-Shunk.
The sound of the shotel piercing flesh.
But let me clarify one thing: I had no real intention of stabbing the Hero's neck.
In fact, I stopped right before it hit his throat.
So how did it end up making that flesh-piercing sound?
"Do I look like a fucking pushover to you?"
Just before the shotel reached his neck, the Hero blocked it with his hand, and the blade sank straight into his palm.
"!!"
I tried to pull back urgently, but the Hero wouldn't let go of the shotel embedded in his hand.
No choice but to abandon it and retreat.
The Hero yanked the shotel out with a pathetic smirk and tossed it aside.
"No holding back this time."
-Boom!
I rolled to the side to dodge the Hero charging in with another thunderous roar, but...
-Slash.
"…!"
His movements were too fast, and I ended up exposing my side completely.
"…Cough!"
One cough, and blood erupted from my mouth. I quickly flipped up my helmet's visor and spat it out.
-Drip. Drip.
"All that backseat coaching, and you're not even worth the advice?"
"…Not coaching, cough! It's advice. Sincere advice, without a shred of deceit."
"…Tch."
The Hero scowled in dissatisfaction, then slowly advanced toward me.
"You've lost your shield and shotel, and now you're wounded. What can you even do?"
"If the shield breaks, block with the sword. If the sword breaks, stab with the shield."
"That's why with neither, you can do nothing. You're helpless, right? Doesn't this mean the Goddess is on my side?"
"If there's no sword, can't I just make one?"
"What?"
I explain properly to the baffled Hero.
"So what if I have no sword or shield? I have a will sharper than any blade, and faith thicker than any shield."
"…Just wordplay."
"But sometimes, even wordplay can earn the Goddess's favor."
I place my right hand over my chest.
And, as if gripping a sword hilt, I draw it out.
"What are you doing ri… What?!"
Disbelief flickers in the eyes of the Hero, who had been watching with a look of futility.
-Shiiiing…!
"My will cannot be broken."
Because from within my chest, a 'sword' made of golden Holy Power was being drawn forth.
"You made a sword out of Holy Power?"
The Hero's reaction was as if he'd seen something impossible.
'Half of it was a gamble, but it paid off.'
I'd never actually shaped Holy Power like this before, so I wasn't sure it'd work, but luckily, my bet was a huge success.
"This is ridiculous…"
The Hero froze in place, unable to hide his bewilderment, and this time I slowly walked toward him.
"Hero. The Goddess grants power to protect the weak. Even we Holy Knights have been bestowed sacred power and strong bodies to shield the vulnerable and vanquish evil. The priests are the same."
With the Hero stunned, I press my persuasion.
"Then what of you, the Hero at the pinnacle? Heroes of the past defeated the pinnacle of evil, the Demon King, and spared no power in defense of humanity. They embodied the Seven Virtues of Humility, Charity, Kindness, Patience, Chastity, Temperance, and Diligence. That's why people revere Heroes."
The Hero's pupils begin to tremble.
'I believe in you, the protagonist.'
"Hero."
I ask him with all sincerity.
"It's not too late. Please, show us the true face of a Hero."
The Hero stared silently at the hand I extended.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
-Slash!
"Is!"
Ariana cried out desperately at the sight of blood flowing from Is's side.
She wanted to shout for them to stop, but sadly, it seemed the two combatants couldn't hear her.
Unable to stand it any longer, as she moved to intervene, High Priest Lib held her back.
"Saintess. Please, just wait a moment."
"You want me to just watch that situation?! Is is… Is is bleeding like that…"
Ariana snapped at the High Priest for the first time, but even as he accepted her anger, he didn't step aside.
"Just a little longer, please."
The High Priest seemed to have some idea in mind, and Ariana huffed, peering over his shoulder at the fight.
And then, that moment.
-Shiiiing…!
"…Huh?"
She witnessed a sword made of Holy Power being drawn from Is's chest.
"What…"
Ariana stared at him, entranced without realizing it, and High Priest Lib was the same.
By the time she came to her senses, Is was speaking to the Hero.
"Hero."
"It's not too late. Please, show us the true face of a Hero."
His compassionate figure, worrying for the Hero instead, stirred unknown emotions in Ariana, and at that instant, the Hero moved.
-Clang!
