Published: March 21, 2026
"Akira!"
I reached out and shouted the name at Oda Akira as he headed toward Blythe Otto, the eighth of the ten demon lords, but in that moment I didn't even know what I wanted to do.
Akira, who rarely shows emotion—though not as expressionless as Asahina-kun—was walking toward a man far bigger than him with wide, dilated eyes and a smile at his mouth. All I could do was watch him go. Has he ever looked like that before?
I rubbed the gooseflesh on my arm. The opponent had strength comparable to the minotaur I faced in the Cantinen Labyrinth—so powerful that the greatsword's entire blade sank into the ground. No, even stronger than that. My arms had healed the same day they were broken back then, but remembering it now left them slightly numb.
This is Demon Clan territory. For me, a person with the profession of hero, everyone who lives here is an absolute enemy. Just being a hero draws killing intent and blades. It's a far cry from the peaceful country of my original world. I didn't choose to be a hero, nor did I want it, and yet I'm seen through tainted glasses for that title alone. Ah—come to think of it, that's the same in my original world too.
Before leaving Reytis Castle I said the words: "Defeat the demon king and return to the original world." Saying it is easy. At that time I had neither the resolve to kill nor the resolve to be killed. It's not that I didn't choose to come all the way to the Demon King's Castle, but when the gatekeeper pointed killing intent at me my legs froze. If not for Akira and Asahina-kun, I would have been done for there.
By contrast, Akira had not only resolved to harm others—he actually killed someone. What I saw was a merciful death he gave to those beyond saving from Morte, but according to Ms. Lord Lattice Nail he’d also killed a man named Gram beforehand. I wasn't there and don't know the full story, so I have no right to judge Akira's choices. I lacked the resolve to grant mercy to Morte's irretrievable ones.
So this is selfish worry from someone on the outside, but why was it "Oda Akira"? He seems the least interested in others—hardly someone who would kill. Was it the flow of the moment? That doesn’t suit Akira. Was it because he’s special? Then why is he an Assassin by vocation in this world? If there are unique professions in this world, why is Akira the "Assassin"?
Is the difference between us really only a matter of resolve?
Before our eyes, Akira took a step toward the greatsword with a belligerent smile. To me it looked like he was throwing himself onto the opponent's blade.
Yoru, who had been perched on Akira's shoulder since the battle began and had been watching our surroundings, seemed to feel the same thing and cried out Akira's name in surprise. But Akira—though he must have heard—did not stop.
The blade grazed the corner of Akira's eye; bright red blood spattered. Asahina-kun next to me inhaled sharply.
"For the first time, Akira looked like a stranger to me."
After the blood flew from Akira's eye and in the blink that ended the fight, Asahina-kun murmured while watching Akira quickly unarm Blythe.
His emotions are still unreadable, but he probably felt the same as I did. He intends to catch up to Akira. Of course he means even now. But sometimes he feels the distance between him and Akira—who stands so far ahead—and is disappointed in himself.
"Is this your first time seeing Akira fight a person up close? Well, it's my first time too."
Ms. Lord Lattice Nail, who had been behind us, said that and glanced at Akira, who had shifted back to his usual demeanor now that the battle was over. He was taking the rope he had been using as a makeshift belt and roughly binding Blythe. I don't think such a rope would hold that strong man, but perhaps it was just to have some semblance of restraint.
While Akira was occupied, we kept watch of the surroundings. We didn't know when the horde of demonic beasts the castle defense system had sent—now washed away by Lattice Nail's water—might return, and if they realized Blythe had been defeated, reinforcements could come.