𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟒: 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭
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I, Kyrie・Inori, was abandoned in a terrifying forest called Abyss Forest after being exiled from the royal capital.
But there, I accidentally treated a monster.
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Then I became able to understand their language, and it was revealed that I am the reincarnation of the Holy Demon King?
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They asked me to meet their leader, so I headed deeper into the forest.
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. . . . . .Huh, am I outside the forest?
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After passing through the mouth of the great tree monster, Mr. Tree King, I found myself in a different place from the dense jungle I was in before.
A wilderness, perhaps?
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There were no trees, and not a single blade of grass was to be seen.
The cracked earth stretched on forever.
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『Big sister Kyrie.』
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Kumakichi-kun and his Okaa-san, Mrs. Kumako appear slowly.
Both of you, do you know where we are right now?
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『This is a sacred place that was once called 【Paradise】』
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Paradise. . . . . .?
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『That was long before I was born. Now we monsters call this place 【Dead End】』
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Dead End, huh?
I guess that means a dead-end.
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『This is the edge of the continent.』
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The edge of the continent. . . . . .I’ve come quite far.
But for a place that was once called Paradise, it seems to be in complete ruin.
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I wonder what happened here. . . . . .?
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『Who knows? The leader knows best. He’s the oldest among us.』
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If I ask the leader, I’ll understand why Paradise became known as Dead End, and about the Holy Demon King, right?
Mrs. Kumako, can you take me to the leader?
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『Of course.』
『Then hop on my back, OBig Sister!』
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Thank you, Kumakichi-kun.
With that, I ride on Kumakichi-kun’s back, and we slowly advance across Dead End’s devastated land.
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In the old Paradise, there was nothing.
The dry earth stretched on and on.
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Though there were traces of a river, not a single drop of water was flowing.
Could people or monsters live here?
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After a while. . . . . .
We stood before a peculiar building.
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Is this. . . . . .a church?
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『Yes, the forest leader resides inside here』
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Alone in the wilderness, a small church stands.
The roof is broken, cracks and vines cover the walls, and it looks like a ruin.
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But it still maintained the shape of a church.
It’s strange, there are no other buildings around. Maybe it’s weathered.
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That this building alone is intact. . . . . .
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『Come on, Kyrie. Let’s go inside』
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I nod, get off Kumakichi-kun, and enter.
When I put my hand on the door. . . . . .
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It fell over with a bang!
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『『Cough, cough!』』
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Such dust. . . . . .it’s bad for the body to live in a place like this.
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『Mom, I can’t get in』
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Kumakichi-kun is stuck due to his large body.
Flailing his limbs around, he looks quite adorable.
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『Can’t be helped, this isn’t a place for monsters.』
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Is that so?
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『Yes. The leader has been secluded here for a long time. I haven’t even seen his face.』
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Then how do you usually communicate with the leader?
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『Tree King hears the leader’s words and conveys them to us, the forest dwellers.』
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Ah, I see. . . . . .
In that case, I guess it’s best for me to go in alone.
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『Sorry, I’ll wait outside.』
『If anything happens, just yell! I’ll break the wall to get in if I have to!』
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He’s willing to go to great lengths for me.
I’m really happy.
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But it’s not good to break someone else’s house, so please wait there.
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『Okay.』
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I entered the church alone.
It was a chapel.
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The chairs, lights, all broken.
Even the stained glass is shattered.
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But. . . . . .
There is a statue of God.
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“Ah, Noir-sama. . . . . .”
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This is the name of God, who created this world.
Creator God, Noir-sama.
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The one I have worshiped and offered my prayers to.
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“There is a statue of Noir-sama in the old paradise too, isn’t there?”
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Yes, that’s true.
After being expelled from the Grand Temple, I had forgotten to pray to God.
I kneel and offer my prayers. . . . . .
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That’s when it happened.
A magic circle appeared at my feet, and it began to shine.
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! Is this. . . . . .a teleportation spell?
Before I knew it, I had arrived at an unknown place.
