After crushing the Demon Lord's heart.
　It took me seven days to return to the agency's headquarters.

　The Kingdom of Terraria.
　That's the country I belong to.

　As I approached the royal castle that stood tall in the center of the royal capital of Maikoura, two guards held up their spears to block the gate. However, both of them lowered their spears as soon as they saw my face.
　As I tried to pass through the gate in silence, one of the guards called out to me.

Chris-sama is waiting for you on the third floor, in the temporary conference room of the Kingsguard.

　I replied to the guard's words in a hushed voice, "Understood.
　It's a pain in the ass, but the organization I belong to changes its base from time to time. After the War of Heroes and Demons entered its final phase, it was mostly based in the King's Castle, but even within that castle, it changed its base of operations from place to place.

　He opened the door to the temporary conference room on the third floor of the castle.
　In the room, a young woman with long, light red hair was sitting alone in a chair.

"Good work.

　She looked at me and said with a soft smile.

"It's been a long time, Chris.

"Yes, it has. We've only been communicating recently. It's been a month since I've been out of headquarters, too.

　Chris said, looking a little tired.
　She's my boss. It's been a long time since we've talked face to face, but we've known each other for almost ten years, so I don't feel tired now.

　I relaxed a little more than usual, and sat down on the chair facing Chris.

How's it going with the Demon Lord?

Everything's going well. In a few moments, the whole world will know that the heroes have defeated the Demon Lord. ...... Even though you're the one who really defeated him.

It doesn't matter who did it directly. In this case, it was the agency that killed the Demon Lord, not me. I've only been following orders for the past ten years.

"...... You're still very observant for your age. Well, I guess that's what the agency trained you to do.

　Chris said with a sigh.

It's been ten years of hard work, and it's finally over. I'm sure you'll agree with me on that. ...... It seems like the organization was initially just there to support the heroes, but before you knew it, they were almost always on the front lines.

I agree with you on that.

　The last one is undoubtedly the front line.
　Open your right palm lightly. As I vaguely remembered the feeling I felt when I crushed the Demon Lord's heart, I noticed Chris looking at me with a serious expression.

You're fifteen years old this year, aren't you?

"Yes.

　I affirmed, and Chris slowly opened his mouth.

This is a document that describes your career.

　Chris took out a large number of documents from an envelope and spread them on the table.

"That's a lot.

"That's how many accomplishments you've made. That's how many achievements you've made, though all of them are behind-the-scenes work that is not disclosed to the public.

　Picking up a stack of papers, Chris continued.

As you know, the role of the organization we belong to, the Shinpei Special Service Organization, is to support the heroes from the shadows during the Fourth War of Heroes and Demons.

　Chris said as he rolled up the documents, as if he was checking my background.

　--Shinpei Special Service Organization.

　To explain this organization to which we belong, you need to know about the War of Heroes.

　One day. The Demon Lord appeared out of nowhere.
　The Demon Lord was born and immediately set out to destroy humanity. He created many ferocious monsters called "demons" and also created a huge underground space called "labyrinth" where demons nest. As time passed, demons sometimes evolved into human form and gained reason, and were called "demons".

　The Demon Lord and his army are very powerful. It is difficult to prevent their invasion.
　However, the existence of heroes appeared to defeat and destroy the Demon Lord.

　Brave men appear suddenly from among the human race. Like the Demon Lord, we don't know when they will appear, but it seems that the heroes and the Demon Lord will be born at the same time. In other words, when the Demon Lord is born, the hero will be born soon, and vice versa.

　The war between the heroes and the demon king. The war between the two is called the War of Heroes and Demons, and has been repeated three times in the past ten years.
　So far, all of them have been won by the heroes, that is, the human side.

"The Demon Lord is a disaster with a will. And the hero is the hope that has will. This statement was popularized three centuries ago when the First War of Heroes and Demons broke out in ....... And ten years ago, the fourth generation of heroes was born here in the Kingdom of Terraria. This was the beginning of the birth of the agency.

　Chris says.

"A country that produces a hero can lead other countries in every aspect. If a hero defeats a demon king, his home country will be regarded as a noble country that produced a hero, and even after the war is over, more and more money will come rolling in. It's called the "hero effect.

　Just because there are brave men. Just the fact that there are brave men, or that there were brave men, is enough to bring in money. After the war is over, if a brave man runs a store in his home country, or becomes a knight and teaches swords, the economic effect will be even stronger.

But on the other hand, if the heroes fail to defeat the demon king, the country that produced the heroes will bear the responsibility. The overlords of the Kingdom of Terraria were concerned about the worst possibility that the heroes born in their country would not be able to defeat the Demon Lord. As a result, our agency was established.



　Chris is right.
　The Shinpei Special Service Organization was created out of concern for the scandals of the heroes.

I don't know how other countries supported the heroes in the past three wars, but the Kingdom of Terraria decided to support the heroes from two directions, 'front' and 'back'. The Shinpei Special Service Agency falls into this "back" category. The "front" side is the armies and knights of the world.
　The armies and knights of the "front" always fought beside and with the heroes during the war. On the other hand, our "behind-the-scenes" activities--legal and illegal--are not. We took on all kinds of dirty work: manipulation, assassination, capture, torture, ....... By its very nature, the Agency, unlike the military, is a secretive organization whose existence is kept from the public eye. So it's literally a 'behind-the-scenes' organization."

