<h4>Vol. 1 - Chapter 2，Part 5: The Suffering Of The ves (5)</h4>


    Exce, the former Third Princess of the Kingdom of Leirune, was praying in her ve cell. It was a daily routine for her, but these days, the object of her adoration was not God but Suzuki. Orneo had told her that Suzuki had be Nephira''s ve.


    "Lord Hero… Please be safe."


    Such prayer from Exce was interrupted. The door to the ve cell opened loudly and violently, and Nephira walked straight toward her. She shrank back at the unusual look on Nephira''s face. The icy gaze shot through her eyes.


    "You wench. I heard you have been plotting to free the ves by instigating Suzuki."


    For a moment, Exce thought she might stop breathing. W–Who in the world could have bbered?


    Quickly looking around, she realized. The man who was always in the corner, biting his fingernails and trembling, was gone. I see. He was listening to them. Perhaps in exchange for that information, he asked the Demon Lord''s Army to guarantee his safety…


    "T–The princess did not instigate the hero!"


    Orneo tried to intervene, but Nephira was not interested. She kept her sharp gaze fixed on Exce.


    "Youngss. Don''t look down on a DEMON!"


    "W-what about Lord Hero!!! What will you do to Lord Suzuki!?"


    "I didn''t tell Suzuki about this. Suzuki is just a victim of your evil schemes."


    (L–Lord Hero will not bear the brunt of their wrath…!)


    In such cases, the hero who infiltrated as a ve would normally be the first to be suspected and then punished. And yet…


    It was as she expected. His extraordinary ability shook Exce to her core. With his ability, he really could win over the Demon Lord''s Army. The total liberation of ves was not a dream. However, it seemed unlikely that she would witness that beautiful future for the human race.


    (Surely, I will be killed now.)


    Even so, Exce was fine with this oue. Because in this brutal world, she could see a glimmer of hope.


    (Lord Hero will change this world into something new. In the future, without me…)


    However, Nephira clicked her tongue in annoyance.


    "I''d like to kill you right now, but… Suzuki might be saddened if you die."


    (Ah, my God!!)


    Exce thanked God for saving her. However, the hope that had bloomed in Exce''s heart soon faded.


    Nephira''s icy gaze shifted from her to Orneo.


    "As your substitute. I''m going to kill this senile old fool."


    "N–No way!"


    "He is a senile old fool with a foot on the grave. Suzuki won''t be too saddened even if he dies."


    .


    Exce was about to rush toward Nephira, but Orneo ced his hand on her shoulder and shook his head quietly.


    "Sooner orter, the head advisor of the Demon Lord''s Army, Serphiano will arrive in this country. Then this senile old fool will be executed."


    With these words, Nephira turned on her heels.


    …


    After Neph left, Exce sobbed as she clung to Orneo.


    "Why! Why! Why Orneo!"


    "My Lady. Don''t worry. It was just as that demon said. I''m not going to live long anyway."


    "Orneo has always been there for me! Even after Father and Mother abandoned me!"


    Born as the Third Princess of Leirune, Exce was excluded from the session to the throne due to her thin royal blood. Orneo was always kind to her, even though she often was mistreated in the castle. From an early age, he raised her as if he were her own grandfather.


    (And yet!)


    Perhaps it would have been easier for her if it was her that was to be killed. Exce''s chest felt as if it was about to burst open.