"...... lily

It's been a while, Ferryd.

　When you see the brave lily descending into the first floor's hall, Ferrido muttered as he understood what had happened upstairs.

I'm sure that ...... came to interfere with that before I went upstairs to block Kyou and the others' path, but I'm not worried about that. Anyway, this wound will be tough to fight against Kyou and the others. Besides, it looks like the objective has been accomplished.

What do you mean by that?

"You know what I'm talking about. The vibration above and the light outside the window. Perhaps that is the awakening of the World Tree. Then we have served our purpose here.

You mean to say that your goal was the same as the emperor's?

　I'm sure you'll be able to see that the reason why Ferid, a heroic man, was helping the emperor is because the emperor's goal is to awaken the world tree and evolve the world, so it's only natural that he would help him.
　That's what Lily thought.

No, my goal is not as noble as yours or the emperor's: ....... I'm far less brave and weak than anyone else.

"?　You're a weird one. Of the seven great heroes of today, no one is in more correct form than you.

　You will be able to find a lot more than just a few of these things.
　It is safe to say that among the current seven great heroes, FERRID is the one who has made the most contribution to the world.
　The reason being that he is the only one to defeat an SS-ranked demon alone, and as a result he is one of the seven great heroes.
　There is no one else who best embodies the heroic system, and thus the world's prescribed evolution to grow by defeating SS-ranked demons.

...... over-hyped it. I didn't become a hero because I wanted to. And I didn't defeat the SS-ranked demons ...... willingly.

　There was a feeling of regret in the air as she said, "I'm glad to see that you've regained your memory completely and are back with Kyou and the others.

I'm glad to see that you've fully recovered your memory and are back with Kyou and the others.

"Did you notice ......?　To the identity of me?

　Since I was fighting with Felid on that battlefield, the two of us hadn't had a chance to talk to each other like this.
　But still, judging from FERRID's demeanor, he seemed to be aware of his true identity.

Now I'm sure of it. It felt only vaguely familiar on that battlefield.

　I'm sure you'll be able to find out more about this.
　It's a good idea to be able to have a look at the same signs of your own identity, Lily thought.

I'm sure you'll be happy to know that the entirety of the relationship between you and Keogh is a good one. ...... I wish I could have bonded with you as well. And how much I regretted it. ......

"Felid, you can go to ......

　I'm sure you'll be able to see the regret and sadness in Felid's face as she muttered to herself.

...... Don't worry about it, my role here is over. It's a good thing that you're not a fan of this kind of thing, because that's what growth is for the world, and that's exactly what they showed me when I fought them.

　With that said, Felid pointed to the place where Jack and the other demons were lying on the floor.
　I'm sure you'll be able to find out what's going on.

They're all alive. I was especially taken with that guy, the pumpkin-headed gentleman: ....... In a way, I applaud him for being the shadowy contributor to this one.

　Then smiling and holding his wounded arm, FERRID left the hall and headed towards the entrance of the castle.

My work here is done. If we have the chance to meet again sometime, I want to join you this time. Yeah, tell Kyou.

　After saying this, she watched quietly as FERRID walked away from the scene.






I would like to ask you a question, Rostam.

　You're not going to be able to find out if you're going to be able to get a job.

You have to remember what you said to each other when you first met me?

...... of course. At your birthday party, I made a sarcastic challenge to you, which you responded to with an exclamation point and a howl about proving your worth. I told you that if you were worthy of that, I would be there for you.

"I see. ......

　At Rostam's answer, however, Phytis meditates on it as if convinced of something, and eventually declares unequivocally: "That's the proof that you are not Rostam.

"That's what makes you not Rostam.

What ......?

　Phytis confronted Rostam with the truth.

It wasn't you who said those words and provoked me. It was your brother Sacherk.

"--!

　Rostam was astonished for the first time at this fact and looked at his brother Sachaque, who was also kneeling next to him, nodding.

You were standing next to your brother Sachaque at that time. I was supposed to be engaged to you at that time, but you, my brother, took my place as my brother and priced me out. When you said you would receive me then, you meant to receive me as your brother's fiancée. When you and I formally exchanged words when it was decided that you would take the succession of the empire from Sachaque and become emperor, you told me the same thing, and I thought that neither of us would be any different, but, at any rate, the real Rostam would not have made a mistake in that.

　Rostam remained puzzled by Phytis's statement, but there was some nodding, or perhaps a silence as if to affirm it.

...... Sacherk. It's a good idea to have a good time with your friends.　Who is this Rostam, and where is the real Rostam?

"...... it is ......

　At Phytis's question, Sachaque hesitated, but then a third person's voice appeared, "The real one is already dead.

The real one is dead. Isn't it?　Sacherk, one of the Seven Heroes

　When I turned around, I saw the person I knew very well.

Mom!　And Dad!



　The two people who were the first to break into this imperial castle in this case and have not been heard from since.
　Well, I knew you two were safe, but to show up at this time.

...... My compatriots and I followed the scent of my compatriots and followed a passage worthy of the basement of this castle to a secret compartment at the end of it. And there we found something.

　Then your mother's words brought a further shock to the place.

It was a coffin. It was a fine thing to hold a king and a nobleman. Perhaps inside is the real Rostam. Isn't that right, Sachaque?

"...... Yeah, that's right: ......

　In response to Mom's point, Zachary frankly admits it.
　You will be able to get a good deal more information about the real heroes.
　If so, what is this imperial hero here ......?

"I was wondering. How did the human take an SS-rank behemoth like me? Moreover, it is not easy to create a place that can confine an SS-ranked monster. But if you think about it this way, it makes sense.

　Say it, she tells you.

"From the beginning, Behemoth 'came to this empire of his own volition. And with the humanization ability of an SS-ranked demon, he transformed his form into the form of a person, so--

　And she pointed to that person - Rostam the Magnificent, who was now kneeling before us.

"Rostam the Emperor. Your real identity is the SS-ranked behemoth. The scent of the SS-rank behemoth that existed in this castle, it came from you.

　Everyone could only gulp in silence.
　Originally, one of my mother's objectives was to get back our own compatriot, the SS-ranked demon Behemoth.
　But the behemoth of that goal is the imperial hero in front of you, and the behemoth has been acting as the imperial hero.
　I was no longer able to wrap my head around what was going on.

...... talk so ......

　But then Sachaque spoke out as if to confess everything.

When Rostam was chosen as the new great hero, he was the seventh great hero, then the fourth great hero, ...... and when I was chosen, I realized the feelings I had for him. The sins of the "......" have begun.