Chapter 95
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I continue to complete Fog exterminations while gradually deepening my bond with the two members of my party.
What concerns me is that we’ve finally discovered skeleton warriors and ghouls roaming about, and the number of encounters with Fog has noticeably increased.
As this goes on, the days pass by in a hectic blur.
In the midst of all this, I try to convince myself that Purume appearing in my dream was just that—a mere dream.
Dreams are particularly troublesome.
After all, there’s a common saying that nothing is more pointless than hearing about someone else’s dream.
Should I really go around telling others, 「Hey, I had this nightmare」?
From another person’s perspective, so what if I had a dream?
Even if I express my bad feeling about it, whether it comes true or not will only be known after everything has happened.
And if nothing happens, I’m just an insensitive occult freak.
In the end, the possibility that a dream is simply a dream is much higher.
How likely is it that just because I had a dream, it’s a premonition of things to come?
With such thoughts, I decided to completely dismiss Purume’s dream as nothing more than a bad dream—and that night…
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To cut to the chase, I had another nightmare.
The content was, of course, the same as the other day.
Purume struggles to maintain the front lines, and as the decision to retreat is made, she takes up the rear guard.
She fights valiantly to protect everyone.
But once again, it’s not to be—she disappears into the light, taking her opponent with her.
Having dreamed of her gruesome end twice, I finally decided to consult Sensei.
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「Sensei, do you have a moment?」
I, having completed Fog exterminations for about ten days, breathe a sigh of relief that this particular day is a rest day.
Sensei, unlike me who’s part of the active forces, is dedicated to giving instructions from Ashley’s manor, as she can sense Fog from long distances.
「Hm? What is it, son-in-law?」 Sensei responds.
Standing before her, I steel myself.
I tell her there’s something I can’t discuss here and lead her into my room.
「Sensei… what I’m about to say might just be nonsense on my part.」
Is this what they call a preemptive strike? I’m disgusted by my own unsightliness.
Sensei plops down on the bed, saying it’s more comfortable than the chair. She silently listens to what I have to say.
I tell Sensei about the nightmare I’ve had twice—the story of Purume falling while facing some kind of powerful enemy.
Sensei ponders with an 「Hmm,」 then says,
「I have something I must tell you first, son-in-law.」
She begins to speak with a solemn expression.
「When I saw Puru at the meeting, I thought she seemed somewhat down. So when I talked to her that night, after quickly getting through the status report, I asked her about the reason for her gloomy face.」
「Yes.」
「At first, she kept her mouth shut. But I could see the conflict on her face. I asked her over and over until she finally opened up. And at last, she told me the reason.」
If it’s something she needs to tell me, it must be related to me.
Knowing Sensei, I believe it won’t be anything strange, but…
「Son-in-law. Something odd is happening.」
Sensei frowns.
「Somehow, your achievements—the record of conquering the unconquered dungeon—seem to have become the Hero’s.」
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I already knew that.
After conquering the Blade Dungeon and my leaving the party, it was widely announced to the public that, through measures taken by Ryūgūin, seven Newly Constructed Most Challenging Dungeons had been conquered by the Hero.
At the same time, the Holy Knight who had only been a hindrance up until then had fled, and is still rumored among the people as synonymous with a cowardly fool.
If you go to a slightly larger tavern, you might see a bard singing loudly about the story exactly as Ryūgūin reported it at the time, with the crowd cheering.
Also, if you visit a large theater, you can watch several plays presented by the Hero.
Among them are multiple performances, including the one Milan and I saw, and in all of them, Ryūgūin is portrayed as a thoughtful, caring, and talented young man, while the Holy Knight is thoroughly depicted as a lazy, wasteful, and sexually loose coward.
It’s frustrating to say it myself, but there’s nothing that can be done about this anymore.
When I tell Sensei this, she shakes her head.
「No… that’s not it.」
「That’s not it?」
「Indeed. To be honest, I don’t understand it at all either.
According to Puru, all of Ichiro’s achievements so far have become the Hero’s, and the Hero’s foolish actions have become yours.」
So, that’s—
「You want to say you know that, right?
But it’s not that. This is an even more absurd story.
If it weren’t Puru saying this, I wouldn’t believe it.
Puru said that not only the memories and perceptions of all the people related to you, including the king, princess, and young Madison that you know, but even all documents and such have been rewritten in that way.」
「Huh?」
I can’t comprehend her words.
「The Saint. The Mage. The Sword Saint.
The person who led the three heroes and conquered seven unexplored dungeons is Hero Ryūgūin—this memory, and」
Sensei’s words avalanche over me.
「The memory that Holy Knight Ichiro achieved these feats—Puru says she possesses both of these memories.」
As Sensei said earlier—her story is nothing short of absurd.
「To be honest, I’ve never heard such a story before.
And with too little information and time, I couldn’t understand anything either.
But with your dream and Puru’s condition, I know we can’t leave this as it is.」
Sensei bows her head to me.
「I beg you. Would you meet with Puru once?」
There were many things to consider.
I’m being treated as a fugitive. Of course, there are risks in showing myself to Purume.
But how could I refuse when Sensei is bowing her head to me?
So I nodded to Sensei.
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「I never thought we’d be able to meet.」
It’s the night of the day I had the discussion with Sensei.
I borrowed a video magic device to talk with her.
「It’s been since that day you and Angie left Greeneyes to explore the Light Dungeon.」
「It’s been a long time. How have you been?」
And projected before my eyes was the beautiful elf—Purume.
I realized after saying it, but she didn’t look well at all. Her skin, which was originally pale, was now sickly white, and she clearly seemed exhausted.
「Ichiro, it’s been a while. I’m doing… so-so, I guess.」
She gave a weak smile.
Seeing her expression, I was about to say something, but—
「I never thought you’d be with Omi. As expected of Omi…
Before we catch up on everything, there’s one thing I need to ask you.」
She continued, and I could tell she was clearing her throat, even through the video.
Taking a deep breath, she fixed me with a direct gaze—
「In this world, right now, all the achievements said to have been done by Hero Ryūgūin—weren’t they actually done by Holy Knight Yamada Ichiro, in other words, you?」
—and her words pierced right through me.
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