Chapter 65: An Explanation Session in a Dead Atmosphere

“...That psycho woman from back then.”

“How mean, Reima’s best-friend-kun. I’m a perfectly invincible, beautiful big-sister type, you know? I don’t think I’m ‘psycho’ at all. More importantly, I’d hate to make Reima tell the story himself, so do you mind if I handle it?”

“...That is fine, but... is my friend alright? His color has suddenly...”

“You really are a good boy, Kaiser-kun. I think if the world were full of kids like you, things wouldn't have ended up this way.”

I listened to their conversation with the detached sensation that they were speaking somewhere far away. I rested my body on the needlessly plush chair Merli had likely conjured in an instant.

“Well then, I’ll keep it simple. Reima was executed by the humans back in his old world.”

It was typical of Merli, in a sense, but the moment she spoke, she blew the entire mood to smithereens.

I’d thought she was being a bit too direct, but I would have been more troubled by a needlessly long-winded explanation. Above all, considering the mental burden on me, it was helpful that she’d put it so bluntly. Still, I could tell the atmosphere in the room hadn't just died—it had been annihilated.

“...Huh?”

“—Execution?”

“Lord Reima was?”

My best friend fell silent after leaking a single word. Ayane stood there, speechless. Kaiser repeated the word once, perhaps unable to process what he’d just heard, and Tsubaki-san looked like she simply didn’t believe it.

“Yep, yep. I didn’t see the actual event since I was busy holding back the other Summoned Beasts, but considering he’s here in this world now, I’d say he definitely died.”

“Hey, you wretch, have you no tact?”

“Now, now, Baal-kun, there’s no other way to put it, is there? No matter how you sugarcoat it, those pieces of filth killed our beloved Reima.”

“...With that way of speaking, you will only hurt our master’s friends in this world!”

“Ehh, then you explain it instead, Baal-kun.”

They were on the verge of a fight. It was impossible for me to stop the two of them while they were glaring at each other in my current state... but a brawl breaking out here would be a disaster. Just as I was wondering if someone would step in, I felt a wave of bloodlust radiating from Algol.

“Hey, shotacon. The explanation is fine, but... pick your damn words a bit better. And Baal, don't bother getting serious with her; it’s a waste of time. Just think about Reima for now.”

Algol snapped at them on my behalf. He really hasn't changed, I thought. I stole a glance at the others’ faces. As expected, their expressions were dark.

“...I have no excuse.”

“Yes, yes, sorry, Algol. Well then, I’ll keep the rest brief. After defeating the Demon King, Reima parted ways with his four companions and returned to the country that summoned him. Then, well, there was a bit of friction. They framed him as a traitor and executed him. That’s the gist of it.”

“Is that... truly what happened?”

“It is. There’s no point in lying, and I witnessed the end myself.”

Merli’s answer to Laura was heavy. It was a question asked by someone who already knew the truth, and Merli answered with the weight of someone who had seen it through.

“Tell me... did Reima, did my best friend not resist?”

Shiki’s magic was leaking out, likely due to his suppressed rage. He wasn't looking at Merli; his gaze was fixed on me. His voice carried a desperate tone, as if he were pleading for me to have fought back.

But Shiki probably already knows. The very fact that I am standing in this world means the answer to that question isn't a happy one.

“Let me ask you instead, best-friend-kun... do you really think Reima—the man who commands monsters like us—would ever resist? He could have, certainly. He could have turned the entire kingdom into his enemy and walked away alive. But, you see...”

“...That’s enough. I understand.”

“Yes, yes. I’m impressed you know him so well. Anyway, before he knew it, Reima found himself in this world. And that’s the end of the story. Any questions? ...Wait, what’s wrong, everyone? Why so quiet?”

“As per usual, you don't have a shred of human decency, do you, Merli?”

“No, I do love humans for the most part, you know? I don't really care about anyone besides Reima, but I still think of myself as a safe and secure, good person.”

“Rich coming from someone who only likes them as a biological species...”

“Haha, you hit a sore spot.”

I watched the usual banter of the Summoned Beasts from my fluffy chair, observing how everyone was taking the news.

“Tell me, my friend—do you not hate that other world?”

“Ah... well, I’ve made my peace with it.”

“I see. Then I have nothing more to say.”

“Yeah... you really are kind, Kaiser.”

Even after answering Kaiser, the atmosphere remained cold. It felt exactly like a funeral wake. In the middle of the chilled venue, Algol finally spoke up.

“Well, whatever. You guys, this is a story that’s already over, so don’t dwell on it. I’ll take the leftover food and give it to the guys inside Reima, so let’s all just cool our heads for a bit, okay?”

With that, the gathering was effectively dissolved. Everyone returned to the cottages they were staying in for the night. We ended up spending the night in the worst possible atmosphere. I couldn't sleep; I just spent hours staring at the ceiling from my bed.

...Maybe it would have been better not to say anything.

I’d thought I would have to tell them eventually, but looking back, it was a cruel thing to dump on people as kind as them. I should have endured a bit more and explained it myself instead of letting Merli handle it. As those thoughts looped through my head, my consciousness finally began to slip away.

“Goodnight, Reima. We’re going to go take care of some business.”

“...I’m going to work a little hard, so please root for me, Master.”

Just before I went under, I thought I saw the figures of Merli and Luna. But the sleepiness was irresistible, and I drifted off into the dark.