I Possessed the Villain in the Lily Novel

223 – Hero (7)

For personal desires rather than public good, Ivar began an expedition to eradicate the devil.

Next to him was humanity’s final expedition (scheduled) consisting of paladins, witches, and demons.

When I came out, the whole place was full of flowers. The petals were swaying in the breeze, and even though it was not the flowering season, the plants were blooming all over.

Flowers were blooming even on the corpses lying on the streets, and instead of dirty maggots and flies, pretty butterflies were fluttering about.

The scenery painted like warm pastel was warm and bright, more than spring.

The sight of the world being destroyed was incredibly beautiful.

The first place I set foot in was the last small rural village.

The apple trees here and there were all in bloom, filling the village with a fragrant scent.

“Watch out for these petals.”

The knight next to him pointed to the flower petals and told him to be careful.

“This is the devil’s curse. If you touch this petal, your head will turn into a flower and you will die, just like the victims we have seen so far.”

It is a natural element that kills if touched. It reminds me of the time of the devil of death.

“Hmm… Really?”

Iva asked, pointing to a flower field on the side of the road.

“But they are still breathing. “They say my chest rises and falls?”

“It’s similar to questioning whether a person in a vegetative state is dead or alive.”

“Well.”

It would be quite difficult to find a way to return humans in this state to their original state, and even if we could find it, most humans would have turned into flower heads by then.

Moreover, a flowery wind continues to blow outside that turns people into vegetative states (really).

Destruction is inevitable unless the devil is defeated.

“But does it make sense to walk while avoiding all these flower petals? “Isn’t it just a suicide charge?”

Was this a kamikaze unit?

“Don’t worry. So a special magic was created.”

The knight pointed to the paladin and witch behind them working together to perform magic.

“It is said that numerous witches and top-class paladins from the floating castle met and created a special magic that combined divine power and magic. Even though it consumes a lot of magical energy… Like this, you can touch it with your finger and still be fine.”

When I touched the petal floating in the air, static electricity flashed around the area where I touched it. At the same time, the petals that touched the finger turned to ashes.

“As you can see, this magic will protect us. The magic that protects the floating castle is also the same. However, if you use it too much, the magic will quickly disappear, so I will move forward by removing the curses with weapons and magic as much as possible.”

I heard it later, but it is said that the magic power used for the magic that protects the floating castle Kyle Devotier is drawn from people who have already become flower heads.

As expected, he is a traditional psychopathic wizard. Even vegetarian people use it well.

Even if humans are said to be the lord of all creation, they have no choice but to be used as resources since plants are mankind’s greatest resource.

There is no tree that gives generously.

“That’s why we have a top team led by former Hero candidate Wiz. “They will remove as many petals as possible.”

When the introduction was heard, Wiz turned around and gave a thumbs up.

“Huh…! Don’t worry! “I’ll let you live without getting a drop of water on you…!”

“That’s a proposal line.”

Contrary to his languid tone of voice, I felt quite reassured.

“We have troops lined up to protect you, not only in the front, but also in the rear, no matter where the petals come from, east, west, north, south, left, right, up, down, left, and right. . !”

But is this really enough to deal with all risks? I had that question.

“Even if it were the Demon Lord, it would be impossible to break through this formation! We will arrive before the Demon King safely and without danger!”

This is such a cliche defeat line.

“Um… What’s your name?”

“My name is Lantis!”

“Okay, do you want to live a long time?”

“Yes! The childhood friend I left behind in my hometown…”

“I should have just told you to shut up.”

Ivar sighed.

“Anyway, don’t say things like that carelessly. “If you want to live a long time.”

“…? Yes Okay!”

Luckily, Lantis shut me up.

But was the warning too late?

Lantis, a friendly explainer who made anxious noises, died soon after.

This happened just an hour after setting out on the road.

“Oh my god.”

Nothing was easy.

**

The closer I got to the Demon King, the more the flower petals fluttered. If the petals up until now had been a gentle drizzle, now it could be said to be a heavy shower.

That wasn’t the only problem.

Demonic beasts that jump out and attack in the strong spring wind.

They seemed to have been strengthened by the power of the Demon King, so they were more agile and powerful than usual.

I was already playing a very difficult poop-dodging game that would turn me into a vegetative state if I touched it, but an obstacle was added.

