"So, simply put, if you reject my proposal, then I'll have no choice but to use the necessary force. But I sincerely hope it doesn't come to that."
Ash spoke with complete sincerity. Although his words sounded somewhat threatening, his eyes were clear and earnest, without the slightest trace of malice. It felt as though every word came straight from the heart, without a hint of falsehood, making people instinctively want to lower their guard.
Even so, the reason of the three people facing him told them clearly that the man before them was an unquestionable powerhouse. The slightest lapse could lead to death.
Although... even if they didn't let their guard down, it probably wouldn't make much difference against an enemy this strong.
Although Ash spoke with complete honesty, without the slightest trace of deceit, because there was no need for him to lie, the expressions of the three people standing stiffly opposite him only grew uglier. They looked as though they were facing a mortal enemy and clearly had no intention of believing him so easily.
So after Hyrince loudly announced his identity and quickly evacuated the people from the street, turning the once bustling road completely empty with only the four of them remaining, Julius stepped forward and said with a serious expression, "Just say it. What exactly is your proposal?"
"I want you to find a place, live out the rest of your life in peace, and never have anything to do with humanity again. Of course, you can bring your companions with you," Ash said calmly, "As long as you can guarantee that, I'll leave immediately and won't hurt anyone here."
"How could I obediently leave just because you threatened me?"
"I thought so too. So frankly speaking, your existence is a problem for us."
"What exactly is your goal? Why do you want me to leave? I shouldn't be your opponent."
Rather than rejecting him outright, Julius kept staring at Ash cautiously while trying to draw out more information.
Ash didn't care about such a small trick and answered openly, "Because once you fight the Demon Lord, this world will end."
"The world will end? Why?", Hearing this information for the first time left Julius genuinely confused.
"You've probably heard from the Word of God Religion that the Hero can temporarily obtain power equal to the Demon Lord's. But what you may not know is that this power doesn't come from nowhere. It puts an unbearable burden on the System, which is already running out of energy. Even if the System can barely hold on for a while, it definitely won't last much longer."
Ash frankly explained the situation.
But hearing those words from his mouth made it hard for the three opposite him to believe.
Yanna even peeked out from behind Julius and asked suspiciously, "You're only saying that because you're worried Julius will ruin your plans, so you're deliberately trying to scare us, aren't you?"
"True, his actions might ruin our plans because... we're trying to save the world. Naturally, we can't let it collapse."
"Where's your proof?", Julius raised a hand to stop Yanna, signaling her to stay calm while keeping his eyes fixed on Ash, as though trying to expose every lie in his words.
"When Taboo reaches a certain level, you'll obtain the corresponding memories. Of course, even then, I don't think you'll allow our plan to proceed."
"What do you mean?"
"Simply put, what we want to do is start a war between humans and demons, let both sides kill each other, then wipe out all the elves to obtain enough energy. In other words, send them all to their deaths."
Although he felt like this explanation made him sound like the kind of villain who dies from talking too much, he really didn't think he would lose.
"Of course, there's also a high chance this plan will fail. Most likely it'll only extend the lifespan of this world that's already on the verge of destruction."
"Then no matter what, I can't stand by and do nothing," Julius nodded thoughtfully before looking puzzled again, "Since you knew what my answer would be, why tell me all this?"
"To be honest, I don't want to kill you. So I figured I'd tell you anyway. Maybe, just maybe, you'd accept."
"I'm sorry. I can't accept your proposal," Just as Ash had expected, Julius firmly shook his head.
"What a shame."
"But you seem to know me well?"
"Because someone told me a lot about you. By the way, I once had a friend who was a lot like you."
To be precise, it was Guli-Guli. That taciturn guy would mention Julius from time to time, since one of his clones had always stayed by Julius's side.
But Julius knew nothing about that and only became more vigilant.
"You've been watching me?"
"I'm not that bored. But since negotiations have broken down, I guess I'll have to kill you... What a shame, Julius," As he spoke, Ash slowly drew the sword at his waist, "I'll take your life here, and your death will become the foundation of the new world. Though there might not even be such a new world."
"Wait! If it might fail, why are you following someone else's orders?"
"Following orders? No. I simply respect my friends' judgment and decisions, as well as contractual matters," Ash continued speaking honestly because he knew very well there was no chance the people before him would leave here alive.
Before Julius could answer, a familiar voice suddenly echoed in his mind.
