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Defiled Hero Chapter 037

Defiled Hero

A Day With Lilia, Part 3

「What's wrong, ghost.」 (Izayoi)

「I'm not doing anything in particular.」 (Lilia)

Turning my back to the fountain, I sat next to Lilia.

The sound of flowing water came from behind me. The air was slightly moist, a calm atmosphere. Not talking about anything in particular, just sitting together, we stared off into the distance.

I opened my mouth to speak to Lilia.

「...This place, is my favorite.」 (Izayoi)

「...Is that so.」 (Lilia)

I'm not too sure, but attacking each other is the most likely occurrence here. Lilia looked just a bit different than usual.

She will probably get angry if I say something stupid here. I'll listen quietly.

「I've liked coming here to be by myself ever since a long time ago. On that day, someone talked to me. They sat down next to me like you did... Well, they were gentle and lovable, the exact opposite of you and your terrible personality.」 (Lilia)

She continued without looking at me.

「We played together and chatted a lot, but fun times don't continue forever. That person was... the hero! 」 (Lilia)

「He promised to come play again. But, the hero, died. He was an extremely kind and outstanding person. I loved him. He was so young, and yet he took everything upon himself for the sake of everyone else.」 (Lilia)

「It was very saddening, but it made me think I had to try my best in my own way. I didn't know how to do my best, and I tried so many things but none of them worked out… and here I am now.」 (Lilia)

I laughed a little, and Lilia turned to look at me.

「—I thought you were going to sit there quietly and listen, what was that for!?」 (Lilia)

「...I'm just here to set you free from this place.」 (Izayoi)

「Set me free? Aren't you just surrounding me with salt!? Isn't that just to keep me here!?」 (Lilia)

「It can’t be helped. You suddenly started to monologue, so I put down salt in reply.」 (Izayoi)

「Ahh, I see, so it's my fault. I won't talk to you anymore. Is that fine?」 (Lilia)

「...That's no good.」 (Izayoi)

「What?」 (Lilia)

「 I won't let you run away after you started talking at me while ignoring how I feel, then decided to stop all on your own.」 (Izayoi)

「But it's got nothing to do with you, whether you give permission or not.」 (Lilia)

「That's right. It's got nothing to do with me.」 (Izayoi)

I've got nothing to do with the old me. So I'll say whatever I want to say.

「The hero isn't as great a person as you say. Rather, he’s halfway negligent.」 (Izayoi)

As I said that, Lilia stood up and glared at me.

「You! Someone like you doesn't have the right to judge the hero! I will not allow you to insult the hero like that! Apologize! Apologize to my beloved hero!」 (Lilia)

「I may not have the right. But Lilia, was the hero able to take everything upon themselves to protect everything?」 (Izayoi)

「They did! They protected the world!」 (Lilia)

「They protected everything? Then why do you look so sad.」 (Izayoi)

「That's, that's because of the horrible things you said...」 (Lilia)

「Were you laughing while we were at Arona?」 (Izayoi)

「......」 (Lilia)

「You were crying. The thieves attacked, and you came crying while begging for help.」 (Izayoi)

「*Uuuu....*」 (Lilia)

「The hero only defeats demons. There's more than one type of monster. It's the same for evildoers. That wasn't all that important to the hero.」 (Izayoi)

「Even so, the hero...」 (Lilia)

「If the hero saw the current world, would he be satisfied? Surely not.」 (Izayoi)

「Wh are you! What are you trying to say?」 (Lilia)

「Nothing really, just what I thought since you started orating all on your own. Don't make that face if you don't have a problem with me. Your expression was ugly enough as it was, no need to try harder. Laugh.」 (Izayoi)

「What!? Don't suddenly start insulting me! Don't start badmouthing me just because it's bad to badmouth the hero! And my face is plenty pretty as it is you know?」 (Lilia)

「Your personality is ugly too. Now, step outside the circle of salt. And fall.」 (Izayoi)

「I'm sorry— What was that! Be clear whether you're being serious or kidding around! Do you think I'm a fool!?」 (Lilia)

「Right. You're an idiot.」 (Izayoi)