I was a Nerfed Hero in Another World

We all finished our meal and cleaned the rest of our plates, except for the two sleeping women. Merleen and Fenrir would take their share as soon as they woke up from their dream. And since we already filled our stomachs, it was time for us to talk about the important things.

"Since you're my guests, it would be better if you start the questions, Arthur," Lilith exclaimed, while giving me the spotlight for this conversation. "And make it quick and brief. I don't want you to be the only one talking."

I cleared my throat and I laid out all the queries that needed some answers. After a few minutes of checking for those questions, I finally organized my thoughts and laid to Lilith.

"I only have three questions to ask for you, Lilith. The first question is….How did you know my name? It's not easy to know someone's identification."

Lilith stared into my eyes and answered my question. "It was my system that led me to our meeting. It told me to find you and the name Arthur holding an Excalibur, the same sword I possess. But this place was big enough to explore. So I had to disguise myself from a nearby village and ask for your presence. They didn't know your name, but I caught a glimpse of what happened in Caerleon Kingdom. And I believe that you're the one who did that, Arthur."

If Lilith visited other villages around the demonic border, I would have known her from my radar. But I didn't, which was the craziest thing I had ever experienced. It only meant that there might be other villages that I hadn't visited, like the one that Fisher lived in. There may have been other towns unbeknownst to the kingdoms, which became independent places separated from Albion.

"What is your second question, Arthur?"

I was the one who cleared my throat and asked her the second query. "Tell me how you obtained the system and the sword. Excalibur is the only sword that chooses its wielder. A demon who has the holy sword is beyond everyone's expectations."

"I am not saying that it doesn't belong to you, but you must have a great will that you need to do. That's the only way that Excalibur would recognize you as its wielder," I added.

Lilith observed my face and remained silent for an entire minute before telling her answer. "You are right about that. The one who wields Excalibur must be worthy of its name, or else wrath would kill that creature. I am fully aware of the consequences that might be faced upon me. But regardless of that meaning, I wanted something to end this war. And that might be the answer you are looking for."

"After claiming this sword for myself, a peculiar screen appeared before me. It told me that I became a player of some sort that would provide me the strength I need for this upcoming fight. Although I have all the power I need as a demon, it was never a sin to obtain more against King Arthur and his people. As soon as I accepted that offer, the system that you call mentioned your name. If I hadn't talked to you like now, I wouldn't be able to activate it."

As soon as Lilith spoke those words, the window appeared before us. When that happened, Lilith jerked from her seat and revealed her Excalibur in her hands. I had to stand up and calm her down, knowing that she misunderstood this scene.

"Relax, Lilith. That's the window that you're talking about. That screen won't harm you," I exclaimed, while motioning my hands.

When I finally calmed Lilith's senses down, she returned to her seat while heaving out a sigh. "Thank you. Now, what is it that this system wants right now? I am in the middle of an important conversation. This should better be more important than our talk."

The system contained some texts inside the window. And as stated by Lilith, the screen mentioned that her system got activated by our talk. Among the times it could choose, Lilith's system interrupted our conversation.

"It just messaged that you could finally use your system, Lilith. It's the one that you've obtained while getting the sword. I also have that power as a player inside this world. Actually, my team has that power, which makes us somewhat formidable enemies against other people. This system was our only fighting chance to do good in this world," I explained, while reassuring Lilith with words. "Don't worry about a single thing about this system. If the time is right, I will explain everything to you just like I told my friends."

"Friends…." Lilith muttered, while looking at Meliodas and the two ladies. "So the one that tried to kill me and killed all of you is your friend?" 

I nodded while flashing Lilith my faint smile. "Yes. And if there's anything I need to do, I would do it for my friend. Well, anything that I could do and have some reasonable explanations."

"Very well, Arthur. That is your promise to me. We demons hold our promises as if it's our pride and life. You do know how it would turn out if you ruin that promise?" Lilith asked, and raised her eyebrow.

"Of course. Immense pain and getting tossed towards the pit of flames, while slowly dying from it."

"You are well aware and educated by our methods," Lilith answered, and chuckled. "Anyway, what is your third question before I could be the one to ask you my queries."

I only had one question left to ask Lilith. This query should have meaning and affect our future and our relationship.

When Lilith mentioned ending the war, my eyes and ears pointed in her direction. I wanted to know what was inside this demonic girl's mind. So I asked her that question.

"What do you plan on doing now that you've met me? My team's goal is to end the world's suffering by taking the sword from you. But now that we know that you're nothing but a kind demon, what would you do with the Excalibur," I asked, while staring into Lilith's eyes. "My goal in life is to become a hero that everyone needs. It's a responsibility that I must take, since nobody would do it but me."

Lilith returned my stern gaze and gave me her reply. "Arthur, that is my question as well. But before that, I shall answer your query."

"Honestly, my goal after taking this Excalibur is to return to my homeland….to my father and revoke the war against humans. And I will not stop until I end this war once and for all. There is no point in battling against our limited resources. If we only shared our meals, we would survive this famine."

I remembered that in my previous life, we also had two great wars that almost destroyed the world. Thanks to the people who wanted peace, they united those countries and formed its organization. 

But in Magique, there were no people willing to unite these factions. There were other lives as well far from humans and demons involved in this brawl. However, these differences and selfishness led to this conflict. 

And the only thing that these two sides thought was to fight for resources. Hence, the war against Albion and the demonic kingdom.

The game did not mention the reason behind the demonic attack. It only described that the humans needed to form an alliance, which gave birth to Albion. Albion would be the one to kill the demons and live happily ever after.

Now that I was in here, I did not know if I should side with those humans. After witnessing gruesome events, I wanted to know the demon's side. And if I would be lucky enough, I wanted to hear King Arthur's side, which also shared my name.

"What do you think is your father's point of view for this war? Why are the two attacking each other?" I asked, while watching my words. "Some information has said that the demons started it first. But I want to know the real deal. I want to know what really happened in this war."

I did not want to start an argument with Lilith, knowing that would cause some stir inside her mind. If there was one thing I knew about these creatures was that….they had intelligence. These beings, which the game developers made, had emotions and a life to live. And since I was transported into this world, this world being a game disappeared from my mind.

"It's okay, Arthur. And thank you for your kind words….I have seen it all. Those humans raised their canons and shot their magic towards our village. The demonic children had no other choice but to flee from the scene. The demons and humans signed a treaty with each other. However, the humans ruined that contract and attacked us first. My father, being the king of our species, wanted revenge for the fallen children and people of our land."