《The Demon Lord Isn't The Bad Guy?!》


 Prologue - Killed and Resurrected

    I woke up under the shade of the trees as a hint of wind pull me out of my drowsiness.


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400; text-align: left">Where¡­ am I?


    </li>


    </ul>


    Looking around, there was only grass and sky as far as the eyes could see.


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">What the, huh?</li>


    </ul>


    I rubbed my eyes and looked around.


    I had little pieces of memories, and I tried to remember more.


    Right, right, I was walking to school.


    Yes, I had woken up early like I¡¯ve always done, and I headed to school after my brother, whom headed out even earlier than me.


    What exactly happened?


    I had spaced out when passing the road, and a truck crashed into me¡­


    That bastard, the light showed that pedestrians were to start walking, and that cars should let the walkers go by first.


    Well, I can¡¯t blame them, I should¡¯ve been more careful as well¡­


    Back to the topic at hand, where am I?


    I pushed myself up and looked at my hands.


    Well, it was instinct, but I realized I was holding onto a rolled up sheet of¡­ brown leather?


    Curious, I unrolled it and read the strange markings, which I somehow was able to read.


    Weird.


    The strange writings said:


    <I¡¯m sorry.>


    What?


    I continued reading.


    <Very sorry.>


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">¡­</li>


    </ul>


    <You died.>


    What¡­


    <Oops.>


    I could feel my vein pop, but I can¡¯t help but snort at the weird letter of apology.


    I continued to read.


    <The truck that hit you was me. I was the truck.>


    What¡­


    <I was supposed to pick up the hero.


    By the way, they should be laying next to you.>


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Wait, what.</li>


    </ul>


    I looked at the tree, but no one was laying upon the big log, so I circled around.


    And what do you know, there was a girl laying there.


    She had dark black hair.


    Her skin was pale, and she seemed to be sleeping comfortably in her school uniform.


    Wait, school uniform?


    Our school doesn¡¯t have school uniforms, I don¡¯t attend any school that has uniforms.


    And I''m pretty sure none of the schools in my country had uniforms either.


    Unless universities do, they don¡¯t, right?


    Or¡­ I¡¯m just completely mistaken and that isn¡¯t a school uniform.


    Well, who is she?


    Was she from a different place?


    I continued reading to find a clue.


    <¡­I should probably continue from the beginning.>


    You got that right.


    <So, I am a mage from this world.


    High class if I do say so myself.>


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Oh¡­ mages¡­?</li>


    </ul>


    <Anyways, I was asked from the kingdoms to find and capture, er, uh, damn it ink!


    I meant to ask the destined hero to help fight the Demon Lord.


    The demon lord is strong, by the way.>


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">¡­</li>


    </ul>


    <The destined hero, also known as Leonhart in the legend, is supposed to fight the Demon Lord and restore peace to the kingdom. Harrah!


    Problem.


    Leonhart is not a boy like in the legends, strange¡­ oh well.>


    Don¡¯t just sweep that under the rug! It might be important! You might have picked up the wrong person!


    <Blah, blah, blah, so I was supposed to bring back the hero after I picked him, er, her up, but then I crashed into you due to my recklessness.


    Oops.>Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator.


    Another vein popped from my arm.


    <So I used a forbidden spell to resurrect you, and due to a mistake, you are, uh¡­ you¡¯ll find out soon.


    Plus, I can¡¯t revive you in your world due to the natural order¡­ Sorry, truly, sorry.>


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">¡­</li>


    </ul>


    <Oh, and I¡¯d like you to tell this to the hero, too.>


    Okay¡­


    <And, because I used the forbidden spell, I am on the run!


    Teehee, please complete my quest for me!>


    I think my vein will literally pop today if I continue reading this.


    < But, but, I¡¯ll try to find a way to send you back to your world without disrupting the order!


    Please wait until then, sorry, and, c¡¯ya!>


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">¡­</li>


    </ul>


    I let out a sigh.


    At least they are willing to help me find a way home.


    ¡­


    But do I really want to go back?


    My life there was nothing but a pain.


    Everyday was the same: Work, chores, study, study, study, study, oh, and sometimes, study.


    I never had a goal to begin with, my life was stupidly ordinary, and I¡­


    Well, enough of that.


    I can just tell them that it¡¯s okay to not bring me back to my old life, I¡¯ll probably like it here.


    Because¡­ Magic!


    They did mention that they were a mage!


    Plus, ressurection spells! Cool!


    I¡¯ve always loved magic, I wonder what I can do with magic.


    Well, I¡¯ll have to learn more about it to get the jist of it.


    ¡­I wonder if I can make weak magic strong like some heroes in novels do-


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Hmm?</li>


    </ul>


    Startled, I looked down and saw that the girl had woken up.


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">AH! </li>


    </ul>


    The girl shouted randomly.


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">WAH!</li>


    </ul>


    I followed suit.


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Where am I?!</li>


    </ul>


    She screamed as she looks around, panicked.


