Monster no Goshujin-sama - Volume 15 - Chapter 15

Chapter 15: The Diary Left Behind by a Savior

Before diving into the truth of the world, let’s go over an old story. This was a distant memory for a certain man. These were the events of the day that decided all future paths.

“What’s this...?”

A boy with hazel eyes raised an innocent voice. He had an old book in his hands. It was something he’d found tucked away in a corner of his house’s study. The boy, not even ten years old yet, was imperial nobility. What’s more, his lineage had inherited the blessed blood of a savior who’d saved the world. His family was well known for contributing a great many knights to the Holy Order for generations.

“We are not members of this world by nature. Thus, we have a duty to leverage our abilities to protect this world. Do not forget. Have pride as a knight.”

Taught this by his father, the boy lived up to all expectations. He understood the value of what he was to be burdened with. He had no complaints about going down this path. He would become a splendid knight just like his father, supporting the saviors to protect the world. That was what he believed. Until this day, he truly did.

“This is...a diary?”

The old book the boy had found was a diary written by his ancestor—a girl from another world. He didn’t know why it was tucked away in the corner of the study. Any item related to the saviors, even a simple diary, would naturally be treated with the greatest care. The fact that it wasn’t meant it’d made its way into this study without anyone knowing.

After all, the girl had appeared in this world several centuries ago. It was more than possible for something like this to have coincidentally gotten mixed in among other books over the long years.

The diary wrote of events from some time after the girl found herself in this world—around the time she learned the local language—to when she started her activities as a savior.

Such details were more than enough to tickle the boy’s curiosity. Given the opportunity to learn of the everyday life of his esteemed ancestor, he had no choice but to read it.

Naturally, the boy knew of his ancestor’s legend. Her ability hadn’t been special in any way, but through steady effort and devotion, she’d become known as a savior who’d accomplished a great many deeds.

The studious boy knew about her very well. He thought he did, at least. As such, the moment he started reading, he was struck by a sudden shock. As it transpired, the journal wrote of the girl’s true feelings without hiding anything:

Anxiety at being sent to an unknown place.

Gratitude toward the people who accepted her.

Despair at being unable to return to her world.

Excitement at obtaining power.

Fear at having to fight monsters.

Courage from fighting for the sake of those she was indebted to.

Maledictions toward the circumstances she could do nothing about.

Happiness at meeting people.

Not everything was pretty. Nor was everything dirty. The person who wrote this journal was truly human.

The young boy was overwhelmed by the girl’s exposed thoughts. He was captivated by how she’d desperately tried to survive while tormented by difficulties. Before he knew it, he’d read the entire diary.

By the time he closed the book, his understanding of his ancestor had changed entirely. The boy now knew that the deified saviors were humans who suffered from anxiety like anyone else. Such knowledge made him a complete exception in this world.

And so, aiming to become a knight, the boy was furnished with more consideration for others than the average person, as well as a tremendous sense of responsibility. That was why it was inevitable for him to come to the conclusion he did.

His childlike mind came across a certain thought. Weren’t they mistaken to rely on visitors as their saviors?

◆ ◆ ◆

Visitors were pitiful castaways.

Let loose from their original worlds, they lived their lives harboring solitude and sorrow.

Was it really all right to make such people bear the harsh reality of this world?

That was far too strange. Didn’t others feel sorry for them?

A knight had the duty to save everyone, sword in hand. So how long were they going to continue forcing people like that girl to bear such agony?

As someone born to become a knight, could he allow such a thing?

No. He could not.

This world’s problems should be resolved by those born in this world.

If nobody was capable of that, then he would accomplish it himself.

He would become the saviors’ substitute. In their stead, he would protect this world. That was surely what he was born for.

Even as a child, his determination was unshakable. His youth provided him a bulwark against cynicism and despair.

On that day, the boy swore to the girl on the other side of the diary.

Just maybe, what he felt at the time was something like a first love.

◆ ◆ ◆

That oath was sacred to the boy.

He earnestly pursued power more than ever before.

He desired strength that surpassed even that of a savior, dedicating himself nonstop to his improvement.

Fortunately, he had the qualifications for it. Or perhaps the determination in his heart had turned into such qualifications. As a beloved of blessed blood, his power manifested.

That said, his ability wasn’t particularly special or outstanding compared to those of others like him.

Unfortunately, his ancestor hadn’t possessed a special ability. As such, the boy also hadn’t manifested one. Compared to the likes of the Radiant Wings, the Holy Gaze, the All-Seeing Eye, or the Battle Ogre, his power didn’t seem particularly impressive.

However, the boy didn’t give that any thought. He knew his ancestor. He couldn’t possibly admit that the power he’d inherited from the girl who’d been so desperate to survive in another world could be inferior to any other.

That emotion was precisely what made him stronger. The boy became a teenager and gathered strength as a knight. Even when his faint love faded into a treasure from the distant past, the oath he swore that day remained as prominent in his heart as ever.

And then the day finally came. Now an adult, he had achieved far more than any other and stood at the top of his knightly order. Naturally, that wasn’t his goal. It was the starting line.

By this point, he’d gained enough power to surpass the average savior. With this, he believed he could fulfill the oath he’d made that day.

From this day onward, everything would change.

That was his plan.

“Excuse me.”

With hope and ideals in his heart, the young man entered the room of the archbishop who’d summoned him—with no way of knowing what awaited him.