'In the original story, Levia falls to corruption.'
As a member of the Hero Party, she adventures until the latter half, when she succumbs and ends up confronting the protagonist.
Watching that Levia, I couldn't help but feel heartbroken.
'Levia has a strong sense of responsibility.'
She's no absolute villain.
Anyone could see she's a good person.
And that's precisely why Levia was structurally so prone to falling.
Levia was born with considerable holy power from the start.
Right now, for political reasons, she's serving as a nun in this remote town, but she was born with the qualities of a saint.
Because of that, she underwent harsh training and accepted it as a matter of course.
She lived believing that being born a saint meant a life of protecting and helping others—that it was the reason for her existence.
'She was always seeking strength.'
That's why she constantly craved power.
To fulfill her duties as a saint, to save more people, she never shied away from grueling holy power training that drew blood.
Even her love of money had its reasons tied to that.
'She suffered so much.'
But it was bound to be agonizing.
No matter how hard she tried, she could never save everyone.
Whenever Levia saved someone, she inevitably saw others she couldn't save.
This is unavoidable for a human with limits.
But in those moments, Levia always wished she had just a bit more power.
'And then the evil god appeared.'
In that situation, as if adding insult to injury, an evil god relentlessly whispered to her.
She was loved by the goddess and the evil god alike.
The evil god whispered that if she just followed it, it would create a world where no one suffered.
She had lived hearing such temptations constantly.
Of course, she always refused.
She probably knew.
That following the evil god might create a world without hurt, but it certainly wouldn't be a normal one.
So she refused.
But the evil god's allure tapped into her inescapable instincts.
After her younger sister died and she fell into deep despair, Levia ultimately surrendered to the evil god.
And fell.
'Her sister's death holds significant meaning.'
That's why her sister's death carries so much weight.
The girl who always wore a bright, warm smile no longer laughs like she used to.
Because of her sister's death, the current Levia became a cold saint driven solely by conviction and duty.
'I have to stop that.'
I'm trying to prevent it.
I wanted to help her if possible.
'I hadn't planned to intervene at a different time.'
Truth be told, this wasn't part of the original plan.
No matter how much my favorite character she was, I had no intention of saving her.
I lacked the confidence to tamper with such a major plotline, and beyond her being my favorite, there was no real reason to save her.
I wouldn't risk derailing the story just for her.
But now it's different.
I've received a favor from Levia.
Though it's now a transaction under the guise of donations, initially she tried to help me, and that help was substantial.
'I should repay the favor.'
That's why I'm helping her.
I need to give back as much as I received.
With that goal in mind, I set off.
[Just take it out, right?]
A voice echoed in my head.
It was the Spirit Sword's voice.
"Take it out? What do you mean?"
[Weren't you just thinking about the magic beast? If it's troubling you, just wipe it out yourself.]
The Spirit Sword acted like it already knew my thoughts.
It told me to just eliminate the magic beast.
As if it were no big deal.
"Let's do that."
[Oh.]
I'd planned to anyway, even without being told.
I affirmed it.
[What? I was going to scold you if you had the power but didn't use it.]
"Hmm..."
[Something like a magic beast—just take it down quick. It won't be that hard.]
Of course, my master was telling me to handle it myself.
It sounded utterly heroic.
Though coming from the Spirit Sword, it was a bit amusing.
"But don't you, Master, have no interest in grand causes and only move for the sake of the sword's value?"
[...Uh...]
As expected, the Spirit Sword spouted such lines purely for its own sake.
Its goal was to maximize its own value.
I hit the nail on the head, and it couldn't muster a decent reply.
[Let's hurry and go take out that magic beast...!!]
She hastily changed the subject.
I chuckled and headed into the mountains to find the magic beast.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
I ventured deep into the mountains once more.
'If I take out the magic beast, what happens to the protagonist?'
Still, I had some concerns.
I would eliminate the magic beast, but that came with a problem.
It meant the protagonist would have no role.
It wasn't like the protagonist had some massive growth spurt from subjugating the magic beast.
But it was still the grand first episode, wasn't it?
If I wiped out the magic beast, it was obvious this would affect the protagonist.
'Hmm...'
So I couldn't help but worry deeply.
I was pondering what to do when...
'Wait, isn't that the protagonist?'
A girl appeared, covered in dirt from sword training but shining like a pearl in the mud.
She was a bit far, but I instantly knew who she was.
Her name was Tigna.
She was the novel's protagonist and the future hero.
'Why is she here?'
I was startled by the protagonist's sudden appearance.
I hurriedly hid.
I wondered why she was showing up here, but...
'Ah... right. She was training around here at this point.'
Thinking calmly, it wasn't that strange.
She had mentioned training briefly in this village.
I didn't know the exact spot, and the mountain was vast, so I hadn't expected to run into her, but it seemed like pure coincidence.
I could just pretend I didn't see her and pass by?
Of course, I had no intention of meeting the protagonist now.
I tried to slip away quietly, but then...
'Huh? She's with bandits?'
The atmosphere looked far from normal.
"Heh heh, miss. Why don't you come over here and play with us a bit?"
A gang of over a dozen bandits surrounded Tigna, leering and jeering.
It wasn't unusual.
Men always hit on Tigna because of her looks.
Of course, they all ended up miserably sliced by her.
"Filthy trash."
Tigna drew her sword at the bandits.
A whirlwind of sharp strikes in an instant.
"Arghhh!!!"
The bandits collapsed without even time to scream.
With a few simple movements, she subdued them all.
'As expected of the protagonist.'
I never thought I'd witness the protagonist in action.
I was a bit impressed when...
"Who are you?"
Eh? Busted?
The protagonist spotted me and walked over slowly.
"...Uh. I wasn't watching or anything? I mean, I..."
Facing the protagonist head-on—what do you do in this situation?
It was completely unexpected.
For now, I tried to greet her slowly.
"Are you with these guys too?"
"Huh?"
But it seemed there was a slight misunderstanding.
After fighting the bandit gang, she apparently took me for one of them.
My clothes were different, sure, but I was holding the Spirit Sword right now—normal people don't walk around armed.
It was enough to mistake me for an enemy.
"No need for talk."
A killing intent enveloped her in an instant.
A flashing strike came right at me.
Fast and precise.
A sword strike carrying unwavering will to fell the opponent, without a hint of hesitation. Just like the novel's protagonist.
Of course, she was still inexperienced.
"Eh?"
The protagonist who charged at me was instead sent flying back.
She rolled on the ground, wearing a dazed expression, clueless about what just happened.