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Huh? Mister?! Do you know where we are?!</li>


    </ul>


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">What?! Uh, y-, no, yes?!</li>


    </ul>


    ¡°Mister?¡±


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Where are we then, mister?!</li>


    </ul>


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Ugh, uh, different! Different world!?</li>


    </ul>


    I blurted in a panic.


    Hold up, ¡°Mister?!¡±


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Different¡­ world?!</li>


    </ul>


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">I¡­ I don¡¯t know?! Yes?! Prob, Yes!</li>


    </ul>


    My mind started to get more clear as I remember the letter in my hand.


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Wait, wait, wait, calm down! You¡¯re making me panic, too!</li>


    </ul>


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">How can I calm down?!</li>


    </ul>


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Just calm down!?</li>


    </ul>


    We both breathe in silence as we try to calm down, both taking in deep breaths.


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Fuoou.</li>


    </ul>


    She breathed out.


    I sighed as we both finally calmed down, and I explained everything to her.


    Leaving out my part, of course.


    All I told her was that she was the hero, and..


    Well, I lied a bit, too, saying that I was only here to tell her that.


    ¡­Iguess that ain¡¯t really a lie though.


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">So¡­ I am supposed to be a hero? </li>


    </ul>


    Her innocence made me smile on the inside.


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Yep.</li>


    </ul>


    I smiled outly.


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">And I need to fight the¡­ Demon Lord¡­?</li>


    </ul>


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Yep, yep.</li>


    </ul>


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">And how exactly do I¡­ start¡­?</li>


    </ul>


    I felt bricks dropped on me.


    Duh-Dun! It goes.


    I don¡¯t know either!


    How am I supposed to?!


    I was just randomly dragged along!


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Er¡­ uh¡­ </li>


    </ul>


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">I¡­ don¡¯t really want to either¡­ </li>


    </ul>


    What, what, what?!


    You are a chosen one! Special!


    How come you don¡¯t want to?!


    Well, taking things into consideration, I guess most wouldn¡¯t want to either.


    It was too much of a hassle, and, not to mention, dangerous.


    But since I proclaimed myself as a guide, I guess I¡¯ll help the guy out with their quest.


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">But. Please! You must! My family will die! I¡¯m sorry for being selfish¡­! I just¡­!... just¡­ Okay¡­ I guess I¡¯ll try to return you. I¡¯m sorry¡­ we should deal with this ourselves¡­ </li>


    </ul>


    I do think my acting was pretty good.


    Because this girl is so innocent, I am sure she¡¯ll accept.


    Sorry about this.


    When I looked up, I can see the girl struggling to make a decision.


    I smirked to myself, of course, I didn¡¯t show her that smirk.


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Oh, you don¡¯t have to force yourself! I¡¯m sorry to drag you into this¡­ I¡¯ll¡­ go talk with the knights and see if we¡¯ll be able to return you¡­ </li>


    </ul>


    This is it! My trump card, the, ¡°act damaged and vulnerable¡± technique.


    I could see her face making a decision.


    This is it!


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">¡­I¡¯ll help you!</li>


    </ul>


    The girl grinned bravely.


    ¡­


    I feel sorry for the girl, but I don¡¯t want to get caught up in this.


    I just want to learn magic and explore!


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Thank you! I¡¯m sorry for the trouble!</li>


    </ul>


    I thanked her and pounce down to hug her.


    Heheh.


    I then pulled myself off, and looked down to the ground.


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">¡­You¡­ really don¡¯t have to force yourself to do this¡­ </li>


    </ul>


    This is going to hit the nail on the head!


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Un.</li>


    </ul>


    The girl shook her head.


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">I can¡¯t just leave someone in danger for my selfishness, I¡¯ll help you out, mister!</li>


    </ul>


    The girl exclaimed.


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Thank you so much, hero!</li>


    </ul>


    I jumped on her for another hug.


    Wait¡­


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Why do you call me ¡°Mister?¡±</li>


    </ul>


    I asked as I parted away.


    The girl tilted her head slightly to the right.


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Are you not a guy, mister? You look awfully like one.</li>


    </ul>


    That will hurt any women¡¯s pride, you know!


    Unless I look handsome, I won¡¯t complain to that.


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Or is it because you are a young one, mister! I¡¯m sorry!</li>


    </ul>


    The girl bowed frentfully.


    Do you mean to say I look old, too?!


    Ugh¡­ there goes my mental pride as a women.


    Cries.


    I¡¯m only sixteen, just so you know! How do I even look old?!


    But¡­ I¡¯m not a guy though?


    I looked at the innocent girl in the eyes, and she stared back, mesmerized.


    Wait.


    I can see my reflection.


    Short white hair and a chiseled face.


    Wide, broad shoulders and slightly muscular, wearing horribly tattered clothing, which was probably from the car crash.


    Good thing I usually wear clothes bigger than myself, but no wonder it felt tight.


    Huh¡­ white hair¡­ maybe that''s why she thought I was old.


    Wait¡­ I¡¯m¡­ a guy?!


    How dense can I be to not notice this?!


    No wonder I felt a bump between my legs!


    Just then, the words from the letter flashed through my head.


