The Fake Saintess and the Elf Warrior

"Mr. Osider, you should know very well that your illness is terminal. There is no possibility of a cure. Right now, you are only barely clinging to life thanks to the medicine that Tatsia bought for you."

"...How did you know?"

"I am a saint specializing in healing, and of course I have some medical knowledge. The illness you suffer from is probably a malignant tumor. It cannot be cured by medicine alone. That child Taqia could not possibly afford to go to the hospital to have the tumor removed. Even if she had the money, she cannot let you go because of her status as an elf. Mr. Osider, I don't mean to say anything unlucky or to curse you, but your death is only a matter of time."

"..."

The patient knows his own illness best. Medication can only temporarily alleviate his pain; once the effects wear off, the excruciating pain, even more intense than before, makes him wish he were dead. Osider had already vaguely sensed that no matter how hard his daughter tried, his illness was beyond saving.

Everything Tatiana did will eventually become a thing of the past... This reality is too cruel. Osider also thought about stopping his daughter, but he dared not tell her, who was still so young, that his days were numbered. Because of this, only Naka, an outsider, could speak the truth without any reservations.

Having stated her first point, Naka continued. She had a second reason.

"Although the child has made significant progress since a little over a month ago, there are still some problems I can't help with. Luckily, a hero's school in Sunflower Town is currently enrolling, and she wants to go there to continue improving her abilities. However, she can't afford the tuition because she needs to buy medicine for you; and she's afraid of leaving you here alone, so she can't accept the school's boarding requirement..."

"Is that so?"

Looking back, Tatiana seemed troubled and downcast when she came home. But when Ossid asked her, she only managed a forced smile and said she was fine. Ossid felt extremely guilty. Because of him, his daughter had been forced to give up another dream.

"But what about the money? Even if she doesn't buy me the medicine, she probably can't afford the tuition fees right now."

I will support her.

"...What?"

"I told her I would pay for her classes. I have some savings. If I just take it all out, I can afford the tuition."

Naka had only known Tatsia's family for a little over a month; their relationship was essentially a fleeting encounter. The fact that she was willing to give up all her savings to help people she had only recently met horribly horrified Ossid more than he felt gratitude.

"Miss Naka, why are you doing this? What good will it do you?"

"She is my teammate, my travel companion. I am just a saint who only knows how to use some tricks; to truly fight powerful enemies, we still need her efforts. Her becoming stronger is entirely beneficial to me."

"..."

Naka's words seemed plausible at first glance. But Osider still found it hard to let go. Taking advantage of his silence, Naka continued.

"Money is no longer the problem; the only problem is you, Mr. Osider. Although your illness is terminal, no one can say for sure how long you will live. Perhaps you will die tomorrow, or perhaps you can drag your ailing body for another year or two. But while people can wait for time, time waits for no one. Tatia is in the prime of her youth. I hope she can make the most of her time and seize the opportunity. As long as you are alive, you will cause us great distress."

Osider completely agreed with Naka's words. If possible, he also hoped that Tatya wouldn't waste her time on him, a man nearing death, and would instead do something more meaningful for herself as soon as possible. But then, there was only one conclusion.

"So, you mean...?"

That's it.

Naka pulled a short knife from her bosom and stuck it into the ground.

"Your choice is to end your own life, or let me kill you."

"Miss Naka, you're different from your appearance; you're actually such a ruthless woman..."

Naka's seasoned and ruthless combat skills, displayed during her special training of Taqia, even left Osider, an elven warrior, speechless. He had indeed suspected that this saintess might have some lives on her hands. Now, it seemed that his prejudice was not unfounded. No matter how reasonable the reasons, murder is still murder. Naka was completely unashamed and unwavering in her commitment to killing. Osider had come to a new understanding of the terrifying nature of this woman.

He picked up the dagger from the ground, repeatedly examining the blade's chilling gleam in the moonlight and his own reflection in its surface. Only then did he realize that his face was no longer the dashing, heroic face of his youth, but only the desolation and weariness of a dying man.

Every extra day he lived meant another day his daughter would waste money and precious time. The hero his daughter once saw was now just a burden, making her feel restricted. Osider sighed in despair.

"Alas, I was once hailed as a genius, highly regarded by His Majesty the King. At the age of thirty, I led my brothers to the front lines, slaying countless elite soldiers of the Demon King's army... and now I've come to this end. No one will be happy if I live on; my death will only bring my daughter relief... How tragic, how lamentable."

