Chapter 21 The White Mage, Alive

The White Mage, Alive

Run, run, run.

I can’t look back—not even a little.

I’m scared.

I know how sinful my actions are.

I betrayed my comrades out of selfishness.

It’s true that I was under the Demon Lord’s [Curse].

But I betrayed them of my own will.

The [Curse] was simple.

[Betray Human]

If I didn’t obey, I would suffer and die.

I protested that this wasn’t the agreement, but the Demon Lord only laughed.

Ah, if only I’d had the courage to end my life back then.

I must have been a fool to trust the Demon Lord, even for a moment.

As soon as he got the information about my clan from me, he handed me a knife.

“Final...job. Kill...the...hero. With...this. Then...the...curse...will...be...lifted.”

I had no choice.

It was a gamble whether Sieg would come again.

I waited alone, trembling with fear, thinking about the death that seemed inevitable.

But I won the gamble.

Sieg came again, leading his army.

At that moment, I thought:

God is telling me to live!

Hiding my joy, I stumbled toward Sieg and his army, pretending to be weak and unsteady.

I worried that my uncontrollable smile would give me away.

Thank God he didn’t notice.

He must have thought I was trembling with fear.

Being a womanizer, Sieg naturally reached out to hug me.

And as I stood there, I thought about how it was all Sieg’s fault that I suffered so much!

If not for him, I’d still be with Vee!

It’s his fault!

It’s his fault!!

It’s not my fault.

It’s not my fault!!

It’s not my fault!!!

As Sieg held me, I searched for a weak point in his armor, a gap where I could strike.

When I found it, excitement coursed through me.

I’ll be saved.

I can live.

Overcome with joy, I plunged the knife into Sieg’s stomach.

I twisted it.

Ah, I must have injured his internal organs.

A detached part of me observed this as if it were someone else.

The moment I stabbed Sieg, the Demon Lord’s [Curse] dissolved.

He had kept his word.

Suddenly, the fog clouding my mind lifted.

I could see clearly what I had done.

Perhaps the curse had amplified my hatred, but the feelings I acted on had already existed within me.

Relief washed over me.

Relief.

I was glad I wouldn’t die immediately.

But.

I had done it.

I had done it.

I really had done it.

Panic surged within me.

If I’d claimed the Demon Lord’s curse forced me, I might have been forgiven.

But I was too afraid.

I didn’t have the confidence to make them believe me.

I didn’t have the words to explain myself.

Because I was a traitor.

Everyone knew I betrayed Vee.

I was sure they’d condemn me, saying I should have died instead.

And I wouldn’t be able to bear that.

So I ran.

I used every skill I had to run away.

As I ran, my thoughts spiraled.

What should I do?

What should I do?

What should I have done?

I remembered the starry night Vee took me out. I had been happy.

I remembered when Vee took my hand, leading me into town to meet new comrades. I had been happy.

I remembered when our lives began to feel less difficult. I thought it was right to leave the village.

I had been so happy.

Deluded into thinking that happiness would last forever.

Eventually, I took that happiness for granted.

And then, I wanted more.

This is the result.

I thought I had earned happiness on my own.

But I was wrong.

The happiness I enjoyed had always come from others.

And this is where it’s brought me.

I was stupid.

Finally, I admitted it.

I ran until I could run no more.

Panting heavily, I collapsed onto the ground and sat.

I took a deep breath and looked up.

I was standing on a small hill.

From here, I could see the battlefield.

Under the cloudless blue sky, the army and the goblin horde clashed.

Many lives would be lost there today—human and monster alike.

The horned demon beside the Demon Lord had once laughed as he told me about the massive goblin nest beneath that place.

“As long as that cave remains intact, our victory is assured.”

The humans were trapped.

They had no chance.

The Demon Lord knew all of our abilities, Sieg’s included.

Their defeat was inevitable.

The horned demon had sneered at me.

“If you do your job, I might spare your life. Be grateful for the Lord’s mercy.”

I was spared.

I was forgiven.

And I hated myself for it.

What am I doing?

I betrayed my comrades, and all I gained was my life.

I looked down at my hand and saw Sieg’s spatial expansion bag.

I must have taken it when I attacked him; it had been in my way.

I remembered Sieg boasting about its enhanced capacity.

If I returned it now, I’d surely be killed.

I peeked inside and saw money and supplies.

I’ll return it someday.

I swear I will.

But for now, I’ll use it.

Until I can survive on my own, I have no choice.

From the hill, I watched the battle unfold.

After this, I would leave.

Go somewhere no one knows me.

Maybe I’ll meet Vee again.

If I do, I’ll apologize.

And maybe, just maybe, we can find happiness again.

The battle raged below.

Without their commander, the humans were faltering.

This is bad.

Sieg and the others will die.

But—everyone who wasn’t kind to me deserves it.

I don’t need a world that isn’t kind to me.

That’s what I told myself.

Until—

Something from the sky pierced the battlefield and exploded.