priestess of the Serhan, and someone who seemed to be from the Vigabol tribe.

【I appreciate the help, but… even though I feel grateful, I don’t want your help. When I see you, I k-keep thinking about my dad…】

Among those six, Akata was weeping bitterly.

Hiding behind a nearby building, I felt a pang of guilt.

> [Oh dear… That kid’s situation is really complicated. Being the child of a traitor and having tried to kill her chief, staying here will be pretty tough for her.]

…So, my prediction turned out to be correct.

Recalling the hypothesis I’d formed after wondering why the child had pointed a knife at me, I considered the possibility that Atarte had sent her as an assassin. It would have been quite sad if that were the case, but this situation wasn’t any better.

> [It looks like the people you brought here are trying to take the kid with them, but it'll be quite difficult since she hates the thought so much. What to do.]

Among those captured because of me, or perhaps among those I killed, might have been her family.

【So, you decided to stay here?】

【…I can’t go with you.】

At that moment, White Wind spoke up. I tightened my fists and gave the snake a look.

Translate. Why are you looking at me like that… translate already.

After exchanging several glances, the snake finally understood what I wanted. Its ability to translate their words was quite impressive.

【But staying here won’t lead to anything good. Isn’t that right, acting Chief?】

【…Unfortunately, yes. Although you didn’t directly kill former Chief Atarte, everyone saw you try.】

【…Then?】

【They demand that you be exiled at the very least, if not sentenced to the death penalty. Despite Atarte’s misdeeds, he still has many supporters.】

【Someone from our side killed him. Would it be that difficult to just send her to another tribe, like the other children?】

【It’s not impossible, but… you know how it is, right? In situations like this, people often direct their anger toward those they see as easy targets rather than the real perpetrators. Even if we send her to another tribe, there will certainly be someone who will try to kill her. Her situation is a far cry from that of the other children.】

Anyway, that guy was certainly the new tribe chief.

I gritted my teeth while listening to the snake’s translation. If they targeted me, I could handle them, but if they went after the child, there was nothing I could do.

I couldn’t protect her forever.

【Then, what if our tribe took her in…】

【…I am opposed to it. As soon as this matter’s settled, you should quickly delegate your role as chief to someone else and formally take on the role of warchief.】

【But Priestess.】

【This is also for the child’s sake. You, the warchief, will soon be too busy to care for her. Moreover, despite being a bit more hidden, our village is geographically close to the Vigabol tribe. Due to frequent exchanges, many in our tribe have been influenced by them. And… you know how sensitive our tribe members are about threats to a chief. Even if we try to control it, discrimination will occur.】

【…Still, our tribe would be better than anywhere else. If you simply decided something wouldn’t work out right from the beginning, how many things in this world would work out? We just need to pay a bit more attention to this matter.】

【…That’s.】

【Wait, wait. I understand both your intentions, but shouldn’t we also listen to the child’s opinion on this?】

【Ah, right. What’s the opinion of the person in question? What do you think? If you stay here, there’s a high chance you'll die, or at the very least, you’ll have to lead a very tough life. Are you okay with that?】

【…I don’t know, but I don’t want to follow you just so I can live comfortably.】

At that moment, I began questioning whether I had made the right choice.

I didn’t regret killing that bastard to save the kid, but maybe there had been a better way.

Instead of taking Akata with me to prevent her from being used as a hostage, perhaps I should have just hidden her so she wouldn’t have to witness what I did.

【Hmm. I see. However, it appears you don’t actually want to die, right?】

【…Of course not!】

【Alright. So, you don’t want to die, but you also don’t want our help.】

However, retrying was impossible. I listened to the snake’s translations, arms crossed.