He seemed to have made up his mind, pointing the knife at his own heart.

But Naka, who had suggested he commit suicide, interrupted him at that moment.

"Wait. At the end of your life, is there nothing you want to say, any regrets you haven't fulfilled? If so, feel free to tell me. I'll help you within my power."

Of course, Osider had regrets. And many regrets.

"Yes... Miss Naka. After I die, please take good care of my daughter... Although it's really asking such a thing of you, someone who's not related to us, it's quite unreasonable and shameless. But right now, you're the only person I can entrust my daughter to right now. Please tell her that I'm not a good father, and I hope she can forgive me..."

"I can... anything else?"

Besides his daughter Tatiana, Euscid had two other worries that haunted him until his death.

"Yes... I can only entrust this matter to you, Miss Naka."

He pulled a small, test-tube-shaped glass bottle, no thicker than a finger, and a worn, yellowed piece of paper from his pocket. The bottle was plugged with a cork. Inside was a dark green liquid.

"This is something my wife suddenly sent me before the Demon King's army conquered the Elf Kingdom. In her letter, she said that if I encountered a dangerous situation, drinking this would allow me to escape undetected by the Demon King's army. She gave me three bottles. We used one when we escaped, and Tatsia stole one from me three years ago. This last bottle is what I've kept until now, just in case... I don't know where that letter came from, but because of it, I believe my wife is still alive... at least that's how it was three years ago. I don't know where she is now, or if she's safe. But these two items are the only two clues she left behind. Miss Naka, I beg you to take these and help Tatsia find her mother. Whether she's dead or alive now..."

"...I promise you."

Unaware that he had inadvertently revealed crucial intelligence, Osid handed the letter and the potion to Naka. Having settled matters concerning his daughter and wife, he had only one regret remaining—the greatest regret of a soldier who had defended his country.

"I truly hate myself. I hate myself for failing to protect the country, the city, His Majesty the King, and most importantly, for failing to protect the people... But the person I hate most is only one..."

Although he had never seen that person's face, the mere thought of him made Osider grit his teeth. If it weren't for that person, he wouldn't have ended up in this state. Taqia would still be living a happy life in the forest. The entire Elf Kingdom would still be thriving. All of this was destroyed because of that person. Not being able to kill that person was Osider's final regret as a warrior. Killing him was also the tragic wish that Osider, as a hero, could not fulfill.

"That's the Demon Lord who started that war... Nama Kalena!"

"..."

"Miss Naka, I sincerely wish that you and Tatsia can kill that despicable demon king, avenge our elven race, and contribute to the future peace of humanity... I know that the demon king's level is infinitely high, and perhaps you cannot do it... but this is just a small wish of a dying man like me..."

"Do you want to kill that demon king?"

"Of course, if I could, I wouldn't want to burden this child, Tatsia, and you. I so want to understand his life with my own hands..."

"Well then, your chance has come."

Naka stood up and walked to Ossid. She spoke the secret that couldn't be told to anyone.

"I am the Demon King: Nama Karenla"

A Man's Last Wish (Part 2)

If someone you know well suddenly told you he was the king, would you believe it? Most people would just laugh it off. Osider was in that state now too. Naka's abrupt statement had genuinely startled him. Soon, he weakly laughed...

"Miss Naka, you're such a joker... This is a million times funnier than the joke I made when I proposed to you. I'm so grateful you could make someone like me, who's about to die, happy..."

I'm not kidding you.

Naka has now shed her "disguise." Although her appearance is identical to before, her aura and the feeling she gives off are completely different. When Osider, the warrior, observes her more closely, he does indeed sense some imperceptible changes occurring within Naka. However, he doesn't know exactly what those changes are and is speechless.

"Still don't believe me? Then take a look at this."

Naka simply raised her hand, and suddenly a fierce wind arose, causing the trees to sway violently. The air, as if drawn by Naka, swirled and gradually condensed in her hand. Soon, the air currents solidified into a jet-black ball of magic. The high-density magic emitted a thunderous roar. Naka abruptly raised her hand and hurled the magic ball into the air. It shot straight into the sky at incredible speed, instantly dispersing the clouds in its path. The previously overcast night instantly became exceptionally bright.

This was not a spell a saint could possibly wield. And in his knowledge, there was only one person capable of such a world-shaking feat. Now, Osider was completely certain of the girl's identity.

