Konbini Ossan Volume 9 Chapter 24 — After Understanding
Metidovan collapses to the ground, his shoulders trembling.
“No… that cannot be. Are you saying… it is the same? That my plan for revenge… was about to repeat the same actions as that mad king and the humans who followed him, the ones who destroyed my kin?”
I do not respond to his words.
With the battle over, Vladgaria approaches him and speaks in my place.
“I will not say it is entirely the same. However, if you allow yourself to be consumed by vengeance and press forward, even at the cost of unnecessary sacrifices, then its essence does not change.
…
Those who would be sacrificed would die bearing the same despair your kin once felt.”
At Vladgaria’s words, Metidovan finally seems to reach his limit, and he begins to speak through tears.
“I see… I was wrong, Demon King. In my desire to see my revenge fulfilled, I was about to trample even the wishes of my own kin.”
As he breaks down in tears, I step closer and speak to him.
“Everyone makes mistakes. I’ve made many myself. What matters is whether you can turn back once you realize it, and how you choose to start over.”
“Human, you…”
Before Metidovan can continue, I speak again.
“Now, stand up. And if possible, from here on, use your strength to save as many lives as you can. If you can… together with us.”
As I say this, Metidovan averts his gaze and asks quietly.
“Would my kin… forgive me? For having lost my way… for finding something to prioritize over revenge?”
This time, Vladgaria answers.
“No one decides that but you. What matters is that now you understand your true wish, you must live in a way that does not betray it, is that not so?”
“Yes… you are right.”
As Vladgaria finishes, she glances toward me, prompting me to add my own words.
“If your kin wished anything of you, it would not be for you to create more victims in the name of revenge and die consumed by it. They would wish for you to ensure that such a tragedy never happens again.”
Hearing our words, Metidovan widens his eyes, then stares into empty space as if recalling something.
“…Ah. Yes. That’s right. My kin were kind. That is why they sealed away all their technology and chose not to fight. And yet… why did I fail to realize something so simple… so obvious…?”
His face contorts, and tears stream down as he cries.
“Metidovan. Now is the time to weep. You have, at last, truly understood the sorrow of your kin. From here on, you will be too busy to even cry. So at least here and now, weep as much as you must.”
“Demon King… you have my deepest gratitude…”
Vladgaria places a hand on his shoulder, offering comfort. Metidovan breaks down completely, sobbing loudly as if releasing all the emotions he had long held inside.
I watch over him in silence, waiting until he regains himself.
Eventually, his tears subside. Metidovan stands and turns toward me.
“I am sorry, human. And… thank you. It is thanks to you that I have come to understand my true wish.”
“No, please don’t worry about it.”
As I say that, I extend my hand.
“Allow me to properly introduce myself. My name is Yūichi Otogi, chairman of Otogi Company. I have been negotiating an alliance with the Demon King’s army.”
“Very well. My name is Metidovan, one of the Seven Generals of the Demon King’s army, the one known wide as the Wise General.”
Metidovan takes my hand and returns the handshake.
“Otogi. I will never forget this debt. As a member of the Demon King’s army, and as an individual, I swear to assist you whenever needed.”
“Yes, please do. I look forward to it.”
And so, the battle with Metidovan came to an end, and in the end, we even succeeded in forming a cooperative relationship.
The infiltration operation concluded in the best possible way.
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E/N:
All's well that end's well. Or is it?
The Volume's near ending, so…
Stay tuned!
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