After my rebirth, Miss Saint turned evil

Even if various dialogues were held with the enemy generals, no useful results would be produced.

But strangely, as he talked with Old Jed, Murphy felt his mood gradually calm down.

Come to think of it, I've been on edge recently, so being able to relax like this is quite satisfying.

How strange, since they would obviously become enemies and kill each other later.

The grass of a certain height covering the plain made a rustling sound as if blown by the wind.

And in the gap between those sounds——

"——But, old man, the captain of the cathedral or something, you drank too much and went crazy, right?"

The topic was brought up by Murphy. Although it was not a very suitable topic, he knew that if he just kept talking about boring topics over and over again, he would sooner or later be dragged into old Jed's pace.

So, even if you are a little impatient, it is best to take the first step yourself.

"Yes."

Old Jed smiled frivolously and said, "It's true that it doesn't suit me, but I can't keep pretending to be stupid."

For a moment, a light seemed to flash in those eyes that had seen enough time to see him, and his white beard shook under the touch of Old Jed's fingers.

It makes sense that it's not right. At least as far as Murphy knows, old Jed is not the kind of person who would go out of his way to step onto the stage. It would be better to say that he is the kind of person who would stand behind the stage, holding the string and showing a smile.

It is his character to never step onto a dangerous bridge himself, but to make good use of others and profit from it.

While thinking, Old Jed continued in a hoarse voice.

"I'm wrong, but you're not much better, are you? The Heraldry Cult and all that, but Hero-sama...? Your change of heart is just too much."

As expected, I was speechless when I was told that. When I think about the time when I was living in the slums, I couldn't even think about the title of hero.

Putting aside the questions of whether they are worthy or not, suitable or not, just considering these issues alone, we are already on the wrong track.

Perhaps understanding the bitterness in Murphy's expression, Old Jed laughed, a sound coming from his throat. It was just a cheerful, pure laugh without any deep meaning.

"Yeah? For me, doing something this inappropriate makes me feel like there's something crawling in my head. It's like putting on the skin of a captain and then being dressed up in all kinds of fancy clothes to participate in ceremonies or something. What kind of nonsense is that?"

I can only say that he is worthy of being a master... Although Murphy didn't know whether he was influenced by old Jed or had the same personality, he always felt that his sensibility in this regard was somewhat similar to that of the other party.

The overly polite greetings and the heavily embellished expressions in the ceremony were simply not in tune with him, and perhaps Old Jed was the same way.

"I feel it deeply. This isn't my path. If there are two sides to the world, positive and negative, then I wouldn't feel alive when I'm walking on the positive side. Perhaps it's just my innate nature. Air and water, no matter what, just don't mix."

"At that time, I completely understood that whether it is fish, birds or humans, they all have their own place to live."

At this point, Murphy finally began to realize what Old Jed was saying, what he wanted to tell her, and for what purpose he set up such a place.

Murphy's hands, which were holding the horse's reins, were slightly sweaty, and the sound of horse hooves gently raising dust rang in his ears.

"So, Murphy, what about you? Do you really believe that where you are now is where you should live?"

This is a statement that goes quite a long way and ends up back at the starting point. Perhaps this is the unique worry that comes from Old Jed as a master.

No, or perhaps I have been caught up in Old Jed's rhythm without realizing it... I really don't understand why.

However, the moment Murphy heard Old Jed's words, her heart did make a loud noise.

Because what Old Jed just said was all true.

Murphy, realizing this, felt the sweat on her forehead licking her skin.

"what does that mean?"

Murphy muttered this, squinting his eyes. He saw that the wound on Old Jed's face was getting squeezed even more.

"Don't be stupid, Murphy."

A very brief sentence interrupted Murphy's voice, and old Jed opened his mouth.

"You're just like me. You're not cut out to be a hero. Leave that to the idiots who love to show off."

As if he saw something nostalgic, a look of sadness appeared on Old Jed's face.

There was something strangely real about the words that came out of his mouth.