He had rehearsed this scene countless times in his dreams and in his mind. What would he do if he actually met that person? He always imagined himself roaring in anger and swinging his weapon at him. If he could, he would even want to cut off his head with his own hands. But now, he smiled.

"Haha...hahahahahahaha!"

Since he fell ill, he had never laughed so happily, so freely, so loudly. He even laughed until tears streamed down his face.

"Three years... For these three years, I've been eagerly anticipating this moment, I couldn't wait any longer... But finally, it's here... Miss Naka, no... Demon King!"

What did the Demon King look like? No one in the Elven race had ever seen him. Over the past three years, Osider had countless times imagined how hideous and grotesque this creature must be—the one who could so casually order the extermination of an entire race, and who, simply to drink their blood, had disemboweled and gutted all the Elves, men, women, and children, sending them to the guillotine. He never imagined that the Demon King would be such a young human girl, beautiful even by Elven standards. The fact that such a beautiful young woman could harbor such heinous acts made Osider realize once again the meaning of "appearances can be deceiving."

Now, the short knife in his hand instantly changed direction; the tip of the blade, which had been aimed at Osider himself, was now pointing directly at Naka's body.

"That day when I was fighting Tatia, I knew very well that it was absolutely wrong of me to use my power to harm my loved ones. But now, I have finally found the right way to use my power as an elven warrior."

"Really? That's wonderful!"

Naka opened her arms. She didn't intend to retaliate, nor did she intend to dodge.

"Then do what you believe is right."

"I will."

He hadn't felt this surge of emotion in so many years. He hadn't felt his blood boil in so many years. Now, he wasn't a patient, but a warrior. The weapon in his hand no longer felt like a short sword for self-defense, but rather the battle sword that had accompanied him through countless battles. Even for just a second, Ossid felt as if he had returned to his most glorious period.

The action that had been longed for day and night finally became a reality at this moment.

"Die, Demon King!"

With the fastest speed, the strongest force, and the most precise attack of his life, he plunged the dagger into Naka's throat...

"Snap!"

With a crisp sound, he collapsed to his knees. This strike was a life-or-death blow. After delivering that attack, Osid didn't even have the strength to stand. He could only helplessly chuckle to himself.

"Haha, as expected, the Demon King is extraordinary. I knew it, I had no chance of killing you..."

His hands, now limp, released the broken dagger. The "crack" wasn't the sound of flesh being pierced. Even if he had struck Naka squarely in the throat, it was utterly meaningless against Naka's infinite defense. The dagger snapped the instant it touched Naka's neck.

The very person responsible for his country's destruction was still alive and well. But Osider felt a strange sense of exhilaration. He had tried. He had risked everything to fight this enemy he had to kill, as an elven warrior. Although it couldn't really be called a battle, the outcome was fait accompli. Whether he died with resentment or let go of everything, it no longer mattered.

"Demon King, thank you. You've granted my last wish."

He knew that Naka had revealed her identity and taken his knife without flinching to fulfill his final wish before he died. If Naka wanted to retaliate, she could have killed him before he could even make a move. Although this didn't change the fact that Naka was a demon burdened with the blood of almost every elf in the elven kingdom, Osider still wanted to thank her.

"You are the second warrior to challenge me. Elven Warrior Osid, I will remember your name."

By changing her self-reference from "I" to "I alone," Naka is now acknowledging the challenger as the Demon King.

"Alright. The knife is broken. Even if I wanted to kill myself now, I couldn't. Demon King, you'll have to give me a quick death."

Osider had completely given up on everything. He sat motionless on the ground, awaiting death. But his calm demeanor puzzled Naka.

"You're a strange man, Mr. Osider. Aren't you worried? You just entrusted your daughter and your wife to me. Didn't you consider that I might harm them? Didn't you consider why I would disguise myself as a saint to get close to your daughter?"

To say he didn't care would be absolutely impossible. But Osider felt a sense of security.

"Demon King. Although I don't know what your purpose is... I can sense that your feelings for my daughter are genuine."

"Why do you say that?"

Osider had witnessed everything Naka had done over the past month. Some things he could hide from him, and some things he couldn't.

It's in their eyes.

"Eyes?"

"Demon King, I've said before that from the first moment I saw you, I knew you approached us with ulterior motives. Your eyes have always told me that. Even now, when you asked me, I wouldn't change my mind. But when you were with my daughter, and when you talked to me about her just now, your eyes were full of sincerity, from the bottom of your heart. I don't know why you approached her. But I believe you wouldn't harm her."

