I Became the Guild Leader in Exile

13 – 3# Perfect Plan (3)

Power.

That was the decisive difference between an ordinary person and a hero. Power could be divided into two categories. One was the act of killing monsters to seize their power.

The other was when a god existing in this world directly bestows power upon a human. The gods usually bestow power upon someone when they are pleased with that person.

That’s when they bestow power. However, it is not entirely without a prelude. Isaac had his own guesses as well. But he didn’t know which god had bestowed power upon him.

“I dreamt of being a baby and breastfeeding. In the original, no character received this kind of power.”

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At the moment, there was no suspicious prelude other than that. Otherwise, there would be no way for Isaac to possess such extraordinary physical abilities. Isaac looked at the man in front of him.

Is the claim of possessing the power of a white knight just a bluff? Ulysses was holding his ground against Isaac. He tried to deflect Isaac’s attacks as much as he could, occasionally launching counterattacks.

But nothing worked. It felt like hitting an impregnable rock with a fist. At least, there were few instances where he experienced such a thing in battles…

“The times have changed. Is it the time to make way for the young heroes?”

Surprisingly, Ulysses didn’t despair. On the contrary, he thought that he would gladly make way for such a hero. But not yet. At least, he couldn’t give up on this.

“I admit that you are strong. You will probably grow into a hero who will support the era soon.”

“In that case, step aside. There is no reason for you and me to fight.”

“But, that can’t happen. Behemoth is a dimensional enemy. I cannot send you to the monsters.”

If only it were possible to crush him with just brute force. If that were possible, Ulysses himself would have attempted it first. But Behemoth couldn’t be defeated with just brute force.

The reason the commander of the Holy Knights was able to subdue Behemoth 60 years ago was not only because of significant support from the kingdom at the time but also because of the power possessed by the commander himself.

I acknowledge Isaac’s strength. But strength can sometimes bring poison. When a hero recklessly challenges overwhelming enemies, they can be defeated or even lose their lives in the worst case scenario.

“Is it for the greater good? Or is it just because you can’t give up what you have done so far?”

“It’s probably the latter. I have already lost many things. It’s probably something that can never happen again.”

“I see, your wife as well…”

“……I see.”

Ulysses nodded heavily. The first sacrifice offered was his wife. What was even more tragic was that, while Ulysses hesitated, it was his wife who stepped forward.

“I’m okay. Please do what you must.”

“Anna….”

“But promise me one thing. Protect our daughter….”

He promised. He wanted to die. The pain of losing half of his body was overwhelming, and it still persisted. He would rather die. But he couldn’t. There was someone he had to live for.

At least until his child, who had not yet left his embrace, fully matured. He had lived only to see his daughter. Yet, what kind of cruel fate was this?

“Do you regret it?”

“As the leader of the Knights, I have no regrets about my choices so far. Even if the same situation were to arise, I would make the same choice.”

Having to bid farewell to his beloved wife and now in a situation where he had no choice but to sacrifice his only daughter. However, it was unavoidable. That was why he became the leader of the Knights in the first place.

“Are you out of your mind?! Are you willingly offering your wife and daughter as food for those monster creatures?!”

Cain, who had been listening from behind, couldn’t contain his anger and struck out at Ulysses. Ulysses barely managed to restrain him. After a moment of silence, Isaac spoke up.

“So? What are you going to do when all this is over?”

“….”

“Suicide is probably not a good option for you, right?”

“Wha- Suicide?!”

The most intense reaction came from Ulysses. Suicide? Naturally, there would be a strong reaction to an ending he hadn’t even imagined. Thanks to this, this time, Cain tore into Ulysses.

But Cain had similar thoughts. Suicide? Why would anyone make that choice? No, more importantly, how did Isaac figure that out? Ulysses opened his heavy mouth.

“How did you figure that out?”

“In a lonely castle, with nothing of your own, and, above all, no will to live in your eyes.”

“……..So that’s it.”

‘Actually, I figured it out from the alternate ending!’

In the alternate ending, it was described that he would take his own life when everything was over. Isaac figured it out from the alternate ending. Of course, others wouldn’t know that.

“Your insight is excellent. Or rather, it means you’re thoroughly examining your surroundings.”

Ulysses admired sincerely. Because there were so few real heroes who examined their surroundings to that extent. Since he said it so clearly, how could he deny the truth?

“As the leader of the Knights, I have no regrets. But as a father, I regret every day.”

