Chapter 184: A Sweet Struggle<strong>[For starters, you know that I’m your senior, right?]</strong>


    <strong>[Yes, Senior.]</strong>


    <strong>[......Why do I feel like a junior even though you are calling me senior?]</strong>


    "Your attitude problem must be the problem."


    As soon as I intervened in the conversation between the two souls, who had left me alone, the Dark Spiritualist leaped forward with a pout.


    <strong>[Shouldn’t you be taking my side? You''ve been with me longer.]</strong>


    "No need to behave like a kid."


    <strong>[... So annoying.]</strong>


    <strong>[Senior, pleasee this way. I am on your side, Senior.]</strong>


    <strong>[This is all because of you! Why are you still awake and not going back to sleep?!]</strong>"<em>Sigh</em>."


    Clearly, it was just one soul.


    Ste was quiet by nature, so I thought there wouldn''t be much of a difference even if she stayed awake.


    However, surprisingly, just the addition of one more soul had made it so noisy that my ears were ringing.


    Especially since the Dark Spiritualist felt that her position was being threatened and was busy trying to keep Ste in check since ourst encounter.


    Horns suddenly sprouted from Ste''s forehead as she listened to the Dark Spiritualist''sints.


    <strong>[Hey! Don''t be rude to Ste!]</strong>


    <strong>[L-Look at this! You have finally revealed your true nature!]</strong>


    "That is Velica."


    With just that statement, the horns disappeared swiftly. Blushing, Ste covering her mouth with her hand.


    <strong>[I am sorry.]</strong>


    <strong>[Ah...]</strong>


    Seeing Ste''s fresh appearance, the Dark Spiritualist''s shoulders slumped in defeat.


    <strong>[I hate the Saintess.]</strong>


    "Rein in your temper. We will need a lot of help from Ste from now on."


    Ste dered that she didn’t need to go back to rest and wanted to stay with me.


    Since four Demon Lords had died in a day, the other Demon Lords would now be paying attention to me. To keep them in check, it was necessary to show that I had Ste by my side.


    With the existence of the Holy Grail revealed and the fact that Ste was with me, it would help to greatly deter the actions of the other Demon Lords.


    "<em>Huff</em>."


    I exhaled calmly as I looked outside.


    Themand system of the Republic had copsed the moment Magan died. The three Superhumans they boasted about had all died as well.


    The first one was Oskov, who died in the initial explosion, disguised as a victim of the Republic.


    The second one was defeated by Aria, Findenai, and Erica during the battle outside.


    The third andst one was the Secretary who apanied Magan.


    Meanwhile, Barctos Niky, the head of the armory development unit who had developed Protection and a member of Dante, had fled the scene.


    In the end, the soldiers of the Republic had no choice but to surrender now that their leaders were wiped out.


    And now, a few days after the incident, envoys from various countries who had attended the banquet were seated at a table, having a fierce discussion regarding the division of the rk Republic.


    Since only the Griffin Kingdom had managed to survive, the other countries suspected that perhaps this was a self-fabricated story created by the Griffin Kingdom.


    However, I heard from Eleanor that Griffin managed to gain the upper hand in the negotiations after disying the evidence concerning the Republic''s Demon Lords.


    Usually, there wouldn’t have been anything strange about me returning to Norseweden by now.


    There was only one reason for me to stay back in rkwork, the capital of the rk Republic.


    <strong>[Are you hesitating about how to say farewell?]</strong>


    Ste approached me with a slight smile. Behind her, the Dark Spiritualist appeared to be discontent as she watched us with her arms crossed.


    "I will not deny that."


    The future that awaited Findenai was one that would be filled with fierce struggle. Various factions would try to seize control of the rk Republic, amidst their struggle for their own rights.


    They had finally gained the independence they had longed for, yet they would still be struggling to avoid being ensnared by another leash.


    For that, Findenai would have to leave me and fight for thisnd.


    The reason I was here was due to the regret I felt about having to bid her farewell.


    <strong>[Do you want me to help you a little?]</strong>


    "..."


    Ste slowly stood beside me.


    She wiped the haze from the window, seemingly wanting to capture the scenery of rkwork with her eyes.


    Ste calmly gathered her hands and looked out the window as she spoke.


    <strong>[It is a situation where you need to speak your mind but are unable to do so, right?]</strong>


    That was correct.


    I wanted to take Findenai along with me, but asking her to stay besides me would only cause her regret and make her have lingering attachments.


    So, what I was contemting was…


    <strong>[How can you ensure that she will not hold any lingering attachments concerning you?]</strong>


    "...Exactly."


    <strong>[Well, I was a Saintess, after all. I have offered quite a bit of counseling, too, you know?]</strong>


    She said that it wasn''t just about defeating demons.


    Conversing with her somehow made me feel more at ease. Although none of my concerns were resolved, she had the ability to make people feelfortable just by having a conversation with her.


    <strong>[May I hear about the type of thoughts you have at the moment?]</strong>


    In response to the question about bidding farewell, I hesitated for a moment before blurting it out.


    "How to say it in the most hurtful way..."


    <em>Thwap</em>.