　I nodded at Chris' explanation.

But one day, four years ago, the organization began not only to support the heroes, but also to take their place. ...... I'm sure you know more about how this came about than I do.

...... So you're talking to me?

　Chris said I know more than him, but that's not true.
　During the war, Chris spent most of his time working at his desk at headquarters. Compared to me, who had only worked in the field, she had definitely seen and heard more information about the war. Even if it was me who had a direct hand in the war, she was probably more familiar with the process that led up to it.

　Apparently, Chris is not asking for information, but wants to know my perception.
　I told her plainly, trying not to put too much emotion into it.

"Four years ago. Four years ago, when the war was gaining momentum, something unexpected happened to the human side. The heroes couldn't defeat the demons (・・・・・・・・・・) (・・・・). The demon is an enemy that must be defeated before mankind can invade the castle of the Demon King, where the Demon King resides. ......But no matter how many times the heroes tried, they could not defeat the demon.

　Perhaps the hero had fought the demon countless times.
　He tried, and he was defeated, and he tried, and he was defeated - he tried with all the knights in the world, and he was still defeated.
　So...

So the agency's people killed the demon.

　The Shinpei Special Service Agency invites talented people from orphanages in Japan and gives them a thorough Spartan education until they become useful as soldiers. It was extremely difficult for children from orphanages to endure the intense training, and many of them lost their lives during the training.

　It is said that the soldiers of the institution who grew up in such an environment somehow became more powerful than the heroes.
　No, ...... to call this a strength is a bit inappropriate. I'm not sure what to make of it. Even if the opponent is a demon or a demon lord, they will fight the most efficient way to achieve their goal. Perhaps the demons were not expecting the brutal fighting style of the institution. That's why the agency's soldiers were able to easily kill the demons that the heroes couldn't defeat.

That's a roundabout way of putting it. Why don't you just tell them that you killed the demon?

"I'd hate for you to think I'm making you do more work. It was Chris who ordered it in the first place.

Oh, you're blaming me?

I'll take all the responsibility, so go and defeat that demon. ...... Who was it who said that?

"Ah ...... oops, I think I said something like that.

　Chris puts his hand to his forehead. Apparently, he really had forgotten.
　We were in a hurry at that time. He kept challenging the demons without giving up, and every time we saw a hero dying and being rescued, we feared that he was going to die for real. I was worried. I thought that humanity would finally be defeated by the Demon Lord. The agency was very busy at that time, so it is inevitable that my memory is fuzzy.

Back to ......, anyway, that incident triggered the agency to go to the front line and fight against many demons. However, the fact remains that the agency is an organization that cannot be made public. It's a great way to get rid of the enemies of the heroes. ...... Specifically, the agency continued to conceal its existence by crediting all of its achievements to the heroes.

You're right. All of your perceptions are correct.

　Chris affirms.
　Chris affirmed, but there was a sour look on his face.

You're not happy.

Of course you are. The one who finally defeated the Demon Lord was a soldier of the Agency - you, in other words, and in all likelihood we contributed more to the war than the Knights and Braves of the "front". And yet, our existence is never brought to light. ...... Hey, you know what?　I'm sure you'll be pleased to know that I'm not the only one.　The other day, when I was taking a break in the castle dining room for the first time in ten days, I was scolded by a little brat of a knight's apprentice who had never even been on the battlefield, saying, "Don't let a chore take a break. How can you be so cruel?

I sympathize with you, but ...... if you say too much, the higher-ups will consider you a risk factor.

It's okay!　It's just you and me in this room!　If you say something like this outside, you know that tomorrow you will die in an accident.

　Of course, an accidental death is an assassination in name only.
　It's what the Agency does best. I know because I'm a member of the organization. It's not wise for an individual to make an enemy of this organization.

I understand the situation. I understand the situation. ...... Like armies and institutions, the brave have a role to play. I understand the situation. ...... If our activities were to come to light, our advertising would be clouded. So all the credit for the agency goes to the heroes. ...... I understand it, but it's hard to accept. No, I really don't want to be convinced.



"We're getting paid a lot more than the military for that. The state isn't doing us any favors.

Well, yes, but ......

　The first one. I'm sure you've heard of it.
　I'm not sure if you've heard of it or not.
　It is not an exaggeration to say that the heroes exist to defeat the demon king, but it is impossible that they cannot defeat a single demon. In fact, in past wars, the heroes never struggled against the demons. In such a situation, if it is discovered that a third party other than the hero killed the demon--the hero's credibility will be ruined. The billboard would cease to function.

So?　Why are you telling me such an obvious fact now?

　Chris answered my question with a cautious look on his face.

The decision to dismantle the agency has just been made.

