My limbs wouldn't move. Consciousness was fading.
I knew this day would come eventually. I had killed countless people, just as I was ordered. Now, the time had finally come to face the consequences.
Ah, finally I would be free. I didn't feel pain or sorrow, what came to me first was that strange sense of release.
Footsteps approached. A large shadow blocked the faint moonlight filtering into the alley. That shadow was the target I had been trying to kill just moments ago.
Because of the backlight, I couldn't make out their expression. But this was the person who had tried to kill me not long before. Surely, they didn't have kind feelings toward me.
Strangely, I wasn't afraid. I closed my eyes and waited for my death.
But no matter how long I waited, that moment never came.
Carefully, I opened my eyes. The shadow still looked down at me, without any flicker of emotion, just calmly observing.
I don't know how long I stayed like that, but eventually the figure seemed to lose interest, turned on their heel, and left.
(...Did they spare me?)
It took me several minutes to accept that fact. And when I did, the emotion that rose within me was not relief or joy at surviving, but humiliation at being spared.
I didn't understand why I felt that way. I'm no warrior, just an assassin. A cowardly, despicable piece of trash who kills targets ordered by others, relying only on my innate skills.
Yet this feeling grew stronger, like a spring of water welling up inside me. I was losing grasp of who I was.
I thought hard, recalled everything about my short life, and reached one conclusion...
(So that's it. I was envious...)
I wasn't a warrior. But the person I fought was. It was only for a few minutes. But in those minutes, I was captivated by their strength and nobility.
Damn it. Now, I don't want to die anymore. I want to fight again, not as an assassin, but with honor. I want a real duel with the person who didn't even glance my way. That's why, that's why...
"I don't want to die...!"
…
Footsteps echoed softly. At first, I thought it was them returning, but I quickly realized it wasn't.
There were two sets of footsteps. One belonged to a woman, with small steps and lighter sounds, and the other to a man, clearly not the same person I had faced earlier, judging by their stride and weight.
A couple? Why would two people be alone in this alley?
Soon, the footsteps came closer. The woman quickened her pace, moving as if to shield the man ahead of her, and spoke to him.
"Hermes-sama, please step back. There's something here."
Hermes, yes, the god who rules a Familia headquartered in this Orario. Not well known, but not weak either. A strange Familia that doesn't ally with others.
The woman came closer. For a moment, I thought about killing her, but considering she was a god's retainer, and I was weak and injured, I decided against it and feigned unconsciousness.
I didn't want to die, but maybe, just maybe, I could accept the judgment of a god at my end. A thought that would never have crossed my mind before.
"You're just a child. There's a faint scent of blood. What should we do?"
"Hmm, let me think..."
Hermes approached.
"H-Hermes-sama, please step back! We don't yet know if the child is safe!"
"Oh, come now, don't be so rigid."
The woman sighed, she seemed tired, though why, I didn't know.
Hermes looked down at me.
"Hmm? Hey, are you awake?"
"As expected of a god. You noticed quickly..."
Resigned, I opened my eyes. The woman grew more alert.
"Well then, what were you doing here?"
"I... was trying to kill a demi-human... but got beaten instead."
The air froze. The woman gasped, but Hermes burst out laughing.
"Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha! Ahahaha!"
"H-Hermes-sama, this isn't something to laugh about!"
After a while, Hermes sat down, still chuckling.
"Ah, that was a good laugh. But boy, why tell me that?"
"There's no point in lying... so please... judge me."
"You want me to judge you?"
"Yes."
Hermes was silent for a moment. The woman looked anxious despite her earlier caution.
"Well, I'm not exactly a god of judgment. Hmm... boy, is there something you want to do?"
"Yes."
"Oh? And what would that be?"
"To become an adventurer."
Again, the air froze. Hermes laughed once more.
"Ha ha ha ha ha! I can't believe I'm laughing this much twice in one day! How about it, Asfi? Sometimes it's good to take a detour home, isn't it?"
"H-Hermes-sama, no way..."
"Boy, what's your name?"
"Toki Ortyx."
"Alright, Toki. Then I hereby declare my judgment."
Hermes stood up and pronounced his verdict.
"I will welcome you into my Familia! But you won't become an adventurer right away. For three years, you will serve as my attendant, then for another three years, you will do menial tasks for the Hermes Familia. After that, you will finally become a full-fledged adventurer!"
At first, I didn't understand what he meant. But as it sank in, tears welled up. This whimsical god would accept me.
"Well then, Asfi, take him with you. Let's head back."
"Sigh... I'm so tired..."
Carried by Asfi, I moved through the night streets of Orario. Wherever she walked, my tears fell like scattered drops along the path.