Chapter 31: Change of Original Story

 

Lisha unleashed five simultaneous blasts of "Meteor Explosion."

 

Compared to the attacks she used against the golems yesterday, these had less destructive power. The previous attacks were overkill, making the difference quite noticeable.

 

*BOOOOOOOOOOOM!*

 

*BOOOOOOOOOOOM!*

 

*BOOOOOOOOOOOM!*

 

*BOOOOOOOOOOOM!*

 

*BOOOOOOOOOOOM!*

 

Since we asked her not to kill the monsters, each attack was adjusted to avoid overlapping.

 

As a result, a few monsters were missed.

 

However, about 80% of the hundred monsters were left critically wounded.

 

"Alright, it's my turn now."

 

Thanks to the experience points I gained from defeating the golems yesterday, I leveled up slightly and learned a new healing spell.

 

While Milia and Lisha no longer gained significant experience from E-rank quest monsters, for someone with my low level, even such monsters provided valuable experience.

 

I decided to use the new spell I learned at level 15—“Chain Heal.”

 

This healing magic spreads life force from a central point to multiple entities.

 

Unlike "Venus Heal" or "Divine Heal," it doesn't regenerate the body but merely accelerates the recovery of life force.

 

It might seem like a less versatile magic, but it consumes much less mana and is cost-effective when used properly.

 

Though it’s cost-effective, when used on people, you need to adjust it according to the severity of injuries. But with monsters, there’s no need to be so careful.

 

"Alright, it worked."

 

A white light spread from the central monster, and in no time, the healing was complete.

 

The monsters that were lying on the ground stood up and glared at us all at once.

 

"Amazing… to heal them in an instant from that state!"

 

"This is no time to be amazed! We need to launch the next attack before the monsters come!"

 

Even though the area around the Monster House was marked off, once you anger the monsters, they’ll chase you relentlessly until they're defeated.

 

Understanding the hassle of dealing with widely dispersed monsters, Lisha immediately launched the next spell at the revived monsters.

 

From here, it was a repetition of the same process.

 

Lisha continuously weakened the monsters, and I immediately healed them. We repeated this several dozen times swiftly.

 

"Alright, let's wrap it up here."

 

"Huh, we can still keep going, you know?"

 

Despite continuously casting spells, Lisha looked completely unfazed.

 

Seeing her like this, it's clear she has a lot of mana.

 

Well, anyway…

 

"If we keep repeating this, the experience point efficiency will just get worse. It’s better to fight stronger monsters."

 

"Got it. Then, let’s finish them off."

 

Lisha said this and unleashed a final, unrestrained attack.

 

*BOOOOOOOOOOOM!*

 

The monsters, hit by her unrestrained spell, were almost completely annihilated in an instant.

 

I felt a surge of experience points. It seemed like my basic abilities had significantly increased. The increment per level isn’t large, but when accumulated like this, the difference is noticeable.

 

"Alright, I'll handle the cleanup!"

 

"Please do."

 

Since all the work so far was done by Lisha and me, Milia might have been bored.

 

With her abundant energy, Milia swiftly cut down the remaining monsters and finished everything in an instant.

 

With this, the quest was complete. All that remained was to return to the Adventurers' Guild and report our success.

 

"Alright, let’s head back."

 

◇

 

On our way back to the capital.

 

I brought up an important matter with the two of them.

 

"Milia, Lisha. Once we finish reporting the quest, I plan to leave the capital immediately."

 

"What?!"

 

"…That’s sudden. Why?"

 

"Remember last night when I told you about my memory?"

 

"Oh, the dream that reveals the future?"

 

"Yes, that one."

 

I had already explained it to Milia, but not to Lisha, so I took this opportunity to explain why I had knowledge that no one else had.

 

"If my knowledge is correct, the ‘Black Mist Blades’ will stage a coup tonight. I want to leave the city before we get caught up in the conflict."

 

"I see…"

 

"…Tonight?!"

 

Of course, they would be surprised.

 

I didn’t tell them until now to avoid causing unnecessary confusion.

 

Especially, I didn’t want to tell Lisha.

 

"Yes. That’s why—"

 

"But, if we leave, won’t the city be in big trouble?!"

 

"The kingdom’s forces are already on high alert. As far as I know… but. The reason we were suspected yesterday is because of that. The kingdom isn’t stupid. They’ve prepared forces to counter the attack."

 

In "Sieg," Lisha, driven by her sense of justice and responsibility, fought the "Black Mist Blades" head-on. As a result, the capital was saved, but Lisha sacrificed herself.

 

But having gotten involved, I didn’t want to lose Lisha.

 

"If you know the time, can’t you tell someone before we leave?"

 

"Do you think anyone would believe a story about knowing the future from past life memories? We’d just be suspected again, like yesterday. Giving uncertain information now would only cause confusion."

 

"That’s… true."

 

Honestly, even though I’m an adventurer, the idea of escaping danger and staying safe while others suffer does leave me with some guilt. But even factoring in the guilt, I judged that seeking practical benefits was the smarter choice this time.

 

"What will be the outcome?"

 

"It will be a fierce battle, but the kingdom will eventually win. You can rest assured."

