Side: Elju Lau Roshuru

I was born into this world as the Third Princess of the Kingdom of Roshuru, a nation vying for supremacy on this continent. To be born as such meant carrying the heavy responsibility of leading the people.

From the time I was old enough to understand, I was taught that Roshuru was the one and only nation upholding the banner of absolute justice, the only one capable of bringing peace to the continent. It was said that only under Roshuru's protection could the people live in security.

I never doubted it. Whenever I appeared in the castle town, everyone greeted me with smiles, shouting, "Long live Princess Elju!" Thus, I grew to feel that I must achieve something for the sake of these people.

It is unheard of for royalty to stand on the front lines of battle, much less a princess. I tried suggesting it to my father and mother, but they refused, saying, "If you are harmed, the people will grieve."

So, I spent my days searching for something I could do. My eldest sister and my second-oldest sister, perhaps realizing my goals were impossible, would only say, "Elju, sometimes having the heart to care is enough to save someone," or, "Don't be silly, Elju, there is nothing you can do."

One day, my attendant Oriel, perhaps unable to watch my distress any longer, spoke up.

"If I may be so bold as to offer a suggestion. His Majesty is correct, but if you do not stand on the front lines but instead provide healing, would that not be acceptable?"

Oriel's words felt like scales falling from my eyes.

"You are... right. It seems my perspective was too narrow. Standing on the front lines is not the only way to serve the country and its people. Thank you, Oriel. Could you find me a teacher of recovery magic? Normally, I should go and bow my head myself, but as a princess, my movements are restricted lest my parents and the people become unsettled."

"As you wish, Elju-sama."

As I worked to master recovery magic, a miracle occurred. One day, while I was treating an injured person with the magic I had learned alongside Oriel, a warm light suddenly enveloped me... and Lilishe-sama, one of the three goddesses of Aroulit and the Goddess of Mercy, descended.

『Elju Lau Roshuru. I have been watching your deeds. You, who sought out a path on your own for the sake of your country and the peace of your people, and who continue to strive even now.』

I knelt on the spot.

"I-I am unworthy. There are still many lives that slip through my fingers. For Lilishe-sama to speak such words to me... Please, give your blessing not to me, but to the people trying to survive this moment."

Despite my words, which could have been seen as rude, Lilishe did not stop smiling.

『Hearing those words reassures me. With you, I know that even if I grant my blessing, you will not stray from the path, and you will save the lives that must not be lost. Now, receive it.』

The light wrapped around me, granting me the titles of "Exalted Holy Maiden of Healing" and "Exalted Magical Talent."

By receiving this blessing in front of the people, I came to be called "The Saintess," and I worked harder than ever for the sake of the country and its citizens.

However, that did not last long. We had forgotten that our nations were at war.

I don't know the exact details, but I was asked to travel to a certain village in an enemy country.

[That village is oppressed and exploited by an incompetent king; the people cry out for salvation. We will go ahead to secure and liberate the village. We wish for the Princess... no, the Saintess, to come once it is safe and treat the villagers.]

Wanting to live up to Lilishe-sama's expectations, I proceeded to that village without doubt.

But when I arrived, the village was simply trampled and burned to the ground.

Not a single person was left alive.

"S-Someone!! Answer me!! I-Is anyone there!?"

Oriel held me back as I tried to rush forward.

"Elju-sama, please calm down! Where is the advance unit!?"

Oriel ordered the troops to fan out. After a while, a man who seemed to be the commander of the advance unit stepped forward and announced:

"Yes! As per the Saintess-sama's orders, we have completed the annihilation of the villagers who offered thorough resistance. As planned, this location can now be used as a relay point. You truly inherit His Majesty's blood. We are in awe of your incredible foresight."

His voice, reporting with a bowed head and evident delight, reached my ears...

"Wh... What...? W-What do you mean...? O-Oriel...?"

This merciless scene was my order? I didn't understand.

Oriel, with a bitter expression, led me to a tent and explained.

"Elju-sama, I am so sorry. It seems we were used as a banner to provide legitimacy for invading another country's village."

Oriel's words slowly sank into my being.

