Category: TFHITS

Sseeeak!

A dagger imbued with a rather powerful aura comes flying.

Tap.

I catch it between my index and middle fingers, and Xenia smiles slightly.

“Of course you caught it easily. You didn’t give me a sheath, so I just threw it. Hope that’s alright?”

“It would’ve been, as long as you didn’t throw it blade-first.”

“I wasn’t aiming to kill you. Just like you weren’t earlier.”

“Well, I was the one who provoked you first. It’s fine.”

“Mr. Mide Mohan. I see the rumors of the Sword master of No Killing being underestimated were true after all.”

I give a light nod in thanks and ask,

“So then, what brings you here today? You’re Xenia Seide, right?”

“You knew? Well, I suppose the Witch of Carnage must’ve told you.”

“……”

“What’s your relationship with Neril Slane?”

“We’re comrades.”

Xenia doesn’t look particularly surprised—maybe she expected this.

Instead, a faint trace of contempt creeps into her expression.

“There’s no need to go on about her infamy, is there? Especially for a freelance mercenary like you, who’s probably heard it a thousand times by now.”

“Well, that’s not wrong.”

“Haa… Fine. Anyway, as of today, I want you to sever ties with her.”

“……”

“Someone with your skills has far better options than sticking around with Neril. I don’t even understand why you’re doing mercenary work at your level. If you want, I could recommend you to the Central Capital.”

I keep a blank expression.

Xenia studies me carefully and continues,

“Of course, you can’t join the Holy Knights of Light without the ability to use divine power, but I could, for example, recommend you to Alkahad.”

“I’ve heard those two organizations don’t get along all that well.”

“You’re well-informed. Still, I could at least write you a letter of recommendation.”

“No thanks. I plan to stay with Neril.”

Her expression begins to vanish too.

“Why? Why go that far?”

“……”

“I’m not talking about morals—I’m being practical. The Witch is a target the Holy Knights of Light have been pursuing for decades, and you’ll face us eventually. Just like you’re facing me now.”

Of course, Xenia’s words are a misunderstanding.

As long as that secret agreement with Dame is in place, the Paladins won’t ‘genuinely’ oppose Neril.

[She’s pushing this far. Wouldn’t it be better to just tell her about the hidden contract?]

‘No. If I reveal the Holy Knights’ biggest secret here, Xenia will go confront Dame, and Dame will start seriously watching me.’

[And?]

‘And nothing. I’m supposed to become a Hero, remember?’

Opposing the capital—especially the Holy Knights—would only create obstacles on my path.

Even if I manage to hijack the Oracle event with Neril’s help, if the Holy Knights declare it false, things could get complicated.

At least until I reach the status of an undisputed Hero within the Empire, I must avoid direct conflict with them.

It’s best to stay on good terms with anyone who holds influence in the Empire, not just the Holy Knights.

[Heh. I’ll allow that logic—for now.]

‘What’s that supposed to mean.’

[I thought you were just doing this because you hated seeing Dame burn something Neril valued.]

‘Hah. Like I’d care that much about her personal life.’

[If you say so. Hehe.]

Instead of arguing with Trail, I say to Xenia,

“I’m not particularly afraid.”

“…! Do you realize what you just said? You’re saying you’re not afraid of the Holy Knights of Light?”

“Their political power, sure, that’s intimidating. But if it comes to pure combat, I’m confident I can overpower them.”

“Earlier, I said the Sword master of No Killing might be underestimated. But you—you might be overestimating yourself.”

“Hm. I don’t know. For reference, I’m stronger than Neril.”

Xenia falls silent, lips tightly shut.

I continue,

“You must’ve seen traces of our battle back in the Quelk territory. I won that fight.”

I feel a little guilty saying this, but let’s go with it for now.

Gulp.

Even from here, I can see Xenia swallow hard.

She slowly responds,

“Even so, I can’t agree with what you said earlier. After all, my fa… the Captain defeated Neril too.”

“That was…”

…a lie, is what I almost say—but swallow the words.

Neril just agreed to count that as a loss.

But if I say that to someone who respects Dame absolutely, like Xenia, she’d probably draw her sword on the spot.

So I change the subject.

“By the way, may I ask something too?”

“No. Not until you answer my question.”

“Your attitude suggests this is more than official duty. Did the Witch of Carnage personally harm you in some way?”