    Ste''s mana instantly hit my shoulder. She sighed with an expression of disapproval.


    <strong>[Even if you can feel your emotions faintly, are you not disregarding the emotions of others a bit too much?]</strong>


    "But there is no way that Findenai will move on from me quickly if I do not do this."


    <strong>[Are you just thinking in terms of efficient results? That is the worst approach.]</strong>


    "That is quite harsh."


    Honestly, I knew that it wasn''t a great approach either.


    However, seeing Ste openly rebuke it made me feel the need to reconsider.


    <strong>[Deus, I was a Saintess. I was someone who gave people good, pretty, hopeful words.]</strong>


    "That is right."


    <strong>[But you can not always do that. Sometimes praise acts like a poison.]</strong>


    That was also true.


    Especially since I knew many people who were poisoned by it.


    Surprisingly, there were a lot of people who were unable to differentiate between confidence and conceit.


    <strong>[To put it bluntly, the type of farewell you desire is not possible.]</strong>


    "..."


    I unconsciously turned my head to meet Ste''s gaze.


    She smiled brightly and gently epted my gaze.


    <strong>[Do not be greedy. Farewells are always pitiful, regretful, and sad.]</strong>


    "..."


    <strong>[That is also the reason reunions are so joyful.]</strong>


    Ste slowly approached me. After taking my hand carefully, she sped it tightly with both hands and brought it to her chest as if in prayer.


    Even as a soul, her warmth and the sensation of touch that I shouldn’t have been able to feel still remained there.


    Was she not an impressive woman for no reason?


    Even though she was connected to me as a Necromancer, her ability to manipte mana within her soul was at an exceptional level.


    <strong>[Just like how I woke up from my slumber and rejoiced at our reunion…]</strong>


    "....Yes."


    <strong>[Farewells are certainly sad. So, do not speak of parting.]</strong>


    Ste''s warmth naturally began to spread within me. It felt like I had found answers during our conversation.


    <strong>[Instead, please speak of reunions. Share the time when, after everything is over, you will be together,ughing.]</strong>


    Ste slowly released my hand.


    With a smile that seemed to gently urge me to leave, I nodded and put on my coat.


    "I will be back shortly."


    <strong>[Yes, take your time.]</strong>


    As Ste waved me off, the Dark Spiritualist, who was standing at the side with her arms crossed, as if sulking, spoke up impatiently.


    <strong>[Did it never cross your mind that Findenai might just be too dumb to understand such things and might simply follow you?]</strong>


    "..."


    <strong>[...Senior, would you like to have a talk with me?]</strong>


    <strong>[Huh? Huh?]</strong>


    It seemed like there were a lot of things regarding the Dark Spiritualist that Ste was curious about, so, she gently led her away.


    While being led by Ste, Dark Spiritualist kept ncing at me from time to time.


    ***In the public cemetery of rkwork, stood a massive tombstone erected for theirpatriots who died fighting for freedom.


    Now, the members of the Resistance had gathered in front of it to discuss their newfound freedom.


    Since there was no longer any need to remain hidden, numerous Resistance members as well as the Scrapyard Nomads had gathered here, shedding tears and pouring drinks. However...


    "What the hell is this, you bastards?"


    Findenai gazed down at a small grave marker next to the massive one, almost as if it had been erected as a joke.


    She was no longer in her maid uniform but in a yellowish coat, a white shirt, and casual ck pants instead.


    Just by that, one could tell what path she had chosen.


    "It''s indeed a bit eerie."


    "I told you not to do something like this."


    "Still, isn''t it somewhatmemorative?”


    Having had a few drinks, the members of the Scrapyard Nomads were already in high spirits.


    So, was that why they were ying a joke like this?


    "What? My grave?"


    It was a grave marker —just a wooden board roughly inscribed with the name Findenai and nted in the ground.


    However, inscribing a living person''s name on a grave marker in the public cemetery seemed to cross a line.


    "These guys, it seems like you’ve been toofortable as ofte, huh?"


    <em>Crack. Crack.</em>


    Before continuing their new struggle, Findenai intended to properly establish the public order.


    However, the members of the Scrapyard Nomads wiped the alcohol from their lips and turned serious. No one here had led such a carefree life that they would be intoxicated just after a few drinks.


    "No, you died today."


    "..."


    A betrayal?


    That thought had never even crossed her mind.


    Wouldn''t it be the worst-case scenario if they nned to betray her in the first ce?


    So, Findenai crossed her arms and silently listened to what they had to say.


    "The leader of the Scrapyard Nomads, Findenai, returned freedom to the people and closed her eyes."


    "Only Findenai, the maid of the Soul Whisperer of the Griffin Kingdom, remains."


    "....Stop talking nonsense."


    <em>Crack</em>.


    Findenai gritted her teeth and red at them with genuine anger.


    "These crazy bastards, are you asking me to abandon you now? I won''t leave you all."


    "Chief, you have fought enough for our sake. No, actually, it’s too much already. It''s time for you to take a step back.”


    "We''ll handle the rest. Well, it''s not like we''re forcing ourselves to fight, and we also have reinforcements, don''t we?"


