I’ll just get killed if I keep running

With my family dead before me, I was not even allowed the time to scream out my pain.

Mixed with the smell of blood was a strong burning smell. 

Fire was blazing out from towards the living room. 

“No… that, this can’t be… no…”

At this rate, Claire and mom’s body will be burnt away. 

I can’t even give them a proper burial. 

“Why… why……”

Tears just kept flowing out my eyes. 

But even then, I can’t just die like this. 

I won’t stand being killed without knowing anything like this. 

I jumped out from Claire’s room and checked the situation in the living room. 

A huge fire broke out near the firewood storehouse and extinguishing it would be impossible now. 

Along with that, I confirmed one other thing. 

This isn’t the work of some bandit. 

My room, Claire’s room and even the cupboards of the living — they were all untouched. 

(It isn’t a robbery, their aim was to kill from the start. But, why?! Why us……)

At any rate, it would be risky going out the front door. 

They might be lying in wait. 

To jump out the window, I returned to Claire’s room for the time being. 

“……Mom.”

She probably tried to reach her daughter after being attacked… to protect her. 

She was lying face down halfway through the door. 

“I’m sorry, I am so sorry…… Thank you, for everything……”

I made her face upwards, closed her wide open eyes and folded her arms. 

Even though you will turn to ash… soon… I can’t even make you a grave… but at least this much.

“…..Claire.”

I went to the side of the bed. 

Closed my sister’s eyes as well and gave her a kiss on her cheek. 

“I will be leaving you behind, like this…… I’m sorry…… I love you, always…”

To be honest, I want to take them with me… but…

As I felt these intolerable emotions within me, I just strongly bit into my lips. I could taste the blood. 

“…..You two… I’ll see you later.”

With the sword that took the lives of my family, the one that took the life of my enemy, in my hand, I stood up.

And truth be told, I really don’t want to have something like this on me but I need it to protect myself. 

I ran to my room and changed into heavy clothing. 

It’s a winter night outside and the village was quite high above the sea level. 

I would freeze to death in pajamas. 

(What about the spread of the fire… seems to be still fine.)

I even wore a mantle and boots and was done changing within 20 seconds. 

I slowly opened the window facing the back of the house and looked around. 

A dim, gloomy forest ahead with no sign of people around. 

After confirming that it was safe, I gently jumped down to not make any noise. 

(Now then, what do I do… Should I just run like this…)

“Is it not this woman, sir?!”

“……..!!”

I felt as if an electric current just went through my body. 

I quickly looked around me, holding in my urge to scream, but there was no one around. 

They weren’t talking about me. 

(…….It’s coming from… the center of the village?)

Our village was kind of inside a forest, in the shape of a circle. 

All the houses were built with the village square in the center. 

If one were to peek from behind a house, they could see the center. 

(That’s… the people who came attacking us, right? If it’s not me, then… don’t tell me……!)

An unpleasant premonition pierced my heart. 

No way, don’t tell me it’s not just us……

I don’t wanna see, I don’t wanna confirm such a doubt…

But, I also couldn’t stop myself. 

When I peeked towards the plaza, I spotted about 10 men with light equipment just standing there. 

All of the houses were burning. And from within one, a man came out. 

Grasping my best friend Alca’s hair, dragging her along the surface like she’s some object. 

“….Ah, that’s not her either. This isn’t the hero. She is probably of the same age, though.”

The fact that she’s not resisting at all, and is just senseless… probably means that, doesn’t it…?

She’s surely dead. 

“Just pile it up there, we’ll have to burn ‘em all up together later.”

“Alright, understood.”

And with that order from the boss, that man threw my best friend on top of something easily. 

……No, not ‘something’…

Those are the people of the village.

Uncle Kenny, Aunt Linda, full of people I knew. 

Every single one of them had their eyes open wide, piled up on top of each other. 

Every single one of them was killed. 

“Uuu………”

I felt nauseated, like I am about to puke, but I desperately held it in. 

If I make any sound right now, I will be joining that mountain shortly. 

“Only that house is left, eh? Oi, Dennil isn’t back yet?”

“I will go check on him, General Charon.”

General?

Did he just say general? 

I am not really knowledgeable about these ranks myself but, that’s someone important in the army, right?

Someone who would take orders directly from the king. 

(No, no way, no way……!)

You’re telling me this attack is by the order of the king?!

If so, then why?!

Killing me, killing off a whole village of your own country… what will you gain from it?!

Even though I wanted to think things through, I wasn’t given such a leeway. 

One man headed towards my house. 

As the entrance was covered in flames, he was heading towards the back. 

He will find me at this rate. 

Half panickedly, I quickly hid behind a big tree. 

Step, step, step. 

His footsteps were getting closer. 

I held my breath and prayed to be not found while slightly peeking towards him. 

