The young lady says that the demon looks like a human being, she's probably delirious because she had a hard time. So I decided to give her the chance to check them out.

　However, there are no demons. It's a very good idea to be able to have a good idea of what you're looking for.

''Yukikaze, where are the demons?　Where the hell are all the cocksuckers?
"My Lord, we were originally chasing bandits. We are not demons.

　Yeah?　What?　Ohhhh....
　Yes it was.
　It wasn't a demon I was after, it was a bandit.

　I was the one who was deranged. How long have I been under the illusion?　My memory is so fuzzy I can't remember. I remember trying to kill someone who had surrendered. I was consumed by madness, consumed by power, hungry for blood, lost to myself... I was the demon beast.

　And the young lady, knowing the pain, brought me back to my senses.

I came to my senses. Thank you for saving my life, young lady.

　I was one step away from not being a man, and I was saved.

　But it's still a step just before you can get it back, and you killed more than you should have. He also made Yukikaze cry and gave her a hard time. The injured young lady even pushed herself to endure unnecessary pain by pushing herself to save me.

　I will do my best to repay this favor.
　But I'm going to ask you to wait a little while.
　Our first priority now is to treat the surviving residents.

　I'm going to find the lady's finger, clean it clean, and then try to reattach it with potions and anticoagulants. We don't know how far the cells are necrotic, but the world's potions will replace the dead cells and they will be assimilated and absorbed in the end.

　According to Windowflower, it's like a nano-machine. It replaces the cells around the damaged area by reading what role it plays. So even if a part of a limb is cut off, there's a chance it can be reattached before the part is completely destroyed.

　But it's not a panacea. If the severed surface of the amputation is badly damaged, it will only seal the wound and not connect it. It can't even replace blood, and it needs a lot of nutrients to assimilate. So you can't save her if she's bleeding heavily or if she's weak.

　Luckily, your daughter's finger managed to do so. We can't be relieved until assimilation, but until then, we'll hold her in place with a braces and a cast bandage, and later administer hematopoietic agents as well. The God-supplied earth drug is something that's been validated in this world.

　The magic potion and first aid kit had treated many of the breathing inhabitants. But with the capacity of the kits, no blood transfusions or saline, there was nothing to be done for some.

　The last of the frightened bandits were tied up with a bandage.
　Back to your daughter.

'I'm sorry about this. I missed the fleeing bandit. The bandits can surrender, but I will arrange for them to cross over to the crime slaves and settlements. Next, I have 20 gold coins in my possession. However, I have a mission to perform, and any more will be discussed at a later time when I come to you...

　How many residents were killed?
　How many unsuspecting bandits have I killed?

　Even though I hadn't heard a response yet, I was distracted and couldn't stop crying. I still manage to maintain only my expression and voice sounds. My goggles are soaked with tears and I take them off.

'You don't have to do that to the inhabitants of the Spotted Forest. This is a stateless zone, you know?　Are you really coming to your senses?

　I asked for permission to do it later, and your daughter said she didn't need it.

　Certainly there is no state or law. There are no courts of law to determine punishment and no security apparatus to enforce it. So there is no crime and no need for atonement?

　It can't be that way, it can't be that irresponsible. Even if you don't have to worry about being punished, even if no one accuses you of it, the guilt is definitely there.　

'It's necessary?　This catastrophe in the village was caused by me. So I deserve to make amends, and I can't be so irresponsible as to leave it alone because I have no obligation to do so.

　I'm asking you, as a person, to let me make amends.

'Atonement?　It was the bandits who attacked your village, you just killed them. Did you miss the bandit's tracks?　Didn't make it?　I didn't ask you to protect me. And if we see any bandits, we don't report them, do we?　I'll run away without a word. Is that a sin?

　There is no such crime. They have no ownership of the Spotted Forest, but a land that no nation anywhere has relinquished ownership of and no one even wants to reign over. And yet, a report?　No municipality is larger than a village, so where do we turn?　The only way is for self-defense to escape.

'I am innocent of any crime, please be assured of that. All countries have relinquished their territorial rights to the Mottled Forest, and you have no nationality and are not under anyone's control. It is only natural, then, that you should protect yourselves by your own judgment.

But you went to help people who didn't need it, and you killed hundreds of bandits by pushing your mind and body to the limit. I understand the demand for a reward, but atonement is meaningless.

　How stubborn you are!
　I'm the reason why the village was looted, humiliated and killed.
　Please let me make it up to you!

'Young lady, I am Ryota. I was assigned by the Alp to investigate and interfere with the bandits, and as a result, the bandits disintegrated and the remnants escaped, and I was in charge of confirming that, but I missed wandering in here. How can I say that it was not my fault?

'I am Bagheera. We've been informed of the bandits. But we were overconfident in the forest and did nothing to prevent it. And even without you, the bandits will be defeated sooner or later. In that case, even if the remnants come, the army will not come to your aid. Do you have any objections?

　Arakune, who left behind a legend that challenged the god Athena to a match, is too strong-minded, perhaps because his blood is so thick!　Why won't you let me make it up to you?　It will help rebuild the village!　

