It was dark.
Just dark.
The surroundings were just dark when I was sealed.
I remember when I was sealed.
To protect the Hero from that demon, I devoted my entire being to protect him.
A strike unleashed with immense magic power, a strike that even I, a top-tier angel, would have to defend with all my might to avoid death and annihilation.
Before that attack, I hid myself to protect the Hero.
There were no emotions involved.
I simply sacrificed my own being to fulfill the mission given to me by the Overgod.
I judged that the Hero could not defeat the Demon Lord without my protection, so I acted accordingly.
That was all there was to it.
The reason I traveled with the Hero was simply to obey the Overgod’s words, who wished for the world’s stability.
To be frank, I followed the Hero’s instructions as part of my job, maintaining a clear separation.
There was not a single fragment of emotion like love or romance involved.
“I’m ■■■■■, nice to meet you!”
That’s why I don’t know the Hero’s name.
No, I couldn’t recognize it.
I didn’t want to recognize it.
We angels do not decide likes and dislikes based on appearance, power, or physical strength.
We angels perceive the state of souls with our own senses.
I can feel it as temperature.
The Hero’s soul, who had been granted power by the Overgod and whom I was to accompany, felt like a sticky and cold soul to my senses.
To human senses, his face was handsome, his smile gentle, and his conversations showed consideration.
But in my eyes, he appeared as a cold, slime-like being.
Such a being laughing eerily, clinging to a woman, seemed to be all I could see.
The Hero acted as if it were natural to treat the women traveling with him like accessories.
As if to embody this, the women in the party were a princess, a saintess from the church, or a former thief; whether intentionally or by chance, he tended to choose females.
It was a natural flow for such a Hero to eventually form relationships with them.
The princess sought power, the saintess blindly believed in love, and the former thief sought self-preservation; love blossomed based on their respective emotions.
I watched from a distance.
Humans are such creatures, I thought.
And naturally, the Hero made such advances towards me as well.
However, I refused.
The relationship between the Hero and me was solely a professional one, a relationship solely for the purpose of achieving world peace.
If necessary, I might have had to sacrifice my own being, but at that time, it was not necessary.
So I refused.
That’s why I continued to call him “Hero” by his title and not by name.
That was my boundary.
The Hero complained that I lacked “flags” in response to my attitude, and from then on, he began to speak to me more than necessary.
Talk about the weather, delicious food, beautiful scenery, and his own adventures.
To all of it, I continued to respond indifferently.
Even if a slime were to speak to me, even if that slime were the slime to defeat the Demon Lord, I would not feel any emotion.
Eventually, the Hero stopped speaking to me due to my simple responses, and towards the end of our journey, he began calling me “Iron Mask.”
Given such a relationship, it would have been natural for the Hero, who couldn’t have me as he pleased, to never keep me in his party.
In the past, when male knights and mages had voiced their displeasure with the Hero’s attitude, he had expelled them with his power.
I wish it had been the same for me, but my power as an angel amplifies the Hero’s power.
Knowing this, the Hero did not let me go.
I couldn’t even call them friends; I merely amplified the Hero’s power, and he wielded it.
It was not an equal relationship, but a one-sided one where I merely lent my power.
The relationship that he and I ultimately settled on was that of a master using a tool, and the tool itself.
For me, that was fine.
It was a comfortable position where I could achieve my objective just by doing my job.
From stories my sisters told me about the Hero, more exhilarating tales unfolded.
A Hero with a temperament similar to the Overgod, possessing fiery passion like the sun; a Hero with courage, possessing a small but firm pillar; a Hero who, though twisted, was clumsy and kind enough not to abandon anyone; a Hero who struggled with thinking and was prone to failure but never gave up.
Hearing my sisters’ stories, I had expected a little, but seeing reality and resigning myself to “this is how it is,” my heart remained cold until the very end.
He roamed the world east, west, north, and south as he pleased, causing chaos. When I pointed out his excessive behavior, he wouldn’t listen, believing himself to be justice. I wonder when I gave up on saying anything to him.