　I didn't speak when Chris told me this.
　I see. So that's why you told me about the agency, to bring it up.
　If you understand the agency, you can predict the dismantling. The Shinpei Special Service Agency was an organization that supported the heroes' defeat of the Demon Lord from the shadows. Now that the Demon Lord has been defeated, its raison d'etre has disappeared. It's not like the military or the knightly order, which have the original purpose of maintaining the country's security, and there is no way for us to go back to that.

"With the dismantling of the organization, I've decided to ask you about your future.

　I rolled my eyes at that one.

You make it sound as if I have the right to choose my own future.

That's what I'm saying.

　I didn't expect to be affirmed, and I was speechless for a while.
　The True Detective Agency is not exactly a "backroom" organization. Many of the jobs I was given by the agency were dirty in their own way. In the world, everyone in the agency is a criminal. It was only during the Great War that they were allowed to do so. I never thought that I, a quasi-criminal, would be given the freedom to make choices in life. You can't expect that.

...... At worst, I was prepared to be killed to keep my mouth shut.

I wouldn't do that. As you said yourself earlier, the government does not despise us. In fact, they're giving us the utmost consideration. That's why when the institution was dismantled, the former members were given all the help they could get. If you have any wishes about your future life plans, I've been instructed by my superiors to try to accommodate them to the best of my ability at .......

　It's always a good idea to have a good story, but Chris is a trustworthy person. Even if there was a conspiracy, it wouldn't affect me negatively.
　But the country won't be moved by mercy.

It's like giving your old dog a candy bar at the end so he doesn't bite you.

Well, there you have it. Especially since you're special in the agency, you'll get the biggest piece of candy.

　I chewed on Chris's words and thought about them.

Hope, huh? Hope, ......, doesn't seem to be that easy to come up with.

"...... What do you have?　What do you want?　You'll be able to find a lot of people who'd like to be a part of the world. Some ...... people said they wanted to do nothing and live a lazy life. The government will do its best to help those people.

　Chris gave me a sympathetic look, and I pursed my lips.
　I'm the youngest in the agency. Because I've lived outside the Agency for so few days, I'm more steeped in its values than most. To Chris, I might seem like a very inconvenient person.
　In the end, all that came out of my mouth was a sign of abandonment.

"What are you going to do about Chris?

"I think I'm going to keep my job at ......, something like that. Unlike you, I worked at the agency's headquarters, so I'm exposed to a lot of information and I'm under a lot of restrictions.

Then I'll have to--

No.

　Chris says sternly.

You're only fifteen. You were picked up by the Agency when you were only five years old, and you spent the last ten years of your life working for the Kingdom until the war ended. ...... That's enough. You need to get out of this organization that treats people like tools. You need to find out what you want to do.

"What I want to do: ......

　Chris gave me a strong look as I muttered deliriously.

"For the last ten years, you've lived for the kingdom. So now you must live for yourself. ...... Give it some time, and if you still want to do the same kind of work you did before, then let me know. I'll admit that's what you want to do. ......, but I won't admit it now.

　Chris didn't seem to be backing down.
　Even if I were to tell her that working for Chris was what I wanted to do, she would continue to shake her head.

You don't have to think so hard. You've seen a lot of people through your work over the past ten years.　I want to be like this. Don't you ever want to be like them? Have you ever thought about that?



　Chris's words made me turn my head.
　I lived in a poor orphanage until I was five years old, where I often couldn't even eat a single meal a day. After that, I was picked up by an agency and spent my days in strict training that made the days in the orphanage seem hazy.
　After training, I was assigned to various missions as a disposable soldier, but as I managed to survive, I gained the trust of the higher-ups and was eventually given a mission that required me to return home. However, for those of us who work behind the scenes, failure in a mission is a direct result of death. We are people who shouldn't even be there.
　If we fail the mission, we're cut off immediately. Ever since I joined the agency, not a day goes by that I don't get nervous.

　I can't say that I've had time to look at the people around me for ten years.
　However, there have been a few times when I have thought to myself during the course of my work, "There is such a life.

　Just today, on the way back to the royal city of Maikoura, I had such a thought. As I passed a small covered wagon carrying goods. When I walked through the castle town and saw a flower vendor. In my mind, I suddenly thought of ----.

I want to go on with my daily life like a normal person.

　When I said it out loud, it seemed to sink in.
　I realized the true nature of the complicated feelings coiled in my heart. Oh, so this is what I've been thinking.

　Thinking about it, I don't know what "normal" is. I've never seen "normal".

　When I was working, I sometimes wondered what I was working for. We exist to support the brave. Then, why are the heroes trying to defeat the Demon Lord?　What will the people gain by defeating the Demon Lord?

　The answer to that question is probably a normal life for people.

　I didn't know what I was protecting until now.
　A lot of people died in the war. Countless of my colleagues in the agency lost their lives. --What's it like to want to protect something that badly?

　What kind of peace did I, Chris, and the heroes risk our lives to protect?

I want to live a normal life. I want to be free and live as I want. Isn't that what ...... is for?

　It was a very monotonous wish for me.
　But Chris nodded earnestly, without making fun of me.

No, it's no problem at all.

　Then Chris stood up.

Thank you. Thank you for letting me know how you really feel. Now just wait a while. I'm going to make a life for you now.

"Yeah, please.