【I-It’s not like that…!】

【Just to be clear, I'm neither mocking nor criticizing you. It would be a lie to say I fully understand what you’re feeling, but I do know that accepting your family’s murder can’t be easy. So, there’s no need to deny your feelings. No one is blaming you for how you feel. That’s just how I speak.】

【…】

【Besides, there are many who truly care about your safety. Hmm.】

【…Then how about we do it like this?】

【…?】

【For now, leave the forest with us.】

【But I…】

【Hear me out. I asked you to leave the forest with us, not stay with us permanently.】

【…Are you suggesting we leave her with someone unrelated to us?】

【Is there any other option?】

【True, she dislikes us because we’re connected with her parents’ death. Finding someone unrelated might indeed be the best solution.】

【…But that person would still be an outsider.】

Despite their best efforts, Akata wasn’t very cooperative.

However, it was understandable, considering she’d lost all her relatives and even her chance at revenge. The only ones left were a few people from her hometown who didn’t exactly favor her and the high-ranking members who were heatedly discussing her fate.

Her resistance was more pitiable than anything.

【So? Of course, they’d be an outsider. But not every outsider tried to kill your parents, right? Do you want to hate all of them? Well, that’s up to you, but if you want to live, you must compromise. We’re not going to make any more offers. Why should we care any more about you than this?】

【…】

All her defiance likely stemmed from her belief that she was the only one who could protect herself.

* * *

* * *

【Akata.】

At that moment, the previously silent chief of the Serhan, or rather, the warchief, spoke up.

【If I understand correctly, it’s not that you want to stay here, but that you’re hesitant about the outside world, hence why you’re choosing to stay?】

【…?】

【If you truly wish to stay here and endure all the hardship that awaits you, I will do everything I can to help. But to me, it doesn’t seem like you actually want to remain here.】

【Of course… not. E-Everything’s gone, there’s no more reason for me to stay… there’s nothing left…】

【Understood. Akata, let me ask you another question. Why do you distrust outsiders?】

【That’s because… they killed my parents.】

【I heard some from the Vigabol tribe also had a hand in their execution. Then, do you resent everyone associated with the Vigabol? And do you also hold a grudge against those of other tribes who were not involved in this?】

【That’s…! That’s…】

【I presume not. You already know they aren’t to blame.】

Just like the Priestess, the warchief’s voice was calm and compelling.

【So let me ask you again. Why do you distrust outsiders who had nothing to do with this incident?】

For a moment, the girl seemed to waver.

【…That’s. That’s…】

【Yes?】

【Because they’re outsiders…】

【Simply because they’re outsiders?】

【My parents said… the outside world is a bad place…】

【Ah, so you think outsiders are bad because the outside world is bad. I see. But do you truly believe that?】

【That’s…】

【Don’t just repeat what your parents and other adults told you. Tell me what you think or experienced yourself.】

【…They don’t seem bad. If they were, they wouldn't be trying to help me now. It’s just that I… just…】

【Exactly. That is your answer. That is your truth.】

【But my father…】

As Akata tried to argue, the warchief narrowed his eyes slightly and shook his head.

【Akata, this might seem wholly unrelated, but I believe there are certain burdens we’re meant to carry from birth until adulthood.】

【…?】

【And one is that we must someday accept that those we respect may have been wrong. This is our burden.】

The warchief stepped forward and took Akata’s hand.

【It’s difficult to accept. The desire to simply shut your eyes and ears to this truth and live in denial will undoubtedly shake you. It might even feel like you’re betraying them by acknowledging they were mistaken.】

【…】

【But it’s not. Akata, you aren’t betraying them. It’s just part of becoming an adult and becoming independent, becoming your own person.】

【…I’m not… betraying them? Really?】

【Akata, no one can always be right. That’s what it means to be a person. And the ones we admire and love are all just people, as well. They, too, can make mistakes, just like anyone else. My mother, who seemed like such a great and amazing person to me, failed as a chief.】

【…That… something like that.】

【Akata, don’t be blinded by love. Love is good, but those we love aren't always right. Love makes us want to believe that they are, though. However, the truth is what you see with your own eight eyes and hear with your ears.】

【That can’t be true…】

Tears gradually started to drop from Akata’s eyes in this connective warmth.

