Hahaha.
Shekina had finally reached a state of enlightenment.
It wasn’t because demons in the restaurant were fighting each other using magic.
It was because humans were placing bets on those demons, gambling on the outcome.
“Redhead! Put more effort into it! Knock them down!”
“Aagh! No way! Just a little more! Use that ‘Kwa-wa-wang’ magic from earlier!”
“………”
Shekina clutched her forehead as a headache started forming.
“Anyone can tell that’s clearly demon magic, right?”
“Yes, it is.”
“Then why do the humans look so nonchalant about it?”
“Maybe because they see it often?”
Wow.
What a ridiculous answer.
Shekina couldn’t help but laugh in disbelief.
‘System. Are you kidding me?’
And so, Shekina began cursing at the system.
‘You said this was the original scenario. Is this really the original scenario? Are you messing with me? Do you want to get hit?’
Ring!
[SYSTEM]
According to the ‘original scenario,’ demons must gradually grow stronger. In line with the growth scenario, an environment has been created to allow demons to develop as much as possible.
Since this game, Raising a Hero, follows the typical structure, the Demon King is the final boss. This means they ended up in this state to grow stronger.
Fine. Demons gaining power? I can be generous and accept that—just this once.
“Die, Demon Breath!”
“You crazy bastard!”-
But wasn’t this going too far?!
They were practically going around yelling, ‘Hey, everyone! We’re demons!’
[SYSTEM]
Seeing them grow on their own makes me feel oddly proud.
Don’t give me that crap!
[SYSTEM]
This situation is partly your fault, so please reflect on it. I didn’t force things to turn out this way, you know?
At those last words, Shekina hesitated for a moment.
What did I even do?
All I did was infuse black spinel with demonic energy and give it to the demons, say a few words to help them blend in with humans, and find a few artifacts for the Demon King…
…Wait. I did a lot. I did way too much.
Shekina felt the urge to grab her past self by the collar.
Sigh…
After exhaling another deep sigh, Shekina spoke to Lucart, who was sitting across from her.
“Boss. Are you really going to just let this happen?”
“Let what happen?”
“These demons and humans?”
“Ah.”
Lucart’s cold gaze swept across the restaurant.
He slowly examined the demons still fighting each other and the humans cheering them on before opening his mouth.
“Are you saying I should kill them?”
“No! That’s not what I meant!”
Shekina deflated, her brief moment of hope utterly crushed.
“Don’t kill them. You can’t kill them. Got it?”
“Why?”
Lucart tilted his head slightly, genuinely puzzled.
“The weak are meant to die. If they become obstacles in our path, it is only right to eliminate them.”
Oh, right.
That’s the kind of guy he was…
Shekina let out a hollow laugh at Lucart’s merciless stance, which she hadn’t seen in a long time.
“Boss, I’m weak too.”
“No, Lady Shekina, you are strong.”
“No. I’m really weak. I’m absolute trash.”
Ignoring Dehan’s words, Shekina continued.
“Boss, if I’m weak, does that mean I should die too?”
“…….….”
“Then go ahead and kill me here. Seriously, I’m super weak, so I guess I should just die. Why should weaklings even live, right?”
“……….”
Lucart furrowed his brows, glaring at Shekina.
That sharp gaze—it had been a while since Shekina last felt it, and for a brief moment, she hesitated. But she didn’t back down.
“Fine, whatever. But at least don’t let the priests find out. If they do, we’re screwed. Way worse than getting caught by Lucifer.”
“You underestimate us.”
Lucart scoffed.
“Human priests are no match for us.”
“Sure… Maybe one or two wouldn’t be a problem… But what about ten? A hundred? A thousand? Then what?”
Seeing how impossible it was to reason with him, Shekina felt utterly defeated.
Do we all need to get caught and wiped out before they finally understand?
“Lady Shekina, you don’t have to worry too much.”
Just then, Dehan placed a hand on Shekina’s shoulder.
“Priest Yuriel is at the northern temple.”
Feeling Lucart’s sharp gaze, Dehan quickly withdrew his hand.
“So what if he’s at the temple?”
“Sir Arthur is making plans.”
“What kind of plans?”
Dehan recalled Arthur’s confident stance and smirked.