“…Why even ask if you’re going to talk like that.”

Xenia sighs, but answers without resistance.

“She was my friend.”

“You’re saying Neril killed her?”

“No. She simply disappeared.”

“……”

“She was a Holy Knight, like me. One day, while on a mission, she vanished without a trace. And the last place she was seen was soaked in the Witch’s mana.”

Ah. So, in accordance with the hidden contract, Neril spread her mana around the scene.

To make sure the investigators would blame her.

“What was your friend’s name?”

“Why do you want to know?”

“I want to ask Neril about it.”

Xenia raises her eyebrows sharply.

She looks furious, but still answers.

“Hmph. Ophelia Mace. Go ahead and ask—though I doubt she’ll tell you.”

Ophelia Mace.

That name wasn’t on Neril’s blood-written list.

Meaning she didn’t commit a sin against her.

But since there are so many names on that list, maybe I just forgot.

And even if she didn’t commit a crime, there could still be a secret. So I should check again.

‘Tell me the secret between Neril Slane and Ophelia Mace.’

[Hm.]

Soon, a screen appears.

<You have used the Eye of Omniscience.>

<Current level of the Eye of Omniscience: 2. You can view secrets up to Grade C.>

<Selected condition: ‘The secret between Neril Slane and Ophelia Mace.’>

<There are no relevant secrets. Viewing not possible.>

Just as I expected.

‘So how did the pre-regression Kaeld convince Xenia and make her accept this?’

No point in worrying about it.

I don’t need to follow that guy’s path anyway.

I speak.

“Let’s do it this way, Xenia.”

“Yes?”

“I’m going to stay with Neril. But I’ll make sure she doesn’t cause any more calamities.”

“You think you can control that witch?”

“You don’t believe me, right? Then come find me at the inn I’m staying at in two days. We’ll take care of this situation together.”

Xenia tilts her head.

“This situation?”

“Yes. And if, after this is all over, you still think I can’t keep her in check—you can take her away.”

“Hmph. You talk like you’re giving permission. Wouldn’t it be faster if I just arrest you and drag her off right now?”

Shrring.

Xenia draws her sword.

It’s been a while since I’ve seen her signature weapon.

The holy sword Caesar, forged by a god during the descent of the second Demon King.

Though it’s known more for its numerous divine enchantments than its blade’s sharpness… well, she’s clearly drawing it to attack.

Of course, unlike with Neril, I had no intention of fighting her.

“Well then, I’ll be running away.”

“…What?”

“I’ll say goodbye in advance. See you in two days.”

“Hah. Nonsense. Do you really think you can escape right in front of me?”

Before she even finished speaking, I pushed strength into my legs.

‘Quick Sprint!’

[Ow. Name, please.]

The next moment.

A tremendous burst of air slammed against my face.

I saw Xenia’s stunned face flash past me.

And then, in a moment too brief to even measure, she swung her sword in my direction.

Whoosh!

But I was already about 500 meters away from that spot.

“Phew.”

I let out a breath and thought to myself:

‘Kaled really was an idiot.’

[I agree. Though… agree with what?]

‘You agreed without even knowing?’

[If it’s about trashing that guy, I’ll agree first and ask questions later.]

‘See, that’s what I mean.’

I lifted my arm to show it.

The end of my sleeve had been sliced off.

No one had ever reacted to my ‘Quick Sprint’ technique like this before.

“Before the regression, I had no idea Xenia was this good. Kaled always only asked her for defense and teleportation using Agril.”

[Hmm.]

“He didn’t even properly understand his own party members capabilities. He never learned how to use the right person in the right place.”

[Or maybe he thought it would be troublesome if she performed too well. If she ended up perfectly fine even after fighting the Demon King, that could’ve messed up the plan.]

I had to admit Trail had a point.

Clack.

When I got back to the inn, Neril greeted me from a table on the first floor.

Without a word, I sat across from her.

“Didn’t you say you were going to sleep earlier?”

“I woke up. I’m sensitive—if the pillow’s not soft, I wake up easily.”

Ah. That’s why, before the regression, you always set up a proper bed even when camping outdoors.

I didn’t expect her to wait for me.