    <So I used a forbidden spell to resurrect you, and due to a mistake, you are, uh¡­ you¡¯ll find out soon.>


    So¡­ this is what they meant?!


    I do look handsome though¡­ but that is besides the point!


    Why am I a guy?!


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Hey! Who are you two?!</li>


    </ul>


    Another problem occured?!

 Chapter One - Corrupted Kingdom

    There appeared a guard with a fully armoured appearance.


    His slightly long, blond hair was swept away from his eyes, and he was holding a spear towards us.


    His blazing red eyes were full of caution.


    Oh. I must be blind.


    There was a giant gate with borders not too long of a walk from here.


    It might take twenty to thirty minutes to walk from there to here.


    How¡¯d he get here so fast?


    Well. Aside from that¡­


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Uh¡­ </li>


    </ul>


    This is trouble.


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Why are you two standing in the middle of nowhere?</li>


    </ul>


    Exactly. Why are we standing in the middle of nowhere?


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">The hero Leonhart.</li>


    </ul>


    I said, standing and looking at him directly in the eye.


    I was about to point to the girl and say that she wasthe one, but there seemed to be a misunderstanding.


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">AH! I see! You, you¡¯re Leonhart!</li>


    </ul>


    The guard exclaimed as he looked at me with new, profound eyes.


    He lowered his spear.


    What?


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">No-</li>


    </ul>


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">We must bring you to the castle immediately! The king must know of this!</li>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">¡­ </li>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">And you, girl, who might you be?</li>


    </ul>


    The knight asked with disdain in his eyes, as if he was looking at trash.


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Eh? I¡¯m¡­ </li>


    </ul>


    The girl looked down, scared and confused.


    Her clear black eyes looked like it¡¯s moving everywhere at once.


    I can¡¯t help but frown, I nudge her and she looked up.


    So I leaned down and whispered in her ear.


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Follow my lead, we¡¯ll get to king and tell them that you¡¯re Leonhart.</li>


    </ul>


    I had a hunch on what is happening.


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Oh she is my companion, please don¡¯t mind her¡­ for now.</li>


    </ul>


    I whispered the last part, just enough for the girl to hear.


    As I smile at the man, he grinned back and bowed.


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Please follow me then, great hero.</li>


    </ul>


    The man asked, turning around.


    I nodded with a smile from years of practice.


    We departed, and while I walk, it seemed as though ¡°Leonhart¡± was lagging behind.


    The guard didn¡¯t seem to care and quickened his pace.


    I had the energy to keep up, but it seems that ¡°Leonhart¡± was already at her limit.


    So I lagged behind as well.


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">You okay?</li>


    </ul>


    I asked.


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Not¡­ particularly¡­ </li>


    </ul>


    The girl whimpered, out of breath.


    I stood for awhile.


    I¡¯m not as confident in my strength when I was female, but I was sure I could carry her with this now muscled body of mine.


    So, I went right in front of her, kneeled down, and when she paused to think of what I was doing¡­


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Hump.</li>


    </ul>


    I let out the noise as I picked her up and carried her on my back.


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Wah! You don¡¯t have to do this!... </li>


    </ul>


    I grinned.


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">It¡¯s no problem! I can¡¯t just leave someone in danger for my selfishness, right?</li>


    </ul>


    I recited as I look back at her.


    The girl buried her smiling face on my shoulder, embarrassed.


    I can¡¯t help but chuckle joyfully.


    When I look back up the way we were walking, I could see the knight staring with disgust at the girl.


    When he saw me, he smiled and turned back and kept walking.


    I lifted my shoulder to nudge the girl.


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Hm?</li>


    </ul>


    She made the noise when she realized I was nudging her.


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">I have a bad hunch.</li>


    </ul>


    Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Oh? What is it?</li>


    </ul>


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Girls¡¯ rights.</li>


    </ul>


    I explained with a grimace.


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">There aren¡¯t any here. At all.</li>


    </ul>


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">¡­</li>


    </ul>


    We kept walking in silence until we reached the gates.


    I paused and nudge the girl again as the guard talked to the others to open the gates.


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Hm?</li>


    </ul>


    The girl woke up from her nap, and I gently lowered her down until she knew what was happening.


    She rubbed her eyes awake and yawned.


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Are we finally here?</li>


    </ul>


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Yep.</li>


    </ul>


    I leaned in to her ears and whispered.


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">About the girl¡¯s rights thing.</li>


    </ul>


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">What¡­ what about it?</li>


    </ul>


    She asked.


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Let¡¯s change it, shall we?</li>


    </ul>


    I grinned.


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">...Un!</li>


    </ul>


    She smiled back with a slight blush on her face.


    When the gates started to open, I finally realized something.


    I still don¡¯t know her name.


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Ah.</li>


    </ul>


    She blurted.


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Ah?</li>


    </ul>


    I repeated.


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">I still haven¡¯t introduced myself! How forgetful of me!</li>


    </ul>


    I laughed at our common thoughts, and the girl tilted her head in confusion.


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">I¡¯m Cecilia</li>


    </ul>


    I laughed.