Not only her daughter Tatia, but even her father believed he was genuinely acting in the best interests of others. This was a tremendous insult to Naka, the Demon King. She said viciously.

"Don't misunderstand. I only want to use her to find all the remaining elves before I kill them all, to wipe out this nuisance... That's why I'm not killing her yet. Everything I've done is just to lower your guard. I will help her find her mother as you entrusted me to, but the day they reunite will be the day you three reunite in hell!"

Naka's intention was to frighten Osider, to see him kneel at her feet begging her not to kill Tatsia, and to see him sink into despair after being rejected. But after hearing Naka's words, Osider laughed again.

"Demon King, you are truly an interesting person... I still don't understand why you wanted to exterminate our elf race. But what I'm even more curious about is why you're lying now?"

"Am I lying...?"

You can't fool yourself, Demon King.

Over the past month, Osider had become intimately familiar with Naka's usual tone, intonation, and rhythm of speech. The Naka she was now behaving completely differently. Her speech was rapid, her blinking was excessive, and her eyes were somewhat unfocused. More importantly, despite being the one about to face death, Osider was unusually calm. Naka, who should have been ruthless, had a heart pounding so clearly in the quiet night. Actions can deceive. But the natural expression in her eyes and her physiological reactions contradicted Naka's words.

"Why? Why is it that the very people who destroyed my country and killed my people are now lying and claiming they want to kill my daughter...? I am truly deeply concerned. Can you tell me your reason, Demon King?"

"you!"

Naka slammed her hand on his head. She really wanted to crush his head like the first hero she had killed. But the Osider before her didn't have the terrified expression of that hero on his deathbed. Instead, he wore a composed smile.

Suicide could be explained. But if she had crushed Osider's head or killed him with magic, then Tatsia would naturally know it was homicide. At that point, all her plans—the mission, school, finding her mother—would be forgotten. Finding her father's killer and avenging him would become Tatsia's sole objective. Naka took three deep breaths, realizing that Osider was deliberately provoking her to sabotage her plans, and removed her hand.

"If that's really what you think, then so be it..."

Her hand moved to Osider's chest. Naka extended her index finger, and a beam of light emanated from its tip, piercing into Osider's heart.

"This is?"

"This is a spell to delay death. You won't feel any pain now, but three days later, the magic I'm injecting will first put you into a deep coma, then stop your heart from beating, making you look like you've died of old age. If you look like you've died a violent death, that girl will definitely become suspicious. Although she's still a bit naive and foolish, she's definitely not stupid. The time I made you commit suicide with a knife was just bait to get the information about your wife out of you. From the beginning, I wanted you to die this way."

"Really? So, I don't have to die today, and I have three more days to spend with my daughter, right?"

"Yes"

Although Naka explained that she wanted to appear to have died of illness to avoid arousing Tatsia's suspicion, Ossid knew very well that Naka's true motives were not as simple as she claimed. Since Naka was unwilling to speak, he let her tell him.

"This way, I'll have enough time to say goodbye to Tatia, allowing her to prepare herself mentally and preventing her from being too heartbroken when I die..."

"....."

"What an ideal way to die... If possible, no one would want to die a violent death; everyone wants to spend their last moments with their loved ones, enjoying the simple joys of family life..."

"Mr. Osider, I'm giving you three days because I trust you. If you dare tell Tatia that I am the Demon King, then I won't wait for her to find her mother; the moment she finds out, I will kill you and your father. Don't doubt my ability."

"I know..."

Osider knew he wouldn't tell his daughter Naka's true identity. He also knew Naka had interrupted him because his words had struck at her weak points. The Demon King, whom he had never met, had been so despicable not long ago. But now, Osider felt a strange mix of emotions—a mixture of anticipation and expectation—about the Demon King. To be honest, even he found it hard to believe: he was actually quite curious to see what his daughter, Tatia, raised by the Demon King, would ultimately be like.

"Demon King, I do hate you. I still hate you now. Killing you isn't enough. I want to dismember you, defile and destroy your body by any means necessary, then devour it and turn it into my excrement. Even if it soils my shoes, I don't care. I want to trample you into countless dust particles... I hate you to this extent. Not only me, but Tatsia's hatred for the Demon King is probably no less than mine... But, if you raise Tatsia into a hero who stands tall and achieves great feats, a hero that makes me, her mother, and our elven race proud..."

He mustered his last strength and clung to the rocks to his feet. Even though he could no longer maintain his balance, he gave Naka a somewhat awkward bow.