It Seems That the Demon King Is Among the Members of the Hero’s Party

63. Putting off the Problem

───Two days have passed since the Martial Arts Tournament. The capital is still abuzz with excitement, discussing the tournament. The battle between the Brave and the Sword Saint was impressive, and the final match against my teacher was thrilling to watch.

Speaking of the final match, it felt like a fixed fight. Neither of us was serious about it. If my teacher and I had fought with all our might, who knows what would have happened?

I think I would have struggled, but in the end, I would have won. It’s not arrogance, but an objective assessment. My teacher is probably not a swordsman, but rather a mage.

I sensed a discrepancy in my teacher’s fighting style during the match. It was the way a mage approaches their opponent. Sasha also makes similar moves, using magic to keep her opponents at bay and sometimes even flying away to escape.

My teacher’s true profession is a mage, and magic is prohibited in the Martial Arts Tournament. Even if the opponent is a reincarnator, they wouldn’t lose to someone who’s not a professional swordsman.

I received a letter from my teacher through Maxwell, cleverly hidden between the pages of a book. I still remember Maxwell winking and saying, “It’s a book I recommend, you know?”

That person is also quite skilled at acting. I wonder if everyone becomes like that as they age?

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The letter’s content was an extension of our conversation during the final match. My teacher is investigating the World Tree and the Holy Domain in the depths of the church to find a way to meet with Mirabel without being detected. They also mentioned that they would report back once they had results. At the end, they clearly wrote “no response necessary,” showing consideration for my situation.

The letter also mentioned the blessing, which is actually a curse. I had heard a bit about it from my teacher, but it seems that the blessing is a curse that cannot be removed, even by the church.

The curse can be lifted at the church, but the blessing cannot. I, like other reincarnators, have received this blessing, and its effects are already manifesting. It’s said to have the power to distort one’s life. I should probably try to notice it sooner rather than later.

Honestly, I’m not sure what to do, but it’s better than doing nothing. I’ll think about it for now.

It seems that the blessing is often granted along with abilities. Of course, there’s no explanation for this. The letter mentioned that there’s currently no way to remove the blessing, which is troublesome.

The only one who has successfully lifted Mirabel’s blessing on their own is the first Law Emperor, Ludgar Christof. That’s why my teacher is investigating the church-related matters.

Finally, the letter mentioned my party member and main axis, the “Brave” Eclair Felgrand.

The detailed reasons will be discussed during our meeting. I think there are many concerns, but please don’t anger or drive her mad. It’s written in bold letters that the world will be destroyed if that happens.

My hand trembled as I read this letter, which I received two days ago, just before I was about to face a crisis.

Anyway, I finished reading the letter from my teacher, so I’ll return it to Maxwell along with the book. I’ll return it later.

The letter from my teacher was very easy to read. The writing was beautiful and easy to understand, and it was written with consideration for my situation.

It’s a letter that makes me feel like my teacher is a former teacher, and I can’t help but compare him to Takeshi-san as fellow reincarnators.

I pretended to read Takeshi-san’s letter while actually reading my teacher’s letter, so Takeshi-san’s terrible handwriting is still etched in my mind.

I’m sorry, Takeshi-san. Your handwriting is really hard to read. I don’t understand it no matter how many times I look at it.

Why did your handwriting become like this? I wonder.

I sealed Takeshi-san’s letter in an envelope, feeling puzzled.

“Did you read the previous Master’s letter and find anything concerning?”

“No, I was bothered by Takeshi-san’s handwriting and kept re-reading it to make sure I didn’t misread anything.”

“The previous Master had terrible handwriting, so it’s hard to read. Even the Brave Lloyd was warned about it.”

“Even the Brave? That’s quite something.”

“Yes! He used to complain about how hard it was to write and how this world’s writing system is particularly difficult.”

I can understand Takeshi-san’s feelings. I also struggled to get used to it, and Lisette-san scolded me a lot. Thanks to that, I can now write decently.