Even though we moved in a direction to avoid encountering demonic beasts as much as possible, there were so many of them that encounters were inevitable, and each time, there were at least a few victims.

The physical and mental strength of the expedition team was rapidly diminishing.

A situation where if you take your eyes off for a moment, your companion becomes a flower or becomes food for a demonic beast. While moving forward, I could not stop my weapons and staff even for a moment.

“Where are we now?”

“This is Eternus.”

Religious city of Eternus. Ivar was lost in memories, remembering the appearance of the demon of the past order.

It is quite far from the first rural village. Since we were marchers, we could see that we were moving quite quickly considering that we were moving slower than our enemy for a few days.

“We came so quickly?!”

If we continue to move forward at the same speed, we will be able to reach the Demon King sooner than expected.

“No. After the arrival of the Demon King, space was distorted. The road between cities disappears and cities appear again after cities.”

That thought was broken by the words of an unknown knight next to me.

“Ah… Then how far have we come?”

“We’re not even halfway there yet.”

“Fuck.”

Rather than being fast, it was slower than expected.

For a moment, I felt depressed by the news that dashed my expectations. Casualties occurred again.

“aaah!”

“Lord, give me what I have to give!”

Those who will live must live… Even those who initially stopped in pity as they saw their colleagues being retired were now able to professionally throw away their bodies and move on.

“Let’s go a little further! The advance team must have found a safe place!”

Stella commanded people as skillfully as when she was the head of a mercenary group.

“Can I eat if I go?”

“Of course. Since there are already fewer mouths to feed, we will all be able to eat abundantly!”

“Wow, that’s really encouraging news.”

In the first place, there was a high probability that the advance team would be destroyed first.

Still, the expedition went forward with hope.

Iba did not know whether that hope was the hope that he could escape this painful march even for a moment or the hope that he could reach the Demon King alive.

Iva also went forward with hope.

As if responding to that hope, the amount of attacking demonic beasts gradually began to decrease.

At the same time, a glass bird expedition flew in and began to guide the to the Vatican in the center.

Surprisingly, there was not a single demon beast on the path guided by the glass bird.

It seemed like all the demons on the way had been exterminated in advance.

Iva realized the identity of the mysterious magical power contained in the glass bird.

“Yes, we are friends, so we should help in situations like this.”

Fortunately, the expedition was able to reach the Vatican.

There was a minor loss in getting here, losing one-fifth of the entire force, but if you really think about it, it was close to a blessing.

Originally, I would have lost more than that.

As soon as she arrived at the Vatican, a friendly face greeted Iva.

“Iva!”

It was Innis.

“Ibaaa!!!!”

Innis rushed towards him with sparkling eyes. It looked just like a large dog welcoming someone who came home from home.

She was one of the people who set out on an expedition in advance to investigate. When Iba opened her eyes, she had already left the floating castle, so we have not met until now.

Haha, yes, yes. “You are vibrant even while the world is falling apart.”

“Huh! Thank you!”

Ivar naturally accepted her affectionate hug (which was close to a wrestling technique in terms of strength) and looked around the interior of the Vatican.

-“Holy One, have mercy on us…”

-“Uh, mom… What about our house…? “When are you going home?”

-“God, please…”

There were still crowds of people praying. What is different from usual is that the prayer is especially earnest today.

People who had not yet been able to evacuate were gathered here and held out. What makes that possible is magic.

It was the magic that neutralized the devil’s curse.

People were evacuated and a spell was placed on the Vatican to function as a shelter.

There was no need to say who did it.

“You said you were in charge of research, so did you do a lot of other things besides research?”

“Huh? Ah… Hehe, it just so happened…”

It must be none other than the girl in your arms.

There would have been no problem if she had just done her job, but she went so far as to evacuate and protect people.

I was able to feel Innis’ ability and kind personality.

“That’s amazing.”

“Oh, no! It’s no big deal. This magic also had a large amount of sacred power stored up in the Holy See… I just borrowed it for a short time. Lol. Anyone can do it!”

The corners of Innis’ mouth drooped as if she was happy to receive praise despite making such an excuse.

Ivar felt bad hearing that excuse,

The reason was extremely personal and simple.

Jealousy.

‘Is this easy? He should have been the hero.’

As always, Ivar was envious and jealous of those who were better off.

