"The world, growing?

　You can't help but listen to the words the emperor said.
　Then the emperor stood up and slowly pointed to the bag I was holding.

"Open it and take a look. I invite you to open it and see the seeds of the tree of life, the seeds of the world tree, which you probably carry with you.

　Just as the emperor said, I took out Amanes and the two seeds I received from my mother from the bag.
　Then the light from the luggage just now seemed to emanate from the seeds in this bag, and even now the two seeds were still shining in my hand.
　And that wasn't the only change.

Is this ...... sprouting?

　So a crack ran through the center of the two seeds and a huge sprout was coming out of it.

You saw a light outside the window. Perhaps it was the light from the direction of your city, the light from the germination of the seed of the World Tree that you planted in the first place.

　The emperor's words rang a bell with me.
　It's true that before I set out in search of the seeds of the World Tree, I planted the seeds in a high place some distance from the city.
　Since then, I've returned to the city and occasionally checked the spot, but unlike any other monster I've ever seen, the seed of the World Tree never seemed to germinate.
　Can't I grow this thing like my dad did?　I was also anxious about the timing of germination, but I didn't think it was the right time?　But why on earth?

This is how the World Tree is supposed to sprout. Hence, that is the way this world works.

"Mechanism?　What does that mean?

　The emperor's narrative was so vague that I couldn't help but demand an answer.
　In response, the emperor gave a clear and unequivocal answer.

In other words, the growth of a person (level up) is what will lead to the growth of this world.

　The moment I heard the answer, it seemed to me that all the questions in this world so far were cleared up.
　The world. Growth. People. The world tree. brave men. demon. The brave system. Demon king. SS ranks. Role.
　In short--

"My growth affected the seeds of the World Tree I was growing and caused them to germinate. Is that what you're saying?

That's right.

　In response to my answer, the emperor nodded with a satisfied smile.

"Didn't he tell you that when you first met the goddess?　'I want you to continue with the creation of this world,'

　I remember saying something like that.

It meant exactly what it said. This world as it is now is not yet complete, it's still in the making.

"Huh?

　During the creation of the world?
　No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no.
　I was taken aback by the outrageous statement, but the emperor explained to me in detail.

This world is completed by human development. This world created by the goddess is only a foundation. It is the task of its inhabitants to evolve it into a perfect form. And you have a general idea of what human development means for the world to grow, don't you?

　That being said, if you think about the institutions and the role of demons in this world so far, the answer is obvious.

Physical or mental growth. That's why slaying demons was taken up as an essential part of life in this world. Just as man's defeat of the demons encourages growth. So that's the role of a demon, isn't it?

That's right.

　The emperor nodded at my answer.

"This world was born to raise man and the world to a higher realm, so to speak. This world was created to elevate man and the world to a higher realm. And you are right that man's growth is both physical and mental. You grow physically (level up) by defeating demons. By taking an active part in various fields such as cooking and culinary arts and thereby promoting the culture itself, it is all about spiritual growth (leveling up). And if you've said this far, you understand what the heroic system was created for?

...... created the hero system to encourage such people's growth. It's a very good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for. From what Lily said, perhaps an SS-ranked demon is worthy of that.

"Great, that's right.

　I'm sure the emperor will give you the credit for my answer.
　I don't care what he says, but his condescending attitude really hurts me.

And when a person reaches a certain point in their growth, all ten seeds of the tree of life will sprout on this earth and become a new world tree. At that time, the growth of this world will be complete and the world will be a new and evolved world.

　I see.
　So that's what it means to be in the middle of the creation of the world.

By the way, what kind of change will occur in that world?

"I wouldn't know that either. All that will have to wait until after we've grown up. But at least those who have contributed to the evolution of the world will be given the evolution they deserve.



"I mean?

The so-called evolution of man to God. One of them is that we, the Seven Heroes, have received a kind of creation skill that only God can possess.

　Evolution from man to God?
　The scale is getting bigger again.

As you may have been told by the goddess, the creation skill, the ability to create something out of nothing, or to recreate something anew, is a skill worthy of the divine realm. Possessing it means that the person has reached the realm of the divine, or is qualified to do so. And when the growth of this world is complete, a person who possesses those creation skills should also be able to evolve into a god. In other words, the growth of this world can be thought of as a test (quest) for the birth of new heavens and gods.

　Heh, that's kind of a crazy story.
　Wait a minute!
　I was told by the goddess before that I have this creation skill.
　I'm actually helping the seed of the world tree to sprout and take the first step towards the big tree.

Well, does that mean that ...... I can be a god too?

Of course, you are the leader. When the world's evolution is complete, you will certainly be able to evolve (level up) from a man to a god if you wish.

　Well, well, well, seriously?
　Wait, wait!　My brain can't keep up with the super expansion!
　F-- --------！！！！

　Wait a minute .
　Breathe.
　Let's take a breath.
　So-ha-ha-ha.
　Okay, calm down.

　Now let's go over it again from the top.
　Right now, this world is a work in progress.
　To complete the world's evolution, its inhabitants must grow.
　In order for humans to grow, roles such as demons and demon kings existed.
　And if a person's growth progressed to a certain point, the seeds that existed in the tree of life would become the world tree in this world.
　If all ten trees become great trees in this world, the growth of the world will be complete.

