Editing Hagure Yuusha no Aesthetica:Volume 1 Epilogue (section)

===Part 1===

Alayzard’s residents almost all believe in the same religion.

That is the only holy light god <Aleiketia><ref>Temporary Name</ref> that the Church of Richard believes in. The religious <Aleclasta> was the birthplace of the Church of Richard. <Aleclasta> kingdom’s capital — that is the flying capital <Aslanda><ref>Temporary Name</ref> has two large buildings, one which is the church’s holy land, or otherwise known as the base for the Holy Association of Richard.

The other building is the symbol for the kingdom, which is the Pope’s city <Coranda><ref>Temporary Name</ref>.

Right now the conference hall of <Coranda> was enveloped in a solemn atmosphere.

Alayzard’s three countries’ leaders were all present in the hall.

The religious country <Aleclasta> Pope Volk Rem Aleclasta IV.

The mechanical militarist empire <Disdia> Emperor Baram Dy Alon Disdia.

And —

The magician country <Sherfied> Queen Listy El Da Sherfied.

These three countries had had a military alliance to jointly fight against the country <Galevain> led by the Demon King Galious.

One week after the downfall of Galious, the three heads gathered to hold talks. The location was the large table in the middle of the conference hall.

“—Yes, we generally have a consensus.”

Aleclasta’s Pope Volk Rem Aleclasta IV was currently aged 68. He was stroking a long beard revealing a smile of satisfaction. The pure white holy garments had glamorous embroideries, which further added to the sacred temperament.

“The Demon King Galious has already been defeated, but the remaining Demon King military forces are still resisting everywhere. To clear up the remaining forces, we should set up a common battlefront, and at the same time, try to recover the places that were devastated by the war. This is the conclusion of this meeting, are there any objections?”

His slow and calm tone showed a majestic pride. Listy nodded in agreement—

“Our country has no objections against the proposal of Aleclasta. In order to maintain the peace and safety in Alayzard, we should form closer bonds, in case there is a need of help.”

A steady and calm tone. Listy’s current identity was the Queen, and at the same time the representative of Sherfied; what she said represented the intention of Sherfied.

Listy glanced towards her right side. The person sitting opposite of Volk was the Disdia Empire’s Emperor Baram Dy Alon Disdia. He had his eyes closed, silently sitting on the the chair. As the talks were about to end, Baram’s reaction made Listy feel a little uneasy.

…The atmosphere was quite strange.

Baram had always been known for his combative side. In each conference, he would always firmly protect his claims, but today he had barely said anything. For the arrogant Baram, this was not common. It seemed to represent that the topics today had no value.

Volk also seemed to have noticed the abnormality. Across the extravagant table, the old Pope stared at Baram.

“Baram-dono, what does Disdia think of it?”

“…This…”

After gently coughing once, Baram slowly opened his eyes.

“To destroy the remaining forces of the Demon King is just natural, our country does not have any objections. However—“

Baram’s sudden ending made Listy feel shocked. Yes, the following is the main point. Only to see Baram stare at an empty spot.

“About a week ago, Disdia received some information.”

After a short pause, Baram continued to talk:

“About the missing Demon King’s daughter…”

“—“

Listy’s expression immediately stiffened. Volk also narrowed his eyes.

For the residents of Alayzard, the Demon King’s lost inheritance was undoubtedly a major threat.

Baram nodded in satisfaction,

“I am pleased that the two of you understand the seriousness of this problem. Please allow me to make a proposal, and immediately send pursuers to capture the Demon King’s daughter.”

“Wait a minute, Emperor Baram …”

Listy expressed opposition.

“The Demon King’s army has already lost the center of its leadership, the only resisting opposition is the remaining forces. The Demon King’s army will eventually accept the truth about the death of the Demon King, and go back to <Galevain> to live peaceful lives, I do not think that capturing the Demon King’s daughter has any value—“

“This kind of thinking is too naïve, Queen Listy. Showing mercy to your enemy means hurting your own.”

Baram laughed uncontrollably.

“As long as the Demon King’s daughter is still alive, the Demon race will regroup under her arms, and once again attack the humans. At that time, it will become a bloody time and the world will once again be caught in grief and panic. The peace was hard to obtain. I believe that it is natural to completely eradicate all possible seeds in order to ensure the safety of the human world.”

“…That is true, but…”

“Baram-dono’s opinion is justifiable.”

Listy could not reject this view. The silent Volk also expressed his agreement.

