Beyond the Hero’s Death – 05 | Sousaku – 創作

Episode 5: The Hero Takes His Own Life (5) – A Fool’s Monologue

―――My relationship with Alberic the Hero began as childhood friends.

My mother told me that the name Mireille was taken from the hero's lover in a fairy tale from long ago.
In a small village with a population of fewer than 100 people, the number of children of the same generation was small, and the only ones close in age were me, Alberic――― "Al", and Porcas, the son of the village head.
I loved Al, who was always calm and gentle and was always with me in everything I did.
Our relationship went from childhood friends to lovers, and then, as we approached adulthood, we…… were treated as a factual betrothed couple who would eventually become husband and wife.

This relationship changed when the "Demon King" appeared in the world and Al was chosen as the "hero". We exchanged letters at first, seeing Al off on his heroic journey, but I gradually became uneasy. When will Al come back? Wouldn't he die in the process in the first place? Can he really defeat the Demon King?
Porcas was there for me when I needed him.

"I've always thought you were cute, ever since I was a kid. Even the nobles of the royal capital are no match for you. But how long do you plan to wait for Al? One year? Five? Ten? Al will not return until the Demon King is defeated. Are you going to wait all that time? Are you going to waste all your beauty and youth by just sitting back and waiting? "

I could not answer Porcas's words. Then Porcas whispered love by my side and gave me many words to calm my anxious heart.
He took me to the royal capital, bought me beautiful clothes, and when I walked in the city, people on the street looked back at my beauty and I learned that I had extraordinary good looks.

……That's why I chose Porcas instead of Al.

It's bad enough that Al left me alone for his trip in the first place.
He might lose his life on that journey.
And while I wait, my time will be lost.

So it was very natural for me to choose Porcas because of reality, and all the blame lies with Al for leaving me alone.

――――But I never thought that Al would come back after defeating the Demon King in less than two years.

When I learned that Al had indeed become a hero who saved the world, surprise and regret came over me. ……What should I do? What if Al blames me. What if I am punished.
But the "hero" did not blame me for my choice. When the Celestial Knight who was with him erupted with such murderous intent that I could feel it on my skin, I shook with fear, but Al restrained him from doing anything.

……I was forgiven.

I watched Al and his friend leave the village with a sense of relief, and felt at ease. And that night was very passionate for me and Porcas.

"Hahahaha! Did you see Al's face today? That pathetic look on his face, he looked like he was about to cry. That guy's always been getting in my way! Even though I have more money and a better family background than him. You're far too good for a guy like that! I don't know if he's a hero or what, but he's a wimpy loser after all! ! "

"You are right, in the end, Al was just a soft-hearted guy who made his girlfriend feel insecure! I knew I was right in choosing you! ! "

We were enjoying peaceful days in the village, filled with a sense of relief that we were forgiven and a sense of self-gratification at the superiority of having been able to scorn and belittle the "hero". It's a small village, but as the wife of the future village chief, I am promised a reasonably wealthy life, and a life without any inconvenience is more than enough for me. Yes, we are winners in life!

―――――It was supposed to be that way.

With no time to escape from the village and no decent amount of time to spare, this village is now being threatened by a horde of demons.
I was about to despair when the Celestial Knight arrived, and I thought I could rest assured that he would protect us, but then he started to say outrageous things like "I'll just see it through".
Don't be stupid. It's your duty as a hero to fight with your life for the sake of others……! !
He settled in the center overlooking the village with an attitude that nothing said could get through to him, and watched the village. If you talk to him, you may get an answer, but there is no way to get to him.
What a jerk, I wish this man would fight and die for us, just like Al! ! ! Do your job! ! !
I tried to get him to fight, but in the end it was not only futile, but a waste of time in the midst of the desperate situation.

My pathetic husband fumblingly picked up the spilled coins from the bag that fell to the ground and re-filled it. And then the Celestial Knight looked at him coldly, as if he were a stone on the side of the road.

The rumbling of the ground approaching the village was the sound of the footsteps of a horde of demons. In response, some people with weapons ran in a rush, while others ran away with their belongings on their backs.
As I think about it, the sound of my son crying, held in the midst of all this, is awfully annoying to me. Even if I were to run away, my feet would not get me out in time. I must hide. But where? If this child continues to cry like this, I will soon be found.
With that in mind, I placed the baby on the ground. The most important thing is my life. As long as I'm alive, I can start over. My life takes precedence over any other.
I don't want to die, I don't want to die in a place like this when I am still so young, when I am still in my prime, when I want to enjoy life more and more. I was born beautiful, so why should I die in a place like this……? !

I don't even care about Porcas, who had started running away before I knew it. I should hide. Let's just hold my breath and hide, and wait it out while other people are being eaten or killed in my place. Ahaha, AHAHAHA, that's right. I'm going to be happier than anyone else, because I'm not supposed to die here! ! I will, I will, I WILL, NOT DIE! !