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Ce¡­ cilia?...</li>


    </ul>


    ¡­


    OH CRAP!


    I forgot that I was resurrected for a second!


    And now I have a body of a guy as well!


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Er, eh, uh, Ciel! Ciel¡­ Zilia¡­!</li>


    </ul>


    I grinned awkwardly.


    I think my mouth was also twitching.


    The girl tilted her head and laughed.


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Well, I¡¯m Yumi, Nomura Yumi. Just call me Yuu.</li>


    </ul>


    She grinned.


    Again, her innocence radiated, blinding my eyes.


    My eyes! Owowowow.


    Ugh, so innocent.


    This world is gonna change her.


    I don¡¯t want that¡­!


    That means I¡¯ll be following her¡­?


    No! I mustn''t! I can¡¯t! I¡¯m sorry!


    But wait.


    I was right.


    She was from a different country.


    Japan?


    I wonder if they have any traditions that I¡¯ve broken.


    Oh well, we are in a different world now, that probably won¡¯t matter.


    Right?


    As we walk in, people were staring at us.


    This place looked undeveloped.


    I saw beastmen, awesome.


    Elves, even more awesome.


    And that fifth century feeling, too.


    So goddamn awesome!...


    Yuu was as mesmerized as I was.


    This was a different world after all.


    But the more I looked, the worser this city looked.


    Beastmens were in tattered clothings and had a collar around their necks, elves were in chains, and women were all malnourished.


    What is with this city?


    We finally arrived at what seemed to be the centre.


    There stood a giant castle with golden gates.


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">We¡¯re here to see the king about Leonhart.</li>


    </ul>


    The guard announced to the other ones, his face gleaming.


    Both of the other guards nodded at each other, and as they mumble something under their breaths, the gates started to open.


    Magic?! A spell?!


    There you would see my eyes shining with delight.


    We entered and were lead up to the throne.


    Guards and knights and other royal beings assembled the halls which lead to the throne.


    Woah.


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Welcome, great hero!</li>


    </ul>


    The bearded man exclaimed.


    He was as skinny as muscular, and he had a perfectly shaved beard, which had white strips on it.


    Cool.


    But his eyes looked menacing.


    I always follow my gut.


    And it says, right now, that we should leave this place.


    I sneaked a glance over at Yuu, who was trembling with all the glares her way.


    This felt more like we were in a crime scene than at a greeting.


    I looked back at the king.


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Greetings, your highness.</li>


    </ul>


    I said slowly and carefully.


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Oh no need to be so formal! </li>


    </ul>


    He boomed.


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">You are the great hero, Leonhart, afterall.</li>


    </ul>


    The king laughed ferociously with a glass of red wine in hand.


    I shook my head.


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">No, your highness, I am just a mere commoner. The lady besides me is the foretold hero, Leonhart.</li>


    </ul>


    I stressed the commoner part and the lady part as I look directly at the king.


    There was chattery around the room, but I didn¡¯t budge my eye contact with the king.


    After I heard a click of the tongue, there was silence.


    That was definitely from the king.


    Why?


    He stared back at me for awhile, then shifted his gaze to Yuu.


    I did the same.


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">And who might you be? </li>


    </ul>


    He asked.


    Everyone was able to hear the force in his voice.


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">I¡­ I¡­ </li>


    </ul>


    Yuu started to tear up.


    I shifted my gaze back to the king and our surroundings.


    None of them seemed friendly.


    Then I looked back at Yuu.


    You can do it, Yuu.


    As if my message got to her, Yuu suddenly tensed up.


    Her eyes became stern, fierce, and everything about her changed.


    The atmosphere around her was completely different.


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">¡­My name is Yumi, m¡¯lord, Nomura Yumi. Please, call me Yui.</li>


    </ul>


    Yui¡­?


    As I stare in confusion, I saw her eyes look at me, just so briefly that I could tell.


    That was not Yuu.


    Different personalities?


    The king stared back at her, then he sighed.


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Is it true? Are you the legendary hero, Leonhart?</li>


    </ul>


    Yui went quiet for a moment.


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">That, will depend.</li>


    </ul>


    She simply admitted.


    Yui¡­! That will get us in trouble! What are you doing?!


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Is that so¡­ </li>


    </ul>


    The king sneered.


    I sighed in my head.


    This was not the plot I was hoping for.


    Oh well.


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">It seems that this will be the case for now.</li>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">¡­</li>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">I knew we shouldn¡¯t have trusted that bitch of a mage. Women are so¡­ useless. </li>


    </ul>


    The king mumbled to himself.


    I don¡¯t know if I was the only one who heard that, but it sure seemed that way.


    I clenched my jaw so hard that one of my tooth would¡¯ve broken if Yui didn¡¯t give me a look that says, ¡°Go with it.¡±


    And here I thought that I was the mature one.


    Never get ahead of yourself, huh.


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Please, let us escort you to a room.</li>


    </ul>


    The king said and smiled at me.


    Then he turned to Yui, staring her up and down.


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">You¡­ too.</li>


    </ul>


    He said and left the room.


    I made up my mind.