“Is the price for that regret suicide?”

“Even my beloved wife has left, and I couldn’t protect our daughter, whom I promised to protect.”

“……”

“With what audacity can one continue to live?”

There was no emotion apparent in Ulris’ expression. But for some reason, Isaac thought tears were flowing from his eyes. They were simply dried up and no longer visible.

“I knew the meaning clearly. That’s why I cannot retreat.”

“Does it mean you cannot compromise?”

“Yes. There is no need for sacrifices to Bemothos in the first place.”

“…What does that mean…”

“Come out, or else I will die.”

Most of them flinched at Isaac’s cold tone. At the same time, question marks popped up in their minds. Who is he talking to? However, they soon realized who his words were directed at.

…!! …!!!

The ground started shaking as if an earthquake had occurred. Bizarre sounds, incomprehensible to human ears, struck their minds. Simultaneously, the manifestation of a calamity revealed itself through the cracked earth.

The King of the Earth.

Bemothos.

* * *

Matching its name of catastrophe, a massive figure rose from the ground, tearing it apart. Isaac clicked his tongue at the sight. According to the prequel, Bemothos had weakened significantly.

However, even so, Ulris, whose power was equivalent to that of a White Knight, and the Order of Holy Knights couldn’t even stand against it. It was because of Bemothos’ power; things emerging from the ground couldn’t inflict any wounds upon it.

In other words, conventional weapons are ineffective against Bemothos. Naturally, the same goes for swords made of metal. The name “calamity” wasn’t given without reason. Ulris exclaimed in astonishment.

“This can’t be real, why did Bemothos resurrect?!”

“Didn’t I tell you? Bemothos doesn’t require sacrifices. Despair and sorrow are what calamity feeds on.”

“If it feeds on despair and sorrow… Could it be…?!”

“Yes, by devouring your despair and sadness, it grows stronger.”

Even if that wasn’t the case, it would recover naturally over time. However, consuming emotions of despair hastens the recovery process significantly. That’s how the prequel ended. Eventually, Bemothos resurrected.

In order to prevent that, the Holy Knights and Ulris charged forward but perished, and Cain also died after battling Bemothos. That was the ending of the prequel. However, Isaac doubted it.

“Who would willingly accept such an ending?”

As stated before, Isaac held resentment towards the author who possessed him. So, he decided to change the course of events entirely according to his own will. To make the happy ending even happier.

Even the bad ending or sad ending turned into a happy ending. Why did he decide on a happy ending? Because that was Isaac’s taste. For that reason, he set the concept this way. Isaac stepped forward.

Resurrected Bemothos resembled an elephant in appearance, but much larger than an ordinary one. Yes, it had enough power to completely trample even the intact city walls.

Although the Holy Knights and Ulris took out weapons they had prepared in advance to counter Bemothos, it proved ineffective against it. After all, it was the King of the Earth.

Isaac possessed the ability to materialize. He could bring to life anything he imagined in his mind. According to the guidebook, Isaac had possessed this ability since the founding of the guild.

However.

In fact, Isaac’s power doesn’t end there. The original Isaac was limited to implementing a sword. However, this was because Isaac’s vessel was small, and he couldn’t do more than that.

The current Isaac is different.

If he can define a concept himself and dedicate his life to it, it becomes more than just a concept from that moment on—it becomes a belief. And the vessel of a man with such a belief cannot be small.

[“If this is the only talent I possess.”]

[“Turn it into a weapon that no one can rival.”]

[“I will prove it to everyone who mocked me.”]

The implementation swallowed Isaac’s original setting entirely. Thanks to that, Isaac truly became a genius. However, even if he knew about the implementation, he wouldn’t have changed his choice.

Because.

That’s the romance of it.

Eventually, Isaac finally grasped the handle of the sword. Faced with the overwhelming Behemoth, who felt threatened by his unstoppable posture, Behemoth attacked him first.

In a fleeting moment, the drawn sword from its sheath became light, like the dawn light that cuts through the darkness. A genius cannot defeat a dullard. Even the obvious is completely crushed, reaching the ultimate sword that touches the sky.

必殺

Fatal

一揮掃蕩 血染山河

A swing sweeps away, staining the mountains and rivers with blood.

And he sees it. Everyone sees it.

What was called a calamity.

No, what used to be called that.

The sight of it splitting apart with the sky it had covered.