How could it be like this........
　Seeing the power of the [Fruit of Life] that was unleashed, I roll my tongue inwardly.

It's not that I was underestimating the [Fruit of Life].
　I had assumed the maximum evaluation, one more than that.
　And yet, it has surpassed even that.

The [Fruit of Life] isn't just a crystal of power.
　Over ten thousand souls weren't fed and fed on, they were reborn as a single fruit.

In fact, it's not just a crystal of power. It beats and is alive.
　That's what makes it fundamentally different from a foul stone. The foul stone I use is just a battery of magic power.
　But this guy is a generator that keeps generating magic power.
　There are many things that can build up magic power, but only life can create magic power.

A demon king born after eating a number of such things, just imagining it gives me chills. After all, this single 【Life Fruit】 could even rival the power of the brave Epona.
　If an existence that is created from multiple [Fruit of Life] and demonkind is called a demon king, then it's bound to be invincible.
　What's even more troubling is the fact that I can't stop salivating from a moment ago.
　The same craving that I had the first time I saw this guy is raging inside my chest.

'I want to eat it. It looks so good.''

I've never been this hungry before.
　I once fasted for two weeks in training. Even then, I had never felt this level of hunger.

My instincts are screaming at me to eat this thing.
　A temptation that is too sweet.
　If I don't take a bite of it right now, I'm going to lose my mind.

I put the brakes on it with reason.
　There's no way I can accept such enormous power.
　Above all, the quality of it is very dangerous.
　If it's just a mere mass of pure power, it could be able to adapt with [Super Recovery] and [Breaking the Growth Limit].
　I wouldn't eat it in one bite, I would bite into it bit by bit, and adapt while healing my broken body. I can do that.

However, this power is alive.
　The wills and emotions of more than 10,000 people are forcibly bundled and mixed into something that is ridiculously different and overwhelming.
　If I accept such wills and emotions, along with my power, my body may be safe, but the personality of Lug Touahade will be erased and I will cease to be me.
　It is nothing more than a puppet of the [Fruit of Life] in the form of Lug Touahade.

''Utterly, the forbidden fruit itself.''

I laugh bitterly.
　If I say it, I will definitely become stronger. That's what makes me even more of a monster than a brave man. Instead, I lose everything but my strength.

Sometimes it's important to follow your instincts.
　But not here.
　Use your instincts to reason, and resist the temptation of the devil.
　Calmness is the assassin's greatest weapon.

"Now, let's see what you are.

I rode through all my emotions and instincts and began to analyze the raging crystals of life.
　There must be a hidden truth that I don't know where this guy has grasped something.

◇

Five hours later, I managed to return to the mansion.

''Kya, Master Roug, what in the world happened!

Tart screamed and dropped the plate he was holding.

'I just pushed myself a little too hard. I'm fine, it's like this, but it's not much of a wound. I gave you first aid, and my [Super Recovery] will recover in three days.

The way I'm dressed now is miserable.
　My clothes are shredded and bloody, and I have a large laceration on my chest.
　In addition, my left hand is badly burned, my right arm is broken, and my ribs and left leg are cracked.
　It's been a long time since I've been broken this badly.
　Moreover, the magical power with the [Fruit of Life] will clinging to his body inhibited his [Super Recovery] and his recovery was slow.
　It's at least a relief that I was able to prevent damage that would leave an after-effect.

''Um, shall I call Kian-sama?
Yeah, please. I'll be waiting in my room.

My dad is the best doctor in the country.
　If I'm missing something in my self-check, he'll see it.

Well, do it now.

The tart rushes to my father's study.
　I walk, leaning against the wall.

'Well you've got one hell of a bomb on your hands.

My body is tattered and my magic power is empty.
　But the corners of my mouth are hanging high.
　It's because I've achieved something worthy of this wound.
　Although there was a bit of trouble, I was able to analyze the [Fruit of Life].

I'm one more thing stronger.
　And I realized the rules that the goddesses, demons, and churches had been hiding from me.
　That's much bigger than the fact that I've become stronger.
　Until now, I found a choice that the goddesses and demons had been hiding from me. If I chose to do so, I could achieve an end that neither the goddess nor the demon player wanted.
　I'll take the hidden option.
　If I continue to follow their rules and follow their lead, my happiness will be ruined.
　Oh, that's right.
　I finally understand.
　The reason why Epona the Brave is going to be destroyed in the future.