Before I knew it, my role shifted from holding the reins to guiding him with bait and making him wield his power for the sake of world peace.
Ah, it was boring.
Ah, I felt no sense of accomplishment.
All that existed in my heart was a sense of obligation towards my work, stemming from the fear of being abandoned by the being I called “father,” who created me but whose face I barely remembered, and who gave me power unilaterally.
When I saved a village, the Hero was thanked. When I saved a city, the Hero was thanked. When a country was saved, the Hero was.
Repeating this process, I ran out of energy before the decisive battle with the Demon Lord.
I ran out of energy because I had conserved the Hero’s power for the final battle during the fight against the Demon Lord’s last guardian.
I was defeated by that demon.
The Hero, seeing me as useless, pressed me for a relationship by saying he would spare my life if I complied, but I shook my head.
Though the wound was fatal if left untreated, fortunately, I was confident in my vitality.
Believing that the Hero, with his conserved magic power, would not be caught off guard by the Demon Lord, I conveyed that I would end my duty here. The Hero responded indifferently and unceremoniously left me behind to go defeat the Demon Lord.
Without seeing him off, I used my remaining magic power to erect a barrier and fell into a slumber for treatment.
Thinking I had completed my role, I fell asleep with a slight sense of relief from the burden on my heart.
However, the demon’s curse was more serious than I had anticipated.
It took time to heal, and once I fell asleep, I couldn’t wake up easily.
Under normal circumstances, my life would have ended there.
I would have been eaten by monsters who discovered my barrier, or torn to shreds by demons. At the very least, no pleasant future awaited me.
Perhaps there was another possibility.
Being captured by a demon race with a strong lust for power, among those possibilities, was a bad outcome, but not the worst.
While asleep, most of my five senses were sealed away, and further seals were placed upon me, rendering me unable to move.
All I could do was practice magic to prevent my body from weakening.
I constantly felt my magic being siphoned away through the seals, and if I didn’t generate more magic, my life would be forfeit.
Therefore, I continued to generate more magic than was being taken.
While it would have been mind-numbing for a human, it was fine for me, an angel.
I simply continued to produce magic to survive.
After ten years, external interference began, and I gradually understood what was being done with my magic, and I was able to gather information to grasp my situation.
It was then that I learned I had been turned into a Dungeon Core.
After another ten years, I gained a slight ability to interfere with the Dungeon.
This continued for several years.
By the time even I, an angel, found it tedious to count, I finally gained the ability to interfere with the Dungeon’s control system.
From there, it took several more years to break my seal without the administrator noticing.
And finally, I escaped from my seal.
I couldn’t remove the sealing equipment I wore, but I thought I could forcibly remove it if necessary, so I defeated the demon waiting in front of the room that sealed me and began to roam the Dungeon.
Due to the sealing equipment that blocked most of my five senses, I couldn’t move quickly, and my only means of escaping the Dungeon was through magic detection, a pathetic situation.
That magic was also suppressed to a certain output, preventing me from unleashing its full power.
Heavy objects also seemed to be attached to my limbs, hindering my movement.
Still, I could defeat monsters, so I aimed for the exit by repeating the process of encountering and defeating them, also as a way to test my body’s condition.
The only relief was that the Dungeon’s characteristic of monsters becoming weaker indicated I was getting closer to the exit.
And I couldn’t see, hear, speak, smell, or feel temperature.
As I moved around, grasping the shapes of my surroundings only with magic, all I could do was think.
I thought about the meaning of my existence and my future.
Returning was secondary to me at that time.
In an enemy territory like a Dungeon, facing the possibility of death, I was contemplating such things, and I somewhat despondently thought, “Maybe it’s okay.”
Returning to the Overgod felt like mere instinct, a vague thought that I had to go back.
That instinct also waned when I thought that, if I returned, the eldest daughter, who always spoke of working for the world, would likely assign me a job.