"If... if I hadn't come here... this village... these people..."

A doll lying on the ground caught my sight.

It was stained bright red.

"Ah... Aaaah... AAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!!!"

"Elju-sama!! Please calm down!! Elju-sama!!"

What kind of 'Excellent Saintess' am I?

All I've done is scatter blood across the land.

One month later, using that village as a base, they invaded an enemy town and successfully brought about its fall.

* * *

Side: Mobu

"No! Help me!! Stop it!!"

Beneath me was a young girl, her body carved with knife wounds, being violated. Of course, I was the one doing it... but it wasn't fun at all. My daughter was about this age... Ah, dammit, those gloomy thoughts are leaking in again.

"Agh!?"

I brought the knife down on the girl anyway. I stabbed her over and over.

"Ah... Da... Daddy... Mommy..."

Her pupils dilated, and eventually, she stopped moving.

"Yo. Looks like you didn't enjoy yourself either."

Raiya stood next to me, covered in blood. At his feet, another girl lay dead, just like mine.

"How about you, Kurse?"

"Igyaaaaah!? Stop it!! AAAAAH!!"

Screams echoed, but Kurse—who was attacking her—didn't even change his expression as he slammed a Fireball into her face.

"Gaaaaa-giiiiiiiii-eeeeee!!"

It didn't sound like a human anymore, let alone a woman. Within seconds, the voice cut out, and only the smell of burning human flesh filled the air.

"I feel absolutely nothing."

Kurse said only that before sitting down in a nearby chair.

The three of us had just captured a town belonging to Roshuru and were helping ourselves to the "spoils". Not that we were enjoying it.

"'Hero of a Ruined Town,' huh? It's a skill we couldn't have asked for more," I muttered as the three of us sat and ate a makeshift meal.

"Yeah. Thanks to it, we can really cut loose," Raiya replied.

"Skill or no skill, it doesn't matter," Kurse added, his voice cold. "The Saintess... I'll torment her, break her, destroy her, deny everything she is, then expose her and take her apart."

Kurse didn't even use simple words like "kill" anymore.

You want to know why we're acting so broken? Simple.

We're just doing back what was done to us. Call it "kid's logic" if you want. I know. But... the regret for my wife and daughter, this unbearable feeling in my gut... everything is just a jumbled mess.

I used to be a normal adventurer. I was blessed with good friends, a wife, and a daughter.

One day, a swarm of monsters attacked the town; it was a desperate situation. Before I knew it, I had become the "Hero" of that town. I met my wife there and had a daughter. My treasures. They were more precious than any gem or metal.

When I told my partner Raiya that I hoped he'd find happiness too, he shot back, "Sorry, but I've already got someone I made a promise to." We'd been together a long time; it was likely a girl from that village of his. There was an age gap, but as long as Raiya and his partner were happy, I didn't care.

"And you look like you'll have a hard time choosing a partner."

I used to say to the mage who often teamed up with us.

A hard time? Simple. He was the son of this town's lord, though for some reason he was playing adventurer.

"In that case, I'll take Mob-san's daughter," he'd retort, making me snap.

"Not until you defeat me!"

I'd yell, causing a scene in the tavern. It was... fun.

Then one day, a report came in:

Roshuru was advancing on the village where Raiya's lover lived.

They said the Saintess was leading them, so we thought it was a mission of salvation. Even in an enemy country, we had heard of the Saintess' devotion. But Raiya was so restless that I had Kurse issue a quest through his connections.

『Go to the village and investigate Roshuru's movements.』

That's when it started to break. The village was just scorched earth... nothing but corpses. I had no words for Raiya as he carried her body.

"I'm fine, Mob. Kurse."

You can't say that while crying and expect to be convincing...

We reported this to the Lord, but his response was lackluster. The rumors of the Saintess as a pillar of sincerity and devotion were widespread even in enemy nations. If he claimed the Saintess had led a banner to annihilate a village without solid proof, he'd turn the whole world against him.

Exactly one month later, the Roshuru army, using that village as a relay point, attacked this town.

