Proofreader: DreaMing
I don't know the ending of this world.
Even though I have watched the endings of both ‘The Hero's Party' and ‘The Tale Of A Knight's Affair' that share the same worldview.
The main character in ‘The Tale Of A Knight's Affair' was only able to block the forces of one of the Four Heavenly Kings. He doesn't even defeat the Heavenly King, and dies.
It's bound to be so.
Because he wasn't a Hero, he was just a very strong knight.
He didn't have the fate to see the future of the world.
Then, what about Cloud, the Hero chosen by the Goddess?
Whether the Demon King dies and peace returns to the continent.
Or, the Heroes die and the continent perishes.
Doesn't Cloud deserve to know the fate of the world?
If you ask me, I will nod my head.
Cloud deserves it.
However, even that qualification was taken away by another Hero.
As the game progresses, either Gis or Lorian, one of them dies depending on the player's choice. Cloud crosses the portal with the surviving Hero and goes to the Demon Realm…
– You're just a hindrance anyway. So just die. I'm starting to get tired of making fun of you, let's end this in good faith, heh.
– I am the only Hero who will save the world. I'd be offended if your name gets stuck next to mine.
Whoever you go with, you will get killed.
Since this is an unavoidable event, the player cannot do anything.
Didn't I say it before?
I used cheats, yet I still lost.
So, this was the sh!tty ending of this game.
The ending where the woman you love, your life, and your qualifications as a Hero are all taken away from you.
In a sense, it can be seen as a befitting ending for an NTR game.
Recalling the ending, I always ended up with a ‘Dafuq?’ sentiment stuck in my throat.
For me, it was natural to wonder what will the end result of the game be like, yet I wasn't able to even have a glimpse. The game was already over and done, and it was not for me to know what the world would be like and what bullsh!t will ensue.
But now I am Cloud.
This continent has become the world I live in, so I can't help but pay attention.
Well, let's think about it.
How strong is the Demon King of this world?
It is impossible to get a rough estimate from the fighting power shown by the Four Heavenly Kings.
In the game it was said that the Four Heavenly Kings who Heroes fought were in a weakened state because they appeared on the continent, the domain of Goddess Iris.
‘…The more I think about it, the more I don't understand. What were Gis and Lorian even thinking?'
Why did they have to fight the Demon King alone?
Well… I still can't understand.
Gis and Lorian in the second half were in a very strong state for various reasons. Even throughout the entire continent, they had no equal opponent left, it was quite a prideful achievement in itself.
‘If it's possible to subjugate the Demon King with that level of strength, that would be the best outcome…’
If not, it raises many questions.
I sighed and looked at Eri, Neria, and Ophelia who were lying on the floor.
Maybe the speedy raid from the 1st floor to the 15th floor exhausted them entirely? The three of them have been lying still on the floor for quite some time, showing no signs of movement.
‘They're definitely better than adventurers.’
From basic physical abilities to skills to the ability to cooperate with each other.
They were superior to the adventurers in every way.
It wasn't for nothing that they were assigned as Hero's companions.
That was not to say that there were no regrets.
There were a few things that they themselves didn't notice, but I felt it was quite a pity.
‘Regrettably, they are lacking in determination.'
As long as you're a member of the Hero's party, you can't always fight to win.
Rather, it is often the case where you face an enemy you are not able to defeat.
And when dealing with such enemies, you have to endure and persist with a strong mental fortitude. If you see a chance, bite 'em and chew them up, leaving no bones.
But in them, I don't see that.
‘They also have a subconscious habit of choosing to back out.’
If it was the game, it wouldn't be a problem.
The tank fell into a wounded state, making the battle difficult?
You just need to select the ‘Escape’ button, save or reload.
But this is the stark reality.
Even if it is possible to escape, there is no save or reload option.
What happens when one member falls into a state where he/she is unable to continue fighting; leaving a vacancy in the co-ordination?
The member who's hands are free has to fill that void.
It doesn't matter if it ultimately fails.
It's important to have the mentality to fill that void even for a moment.
If I can fix these issues, this party can become quite useful.
I crossed my arms and fell into thought.
‘At first, I had no intention of accepting them as teammates…’
Just like in the game, they either went to Gis or Lorian. I didn't even try to stop them, because I knew they were going anyway.
So I thought I'd rather recruit decent teammates like Shedia, Katarina, and Leslie.
However, be it fate's mockery, these three's situation got worse, and somehow or other I brought them back to my party.
That way, there is no need to look for anyone other than Shedia, Katarina, and Leslie.
Because recruiting too many party members can also leave behind a possibility of complicating the situations.
‘Um… it is still a question mark whether they will join my party.’
After handling the savage Pink Woman who tried to kill me, I didn't further explore the dungeon.
In the midst of old nostalgia, I punished her lightly by my standards, but she paid the price.
‘I sure do get emotional reminiscing the old days.’
If it wasn't for that, I would have been able to react more flexibly.
As soon as the thought crossed my mind, I erased it.
That has already passed.
Now what I have to make sure is not to make another mistake.