Chapter 342: Purpose of Participating in the Tournament

“First of all, you know I have no desire to fight here.”

“…….”

I nodded silently.

The intention behind that statement might also be to avoid conflict if it were said elsewhere.

“Let me state our purpose first, as there might be obstacles. We have no intention of engaging in conflict with anyone during our stay here. Therefore, even if you realize that we are of the demon race, please refrain from attacking us. If we are attacked, we will be compelled to retaliate. Starting a war in this place is not something I desire.”

Upon hearing this, my initial thought was whether it was true or not. I was about to voice those words but held them back. The reason being that there was no motive for them to risk meeting me and lying. If it’s someone as powerful as Ryu, there would be no need for deception.

“There are three reasons why I am telling you this. First, I can always see your presence, so I know where you are. Second, based on your behavior today, it seems that you can interact casually with the royal family of the beastmen, so I believe you can share this information with them. And third, I trust that if we meet, we can have a proper discussion without immediately resorting to combat.”

“Ah…”

I agree with those three reasons.

First, I’m visible, so she could talk to me on the street. Secondly, it’s pointless to talk about this stuff if I can’t talk to someone who can direct security, such as Bequa. Furthermore, if I were a combat freak, I would have to fight Ryu right away, and I wouldn’t be able to talk to het.

“Why did you risk participating in this tournament then?”

That’s the question. I have no idea why Ryu and the others chose to participate in this tournament. There are plenty of disadvantages to participating, but I can’t think of any benefits.

“…It’s to show the strength of humans to the other races.”

“The strength of humans?”

By humans, Ryu means humans, beastmen, elves, and dwarves combined.

Generally, these four races are collectively referred to as humans.

“There are now too many opinions among the demon tribe to ignore the idea of not attacking the humans. They think that if they can get rid of a tiny number of strong people like you, they can easily destroy the humans. The demon tribe underestimates the strength of human beings. The real strength of human beings is strength in numbers. No matter how strong the demons are, they will not be able to fight forever. Even if they attack now, they will eventually run out of strength and be killed. And the number of strong people among humans is not a minuscule number. There are more strongmen like you than the demons think.”

In other words, Ryu was taking the demons to this tournament in order to show them the strength of the human race in a peaceful manner.

“If the demons finish this tournament undefeated, it is said that we are allowed to start a war. So I want you guys to defeat the demons. I don’t want to give you any faint hope that you might win with this level of strength. It will be completely one-sided.”

“We don’t need to be told that.”

Even without being told, whether they are demons or not, if they participate in the tournament, they aim to win against their opponents.

“Of course, I won’t allow myself to lose in order to make a statement to the demons. I’ll give it my all to win. If you don’t want any unnecessary injuries, I recommend forfeiting if you end up facing me in a match.”

“I recommend you forfeit before you reach the point where you can’t make a statement by losing to me.”

“Fufufu! Are you telling me that? How amusing! I’m looking forward to seeing how much stronger you’ve become since then! Now I have even more reasons not to lose to you. Make sure you don’t lose before facing me.”

Ryu said that with a very happy smile.

“…Talking to you like this makes me want to see the dream of humans and demons who once gave up on each other being friendly again.”

Ryu said that with a profound sense of loneliness.

“Don’t give up on that dream…”

“It’s impossible. Humans don’t receive experience points even if they kill humans. But if humans kill demons, they receive experience points just like when they kill monsters. Furthermore, demons receive experience points regardless of whom they kill, just like monsters… As enemies, just as monsters and humans are, demons and humans have been predetermined as enemies in this world’s order.”

“………”

“I’ve gone a little overboard here. I’ll see you later.”

Saying so, Ryu walked away.

I couldn’t find the words to say to Ryu who was leaving, so I just saw her off.

“Look who’s talking…?”

I muttered while slamming my fist against the wall with a thud.

As someone who has killed five demons, what does it mean to not give up on dreams…

But I don’t regret killing those five demons. If I hadn’t killed them, either I or someone close to me would have been killed. If I regretted it, I would hesitate about whether it would be okay for me to kill in similar situations in the future. When I hesitate, it’s not just me who becomes endangered.

“It’s later than I thought. I have to go home soon.”

If I go home too late, I’ll cause them to worry even more.

I have to change my mind on my way home…

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