Beginning of the Worst Adventure (III)

“Ow, ow, ow. It hurts. Everything hurts!”

After managing to get back up from my ass-pounding, I left the empty side street and made my way back to safety.

Now, I’m limping my way towards my destination, trying to just walk off my many wounds.

Examining my body, nothing serious seems to be broken, but I keep finding bruises in random places all over. I’ll definitely be feeling this for a few days or more.

“Damn it. Those guys are such jerks. The next time I see time, I’m gonna get my payback.”

“Given your power level, that seems unlikely.”

“Tsk. You don’t have to say it. I already know. I’m a total Level 1 weakling, right?”

Unfortunately, even back in my world, I’ve never really been a high-spec person. I got good grades, but my physical stats were not the best. I lost basically every single fight I’ve ever been in. The only thing I’m proud of is my stamina, forged through long hours of part-time work, but that’s not very helpful in a brawl.

“Ahhh, isn’t there a way for me to raise my stats, Satanya? If this keeps up, all the other isekai protagonists will laugh at me.”

“The fastest way would be to steal a bunch of high-level items and raise your abilities through good equipment.”

“Other than that! Isn’t there any other way that doesn’t require using the Demon King’s abilities?”

“Hard work and diligent training.”

“Darn it. Of course!” I click my tongue in resignation. “Curse you, Demon King… This is all your fault. Why couldn’t you give me an unnatural power boost that makes me inherently better than everyone else? I hope you get a leg cramp every time you go to the gym in the afterlife from now on…”

“What kind of a curse is that?”

Satanya watches over my pathetic underdog display with concerned eyes and lets out a pensive sigh.

“Say. I don’t mean to question you, but I am curious. Why are you so resistant to using the Crest of Greed?”

“Huh? Obviously, because it’s evil.”

I answer her instantly, without hesitation.

I’ve taken a look at what that Crest of Greed thing she gave me is and what abilities it can do. Simply put, that thing has zero good vibes. All of its abilities are atrocious and can be used to do great harm to others. You can tell just be reading their descriptions that anyone who would use them must be a selfish, immoral scumbag.

“Do you know that saying? Absolute power corrupts absolutely. If I used such an evil ability, I’m sure I’ll start becoming evil too. Even if it’s only to protect myself at first, I’ll probably become more and tempted to use its power for selfish reasons. That’s what I’m afraid of. That’s why I won’t use it at all. I don’t want to do anything that might make me evil.”

“Hmm… but are you sure you’re okay with that? It’s one thing to not use it for your own goals, but not even to protect yourself seems extreme. If you keep this up, you’ll just be letting other people walk all over you? Then, you’ll be the only one who loses.”

“Isn’t that a good thing? If I’m the only one who loses, then that means everyone else wins! That’s the ideal.”

“I see… how interesting.”

It seems that’s the end of her question. In that case, time to keep moving.

In truth, my entire body still hurts, but I don’t have time to dilly-dally and rest. I simply endure the pain and continue moving forward as quickly as possible.

It isn’t much longer before I arrive.

“Here we are. The Central Knight Post of Adamsale.”

“Ooh, so this is what it’s like. How fancy.”

I take a wide-eyed gander at the so-called Knight Post as I approach it.

It’s a large, gilded building with lots of fancy decorations and a moat surrounding it. There’s even a giant golden statue of some middle-aged dude in armor out front.

I was expecting something more cold and practical for a police station, but I suppose such a building also serves to carry the dignity of the knights.

Inside of it, there should be a lot of knights I can talk to. Hopefully I can get in contact with one of the high-ranking knights. Not that there’s anything wrong with the rank-and-file, but I’d preferably want to get my warning directly into the hands of someone who will know what to do with it.

After that, they’ll be able to contact the right authorities, and the world as a whole will be able to prepare to deal with the threat of the Demon Lords.

Of course, at that point, they’ll probably execute me too.

Once I enter that building, I’m not coming back out…

“…”

I guess that means this is it. My second try at life ends here.

It’s been an incredibly short and empty second life. I’m going to die before doing anything or getting anything I wanted. I’m going to die before I even really got to live…

But there’s nothing I can do about it. This is the right thing to do.

It would be evil of me to prioritize my own life over the safety of an entire world. No decent person would ever do something like that.

So I just have to do it. As a good person, I have to be willing to give up my life for the greater good.

And hey, look on the bright side. There’s still a chance they won’t execute me. They may even reward me for my bravery and righteousness. I could be given glory and fame and wealth and popularity for this one righteous act. They might even consider me an honorary hero. Maybe a cute girl will be so impressed that she falls for me.

Yeah, as long as I can cling onto that faint hope, I can move forward.

“Now then… how do I get in? Oh, there’s someone right there.”

I can see a few knights walking around in the back, but there’s one person in armor standing just in front of the big statue on the other side of the moat.

As I cross the bridge and get closer, I realize that it’s a female knight holding a sword.

A dashing female knight, in fact.

She has long, orange braided hair and deep blue eyes.

She isn’t super buff, but she has visible muscle, and her dignified posture alone makes her seem imposing.

Even though I’m still taller than her, I have no illusions about whether or not she could throw me across this moat. That’s the kind of aura she gives off.

Soon, she notices my approach to and steps forward.

“Halt. What businesses do you have here?”