With all due respect, sir, the chief's judgment comes first. Would you be so kind as to call me?
They were all killed in the attack. By law, my grandson, I am the acting chief.

　Mr. Bagheera is the temporary head?
　I took her family from her....

　It could be that you don't want to forgive. But no forgiveness, just compensation for assets and money, maybe they'll accept it.

'Excuse me, chief, Mr. Bagheera. Well my sins will remain untouched. But the compensation from the Alp Guard State. Will you accept this, please?

'You know the law of this forest, don't you, Ryota-san?　Everything I do is at my own risk, I only owe you for saving me. More importantly, I want to repay you, Ryota-san. But you insist on atoning for your sins. And finally, you lied about the government's compensation!　We're not beggars!

　Misplaced!
　The people of Earth would look for a guarantee for anything.
　But the people living in the Mottled Forest were not like that.

　The inhabitants of the forest of patches came here to maintain their dignity as human beings. They do everything at their own risk. So they would never make demands. They protect it by themselves, take it back by themselves, and if they can't, they give up because they are not good enough.

　And there is no way that the state will compensate them for that. This is a buffer zone, a land in which no nation should intervene. The Spotted Forest is a deterrent along with the Pillay Mountains that stopped the newborn Ares Imperial War of Independence on a small scale. Unless it was a major war, there was no way to compensate for it except by lying.

　Moreover, her scales were tilted towards returning the favor. To someone with that kind of perception, my proposal seems to be nothing more than a charity from above.

　Furthermore, she even lied and pushed for a lie.
　........I'm stuck.
　I finally get down on my knees. I can no longer maintain facial expressions or vocal sounds.

''You're at the limit of your body and mind already, it's more painful for me to watch. The truth is, I wanted to make Ryota-san understand me and become close to me while returning the favor. But it's a dream that can't come true I'll make it easier for you now. Chief, Bagheera!　I forgive you for being innocent!

　Am I allowed to...
　Look out!
　I'm not asking for forgiveness!

　I'm the one who needs to make amends. You can't make amends if you forgive me first. I refuse to forgive and then we can talk about it from the ground up. And we will hammer away at each other until we understand each other.

　But we'll be crossing the line first. You will collapse, though empty, as your strength to stand on your knees is exhausted. That's when Yukikaze appears in human form and holds me back before I hit my head on the ground.

　Ever since then, warm drops of water fall on my face.

I'm not going to be able to get away with it. I want you to believe that I truly believe that. It is my weakness that has been consumed by the madness, yet you called out to me, but I'm sorry for swearing and giving Yukikaze a hard time. .....

　They say that after this, I lost consciousness.


When I came to, I found myself on the bed.

'Huh?　Is this a hospital?　Was that world a dream...?

You idiot!　I can't be dreaming!　You were rushed to the emergency room in a state of mental and physical peril!　You can imagine how worried I was.　

　Lady Amaterasu is crying....
　I guess God cries too.

"....Yukikaze ...carried him to the motorcycle ...fired a signal round ...retrieved the window flower ...dedicated the window flower with Ryota ...arrived in Japan ...quickly diagnosed ...his body was in a dangerous condition ...his brain nerves were severely weakened ...the treatment ...was extremely difficult ...and ...

　Kanayako-sama is crying too.............enough for both of us to cry. Maybe I've failed. And in great inconvenience to me.　

I'm afraid I've failed in my investigative mission, haven't I?

　The moment I said these words, I was struck by Lady Explorationist. Kanayako-sama is desperately trying to stop Searching Woman-sama. Hearing the angry voice of Search Lady, it seems it wasn't a failure.

　On the contrary, the two pillar goddesses appealed to Takatengaru, saying [Ryota has pushed himself too hard and worked well, so he needs to rest]. However, Omoikane-sama decided to treat him as soon as possible with divine medicine and make him return to work as soon as possible.

　The reason is for me........

　In fact, when I went down, I was halfway through everything. I'm too worried about what's going on. And I'm also too worried about how my friends are doing.

　In addition, I'll drop into orbit at the next shake, and that's how I'll be reassigned to Ares.

　In the meantime, Tensoujo-sama has been working on my character correction and mental pollution treatment. Kanayako-gami is the calculation task of creating additional equipment and packing supplies to the limit.

　In other words, the next main supplies will be my own. Until then, I'll have to endure the Goddess's sermons, apparently. I'm going to respond to the goddesses' concern for me as much as I can.

　But I still want to return soon.
　There are too many cases that I've neglected in Ares.
　Besides, I also want to meet with you guys soon.


The new Ares, an imperial place.

"After all that support, these mercenaries are going to get wiped out without any success?　You bastard!　On top of that, the relationship between the Alp and Berta grew deeper, and even Aigis made a treaty with Berta. Quite the opposite of what we thought!

'More importantly, Your Majesty. You are right to be angry, Your Majesty, but they have failed to prevent the importation of salt from the Alps, and Aegis has switched to rock salt. A secret envoy from Olin demands that we buy salt as a punishment for the failure of our plan. We're the salt sellers ourselves, but...

I don't know!　You're on your own!

Aka "Somehow, the Emperor", it makes sense after you experience it....