Looking at Old Jed like this, Murphy suddenly remembered a joke he had heard in a pub before - Old Jed once stood on a stage bathed in glory, it was just such a story.

It is said that old Jed once stepped into a prosperous place where he could hold status and reputation in his hands. He had talent, luck, and strength.

If nothing had happened, he might even have jumped directly to a higher place. It was at that point.

But Old Jed finally threw it all away. Instead, he wandered into the back alleys in disappointment.

Murphy didn't know how much of that story was true, because it probably wasn't about the maze conquest or the establishment of the organization by old Jed. It might have happened even earlier than that.

However, Murphy never thought of asking Old Jed for an answer to the joke she heard in the tavern, and Old Jed himself never thought of telling it.

But at this moment, the words coming out of Old Jed's mouth were full of a wonderful sense of reality and weight, that much was certain.

"So what? You want me to go around and pull the strings? Like a villain sneering in the dark?"

Murphy said this when Old Jed paused for a moment, then frowned as he felt a bulging sensation in his stomach.

"Of course it is. There is no other choice."

The answer was very brief, and Murphy understood that this sentence must be the reason why Old Jed called her out.

As for whether it was out of sincerity or a deception to launch a crusade, let's not discuss this for now.

Murphy couldn't help but blink several times, and at this moment, old Jed continued to speak.

"Leyden, what a bastard country. Bloodline, upbringing, pride, countless idiots who put all that stuff into their heads. But the incredible thing is that these guys are the ones who write the script in that country."

The wording was extremely offensive, but the strange thing was that it seemed as if it was being forced into one's brain, and it went into one's ears very easily.

"If I have to be involved in a play like this, I'd rather be the one pulling the strings behind the scenes. That's much better."

Old Jed's expression wavered for a moment, as if he remembered something, but he immediately refocused his gaze and looked straight through Murphy.

This was quite rare for old Jed, who always had a frivolous smile on his face, and the expression disappeared from his face.

Along with the weight, a hoarse voice echoed slowly and deeply across the Shanio Plain.

"—Merphy, what do you think? Don't you want to come with me? After hearing about you and gathering some information, I know that you are quite intelligent."

Thank you for the compliment. Murphy even wanted to raise her hand to express her joy, if it weren't for this occasion.

"Of course, I'm not referring to intelligence as an adventurer, and swordsmanship is out of the question."

Old Jed's words reached his ears, and Murphy's eyes opened wide and stiffened, and the shape of his shadow changed slightly, conveying the brilliance of the sun.

"You never tire of using your tongue to incite others, seduce others, and exploit others. In fact, you don't care about anything other than your purpose, and you don't care whether others live or die because of your actions. Murphy, you——"

—A villain, no doubt, like me.

Old Jed's voice gripped Murphy's heart unconsciously.

Chapter 24 Heroes' Meeting

The sunlight slowly spread across the entire Shanio Plain.

The shadows of the two riders facing each other in the center of the plain stretched slightly, and the tall grass and trees trembled slightly.

"Heroes only exist in stories. You know that better than anyone, Murphy."

Old Jed stroked his white beard and spoke lightly. Murphy listened to the voice with a stiff expression. The old man kept saying, "Hero or brave, if you don't want to do it, just let it go. Don't force yourself."

What are you still talking about now? Of course, it's only natural.

In this world, there is no hero who can save everything, nor is there a brave man who can change the fate of others.

If a baby abandoned by its parents does not have anyone to help it, its cries will cease; if a woman who is persecuted and stoned cannot get help from the saints, she will only become an object of mockery.

"When you were starving to death in the slums, did anyone save you? Did anyone lend you a helping hand? Hey—"

——How many of your peers are still alive?

Hateful, what a disgusting old thing! Are most of my peers, the people I ate with at the orphanage, still alive? Even if they are still alive, I'm afraid they won't have much time left in the future.

As for men, if they are lucky, they will become adventurers or mercenaries and die by the sword. If they are unlucky, they will become the kind of people who are apprentices in name but slaves in reality, and either have their heads smashed by the master or starve to death after escaping.