Thinking that Neril had surprised me several times today, I smiled lightly and said:

“You’ve changed a lot too.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Anyway, it’s all wrapped up now, so let’s get some rest. Xenia will be coming here the day after tomorrow.”

“…Huh?”

“We’ve decided to work together on this.”

I briefly summarized the conversation I had with Xenia.

Unsurprisingly, Neril didn’t seem to recognize the name Ophelia.

“So Dame killed his own subordinate? And even tried to pin it on me?”

“Most likely.”

“If I tell anyone about this, it’ll blow up—for both Dame and Xenia.”

“That’s why I’m planning to keep it a secret for now. Stirring things up could end with us making enemies of the entire Holy Knights of Light.”

“Didn’t think you’d be the type to fear something like that.”

“I am. It could seriously damage my reputation. Those guys are geniuses at manipulating public opinion.”

“Yeah. That’s true. But honestly, I think it’s more like…”

She trailed off.

Then, after hesitating a bit, she asked:

“Is it because of me? Because you’re afraid Dame might burn ‘that item’?”

She’s saying the same thing Trail did.

I was about to deny it, but Neril spoke before I could.

Abruptly changing the subject, a little awkwardly.

“Your sleeve’s cut. That Xenia woman must be pretty skilled?”

“She’s definitely stronger than Dame.”

“Well, obviously. Dame’s weak as hell.”

For a second, I almost felt sorry for Dame.

---

Shwing.

Xenia only sheathed her sword 30 minutes after Mide had disappeared.

That Sword master of No Killing had used some bizarre technique and had zipped past her at an unbelievable speed.

She had swung her sword at the afterimage, but of course, she didn’t hit anything. Though it had felt like something brushed against her blade.

And when she came to her senses, he was completely out of her line of sight.

All of those actions and reactions had occurred in just 0.5 seconds.

And for a full 30 minutes, Xenia had been replaying that 0.5 seconds in her mind.

‘What if I’d reacted the moment he began gathering strength in his legs? Could I have cut him then?’

She had asked herself that question multiple times, but the answer was always the same: I don’t know.

Tremble.

She realized her right hand was shaking and grabbed it with her left.

But it didn’t help much.

Her left hand was shaking too.

For the first time, Xenia asked a different question out loud:

“Would Father have been able to cut him?”

This time, the answer came much more quickly.

It wasn’t I don’t know.

It was: No way.

She had already surpassed her father. She had no doubt about that.

And if even she couldn’t track that afterimage—how could her father possibly have cut him?

“Kh…”

Xenia bit her lip.

She needed to find out.

How Mide had become so absurdly powerful.

And what exactly he was planning to do in this territory.

By now, the existence of Neril had completely vanished from her mind.

Xenia watched as Mide and Neril entered the mercenary guild.

Where was she watching from, you ask? From the sky.

“Grrrr.”

“Shh. Surprised? It’s okay now.”

She gently patted the back of Agril, the divine steed she was riding, calming it.

This beast, which greatly resembled the legendary dragon, was one of the Empire’s precious but ‘useless’ treasures.

It was capable of crossing the continent from end to end in just ten days, an incredible speed—but no one had ever been permitted to ride it.

The fact that no one had… meant now someone could.

Xenia Seide.

Vice-Captain of the Holy Knights of Light, she was a master capable of riding and controlling Agril, who had not appeared for 300 years.

She pulled a communication orb from her bosom.

“Captain Father.”

—Call me one or the other. Don’t combine them.

Xenia’s face turned red, but she quickly spoke with forced calm.

“I’ve found Neril. Or to be precise, I found Neril and Mide. They’ve entered the mercenary guild of the Lior territory.”

—I see. I’ll send backup. Until then, just observe them.

“…”

—You must not contact Neril recklessly. Remember my words…

“But, Captain.”

She cut Dame off with a slightly tense voice.

“I think I’ve been spotted.”

—What?

“Mide suddenly stood in the middle of the road and pointed a dagger… no, he pointed directly at me.”

—That’s impossible! Agril is a divine beast. It doesn’t use mana or anything like that. Not even the Witch of Carnage should be able to detect it.

From hundreds of meters in the sky—how could anyone possibly notice?

But Xenia was sure.

“It wasn’t the witch. I said it was Mide who pointed at me.”

—That’s even more absurd. He’s just a mercenary.

“As I’ve said, Mide isn’t just any regular mercenary.”

