Is It Bad That the Main Character’s a Roleplayer?
Chapter 236: Full of Suffering (9)

Is It Bad That the Main Character’s a Roleplayer

Chapter 236 Full of Suffering (9)

When I didn’t know how to return home, it didn’t really matter to me if I was used as just another pawn to imprison that Demon. The same went for being executed. The situation was hopeless anyway, so I didn’t especially care what my future was like.

“Your body doesn’t only contain the Demon. There’s the Demon, the soul that made a contract with the Demon to suppress it, and you…”

But the moment I heard those words, everything I’d thought was completely blown away.

“They were here.”

Surprisingly, the things that had brought me here had been nearby all along. More precisely, they’d been with me the whole time.

“They were here… all along, and yet…”

Then why had they never answered me? Why? Even though they’d seen how much I’d suffered, how much pain I’d gone through, so why?

“I misspoke. What I just said…”

I laughed faintly as I listened to the great sage’s words. I was supposed to let that slide just because he now claimed to have misspoken?

“If I follow your words.”

I raised my head and spoke. The flood of emotions made my head burn, but I managed to force it down somehow. The more excited I got, the more I had to think coolly.

“Will I truly be able to go home?”

I pressed down my burning eyelids before quietly asking.

Ultimately, it seemed he hadn’t spoken up earlier because he was worried about the Temple reacting inflexibly, so I started to wonder whether those people would actually let me go home.

“…I don’t want to do that.”

Of course, it might be possible. Maybe they would step up.

Especially when I considered the companions I’d been with this whole time would definitely speak up for me.

“I don’t want to.”

But, but…

“I’m sick of being tossed around by other people’s circumstances.”

The party’s top priority was to defeat Satan. There was no way I could ever come before that.

They might say they’d help, but they’d undoubtedly get pulled into all sorts of things in the process, running here and there. Because they were Heroes, Heroes who weren’t just there to save me, but the entire world!

And the idea that the Temple would wholeheartedly help me seemed ridiculous. No matter how I thought about it, relying on that slim chance wouldn’t end well for me.

Honestly, since it had already come to this, they’d likely end up telling me to either cooperate in defeating Satan or stay locked up obediently since the Demon inside me is dangerous.

“I’ve done enough. I just want to go now.”

So, I refused to do anything. I couldn’t take this anymore.

I was sick of being restrained, the disgusting way those priests looked at me, that nauseating Divine Power they emitted, the suspicious gazes from the citizens who didn’t even try to understand me, the endless trials and hardships I’d have to endure!

No, I was sick of every single day I had to spend in this world!

I hated it all! I couldn’t bear it any longer!

The only reason I’d held on for this long was because I’d had no other choice, but I refused to continue enduring this when I knew there was a way out! Showing consideration was one thing, but I wouldn’t let them take away my one chance to get my life back!

“…Yes. You certainly have.”

So I simply stared at the great sage, who’d grabbed my forearm. Whether because of my gaze or some other reason, he slowly withdrew his hand.

“I can’t stop you.”

Watching him, I also slowly withdrew the hand supporting his back. Lying neatly on the ground, the man raised his hand. Arcane Power gathered.

Snap.

“Urgh”

Feeling the movement of Arcane Power, I instinctively reach for my sword’s hilt. However, that gathered Arcane Power wasn’t aimed at me, but the surrounding guards. I was confused.

“…It’s… just the backlash from the {Sleep} spell. Cough. No need to worry…”

The explanation that followed was unexpected. I momentarily held my breath as I looked at the great sage, who’d gone out of his way to help me despite knowing it could get him in trouble later.

“You have my deepest gratitude for your devotion.”

…Even so, I wouldn’t stay here.

“Make sure you do.”

“…Yeah.”

After making sure the great sage was lying down properly, I pulled out a blanket from my Inventory. Leaving an elderly man on the cold ground just felt wrong, and considering what he’d done for me, I wanted to do at least this much for him.

It was the last kindness I would offer here.

“Do you mind if I defend you?”

…Let it be the last trace of me I left behind in this world.

“No… Don’t.”

I let out a bitter smile as I looked at the person trying to stand by my side until the end.

Defending me for fleeing captivity could very well lead to him being misunderstood. And yet, he was still asking me for permission.

“Why?”

“…Who knows.”

But even if it were revealed that I was a soul from a different world, nothing would change. It wouldn’t erase that I ran away, putting this world’s safety second to my wish to return home, and there would be few who would sympathize with me and forgive my sins.

“More importantly, I really should get going now.”

