Running Away From The Hero! (Remake)

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#29. Other People’s Stories (3)

#5 Their Circumstances: The Circumstances of a Certain Villain

What did I just hear?

“What are you talking about?”

“My sibling carved a wooden dildo.”

No, what nonsense is this again?

“Why would a wooden dildo become a goddess?”

Are all gods fond of dildos?

“No, don’t turn all the gods into perverts.”

“I’ve only seen you as a god in front of me.”

Judging a group based on one individual is usually a very unwise behavior, but is a metal dildo a common thing for them?

Prejudice cannot be avoided.

Well, looking at the disciple, who is a warrior of the gods of nature, and Shertley, who is a saint, I can be more convinced.

All gods are perverts.

“Ugh… If the Master thinks that way, there’s nothing we can do.”

Somehow, it feels like many gods are feeling unjustly accused, but it’s not important, so let’s move on.

“Why did the goddess who saved the world become a wooden dildo?”

“That’s because the raw material for wooden dildos is the branches of the World Tree, right? The World Tree is a tree created with my sibling’s full power.”

“What does that have to do with it?”

“It does. It’s less dangerous to attach to something that’s practically a part of yourself, and it’s easier to regain your strength.”

“Is that so?”

“That’s right.”

After all, all creatures have instincts of attachment, isn’t that what they say?

Gods might have something similar.

“But it doesn’t mean that items made from the World Tree only exist as dildos, right?”

It’s an extremely rare item, but it’s not like there are no items made from the branches of the World Tree.

Among the elves, elders would probably have at least one item made from the World Tree.

And I know that in a country that has greatly helped the elf race, like the Empire, items made from the World Tree have been transmitted.

But why is it that only the dildos made by me and the dwarves are imbued with divine power?

Could it be that the Black Anvil Clan is an extraordinary race associated with gods?

“No, they’re just ordinary dwarves. The only thing is that the items used to make wooden dildos were rare. Do you understand that, master?”

“What?”

“After the world was created and my sibling made the World Tree…”

The Iron Bat paused for a moment and continued with a serious expression.

“The being that broke a branch of the World Tree and fell for the master is only the High Elf, and the one who made items with such fresh World Tree branches is also none other than the master.”

“Oh…”

“Think about it. If there are extremely old houses and newly built houses under the same conditions, where would the Master live?”

“Obviously in the newly built house.”

“Right? It’s the same for my sibling. It wasn’t in a situation where reason prevailed. Therefore, driven by instincts, they settled in a place where they could recover more easily.”

“Why not ascend to the divine realm?”

“My sibling stripped away everything, not only the divine but also the divine essence, to seal me, remember? Well, because of that, my sibling became a god admired not only on the mainland but also on the sea continent. Once resurrected, they can quickly recover divine essence.”

“Then isn’t it more normal to be in the divine realm?”

“No. It’s difficult until perfect resurrection. Because my sibling, who put everything on the line to stop me, is bound to me.”

Huh? Isn’t it the opposite?

“The goddess of mercy and dedication sealed the Evil God. Then shouldn’t the goddess of mercy and dedication be binding you?”

That’s also possible.

“But it can change depending on the balance of power. Right now, I’m stronger, so my sibling is bound to me.”

So, it’s like a tug-of-war where one side is unilaterally pulling the other.

“I understand, but were you sealed because you were weaker?”

Considering this guy’s personality, it’s unlikely that they were sealed for their sibling.

Didn’t they say themselves that they are the goddess of greed and desire?

A guy devoted to their own greed and desire wouldn’t sacrifice themselves for their sibling.

“Is that so?”

“Master… Why is my perception like that? I mean, I’m still the elder sister of the Goddess of Mercy and Dedication!”

“It became even clearer. Surely, you explicitly stated that the creators created gods with opposite concepts! If you are the elder sister of the Goddess of Mercy and Dedication, it means there is no mercy and dedication!”

“I, I’ve been exposed!”

Finally, speaking honestly!

