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Having defeated the Demon King, the world was at peace. When we returned to our country, we were received with much fanfare. They had probably realized the Demon King was gone when the other demons began fleeing human territory. And the moment they saw us alive, they all exploded with joy. Exploded, there really was no better word to describe the noise, everyone cheered and laughed happily. When I saw them like that, I finally realized all the work I had done was for them.

I was happy, finally hearing thankful words instead of orders. When some children brought me flower bouquets, I felt like I had obtained a most valuable treasure. I felt relieved knowing even someone who only knew how to fight had a use. But…it was only for a short time.

There’s a saying, danger past and God forgotten. When obvious danger vanished from their territories and people regained their old free life, my position grew weaker and weaker. First the nobles began talking more curtly to me. The people who spoke so sweetly and reverently before the Demon King was killed, acted the opposite way now.

I was clueless about interacting with people back then, so at first I began worrying if I had been offensive towards them somehow. At first I tried consulting with my companions, but they were all busy getting used to this new environment that they barely had time for me. Maybe if I had actually gotten to talk to them, my future would have been different. But I was too oblivious to realize that, so instead I thought it was best if I thought of a way out by myself.

Eventually I was not allowed in the castle anymore. While they avoided doing anything to anger me, in fear of getting into a fight with me, they clearly spoke ill behind my back. Even though I had no real attachment to any of the people there, knowing that people who used to be happily to talk to me were insulting me now, caused more mental damage than I thought.

Then came the assassins. Groups of assassins were sent after me, some rather skilled, but even when they attacked together they were no threat. But having survived all the attacks only made people fear me more. Inhuman strength, a powerful person who no one could stop. Everyone started to look at me like a terrible senseless beast.

Unable to stand it any longer, I left that place, but the situation remained the same. Instead of it being nobles, now the common folk also kept a distance from me, shunning me.

Things were much easier when I was fighting. Some battles were fierce and made me fear for my life, but those were all situations I could overcome with my own strength. But just by changing one variable in my environment, I had become less useful than a young child.

Looking back, I realize that was the first wall I encountered in my life. Yes, fighting demons and the Demon King was hard, but not hopeless. I had never imagined that not being able to do anything with my own power felt this awful.

“I think…that might have become like a trauma for me…”

I smiled gingerly, feeling all their concerned gazes focus on me. Did I really have such a deplorable look right now? I probably did… I coughed once, clearing my throat, and continued talking.

Having been chased out of the castle, I lived in the city, from the city, I was sent to a village, and while I lived there, Sorciere came to visit. I clearly remember that day. She was very curious about the Demon King’s grimoire she held in her hand. There had been times during our adventure when that same curiosity had gotten us in many types of trouble.

But regardless of that, it was thanks to her magic that I obtained my new body. I had been literally born anew. When I first realized that happened, I was mad, screaming asking for the spell to be undone, but thinking about it now, she had probably done it out of consideration for me. With a new body, I could change my name and attitude, getting another chance at life, but I did the opposite. I thought that with a new body and no one recognizing me, I would never be able to build human connections, so I ran to hide in the mountains.

I had no complaints about my life then. I was used to living only with my grandfather, and we were poor so I had to build anything I needed, and magic could take care of anything else. There were many rather strong monsters near where I hid, so no people came to the mountain, and I could find any food I needed by foraging. Though I distinctly remember being constantly bored. I had no entertainment, and all I did every day was eat and sleep, for three hundred years. I basically never spoke either, so my emotions remained flat and constant.

It was like I no longer had a life, and then I met Karin, which greatly stirred the monotony. My first conversation in three hundred years. I was so busy trying to force my insecurity away, that I probably sounded really rude to her. And when she left the first time, I would always find myself smiling when I thought back to our conversation. I had not realized it before, but I really had been starving for human contact.

“Then when you two asked me to live in the city with you, I was scared, but also really glad.”

After three hundred years, most of the people I knew had already passed away, except for elves that had long lifespans. I also had a new appearance and name, so I thought it would be a good opportunity for me. I wanted to start a new, common life, in an environment with no one who knew me.

“A life of working hard every day to earn an honest wage, then treating myself during breaks. Once I started a regular lifestyle, I found every day was just so much fun.”

Working as a receptionist in the guild allowed me to talk with a lot of other people, adventurers who all had their quirks and eccentricities. Some were there to make a name for themselves, others simply wanted the money, and some wanted to live as adventurers to help people. Even though I only spoke to them for a short time before seeing them wander to fulfill their dreams, it was still a very stimulating experience for me.

Then the Lich attacked the city, and since then I started going on adventures together with Karin and Ciel, meeting Luvias and Diaria shortly after. That was the first time someone called me master, and I was surprised to see an elf that begrudgingly took the name of hero. All in all, those days were really fun.

“That’s why…”

My voice was shaking. I should not cry, not now. I could not use pity to tie them to me. I pulled together the pieces of my mind that were drifting away, and spoke with renovated vigor.

“I…I still want to be together with all of you.”

Everyone listened to me in silence, only my voice audible in the room.