    I stood up from my kneel.


    And a maid, battered and bruised came in and bowed at us.


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Please, follow me¡­ great hero.</li>


    </ul>


    We¡¯re leaving this place.

 Chapter Two - Stroll of the Kingdom

    After we were led into our room, they gave us a change of clothes that made us look like townsfolk from around here.


    I suggested to Yui that we should wander the kingdom.


    She nodded and I asked one of the soldiers if we could do so.


    Things happened, and we were let out to explore the place.


    We walked around the district for a bit until I stopped.


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Hey, Yui. Look over there.</li>


    </ul>


    I said as I pointed to the elven boy slaving away.


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">And there.</li>


    </ul>


    I instructed again, pointing next to the boy.


    There was a small beastian child, who was carrying a stack of wood into the house the elf boy was working at.


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">And there.</li>


    </ul>


    I repeated and pointed to girl who was being yelled at by a guy.


    Nobody seemed to help the poor lady, moreover, other guys were staring daggers at her.


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">See the correlation?</li>


    </ul>


    I asked with a slight frown while pointing a finger up into the sky.


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Of course I do.</li>


    </ul>


    She scuffed.


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Who wouldn¡¯t. Even Yuu could tell.</li>


    </ul>


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Me?</li>


    </ul>


    I asked, dumbfounded.


    My finger curled down like someone had just told me that I was utterly wrong.


    After a slight silence for me to figure it out, I realized.


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Oh¡­ Yuu¡­ as in Yumi.</li>


    </ul>


    I mumbled to myself in realization.


    We continued walking.


    Somehow, the place we arrived at was the district market.


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Ah. </li>


    </ul>


    Yui made a noise as she stopped.


    I stopped as well and looked at what she was staring at.


    My mouth can¡¯t help but water.


    Juicy grilled meat.


    The slices were thin and it sizzled as the fat melted into oil.


    My stomach rumbled.


    I looked at Yui, whose mouth was also watery.


    Her eyes were sparkling with delight.


    She turned to me with pleading eyes.


    I laughed and pulled out the pouch of coins we got from one of the maids.


    In the bag were shiny gold coins that shimmered in the sunlight.


    There was also plenty of silver coins, and some copper coins.


    There were big and smalls coins, too.


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">How much for a box?</li>


    </ul>


    I asked and pointed at the sizzling meat.


    It smelled great.


    But I was still slightly puzzled with how currency worked here.


    Hopefully it ain¡¯t hard to grasp.


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Only a whopping two copper and a small copper!</li>


    </ul>


    The small beastian boy proclaimed as his ears perked up.


    Two coppers, so like, it might be two dollars? And a small copper, twenty-five or fifty cents, right?


    ¡­Gah, I don¡¯t have a small copper.


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Would three copper coins do? </li>


    </ul>


    I asked, handing out the shimmering coins.


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Yep! Wait a moment and I¡¯ll give ya your box!</li>


    </ul>


    The boy cheered and placed the coins in a small container under the shelf-like stand.


    That¡¯s probably for people to not steal it, a pretty good idea to add two extra boards for something like a cabinet.


    The beast-boy grinned to himself with his sharp teeths and took two wooden sticks.


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Chopsticks¡­ </li>


    </ul>


    Yui muttered in a homesick voice.


    I looked over blinked a couple of times, then I looked at the boy again.


    This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings.


    ¡­


    Yeah, she¡¯ll be happy if I do that. I should do that later.


    The kid grabbed a stick in one hand, and another in the other.


    They¡¯re basically skewer sticks.


    I delightfully thought as I raised my eyebrows to myself.


    He flipped the thin pieces, and after an extremely quick moment, the boy got all of the meat on the grill into a cardboard-like container.


    He placed the sticks back on the stand.


    Then the boy shuffled through the can of coins and brought out a small copper coin.


    Ah, fifty cents then.


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Here ya are, mister! </li>


    </ul>


    The kid beamed as he hand me the box in one hand, and the coin in the other.


    I grabbed the box of thinly sliced meat, then looked at the coin for a brief moment.


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Keep it. </li>


    </ul>


    I told him.


    His eyes sparkled and his grin was so wide you could see his gums.


    But then, his ears sank.


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">You sure, mister?</li>


    </ul>


    He asked to try to make sure I wasn¡¯t joking, his ears slowly raising to show a sign of hope that I¡¯ll answer with a, ¡°Yes.¡±


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Yep.</li>


    </ul>


    I nodded as I take three skewers from the box that was set out for customers and handed two skewers to Yui, along with the box of meat.


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">You¡¯re really nice, mister. Only the ladies and elven people, aside from fellow beastmen are this nice. I¡¯ve almost never seen a male from the human race this nice aside from master.</li>


    </ul>


    The boy smiled earnestly as he wipe his sweat.


    The boy placed the coin back in the box as I look back at him.


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Ah, is that why you¡¯re much better off than most beast people? </li>


    </ul>


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Yeah, I was really lucky to be picked up by master the day I was out to be sold.</li>


    </ul>


    Sold, huh.