 

"I see. But I can’t believe it. The lower-level adventurers aside, the ‘Black Mist Blades’ executives are incredibly strong. No matter how well prepared the kingdom is, with the current state of its defenses, I can’t imagine they could handle it…"

 

…Sharp as always. In reality, the "Black Mist Blades" involved powerful clans in the coup, bringing forces beyond the kingdom’s expectations.

 

Even so, the kingdom overcame the crisis because of Lisha.

 

"Well, I don’t remember the details, but in battles, the attackers generally face more burdens than the defenders."

 

"Hey, Rain. Are you hiding something from me?"

 

"No? Why do you think so?"

 

Lisha moved closer and stared intently into my eyes.

 

Her gaze was intense… But if I look away, she’ll be suspicious. I made an effort not to look away from Lisha. But—

 

"Your eyes are still wandering."

 

"…"

 

"And, Rain, you've been acting strange. You remember the future so clearly, but when it comes to critical parts, you suddenly forget. It’s definitely odd. Please, tell me the truth."

 

Sigh… as if thinking that would make the situation easier.

 

I glanced at Milia for help.

 

However—

 

"Rain, are you hiding something? Is there something you can’t tell us honestly?"

 

…No use.

 

I didn’t want to tell Lisha if possible.

 

If she knew, she would definitely try to fight. That’s the kind of person Lisha is.

 

But if I don’t tell her, she won’t budge.

 

I have no choice.

 

"Alright, I’ll be honest. Please stay calm and listen."

 

I could hear Lisha hold her breath.

 

"In my memory… the key to this battle is you, Lisha."

 

"Me?!"

 

"Because you’re strong, and because you know the enemy’s characteristics as former comrades, you were able to compensate for the disadvantage. The result I told you is true, but—"

 

I took a deep breath and continued.

 

"In this battle, while protecting the capital, you die."

 

"…!"

 

"I don’t want to lose you, Lisha. That’s why I want to leave the capital before sunset."

 

The atmosphere became heavy all of a sudden.

 

"Rain, if I’m supposed to die, what happens if I’m not there? Will the result be the same?"

 

"Who knows… I don’t know. Maybe the capital will still be saved, or maybe the ‘Black Mist Blades’ will win…"

 

Honestly, I have no idea.

 

One thing is certain… the damage would likely be greater.

 

"Lisha, please understand. I don’t want to say goodbye like this after finally meeting you."

 

"…Rain."

 

If it comes to it, I’ll take her away by force, regardless of how she feels later.

 

Just as I was thinking that—

 

"Um… Rain."

 

Milia hesitantly spoke up.

 

"In Rain’s memory, were you and I there as well?"

 

"No, I wasn’t, and you… were already…"

 

"Then, if we fight together with Lisha, what would happen? Just like how you saved me, isn’t there a future where Lisha is also saved…?"

 

…I hadn’t thought of that.

 

Or rather, I hadn’t considered it. I was focused on avoiding trouble and looking for the most certain way to save her.

 

"…That might be possible."

 

"Then let’s fight together! It’ll be alright!"

 

Milia said, holding my hand.

 

Honestly, my stance remains the same—I don’t care what happens to the kingdom’s politics. But, thinking about it, the fact that I saved Milia, who was supposed to die, and met Lisha, who I wasn’t supposed to meet, has already caused significant changes in the scenario.

 

If the capital collapses and a country falls, it could cause various chain reactions.

 

I wanted to use my knowledge from my past life to efficiently defeat the Demon King… but that requires my knowledge to be correct. Avoiding drastic changes to the scenario might not be a waste in achieving my goal.

 

"Alright, let’s fight together. We can save both the capital and Lisha. Thanks to Milia, I believe in that now."

 

"…As

 

 a man, you’re really unreliable."

 

Lisha, though stunned, accepted it with a small smile.

 

And with that, the future changed.

 

The world won’t remain the same.

 

There’s no turning back now.

 

But, I’m not alone anymore.

 

If we can survive together, this might be the best path.

 

Even if it means deviating from the script.

 

"Okay, let’s head back and report the quest. We’ll make sure to rest and be ready for tonight."

 

"Yes."

 

◇

 

That night.

 

We hid in the Adventurers’ Guild to wait for the enemy’s movements.

 

Since the guild was built to accommodate various purposes, there were also hidden rooms.

 

While it was in use, no one would enter without permission. Considering the possibility of spies within the kingdom’s forces, it was the best base for covert operations.

 

"Rain, the ones moving here are the ‘Silent Shadows’ from the ‘Black Mist Blades.’ It’s surprising. They usually handle assassinations."

 

Lisha, who knows their features, analyzes the enemy’s movements and shares information. Thanks to that, we can proceed without anyone noticing.

 

We hide in the shadows, ready to intercept the enemy.

 

"They’re moving according to plan."

 

I whisper.

 

Everything’s going smoothly.

 

We wait for the right moment.

 

And then—

 

"They’re here!"

 

As the enemy enters the guild, we make our move.

 

Lisha, Milia, and I rush forward, surprising the intruders.

 

The battle begins.

 

Together, we’ll change the outcome and carve out a new future.