I Kidnapped the Hero Party – Chapter 97

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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: FusionX
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It’s all my fault.

Because I’m weak.

Brother died, and so did my friends.

‘Just like back then…’

When my friends died in the Church basement…

I just sat there.

Unable to do anything.

‘What kind of Saintess am I… Hare is right… this… this all happened because I’m weak…’

Feeling the warmth of Luna’s hand, Estia blamed herself and prayed.

‘Please, it’s my fault… so please save the others…’

I was wrong.

So please, give me divine power, or anything…

I don’t want to be useless anymore…

‘Please, Goddess…’

Estia truly regretted her actions.

She hated herself for being passive during training, for using the excuse of not having divine power to skip her morning prayers and sleep in.

‘If you give me another chance… I’ll do anything… I was wrong… I’ll do better this time…’

Estia continued to pray, Luna’s hand still in hers.

Every time she closed her eyes, she saw the final moments of Lee Jun-woo and her friends. But she didn’t run away.

‘Without Brother… without my friends… I have nowhere to go… this is my home… my family…’

I can’t go back to the Church.

I want to go back to the home where my heart feels warm.

Estia, awakened from her fear by the harsh reality, closed her eyes and prayed to the Goddess with a sincere heart.

‘Sob… please let me go home… I want to see Brother again…’

A golden magic power enveloped Estia as she prayed. And when she opened her eyes…

“Sob… sniffle…”

…she wiped away her tears.

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“We’re back! We’re back!”

Luna looked around.

Hare and Saten were alive. Estia was praying with her hands clasped together.

“Ugh… that hurts…”

Sloth groaned in pain. They had returned to the past.

Luna looked down.

“Mister is injured… I expected it… but it still hurts…”

But…

Even though Mister is hurt…

I can’t let the others die.

“T-This isn’t the time to be sad!”

I’ll cry later!

Now is the time to act!

Luna wiped away her tears and stood up.

“Hare! Come and help me move Mister! H-He’s still alive!”

‘Still’ alive.

Luna hid the painful truth to prevent Hare from doing anything rash. She couldn’t let Hare kill herself again.

Hare, her eyes less vacant than before, ran towards them.

“M-Mister…! A-Are you okay…?”

“Hare! Mister can’t talk right now! So quickly move him to a safe place!”

“Mister… open your eyes… it’s… it’s Hare… open your eyes…”

“Just move him quickly!!”

I’m about to cry too, so stop it!

Luna shouted at Hare, hiding her true feelings.

Hare, her expression grim, carried Lee Jun-woo away. She looked like she was on the verge of a breakdown.

‘But I have to hide the truth from her!’

Until we defeat the Demon Lord with our own strength.

I’ll hide it from her until then.

That Mister is breathing, but he can’t move.

Luna steeled her resolve and checked on Saten.

‘W-What’s this…?’

I can’t make eye contact with her…?

Saten was radiating a chilling killing intent.

Gulp-

Luna swallowed and cautiously approached Saten.

“S-Saten! Let’s join forces…!! And defeat the Demon Lord…!”

“Why should I cooperate with you?”

“Huh?”

“You’re a hindrance. I’m not stupid like that pink-haired girl, Luna.”

“…You know, don’t you, Saten.”

“I can see the flow of magic power.”

That Mister can’t come back.

Saten, knowing the truth, was about to repeat her previous actions. She cut her wrist, preparing for battle.

“I’ll take revenge. And if I fail, I’ll end up just like Mister.”

“T-That’s not what Mister wanted, Saten! He wanted us to defeat the Demon Lord together!”

“How can you be so sure?”

“W-Well… Mister can’t talk right now, but… judging by his actions…”

…he seemed to be entrusting them with the task.

He hadn’t attacked seriously. He had only defended, showing them the Demon Lord’s attack patterns.

“I think… he entrusted us! With defeating the Demon Lord!”

“That makes sense, but it’s too late.”

“Huh…?”

“The Demon Lord is regenerating. So do as you wish. I’ve already made my choice.”

Saten left to face the Demon Lord alone. The outcome was the same as before.

“I’m sorry I couldn’t avenge you, Mister.”

“Ah…”

The same tragic ending.

Saten used all her blood to attack the Demon Lord, but it wasn’t enough.

“I-I failed again…”

Luna, unable to persuade Saten, lost her friend again. But there were some differences this time.

“Luna, I moved Mister to a safe place…”

“…Hare.”