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">He sounds like a good person.</li>


    </ul>


    I complimented with a smile.


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Yep! He even taught me magic.</li>


    </ul>


    I almost dropped my skewer.


    Right! Magic! Magic!


    That was why I stuck around in the first place!


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Magic?</li>


    </ul>


    I inquired so that I could learn more.


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Yep, I used magic to cut these thin pieces. At first I only did this for master¡¯s lunch, but he later urged me to open up a stall. It¡¯s really fun, even if scary at times! I¡¯m really thankful for him, so I¡¯m saving up the coins I¡¯m earning to help him with his cause.</li>


    </ul>


    The little boy explained to me as he wipe the stand and the small grill next to it.


    The grill, by the way, was only a flat, cleaned and smoothed piece of stone heated over fire.


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Hm? His cause?</li>


    </ul>


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Yeah! Master gathers up money to buy enslaved children. He even lets us stay at his mansion to work if they have nowhere else to go! Usually though, the other children would find a job of their own, pay back the master of their purchase¡¯s worth, and then set out to Affradam.</li>


    </ul>


    Affradam is probably a place of freedom.


    This sounds like our history of slavery.


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Hey, Rodwin, can I get two box!</li>


    </ul>


    There was a small and tanned, elven kid standing there with copper coins in his hand, grinning widely like how children should be.


    So his name is Rodwin


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Yeah! Hold on a sec!</li>


    </ul>


    Rodwin grinned and took the coins, putting it in the box.


    He took a deep breath and closed his eyes.


    But then suddenly, I felt a pull on my shirt.


    I looked back down at the spot.


    It was Yui.


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Hm? What is it?</li>


    </ul>


    In the corner of my eye, I could see Rodwin cut thin slices of meat with magic.


    It sparkled.


    Wa¡­ woah...


    .


    Yui pulled on my shirt again.


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Y-yeah?</li>


    </ul>


    I mumbled as my attention focused back on her.


    I realized that her eyes became softer.


    She didn¡¯t look tensed, nor did she look stern.


    It was Yuu, not Yui.


    After she knows she had gotten my attention, Yuu pointed to a little, skinny girl being dragged along by a boy, who was, I must not lie, pretty fat compared to her, well, compared to a lot of people.


    I blinked a couple of times, then I looked back down at Yuu, who was pulling on my shirt again.


    She pushed the box of meat up to my view, and I felt like I went cross-eyed.


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">May I¡­ give this to the girl?</li>


    </ul>


    I let out a breath in my head, with a proud smile of course.


    Wait, what am I, her proud father?!


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Yeah, go ahead, I can buy more.</li>


    </ul>


    I grinned.


    After Yuu ran off, I frowned.


    We shouldn¡¯t just focus on one person.


    There are plenty of other people who needs help in this world right now.


    Well, I guess every little one counts.


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Hey! What are you doing?!</li>


    </ul>


    Hm?


    Reality returned when I saw Yuu getting kicked.


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Oi?!</li>


    </ul>


    I roared and ran over.


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">What do you think you¡¯re doing?!


    </li>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">What am I doing?! What is this, this girl doing?!</li>


    </ul>


    The boy screamed.


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">She¡¯s touching my property!</li>


    </ul>


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Your property?!</li>


    </ul>


    I screeched, my anger rising.


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Hey! What¡¯s going on?!</li>


    </ul>


    A guard growled as he hurries over.


    It was the guy who lead me and Yuu to the kingdom, he was the one who told the maid to hand us the bag of coins, too, as well as an extra set of clothing.


    The man is a good person.


    His name was Kole.


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Well, this, this girl over here tried to do something to my Mira!</li>


    </ul>


    His¡­ this is, without a doubt¡­


    I clenched my jaw so hard that it started to hurt.


    It wouldn¡¯t be surprising if my eyes were twitching right now.


    Kole turned to me, then it turned to the chubby boy.


    He sighed.


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">I¡¯m sorry sir, this person is new to the laws of this land. His rudeness is mine as well, for I haven¡¯t taught him the slightest of this kingdom. Please forgive him.</li>


    </ul>


    Kole bowed.


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">You better apologize, this woman could have poison my Mira.</li>


    </ul>


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Hey, hey, hey. That ain¡¯t poison.</li>


    </ul>


    I interjected with a frown.


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Why would I eat poisoned meat?!</li>


    </ul>


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Please, great hero, we must leave this matter to a rest. That girl is his property, we cannot touch or harm it, or else there be a great punishment.</li>


    </ul>


    It this, property that.


    This world really is of that era.


    I don¡¯t like it.


    I gave a big sigh.


    It would be great to stop time right now, or teleport.


    I don¡¯t know.


    While it wandered, my eyes met Yuu¡¯s.


    Then somehow, it felt like everything stopped.


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">¡­</li>


    </ul>


    My mouth was agape.


    Huh?

 Chapter Three - Cheat Skills?

    I looked at my hands, then around me.


    Everything was gray and unmoving.


    Yuu was was sitting next to the frail girl, and they were also able to move about.


    Plus, they still had color.