【So, instead of being swayed by their words, trust in the answers you find yourself. Don’t let your love for them lead you to abandon yourself and your future.】

【…If that’s really true, then I-I…】

【If you feel constrained by this land, don’t hesitate to step out into the world beyond.】

【…I-Is it really true that my survival isn’t betraying them?】

【Absolutely. It’s not at all, but rather your growth and a choice you made for yourself.】

【Really…?】

Akata burst into tears and hugged the warchief tightly. The warchief didn’t back away but returned the embrace.

Seeing this, I also felt tears welling in my eyes since I was especially weak to stories of children overcoming their mistakes and growing up brilliantly, particularly amidst all these flawed adults.

> [I… I sure chose the new warchief well…]

Unfortunately, or maybe fortunately, the snake translating for me started sniffling beside me, which caused my tears to retreat immediately.

This guy seemed even more moved than I was.

> [Sob, I chose him to impress you, but it turned out to be an amazing choice…!!]

Wait a second, it really chose him because of me?!

* * *

【I-I’m sorry. I…】

【No, Akata. I’m the one who’s sorry for only being able to do so little for you.】

After crying for a while, Akata stepped back, her face flushed. The warchief simply smiled kindly.

I had to say, he didn’t seem like a child at all, more like a saint… Not in the literal sense, but like those people usually referred to as saints, like Jesus.

> [Sob. Wise people are the best…]

Stop crying already.

【Besides that… you do know, right? You need to apologize to them properly. Saving the children wasn’t wrong, now, was it?】

【…I know.】

【Good. Please do it.】

The snake had stopped translating for me because it was too busy crying, so I no longer knew what they were saying.

I glared at the snake. However, that enormous creature was too busy wiping its eyes with its tail to even notice.

Well, I guess it didn’t really matter.

I unfolded my arms and got away from where I had been leaning. I didn’t feel like joining the others yet, so I decided to head somewhere else.

The outcome was… somewhat satisfactory, making me feel that this might be the best possible result.

“Demon Knight!!”

Just then, someone came running toward me. With her cheeks flushed, her green eyes sparkling, and her red hair moving about, I was faced with the kimchi dumpling.

“Where have you been? I finally get to see you again.”

True, it’d been a while since we talked like this, but… wasn’t she a bit too happy to see me? I’d also seen her earlier.

“How did you earn the approval of the Mountain Lord? Of course, you’re fully qualified to receive it, Demon Knight. Ah! I also heard about you saving the children. As expected of you, Demon Knight…!”

Still, I didn’t hate it. I took a deep breath and exhaled slowly as the Inquisitor kept chattering.

“Erm, welcome back, Mister?”

In the meantime, Deb had also come closer, thinking it might be safe to come over after seeing the Inquisitor interacting with me.

“Hey… Did you hear? The person chosen as the temporary Vigabol chief said they’d offer you proper compensation for the former chief’s wrongdoings.”

“What? I-I didn’t hear anything about that!”

“Well, maybe it’s because you’re not doing a good job listening, then.”

“No! I was busy treating people…!”

These two dumplings were just too cute, bickering like that. Makes people want to smile.

“Quiet.”

But I had to stay in character. I walked past the two, leaving them behind with their mouths shut.

“Urgh, I got scolded because of you!”

“What are you talking about? This is clearly your fault, you know?”

“He told us to be quiet as soon as you showed up!”

“At least I shared some useful information with him! Unlike you, who just kept on chattering!”

Their bickering faded into the background. That was enough for me.

“Buddy! I can’t stand it anymore! I need to reclaim my share of the prey you took from me earlier!! Let’s have a duel!”

Well, maybe this was a bit too much, though.

But then again, I kind of preferred it this way. A Quest that ends on a lively and cheerful note tends to leave a good aftertaste.

Wasn’t that how it was supposed to be?

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