Shea and I were on a journey.

　The murder of the Duke of Riot, a great nobleman of the Kingdom of Shaadi, is an incident that has shaken the nation.
　At the moment, the entire country is searching for the murderer.

　But for now, the culprit remains unknown.
　Both Shea and I were wearing hoods and masks to hide our faces, so no one has seen our real faces.

　Nevertheless, it would be dangerous to stay in the Kingdom of Shadi forever.

　We entered the neighboring kingdom of Larva and continued on our way.

　As the name suggests, this is a kingdom where the goddess of healing (Larva) is worshipped.
　The temples of the Larva Order are located in various places, and Irina is in this country as one of the high priests next to the High Priestess.
　There is talk of her becoming a high priest soon, and a ceremony and parade will be held soon to commemorate the occasion.

　That's what I was aiming for.
　I'm going to get into the royal capital, the path of the parade, and get my revenge on Irina...

　But I'm pretty weak in the legs, so I'm traveling at a slow pace.
　I may use a carriage, but I'm a little short on cash.

　There's also the option of earning money as a temporary adventurer, but...
　I don't want to go out in public too much because of the Riot incident.

　We've been traveling on foot and by carriage for five days now.
　It'll be three to four days to get to King's Landing.
　The ceremony is in a week's time, so we should be able to make it in time.

I've seen Saint Irina from a distance once, and she seemed very beautiful and kind.

　Shea says with a mesmerized expression.
　I'm not sure if it's a good idea, but it's a good idea.
　It seems that the wind is strong in this area.

"...... Well, you've got a good exterior.

　I twisted the edges of my mouth sarcastically.

"I'm sorry.

　I'm sorry," Shea said, her face flushing.

I'm not accusing you. But can I ask you something?

　I asked her.

"How does it feel to have your revenge?

　The question came out of nowhere.
　I didn't know why I had asked that question.

　Was it because I was excited to be in Irina's country?
　Or did I think that if I knew her answer, I would be able to see my way forward?

...... I am.

　Shea gulped slightly and shook her head left and right.

I'm still... not sure how I feel about that.

　She tightened her mouth.
　The blood drained from her flowery lips, and they trembled.

I feel as if a weight has been lifted from my chest. But from now on... will I be able to move forward with my life? Or will the hatred, sorrow and pain remain smoldering in my heart?
I see.

　I took a small breath.

　There are five more people to avenge.
　I wonder how I'll feel when I've done it all...



　At night, we camped out in the woods a short distance from the road.
　We could have stayed at an inn in town, but we didn't have much money to spare, so we saved it.

　Normally, you should be wary of bandits and monsters when camping out in such a place.
　But since I had the EX Skill [Fixed Damage], I didn't have to worry about that.

　This skill deals 9999 damage to the target as soon as they enter within 10 meters of me.
　After that, it will continue to deal another 9999 damage every three seconds.

　In other words, any enemy within 10 meters of me will be killed instantly.
　Unless, of course, they have more than 10,000 HP, but that would only be possible for a demon lord or his entourage.

　I reminded Shea to stay no more than ten meters away from me.

I'll be alone with a man, but you'll have to bear with me.
I followed you here on my own. You don't have to worry about me, Chrome-sama.

　Shea glanced at me.

I'm not sure if you want my body or not.

　The words were so unexpected that I almost choked.

I was wondering what ...... you were going to say.
I thought that's what you were trying to do by staying out here alone with me.
I told you I was just saving money.
My sister taught me that all men are animals.

　That's what you said to me when we first met.

You're not still wary of me, are you?

　I couldn't help but stare at her.

"I'm sorry.

　She smiled mischievously.

It was a joke.
No, it's okay to joke.

　I gave a small shrug.

　I'm sure this is the true expression of Shea.
　When we first met, she must have been stretched to the limit by her desire for revenge against Riot.
　Now that this has been accomplished, she is slowly returning to her true self.

Maybe it's a good thing that you're able to talk lightly now.
"Thank you.

　She smiled again.

　Yes, she's still young, and I hope she can gradually regain her peace of mind.


　I don't think I'll ever get those feelings back.

　Or maybe... maybe one day I will?

　Right now, I don't know.

Time for bed.
"Yes, Master Chrom.

　We lay down in our sleeping bags.
　The fatigue of a day's walking lulled me into a fitful sleep.

　Before long, I'm asleep, and...



"Do you ...... chrome, do you ...... hear ...... ......?



　I heard a voice.

"Hmm ......?

　You sit up, wondering.

　I'm not in the woods.
　I was on top of a small hill.

　Countless grave markers all around.
　They go on and on until they reach the horizon.

"What the hell is this ......?

　I looked around in dismay.



　What is this ......?
　I can't forgive you, I can't forgive you, I can't forgive you, I can't forgive you, I can't forgive you, I can't forgive you ......!



　Out of nowhere, I heard voices of pain and vindictiveness.

　It wasn't just one or two.
　Hundreds, thousands, tens of thousands, or even more.

　A space filled with negative thoughts.

"Can you hear me, Chrome? ......

　This time I heard the voice clearly.
　The voice sounded familiar.

　Something flickered in front of me, and a figure appeared.

　The slender silhouette was jet-black, and I couldn't tell what kind of face it had.
　From the shape of her body, it could be a woman.
　Her long, dark hair, reaching to her feet, fluttered in the wind.

It looks like we're only getting this close. ...... It's going to take a little more time. ......

　The mysterious woman (?) said. said.

　There's a jingling sound.
　I saw a long chain wrapped around the end of her right hand.

But we're almost there. ...... We'll see you soon. ...... chrome......
Who are you, ......?
"I'm...

　The name she gave me was inaudible to me.

I'll get around to it. ......

　With a chuckle, the jet-black silhouette disappeared.

　What the hell was that?

　I wondered, but then I realized.
　The voice I heard earlier sounded familiar, but it was a voice I knew well.

　For some reason, my head was foggy, and I didn't realize it until too late.

　It was a voice I knew well.
　It was a voice I had heard many times over the past two years.

　Yes, the woman's voice was the one you hear when you wear or use the EX Skill [Fixed Damage].

It's the voice of darkness.



"Fu ......

　I slowly raised my body.

　I wondered if what I had just seen had been a dream.
　Next to me, Shea was sleeping peacefully.