    "The Griffin Kingdom will do their best to amodate us at our convenience. You don’t have to worry; that''s what Master Soul Whisperer said."


    "...."


    She hadn’t even realized that Deus had intervened in the Scrapyard Nomads.


    Seeing Findenai''s expression soften gradually, the members smiled and offered her a drink.


    However, she didn''t ept it.


    She was still unable to understand itpletely.


    "Even so, I have no reason to leave."


    Despite her firm answer, the members let out a chuckle.


    "Actually, you''re right. There''s no reason for you to leave. However, that''s exactly why you should abandon the name of the Scrapyard Nomads."


    "There’s a mission fools like us cannot do; Chief, only you can do it."


    "It''s the most important thing!"


    "Mission...?"


    What nonsense were they spouting?


    Then, the other Resistance leaders approached her. She anticipated paving the future with them, but instead, they addressed Findenai with serious expressions.


    "The support from the Griffin Kingdom is a great boon for us. However, how long will itst?"


    "What?"


    It sounded like utter nonsense.


    As long as Deus Verdi held his position as the Soul Whisperer, it was clear that their support would continue.


    However, that was only from Findenai''s perspective.


    The other Resistance leaders didn''t see it that way.


    "In reality, the Soul Whisperer Deus Verdi has heavily influenced this cooperation. However, once he has a change of heart, it will be over."


    "That won''t happen."


    "No, we can''t know the human heart for sure. We need Griffin''s cooperation, but we don''t have the final say."


    If Deus had a sudden change of heart and decided not to lend them a hand, it would be over.


    It was at that moment that she could finally see how heavy a burden rested on that statement.


    "The Soul Whisperer is very close to the Royal Family, especially the king and princess. Meanwhile, you are his closest aide."


    "....What does that mean?"


    Findenai growled, asking if they were telling her to be their spy.


    After disying a determination that she would never betray that man, even if she were to die, all the members of the Resistance burst out inughter—even the leaders of the other groups, who had just exined the situation seriously.


    "No! There''s no need to convey any information. All you have to do is stay by his side and continue being someone he likes. That''s all."


    "...What?"


    Only now did Findenai finally realize what they were trying to say to her.


    "Go and make Deus Verdi like you. That way, they will never stop supporting us."


    "These… crazy bastards."


    It was just an excuse.


    And a very pathetic one at that.


    However, it made Findenai realize the hidden intention behind sending her off under the guise of a mission.


    Findenai tried to say something, but her mouth wouldn''t open.


    Seeing her like that, the members around her slowly got down on one knee.


    It was a sign of their reverence of her, still gripping the axe she held until now, never letting go.


    A resting ce prepared for the woman who solely fought for freedom.


    <em>Killing me means throwing yourself back into the endless war.</em>


    Suddenly, thest words of Demon Lord Valkyria, whom she had beheaded, came to mind.


    A war that would continue indefinitely.


    Despite knowing that, she still struck the Demon Lord’s neck and took responsibility for that.


    It was a restraint she wouldn’t be able to stop with her own strength alone.


    However...


    "If it weren''t for you, there wouldn''t have been a day where we would be able to pour drinks for the fallenrades."


    If there was one thing Valkyria hadn''t anticipated…


    "To you, who has continued to struggle for us with noble sacrifice and an unwavering fighting spirit, we now entrust the final mission."


    Valkyria wasn’t the only one watching Findenai''s struggle.


    The countless lives she had saved, led, and given hope to were gathered here.


    "Go there and love him as you wish. That''s the greatest battle you can fight for us from now on."


    The end of a struggle, akin to a fate she thought she would never be able to escape from, was suddenly within reach.


    "Chief."


    The members of Scrapyard Nomads approached her slowly.


    They offered Findenai a drink once again.


    "Let''s get drunk after a long time."


    ***I heard that Findenai was at the public cemetery, so I went to look for her.


    I intended to bid her farewell with the promise of reunion. However...


    "<em>Gyaaaaahhh!</em> Chief! Your husband''s here!"


    "Whoa! It''s our Brother-inw!"


    "Please take caaaaree of our Chief!"


    "For the wedding song, leeeet me sing it! Beyond the barrennd! As we depart!"


    "..."


    There was no need for more words. Having found the freedom they longed for, they at least deserved to drink this much.


    I silently observed the members of the Resistance set up a drinking party in front of the public cemetery, before slowly turning to look for Findenai.


    At the center of the drinking party was Findenai, drinking directly from a giant bottle of liquor. When she met my gaze, she immediately staggered towards me.


    "Master Baaaastarddddd! I jussssssstttt neeed to follow you arrrrrounddd!


    Having a child is considered an act of patriotism, they saaaaayyy!"


    "..."


    "Findenaiiiii! Has died herrrreee! <em>Eeeekkk!</em> From now on juuust call me ‘Ai’?!"


    "<em>Huff</em>."


    Pretending not to notice the approaching Findenai, I subtly turned away to avoid her.


    I never thought that I would say such words. However…


    "For once, the Dark Spiritualist was right."


    I clicked my tongue and immediately departed, leaving Findenai behind.