“Plans to become the Pope.”
“…What?”
“Pope.”
“Wait, you mean…”
“He’s running for the papal election.”
Hey, System.
You said this was the original scenario.
Doesn’t seem like it.
***
Yuriel was pacing around the hall, unable to hide his anxious expression.
Huff, huff, inhale, exhale…
He took deep breaths, trying to calm his racing heart.
Then—
“Yuriel?”
Arthur entered the hall, tilting his head.
“What are you doing?”
“I… I was just trying to calm myself down.”
“Calming yourself? That’s good.”
Arthur smiled and straightened Yuriel’s disheveled clothes. Yuriel took another deep breath.
“S-So, we’re going to the capital now, right?”
“That’s right. You understand well.”
“A-And the other priests…?”
Yuriel glanced at the priests behind Arthur.
But they didn’t seem normal.
Their unfocused eyes and half-open mouths were clear signs that they were not in their right minds.
It was Arthur’s magic.
“They can’t travel in that state, so we will go in their place.”
“……….”
A terrifying person… No, a terrifying demon…
Yuriel reminded himself once again not to defy Arthur as he took a deep breath.
His growing anxiety stemmed from the bishop’s robes he now wore.
Yuriel had originally been a low-ranking priest.
Despite his strong divine power, he had never risen to a high position.
Then, he was abandoned by the northern temple. Seeking refuge with a noble family, he later discovered that they were demons.
That alone was an unbelievable turn of events. But Arthur did something even more outrageous—
He planned to seize the northern temple.
Arthur had whispered to him, asking if he didn’t want revenge, questioning how long he would let those who disregarded him walk free.
Arthur truly seemed like a demon. And Yuriel, caught up in the moment, had followed him.
And now—
Arthur had fully taken control of the northern temple.
And he had revealed yet another plan to Yuriel.
— You should become the Pope.
It was an absurd idea, an impossibility.
But after spending time with these demons, he had witnessed the impossible become possible time and time again.
It felt as if he really could do it.
That he could ascend to the highest position in the temple.
This thought made Yuriel even more anxious.
“B-But someone like me… could I really…? Won’t the other temples oppose it?”
“So what if they oppose it? The Pope is chosen based on the strength of their divine power.”
“B-But my divine power is nothing special…”
Yuriel had once turned his back on God.
He could no longer confidently claim, “At least my divine power won’t lose to anyone!” like he had in the past.
Compared to the other priests, his faith was weak and insignificant.
Arthur believed in him.
But if he failed now, what would happen to him?
Yuriel’s heart plummeted, sinking lower and lower.
“Sigh.”
Arthur stepped closer to Yuriel.
“Do you know what your biggest flaw is, Yuriel?”
Then, he gently wrapped his arms around Yuriel’s shoulders.
“You don’t believe in your own power. All you have to do is believe, yet you can’t seem to do that. I don’t understand why.”
Yuriel shook his head.
“I-I can’t believe it… I’m really just… nothing special…”
“Then believe in me.”
Arthur’s voice was firm.
“Believe in me, the one who chose you. My eyes have never been wrong.”
“I……..”
“Do you not trust me either?”
“No! That’s not it!”
“Then that’s enough.”
Arthur smiled warmly.
Of course, he didn’t think a few words alone could completely uplift Yuriel’s spirit.
But at least, in moments of weakness, Yuriel might recall his words.
That alone was enough.
Because Yuriel was someone special.
“Well then, I suppose it’s time to get ready for our departure.”
Arthur glanced around and murmured to himself.
And then—
BANG!
The doors burst open, letting in a violent snowstorm.
An attack?!
Arthur instinctively shielded Yuriel behind him, spreading his hands wide in preparation.
But—
“Oh. Shekina?”
The one who appeared wasn’t an enemy.
It was Shekina, radiating pure joy.
“You… YOU…!”
Before anyone could react, Shekina dashed toward Arthur.
“Why have you been doing nothing but the most beautiful things?!”
Then, she tightly embraced Arthur, patting his back.
“It’s you! It can only be you! You’re the only sane one here! Huuuaaaaah!”
“…Shekina?”
What in the world happened while I wasn’t watching…?
Arthur felt slightly overwhelmed by the unexpected scene.