My heart was pounding, making it hard on my ears. 

The man came running towards the back and peeked inside my house from the window I opened. 

That guy, he’s the one who dragged out Alca. 

Alca was definitely killed by him. 

“G-general! Dennil is dead!”

“W-what?! ………Well, what about the hero?”

“She’s not here. The window was open. It seems like she made a run for it.”

“…..I see, so she ran to the mountains? Tch, getting done in by a little girl, how pathetic.”

I could hear that general Charon being in a bad mood.

In all honesty, I would give anything to just go out there right now and slaughter all of them here. 

I do have the strength to do so but if only I had…

“Seriously, a mountain hunt wasn’t included in the order… In the first place, why do I have to act like a bandit… Oi, what was your name again? Garela? Your rank is the highest after me here, right?”

“Yes sir, my rank is lieutenant.” 

The man who came to check from the back went running back to the plaza. 

I could relax a little and take a short breath. 

Well, that was also only for a brief moment, though. 

“I will give you 4 men. It’s a mountain hunt, go find the hero girl. I am returning.”

“Re-returning, sir? That would be going against the king’s order…”

“If you just kill the lass, it won’t be going against the order. Or, what? Are you saying you can’t even kill a little girl with 4 men? Are you that incompetent?”

“No, sir…… As you command.”

What I heard just now was the plan to kill me off. 

The lieutenant Garela and 4 men under him will be coming to kill me now. 

I felt a chill run down my spine, one different from the cold. 

“Seriously, the king sure has a habit of making more trouble for me. I had some very important things to take care of today and yet here I am, having to deal with this… Oi, corpses are sources for plagues. Make sure to burn ‘em all up!”

Garela returned to the back of the house with 4 of his men. 

Fumes went up from the plaza and an unpleasant smell of burning meat was in the air. 

I could hear horses neighing and then galloping off into the distance. 

It seems Charon really did leave after burning all the bodies. 

Garela and his men crouched over with a lantern and carefully examined the ground. 

“…..Listen closely men, first, look for the footsteps. Our prey is an amateur, there’s bound to be footsteps—ah, well what do you know, we already found some.”

It seems they already found my footsteps and were now approaching my way. 

This is no good — I should have ran right away. 

But, you see, I am not that smart, and I am scared. 

Hero? That’s a load of bullshit. 

I am just a normal village girl. 

My fear reached its peak and my legs started running by itself. 

“…! There she is, she’s still near! After her!”

I don’t like this–why do I have to go through all this? 

I pushed through the accumulated snow and ran, without any destination. 

Taking firm steps in the snow, I just ran. Just ran single-mindedly, not wanting to die. 

“Haaa, haaa………!”

5 men with swords were chasing after me. 

Did I do something? 

Did I do anything worth being killed over? 

Killing my family, killing my best friend and aiming for my life like this, all so suddenly. 

What did I do to deserve all this? 

Among such an unreasonable situation, all I could do was run. 

I wonder how long I have been running. 

10 minutes?

15 minutes? 

Weirdly enough, I am not getting tired much. 

Now that I think of it, the sword doesn’t feel all that heavy either. 

(Ah-right, that reminds me…… What was it again? A hero’s physical abilities increase the more demon or humans they kill? Depending on the opponent’s strength, if I recall right.)

I don’t feel all that strong but maybe because I killed that man earlier, my stamina has increased. 

However, it just increased a bit. 

At this rate, I will eventually run out of energy. 

(I need to do something, I need to do something about these pursuers, otherwise I will get killed…! But, how……)

All I got is this sword and this shitty ability to boil water. 

While pouring boiling water on someone can surely hurt, it won’t be enough to kill someone.

I don’t have any water to begin with. 

(……Mm, water?)

No, I do. 

I do have water — a lot of it, right under my feet. 

To make best use of this, I looked around my surroundings. 

(There! There’s an overhang at the end of that slope! I could make this work there!)

And underneath that slope was perfectly low ground. 

I can possibly catch them all at once there. 

I climbed the slope. 

If I slip here, I will be caught and that’s game over. 

I treaded carefully, looking for the rocky area. 

And just as I turned around, the one leading the 4 had smoothly walked in on the low ground. 

(Still too early, just a bit longer……)

And following him, 2 more came. But it’s still too early. 

Just as the last person entered the area–

“Now!”

I thrust my hand into the snow beneath my feet and thought of it. 

Heat went from my arm to the snow–the frozen water and rapidly started defrosting it. 

All the snow in the surroundings loosened and started collapsing as I kept heating. 

That’s right, a snowslide. 

“U-uuwaaaaaaahh!!”

“Wha–the snow is collapsing–!!”

“We’re gonna get swept away!!”

All the snow piled up above the slope swooped down on the 4 men. 