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A place different from the church I was in earlier.
Perhaps it could be called an abandoned park.
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But there are withered flowers growing haphazardly in the garden.
The fountain is dry, and I feel a sense of loneliness.
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In the center of the abandoned park, there was a gigantic furball.
What could it be. . . . . .this large, round furball?
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Out of curiosity, I touch it firmly.
It feels like a wet rag. . . . . .somewhat unpleasant. . . . . .
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『Who. . . . . .are you. . . . . .?』
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! A voice reaches directly into my brain.
This is like Kumakichi-kun and the others.
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Could you be a monster?
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『Cough cough! Cough cough!』
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The furball slowly grows larger.
It was. . . . . .an incredibly large dog.
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Or perhaps, a wolf?
The shape of the face and ears doesn’t look like a dog.
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But it looks very tired.
Its fur lacks vitality, and its ears and tail are drooping.
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Is it unable to get up? It’s lying flat on the ground.
Its eyes are covered by fur. . . . . .but they open wide.
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『Ellison-sama?! Is it you, Ellison-sama?!』
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The furball-dog suddenly raises its body and shouts.
What’s wrong? Ellison. . . . . .? Who. . . . . .?
『No, the holy Demon King-sama is. . . . . .already dead. . . . . .Cough! Cough! Cough!』
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The dog starts coughing, and a large amount of blood spews from its mouth.
! This is terrible!
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Immediate treatment is needed!
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『Cough cough! I’m. . . . . .okay. . . . . .I’m. . . . . .old. . . . . .』
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Panting heavily, the dog looks worn out.
It certainly looks like an old man. . . . . .
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『Haha. . . . . .Ellison-sama. . . . . .I’m glad. To meet you at last. . . . . .』
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No way! Hang in there!
You must not die yet!
If you die, many people in the forest will be sad!
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I kneel and pray to God.
Please, lend me your power.
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Please heal this dog.
Then, a holy light overflows from my body.
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The healing power of a saint.
But what is this? The light feels stronger than usua. . . . . .
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BLINDING FLASH!
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Kyaa! What a dazzling light. . . . . .?
I can’t open my eyes. . . . . .!
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But the light soon subsides.
And there stands a beautiful man with white hair.
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“I can’t believe it. . . . . .The lost power is returning.”
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Who. . . . . .are you?
Where’s the cute dog from earlier?
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The beautiful young man with white hair asks me.
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“Are you the one who healed me?”
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Eh, eh?
Who. . . . . .are you?
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“I am terribly sorry.”
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With a pop, the beautiful young man with white hair turns into a large white dog.
Is that the dog from earlier?
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『Yes, it is. But I am not a dog. I am Fenrir.』
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Fenrir!
That’s the legendary beast from ancient times.
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『From the Holy Demon King-sama, I have been entrusted with the name of “Dog God General Chatura,” and the guardianship of Abyss Forest.』
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Chatura. . . . . .What a cute name.
When he returns to human form, he kneels and bows deeply.
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“Thank you for saving me as I was on the brink of death, Holy Demon King-sama.”
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Mr. Chatura says that to me.
Holy Demon King. . . . . .no, I am a saint of the Celestial Guidance Church, Kyrie・Inori.
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“I see. . . . . .indeed, you must be the reincarnation of the Holy Demon King Ellison Inori-sama.”
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! So, Ellison, who had been mentioned before, was the rumored Holy Demon King-sama.
Blood relation. . . . . .Does that mean a descendant, I wonder?
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“That immense holy power, and the fact that you came to this place, is the greatest proof that you are the reincarnation of the Holy Demon King-sama.”
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With a sniffle. . . . . .Mr. Chatura sheds tears, looking up at me.
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“This Chatura is truly happy to have met you again.”
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I don’t quite understand, but I was able to save the life of a dog that was about to be lost.
Thank you, Noir-sama. It’s all thanks to your power.
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I quietly offer a prayer on my own.
Translator’s Blog
Blog
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