As you can see from our conversation, Durandal is still the same as ever. When we’re alone, she actively talks to me. She says she’s resolved her worries. I found it strange and asked Durandal, but she said, “Are you trying to hear the secrets of a maiden? You’re a man, Master,” and I gave up.

Durandal doesn’t know about my interactions with my teacher, so I can’t talk to her about it. My teacher’s letter also asked me to keep it confidential.

“Changing the subject, did you write a letter to Noel?”

“I’ve finally finished writing. I’ll ask Cecil to deliver it to Noel through the church.”

“I know I should be careful, but I ended up getting involved with Eclair-san. When I woke up, I said ‘You’re the one I love the most’ to the sheath, and I thought Master had fallen for my charm.”

“No, I’m sorry. I think I did something bad to Durandal too. But I decided it’s better to convey my words clearly instead of writing a letter.”

“You should think it over and take’action. Others might see me as a weirdo who’s in love with a sword.”

Eclair left my room. Before writing to Noel, I wanted to apologize to Durandal properly. To be precise, it was the sheath that held Durandal.

Noel had installed a wiretap in the sheath, so I apologized to Noel through the wiretap. I told Noel that I would send a letter, and I hoped they would write back without holding back their complaints.

Since it was a wiretap, there was no response. Instead, Durandal reacted, and I realized I was doing something quite embarrassing.

An outsider would probably think I’m weird.

Now, about the other problem with Eclair. I wanted to apologize to her teacher. Although it was before I read the letter, I think I made Eclair angry.

The next morning, we met face-to-face. I was extremely uncomfortable. Eclair’s face was red, as if she remembered what happened the previous night.

I had a proper conversation with her.

I told her about my engagement to Noel. Since we have God’s blessing, I can’t break off the engagement. Moreover, I don’t have any complaints about Noel, and I plan to marry her after defeating the demon king and resolving the demon tribe’s issues.

Eclair didn’t seem angry, but she had a dissatisfied expression and puffed out her cheeks.

I confirmed with Eclair again. Does she like me? She shook her head vertically multiple times, and my heart wavered. She hugged me tightly and appealed to me, showing how much she likes me.

There’s no need to hide it, so I’ll say it – we kissed many times. It’s clear that Eclair has feelings for me.

While I’m happy about her feelings, I have a fiancée, Noel, so I can’t reciprocate. I have a sense of guilt.

Eclair has already taken action, so I can’t avoid responsibility. If I run away now, I’ll lose face in front of Lizette-san. No, I’ve already done something similar, so I have no face to show.

From there, Eclair and I discussed how to deal with this situation. Her feelings are pleasant, but I can’t reciprocate. However, Eclair doesn’t seem to accept that.

If she had accepted, she wouldn’t have attacked me yesterday. I don’t want to be dishonest to either Noel or Eclair, so I’ll have an honest conversation with both of them.

As a result, the three of us – Noel, Eclair, and I – will have another talk. Eclair wants to be my number one. When I asked her in detail, she said she would allow it if Noel is the second.

Both of them want to be my number one. This will be a problem. I have a feeling we’ll end up in a bitter struggle.

So, I made a decision. We’ll have a talk with a church priest as a mediator. Eclair agreed. Her strong gaze seemed to say, “Choose me.”

This is a temporary solution. Since one of the parties is missing, we can’t do anything about it now. It’s a matter of my heart, but I predict that no matter what I choose, it will be irreversible.

So, I’m preparing for the worst and involving a priest. Poor priest. You’ll die with me.

Now, I just have to wait for Noel’s response letter. Honestly, I’m scared, and my hand is shaking. I’m afraid of Noel’s reaction. This is a pathetic story.

As I’m sure you know, I intend to choose Noel. Will Eclair accept it…? I’m feeling gloomy.

I’ll give the letter to Cecil and head to Sasha’s place. We have a promise to practice magic.

“Should we ask Cecil to be the mediating priest?”

“No way.”

It’s clear that someone will die. That’s all I know.