I felt I had to go back, but I also thought, “Wouldn’t it be okay to take a little more time?”
While moving around with such thoughts, I once again had to fight demons.
There were four of them. As soon as they saw me, they unleashed magic, but such attacks couldn’t break these restraints, and even if I took them, I wouldn’t sustain any injuries.
I summoned a spirit, but an intermediate one was the same as the magic from before.
I waited a bit, hoping they would summon an advanced one, but there was no sign of that.
I thought they would unleash stronger attacks if cornered, but they simply prepared and launched multiple orbs formed from magic, without any special attacks, and then the demons fled.
In that case, that was just fine.
I’ll let them guide me to the outside of the Dungeon.
I can kill time after we get outside.
Thinking this, I herded them, this time without killing them.
Based on the monsters’ strength, the demons were guiding me steadily toward the outside.
If it continued like this, I should be able to get outside without much time passing.
As I blew away the attacking spirit with moderate force while thinking this, I felt magic directly in front of me.
“…”
“Hah. It’s a fantasy trope, but honestly, I didn’t want to fight.”
When I felt that magic, my thoughts stopped for a moment.
A soul with a soft, warm presence, unlike demons or monsters.
From that soul, I felt a reliability like a great tree rooted in the earth, though wounded.
It was love at first sight.
Instantly, the color of the soul reflected in my vision was dear to me.
The strength to support various beings by simply standing there quietly.
Ah, I was drawn to the color of that soul.
“Ideally, can’t we resolve this through conversation? ‘Angel’?”
Just by you speaking to me like that, my emotions were stirred.
Ah, this sealing equipment is frustrating. I want to talk to the owner of this soul.
I want to see the face of the owner of this soul.
I want to hear your voice clearly with my own ears, not just feel it through magic.
What should I do?
What should I do?
This sealing equipment is in the way.
Ah, it’s in the way.
Will it break if I swing it with all my might?
This is frustrating. I need to speak quickly before the owner of this soul disappears somewhere.
Ah, I absolutely don’t want that.
I don’t want that.
I understood what my sisters had said.
I finally understood.
My sisters said that Heroes and Angels have good compatibility.
Back then, with the previous Hero, I thought that was a lie, but ah, this is what they meant.
Ah, you are my Hero.
It’s in the way.
This seal is in the way.
I swing my arms and legs, using the weapons I’m wearing, but they show no sign of coming off.
Perhaps it’s natural since it’s an item to seal me, but I resent its performance right now.
As I thought I needed to remove the sealing equipment quickly, I felt his soul color grow even stronger.
A large, large great tree.
A tree that supports everything, that provides solace by softening strong light with its spreading branches and leaves.
Ah, wonderful.
Show me more of that color, and see my soul.
As if to bare myself, I unconsciously amplified my magic.
In response to his soul, I also increased my magic.
However, he seemed to mistake it for hostile action.
The magic of the weapon, comparable to a Holy Sword, surged.
Ah, no.
I don’t want to fight you.
No, no, I…
I desperately defend against his attack with my barrier.
I think frantically, trying to find a solution, but I can’t come up with anything.
It’s sad.
It’s sad to be attacked by the owner of this soul.
And it’s sad that I can do nothing.
If this continues, I will be defeated by him.
Even so, it’s fine, but at least I want to see his face.
Thinking this, I did nothing and just felt his soul intently, and he stopped attacking me.
A once-in-a-lifetime chance.
If I miss this timing, it will never come again.
But I can’t remove the sealing equipment.
I try desperately to remove it with my clumsy hands, but I can’t.
As I gradually applied more force, preparing for some minor injuries, I felt his magic through the sealing equipment.
Am I being held right now?
His soul emanates a sense of concern for me.
He’s worried.
Just that fills me with joy.
Then, he moves around me and removes the sealing equipment one by one.
And finally, this damned seal was broken.
Ah, I wonder what he looks like.
As I fluttered with excitement, I suddenly thought.
Huh?
What should I say to him?
