Having finished lunch, we were currently on our way back.
Lena had fallen asleep, so just like in the old days, I carried her on my back to take her to her dormitory.
"Hey, Kai."
"Hm? What is it?"
Judging by the stiffness in Keith's tone, it certainly wasn't going to be a pleasant topic...
"An all-out clash with the dark demon race is unavoidable. Hostilities will break out soon."
"I see..."
So it was about that. I had heard that because the Hero, Mashiro, had run rampant, the Dark Country had already abandoned any hope for peace.
In fact, it seemed the Dark Country was actively plotting to summon down dubious creatures known as gods even now.
Those insolent monsters called the Evil Army were merely failed products of that very effort. After all, the one who had instigated Aldebaran was someone from that Dark Country.
Though what Aldebaran ended up summoning was merely that group of small-fry monsters who called themselves gods—the Evil Army. He must have been terribly disappointed.
"If the tide of battle takes a turn for the worse, can I count on you to take care of Lena?"
"Yeah, I've got it."
Making sure at least Lena escaped if push came to shove. That was a thoughtful idea, typical of Keith caring for his friends.
However, there was no way the current me would allow Lena and Keith to be sacrificed. In the first place, the root cause of the current spark wasn't the Demon King of Darkness, but that Hero and the current King's younger brother, Knut.
According to information from Shirayuki, who handled intelligence for the Joyful Friends of the Subjugation Compendium, Knut seemed to be scheming something by taking advantage of the war between the Dark Country and the Holy Amelia Kingdom.
Either way, the Dark Country was an essential key to the trials of that person who would arrive before long. I intended to intervene directly. I had zero intention of dumping everything onto Keith and the others. Besides, mysterious figures seemed to be lurking in the shadows as well.
"Thank goodness. With you, I can rest easy leaving her in your hands."
Keith had probably resolved himself. However, that was synonymous with offering himself up as a sacrifice.
I didn't want Keith adopting such a shortsighted, utterly unproductive mindset like self-sacrifice.
Still, now wasn't the right time to say that. Therefore—
"Changing the subject, what kind of person is the Hero, Mashiro, from your perspective?"
To steer the conversation elsewhere, I decided to ask for his assessment of Mashiro, which had been on my mind for a while.
Looking at the information alone, Mashiro was ruthless and cruel, possessing a biased mindset that acknowledged only humanity. However, that was merely the view from a single angle. If the Hero, Mashiro, were just a piece of trash, she would have been abandoned a long time ago. Yet allies still gathered around her even now.
"She's just a girl who hates the demon race and monsters."
Keith simply answered in a lonely tone.
Just a girl who hates the demon race and monsters, huh. There was no doubt she had her reasons. Hmm, Keith was considerably attached to that girl named Mashiro. Things were getting rather complicated. I might need to adjust my plans somewhat.
"Keith, let me make this crystal clear. I am unconditionally on your side. Even if the fate of this world were placed on the scales, I would choose you guys. So don't be so hard on yourself. You're free to live however you want."
"Kai, thank you. You really are like a big brother to me."
Keith said that with a wry smile.