Chapter 224
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「Hey… Yamada…」
「It’s been a while, Ryūgūin.」
Strangely enough, despite all my earlier tension, the greeting slips easily from my mouth. However, his reaction is quite different—
「Y-you… have you come to k-kill me?!」
Somehow managing to stay seated, he frantically scoots backward.
「Think this through, Yamada! Nothing good comes from revenge!」
As I take one step closer, he moves back another step.
「When you seek revenge, nothing remains afterward!!
Revenge not only hurts the person who carries it out, but it also brings misery to everyone around them!!」
Ryūgūin continues speaking.
「Yamada!! Please take care of yourself!! As your hometown friend, I’m worried about you!!」
「That’s rich… we were never friends to begin with.」
He fails to notice that everyone present, except for one person, is directing cold, almost hostile gazes at him.
「Yamada, I’m genuinely worried about you!! You understand that, don’t you?!! Forgiveness is what’s important!! Revenge only breeds new hatred, creating an endless cycle of vengeance!! People need to endure the pain and break that cycle somewhere!!」
「Sir Hero is absolutely right!!」
Even at this crucial moment, someone appears to defend him.
It’s Princess Puffy. Whether the binding barrier has weakened, she broke free on her own, or she had some kind of item, she breaks free from her restraints and stands between me and Ryūgūin like a mother protecting her child. Ryūgūin jumps up with a whoosh and hides behind her back like he’s running away.
「I remember you!! How dare you criticize Sir Hero, who worked so hard for us, willing to die for our sake, when all you ever did was indulge in your disgusting pastimes!! Have you no shame!!」
It hurts to see her—Puffy—like this, even knowing she isn’t in her right mind.
However, precisely because I know she isn’t in her right mind, I have options available to me.
「King Arcana and Chancellor Madison must have seen it too!! The foolish, filthy, shameless behavior of Holy Knight Yamada!!」
Just as she says this, the barrier envelops her once again.
Unlike before, it’s an unrestrained, powerful barrier, and though her voice can’t be heard, I can see her screaming 「Let me out! How dare you!!」 from within.
「Hang in there, Puffy.」
I whisper so quietly that no one can hear.
Ryūgūin, pushed out from within the barrier, once again stands before me.
After confirming our positions, Chancellor Madison speaks.
「My apologies to Princess Puffy, but she seemed unsuited for this situation, so we had no choice but to quiet her.」
Then, he continues.
「If you’ve been here from the start, you must understand the situation?
Whether these claims are true or false—I wish to ask Holy Knight Yamada.」
When Ryūgūin tries to interject, the Chancellor silences him with a look.
Seeming to understand, Ryūgūin closes his half-opened mouth.
「Everything that has been discussed is true.」
Yes. Everything was covered in deception.
Ryūgūin had colored everything in his own shade.
「It was I—Holy Knight Yamada—not Hero Ryūgūin, who conquered the eight high-difficulty dungeons, including the ‘Sealed Dungeon.’」
Chancellor Madison nods once.
「Is there anyone who can vouch for the reliability of his statement? I grant the three members of the Hero’s party permission to speak again.」
When he addresses the three, Eris speaks up.
「I, Eris Gladius, humbly state that everything Saint Mika said earlier was true.
The four of us claimed all his achievements as our own, subjected him to tremendous humiliation and pain, and deceived both country and people.」
Angelica follows with, 「There is not a single error in Sword Saint Eris’s words…」
Unable to bear Eris and Angie’s statements, Ryūgūin hangs his head.
His long bangs fall forward, hiding his expression.
However, I can see his shoulders trembling, perhaps from fear.
The testimonies continue, showing no regard for Ryūgūin’s feelings.
First, the large beast-like Saga speaks up boldly.
「Yamada is seriously amazing. It’s frightening to think what might have happened without him. He was definitely the key player in conquering the ‘Sealed Domain.’」
Following his statement, Chloe responds concisely with a cool expression.
「My opinion aligns with his. I swear by the name of Vienetta that there are no lies here.」
Puru joins in as well.
「The Tri-Head Dragon was the worst monster I’ve ever faced. Without him, we couldn’t have defeated that beast. And without doubt, the damage would still be spreading endlessly today.
I stake the name of [Purume En Dynast Fil Al-Taib Ixis] on the truth of these statements.」
Then Anon adds, 「Well then, I shall also…」
「There isn’t a single error in their words. He was central to conquering the ‘Sealed Domain’ and clearing the ‘Sealed Dungeon.’ Moreover, through his own tireless efforts, countless lives were saved.
Though I’m merely a humble information broker, I—Anon—shall stake my name on the truth of all these statements.」
After hearing everyone’s statements, Chancellor Madison addresses me again.
「Holy Knight Yamada, it seems many speak highly of you.」
I feel my eyes growing hot at their thoughtful gestures.
This is a debt I can never fully repay.
「Everyone here is quite the character, each with their own quirks. Yet you’ve earned their trust. That’s no small feat. I greatly commend you for inspiring such statements from them. Additionally, I wish to express my deepest gratitude for saving this country.」
Chancellor Madison bows his head and says 「Thank you.」
Though it only lasts a few seconds, I clearly receive his sentiments.
And his words aren’t finished yet.
「Yamada, this isn’t all you wanted to say, is it?」
Stealing my achievements—what Ryūgūin did was so heinous that even that seems trivial in comparison. I simply cannot forgive him for it.
「Hero Ryūgūin not only stole my achievements, but through his mysterious ability, he manipulated my precious companions and forced them to commit terrible acts.」
Ryūgūin’s shoulders shake so violently that it’s visible even from a distance.
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