If a woman is beautiful, she will be a plaything for rich men, otherwise she will live in a brothel.

How could everyone possibly live long? Most people don't have any reason to embrace this world for long; dying peacefully and early is the best destination.

In any case, salvation and happiness do exist in this world, but they are not sufficient to be distributed to the poor.

This is the world where the poor die without even being able to complain.

Be it the destined hero or the brave man chosen by the oracle, neither of them exists in this world; everything is just a fabricated lie.

Everyone knows this fact, and it is precisely because everyone knows this that they seek heroes in stories.

So, what Old Jed said was right, cruel and correct, and I really want to applaud him.

Murphy raised her eyes and looked down at the ground, and saw a pair of eyes staring directly at her, with a sincere light burning in those eyes that she had never seen before.

"Merphy, the hero game ends here. Those who are called heroes will only end up in destruction."

The inviting voice naturally penetrated Murphy's ears. He blinked and took two deep breaths.

Then he twitched his extremely dry lips slightly and replied to the old man.

It was not until then that Murphy realized that the sound coming out of her throat was so clear.

The shadows reflected on the Shanio Plain swayed idly.

-------------------------------------

The sound in his ears caused Old Jed's eyelids to twitch slightly.

"—Old man, I'm sorry. I've already revealed all my cards. If I don't make a bet now, there will be no good consequences."

For Old Jed, what his former disciple said was expected, but even so, it was still somewhat surprising.

Old Jed knew very well that his disciple Murphy hated sunny places from the bottom of his heart and had a personality that hated the superficial stage. He didn't know whether it was innate or due to the environment.

But at least, that's how old Jed was when he realized Murphy existed.

For this reason, even if this invitation is rejected, it should still be meaningful.

The words that sounded very attractive just now would have touched Murphy's heart to some extent. Burying confusion in the heart of the enemy's flag would bring huge benefits.

Besides, Old Jed really meant it.

What suits Murphy is not just being a hero in name only, nor a brave man who can’t save anything, but being in the same position as himself is what truly suits his nature.

Because of this, Murphy's answer was unexpected. Old Jed thought that even if he was rejected, his answer should still be a little hesitant.

However, Murphy now did not seem confused at all, whether in his eyes or tone.

Why is this? That slightly piqued Old Jed's interest. Although it was a foolish thing, Old Jed might still care a little about this person who was similar to himself.

Old Jed spoke as if trying to guess what was going on in Murphy's mind.

"Then why are you so obsessed with heroes and the Church of Heraldry? Do you have a mistress?"

Murphy shrugged and raised her eyebrows, as if to say: Spare me some time.

"How could that be? And I don't have any particular obsession. Basically, I'm not suited to leading others. Even if I'm praised, I don't think it's appropriate. After all, I was born in the slums and grew up in the ditches."

It was a very genuine way of speaking, very similar to how Murphy usually spoke, and this state was no different from before.

However, Old Jed felt as if his skin was prickled, and Murphy's words once again pierced his ears.

"But those guys who called me a hero won't let me let go so easily..."

That's it, Murphy said briefly, the sunlight floating in the air and the shadows cast on the plain.

"—Then, it must be accomplished."

As he spoke, the sun happened to climb up from behind Murphy, shining through as if he were shining.

The scene of his figure reflected in the morning dew gave people a wonderful fantasy, as if the sunshine was blessing the birth of something.

This is ridiculous. Old Jed's eyes, which were filled with cunning, couldn't help but narrow under the sunlight.

"There are no heroes in this world. There are no saviors who lend a helping hand, and no brave men who can change the world. So, even if I don't become that, no one will complain."

Old Jed muttered in his heart.

This is not good. Deep in old Jed's ears, he heard the sound of something falling from a broken shell. That is not what I like.

"...How sad. My former disciple is letting go. I had intended to teach you many things."

It didn't even sound like a joke coming from his own mouth. A faint smile was engraved on old Jed's face, the same frivolous smile as always, as if he was fooling someone.