　Okay, I understand.
　I understand.
　Hey, but wait a minute.

Then why didn't I just get to be here?

　As far as the story goes, it appears that the roles of the hero system, demons and demon kings to grow the world existed and functioned.
　But the emperor shook his head quietly at that.

You don't know, but few people in this world actually make such contributions to the world. It is true that the heroic system has accelerated man's growth. But that growth, too, has been stagnant in a sense, because they seek wealth and power. Because many of them used the heroic system to seek wealth and power.

　I see.
　Indeed, Phytis told me when I first came to this empire.
　That there had been a switch from the old aristocracy to the heroic system and that there had been many reforms.
　But it was, shall we say, just a switch in the system.
　When you think about it, it's only natural that those who gained a certain status and wealth would stop growing there.

The growth of this world was stagnant even before the heroic system was created. There were few people struggling to grow up on their own, stirred by the aristocracy. They tried to reform it by spreading the heroic system and by various means, such as skirmishes with other countries, they tried to promote human growth, but they had only a minor effect.

　So that's it.
　This guy dared to call himself the emperor to be hated by the other camps because he wanted to play the role of a demon king as well?
　You can call yourself a tyrant to inspire a hero who should be defeated.

But then you appeared. The only person in this world who can grow the World Tree alone.

　After hearing that much, I could see the whole picture of the emperor's plan.

In other words, by encouraging my growth, the seed of the World Tree will germinate, and the world will grow faster at once.

You will.

　I see.
　A very circuitous thing to do.
　So that's why he's been playing the heel.
　It's annoying that he used me from start to finish, but part of my purpose was achieved thanks to him.
　But there were some things that didn't make sense.

But is this okay?　If you listen to the story, the inhabitants of this world should grow and sprout the world tree by themselves. But if a third party like me cheats to make it grow, then even if the world evolves, won't people be able to evolve in time?

That's true. But it doesn't matter how the world evolved at this time. As I said, in this grown-up world, each human being inhabiting it is a candidate for god. Some will complete their own growth and evolve into gods, or they will be free to live in that world as men. First and foremost is to complete the creation of this world now. For that is our first priority.

　The moment he muttered that, there was an unprecedentedly impatient and frightened expression on the emperor's face.
　Was that self-righteous and unprincipled emperor mistaken?
　I looked at his face again, but his usual expression was already back on his face.

After all, when it comes to the world's evolution, it's better to be fast. You and your friends who are responsible for this will certainly be able to evolve into gods in that world. As I said before, it wouldn't be a bad thing for you either.

　No, no, no!　It's all happening so fast, I can't even catch it yet!

This is the truth I'm going to tell you. And now that my role is over, you can do what you want with the rest of us. Oh, and don't worry about the brainwashing. It won't last long, and the brainwashing of everyone you know will have all worn off by now. I made sure that you will understand the situation as soon as your memory returns, but that does not excuse what I did to you.



　Then quietly the emperor kneels before me and hangs his head down to present it to me.

"Now, do with it what you will.

　No, no, no, no, no, no.
　I may look like this, but I'm an ordinary earthling.
　I'm just a regular citizen with normal morals and manners.
　Murderer?　What is this guy talking about?　Of course it's a no!

"First I told you. I said if you won, I'd be at liberty to do with myself as I pleased. Despite appearances, we keep our end of the bargain.

　I've been told that, but...
　Just as I was thinking that, my sister was smiling and clapping her fists behind me.

So, for now, be prepared to be sentenced to half-death.

　I'm scared . My sister is scared.
　However, the moment I was about to call out to Helu to stop her, she said, "Wait for .

...... wait ......

　I heard a strange man's voice from behind me.
　I looked and saw a tall man dressed in black, Fitis, and Ys.

"Ys!　Fitis!　You're both safe!

"......, yes!　We were able to safely rescue Ms. Fitis, ......!

"Kyou-sama. I'm sorry for the inconvenience!

　As soon as they saw them, they called out to each other, and in response, they both jumped out and ran towards me at the same time.
　By the way, Phytis hugged my chest as she did so, and Ys saw her face turn red, and Helle, as usual, said, "Aaaaah! And shouting .

"Brother ......

...... Rostam. Enough, it's all my fault from here on out: ...... In a way, you're also a victim, so you don't have to carry that ...... anymore.

　When I looked, I saw that the tall man from earlier ran to the kneeling hero and said something to him.
　As soon as the tall man turns to me, he kneels as well as the next person and asks for my forgiveness.

...... cultivation hero Kyou. This is all about me, I'm the culprit behind this whole thing. ...... If you want to take revenge for Rostam's tyrannical behavior, then I'm the one who did it. ...... If you want to take revenge, please do it against me. ...... This imperial hero was just being used by me .......

　The man calling himself Sachaq's confession baffles me again.
　What the hell does this mean?
　As I was puzzled, next to me, Phytis assured me as if she was convinced.

I'm not going to be able to get the same thing done.

What?

　I'm not sure what I meant by that, but the next words completely stopped me in my tracks.

I'm sure you're not the one who manipulated his memory and made him play the role of the Imperial Majesty, right?　The real brave Sacherk with the ability to create a manipulative system