To not get caught up in it, I jumped on top of the boulder. 

Without being able to do anything, the men were swallowed by the snow. 

I did it. Serves you right. 

They were buried in the snow, with just their arms and head poking out. 

“Well? You can’t move, can you? Snow is heavy, you know?”

I leaped off the boulder and went towards the 4 men who were struggling to get out. 

I stood in front of the man with just his head out and looked down on him. 

“Hey, does it hurt? Can you breath?”

“S-save me…… We were just obeying orders……!”

“As if I care.”

That was probably the coldest I sounded yet. 

Without any mercy, I thrust my sword into the man’s face.

Translator: Tsugane

Yasss, kill ’em all.

I'll just get killed if I keep runningWith my family dead before me, I was not even allowed the time to scream out my pain.Mixed with the smell of blood was a strong burning smell.Fire was blazing out from towards the living room.No that, this can't be noAt this rate, Claire and mom's body will be burnt away.I can't even give them a proper burial.Why whyTears just kept flowing out my eyes.But even then, I can't just die like this.I won't stand being killed without knowing anything like this.I jumped out from Claire's room and checked the situation in the living room.A huge fire broke out near the firewood storehouse and extinguishing it would be impossible now.Along with that, I confirmed one other thing.This isn't the work of some bandit.My room, Claire's room and even the cupboards of the living they were all untouched.It isn't a robbery, their aim was to kill from the start. But, why?! Why usAt any rate, it would be risky going out the front door.They might be lying in wait.To jump out the window, I returned to Claire's room for the time being.Mom.She probably tried to reach her daughter after being attacked to protect her.She was lying face down halfway through the door.I'm sorry, I am so sorry Thank you, for everythingI made her face upwards, closed her wide open eyes and folded her arms.Even though you will turn to ash soon I can't even make you a grave but at least this much...Claire.I went to the side of the bed.Closed my sister's eyes as well and gave her a kiss on her cheek.I will be leaving you behind, like this I'm sorry I love you, alwaysTo be honest, I want to take them with me butAs I felt these intolerable emotions within me, I just strongly bit into my lips. I could taste the blood...You two I'll see you later.With the sword that took the lives of my family, the one that took the life of my enemy, in my hand, I stood up.And truth be told, I really don't want to have something like this on me but I need it to protect myself.I ran to my room and changed into heavy clothing.It's a winter night outside and the village was quite high above the sea level.I would freeze to death in pajamas.What about the spread of the fire seems to be still fine.I even wore a mantle and boots and was done changing within 20 seconds.I slowly opened the window facing the back of the house and looked around.A dim, gloomy forest ahead with no sign of people around.After confirming that it was safe, I gently jumped down to not make any noise.Now then, what do I do Should I just run like thisIs it not this woman, sir?!..!!I felt as if an electric current just went through my body.I quickly looked around me, holding in my urge to scream, but there was no one around.They weren't talking about me..It's coming from the center of the village?Our village was kind of inside a forest, in the shape of a circle.All the houses were built with the village square in the center.If one were to peek from behind a house, they could see the center.That's the people who came attacking us, right? If it's not me, then don't tell me!An unpleasant premonition pierced my heart.No way, don't tell me it's not just usI don't wanna see, I don't wanna confirm such a doubtBut, I also couldn't stop myself.When I peeked towards the plaza, I spotted about 10 men with light equipment just standing there.All of the houses were burning. And from within one, a man came out.Grasping my best friend Alca's hair, dragging her along the surface like she's some object..Ah, that's not her either. This isn't the hero. She is probably of the same age, though.The fact that she's not resisting at all, and is just senseless probably means that, doesn't it?She's surely dead.Just pile it up there, we'll have to burn em all up together later.Alright, understood.And with that order from the boss, that man threw my best friend on top of something easily.No, not something'Those are the people of the village.Uncle Kenny, Aunt Linda, full of people I knew.Every single one of them had their eyes open wide, piled up on top of each other.Every single one of them was killed.UuuI felt nauseated, like I am about to puke, but I desperately held it in.If I make any sound right now, I will be joining that mountain shortly.Only that house is left, eh? Oi, Dennil isn't back yet?I will go check on him, General Charon.General?Did he just say general?I am not really knowledgeable about these ranks myself but, that's someone important in the army, right?Someone who would take orders directly from the king.No, no way, no way!You're telling me this attack is by the order of the king?!If so, then why?!Killing me, killing off a whole village of your own country what will you gain from it?!Even though I wanted to think things through, I wasn't given such a leeway.One man headed towards my house.As the entrance was covered in flames, he was heading towards the back.He will find me at this rate.Half panickedly, I quickly hid behind a big tree.Step, step, step.His footsteps were getting closer.I held my breath and prayed