    The frail girl looked around, shocked.


    We all were silent, taking in the huge incident.


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Um¡­ </li>


    </ul>


    Yuu mumbled.


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Are you OK?</li>


    </ul>


    The little girl flinched.


    Then she nodded slowly.


    The girl looked at me, then she lowered her eyes.


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Uh, are you¡­ going to hurt me¡­</li>


    </ul>


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">What¡­?! No¡­ no such thing, I won¡¯t harm you.</li>


    </ul>


    I smiled gently and then nodded at Yuu.


    Yuu nodded back.


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Here.</li>


    </ul>


    Yuu smiled as she push the box up to the girl¡¯s face.


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Ah. No, I couldn¡¯t possibly¡­!</li>


    </ul>


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Please.</li>


    </ul>


    I smiled worryingly.


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">We beg of you, take it.</li>


    </ul>


    Yuu nodded.


    The girl looked down, then up, then down again.


    She nodded quickly.


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Thank¡­ thank you¡­ </li>


    </ul>


    The skinny girl whispered as she smiled under her messy, uncombed, brown hair.


    I felt warm inside.


    Yes, I love this feeling.


    The feeling of being able to help someone.


    It¡¯s the greatest feeling in the world.


    ...I had almost forgotten this feeling.


    I sat down as I watch Yuu use the two skewers as chopsticks to feed the girl.


    Poor kid, she can¡¯t even move her hands.


    It¡¯s so badly wounded, and hunger made her even more weak and fragile.


    It¡¯s a wonder how she could even move or talk.


    The girl, named Mira, finished all of the meat in a matter of seconds.


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Ah¡­ I feel¡­ refreshed?</li>


    </ul>


    The girl opened and close her hands.


    She was able to move.


    She gleamed and stood up.


    Then she sat back down.


    Her grin was so wide, I could¡¯ve sworn that it would hurt.


    How?


    No one could possibly recover in such little amount of time.


    I wonder¡­ how that happened¡­


    Just then, a screen popped up in front of my eyes.


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Woah!</li>


    </ul>


    I hollered in surprise as I fell down because of jumping on instinct.


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Huh? Are you OK, Ciel?</li>


    </ul>


    Asked Yuu.


    She was staring directly at me.


    I blinked a couple of times.


    Right. Ciel, that¡¯s my name now.


    But¡­


    Can she not see this weird transparent screen?


    After a while, I could confirm that that was the case.


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Um¡­ it¡¯s nothing. My neck acted up like usual. Sometimes it feels like electricity when I turn my neck around too fast, y¡¯know?</li>


    </ul>


    I lied as I pretended to rub my neck.


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Ah, I get that sometimes.</li>


    </ul>


    Mira grinned as she rub her neck as well.The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Wah, Mira, you seem better!</li>


    </ul>


    Yuu cheered at Mira¡¯s sudden recovery.


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">


    Does it no longer hurt?


    </li>


    </ul>


    I smiled as I listen to the two talk, but I soon blocked them out again.


    I looked at the holographic screen that said:


    <[SKILL USED]:>


    I continued reading.


    <[Skill]: Recovery Magic


    [Description]: Recovers a person¡¯s LPs by consumption of the wielder''s consumables.>


    LPs¡­ so like, life points, from games such as RPGs and MMORPGs.


    I have little knowledge of games¡­ but is this like, a plot straight out of novel?! Awesome!


    This is like a cheat skill!


    Ah, ah, but this is why Yuu is Leonhart, she has such magic.


    Wow. I¡¯m a bit jealous, that skill is overpowering.


    ¡­Who¡¯s the lucky bastard who¡¯s gonna be fed by Yuu?


    Oh, there¡¯s more.


    <If an excessive amount of consumables is fed while this skill is activated, there is a chance that the person being fed will become invinsible for a certain period of time.>


    ¡­


    What is this?!


    A god skill?!


    This is way beyond a cheat skill!


    She is basically God! God I tell you!


    ¡­


    At least that someone isn¡¯t immortal forever.


    I sighed.


    Life points, huh.


    I wonder if I can see that as well, that would be nice.


    Wish that were possible.


    Right away, screens that showed statuses of both Yuu and Mira suddenly popped up.


    Ah.


    <[CHARACTER¡¯S INFO]:>


    Wow, I really do have a cheat skill.


    Dang, I don¡¯t even know where to start.


    <[Name]: Lark Nimes (Mira)


    [Occupation]: A slave of Mathias Hemsworth


    [Description]: Lark Nimes was sold at a slave auction to Vial Hemsworth, father of Mathias Hemsworth.


    She was later forcefully renamed Mira.


    [More description and info will be revealed the closer you get to the known person.]