["This guy's very strong. Should we use the Hero Sword?"]
Guided by that voice, he instinctively looked toward the Hero Sword at his waist, the sword he had possessed for so long yet had never used.
The owner of that voice was Light Dragon Byaku, who resided within the sword.
But Julius hesitated. After a long silence, he only shook his head and replied through Telepathy, "If I use it now, how will I deal with the strongest Demon Lord in history?"
["This guy might be even more troublesome than the Demon Lord,"] Byaku warned.
"Is that so? I suppose so... I once swore I'd never use the Hero Sword, never rely on a power that can only be used once to protect peace. But now... even though I've broken that promise, it has to be saved for the Demon Lord."
Although he had once declared to the Light Dragon that he would never use the Hero Sword or depend on such one-time power to preserve peace, his views had changed, and now he had no choice but to rely on it.
The Hero Sword lost its power after a single use, so it had to be reserved for the most important moment, for the Demon Lord.
From this conversation, it was obvious this demon had come because of the Demon Lord. That meant only by eliminating the Demon Lord, who was about to start a war, might peace return.
But Julius also understood that with his current strength, defeating the demon before him was absolutely impossible.
Without the Hero Sword's power, he had no chance of victory.
He hated his own weakness. Even though he possessed above-average strength as the Hero, it was far from enough to deal with the crisis before him.
Ash heard every word exchanged between the dragon and the Hero through Telepathy as clearly as if they had been spoken right beside his ear.
Yet he showed no impatience. He simply stood there quietly, watching them and waiting for their decision.
Time passed.
But in the end, Julius still chose not to use the Hero Sword.
"You know, using the sword might be the better choice," Ash finally couldn't help reminding him kindly.
The Light Dragon's voice sounded in Julius's mind again, ["So what do you plan to do now?"]
["Beat him,"] Julius answered firmly through Telepathy.
He knew there was no chance of defeating Ash.
But he had no intention of losing.
And... he had to win.
That was his duty as the Hero.
Having made his decision, Julius felt much lighter. He slowly drew the golden magic sword that had always been by his side and faced the motionless Ash with unwavering determination.
"Let's duel."
"A duel? Even though you have more people?", Ash raised an eyebrow in surprise.
"Numbers don't matter against you, do they?"
"They don't."
"Then you and I will fight one-on-one. Please spare them."
"I don't mind, but they probably won't let it end there, so I can't promise."
"I'll persuade them."
"I don't think that'll work, but suit yourself," Ash agreed without concern.
After saying that, he actually walked over to an unattended fruit stand by the roadside. After looking around a little, he casually stuck his sword into the ground beside it, picked up an apple with a nostalgic expression, and started eating it.
He simply stood there quietly, watching Julius talk with his two companions without making any attempt to stop them.
But it was obvious... things weren't going smoothly.
Neither the Saint nor the vanguard was willing to let the Hero face such a powerful enemy alone.
Although Ash had no intention of eavesdropping, he could still hear things like, "How could we possibly leave you behind and run away by ourselves?"
"We want you to live too!"
"I can't drag everyone down because of my own selfishness!"
"How can the Saint abandon the Hero?"
Even after Ash finished his apple, Julius still hadn't succeeded.
In the end, he could only turn toward Ash with a pained expression.
"So it still didn't work? Then come at me together. I'll do my best to make sure your deaths are painless," Ash shook his head helplessly.
"We'll fight to the very end."
'Demons are living beings too. They aren't invincible, nor are they immortal. If that is the case, then there has to be a way to defeat him. There has to be.'
Even knowing the odds were hopeless, Julius still gritted his teeth and charged forward together with Hyrince, while Yanna began preparing magic.
The air immediately filled with tension.
The battle seemed about to begin, but in the next instant...
Ash casually tossed away the apple core and stomped heavily on the ground.
BOOM!
With a deafening roar, spiderweb-like cracks instantly spread across the entire street.
The cracks spread with incredible speed. Wherever they passed, the stone pavement shattered.
Everything happened so suddenly...
"Huh?", Julius's eyes widened in shock.
He had no idea what had just happened.
The moment Ash's foot landed, it was as though the entire world had changed.
Gravity ceased to exist.
His body slowly floated upward against his will.
Not just him, the shattered paving stones, the apple core by Ash's feet, and the countless fruits on the fruit stand all lost their weight and floated into the air.