She had managed to deceive Hare. And…

“Our faithful Goddess, thank you for your blessings… what was next… and…! Thank you for giving strength to those in need…”

…Estia, while praying, was emitting a golden light. The light was growing brighter, and Estia seemed… divine.

Luna muttered,

“…Do we need more time?”

“T-Time? Time for Mister to wake up…?”

“No, it’s okay if you don’t understand, Hare…! I’ll explain later…!”

Luna, having assessed the situation and gathered information, looked at the Demon Lord.

‘He’s injured from Saten’s attack, but…’

It’s probably…

Impossible for the three of us…

Fortunately, Sloth wasn’t aggressive, giving Luna time to think.

As Sloth began to regenerate, the Holy Sword’s voice echoed in her mind.

-The mage, Saten, is dead. This time, the rogue survived. Will you take the rogue back with you?

“No, I won’t take Hare!”

-A wise decision.

Even now, the Demon Lord is ignoring us…

And focusing on Mister.

I’ve figured out how to persuade Hare.

Let’s be content with this.

‘…I’m sorry, Saten. I’ll save you next time.’

Luna turned and headed towards Estia.

“L-Luna…? Where are you going…? Why is your body glowing…?”

“It’s nothing. I’ll be right back…”

Luna felt uneasy about leaving Hare and Saten behind. Guilt gnawed at her heart. But she steeled her resolve and didn’t look back.

“Sigh… Estia…”

“Thank you for saving our lives, Goddess… so please… let Mister wake up… give me strength-“

“Estia! Snap out of it and look at me!”

Estia, startled by Luna’s loud voice, turned to see Luna, looking exhausted.

“Luna…? What’s wrong…! I’m praying for the Goddess to perform a miracle…!”

“That’s my power, you idiot! Listen carefully! We’re going to keep repeating this loop! And we’ll find a way!”

“What are you-“

“Just listen! Even if time rewinds, just keep praying! And when I’m done persuading the others and we’re ready to fight!”

Then…

Do something with that prayer.

Estia asked,

“…Do something? What do you mean?”

“I don’t know! Mister believed in you! Figure it out! I’ll do my part! You can do this now!”

Please do something!

Anything!

Luna and Estia returned to the past, hoping that Estia could finally contribute.

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“Hare! Put Mister down and come here! Got it?!”

“O-Okay…”

Preventing Hare’s death was a success. Luna’s next obstacle was Saten, who was about to kill herself.

Luna grabbed Saten’s arm.

“S-Saten, wait! Hare will be here soon after she puts Mister down!”

“Why should I listen to you? I’m out of time, so let go.”

“N-No! If we work together, we might be able to win!”

“How can the three of us defeat a Demon Lord? That’s ridiculous. Move.”

“It’s better than dying alone!!”

This wasn’t easy.

Saten was determined to kill the Demon Lord, no matter what. Consumed by rage, she couldn’t see reason.

Luna’s heart sank.

‘How can I persuade Saten…?’

I can’t watch her die like that again. And I can’t stop her from hurting herself.

‘I have to save Saten somehow…’

Luna glanced at Sloth. He was still recovering from Mister’s attack. But Saten was about to throw herself at him.

‘The best solution! There has to be one! What is it…!!’

If Mister was here, he would tell me…

But Mister isn’t here.

So what I can do…

‘This is the only way.’

Luna released Saten’s arm.

Saten, like a tiger released from its leash, walked towards the Demon Lord.

“I think I need to take revenge, Mister.”

Click, clack-

Saten’s footsteps were filled with rage. And another set of smaller footsteps followed.

Thud, thud-

Saten took a deep breath and asked,

“…Why are you following me, Luna? I told you I’m going to take revenge.”

“I-I’m going to take revenge too! I-I’m not following you! I’m going to avenge Mister!”

I’m not following you!

I’m just taking revenge too!

Luna declared confidently.

‘This is the only thing I could think of…’

If I can’t stop Saten…

I’ll join her.

Saten, stubborn and uncompromising, wouldn’t change her mind.

Luna made her choice.

‘If we fight together…! Hare will join us too…! And if Estia can pull her weight…! We might be able to defeat the Demon Lord and avenge Mister…!’

Luna, drawing her sword, shouted at the injured Demon Lord,

“I don’t know how many times it’ll take, but…!! C-Come at me…!! I-I’ll be your opponent…!!”

The Hero’s party’s desperate revenge had begun.

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