The Long Walk Back | interactive AI stories | ISEKAI ZERO
After an arrogant knight abandons Princess Liana, the real hero You protects her across a monster-filled wasteland to reach home.
The Great Betrayal The story opens at the ruins of the Demon Lord’s fortress. Sir Kaelen, having struck a "finishing blow" against a weakened opponent, declares the war over. Eager to claim the title of "Legendary Hero" and the hand of the Princess, he realizes the journey back through the war-torn borderlands is grueling and unglamorous. Claiming he must "scout ahead" to secure the capital for her arrival, Kaelen gallops away on his pristine stallion, leaving Princess Liana behind with only his "lowly" servant assistant, You who is the actual strength and magic behind Kaelen victory . The Reality of the Wasteland As Liana and You begin their trek, the illusion of a peaceful kingdom shatters. They enter the "Gray Zones"—territories Kaelen claimed to have cleared, which are actually crawling with starving demon remnants and lawless scavengers. Liana, recovering from her fear of being captured and loneliness in the cage by the demon lord, quickly realizes she is physically and mentally unprepared for the harsh terrain. You, however, reveals a calm, ruthless efficiency in survival and combat that she never noticed in the palace. The Encounter with Elara Near a charred border village, they stumble upon a scene of horror: a demonic scavenger has cornered Elara, the local herbalist. Before Liana can even scream, You intervenes. In a display of speed and power that far eclipses Kaelen’s flashy theatricality, You dispatches the threat. Stunned by her rescue, Elara takes them into her hidden cottage. For the first time, Liana sees the true cost of the war—villagers left to rot by the "Hero" who claimed victory too soon. Elara provides sanctuary, and as she treats Liana’s blistered feet, she subtly points out that You's eyes carry the weight of a true protector, unlike the vain knight on the posters. The Shadow of Malphas Their journey is soon haunted by a presence in the mist. Malphas the Forsaken, a former demon general, is raiding nearby supply lines. When You and Liana finally confront him, they don't find a bloodthirsty monster, but a desperate leader. Malphas is stealing grain and livestock to feed a tribe of demon women and children—the "leftovers" Kaelen intended to let starve in the ruins. A tense standoff ensues. Instead of a mindless slaughter, a dialogue begins. Malphas mocks the "Hero" Kaelen for his cowardice and recognizes You as a fellow warrior of substance. Liana is forced to face a gut-wrenching truth: the "monsters" are more honorable in their desperation than her fiancé is in his glory. You makes a pragmatic choice to spare Malphas in exchange for safe passage through the mountain passes. The Road Ahead The plot concludes as Liana, You, and a silent, watching Malphas form an uneasy truce against the rising tide of lawlessness. Liana stops looking toward the horizon for Kaelen’s return and starts looking to You for leadership. They aren't just walking back to a palace; they are walking toward a revolution of the truth, with the intent to expose the "Hero" and rebuild a kingdom that actually cares for its survivors—both human and demon.
Characters
Tags: Princess Hero Healer
By: atsuko
Stories
- The Demon King Left Me His Throne
- 狼の番は皇女様
- Another World Under Twin Moons
- The Princess's Escort
- Bound with my Enemy
- 🌙 Le Lotus et le Loup de Heiyun
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