Chapter 0: Prologue

I definitely died once.
Abandoned, and thoroughly hated.
The gentle voice that used to comfort me turned into a harsh command that pushed me away.
Encouragement and support for my efforts turned into mockery and contempt for those without talent.
And above all,
After hearing sincere, venomous words from her, who was in the same situation as me, I could no longer move forward.
The chosen hero,
The woman blessed by the gods,
The greatest archer among the elves.
Among them, all I could do was try to alleviate their burden, even just a little.
I tried to carry their burdens,
I tried to find an easier path on the journey to defeat the Demon King,
And I stayed awake late at night, fighting off sleep to ensure a safe place for them to rest.
I learned to cook from travelers and cooks, so they could eat the best food possible,
I followed the hero’s movements with my eyes and practiced swordsmanship, so I wouldn’t become a burden.
‘You, no matter how much you practice, you’ll never be able to come close.’
I know. But at least I didn’t want to be a burden.
‘I don’t even need that kind of food in the first place. You know? Ah, I guess you wouldn’t know, you lowly being?’
No, I know that elves don’t care much about food, and that they don’t need as much food as humans do.
But… you liked ‘taste.’
‘I can’t understand why the Goddess even brought you here in the first place.’
I don’t know either.
If it was going to be this painful,
If I knew you would hate me this much,
I shouldn’t have had the courage in the first place…
If I had just died that day.
Cast out within the Demon King’s territory, I was surrounded by monsters who were waiting for their chance,
After I had cut down about three of them, my limbs were torn off,
I met my end with the pain of being eaten alive.
I should have been waiting for peace.
Why?
Why, Goddess, did you send me back?