◇

I woke up.
　His body was cleansed and his clothes were in loose nightclothes.
　Bandages were wrapped everywhere.
　I don't know how he did it, but the magic that clung to me and prevented me from recovering has been removed.
　That's my dad. You've done a perfect job of healing.

"Oh, Master Lug is awake!
I was so worried about you.

Tart and Dia hold my hand and call out to me.

''Well I've been out of it.
'I was surprised. I went to your room with Master Kian and found him lying in front of your bed, not even twitching.
For a second there, I thought you were dead.

It was faint, but I remember it.
　Around the time I walked into the room, the tense strings broke and the strength drained from my entire body.

'I'm sorry. I was reckless this time.'
If you're going to be so reckless, take me with you!
Yes, it's my job to protect Master Lugue!
It's too dangerous. One wrong move and I'm dead. I can't take you to a place like that. If I had taken you guys, I would have made sure that you were involved and wounded. ........this is not even close to the extent of the damage.

To be clear, the [Fruit of Life] was definitely beyond my grasp, it was such a powerful force.

''That's why. We've become strong, too. We're not just being protected by rogues forever.''
Yes. I've been honing in on the power Master Rouges has given me every day, properly honing it.

After giving [Super Recovery] and [Growth Limit Breakthrough] with the power of [Knights Following Me] and the others, the two of them have continued to train to increase their physical and magical ability and amount of magic power in addition to the training they have been doing.
　The results began to come out, and they were at the highest level as humans in terms of basic specs.

Besides, looking back on my battles with the demon race so far, I can see it.
　There wasn't a single battle that I could win on my own. It was the two of us that won it.
　They are no longer the ones I need to protect.
　You should have known that this was going to happen.

Well, let's get this over with.

So I've decided to be honest.
　I'll admit that they're on their own.

Good to be honest. Well, I'll go back to my room. You're going to rest for the day.
Yeah, I'm tired, all right.

Thanks to the [Super Recovery], my strength and magic power are recovering a lot.
　However, my body is heavy as lead and my head can't turn properly.

''Um, can I have a meal?　Master Kian was allowed to eat.
I'll have some. Something light. Maybe something with noodles.
Okay, I'll go make some more.

They are about to leave the room.
　I call out to them.

'Hey, am I me?'
'Don't ask me crazy questions. A rogue is a rogue.
Um, is there something wrong with you?
'No, it's nothing. I'm sorry to hear the weirdest thing you've ever heard.

I'm going to lie down again.
Analyzing the [Fruit of Life]. There was an accident.
　In the first place, I had the intention of examining that thing, but I had no intention of gaining any power.
　It's because it's too dangerous.
　However, I too disregarded the fact that the [Fruit of Life] is alive and has a will.
　As long as it's alive and has a will, the [Fruit of Life] moves for a purpose.
　It was for that reason that it tempted me and tried to feed itself to me.

I suppressed it with reason and felt relieved.
　However, the [Fruit of Life] took the next step. Instead of tempting me and waiting for me to be eaten, it tried to eat me and take me in.

Connected to that one, my personality was crushed by the aggregation of more than ten thousand consciousnesses, and I was driven to the point where I was on the verge of becoming a puppet that would fulfill the purpose of [Fruit of Life].
　Just in the nick of time, using the insurance I had prepared, I was able to protect my personality as me and even put a lid on the connection.
　The reason I was able to get a lot of information is because when the [Fruit of Life] took control of me, it flowed in for whatever purpose I wanted it to do.
　But in return, I'm still connected to that thing.
　Yes, I could put a lid on the connection, but I couldn't break the connection.

... totally, what is going on?

I held out my hand, and an enormous amount of magic power flowed out of it.
　That's several times as much as my instantaneous magic power release.
　The source of that power is the [Fruit of Life] that I sealed in Touahade's territory by a certain means. Because we're connected, we can perform this kind of trick regardless of the distance.
　Just by loosening the lid a bit, this is it. If I put all my strength into it, I can produce several times more.

But I don't intend to use it on a rare occasion.
　This power is a double-edged sword.
　This power is a double-edged sword, and if it's done poorly, it's so dangerous that when I notice it, I won't be me anymore.
　However, it is also a powerful power.
　If you choose to outsmart both the goddess and the demon race, there will come a time when you will need this power.
　We have to think of a way to get along with it.
　Even if it's a trap for the [Fruit of Life].