“To be honest, at that time, the power of an Evil God and the power of a goddess of greed and desire were in conflict. Internally, the powers clashed, and externally, while everything was at stake, my sibling popped out, grabbing and shaking me by the hair.”

“Do gods really grab each other’s hair and fight?”

“Metaphorically speaking. Ah, but at that time, I was really caught!”

Gods fighting by grabbing each other’s hair. How intense must that have been?

“It seemed like I received an enormous beating. As I mentioned before, it was the first and last time the world was created and exploded. Who would have thought that my sibling, responsible for mercy and dedication, would get that angry? I really almost died!”

Honestly, they reaped what they sowed.

“Is that so?”

“If there were beings witnessing that battle, whether it be ten, a hundred, or a thousand, they would have cheered for the Goddess of Mercy and Dedication!”

“Even the master?”

“Of course. As residents of this world, the destruction of the world is as good as my death. There’s no way I would support an Evil God trying to kill me.”

“Master… Do you not want to hear the rest of the story?”

I nodded while looking at the half-asleep Iron Bat.

“Do you want to go to the volcano?”

“Hahaha! How far did we get in the story? Ah, yes. It was about the balance of power between my sibling and me.”

Although it seemed like we were passing it off with laughter, I decided to let it go.

“Now, the reason I’m stronger is not only because I suffered great damage when my sibling sealed me but also because of the master’s assistance.”

“Me?”

“Yes. Every time the master wielded me, my essence became stronger.”

What kind of nonsense is this again?

“That means I get stronger every time you wield me.”

“What’s the reason behind it?”

Iron Bat closed its eyes for a moment to organize its thoughts.

“It’s a bit complicated to explain, and I feel like the master might get angry if it takes too long.”

“Just give me a brief explanation.”

“Planning to do just that.”

With a small tongue click, Iron Bat provided a concise and straightforward explanation as I wished.

“In simple terms, when my sibling sealed me in a state where my power was not properly organized, concepts of evil, greed, and desire got mixed inside me.”

“So what?”

“In that state, where it’s neither here nor there, I can’t use my power as a proper god. But I’m somewhat outside the ordinary in this world.”

Iron Bat continued to explain that if it had existed purely as an Evil God, the emotions of greed and desire might have disappeared from the world.

“So, I became a god with the concepts of both an Evil God and greed and desire.”

“What does that have to do with anything?”

“That’s because the master’s design was flawed, even though you and the Iron Bat clan worked hard to create Wood Bat and Iron Bat.”

“What nonsense is that?”

“In simple terms, the master’s design was flawed. It doesn’t make sense for a weapon to cause pain while healing wounds. Where can you find such a ridiculous weapon?”

“What?”

An unexpected response came.

“It’s strange not to think about it. Miracles are called miracles because they don’t happen as a matter of course. That’s why we call events where divine power is borrowed ‘miracles.’ The weapons the master created are the same. They were miracles made possible only because of the power of the gods, not because the master’s plan was perfect.”

“That can’t be…”

Today’s story was the most shocking. The fact that Wood Bat and Iron Bat were just the results of miracles. Then, all the funds I invested to mass-produce Wood Bat and Iron Bat until now!

“Are you saying I’ve been throwing money down the drain…”

“No, revealing the truth of the world is the most shocking part, and you find the story about wasting your money the most surprising?”

“Of course!”

The tales of old are just that – tales of the past.

For those who cherish them, like archaeologists or historians, it may hold value. As for someone like me, who has engaged in nefarious activities to earn a living, money is of greater importance.

As the crab boss mentioned, money is paramount.

“I’m revealing a secret that I haven’t shared with anyone else…”

Although it seems unrewarding to disclose it, I have no choice.

“Well, to put it bluntly, the reason is this. The goddesses of compassion and dedication dwell in the wooden paddle that my brother is bound to. They alleviate the suffering of the opponent because, quite literally, they embody compassion and dedication.”

“And what about you?”

“I am literally here to enact greed and desire. Do I seem to dislike delivering a blow?”

“Absolutely not.”

“Yeah, I thoroughly enjoy it. The sight of the opponent being hit and flinching! It’s truly exhilarating!”