Judging by the feel of his soul, he’s human.
In that case, conversation is essential.
That’s good, I want to talk to him too.
However, I’ve been sealed for several hundred years. The last time I conversed with a human was that Hero.
Besides, can the exchange of mere “yes,” “no,” and information transmission be called a conversation?
A different sense of urgency surfaces than before.
What should I do? I’m panicking, but I can’t come up with a good idea.
As I’m floundering, the seal is dissolving.
Ah, the first impression is crucial, and yet…
What should I do? What should I do?
Come to think of it, the previous Hero was pleased to be called a Hero when he was first addressed.
My sisters also said that humans they met were happy to be called Heroes.
So, that will be my greeting.
It will buy me some time.
At the very last moment before the seal is broken.
Here I go!
“Hero, you have done well to free me. I thank you.”
“No, you’ve got the wrong person.”
Huh?
The reaction is different.
He’s not happy even when called a Hero.
Rather, he looks displeased?
His expression is also, well, cool and nice, but no, that’s not the point right now.
His soul’s aura doesn’t seem particularly happy either.
So… did I make a mistake in my approach?
What should I do! The first impression is important, and I messed it up.
I’m barely managing to hide my flustered feelings, panicking internally when.
“Also, for now, put this on.”
He averted his gaze and offered me a mantle.
With a soft thud, I quietly accepted it, and his consideration warmed my heart.
I tried to talk him into letting me accompany him, but he wouldn’t agree at all.
His presence, giving off an atmosphere like an angel is a calamity, was novel, but I was at a loss as to how to handle his response.
I somehow managed to appeal to him and stay with him without lying, but it wasn’t going well.
That, well, I haven’t said this feeling yet.
It’s embarrassing.
So, I’m sorry, but I told him another reason honestly.
It was then that I learned he was from the Demon Lord’s Army, but strangely, I didn’t feel any aversion despite being adversaries. Instead, the thought that “if he’s there, then I’ll be there too” occurred to me.
That must be why.
“Alright! I will fall!”
“And why did you come to that conclusion?”
He looked at me with doubt at my words, spoken solely with the desire to be with him.
Even I think it’s a ridiculous thing to say, but please, try not to look at me that way.
And please forgive me for my reason being a pretext.
It’s embarrassing to explain this feeling, which is my first, to him.
After that, I tried various ways to persuade him and appeal to him.
It’s not bragging, but I am a creation of God.
I’m confident in my appearance.
It’s a secret that I felt favorably towards him, even though he wasn’t swayed by it.
“…Fine. I’ll take you with me.”
“Really?!”
I admit it was a victory through persistence.
But when he said those words, I was truly happy.
And I also thought that this was the only timing.
Wanting to be with him forever, I stole his lips as a contract.
In reality, there’s no need to do such a thing.
It has nothing to do with “falling.”
After all, “falling” is merely an expression of not obeying the Overgod anymore by dyeing one’s wings black, and it’s irreversible but can be done easily.
I just wanted a connection with him.
Your heart was filled with the thought that it was solely that desire.
After that, I was punched in the fist, but it didn’t matter to me, who was filled with happiness.
I wondered if it was a little immodest, but I pushed through, calling it a contract.
And then I asked for his name.
Giro
My Master’s name, which I repeated over and over, memorizing it.
Just saying that name warms my heart faintly.
After that, many things happened, but I also met my Master’s wives.
My heart ached a little, but the wives treated me favorably and allowed me to be by my Master’s side.
It seems I have to do some work to be here, but for now, accompanying my Master in his training should suffice.
Leave it to me, I’m better at fighting than paperwork!
“Master!”
“What is it?”
“After training, would you like to eat dorayaki?”
“You really like them, don’t you? Have you taken a liking to them?”
“Yes!”
After all, it was the first food my Master promised me.
May this happiness last forever.
This chapter concludes here.
I decided to end this chapter from Himik’s perspective. How was it?
I hope you found it interesting.
A new chapter will begin from the next installment.
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