    [LVL]: 5 - 17/49 EXP


    [LP]: 26/32


    [MP]: 3/37


    [STR]: 5


    [VIT]: 18


    [DEX]: 18


    [INT]: 13


    [CHA]: 2


    [WIS]: 5 - 8


    [RES]: 24


    [PRC]: 10


    [LCK]: 3


    [Basic Skills]: [(Lvl: 2) Healing], [(Lvl: 3) Cooking], [(Lvl: 5) Hunger Empowerment], [(Lvl: 3) Cleaning], [(Lvl: 1) Hidden Presence], [(Lvl: 4) Endurance]


    [Special Skills]: [Shedding], [Hibernation], [Transformation]>


    Wow¡­ I can¡¯t imagine what she¡¯s been through to acquire all of this¡­


    Poor kid, if only I could help her.


    ¡­Wait¡­ Hibernation? Shedding? Transformation?!


    What is this? Was she not a human?...


    I sighed in my head.


    ¡­Let¡¯s read Yuu¡¯s information before thinking about that.


    <[CHARACTER¡¯S INFO]:


    [Name]: Yumi Nomura (Yuu)


    [Occupation]: Leonhart, great hero who will defeat the demon lord.


    [Description]: Yumi Nomura was diagnosed with social anxiety at a young age.


    She developed a split personality named Yui Nomura, who is mostly opposite of Yumi.


    She is the known hero, Leonhart in foretold legends.


    [More description and info will be revealed the closer you get to the known person.]


    [LVL]: 1 - 0/15 EXP


    [LP]: 20/20


    [MP]: ??


    [STR]: 3


    [VIT]: 4


    [DEX]: 1


    [INT]: 17


    [CHA]: 2/13


    [WIS]: 3 - ??


    [RES]: 6


    [PRC]: 2


    [LCK]: ??


    [Basic Skills]: [(Lvl: 2) Cooking], [(Lvl: 4) Cleaning], [(Lvl: 1) Self Encouragement]


    [Special Skills]: [God¡¯s Request], [Split Personal - Yui Nomura], [Hero¡¯s Duty], [Understanding Languages]>


    Woah¡­ wow¡­ reading this¡­ I feel stupid for feeling sorry for myself.


    They have it way worse, way, way, worse.


    Hah¡­


    But¡­ enough self-pity!


    What¡¯s with those question marks?!


    More importantly¡­


    What is [God¡¯s Request] and [Hero¡¯s Duty]?!


    They sound OP! Isn¡¯t she basically God?!


    Man, it would be great if I could read more deeply into this.


    Where is the skill [Recovery Magic] though?


    While I felt self conflicted, Yuu was trying to get my attention.


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Ciel, Ciel¡­ hey Ciel¡­ </li>


    </ul>


    Yuu went quieter and quieter.


    Oh right! Ciel¡¯s me.


    Can¡¯t keep forgetting that.


    I snap my eyes away from the screen and looked at Yuu.


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Hm?</li>


    </ul>


    I questioned with a tilt of the head.


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">How¡­ do we get out of this?</li>


    </ul>


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Out of what?</li>


    </ul>


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Time¡­ stopping and¡­  whatnot.</li>


    </ul>


    Huh? How am I supposed to know?!


    They both stared at me intently as if they were sure I knew the answer.


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Hah¡­ haha¡­ Hey, Mira, are you really feeling better?</li>


    </ul>


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Ah, yeah! I feel a lot better¡­ wonder why¡­ even my healing magic isn¡¯t able to heal me this much¡­ </li>


    </ul>


    [Recovery Magic] Yep, definitely the [Recovery Magic].


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">By the way¡­ </li>


    </ul>


    Mira murmured.


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Please, call me Lark.</li>


    </ul>


    She gave a bittersweet smile.


    Ah, right.


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">OK.</li>


    </ul>


    I smiled gently.


    I scratched my chin and thought deeply about the time-stopping matter.


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">How about we go back to our original position first, so that we don¡¯t suddenly teleport to them.</li>


    </ul>


    I suggested and stood up.


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Un.</li>


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">OK.</li>


    </ul>


    </ul>


    They both agreed and followed my lead.


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Now, Yuu, what did you do to stop time? Do you know?</li>


    </ul>


    Yuu narrowed her eyes.


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">I think that¡­ I thought to myself, ¡°I wish that we can help this girl,¡± and then when I¡­ caught¡­ your eye¡­ </li>


    </ul>


    Yuu blushed.


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Time suddenly stopped¡­ </li>


    </ul>


    Yuu was staring at the ground with a flushed face.


    Huuu, is she embarrassed.


    I guess it was pretty strange for time to suddenly stop when you look directly at someone¡¯s eye.


    Haha, sounds like that cliche ¡°Love at first sight,¡± y¡¯know?


    ¡­And that was probably the [God¡¯s Request] skill?


    Like? A request for help?


    What if we reversed it?


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Okay then, how about¡­ thinking: ¡°I wish that time will continue again.¡±</li>


    </ul>


    I suggested with my finger pointed up.


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Sounds like it will work!</li>


    </ul>


    Yuu grinned.


    She closed her eyes and looked like she was wishing hard.


    Then, I felt wind again, and heard the chattery of the townsfolk.


    I guess it worked.


    <ul>


    <li style="font-weight: 400">Great hero¡­?! As in the one in the legends?!</li>


    </ul>


    The chubby boy questioned in disbelief.


    And¡­ we¡¯re back to this problem.