How could it be like this........
　Seeing the power of the [Fruit of Life] that was unleashed, I roll my tongue inwardly.

It's not that I was underestimating the [Fruit of Life].
　I had assumed the maximum evaluation, one more than that.
　And yet, it has surpassed even that.

The [Fruit of Life] isn't just a crystal of power.
　Over ten thousand souls weren't fed and fed on, they were reborn as a single fruit.

In fact, it's not just a crystal of power. It beats and is alive.
　That's what makes it fundamentally different from a foul stone. The foul stone I use is just a battery of magic power.
　But this guy is a generator that keeps generating magic power.
　There are many things that can build up magic power, but only life can create magic power.

A demon king born after eating a number of such things, just imagining it gives me chills. After all, this single 【Life Fruit】 could even rival the power of the brave Epona.
　If an existence that is created from multiple [Fruit of Life] and demonkind is called a demon king, then it's bound to be invincible.
　What's even more troubling is the fact that I can't stop salivating from a moment ago.
　The same craving that I had the first time I saw this guy is raging inside my chest.

'I want to eat it. It looks so good.''

I've never been this hungry before.
　I once fasted for two weeks in training. Even then, I had never felt this level of hunger.

My instincts are screaming at me to eat this thing.
　A temptation that is too sweet.
　If I don't take a bite of it right now, I'm going to lose my mind.

I put the brakes on it with reason.
　There's no way I can accept such enormous power.
　Above all, the quality of it is very dangerous.
　If it's just a mere mass of pure power, it could be able to adapt with [Super Recovery] and [Breaking the Growth Limit].
　I wouldn't eat it in one bite, I would bite into it bit by bit, and adapt while healing my broken body. I can do that.

However, this power is alive.
　The wills and emotions of more than 10,000 people are forcibly bundled and mixed into something that is ridiculously different and overwhelming.
　If I accept such wills and emotions, along with my power, my body may be safe, but the personality of Lug Touahade will be erased and I will cease to be me.
　It is nothing more than a puppet of the [Fruit of Life] in the form of Lug Touahade.

''Utterly, the forbidden fruit itself.''

I laugh bitterly.
　If I say it, I will definitely become stronger. That's what makes me even more of a monster than a brave man. Instead, I lose everything but my strength.

Sometimes it's important to follow your instincts.
　But not here.
　Use your instincts to reason, and resist the temptation of the devil.
　Calmness is the assassin's greatest weapon.

"Now, let's see what you are.

I rode through all my emotions and instincts and began to analyze the raging crystals of life.
　There must be a hidden truth that I don't know where this guy has grasped something.

◇

Five hours later, I managed to return to the mansion.

''Kya, Master Roug, what in the world happened!

Tart screamed and dropped the plate he was holding.

'I just pushed myself a little too hard. I'm fine, it's like this, but it's not much of a wound. I gave you first aid, and my [Super Recovery] will recover in three days.

The way I'm dressed now is miserable.
　My clothes are shredded and bloody, and I have a large laceration on my chest.
　In addition, my left hand is badly burned, my right arm is broken, and my ribs and left leg are cracked.
　It's been a long time since I've been broken this badly.
　Moreover, the magical power with the [Fruit of Life] will clinging to his body inhibited his [Super Recovery] and his recovery was slow.
　It's at least a relief that I was able to prevent damage that would leave an after-effect.

''Um, shall I call Kian-sama?
Yeah, please. I'll be waiting in my room.

My dad is the best doctor in the country.
　If I'm missing something in my self-check, he'll see it.

Well, do it now.

The tart rushes to my father's study.
　I walk, leaning against the wall.

'Well you've got one hell of a bomb on your hands.

My body is tattered and my magic power is empty.
　But the corners of my mouth are hanging high.
　It's because I've achieved something worthy of this wound.
　Although there was a bit of trouble, I was able to analyze the [Fruit of Life].

I'm one more thing stronger.
　And I realized the rules that the goddesses, demons, and churches had been hiding from me.
　That's much bigger than the fact that I've become stronger.
　Until now, I found a choice that the goddesses and demons had been hiding from me. If I chose to do so, I could achieve an end that neither the goddess nor the demon player wanted.
　I'll take the hidden option.
　If I continue to follow their rules and follow their lead, my happiness will be ruined.
　Oh, that's right.
　I finally understand.
　The reason why Epona the Brave is going to be destroyed in the future.

