I Don’t Want to Be a Heroic Spirit

"Alice… do you live in the royal capital?"

The three of them were walking along a forest trail when Yunyun suddenly asked the question.

"It's just… neither you nor Miss Nero act like ordinary people. And… well, Megumin mentioned something like that before, too."

As a Crimson Demon, Yunyun wasn't lacking in intelligence. It was only when compared to Megumin, who was sharper than her in many ways, that Yunyun sometimes came across as slow.

Besides, Yunyun had learned that playing dumb made it easier to make friends, so she often pretended to be more naive than she actually was.

"Even if you aren't from the Dustiness family… Alice and Miss Nero must come from some noble lineage, right?"

Nero felt Alice's gaze on her. The girl was likely unsure how to respond. But Nero knew there was no need to explain—Yunyun had already come to her own conclusion.

She must have figured it out days ago. The reason she brought it up now was simple:

"Do you think… you'll go back to the capital someday?"

At this, Nero and Alice exchanged a look, uncertain how to answer.

Because the truth was undeniable: Alice would eventually have to return to the royal capital.

Though Nero had managed to convince Darkness to keep Claire and the others in the dark for a few more days, the delay was nearing its limit.

With news of a Demon King general lurking nearby, Darkness's insistence on returning Alice to the capital had grown stronger. She seemed determined to ensure Alice wouldn't encounter the general, even though Alice's combat abilities rivaled those of her adversaries.

"I see…"

Even without a direct response, Nero and Alice's silence spoke volumes.

Sadness flickered across Yunyun's face—an unmissable hint of loneliness. But she quickly forced a smile, trying to ease the weight of her own words.

"You must have your reasons… It's probably like you snuck out, right? If you don't go back, your family will worry."

For someone who hated farewells the most, Yunyun was remarkably quick to comfort others about them.

Nero knew just how much Yunyun had longed for companions she could chat and adventure with, and how deeply she cherished their group now.

"Oh! Oh! Alice, I saw a magic item shop the other day—they had some really interesting wares!"

With that, Yunyun eagerly started chatting with Alice, pretending as if the earlier conversation had never happened. The heavy atmosphere lightened somewhat.

Still, there was an unspoken shift between them, subtle but present.

Nero walked ahead, glancing at the sun's position.

"At this pace, we might not make it back to town in time for lunch," she noted.

"That's fine! Worst case, we'll just have a late lunch and dinner. It won't hurt," Yunyun replied.

"Turning dinner into a midnight snack? Once in a while, that's not a bad idea," Nero said with a soft chuckle.

The forest path they were on was a well-used trade route, primarily for merchants' wagons. This meant it was relatively safe, with a lower chance of encountering monsters.

But lower didn't mean zero. Even the roads leading to the royal capital weren't completely free of danger.

Nero, walking in front and on guard, suddenly tensed. Her Servant instincts pricked at something in the air, replacing her usual relaxed demeanor with sharp focus.

"Hmm? There seems to be someone ahead…"

Not far away, perched on a large rock, was a green-haired girl. She waved at them with a bright smile.

"What's a young girl doing here of all places?" Alice asked, puzzled.

"She looks hurt," Yunyun added, noticing the bloodied bandage wrapped around the girl's ankle. "We can't just leave her like this…"

The girl occasionally glanced at her injured ankle, wincing with a pained expression. When Nero and the others approached, she looked up at them with wide, imploring eyes, a picture of vulnerability.

Just looking at her stirred a fierce protective instinct.

"What should we do?" Alice asked, concerned. "None of us know healing magic, and we didn't bring any potions…"

Before long, Alice and Yunyun had drawn close to the girl, intent on helping but unsure of how to proceed.

"Nero, you can do anything, right? Surely you know some kind of healing magic?" Alice asked hopefully, turning to her companion.

But Nero's attention was focused elsewhere.

She studied the green-haired girl carefully.

There was something off—this wasn't a human girl. It was a monster.

Her perch, her clothing, even the bloodied bandages—everything was part of her body, mimicked through shapeshifting.

"Alice," Nero said firmly, her tone sharp. "Take a closer look. That isn't a human—it's a monster. Those bandages and wounds are all part of its disguise."

Her words had an immediate effect. Both Alice and Yunyun instinctively stepped back, their eyes now wary as they regarded the girl.

It was a testament to their trust in Nero. If Kazuma had been the one to call out such a monster, his party would likely have ignored him—or worse, attacked him to "protect" the creature.

"B-but… she looks like she's about to cry," Alice said hesitantly.

The monster-girl's eyes glistened with tears as she gazed at them with a pleading expression. Even knowing her true nature, Alice and Yunyun couldn't help but soften.

"She looks so pitiful… Are you sure she's really a monster?" Yunyun asked.

"Even if she is, maybe she's harmless?" Alice added. "She doesn't look like she'd hurt anyone…"

The two wavered again, uncertain.

And then, the girl spoke. Her voice was halting, like a child learning to talk, barely louder than a whisper.

"Will… you kill me?"

Her trembling hands clutched at her chest as she looked up at them from her rocky perch, tears brimming in her eyes. She was shaking, a picture of pure helplessness.

Anyone with a shred of conscience would feel like their heart had been stabbed just looking at her.

"I'm sorry, Nero…" Alice said softly, lowering her weapon. Sadness filled her voice as she turned to Nero. "I can't do it. I just… I can't bring myself to kill a child that looks so helpless…"