“Hello, there. I have some important information to share with the knights. Could I speak with one of your officers?”

I try to explain myself as clearly and professionally as possible while trying not to be too intimidated by her presence and weapon.

In response to my answer, the knight narrows her eyes and tightens her stance.

“And what sort of information is it? Go ahead and tell me.”

“Oh, well, I don’t know if it’s okay to say it out here in public. It’s rather sensitive intel. Perhaps it would be better to go inside first…”

“Halt!”

“Woah! Holy shit!”

All of a sudden, the knight thrusts her sword forward, piercing the ground just in front of my foot and stopping my advance.

“Woah there, did you need to go that far? I just wanted to…”

“You shall not take one step further. The moment you leave the bridge, it will be considered trespassing. And as this is a military domain, any trespassing on it is treated as an invasion. It will be met with immediate retaliation in the form of violence.”

“That’s… rather serious.”

God damn, that was close. Was I really just one step away from getting my ass kicked or worse? In that sense, I’m glad she stopped me, but I’m a little too scared to thank her.

“But still, I need to talk to someone about what I know. This is very crucial information. Can’t you call someone over?”

“Unfortunately, all the other knights are preoccupied at the moment. This is a very busy time for us due to current events. We cannot spare anyone else to see to your matter. Thus, I suggest you share the information with me first. Once I’ve assessed its content and importance, I’ll be able to forward it to the appropriate people.”

“I guess I don’t have a choice. Very well. Listen closely.”

I take a breath and prepare my nerves.

“The truth is, I’m actually someone from another world and the person who summoned me is the Demon King. She plans to turn me and six other summoned persons into Demon Lords who will carry out her will and continue what she started. Please you have to let everyone in the leadership know that the kingdom is in potentially grave danger!”

“…”

In response to my impassioned plea, the knight remains as stone cold as before and then sighs.

“Sir, if you’re here for a prank, I ask you to leave immediately.”

“Eh? Wait, no, I’m not joking. I’m very serious. This is all real!”

“And what reason do I have to believe you? Do you have any proof to back this outlandish claim?”

“Huh? Umm, well…”

Proof? Of course I don’t. It’s not like I got a recorded notarized transcript of what she told us or a photograph of the Demon King on her throne. This is all just things I saw and heard with my own senses.

I mean, sure, it is a crazy story. Heck, I’d hardly believe it either if it didn’t happen to me, and even then part of me thought I was dreaming. But it’s true. Otherwise, I wouldn’t be here.

Wait, that’s it.

“Me. I’m the proof. Just look at my clothes. Isn’t it obvious I’m not from this world?”

I point to the school uniform I’m currently wearing as it was what I died in. It looks completely different from the typical medieval fantasy fare that everyone else is wearing. This should be plenty of proof that I’m not from around these parts.

“… so? Do you really think you can convince me you’re from another world just because you’re wearing some otherworld fashion?”

Huh? Otherworld fashion? What is she talking about?

“Oh. Apparently, when one of the Heroes of Light came to this world, she decided to spread a few fashion styles from your world. They’ve become somewhat trendy and are now called Otherworld Fashion here.”

Ehhhhhhhhhh? Tell me that sooner!

Dammit, that was my last trump card. What do I do now?

“All right, sir. I need to ask you to depart now. As I said, we are very busy at the moment and I cannot spare any more time catering to your delusions.”

She turns her head away and begins to walk off, as if she has other business to tend to.

“W-w-w-wait. Please wait. It’s not a delusion; it’s the truth. You have to believe me!”

I take a step forward to try and catch up to her, when—

“Ah.”

In an instant, I’m upside down.

And in the next, I’m being slammed hard into the ground.

“Oww!”

“I warned you not to take another step forward, didn’t I? Do you have a defective memory or just defective ears, you scumbag?”

The knight stands over my body with sharp, unforgiving eyes.

It happened so fast I barely registered it, but it seems that she just did a shoulder throw on me. I’ve been completely laid out on the floor and my whole body hurts.

“Be happy I did not use my blade. I will not show the same mercy the next time.”

“Y-yes, ma’am. I’m sorry…”

I don’t know if I’m more stunned or scared, but I’ve certainly learned my lesson. Don’t mess with the knights here. Ever.

Just then, as I’m still regaining my composure, another knight suddenly runs out into the square.

“Commander Ariesa! We have an update from the Governer’s House.”

Wait, commander? So, this woman was a high-ranking officer after all? She looked so young, just barely older than me, that I wouldn’t have guessed…

“What is it this time?”

“They’ve requested another change to the security detail. Particularly for the young lady.”

“Tch. Yet again. Being a protective parent is one thing, but such lengths are…”

Her words suddenly stop as she spots me on the ground and realizes I’m still here.

“How long are you going to just sit there? Are you trying to eavesdrop? I told you to leave. Now hurry and do so!”

“Y-yes, ma’am! I’m so sorry!”

I do as she says and quickly run away before she can unsheathe her sword at me.

By the time I cross the bridge and return to the regular city, she’s already started walking back into the building.

Man, what a scary woman. Even more frightening than she is beautiful. I know I said I don’t mind dying to a knight – and I certainly don’t hate the idea of being killed by a pretty lady – but I think I’ll have to stay away from this one from now on.

More importantly, this has been a bad turn of events. My plan to warn them about the Demon Lords has completely failed.

What am I supposed to do now?