Besides, if I failed to find my way back, I’d ultimately have to die alongside the Demon in me. I didn’t want to be pitied for being some unfortunate outsider or something.

…I didn’t want to see the eyes of those young ones who knew I was innocent and wept for me.

With a faint smile on my lips, I stood up.

Ah. After this, I wouldn’t have any reason to see them again, right? Well, if I failed, I’d end up coming back eventually.

But, if possible, I’d rather that future never come to pass.

With these thoughts in mind, I set foot in the dark lands where all light had vanished.

By the way, I gave up on Frederick. My prison had been built far on the outskirts, likely out of fear of my potential danger, but the horses weren’t being kept anywhere near it.

And I didn’t even need to risk sneaking into the city just to get him. By reinforcing my body with Arcane Power, I couldn’t run as long or fast as a horse, but it would be close enough.

In other words, the risks outweighed the benefits. I stepped onto the plains alone.

“…You still have no intention of answering me, do you?”

However, I couldn’t just let this go. I spoke to the two beings who’d been with me all along and most definitely brought me here. Of course, there was no response.

A bitter smile appeared on my face.

“Yeah, there’s no way you’d answer now. If you were going to, you’d have done so long ago…”

But I wondered how much longer they could stay hidden.

I glanced at the bundle of papers I’d stored in my Inventory.

“Alright. Let’s do this. If I dig through the past, I’m bound to find some clues about you at least.”

Leaving everything behind, my legs propelled me across the plains, running quickly.

“Let’s see who wins.”

There was only one destination.

Home.

* * *

* * *

…Evening of May 5th, 861. First sighted at the Spurken Adventurers’ Guild. Acquired adventurer certification.

No one, including the receptionist, took particular notice of him at the time, so there is no confirmed description. No known activities in the city outside his visit to the Adventurers’ Guild. (Recorded on 09.12.862)

-Night of May 9th, 861. Witnessed submitting the heads of wanted criminals Margarita and Schweiger at the Spurken Adventurers’ Guild.

The receptionist’s testimony states he looks like a typical adventurer clad in ragged leather armor and a cloak. Race assumed to be non-Shaggi. Gender assumed to be male. No one remembers his hair or eye color. Weapon of choice is a longsword.

No known activities in the city outside of his visit to the Adventurers’ Guild. (Recorded on 09.12.862)

-Night of May 20th, 861. Witnessed submitting the heads of wanted criminals Till, Brühl, and Florian at the Brisden Adventurers’ Guild.

According to the receptionist’s testimony, after submitting the heads, he inquired about criminals and Demons.

No known activities in the city outside of his visit to the Adventurers’ Guild. Confirmed to have left the following morning as soon as the gates opened. (Recorded on 09.12.862)

-All subordinates under the wanted criminals went missing. Presumed dead. (Recorded on 09.12.862)

(Omitted)

-Night of July 13th, 861. Witnessed submitting the head of wanted criminal Kaladan at the Hirsenzig Adventurers’ Guild.

According to the receptionist’s testimony, after submitting the head, he inquired about criminals and Demons.

No known activities in the city outside of his visit to the Adventurers’ Guild. Confirmed to have left the following morning as soon as the gates opened. (Recorded on 09.12.862)

-All subordinates under Kaladan went missing. Presumed dead. (Recorded on 09.12.862)

(Omitted)

-Afternoon of April 13th, 862. Sighted at the Brusada Collapse Disaster in Mannafeld. Below is the record written by the branch manager at the time.

⌈As the collapse of Brusada Hill began, dozens of Demons appeared immediately. Since people were unable to evacuate in time, a massacre took place near the gates. At that moment, an unknown warrior appeared.

With every swing of his sword, Ogres, Minotaurs, and Sammokgu were slain. It took only about five minutes for him to exterminate dozens of Demons. (However, all slain Demons vanished as if their corpses had evaporated, making it impossible to verify the exact number. Witnesses confirmed the existence of Ogres, Minotaurs, and Sammokgu.)

After killing all the Demons, he headed toward the collapsed Brusada Hill. Knights and soldiers called out for him to stop, but he ignored them and crossed the hill.

We haven’t seen him since. I believe an investigation into this person is necessary.

Below is a description of his appearance and characteristics.

*Leather armor. Hooded cloak. Longsword.

*Whenever he swung his sword, a dark aura surged forth like flames. The possibility that he is a wizard should also be taken into consideration.

*No fur on his face or hands, and no visible ears protruding from beneath the hood, suggesting a high probability of him belonging to the Middle race. However, this is not certain.

*Hair color, eye color, gender, and voice are all unknown. He wore his hood up, and due to the highly chaotic situation, no one could confirm his appearance. There are no reports of him conversing with anyone.

