Declared Dead, Exiled, and Betrayed— Now I Walk Away, but I'll Save One Who Cared - Chapter 55

“You’re heading for the lower depths?”

“Yeah…”

After a leisurely return from the royal capital, I gathered with the Viscount and Shifa at the manor and informed them of my next goal.

I planned to delve deeper into the dungeon.

As soon as I said it, Shifa frowned slightly and clung to the hem of my clothes.

She was worried.

Understandable—last time I fell, it took me six months to escape.

“Is it not too dangerous?”

The Viscount, too, looked uneasy.

He had worked tirelessly despite his age, but after everything with Eranda, he seemed to have aged even more.

“There is risk, of course. But this time, it’s different. Last time, I was caught in a trap and thrown in unprepared, without knowing where I was. This time, I’ll descend from the lower levels step by step. Plus, since I mapped out some areas during my previous fall, I have an advantage.”

“I see…”

At least the Viscount seemed reassured by my explanation.

“His Majesty, who is currently dealing with the Duchy, has also promised support. Since we likely lost track of Disemna, my mission is to pursue it.”

“So… that’s part of why you were granted a Count’s title?”

“Exactly.”

I carefully explained everything again, making sure the Viscount fully understood.

This was likely his first time hearing all of this in such detail.

“I never knew such a monster existed in the past… And to think the seal, the Demonic Forest, and the House of Riofendarl were all connected…”

“Everything was linked. But since we were the ones hunting the demon, we intentionally kept the truth hidden.”

Even now, I didn’t have a full grasp of everything.

Probably, no one did.

If anyone knew the whole story, it would be the Grand Mage of my homeland… or perhaps Claire.

Not that I understood what the hell she was.

“I’m going with you.”

“No.”

“I am going with you!”

“I said no.”

“Muuu…”

Shifa refused to accept it.

It wasn’t just about understanding—she simply didn’t want to be apart from me.

Last time, I was gone for six months.

On top of that, her sister had been executed, and her father was aging rapidly.

She was in a position where she had to take charge.

She had to be feeling overwhelmed.

But Shifa… you are the heir to the Viscounty.

You are the ruler of this land.

From now on, you can’t leave so easily.

The Viscount can’t be overburdened any further.

As for me, I will dedicate myself to pushing through the dungeon—
No, not tormenting it.

Though I swear I just heard a faint voice screaming “Stop! Please stoppppp!” from somewhere…

Must have been my imagination.

“Please understand, Shifa.”

“…”

I held her close, embraced her, lifted her, squeezed her tight, kissed her.

And then I held her again.

“We don’t know when another demon will emerge. Without a way to stop them, we’ll never have peace. The fight will never end.”

“…I know…”

She understood, deep down.

Demons manipulated human consciousness, slipping into the cracks of fragile hearts.

And once possessed, all that awaited was a tragic death.

Eranda’s end was the worst of them all.

The Duchy of Horneld was in ruins now.

I had taught the King’s forces how to identify Ruin Demons, and His Majesty was mobilizing the royal magicians and military to eradicate them.

Soon, the problem would be dealt with.

The Duke would pay for his crimes.

Eranda’s actions in the capital had crushed any remaining resistance from the nobles who had opposed us.

The Duke and his allies had been manipulated by demons for a long time—but they had also indulged in their own greed and depravity.

They got what they deserved.

There was no changing the past.

What I could do was ensure this ended here.

No more letting demons do as they please.

I would put an end to it.

I would become stronger.

We were having a serious, calm discussion about all this—

But for some reason, Michelle, Melia, and Claire burst in, and before I knew it, we were having a rowdy drinking party.

After sobering up, we held a proper strategy meeting.

The conclusion:

I would go alone to the deeper levels.

Shifa, Michelle, Melia, and Claire would continue clearing the lower levels, and once they managed to defeat the lower-level boss, they would join me.

Of course, since I was going to marry Shifa, I wouldn’t be staying in the depths permanently.

I’d figure something out.

I planned to “persuade”—no, negotiate—with the dungeon’s administrator to create a shortcut system so I wouldn’t have to repeat the entire trek every time.

Surely, wiping out their monsters every single time was getting exhausting for them, too, right?

Right?

<<< “STOP! PLEASE, JUST STOP! I’M BEGGING YOU!” >>>

…I was definitely hearing a very real, very desperate voice now.

But whatever.

I’d go clear out the lower-level monsters, wipe out the boss, and then return to that place.

I’d get my answers soon enough.

“I will do my best!”

Under the night sky, with just the two of us, Shifa declared her determination with a resolute expression.

Honestly…

You have your duties as the Viscountess.

How did it come to this?

…Ah, right. This is my fault.

Sorry about that…

Saying it aloud would only make things worse, so instead, I silently reached out and patted her head.

“Promise me you’ll stay safe.”

“I will.”

Her eyes welled up with tears again as she whispered those words.

That’s not fair.

She’s too adorable for me to respond properly.

So I just pulled her into a hug.

“I won’t push myself too hard. Even though we don’t know when the demons will strike next, it won’t happen immediately. I’ll take my time, be thorough, and proceed cautiously.”

“Yes… And one day, I’ll catch up to you.”

“Shifa, don’t overdo it either. You have your people to care for.”

“I know. But still… it’s a promise.”

“Alright. I promise.”

Under the vast night sky, gazing up from the terrace, we sealed our vow.