* * *
Because no one could stop him, this reckless plan went ahead.
And since it didn’t require much preparation, everything moved quickly.
We identified a village occupied by demons, picked a location, and sent the hero in alone.
Alone.
“You’re really going in by yourself?”
“Yes.”
“That’s seriously dangerous! Anything could happen!”
“That’s the point.”
I mean… yeah, but still!
If his comrades were nearby, he’d always have the option to call for help.
Knowing that would keep him from truly feeling like he was on the brink.
But still, sending him in alone was beyond reckless.
Demons are several times larger than humans and can all use magic.
Their hide is so tough that ordinary weapons barely scratch them—only weapons imbued with divine power can deal proper damage.
Usually, our whole party had to gang up just to take down a single demon without casualties.
And now he’s going in alone?
The risk was way too high.
Dieter, as usual, didn’t seem to consider any of this.
With a bright smile, he cast a blessing on Zerbin.
It would enhance his physical abilities, which was better than nothing, but without a priest nearby, the effect wouldn’t last long.
This didn’t make me feel any better.
“I hope this awakens the holy sword!”
He sounded so cheerful.
It was infuriating.
I knew he had no ill intent, but still.
I felt suffocated.
No one had managed to change the hero’s mind.
No one was going with him.
Which meant—
“Then I’ll go.”
Even if I’m just a nobody, I have no choice but to step up.
“I’m so weak that if I mix in with the villagers, the demons wouldn’t even recognize whether I’m part of the Hero’s party or not.”
There was no way I could let the Hero go alone.
“Besides, I wouldn’t be much help anyway, right? If you get seriously injured, I’ll at least be there to help you back. That kind of safety measure is necessary.”
Saying those words made my chest sting, but it was the truth.
There was no way around it.
If saying this meant I could still be of some use to the Hero, then that was good enough.
“Don’t come.”
But the Hero was firm.
“Why? It’s not like I’ll be of any great help…”
“Because it’s dangerous.”
Wait a second—why is he talking like he’s not the one in danger?
The whole point of me going is because it’s dangerous!
Why is it that the person most crucial to saving the world doesn’t care about his own safety, yet he’s so worried about my insignificant life?
The Hero is oddly bad at putting himself in someone else’s shoes.
Or maybe it’s just that I’m much weaker than him—far behind the other party members in skill.
Maybe he thinks I’d only be a burden on the battlefield instead of providing any real help.
Honestly, my support probably wouldn’t make much of a difference.
Was I just being presumptuous?
“Wait here.”
The Hero said.
I didn’t want to answer.
I didn’t want to just sit here, knowing nothing, praying and waiting.
I didn’t want to accept my own weakness and step back.
I didn’t want to let him fight alone.
“…Alright.”
Yet, the words that came out of my mouth were an agreement.
I couldn’t refuse the Hero.
I watched as he turned his back and walked away.
I watched as his figure grew smaller in the distance. The cold crept from my fingertips.
No.
This won’t do.
I couldn’t just stay here.
Carefully, I followed after him.
At least one of my few talents was hiding my presence.
I was good at blending into the darkness, erasing my existence.
I had always been naturally skilled at it, but after running from demons for so long, I had gotten even better.
When I was in good condition, even the Hero failed to notice me.
This way, he wouldn’t even know I was here, so he wouldn’t have to worry about me!
I had already packed healing potions and gathered herbs just in case they weren’t enough.
That should be enough for emergency treatment.
At least, that was what I thought.
Right up until I held my breath, followed the Hero, and slipped into the crowd of villagers.
Right up until I rejoiced at not getting caught.
By looking at a demon’s appearance, one can tell what kind of magic they wield.
Though they walked on two legs like humans, their bodies were sculpted from the very elements they embodied.
The demons who had taken over Lochcliffe, a land frozen all year round, were massive creatures of ice—ones that fit this land almost too well.
Even compared to the towering Hero, the ice fortress before us was ten, maybe twenty times his size.
Just the sight of it made my head spin.
I had to crane my neck back to see where the wall of ice ended, stacked in layers so high it seemed endless.
The ice was smooth, transparent, gleaming like crystal.
There was no gap where a dagger could slip through.
Just standing before it, I felt an overwhelming pressure gnaw at my senses.
Pathetically, I was already crushed by its presence alone.
It was always like this.
Every time, I shrank into myself, reminded of how weak I truly was.
And so, all I could do was crouch here and hide.
Holding my breath, keeping my body low.
Unable to do anything—just watching as the Hero fought against my fear for me.
“A worthy prey has finally arrived.”
A deep, rumbling voice vibrated through the frozen air.
The grotesque face, shaped like tangled icicles with no distinct eyes, nose, or mouth, let out a bizarre sound.
I didn’t recognize the language, but the meaning was clear.
Yet the voice itself felt like it was seeping into my brain, crawling under my skin.
Like my mind was being shaken in its grasp.
I felt sick.
My consciousness wavered, but I held onto it desperately, shrinking my presence further.
I had to be even more careful—because I was completely terrified.
The Hero, however, was nothing like me.
He stood tall before the being that was unbearable to even look at.
He neither hid nor shrank away.
His feet remained firmly planted in the snow as he lifted his head and met the demon’s gaze.
That unwavering stance—unyielding to anyone—always left me in awe.
It was impossible not to admire him.
No matter what fools said, it was no accident that he became the Hero.
Because of him, I was still alive.
And because of that, he had to survive.
For his sake and for mine.
“Bring him to me.”
The demon stretched out an icy hand.
A wave of cold swept through the air.
Even from a distance, the chill crept up my skin.
If I had been any closer, my feet might have frozen to the ground, trapping me in place.
But the Hero didn’t flinch.
With a single stomp, he shattered the incoming shards of ice, brushing them off like they were nothing.
Well, of course.
It wasn’t just that the Hero was unusually composed—any other party member in this situation would have done the same.
Because that attack wasn’t even meant to be a real attack.
The real threat was coming.
At the demon’s command, its minions surged forward.
From beneath the ice, swarms of black, wriggling creatures poured out.
Frostworms.
Their jaw strength was already formidable, but under the demon’s influence, they had become even more terrifying—capable of chewing through not just human bones, but even steel.
The sheer number of them was overwhelming, enough to turn the world before me black.
And yet, the Hero remained completely unfazed.
He didn’t even blink.
Forgetting I was supposed to be hiding, I sucked in a breath.
Realizing my mistake, I ducked my head again, heart pounding wildly in my chest.
Even though I knew I hadn’t been noticed, fear clawed at me, making my pulse race.
I bit my tongue, forcing myself to stay conscious.
My reason barely returned.
Damn it.
The Hero was the one actually fighting, so why was I the one trembling in fear?
He was the one facing a swarm of frostworms and a demon alone.
He was the one carrying a burden far heavier than mine.
* * *
❤️❤️❤️❤️