*Based on testimonies, the bodies of the Demon he hunted vanished instantly, suggesting he may be carrying a storage-type Arcane tool.

*There is no record of him entering Mannafeld. He likely either snuck into the city or joined the battle outside the city walls… (Omitted)⌋

Following the opinion of the Mannafeld branch manager, it was decided all relevant information regarding this person would be collected and compiled. (Recorded on 04.30.862)

(Omitted)

-All collected records have been compiled. However, despite thorough investigation, no sightings of this individual have been found before May 5th, 861. It seems further search is pointless.

Additionally, any future information on him will be continuously updated and shared across all branches. (Recorded on 09.12.862)

-Due to the lack of a name, documenting him in official records is rather difficult.

Therefore, it has been proposed he be given a temporary title. (Recorded on 09.12.862)

-Proposal approved. Considering his past actions, it has been decided that he will be referred to as “The One Who Walks through Ruin.” Henceforth, all future documents should refer to him as Ruin. (Recorded on 09.15.862)

(Omitted)

-Night of October 15th, 862. Ruin sighted at the Klebech Adventurers’ Guild. According to the receptionist’s testimony, after submitting a head, he inquired about criminals and Demons. No other activities in the city were reported. Confirmed to have left the following morning as soon as the gates opened. (Recorded on 10.23.862)

-Afternoon of October 17th, 862. Ruin sighted at the Klebech Adventurers’ Guild. He submitted something to the guild’s office. The exact item remains unknown.

Afterward, Ruin immediately left the city. (Recorded on 10.23.862)

-It was later discovered that the Blue Turbans, a bandit group that had been plaguing several cities, including Klebech, Pereyachuk, and Mukasque, were completely wiped out without any survivors.

However, given the news of the Blue Turban’s extermination only began to spread after Ruin visited the Mannafeld Adventurers’ Guild and the city lord began to search for him around the same time, it is presumed that Ruin was responsible for their subjugation. (Recorded on 10.27.862 by Klebech Branch Manager)

-The Blue Turbans were estimated to have a force of around two hundred, but only a few dozen bodies were discovered. It is unclear whether the two-hundred-member count was merely an exaggeration or the missing bodies were deliberately hidden. Further investigation is required. (Recorded on 11.07.862 by Pereyachuk Branch Manager)

-Joint investigation approved following the Pereyachuk branch manager’s proposal. (Recorded on 11.15.862 by Klebech Branch Manager)

-Results of the joint investigation show that the Blue Turbans indeed numbered nearly two hundred. Only a few dozen corpses were found, while the remainder seemed to have disappeared entirely.

Considering the assumption that Ruin is in possession of a storage tool, it is suspected he took the bodies with him. However, the reason why remains unknown. Further investigation is required. (Recorded on 12.05.862 by Pereyachuk Branch Manager)

-Many other criminal groups eliminated by Ruin have also had their members’ bodies vanish, aside from the heads of their leaders. I believe it is necessary to investigate whether there is a connection. (Recorded on 12.17.862 by Mannafeld Branch Manager)

-Investigation approved. (Recorded on 12.30.862)

-Night of November 9th, 862. Ruin sighted at the Bogotia Adventurers’ Guild. According to the receptionist’s testimony, after submitting an item, he inquired about criminals and Demons.

No other activities were recorded. Confirmed to have left the following morning as soon as the gates opened. (Recorded on 11.14.862)

-Night of November 14th, 862. Ruin sighted at the Bogotia Adventurers’ Guild again. He submitted several heads of wanted criminals.

No other activities were recorded. Confirmed to have left the following morning as soon as the gates opened. (Recorded on 11.15.862)

-The subordinates under the wanted criminals still haven’t been found. (Recorded on 12.02.862)

(Omitted)

-December 9th, 863. It has been confirmed that Ruin was involved in the Bloodshed of Rhineiro. Ruin killed all forty Norda warriors who had descended to pillage and took all their bodies.

The purpose of collecting the corpses remains unknown. (Recorded on 12.10.863)

-December 14th, 863. A Cyclops appeared between Rhineiro and Nikadumala. A passing merchant caravan was almost harmed, but a person presumed to be Ruin intervened, killed the Cyclops in a single strike, took its corpse, and left.

Below are the details of the individual’s appearance revealed during the testimony.