◇

I woke up.
　His body was cleansed and his clothes were in loose nightclothes.
　Bandages were wrapped everywhere.
　I don't know how he did it, but the magic that clung to me and prevented me from recovering has been removed.
　That's my dad. You've done a perfect job of healing.

"Oh, Master Lug is awake!
I was so worried about you.

Tart and Dia hold my hand and call out to me.

''Well I've been out of it.
'I was surprised. I went to your room with Master Kian and found him lying in front of your bed, not even twitching.
For a second there, I thought you were dead.

It was faint, but I remember it.
　Around the time I walked into the room, the tense strings broke and the strength drained from my entire body.

'I'm sorry. I was reckless this time.'
If you're going to be so reckless, take me with you!
Yes, it's my job to protect Master Lugue!
It's too dangerous. One wrong move and I'm dead. I can't take you to a place like that. If I had taken you guys, I would have made sure that you were involved and wounded. ........this is not even close to the extent of the damage.

To be clear, the [Fruit of Life] was definitely beyond my grasp, it was such a powerful force.

''That's why. We've become strong, too. We're not just being protected by rogues forever.''
Yes. I've been honing in on the power Master Rouges has given me every day, properly honing it.

After giving [Super Recovery] and [Growth Limit Breakthrough] with the power of [Knights Following Me] and the others, the two of them have continued to train to increase their physical and magical ability and amount of magic power in addition to the training they have been doing.
　The results began to come out, and they were at the highest level as humans in terms of basic specs.

Besides, looking back on my battles with the demon race so far, I can see it.
　There wasn't a single battle that I could win on my own. It was the two of us that won it.
　They are no longer the ones I need to protect.
　You should have known that this was going to happen.

Well, let's get this over with.

So I've decided to be honest.
　I'll admit that they're on their own.

Good to be honest. Well, I'll go back to my room. You're going to rest for the day.
Yeah, I'm tired, all right.

Thanks to the [Super Recovery], my strength and magic power are recovering a lot.
　However, my body is heavy as lead and my head can't turn properly.

''Um, can I have a meal?　Master Kian was allowed to eat.
I'll have some. Something light. Maybe something with noodles.
Okay, I'll go make some more.

They are about to leave the room.
　I call out to them.

'Hey, am I me?'
'Don't ask me crazy questions. A rogue is a rogue.
Um, is there something wrong with you?
'No, it's nothing. I'm sorry to hear the weirdest thing you've ever heard.

I'm going to lie down again.
Analyzing the [Fruit of Life]. There was an accident.
　In the first place, I had the intention of examining that thing, but I had no intention of gaining any power.
　It's because it's too dangerous.
　However, I too disregarded the fact that the [Fruit of Life] is alive and has a will.
　As long as it's alive and has a will, the [Fruit of Life] moves for a purpose.
　It was for that reason that it tempted me and tried to feed itself to me.

I suppressed it with reason and felt relieved.
　However, the [Fruit of Life] took the next step. Instead of tempting me and waiting for me to be eaten, it tried to eat me and take me in.

Connected to that one, my personality was crushed by the aggregation of more than ten thousand consciousnesses, and I was driven to the point where I was on the verge of becoming a puppet that would fulfill the purpose of [Fruit of Life].
　Just in the nick of time, using the insurance I had prepared, I was able to protect my personality as me and even put a lid on the connection.
　The reason I was able to get a lot of information is because when the [Fruit of Life] took control of me, it flowed in for whatever purpose I wanted it to do.
　But in return, I'm still connected to that thing.
　Yes, I could put a lid on the connection, but I couldn't break the connection.

... totally, what is going on?

I held out my hand, and an enormous amount of magic power flowed out of it.
　That's several times as much as my instantaneous magic power release.
　The source of that power is the [Fruit of Life] that I sealed in Touahade's territory by a certain means. Because we're connected, we can perform this kind of trick regardless of the distance.
　Just by loosening the lid a bit, this is it. If I put all my strength into it, I can produce several times more.

But I don't intend to use it on a rare occasion.
　This power is a double-edged sword.
　This power is a double-edged sword, and if it's done poorly, it's so dangerous that when I notice it, I won't be me anymore.
　However, it is also a powerful power.
　If you choose to outsmart both the goddess and the demon race, there will come a time when you will need this power.
　We have to think of a way to get along with it.
　Even if it's a trap for the [Fruit of Life].