Since we hadn't fully anticipated their move, our response was slow. The town was annihilated, leaving only a few survivors. Finally, the bigwigs here started using the Saintess as a banner? A shield? I didn't care. They finally acknowledged the invasion and began aggressive counter-offensives against Roshuru.

But it was too late for me. Raiya and Kurse's eyes had gone dark too.

There's no turning back. My treasures aren't coming back.

So, morality and ethics be damned. We're no different from bandits. No, bandits are better—they at least leave what's useful. We've finished off everything.

"I wonder where that Saintess is..."

As I looked up at the sky, a carriage flying a familiar banner passed by.

* * *

Side: Elju Lau Roshuru

Since that village was annihilated, the conflict has only intensified. We captured another of the enemy's towns, but then they launched a fierce counter-offensive. Both sides burned down several villages and towns.

An eye for an eye, blood for blood... There is no doubt that I was the trigger. Oriel tells me otherwise, but I cannot get the image of that village out of my eyes.

"...Smoke."

We should be within our own borders, but that banner... Has the enemy come this far?

"Driver, I'm sorry, but it seems dangerous here. Hurry through—"

Before Oriel could finish her sentence, the carriage suddenly overturned.

"Ugh..."

My whole body hurt. I looked up to see Oriel, her face contorted in pain, hugging me to protect me.

"Elju-sama... You aren't... okay, it seems. I am so sorry."

Oriel's leg was bent in a strange direction.

"Oriel!! I'll heal you right away—"

But before I could heal her, I found myself rolling across the ground.

"Eh... guh..."

A sound came out of me that I couldn't believe was my own voice.

"Elju-sama...!"

"Well, well. 'Elju-sama', she says..."

"Yeah."

"So, this is the Saintess?"

And just like that—

I became a slave.

No...

I suppose it was an inevitable outcome.

* * *

Side: Oriel

I failed to protect Elju-sama...

We are now enslaved by three men—likely mercenaries—and subjected to abuse daily.

"It hurts!!"

Elju-sama's voice rings out. I have to protect her, even at the cost of my life.

"Stop..."

I crawl along the ground toward Elju-sama. One of my legs was broken when we were captured; these mercenaries broke the other one, and one of my arms too...

"Igyiii...!!"

Elju-sama screams. If I can just reach her...

"Ah? Hey, Raiya."

"Yeah."

The man called Raiya casually grabbed my broken leg and dragged me away.

"Agaah!!"

The intense pain blurred my vision. As I struggled to endure the pain, the man called Raiya seemed to sense something.

"This feeling... a dungeon? I've thought of something good, Ms. Servant."

He spoke flatly, his eyes reflecting nothing.

"Hey, Mobu! There's a dungeon nearby."

"So? What of it? Hey, you got blood on me. How filthy, Saintess-sama."

He casually swung his fist, striking Elju-sama's cheek.

"......"

Elju-sama couldn't even make a sound anymore. Raiya continued, unfazed.

"If she becomes a Goblin's bride, she'll finally understand the 'joy' of being a woman, won't she?"

"HOW DARE YOOOOUUUUUU!!"

My vision turned bright red. These monsters... after treating Elju-sama so horribly, they want to strip away even the last shred of her human dignity...!!

"Shut up, maggot."

The moment I heard that voice, I felt a shock to my head and fell into darkness.

* * *

Side: Kazuya (Yes, the protagonist.)

...Hm?

Watching the monitor, I frowned at their strange behavior.

Instead of using the slaves as shields, they just threw them toward the goblin squad acting as bait.

『Go on—have fun with them.』

The voice came through the monitor.

...Ohh. I see.

It makes sense if you think about it.

When you're a slave, your stats are shown—or rather, forced to be shown—to your owner. Meaning these three adventurers knew the slave was a 'princess'.

And yet, they aren't handing her over to an enemy nation or returning her to Roshuru. That means they have a personal grudge...

...Man, what a bloody drama.

But sorry, I have absolutely no intention of participating in either a dramatic ending or a tragic one.

There might be some movie-like story going on, but I have my own purpose for living here.

"Notice: Continue the operation as planned. Take them out."

I issued the command.

In the end, no matter where you go, "People are just like this."