The Hero's sword clashed with Is's, but Is's blade couldn't hold and vanished.
"…As expected, maintaining the form is difficult."
Ariana immediately rushed forward at Is's serene words, as if he'd anticipated it.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
"I win."
"Haha, so it seems."
I'd expected it, but the Holy Power sword couldn't withstand even three of the Hero's strikes before dissipating.
And with blood still pouring from my side, my strength was fading.
Exhausted, I dropped to one knee and accepted defeat swiftly.
"In the end, I was right. See? The Goddess took my side."
The Hero raised his sword with a hardened expression.
"Still, you gave me a lot to think about. So, I'll just take one arm."
The Hero's sword descends toward my shoulder.
I squeeze my eyes shut against the coming pain.
"!! Ariana, what are you doing?!"
'What?'
I snap my eyes open at the Hero's shout.
Ariana had somehow gotten in front of me, arms spread wide.
The Hero's sword halted right before her nose.
"Saintess!"
I yanked the startled Ariana toward me, and the Hero, equally flustered, yelled at her.
"You almost died! If I'd been a fraction slower stopping the sword, you'd be in two pieces!"
This time, I agreed with the Hero completely and shouted at Ariana, who had ended up in my arms.
"Saintess! That was far too reckless! My duty is to protect your sacred body, not endanger it!"
At my rebuke, Ariana yelled back at me, as if she were the one who should be angry.
"Is! Is that what you say right now?! Why did you fight the Hero Ruin?! You almost lost your arm! And blood's still flowing from your side…"
"That was…"
Should I be honest?
Glancing at the Hero, whose expression looked complicated, I decided to just say it.
"I hoped the Hero would reform."
"What?!"
"You are humanity's hope. If I could fix your twisted mindset, I'd stake my life on it."
This was sincere.
If the Hero goes full Demon King route, we're all doomed anyway. Better to turn him human first, even if we die trying.
"Is…"
Ariana gazed at me with teary eyes, then gritted her teeth and turned away.
Looking up at the Hero, the words that next came from her mouth delivered quite the shock.
"…You're no Hero! How can someone called a Hero act like that! You trash! You… you demon! You're a demon!"
"De… mon?"
Deeply shaken, the Hero stood speechless, but Ariana's fury continued unabated.
"Is burned his own body to protect his cathedral's people from goblins during the Monster Wave! Unlike you, who easily dispatched monsters as the Hero! Even as a young boy, Is risked his life to save people!"
"You're no Hero! Is is more of a Hero than you! You, born with such power, wouldn't understand how amazing Is is! How he rises early every morning to train, living a life of restraint—you couldn't know!"
"You're not someone who could lie on a bed of thorns! You'd mock others for not leaping over alone! You're no Hero—just a thug with strong power!"
Huff… huff…
Having poured out everything bottled up inside, Ariana panted heavily.
I couldn't say a word at this new side of her.
"You…"
The Hero, too, struggled for words before turning and vanishing swiftly.
"Uh…"
Did it… work?
I worried the punk with his teenage mood swings might go completely off the rails from her words, but his expression before leaving was different—thoughtful, deep in contemplation.
Still, this probably wouldn't lead straight to his redemption.
It might even explode like a time bomb much later.
As my mind tangled over the Hero's unpredictable future, a warm sensation touched my side, drawing my gaze.
"Mother's warm touch… Mother's warm touch…"
It was Ariana casting healing on me.
Watching her heal, our eyes met as she turned her head.
Her face full of fear.
Ariana asked me cautiously.
"Is… did I do the right thing…?"
"Saintess…"
She looked so pitiful, like a child scared after swearing for the first time, that a smile crept onto my face unbidden.
"Haha, you did great. It even cleared the air for me. I owe you my thanks."
"Really…?"
After reassuring her terrified self, I brushed off the dust and stood.
As awkward High Priest Lib approached now that his healing role was gone, I signaled that I was fine.
'For now… this pretty much blocks the path between the Hero and Ariana, right?'
It already felt like her best happy ending was out of reach, but that's okay.
If I can just get the Hero to reform, everything will smooth out.
As long as Ariana doesn't fall for someone else before he reforms, seeing him repent and atone will raise her affection anyway.
'I hope your worries lead you down the positive path.'
That's the way for you, Ariana, and the world to find happiness.