Ivar smiled and brought his face closer to Innis. In the process, I was able to see Innis’ face in more detail.

Her flowing blonde hair became rough, and her pale skin was full of blood stains and dust. My eyes are bloodshot and my lips are extremely dry.

Iva smiled contentedly at that haggard face. I brought my face closer. Innis’ embarrassed expression was worth seeing.

“Still, I appreciate it because I worked hard.”

“Wait a minute, I’m so close… Ugh?!”

He kissed those dry lips without hesitation.

The reason was simple this time too.

Replenishment of magic attribute.

“Go, all of a sudden?! Well, it’s not that I don’t particularly like it, but this kind of thing is a little weird. Should I ask for it in advance or should I say that I need time to mentally prepare… Ah, don’t misunderstand. Well, it’s not that I really don’t like it. Huh. Rather, should I say that it was good or that I was very happy. Ah. Hey, if you want to add more, you can. Huh! Let’s add more! Can I go first this time?!!”

“Innis, can you be quiet for a moment?”

“Huh! I will! So shall we add it?”

Innis, who was embarrassed at first with a red face, quickly came to her senses and pressed her lips. It’s hard to describe this state as having come to my senses, but whatever.

“Stop. “This will all go quickly.”

Innis, who was greedily trying to eat Iba, was stopped.

She was haggard.

A protection spell that is normally cast by multiple people was used alone and maintained for several hours.

There’s no way the situation is normal. The kiss just moments ago was closer to artificial respiration.

It was not because their lives were in danger that their reproductive instincts suddenly changed.

“Thank you so much…”

Inis cried and expressed her gratitude with eyes full of emotion.

While the two had their sweet reunion, the other members were taking a break. Looking at the combat rations in their hands, Iva whetted her appetite.

“Yes, that’s right! Are you hungry too? Now, let’s go quickly and eat together.”

Perhaps because they had been very hungry, everyone was frantically inhaling food. Even though it was a combat ration that was reputed to be tasteless, the crab disappeared as if it were invisible.

After the meal was over, Iba stood up and gathered attention from those around him.

“Now let’s get ready.”

“Ugh… Already… ?”

Wiz, who was trying to take a quiet nap, packed his bags in disgust. The others also began preparing with dark expressions.

The look on his face was not just sadness that his break was over, but also fear that he would have to go through the hell he had just experienced again.

“Before that.”

“…?”

“Let’s split into teams.”

The expedition team’s expressions changed once again. From darkness to doubt.

“You can’t just leave the civilians here, right? “Some people need to take these people to Kyle Devoutier.”

“That is correct. “How many people do you want?”

Stella asked.

“As much as you want.”

Drop.

In an instant, the surroundings became quiet.

“You can escort refugees as many times as you want.”

There was no one here who did not know the meaning of this word.

It means that I will give you a chance to escape this deadly expedition.

“Really?!”

The silence was broken and a commotion began.

You don’t know anything until you experience it.

Even warriors who set out on a journey with the risk of death changed their minds when they actually experienced hell, where people’s lives disappear as meaninglessly as flies, without knowing when or how they will die.

-“What are you going to do?”

-“I-I don’t know…”

-“…You can really leave it out, right?”

-“You’re just leaving here like a real coward?”

-“Yes, it will fall! I felt it earlier. A guy like me is of no help. “It’s better to do something like this.”

The commotion continued for a while, and Stella, deciding that she could not delay any longer, opened her mouth.

“It’s all sorted out now, right?”

“…”

“…”

“Those who will leave will stay, and those who will join us should pack their bags and come behind us.”

At those words, people started moving.

Inis was still right next to Iva, Stella was calmly leading the group, and Wiz was just sad that the break was over and naturally went behind Iva.

These were the people I wanted to miss the most.

“Stubbornness is really…”

After some time, the team was completely separated.

“Please evacuate safely.”

“…I hope you can come back too.”

As a result, less than half of the people remained.

However, no one blames those who missed the expedition.

“Now that there are fewer people, we’ll speed up the pace. Even if you get left behind, you won’t be found, so be prepared!”

“Yes!”

As I reduced my luggage, I naturally only brought as much food as I needed.

It was a sheep that was completely unprepared for its return, but no one questioned it.

The expedition team succeeded in reaching the Demon King after advancing non-stop for several days.

There was only one member of the expedition team at that time.

It was Iba.