Only Ash remained standing firmly where he was, as though he were the center of this chaotic world.
Their bodies were completely beyond their control.
At this moment, only the Space Maneuver skill could barely provide a way to move.
However, as though determined to drive them into complete despair, the Divine Dragon Barrier Ash had released beforehand had already sealed the entire area.
Within the barrier, all magic and skills were severely hindered, becoming sluggish. Low-level ones couldn't even be used.
A deep sense of helplessness welled up inside Julius.
He realized he had completely lost the ability to resist.
The battle hadn't even truly begun, yet he was already trapped in a dead end.
His gaze unconsciously fell upon the Hero Sword at his waist, hesitation filling his eyes.
He knew that under these conditions, he would be killed in an instant without any ability to fight back.
At that critical moment between life and death, he finally reached for the Hero Sword, however...
"I'll leave your bodies intact. Go in peace."
Ash calmly grasped the sword that had floated to his side first.
As those words fell, his figure instantly vanished from Julius's sight with unbelievable speed.
The next moment, in that world without gravity, although no attack could be seen, three sprays of blood blossomed in the air.
The attack was so fast that it seemed to transcend time itself.
No one could see it.
Those lightning-fast slashes left streaks of blood-colored light hanging in the air.
This battle, which could hardly even be called a battle, ended in an instant.
Three living lives disappeared from this world in that same instant.
The world seemed to stop breathing, falling into complete silence.
The overwhelming difference in strength was like an insurmountable mountain, effortlessly crushing all their beliefs and denying every trace of pride and glory.
'Ah... so it really is impossible after all?'
Unable to reach the Hero Sword, with his consciousness already fading, Julius's blurred vision looked one last time toward the Saint, who was in the same hopeless situation... and who was looking back at him.
As their consciousnesses disappeared completely, the abnormal gravity vanished as well.
The three bodies, together with the shattered debris and the blood floating through the air, fell back to the ground.
"You knew from the beginning, didn't you? There was never any chance to turn things around. If miracles really came just from faith and prayer, tragedies wouldn't exist in this world."
Appearing behind the three of them with Instant Movement, Ash expressionlessly flicked the spotless blade once before sheathing it with a faint sigh.
Then he reached out.
The Hero Sword flew into his hand as though pulled by invisible strings.
Although it trembled continuously, it still couldn't escape his grasp.
"I can't help feeling that even though I'm trying to save the world, I look just like a villain... Or is that just my imagination?"
Looking at the Hero Sword trembling in obvious unwillingness in his hand, with the three cold corpses behind him, Ash couldn't help showing a trace of melancholy.
At that moment, however, an unfamiliar voice came from behind him.
And answered that question.
["Don't doubt it. You were a villain from the start."]
"That's a pretty harsh thing to say. Though... are you using your main body now?", Ash turned around.
The one who had been the vanguard carrying the great shield, Hyrince, had clearly suffered a fatal wound just moments ago.
Yet now, he had miraculously come back to life.
["To be precise, it's because of this."]
Guli-Guli's clone, the Hyrince who had climbed back to his feet, slowly took out a crimson feather from his clothes.
It could be used as a fan, and it had already become somewhat tattered.
"A Phoenix Feather?", Surprise flashed across Ash's eyes as he examined it before recalling, "If I remember correctly, this lets its owner avoid death once. Normally, shouldn't a national treasure like this be given to the Hero?"
"It should have been...", Hyrince lowered his head with regret, gripping the feather tightly, "But he said his job was protecting his companions. As the vanguard, I had the highest chance of dying, so I was more suited to carrying it. He insisted on giving it to me."
"To be honest, he was a good man."
"I was just thinking the same thing," Ash couldn't help nodding.
But Hyrince muttered with a trace of hatred, "You and him... are completely different."
"Personal attacks are unnecessary. Though I really am a bad person, aren't we on the same side?", Ash asked, completely dumbfounded.
But Hyrince had no interest in arguing.
He only looked painfully at his close friend lying in a pool of blood, his eyes filled with sorrow.
"I wanted him to find happiness. I wanted him to live."
"Then you should've stepped out and tried to persuade him yourself. Don't dump all the responsibility on me afterward, as though I'm the only bad guy."
"Julius never would have agreed."
"So you just watched him get killed? I really don't understand your relationship."
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