*Disheveled long hair. Due to the event occurring at night, its color could not be determined. (Recorded on 12.23.863)

-Based on this, I believe an in-depth investigation into several cases of Demons appearing and then suddenly disappearing before extermination orders could even be issued is necessary. These patterns of disappearances seem similar to Ruin’s activities, suggesting he may be responsible. (Recorded on 01.12.864 by Mukasque Branch Manager)

-The opinion of the Nikadumala branch manager has been accepted. An official investigation into the matter has been approved. (Recorded on 01.29.864)

-Night of January 4th. Ruin sighted at the Nikadumala Adventurers’ Guild. According to the receptionist’s testimony, after submitting something, he inquired about criminals and Demons.

No other activities were recorded. Confirmed to have left the following morning as soon as the gates opened. (Recorded on 01.10.864)

(Omitted)

-May 5th, 864. The Osla Knight Academy has officially declared that Ruin shall be bestowed the honor of “Knight.” (Recorded on 05.05.864)

(Omitted)

-Afternoon of June 10th, 864. Ruin requested his registered name be updated to “Demon Knight” at the Marnis Adventurers’ Guild.

Afterward, he stayed at an inn in Marnis. Below are additional details regarding his appearance and characteristics revealed during the process.

*His hair is split into two colors down the middle. One side is ashen gray, while the other is pitch black.

*He wears an eyepatch covering his right eye. (Recorded on 06.10.864)

-Night of June 17th, 864. Ruin sighted at the Marnis Adventurers’ Guild, submitting several heads of wanted criminals. (Recorded on 06.17.864)

-Night of June 24th, 864. Ruin sighted at the Marnis Adventurers’ Guild, submitting several heads of wanted criminals. (Recorded on 06.25.864)

-June 27th, 864. After long deliberation, the Adventurers’ Guild approved the requested name.

Henceforth, all future documents should refer to him as “Demon Knight” instead of “Ruin.” (Recorded on 06.27.864)

(Omitted)

-February 1st, 865. The Demon Knight sighted at the Pasarel Adventurers’ Guild. According to the receptionist’s testimony, after submitting something, he inquired about wanted criminals and Demons.

Below are changes in his appearance and equipment.

*He has removed his leather armor and now wears a light shirt instead. However, he still wears his cloak.

*He has begun using a Zweihänder alongside his longsword. (Recorded on 02.02.865)

(Omitted)

-April 8th, 865. The Demon Knight sighted at the Renannte Adventurers’ Guild. According to the receptionist’s testimony, after submitting something, he inquired about wanted criminals and Demons.

Below are changes in his appearance and equipment.

*He has removed his cloak and now wears a shirt and coat instead. (Recorded on 04.10.865)

(Omitted)

-May 5th, 866. The Demon Knight sighted at the Tatara Adventurers’ Guild…

(Omitted)

…This concludes the recorded movements of the Demon Knight.

Below are questions and speculations regarding the Demon Knight.

1. It is presumed that the Demon Knight received knightly training.

However, as there are no records of anyone matching his description graduating in the past twenty years, it is unlikely that he is an official graduate.

Based on his swordsmanship, it is most probable that he attended the Academy of Tsechebator or Munmund, though his technique is highly modified, making it difficult to be completely certain.

2. Due to his partially ashen hair, it is likely that he originates from the Eastern region.

3. A list of Demons presumed to have been slain by the Demon Knight is listed below…

(Omitted)

…Finally, as of May 5th, 866, he has changed slightly. The reason is unknown… though this might be related to your missing memories, right?

Others who are unaware of this have speculated whether you made a contract with a Demon to obtain your absurd strength. Ah, but those rumors completely died out once you started traveling with the Hero.

Oh, and I’ve included extra documents separately that aren’t classified as your records by the Information Guild, but that I added at my own discretion.

There are a few unsolved cases, such as the massacre of the inquisitors near Dorfmine, and rumors of a well-known wastrel in Bemurchen claiming to have seen a boy covered in black flames.

For the record, I included these reports because some drawings bear a resemblance to the power you use… but please don’t get the wrong idea. I don’t believe you were actually involved in these incidents.

I just added them because the payment I received was quite significant. That’s all.

So please, the next time we meet, don’t accuse me of defamation or anything. However, I would welcome it if you hired me again.

That’s all for now. :)

* * *

“Daniel.”

“…”

“Daniel!”

“…Ah, senior.”

“I know your mind must be a mess after hearing about the sighting of a Demon of black flames, but stay focused. We’re not heading there to hunt Demons, but to help people.”

“…Yes. I know.”

“Alright. Then let’s keep moving. We’re the farthest group from the requested support, but that doesn’t mean we have to be the last ones to arrive, right?”

“Yes…!”

“Everyone, let’s push forward!”

“Yes!”

“Understood!”

____