“So, you’re a sadist. How does that relate to healing?”

“When you hit someone who’s dead, there’s no reaction! Even if they faint, there’s no fun in the response!”

“So, you revive them for that?”

“Yeah! I perpetually revive them to satisfy my greed and desires! That’s the essence of the existence of Iron Bat!”

And it seemed that as these desires were fulfilled, this guy’s power increased.

“Yeah, you got it. While it’s natural that I recover faster since I woke up first, the difference was even greater thanks to the Master.”

Good grief… I was unknowingly aiding this Evil God in gaining strength.

If word got out in the divine realm, I’d immediately become the top target for elimination.

“Don’t worry! Since I’m your disciple, being the top target for elimination is a given!”

“You should be very worried!”

Now, all that was left was to eliminate the evidence.

I had no choice; this guy had to be thrown into the Stiorus Volcano.

“I had a really bad feeling just now… Master, you’re not planning…”

“Huh? Why would I do something like that?”

“I see…”

Even though I hid my true feelings, it seemed he could still sense them.

Over time, our companionship has turned toxic.

“Master? You wouldn’t be thinking of abandoning this fragile goddess, right? Is that what you’re planning?”

With teary eyes, Iron Bat looked up, presenting an extremely delicate appearance.

“Yeah.”

However, Iron Bat’s frail appearance didn’t match at all.

“No, that’s too much! Even though we’re soulmates!”

“I could pretend to be slightly indecisive, but your overly insincere attitude killed any desire I had for that.”

“It’s not about indecision; it’s about pretending to be indecisive!”

When it came to matters related to Evil Gods, pretending to hesitate was a common occurrence. Normally, I wouldn’t have bothered pretending and would have ignored the situation altogether.

“Yeah. Thanks for everything, Master!”

“Just be aware of it.”

“Eeeekkk!”

Iron Bat protested vehemently, but what could he do? He had no power whatsoever!

“I may not be able to fool Master and the Demon King, but I have enough power. It’s just that it won’t work on ordinary humans!”

“But your opponent is the Demon King. Therefore, you’re useless!”

“You’re an Evil God, Master…”

Being evaluated as a demon by an Evil God. I’m not sure if this is a good or bad thing.

“Of course, it’s bad! You seem like a wicked villain!”

“If it’s bad for an Evil God, isn’t it considered good by the world’s standards?”

“Such logic!”

So, ahead of you lies nothing but the roaring lava.

“If you want to live, you’ll have to make a deal that moves my heart.”

“An individual demanding from a god… and an Evil God at that…”

Looking at the gaping Swoopad with an indifferent gaze, I comment, “It’s not a threat.”

Indeed.

I don’t possess a personality reckless enough to carry around something as dangerous as an evil God.

“Even though loyalty is unnecessary, I continue to be with you because it’s not about sharing harm that I’m aware of.”

“All the things I’ve done for you… How could I…”

Though a sense of betrayal flows through the continued soul, it doesn’t leave a scratch on my heart.

After trying various things for about 10 minutes, Iron Bat finally raised the white flag and surrendered.

“I lost. I lost! I’ll tell you how to defeat the Demon King!”

“You should have done that earlier.”

With a satisfied smile, I nodded, and Iron Bat let out a heavy sigh.

“Haah… Listen well, Master?”

Nodding, I pretended to listen to Iron Bat’s words.

The opponent is an Evil God, a god of evil.

Despite the threat of being thrown into the Stiorus Volcano, such a creature didn’t flee and stuck with me.

Is it to enhance its power? Would enhancing its power be crucial in a situation where entering the volcano would render it useless?

Probably not.

It implies that this creature might be with me because it needs me, or, at worst, it might be planning to betray me and strike me down when I least expect it.

In the context of novels, isn’t it quite common? The one who was an ally turns out to be the antagonist, striking the protagonist’s back!

When the Demon King falls, there might be a scene where this creature, having been an ally, strikes me down and gathers all the fragments of evil to resurrect itself.

So, Iron Bat, I don’t trust you. Never!