The Melancholy of the Demon Army Officer
Translator: Tsukii
Editor: Shizukuku
Read at Watashi wa Sugoi Desu!
Chapter 103 – Entrusted Things [C]
Raizen narrowed his eyes when he saw Leonhart was on his knees in the room.
That appearance was completely different from the majin who once fought him and managed to seize victory.
Those lifeless, hollow eyes definitely weren’t the eyes of the warrior he acknowledged.
However, that unsightly appearance was something familiar to him. It was just like himself back then.
In that case, I shall call you out, just like how you called me out back then.
“…So that kind hearted maou has passed away…”
Raizen couldn’t feel her presence. It was something that was already lost.
“If possible, I’d have liked to exchange more words with her… but it seems that won’t be possible.”
Even though she was supposed to be a maou who granted despair to the world, she was a girl with a mysterious atmosphere.
She had kindness which was unlike a maou and she was loved by all the people present in this place. Even Raizen also found it regrettable for her to pass away.
However,
“It’s not like I personally witnessed the moment of the maou’s death, though…”
Therefore, Raizen couldn’t understand the feelings of people there. He had no words to console them.
But still,
“However — I could say one thing to you.”
“…What…?”
Leonhart’s eyes swayed in doubt.
Since you don’t get it, I’ll tell you. That was,
“…The fact you managed to survive it all isn’t a mistake.” 1
“—”
Leonhart’s eyes went wide.
Did he remember those words?
“That girl entrusted something to you, right? She — wanted you to live on, didn’t she?”
“That’s… those words…”
It seems he remembered. Indeed, the words Raizen said were,
…They are similar words to the ones you once said to me.
It was those words that became salvation for Raizen, who once sought death.
“If you chose to die, that would be an insult toward that girl who died.”
“I…”
Indeed.
I was once saved by your words.
Remember the things that were entrusted to me, show the strength of it, and live on.
I gained salvation at the end of that battle.
…This time, I will save you.
I will speak to you. I will make you remember.
“That’s right. Looking at you now, it is hard to imagine you are the same person who once put me on the ground. To think you chose to die… Are you trying to break your promise with me? Are you trying to trample over that girl’s feelings? —In that case, that girl only had a meaningless death. She’s worth nothing then.”
“Gh, you bastard…!”
Leonhart raised his eyebrows.
He couldn’t tolerate those words. He showed the dignity of a majin and got angry?
“She’s worth nothing, you say…? Take those words back!! I will cut you down right—”
“In that case—”
Raizen stopped his words there and with a single breath,
…In that case,
“Embrace the life that girl entrusted you with. Live on. If you wallow in misery like this, that girl won’t feel rewarded.”
“—”
It is a nostalgic situation.
Perhaps this is how I looked back then. It sure is a miserable appearance.
…Notice it then.
You should still have something left.
“…Besides, others should also want it.”
“What do you—”
Raizen pointed behind Leonhart as he spoke.
Raizen formed his words while turning his eyes to the people gathered there.
“For you to live on.”
“………Leonhart… sama…”
From that direction, there was someone who spoke with a quivering voice.
“…Carol…?”
It was the figure of Leonhart’s apostle.
Leonhart watched as Carol slowly approached him.
She stared at the ground and her body was shaking.
But she still moved with certain steps, and once she arrived in front of him, she raised her face.
The thing she said with a quivering voice was,
“Leonhart… sama… if… if… Leonhart-sama wants to die—”
Carol said.
“Please do it after killing me…!”
“—”
The words she said were beyond Leonhart’s imagination. Leonhart couldn’t hide his agitation and swallowed his breath.
But still, Leonhart managed to squeeze out his voice.
“What are you… talking about? There’s no way I could—”
“I!”
Carol suddenly shouted.
Leonhart stopped his words and looked at Carol. She was,
…Is she crying…?
Droplet fell on the floor. There were undoubtedly tears, and it spilled from Carol’s eyes.
“I wouldn’t be able to stand it… if Leonhart-sama is no longer here…!”
“That’s why,” said Carol as she looked at Leonhart with moist eyes.
“That’s why if Leonhart-sama wants to die… please kill me first…!”
Carol begged with her eyes swollen red.
“If… gh… Leonhart-sama can’t do it…!”
Her tears were flowing down one after another. Leonhart silently stared at Carol, who pleaded with a quivering voice and snot nose.
“Please, I beg of you… Live on, please continue to live… Leonhart-sama…!”
“Gh…”
Carol reached out to Leonhart and grabbed his clothes to cling on to him.
She leaned forward and with distorted expression,
“Please, treasure yourself more… Le, on, hart… sama…!!”
At the end of those words, Carol burst into tears as if she could bear it anymore,
“No, no way, I don’t want it…! Leon, hart-sama… ueeeehhhhnnn…!”
“Car… rol…”
And she cried like a child.
Carol clung to him as she sobbed.
“No way, I beg of you, please don’t say you want to die,” pleaded Carol.
As Leonhart looking at it,
“…I also feel the same.”
“Kesselring…”
Kesselring took a step forward.
Her expression seemed to endure the sorrow from distorting her face.
“…Ssulal-sama passed away, and if Leonhart was also gone… what would I do?”
Kesselring asked with a quiet voice.
It was a question that couldn’t be answered. Leonhart had no idea how to respond.
