The Hero Who Returned From Death Quits

75 – EP5. Wind Memories

When Ainzel opened his eyes, it was only natural that he checked the time.

For him, being killed at an unpredictable time for an unpredictable reason meant that something had happened underwater without his knowledge.

As soon as Ainzel opened his eyes, he asked,

“What day is it today?”

Ainzel looked at the elf in front of him and said. The elf replied,

“Oh, according to the empire’s calendar, it was September 12th, I believe?”

As the empire used the solar calendar, while the fairies used the lunar calendar, the elf’s words were vague. However, it was enough for Ainzel.

“That means… After my comrades left, I mean, right after the letter arrived from the empire…”

Ainzel started to think deeply. Although it was absurd to suddenly declare war on the empire and kill inferior humans, unlike such flimsy reasons, he didn’t hear any signs of resistance during the coup. That meant that the enemies had already infiltrated the people in the palace.

No matter how much he thought about it, those guys who spouted such nonsense didn’t seem convincing enough to infiltrate in advance like that. Ainzel thought.

The factions of the royal guard who instigated the coup definitely said so. They said the king was planning to sell the people to the humans, so they instigated the coup.

That meant that they rebelled because the assassins were planning to visit from the empire.

However, for Ainzel, it felt like a mere excuse.

Ainzel recognized the smell he had encountered countless times, the feeling he already knew.

The scent of a conspiracy began to waft through the air.

Someone had schemed something, and Angel knew it.

What remained for Angel was to find out who had hatched this plan and then to crush it.

First, Angel decided to revisit the small details. Clearly, Lena had hidden something and hadn’t shown herself until the angels arrived. But why? Why had Lena concealed herself from her fellow companions and stayed silent?

Angel furrowed his brow.

However, there were many peculiar aspects to Lena’s situation. Firstly, Magnus Tirenthus had not shown a strong reaction towards Lena. This meant that Magnus Tirenthus was likely aware of Lena’s whereabouts.

So, was Lena’s current situation unrelated to the rebellion?

Angel pondered and ultimately concluded that, for now, he couldn’t know.

“…Sigh.”

Yes, in the end, it was meaningless if he didn’t investigate it himself.

Angel twisted a wry smile.

Yes, when did I become so easily swayed?

Angel prepared to investigate the enemy.

He prepared for battle.

Angel met with Magnus and said, “Um, it seems like Lena has been missing for a while, and I’m worried about her. Can you tell me what’s going on with Lena?”

“It’s not a problem. Lena is currently meeting with the World Tree.”

“The World Tree… you say?”

Angel replied with a hint of surprise. Magnus spoke with a nonchalant expression.

“Yes, that’s right. The fairy warriors who have achieved significant feats meet the World Tree and undergo a ritual to expand their consciousness. Lena, being even more talented than the eldest son, Ricardo, can become exceptionally powerful. So, there’s no need to worry about Lena.”

“Ah, I see.”

Angel nodded his head for now. He still had lingering doubts, but he decided to accept it for the time being.

With his suspicions regarding Lena left hanging, Angel began to inquire about the Royal Guard.

Angel asked various questions about the Royal Guard and gathered a substantial amount of information. This included details about the deputy commander, who appeared to be the primary suspect, as well as the personalities and abilities of other key members.

However, Angel, as always, remained perplexed about why these events had unfolded. The likelihood that the deputy commander was the main culprit was high, but there was no driving force behind it.

The deputy commander was known to be extremely loyal to the royal family and had a strong dislike for other races, including humans. What could it be? Did the deputy commander suppress their hatred for humans for a long time and eventually rebel against the king, unable to bear it any longer? Or was it that the deputy commander had been feigning loyalty to the king all along, and when the king’s intention to subjugate humans became evident, they revealed their true colors?

As always, this time was filled with mysteries that were hard to fathom. In the end, it meant that he had to personally find the answers.

“At least the others aren’t with me this time. It’s fortunate that no precious memories are being created or lost.”

Angel began to ponder if continuing in this manner would lead to avoiding his comrades altogether. Well, one thing was certain: there was no immediate need to solve this, and it might be unsolvable. Angel decided to continue thinking about the coup.

And Angel went to find Ricardo.

“Do you want to inquire about the Royal Guards?”

“Yes, I’d like to ask because you, Your Highness, are in charge of the Royal Guards, and I thought you would know best.”

“Hmm… Why did you suddenly become interested in the Royal Guards?”

Ricardo thought for a moment and then spoke.

Naturally, Angel couldn’t mention that he believed the Royal Guards might incite a rebellion.

“In the Empire, there is a unique division known as the Royal Guards. While the Empire also has a similar division, they primarily serve the royal family. They are not typically involved in combat, let alone leading the charge in battle with superior mobility and firepower. This is something I haven’t encountered in the Empire.”

“I see…”

Ricardo smiled and began his explanation.

“First of all, our kingdom’s Royal Guards are heavily armed because our King frequently joins the front lines. Due to this, they possess overwhelming mobility and firepower. Unlike other kingdoms or empires, here in Tyrentus, a realm of the Elves, the King not only receives the power of the World Tree but also has royal blood, which ensures that their combat abilities are enhanced. In other words, the King needs to lead on the front lines, so this division is designed to support that.”

Although Angel had some doubts when asking about the key figures in the Royal Guards, he accepted Ricardo’s explanation that certain individuals’ traits and inclinations might also influence the way this division operates.

While Angel found Ricardo’s explanation to be consistent with what he had heard, it provided more details.

“…So, are all the Royal Guards so disdainful of humans?”

“Yes, Royal Guards, especially the elite among them, take great pride in their abilities, and this often leads to them looking down on other races. Given the current plight of the Elves, this tendency has become even more pronounced. It’s not just humans or Elves; anyone tends to assert their worth needlessly to prove their existence.”

Angel nodded. It was indeed valuable information.

Angel expressed his gratitude to Ricardo, left the room, and as soon as he stepped out, he heard a dull sound and his vision started to darken.

“Give up. No one can help you anyway.”

Blonde Elves, along with the Royal Guards, surrounded Angel. He knelt helplessly.

“Shut up, you damned pointy-eared bastards.”

A man spoke in disbelief and anger.

“…Killing you is a mere formality, but that will happen after the task is successful. Be grateful that you still have time to utter such words, lowly creatures.”

The deputy commander of the Royal Guards said, and Angel responded.

“Ha, gratitude is overrated. Aren’t you afraid of the Demon Lord?”

“Hmph, lower races like you will never think they can defeat the Demon Lord. We might be unsure under his rule, though.”

“So, what happens to me now? Torture won’t mean much.”

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“I want to tear your mouth apart for that insolence, but for now, you will be spared. We’ll make sure you can’t do anything and lock you in darkness.”

Angel burst into laughter as she heard those words, as if her lips were about to split.

“Oh, really? What should I do? That’s not my taste.”

“…Humph, are you holding onto futile hopes?”

“You’ll know when you see it.”

Angel shrugged, looking up at the ceiling before abruptly hitting her head on the floor.

Thud.

Blood splattered.

The fairies couldn’t utter a word. They were overwhelmed by madness, unable even to protest.

Despite blood trickling down her forehead, Angel raised her head with a smile so wide it seemed it would tear her face apart, then collided with the floor again.

Thud. Thud. Thud. Thud.

Onlookers forgot how to breathe.

And as she, still smiling as if her mouth would rip apart, finally slammed her head for the last time,

A squelching sound filled the air, and brain matter began to flow.

She kept on smiling as if her lips would tear apart until the very end.