【"It's okay, being direct is more your style." Tribbie looked at him seriously, "Mydei, what *we* want to ask is... what did you see in Nicadori's trial?"】

【"...The things I fear." Mydei gave a self-deprecating laugh, "Isn't it ironic? The word 'fear' shouldn't even exist in the dictionary of the people of Suspended Blade City."】

【Tribbie then asked, "Do you think... you have a chance to overcome it? That thing you're afraid of?"】

【"Is this also part of your arrangement?"】

【"What do you mean?"】

【Mydei spoke bluntly, "Aglaea knew Phainon might fail... making me his backup, that was your plan all along."】

【Tribbie squeezed out an awkward smile, "...Um. It seems you understand everything."】

【Mydei stated frankly, "I have no intention of condemning you. The Flame-Chase Journey is no child's play, I realized that long ago. Strife has fallen, and the threat of the Black Tide has intensified again... if Celsis and Oronis are also affected, the consequences would be unimaginable."】

【"Yes. They are the only two remaining Nautiluss who are still rational and willing to coexist with humans."】

【"Unfortunately, the key to completing the trial doesn't lie with me. To overcome that fear, I need the help of other Suspended Blade tribesmen. Give me some time to speak with my people... it won't take too long."】

【"Oh, strength in numbers, right? But a demigod's trial ultimately falls upon the individual... Mydei, your people... they have always been hoping for the coronation of a new king, haven't they?" Tribbie smiled, "If it's you who inherits the divine power, they will surely follow you willingly... because you are the hero of Suspended Blade City."】

【"I once was. And this, Lady Telos..." Mydei slowly walked to the edge of the Chrysos Heirs' bathhouse, looking down over the railing at the bustling crowd in the grand bathhouse. Vaguely, he seemed to hear the sounds of children chasing each other, the impatient arguments of young couples, and the babbling cries of infants...】

【Mydei slowly closed his eyes.】

【"...This is the deepest fear in my heart."】

——

Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon?

"The deepest fear in Mydei's heart... so what exactly is it?" Welf didn't quite understand for the moment.

"I'm afraid it refers to Lord Mydei's people, doesn't it?" Liliruca shook her head. "Actually, from the very beginning when Lord Mydei was willing to lead his followers to Okhema, you could tell that he truly hopes the Suspended Blade people can escape the endless 'Strife'... and completely break free from that cycle of slaughter. At this moment, what he probably fears most is his people giving up their peaceful life in Okhema to follow him back into 'Strife,' which would mean all his efforts over the years were in vain."

"Then doesn't that mean he can only be a lonely king from now on?"

"Those who stand on the mountain peak are always lonely." Liliruca held the warm barley tea in her hands. "To be honest, if Lord Mydei has to resist the Black Tide alone in the future, his title of 'King' will exist in name only. However, I think from the day he killed his father, he probably hasn't had much interest in the throne."

"Giving up a throne? What a waste."

Welf curled his lip in regret. How many people want to be king and never get the chance in their entire lives? Mydei, on the other hand, killed his father without a second thought, had no interest in the throne, and his only source of fear was actually the worry that his people would follow him... Does this man not have a single desire of his own?

"Eee, hearing Lord Welf's tone... you're not coveting someone else's throne, are you?" Liliruca's eyes glinted mischievously as she looked over and giggled.

"No way! *Cough*... I wouldn't fantasize about such things."

"Lord Welf, what you crave might be exactly what others loathe; conversely, the peace we take for granted is precisely what others seek." Liliruca looked at Mydei's back on the Celestial Screen and couldn't help but admire him. "...What that lord wants to create is likely a world where everyone is equal, with no nobles and no Strife."

——

【Mydei intended to go to the high-temperature baths to find his tribesmen. On the way, he happened to encounter several children playing by the roadside, who recognized him at a glance.】

【They were all Son of the Hanging Blade, and were currently playing hide-and-seek with Grandpa Krateros. Mydei also happened to have business with this man, and after finding out his location, he planned to see the children out of the high-temperature bath area.】

【"Prince!" As he was leaving, a child called out to Mydei's retreating back.】

【"Is there anything else?"】

【"I heard people say that Nicadori's spark has been brought back by you..." a little boy asked innocently, "Are we... going to be able to go home soon?"】

【"..."】 As if stabbed hard by a short sword, Mydei's expression flickered almost imperceptibly, but quickly returned to normal. Mydei said sternly, "Have any of you ever been to Suspended Blade City?"

【"You were born in the Holy City, your lives are no different from those of the people of Okhema, and your understanding of our clan only comes from what others have told you. You haven't even seen that blade in the sky with your own eyes... In that case, why talk of returning home?"】

【The little boy shook his head firmly, "Because this isn't home. Mom and Dad said that Son of the Hanging Blade hold sharp swords from birth and are destined to run toward the battlefield."】

【Another child added excitedly, "They also said the Hanging Blade Lone Army led by the Prince is the bravest army in Amphoreus, invincible in every battle."】

【The last child lowered his head somewhat dejectedly, "The kids in the Holy City don't want to play with us. Once they know Mom and Dad are Suspended Blade people, they stay far away..." At this point, the little boy put his hands on his hips and raised his chin proudly again, "But we don't care. Everyone knows that one day, the Prince will take us back home!"】

——

Demon Slayer.

"How despairing..."

When she heard these thoughts coming from the mouths of innocent children, Kanroji felt a sharp pain in her chest. It was as if a drop of unspeakable bitterness had fallen into her heart, rippling outward and quickly filling her entire chest cavity.

If even she felt this way, she couldn't imagine what kind of storm was raging in Mydei's heart right now.

If it were an elder from Suspended Blade City with deeply rooted beliefs, Mydei might still be able to convince himself. But when children are raised with such concepts from a young age, nothing is more suffocating than the scene before him.

"If even the children think this way, what will the adults of Suspended Blade City think?" Iguro Obanai could foresee that the resistance Mydei would face next would be enormous. In the worst-case scenario, he might have to accept that spark alone amidst the misunderstanding and verbal attacks of all the Suspended Blade tribesmen.

Before him was the encroaching Black Tide, and behind him were the sharp words of the tribesmen he wanted to protect. Under this double pressure... Obanai feared that Mydei's spirit wouldn't be able to bear it and he would eventually follow in Nicadori's footsteps.