I was on top of a small hill with Shea.
There was a tomb made of stone.
The name engraved on the tombstone read "Ria Framwright".
It was the tomb of Shea's older sister.
She offered a flower in front of the tomb.
"Sister, Chrome here has avenged you."
She smiled in front of the tomb.
"Please be at peace…"
Transparent tears ran down her cheek.
The wind blew through her scarlet hair.
I also offered a silent prayer.
"Thank you, Chrome."
Shea turned around and politely bowed.
"With this, my sister's soul is at peace."
"…Good for her."
My mouth eased up just a tiny bit.
I thought I was going to smile, but it didn't end up turning out that way.
"Um, could I give you my thanks?"
Shea spoke as such.
"I'm not sure what I think about that."
I'm perplexed.
"I've only been doing this carry out my revenge. Besides, there's somewhere I have to go soon."
"Go…?"
"There are still remaining members of the hero party who backstabbed me. There are five left, and my journey is not over until I get my revenge on each and every one of them."
Right, Riotte was just the beginning.
My journey of revenge has just begun.
"By everyone…don't tell me that you mean to oppose the hero?!"
Shea spoke with a face of surprise.
"Of course I do."
I raised the corner of my mouth.
This time, I was able to smile adequately.
The hero Yuno.
The saint Irina.
The sage Valery.
The swordswoman Farrah.
The knight Margo.
I will make those remaining five taste endless fear and despair…!
Just thinking about it made a dark joy rise within me.
"…Then, I will accompany you, Chrome."
Shea leaned forward.
"You may need some help during your journey. That'll be my thanks to you."
"…Do you even comprehend what you're saying? I plan to challenge the world's strongest hero party."
"When I vowed to get revenge on Riotte, I assumed that I would die in the process."
Shea spoke coldly.
"However, thanks to you, I'm alive. So, I'd like to use what's left of my life for you."
"You're too immature. Why don't you go find your own happiness from here on out?"
"Oh, but aren't you quite young yourself, Chrome?"
"That's not what I mean."
While I had a bitter expression, Shea smiled for some reason.
"I want to be with you. Just a little longer."
"…With me, you say?"
I frowned.
What's going on inside that head of hers?
"Strange woman."
"Ha ha, this may be rude of me to say, but I think that you're quite the oddball as well."
Shea spoke with a playful tone.
"Is that so?"
"Indeed."
Shea kept smiling.
However, her pupils harbored a firm, strong will.
"Besides, despite how I look, my older sister, the leader of the knight group, taught me the basics of the sword. I've also trained my body, so you won't be able to shake me off with your leg strength, right Chrome? No matter what, I'll chase after you."
"Give me a break…"
I sighed.
At this rate, she'll follow me around despite my objections.
"The moment things get too excessive, we stop travelling together. That's my condition."
"Thank you."
Shea nodded her head with a grin.
"Now then, let's have a pleasant journey. Chrome."
"I don't care if it's pleasant or not."
The path I follow will be one tainted with blood.
After all, this is a journey of revenge.
※
-Yuno's Side-
Rufus Kingdom, imperial capital.
In the heart of the city stood the residence of the dedicated hero, Yuno.
It was a luxurious palace that could compete with an emperor's castle.
"Riotte is…dead?"
Yuno was dumbfounded by the report.
He couldn't believe that the brawny Riotte had died.
In the party, he could always tear a cut into anybody with his strong sword and tough stamina.
In private, he had a few violent areas, but he looked as if he was a caring, fine fellow.
"Ah, to think that would happen…"
Yuno bit his lip in response to the death of his companion and friend.
Afterwards, he received a report about what was known so far.
It appeared that the perpetrator was someone who bore a grudge against the hero party.
The information still seemed to be shrouded in mystery, so the information wasn't exactly accurate though…
"Ah, to think that Riotte would die…"
Irina, who was beside him, wept.
"He was such a good person, why?"
"You're not alone…I'm sad about it as well, Irina."
Yuno embraced his fiancee.
"He might be after us as well."
Irina spoke with a pale face.
"Yuno…please protect me."
"Of course. If the one who killed Riotte assaults us, I'll stop him."
Yuno gave a clear smile.
He then kissed Irina's flower-like lips.
"I am the strongest hero in the world, Yuno. This holy sword has slain even the Demon Lord. Don't worry."
"I trust you."
Irina looked up at him in delight.
He embraced his beautiful fiancee once more.
(If he goes after Irina or me, I will definitely defend against him.)
The flames of a fighting spirit burned within Yuno's chest.
Having defeated the Demon Lord, he had been known as a savior across the entire world.
He obtained honor, wealth, and a beautiful fiancee by his side.
He felt the peak of happiness each day.
(I won't let anybody destroy this life.)
He would not forgive anyone who attempted to face him.