This apology is a chance to increase the likelihood of my successful exile.
To make the most of it, I pause for a moment to gather my words before I begin to speak quietly.
“I have only considered rationally the best way to free you, and as a result, I abandoned you over the past week.”
“I do not think of myself as abandoned…”
“I have no intention of making excuses for that. I have witnessed the indescribable pain you have endured with my own eyes, yet I ruthlessly cast you aside.”
“…Why are you exposing your own blemishes here and now?”
“It is the reckoning of one who has sinned.”
As I had thought before, it is impossible to eliminate the hatred these demons have for me, a human. I do not know when that hatred might explode and turn against me.
So what is the best way to deal with this?
I thought about it and came to a conclusion.
I will create “group pressure” among these three demons.
“I do not ask for forgiveness. However, if you would accept even someone like me, I will do my utmost to use my wisdom and power to ensure your safe return to the Demon Kingdom from now on.”
For these three, I, the Dark Healer, should still hold some value.
Therefore, Agito will likely respond with an intention to “accept me.”
If Agito, their superior, responds that way, the other two, his subordinates, will have no choice but to affirm that decision.
This is how “group pressure” will begin to take effect.
Now, Agito, respond! I want you to say that you will “accept me”!
If that happens, even if Agito’s feelings change later, the other two will find it difficult to go back on their decision once they have chosen to “accept Kiwi.”
Thus, the policy of accepting me should be maintained for a while.
If I can complete my exile to the Demon Kingdom during that time, my mission will be accomplished.
However,
“Ah, raise your head!”
It was not Agito who said that.
It was Gigi, the vampire I had just healed with Dark Heal.
“You protected me from the gunpoint yesterday! I don’t want my lifesaver bowing their head to me!”
…Huh? Wait, this isn’t the development I had envisioned!
I unconsciously raised my head.
Agito looked surprised and asked Gigi, “Is that true?”
Gigi nodded firmly and said, “I was almost dealt with by that torturer yesterday. This Dark Healer, even while being beaten, risked his life to persuade them to keep me alive!”
“Is that so?”
“Yes. So…”
Gigi stepped away from the astonished Agito and walked closer to me, firmly grasping my hand to lift me up.
“Thank you. I truly appreciate you. I vow to repay this debt.”
“Oh… you don’t have to worry about it.”
That was an unexpected reaction.
Honestly, I thought the remaining two demons, to whom I hadn’t shared any plans, would blame me for being complicit in the torture.
I never expected to be thanked.
“I didn’t realize I could save a subordinate… I must repay this somehow…”
Agito muttered something quietly.
With a serious expression.
The two demons nodded deeply, showing their agreement.
…What’s happening? Where has the hatred for me, a human, gone?
My plan to create group pressure seems to have taken an unexpected turn.
What is the outcome of this…?
As I pondered that,
──Jiriririri!
A noise came from afar.
The loud ringing of a bell echoed greatly from the east building.
“…Tch, that came sooner than I expected.”
“What is that sound?!”
“It’s the ’emergency bell.’ Perhaps the patrolling soldiers have noticed something unusual.”
The emergency bell is an automatic alarm system that has rapidly spread to public facilities in recent years, utilizing electromagnets.
It seems that this is unfamiliar to the Demon Kingdom.
By pressing a button, it can immediately notify the people in the facility that a fire, accident, or “incident” has occurred.
“The emergency bell rang in the east building. I believe we still have some time before the soldiers reach this west building, but we need to hurry our escape…”
“I see. Then how shall we escape to the Demon Kingdom?”
Agito seemed about to say something but stopped.
“What is it?”
“Kiwi, I thought I should ask you first.”
Agito frowned solemnly and continued,
“Right now, I have two plans. One of them is—”
“Yes, that’s fine.”
Before I could even hear more, I nodded.
“Agito, the best plan you’re considering is to ‘kill all the soldiers in the facility,’ isn’t it?”
“…! Yes, that’s correct. But that means your compatriots…”
“No, I agree. It is necessary for a guaranteed escape.”
I had no hesitation in that decision.
