I’m Really Not The Demon God’s Lackey

Lin Jie had just passed the displaced staircase and stood on the platform when he heard such a line.

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His lips twitched.
Is this really a character playing a role?

However, this wasn't the 'final boss appearing' scene he imagined, but a 'CG cut-scene where an important NPC introduced a new gamer to the story line' instead.

The 'savior' appellation was a really typical formula.

In traditional role-playing games, ten out of ten player characters were saviors.

But upon further thought, there wouldn't be too much innovation in his dream given his somewhat lacking gaming experience.

Lin Jie's gaze fell onto the 'NPC' that had just said his lines.

This was an extremely accurate depiction of a male elf.

Flowing golden hair and olive green eyes complemented the pretty face that even made it difficult to determine the gender.
His neutral beauty was astounding, but at the same time, it contained a certain sharpness that didn't make him seem overly gentle.

Combining the scene with the lines of this 'NPC' and his dialog, Lin Jie roughly surmised the plot.

Surely, a great catastrophe had occurred here and this elf here was either the culprit or was someone who lacked the ability to stop this tragedy.

And as he awoke after everyone else died, this NPC was filled with guilt and thus chose to either kill himself or something along the lines of sealing himself.

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Up till the power of a person who could save the world or correct his mistake appeared.

After witnessing this scene, Lin Jie felt certain that he had gotten the rough idea of this storyline. 

Lin Jie circled around the elf and suddenly discovered that the blade stuck in his chest was the sword which Joseph had gifted.

This was the irrefutable proof that dreams at night were made up of thoughts in the day.

Lin Jie had been studying that sword in the day and now it had started weaving a story in his dream.

The elf watched Lin Jie calmly, waiting for Lin Jie to complete his round before speaking, “On behalf of the kingdom, I must thank you for restoring the luster of the sacred sword.
This is the third of my unforgivable sins.”

Sacred sword…
It's probably the one stuck in his body and also the sword given by Joseph.

Previously, he had wondered why the sword was a little 'dirty' but afterwards discovered that the black marks disappeared when viewing it from another angle.
This was probably a certain type of special craftsmanship but it seemed like it had become a merit in Lin Jie's dream.

No wonder it was a dream.
Lin Jie's casual thoughts ended up being a feather in his cap here.

However, from the latest line, it seems that this elf character was the likely cause of this great catastrophe and was now punishing himself.

“You're welcome.”

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Lin Jie lapped up the credit with a straight face.
He then squatted down, meeting the elf's eye level and asked with interest, “Since you mentioned that this was the third, could you tell me about the other sins? I really wish to hear your story.” 

It just so happened that Lin Jie hadn't seen any customer besides Joseph recently, so giving this 'friend' some counsel seemed like a decent choice.

Generally speaking, characters harboring great bitterness tended to be lonely.
Lack of interaction would also add to their psychological burden and such characters actually yearned to speak about their own suffering.

This was also why villainous characters tended to always have a strong desire to express themselves and have a glorious monologue just as their plans were about to be completed. 

On one hand, this was just one reason.
On the other hand…
this was also because certain scriptwriters had to reveal the truth as well as give the main character time to counterattack.

Getting him to speak wasn't rubbing salt in the wounds, but giving this character a means to vent.

Moreover, since he had mentioned his own sins in the first place, it was clear that this elf character really wished to talk.

“It would be my honor if you are willing to hear the confession of a sinner.”

The elf gave a slight smile, lowering his head humbly and said softly, “Many thousands of years ago, in a time without light and fire, I was egotistical and attempted to kill a god to expand the land for my people.
Eventually, upon looking straight at the god, I sunk into madness.
This is my sin of cowardice.

“I was their king, yet slaughtered my own people, nearly wiping them out as I descended into madness, ruining everything the kingdom had with my own hands.
This is my sin of betrayal.

“The sacred sword was stained with the blood of my people.
With it, I sealed my own filthy soul, making it lose its brilliance and tarnishing the kingdom's last hallowed symbol.
This is my sin of ignorance.

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“I brought the kingdom to its apex, then destroyed it in person.
Many thousands of years later, the crown has become my shackle.
People call me 'The Exile' Candela.”

Lin Jie stroked his own chin, feeling pleased that his guess had been largely correct.

It's rather tragic indeed.
His attempt to kill the god backfired, driving him insane and even getting his own kingdom destroyed…
Moreover, he used the sacred sword to seal himself, seemingly turning himself into some sort of sword spirit entity.

“Why do you call me savior? I didn't save you, and your kingdom has already been destroyed.” Lin Jie pointed at the sword in his body and looked all around.
“Will you be requesting me to do something?” 

Immediately, the elf's expression became even more miserable, as if his inner thoughts had been seen through.
“Your benevolence makes me feel thoroughly ashamed.
But please calm down, I have never meant to overstep and think that I deserve redemption.”

Like a kid being disciplined by a parent for making an unreasonable request, he trembled while explaining himself, “You have already helped me out a lot.
My kingdom has already become a speck of dust in the long annals of history.
I no longer have the right to do anything for this land, but no matter how, I have no way of atoning for my sins…”

Lin Jie felt that this fellow had condemned himself incessantly in the many thousands of years he was sealed, leading to a psychological barrier that made anything he hears sound like criticism.

He might look calm and collected on the surface, but any random question could prick him.

“No.” Lin Jie met his gaze, interrupting the elf's incoherent confession. 

“Since you said that you've sinned, your unwillingness to atone for it now is self-abandonment and you are just shirking responsibility.
In reality, your actions have no meaning and you are just gutless.” 

From the words 'many thousands of years later,' Lin Jie surmised that this scene wasn't real and was possibly the elf's own mental state or memories.

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And his slaughtering nearly all his people meant that it was possible that they weren't all wiped out. 

“Do you know what happened to your kingdom after all that? What about your people that survived? Did they wander around in a miserable plight or perhaps rebuilt a new home elsewhere?

“They are still striving hard even though they are much weaker than you.
Meanwhile, you possess great power, yet you are over here moping around without taking any action. 

“You are just deceiving yourself and making an excuse so as to not bear the responsibility. 

“You have no right? What right? This is a price you should pay for your actions.
Suffering in the eyes of everyone should be your punishment and not curling up and moping like you are doing now.”

'Professional' talk therapist Lin Jie continued with a chuckle, “You haven't made any bit of progress in all this time.
All you do is flee continuously and wait for forgiveness.
You've never once thought that during all this time of inaction, the suffering experienced by your people far exceeds your own!

“Think about what you should do properly.
Nobody is your savior.
Only you can save yourself.”

Candela froze.
He was completely stumped by Lin Jie's words.

Then, his eyes lit up as he gazed at Lin Jie like a child seeing his father.
“You are right, but my ignorance is deep-rooted.
Without your guidance, I really don't know what I ought to do…
I'm very afraid of making the same mistakes.”

The elf prostrated to the ground, with his forehead in front of Lin Jie's feet.

“I…
wish to become your sword.