I was crying.
“That’s just terrible… Why did it have to turn out like this?” Elma’s explanation had cleared up every doubt and question I had about Laman. The truth was just too absurd—and too sad. “Couldn’t he have chosen a better story route?!”
He was the Hero who’d defeated the Demon King, the Hero who’d saved the world, but the half century that followed his triumphs had been hard on him and his party.
Perhaps they’d made a few little missteps along the way, but things grew worse and worse for them as time went on. The small, near-invisible choices they made over fifty-four years had steadily led the Hero’s party to a bad ending.
“You’re grossin’ me out, kid. I don’t know what you’re talkin’ about with that ‘story route’ and whatnot. You and Miss Judge are supposed to be the ones judgin’ the bad guy, so stop your pathetic blubberin’.”
“But I don’t think he’s a bad guy anymore.”
“What the hell are you saying?!” Elma snapped back at me. “Then who’s the bad guy here? Three people died! And he couldn’t protect them! In a world with no Demon King, who’ll take responsibility for this shit outcome?! That old bastard has accepted his fate and wants to pay for it with his life!”
“But he doesn’t need to!” I fought back. “Why should he have to pay with his life? The whole idea is old-fashioned, conceited, and meaningless!” I couldn’t hate him for what he’d done. “Elma, please… Give this story as testimony before the court.”
I got down off my chair and bowed my head to the last surviving witness of the Hero’s party.
“Don’t be ridiculous. I told you my story, and now we’re even. Go home.”
“I’m sorry, but… We need your testimony. I’m begging you.” I pressed my forehead to the cold floor of the tent and pleaded.
“Tch. Hey, I know you’re over there.”
I sensed some people outside the tent at Elma’s remark.
“Sorry, we were listenin’ in.”
“Grammy Elma, did you make him cry?”
“Slorp.”
Some older people, children, and slimes were looking in at me.
I paid them no mind. “Please, Elma.” I felt my hot tears land on my hands pressed against the floor. “Please, help us.”
“I’ve already told you. I’ve no obligation to help.”
I raised my head to look at her. Snot from my nose ran into my mouth. “Yes, you do. You have an obligation to protect your friends, just like you’ve done until now.”
Hoping to convince her, I appealed to her bond with the rest of the Hero’s party.
“At first, I thought you hated Laman. But from your story, I can tell that isn’t true… You’re just trying to uphold your promise to him.”
“That old bastard wants to die.”
“But that doesn’t change the fact that you should protect him. It’s the honorable truth.”
Elma glared back at me with her terrifying, unblinking gaze and spoke. “Kid… You know nothing about Laman the Hero.” She suddenly grabbed me by the collar and brought her face so close to mine that I could feel her breath.
“But I do! His story is that of a Hero who defeated the last boss and continued to protect his heroine and friends, all by himself! Do you want this all to end with him being judged a villain? How do you explain that to the children?!”
I heard the kids behind me gasp.
“…” The demon woman’s eyes wavered. Elma had surely been helping her friends from a distance all this time, in her own way. However, it was easy to lose sight of things that way.
“Please, help us protect the truth,” I entreated.
“What’ll happen if I testify?”
“The world will be a better place.”
“What’s yer basis for sayin’ that?”
“Obvious facts shouldn’t need a basis for argument.”
Elma went silent for a moment. “That arrogant way of speakin’ and that look… You’re just like him when he was younger.” The woman released her grip on my neck, seemingly having reached a decision. “It’s been decades since any man faced my intimidation with such resolve.”
“Does that mean you’ll—?”
“I like you.” The half-succubus crossed her arms under her large breasts. “I’ll give you your testimony.”
“Th-thank you, so much!”
Thank goodness. I was so happy I bowed my head again. From behind me, I heard the older people and children sigh in relief.
“Don’t get me wrong. I just don’t want you gettin’ any more of your snot all over the place.”