“Although the Demon King’s daughter is innocent, she is indeed a threat. For the world to finally manage to obtain real peace, we must not relax and make every effort to eliminate all possible obstacles. Queen Listy, I believe you also have no objections?”

“…Yes.”

Listy nodded, with a painful expression. Ignoring Listy, who was tightly biting her lower lip, the two leaders continued their conversation.

“So…Did you find the whereabouts of the Demon King’s daughter?”

Volk urgently tried to unearth the information, but Baram only shook his head.

“Unfortunately, she has not been found yet.”

Because…

“According to our information, the Demon King’s daughter is currently residing in an alternative world—“

“W…Wait a moment!”

Listy suddenly interrupted—

“Emperor Baram, are you saying that the Demon King’s daughter passed through the <Gate of Another World>…?”

“That is correct. She passed through the <Gate of Another World> and escaped…no…exiled into another world.”

“H…How is this possible? I can’t believe it.”

Listy shook her head. This was common knowledge in Alayzard, so it is no wonder that she would have this reaction. Alayzard’s world does have a gate leading to another world, but Alayzard’s residents are unable to pass through this entrance and enter another world. This was the absolute truth and an undeniable reality, thus, Volk also revealed a look of disapproval.

“Baram-dono, even I don’t understand. The Demon King’s daughter is residing in another world…? Your argument is really interesting. To propose such an absurd topic in this important conference regarding the peace of the world, do you think that it is not suitable?”

“Pope Volk, this is not an extremely absurd thing. I have already obtained evidence that the Demon King’s daughter passed through the <Gate of Another World>, so I was able to boldly mention it in the conference.”

After a short pause, Baram continued to speak.

“—The rogue hero brought the Demon King’s daughter back to his own world.”

“What—!”

Listy immediately rose from her seat, even the chair fell down with a large noise, but she did not seem to care. Only seeing her hands slam onto the table, her face extremely pale.

“Emperor Baram, this is just baseless talk right?  Slandering the hero that defeated the Demon King alone, don’t you feel rude? Please immediately take back what you said about the “Rogue Hero”!”

“Rude? Who do you think is more rude? Defeating the Demon King was his own decision. Do not forget that we had an agreement, that the three countries form a common battle front and attack the Demon King’s castle together.”

“This way, the collective army would inevitably have suffered significant losses.”

“Maybe so, but maybe not, this is only just a hypothetical question. Since we are both assuming, then I can also boldly say that the escape of the Demon King’s daughter and the situation where the Demon King’s remaining forces are still resisting is all because the collective forces did not completely eradicate the Demon King’s army.”

“Y…You think you can say this kind of thing…!”

Listy was speechless and filled with anger. Volk hurriedly tried to act as the peacemaker.

“Queen Listy, do not mind the hypothetical situation. The Demon King Galious was definitely defeated by Akatsuki’s hands. This is the undeniable truth. The gratitude for Akatsuki will never change in this world. However—“

Volk changed the subject and pointed his finger at Baram.

“Baram-dono, how do you plan on proving this? Your plea is only an hypothetical situation, I do not think it is enough to push back Queen Listy’s claims.”

Stopping for a bit, Volk continued to talk:

“The <Gate of Another World> only allows people from an alternative world to pass, Akatsuki could not possibly bring the Demon King’s daughter into his own world. If your hypothesis is true, how do you plan on proving it? Don’t forget, but we cannot go to an alternative world.”

“This you do not have to worry about, I have already found a suitable candidate.”

After Baram finished, the doors to the conference room suddenly opened, and a single youth walked in.

Brown short hair and greenish eyes, with a childlike face showing a faint smile.

After the youth walked to the side, Baram stood up from his seat, and placed his right hand on his shoulder.

“Let me introduce you, he is called Phil Barnett.”

With a short pause—

“—He also came from the same alternative world as the hero, Akatsuki.”

“—“

Listy widened her eyes. The young individual bowed down to perform his respects. His posture was very flexible.

“I am Phil Barnett, Please to meet you, Queen Listy.”

“He was summoned to Alayzard two years ago and stayed in my country. If the collective army invasion plan had been realized, the person to defeat the Demon King Galious would have been him, and not Akatsuki.”

Baram hummed for a bit.

“He can also pass through the <Gate of Another World> and return to the hero Akatsuki’s world. In order to clarify the truth, I have decided to entrust him to find the whereabouts of the Demon King’s daughter. Queen Listy, you should have no objections right?”

This was a gamble.

“—You trust the previous hero, but I trust the future hero. In the end, who is right, let’s leave it for the world to decide.”