However,
“It might sound pitiful… but I have no idea what I would do. Even now… I’m at a loss as to what I should do…”
She didn’t know what to do. However,
“However… you have to live on. That much is certain, Leonhart.”
“…”
“I want Leonhart to live. Keep living… and move forward together.”
And,
“Please… lead me… lead us…!”
“—”
Leonhart felt — indescribable feelings somehow.
He had no idea what it was. But one thing that certain was,
“…You see it now.”
“…Raizen…”
Raizen spoke to Leonhart again. He looked around and,
“There are many who wish for you to live on. There are still many precious things for you that remain. Couldn’t that — be your reason for living? —Besides,”
Raizen took a breath there and emphasized his words.
“As long as you are alive, there will be new bonds to be formed. If you continue to live on, those bonds will continue to connect. Then there would be even more reasons for you to live.”
Therefore,
“—Live on.”
You have that much worth. Leonhart certainly received such feelings.
…I.
What did I feel to make me start thinking that way?
Ssulal passed away, and he thought there was no reason to continue living in this world.
…What a stupid thing I’ve said.
It got to the point of him actually saying he wanted to die.
He felt so miserable that he felt like crying.
…What did Ssulal tell me?
She wanted him to live on. Such was her desire.
It was her final request. It was her wish.
…Didn’t I swear to fulfill her wish?
He felt so sad and full of pain, which made him not want to do anything.
That didn’t matter. Such a thing wasn’t allowed.
…Even after she was gone.
At that moment, Leonhart looked around.
Galtia, Kesselring, Carol, and Hunty were all there with him. There was Pale, and even Raizen, who had come all this way from afar.
There were still people out there whom he had bonds with, even if they weren’t present at the moment. Perhaps they were thinking of him, wherever they may be.
Did that mean they weren’t precious to him?
…There’s no way that’s the case…!
Leonhart looked in front of him.
There was his apostle who clung to him and continued to cry.
She was crying. Such a thing was,
“…Carol.”
She was still crying. It can’t be helped.
“Carol.”
“Uh, w-wha, what is it…?”
She finally looked at Leonhart.
He looked at her eyes. Then he reached out.
…She loves this kind of thing after all…
And then,
“Ah…”
Carol raised her voice.
Feeling the hand placed on her head, her expression was colored with doubt.
“Carol.”
“Ah… yes…”
He said it. His gratitude.
“—Thank you.”
“—!”
Thanks to you, I finally woke up. I finally noticed it.
And it was also thanks to others.
“…Oi, Galtia.”
“…What?”
Leonhart called out the friend who first rebuked him. His request was,
“—Punch me again.”
“…”
Upon hearing that, Galtia’s expression stiffened for a moment, but eventually,
“…Heh, I see. But I don’t think you need it.”
“…Ah?”
Galtia said. With a smile forming on his mouth,
“You have already returned to your usual self.”
“…Hah, I see.”
Leonhart couldn’t help but be amused by that. Then, with a bitter smile,
“Sorry about that. I have troubled you.”
“I don’t mind.”
Both of them smiled at each other. They could connect with each other through brief words. There was no need for lengthy ones.
“All of you… it seems I’ve shown you my pitiful state…”
He looked at everyone. Then, the first to react was,
“It really is.”
“Hunty… by the way, it seems you went through trouble to call them here, right?”
“…Not really. It just, it feels weird seeing you like that after all — besides,”
Hunty then also made similar bitter smile,
“Isn’t it normal for an apostle to be considerate toward her master?”
“…Aah, you’re right.”
Geez, she’s really a reliable apostle.
Please take care of me from now on, okay?
“Raizen too, thank you for coming all this way.”
“…Well, it’s boring to see a strong enemy (friend) being so spiritless after all.”
“That’s certainly true… but you broke the room too much. I’ll have to make you work to repay it.”
“Wha?! You bastard, wouldn’t it be normal to just ignore it in such a situation!!”
“Don’t worry.— I’ll give you a discount.”
“Guh…! You bastard, I’ll remember this…!”
Well, that was a joke though. But seeing as he faithfully complied, he seems to have integrity.
Your words certainly touched my heart.
“Pale too… you sure have become proper. I see you differently.”
“T-thank you very much! Then sorry for asking immediately, but how about later on in the bedroom—”
“…Okay.”
“Eh?! Ah, well, that’s… I was half-joking though…”
“It means you’re half serious, right? I don’t particularly mind. I’ll do it if you want me to.”
“W-waahh–…! It’s a sudden development…! W-well, I certainly want to request it, but it’s been too long since then and I haven’t prepared… That’s right! Underwear! I will go and wear my fighting underwear, so please wait until then!”
“…You sure changed a lot…”
She sure has a merrier personality now.
But she really is becoming splendid. Regardless of who sees her, she is a splendid chief of kalar.
“…Kesselring.”
“…Aah.”
“I will continue to live from now on. I will live and lead you people.”
“Aaah.”
“That’s why make sure to follow me well.”
“…Thank you.”
Kesselring smiled as if she was relieved.
Really, I couldn’t help but wonder how an amazing woman like you fell for me.
Please take care of me from now on.
“…Well then, I’ll be going somewhere for a bit. Just spend your time freely until then.”
“Oh? Where are you going?”
Galtia tilted his head and asked.
Leonhart said with a single breath.
“—I’m going to visit her place for a bit.”
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