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Volume 6 Chapter 143

Haruto and the Four Heroes (7/7)

Two months have passed since I fought against the hero Takato. 『I』 and Tina have been flying around to protect villages, towns, and even countries from the escalating Stampede.
We left the task of defeating the Demon King to Takato and his group. The Demon King resided in the Demon Continent, and their role was to reduce the number of Demon King Army forces there, as well as to crush the high-ranking members.
The Demon King Army consisted of about a million monsters if you included the lower ranks. Even with Takato at level 300 and 『I』 with stats that could surpass that when using skills, annihilating them all at once would be difficult.
If the six of us charged into the Demon Continent in that state, the monsters escaping from the Demon Continent might flow into nearby human countries and cause havoc.
So, we’re first weakening the Demon King Army’s strength, and then 『I』 and Tina take care of the monsters that have escaped and come our way.
By the way, Takato has become quite submissive. Every time he sees 『me』, he lets out a small scream. Isn’t that a bit rude?
Even though I just delivered a single punch to his face, Takato’s appearance at that moment was a bit alarming. His face was so caved in that it was a wonder he wasn’t dead, and his limbs were bent in all directions due to the force of the blow.
Seeing him in such a sorry state, without thinking, 『I』—the one who punched him—started using healing magic right away. After that, with the help of Saintess Yurie and Tina, we managed to save Takato’s life.
One hero can’t kill another hero. And when Takato regained consciousness, he immediately fell to his knees and bowed, trembling, upon seeing 『me』.
It seemed that the damage he took upon coming to this world was quite a shock for him. Maybe it planted a significant amount of fear in him.
By the way, I hadn’t explained the Guardian skill to Takato and his group. So, they didn’t know that 『I』 couldn’t become strong without someone to protect behind me.
Well, to keep Takato from getting too full of himself, I’ll keep it a secret until the end.
And then Takato pleaded, 「I’ll do anything, just please don’t kill me!」
Since it was 『I』 who healed him, there was no way I would kill him.
I had such thoughts, but since he was willing to listen, I decided to have him help in reducing the Demon Continent’s forces.
Even if we defeated the Demon King, it would be meaningless if many people were killed by the monsters that had escaped from the Demon Continent before that.
And then, there’s another reason why 『I』 and Takato are taking separate actions.
「Uhh… Good morning, Haruto-sama」
「Tina, good morning」
Tina, who was sleeping next to me, woke up.
「Haruto-sama」
Tina closed her eyes and lightly pushed her lips forward. 『I』 gently touched those lips.
We’ve kissed countless times already, yet every time after a kiss, our faces still turn bright red.
『I』 became Tina’s boyfriend.
The night after I defeated Takato, I confessed my feelings to Tina.

Tina accepted them.
In a conversation with Takato, Tina told me that she liked 『me』. So, when I confessed, I already knew her answer, which might be a bit unfair.
Still, confessing made my heart feel like it would explode from nervousness. I was truly happy to become Tina’s boyfriend.
Two months have passed since I started dating Tina, but our relationship hasn’t progressed beyond holding hands, kissing before sleep and after waking up.
We decided we would do such things only after defeating the Demon King and bringing peace to the world.
Not wanting to be disturbed during our time alone together, 『I』 and Tina have been taking separate actions from Takato’s group.
Of course, it’s not like we’re neglecting monster subjugation. The only times we can truly relax are during sleep, meals, and travel.
Since Tina has become strong enough to defeat demons on her own, during battles, 『I』 and Tina mostly act independently. This way, we can save more people.
Due to the large scale of the Stampede, there were times when I couldn’t see Tina for nearly two days.
It was really lonely.
But apparently, Tina felt the same way. After successfully saving a country, we spent an entire day hugging each other at a luxury inn provided by that country.
On the other hand, things seemed to be going well for Takato and his team as they battled the Demon King forces on the Demon Continent. Takato regularly sent us updates, saying they had already defeated three out of the four high-ranking demons serving as the Four Heavenly Kings of the Demon King’s army.
They were four individuals with cheat-level skills, and one of them was a level-capped hero.
Despite the Demon Continent swarming with a million monsters, it didn’t seem to pose any real problems. If anything, according to Takato’s reports about chasing down and defeating the high-ranking demons that were trying to flee, 『I』 could only manage a dry laugh.
At this rate, they should be able to defeat the Demon King within another month.
By the way, after defeating the Demon King, how much longer could 『I』 remain in this world?
I began to feel a little anxious.
Well, since I listened to the gods’ plea and brought peace to the world, they should be willing to grant at least some of my requests… Or so I thought.

──＊＊＊──
Another month passed.
Finally, we arrived at the Demon King’s castle. Since the Stampede had calmed down, 『I』 and Tina joined forces with Takato and his group to confront the Demon King.
Or rather, we had already arrived at the Demon King; the only enemies left in the Demon King’s castle were the Demon King themselves.
Defeating the source of all evil, the Demon King, would bring peace to the world. And our journey would come to an end.
「Tina, there’s something I want to tell you once we defeat the Demon King」
While pointing to the sword given to me by the gods at the Demon King, I spoke to Tina, who was standing next to me.
Normally, this would be a flag for defeat, but the Demon King in front of us was glaring at us with an expression that seemed on the verge of tears.
Claiming to be the Demon King’s close aide, a high-ranking demon that charged at ‘us’ was swiftly cut down by Takato with a single sword stroke. It was at this point the Demon King seemed to realise the difference in power.
It’s almost bullying.
In any case, it was nearly impossible for us to lose.
「Sure」
Tina blushed slightly. She seemed to have an idea of what I wanted to say. And probably, her assumption was correct.
In my pocket was a ring, meant to be given to Tina.
After defeating the Demon King, 『I』 would stay in this world.
And I would marry Tina.
──That was my intention.
「Haruto, can I go ahead and defeat the Demon King now?」
Takato asked.
「Yeah, please」
At that moment, Takato’s expression twisted into a sinister smile, but I couldn’t grasp its true meaning.
「Hey, Demon King. Nice to meet you」

「N-No, nooo! D-Don’t come any closer!」

As Takato took a step forward, his figure vanished.

「And now, farewell」

In an instant, Takato, who had teleported right in front of the Demon King, swung his sword, severing the Demon King’s head.
The headless body of the Demon King collapsed slowly onto the floor. Then, it turned into a black mist and disappeared.
There didn’t seem to be a second form.
──It’s over.
Anticlimactic. Well, that’s how it goes, I guess.
I sheathed my sword and looked at Tina.
「It’s over, Tina」
「Haruto-sama!? Th-that means—」
Tina stared at me in astonishment.
──Huh!?
My body was disintegrating into pieces, like petals scattering in the wind.
「Gyahahaha!」
Takato let out a malicious laugh. His body, too, began to disintegrate.
W-What is this!?
「Tina!」
I tried to reach out and touch Tina, but my hand had already disappeared.
「Wh-Why… Why is this happening……」
Seeing 『I』 disintegrate, tears welled up in Tina’s eyes.
Takato shouted with a malicious grin.
「Now, let’s go back to our world together, Haruto!!」