A Warrior Exiled by the Hero and His Lover

Chapter 216: The Warrior and the Ancient City Part 6

—You have to kill every one of them.

Her words didn’t sound real. Did I mishear? 

Yes, that’s probably the case. 

—Salvation consists in the destruction of body and soul by those who have attained immortality. Of course, those who are already on the other plane also deserve to be saved.

—You can’t be serious.

—Look around, you think this is a joke?

You want me to kill 140 million people! What the hell is this?! 

What madness!

I was tempted to run away just now. But my legs are so weak that I can’t even do that.

—Master! Frau, this woman is the enemy! An enemy who attacks the Master with words!

—She’s going to put the Lord out of action with her lies!

—This machine has just given an explanation that Kuon-sama could not. Of course, I am well aware that I am saying terrible things. However, this is the duty and responsibility of Kuon-sama and you, her son.

Kaede and Frau pull out their weapons.

—Toru-sama, you… You are the last member of the royal family.

—…Royal family?

—You were left with the right to receive all inheritances and the duty to save all citizens. I will not tell you what to do now. But please understand this. Those who sleep here are weak people who have no choice but to trust Toru-sama.

I noticed Neze’s hands were shaking. Even though she is a golem, she knows firsthand that she is in a difficult position as well. 

The saving skill was not a power I was lucky enough to get. It was a chain and a burden in the name of responsibility. After all, I am a slave too. 

—I would like to know… Are you my grandmother?

—That…

—My mother made you that necklace, right?

She was probably the one who raised my mother. It felt clearer and clearer for some reason.

—…I’m afraid you’re right. This strange creature is your grandmother.

She grabs the necklace and bites her lower lip, she looks like she is about to cry. Seeing that expression on her face made me feel things I can’t explain in words.

—Kaede, can you lend me your shoulder? I’m still weak.

—Of course, master!

Kaede may have been right that I was attacked with words.

—I am so stupid and insensitive that I am not very good at doing what I am ordered to do. I mean, I don’t have the guts to kill a hundred million people. And if it weren’t for my mother and grandmother asking me to, we probably wouldn’t be having this conversation right now.

—What are you going to do about it?

—I will find another way. It’s about solving the problem of immortality, isn’t it?

I looked back once again.

—I wonder if my ancestors are among them.

********

Light shone through a high glass ceiling.

There were three huge stone statues next to the walls of the large cylindrical room, so large that you could look down on them from above.

On the left is an old man with an abundant beard.

On the right is a muscular man.

In the center, a beautiful woman holds a scale.

There were two fluffy white sofas in the center of the room. The sofas are slightly floating. Everything about it is out of the ordinary.

—When you think nothing can surprise you anymore, there’s always something that makes you eat your words. 

—It’s true. Wow, it’s so fluffy, what’s it made of?!

—It’s thick and has just the right amount of bounce… It’s very different from all the other couches I’ve tried. Please try to sit on it, Maestro.

Kaede urges me to sit on the couch.

My buttocks seem to sink deep, but then are pushed back by the elasticity. It’s a strange sensation, like being in the belly of a large creature.

It’s a different feeling than sitting on Panda. 

This couch is a curse. Once you sit down you don’t want to get up. Huh.

—What is this key for after all?

—It is a privilege reserved for royalty.

Neze explains as she stands up.

Privilege? Hey, I’m tired of all this royalty and having to kill people.

What else are these crazy people going to give me?

—Toru-sama has been given the right to awaken all his people. The key is the tool to do so. It is not only supposed to be used to fulfill its function, but also in cases of emergency.

—In case of emergency?

—Yes, when this place is on the verge of collapse for example.

I took out my mother’s key and looked at it.

They are still sleeping and I guess they think that when they wake up it will be the last time.

In short, the only ones to blame were the royals, nothing else. Somehow I think I know why my mother didn’t give me this key. Maybe she didn’t want me to use it.

But she couldn’t throw it away, so she left it with my uncle.

I can’t guess what other feelings they might have had. Maybe he felt sorry for her and left her belongings, at least. That’s all.

—Having this key is a great burden for me. Therefore, I want to leave it to you.

—You must not do that. Toru-sama is the heir of the Neutral faction and the last of the Vogelsteitz, one of the three royal families. In addition to possessing the ability to save, that key is a mark of belonging to the royal family.

—What?

—Vogelsteitz is your last name. Toru Vogelsteitz is your real name.

Oh, no. What the hell is this? It sounds like something very aristocratic, besides, it’s embarrassing. 

Kaede and Frau let out a giggle.

—Charming, master. It’s a name fit for royalty.

—How about we change it right now, how about we call you Toru Eiban Vogelsteitz?

—For some reason, Kuon-sama didn’t like her last name either, and even when she left, she stubbornly refused to use that name.

Exactly. That surname is so striking that it stands out at the first mention.

I can’t imagine the face others will make if I introduce myself that way.  

—By the way, since I’m your grandson, you don’t have to be so formal with me. You can call me by my name.

—Huh?

Neze’s eyes move from place to place at high speed. As if embarrassed.

I had always wanted to have a grandmother. And to come here and find out that someone like that exists is a great reward for me.  

—T—Toru.

—Grandma!

Grandma bites her lower lip and her eyes glaze over.

Then, one of the original golems entered the room with a large cage. Inside were Rosuke, Chupibi and Kuratan. 

The golem leaves the classroom on the floor and exits the room as they bow slightly.

—They caught them because they were moving suspiciously. These are Toru’s domestic beasts, right?

—Yes, I was very worried because I didn’t know anything about them.

I let the three out of the cage and they jumped onto my chest.

Apart from Chupimi and Kuratan, the defenses here are incredibly high for capturing intruders despite little current help. Even I wouldn’t be able to capture them unscathed.

I was relieved to see the three of them return to the seals.

—Well, it’s time for me to go back. I have people waiting for me.

—You can come back whenever you want. This place will always welcome you. 

I was about to leave the room when I stopped.

I had forgotten to ask something important.

—Umm, I would like to know, do I have to reach a higher level or something?

—This is just a theory, but it is said that you have to surpass the 10 millionth level to carry out your responsibility. I don’t know anyone who has reached that level.

Ten million… That’s too far out to be realistic.

I’m more likely to die before I reach that level.

Still, I will strive to find another avenue for help. I will do what I can for my mother and grandmother.