to be not found while slightly peeking towards him.My heart was pounding, making it hard on my ears.The man came running towards the back and peeked inside my house from the window I opened.That guy, he's the one who dragged out Alca.Alca was definitely killed by him.G-general! Dennil is dead!W-what?! Well, what about the hero?She's not here. The window was open. It seems like she made a run for it...I see, so she ran to the mountains? Tch, getting done in by a little girl, how pathetic.I could hear that general Charon being in a bad mood.In all honesty, I would give anything to just go out there right now and slaughter all of them here.I do have the strength to do so but if only I hadSeriously, a mountain hunt wasn't included in the order In the first place, why do I have to act like a bandit Oi, what was your name again? Garela? Your rank is the highest after me here, right?Yes sir, my rank is lieutenant.The man who came to check from the back went running back to the plaza.I could relax a little and take a short breath.Well, that was also only for a brief moment, though.I will give you 4 men. It's a mountain hunt, go find the hero girl. I am returning.Re-returning, sir? That would be going against the king's orderIf you just kill the lass, it won't be going against the order. Or, what? Are you saying you can't even kill a little girl with 4 men? Are you that incompetent?No, sir As you command.What I heard just now was the plan to kill me off.The lieutenant Garela and 4 men under him will be coming to kill me now.I felt a chill run down my spine, one different from the cold.Seriously, the king sure has a habit of making more trouble for me. I had some very important things to take care of today and yet here I am, having to deal with this Oi, corpses are sources for plagues. Make sure to burn em all up!Garela returned to the back of the house with 4 of his men.Fumes went up from the plaza and an unpleasant smell of burning meat was in the air.I could hear horses neighing and then galloping off into the distance.It seems Charon really did leave after burning all the bodies.Garela and his men crouched over with a lantern and carefully examined the ground...Listen closely men, first, look for the footsteps. Our prey is an amateur, there's bound to be footstepsah, well what do you know, we already found some.It seems they already found my footsteps and were now approaching my way.This is no good I should have ran right away.But, you see, I am not that smart, and I am scared.Hero? That's a load of bullshit.I am just a normal village girl.My fear reached its peak and my legs started running by itself.! There she is, she's still near! After her!I don't like thiswhy do I have to go through all this?I pushed through the accumulated snow and ran, without any destination.Taking firm steps in the snow, I just ran. Just ran single-mindedly, not wanting to die.Haaa, haaa!5 men with swords were chasing after me.Did I do something?Did I do anything worth being killed over?Killing my family, killing my best friend and aiming for my life like this, all so suddenly.What did I do to deserve all this?Among such an unreasonable situation, all I could do was run.I wonder how long I have been running.10 minutes?15 minutes?Weirdly enough, I am not getting tired much.Now that I think of it, the sword doesn't feel all that heavy either.Ah-right, that reminds me What was it again? A hero's physical abilities increase the more demon or humans they kill? Depending on the opponent's strength, if I recall right.I don't feel all that strong but maybe because I killed that man earlier, my stamina has increased.However, it just increased a bit.At this rate, I will eventually run out of energy.I need to do something, I need to do something about these pursuers, otherwise I will get killed! But, howAll I got is this sword and this shitty ability to boil water.While pouring boiling water on someone can surely hurt, it won't be enough to kill someone.I don't have any water to begin with.Mm, water?No, I do.I do have water a lot of it, right under my feet.To make best use of this, I looked around my surroundings.There! There's an overhang at the end of that slope! I could make this work there!And underneath that slope was perfectly low ground.I can possibly catch them all at once there.I climbed the slope.If I slip here, I will be caught and that's game over.I treaded carefully, looking for the rocky area.And just as I turned around, the one leading the 4 had smoothly walked in on the low ground.Still too early, just a bit longerAnd following him, 2 more came. But it's still too early.Just as the last person entered the areaNow!I thrust my hand into the snow beneath my feet and thought of it.Heat went from my arm to the snowthe frozen water and rapidly started defrosting it.All the snow in the surroundings loosened and started collapsing as I kept heating.That's right, a snowslide.U-uuwaaaaaaahh!!Whathe snow is collapsing!!We're gonna get swept away!!All the snow piled up above the slope swooped down on the 4 men.To not get caught up in it, I jumped on top of the boulder.Without being able to do anything, the men were swallowed by the snow.I did it. Serves you right.They were buried in the snow, with just their arms and head poking out.Well? You can't move, can you? Snow is heavy, you know?I leaped off the boulder and went towards the 4 men who were struggling to get out.I stood in front of the man with just his head out and looked down on him.Hey, does it hurt? Can you breath?S-save me We were just obeying orders!As if I care.That was probably the coldest I sounded yet.Without any mercy, I thrust my sword into the man's face.Translator: TsuganeYasss, kill 'em all.