—…All the more reason to be cautious. Return at once.

“…”

—Xenia?

Xenia hesitated for a long while before finally speaking.

“He didn’t run or hide after spotting me. He walked confidently into the guild. I think he’s sure I won’t stop them.”

—…

“I can’t just go back like this. I’ll confront him myself.”

—Xenia!

“Don’t worry. I’m not going to fight. Ending communication.”

—W-wait!

Click.

Xenia slipped the orb back into her clothes and glanced to the side.

There lay a single dagger, calmly set down.

‘This was a provocation, wasn’t it?’

When that dagger grazed past her ear, she had felt chills over her entire body.

It was incredible enough that he noticed Agril, but he even threw a dagger at it.

And that dagger had disregarded the hundreds of meters of altitude and came flying like lightning.

But the most surprising thing was—

‘There was no killing intent. It wasn’t thrown to kill.’

So he really lives up to the name, the “Sword master of No Killing.”

Xenia’s curiosity was piqued.

Why did he send that invitation?

What does he want to say to her?

Just for a moment—a very brief one—Xenia’s thoughts had shifted.

Neril was no longer the primary focus in her mind. Mide was.

Though she didn’t realize it herself.

---

Suddenly, I was reminded of one universal truth.

Trail is noisy.

[Why the hell did you throw that? Are you out of your mind?]

‘Calm down.’

[I heard Neril and Xenia don’t get along. We’re already busy building up a reputation in the Lior territory. Why did you go and invite trouble?]

‘That’s exactly why.’

[Huh?]

‘Right now, Xenia’s head is probably filled with thoughts of Neril. Honestly, I’m impressed she didn’t attack on sight.’

[And?]

‘I needed to shift some of that attention from Neril to me. Otherwise, how could I even get a word in?’

Trail seemed convinced, but still grumbled in his usual way.

[Still, throwing a dagger? That’s one hell of a first impression.]

Well, the Xenia I know would probably find that interesting.

Anyway, we’ll see how it plays out.

First, let’s deal with the matter at hand.

We were now facing the guild master of the Lior territory’s mercenary guild.

Since I’d shown him my proof of identity, he’d been rubbing his hands together like a fly on a feast.

“I never expected the famous Sword master of No Killing to visit a backwater place like this.”

“Please, speak comfortably. And how is this a backwater? In terms of land size, this territory ranks pretty high, doesn’t it?”

“The output of this vast land is dead last in the Empire. Everyone’s too lazy to actually work.”

“And the lord of the land just lets that slide?”

“The lord’s the laziest of them all. He probably finds supervising too bothersome.”

At that, Neril chuckled softly.

The guild master looked at her, as if just remembering something, and asked:

“And this lady is?”

I was about to answer, but Neril beat me to it.

“A noble lady.”

“…”

“What? That’s how you introduced me to the coachman.”

I ignored her and responded to the guild master.

“Just an acquaintance. Not a mercenary, so you don’t have to mind her.”

“Hmm. Got it.”

“Anyway, I’m here today to ask for a favour.”

“Anything you need. But… may I spread the word that Mide has taken a request through our guild?”

“That’s fine by me.”

Once our little deal was struck, the guild master’s expression turned serious.

“Please, tell me.”

“Among the requests registered in the guild, find one where I can encounter the Martial King.”

“M-Martial King? You mean Lord Terce Crine?”

…Who’s that?

“You mean Artwil Garen, the Martial King…?”

“…”

“Yes. Terce Crine.”

Neril turned away, holding back her laughter.

We’ll talk later.

“Hmm. I’m not sure what you’re thinking, but we don’t have any requests related to him.”

“I’m not looking for something submitted by him or requiring direct cooperation. I just need a request where I might encounter the Martial King.”

“Well… wait.”

He suddenly started rummaging through the pile of request forms, as if something came to mind.

And then it happened.

Zing.

I felt the hair on the back of my neck stand on end and quickly looked toward the window.

Neril did the same.

‘Whoa. That’s a sharp killing intent.’

[Hmm. Looks like the guild master doesn’t notice it.]

‘It’s being aimed only at those it’s meant for. They’re controlling this thick intent very precisely. Definitely hero-level skill.’

Xenia.

The dagger I threw had done its job.

Even while she held hostility toward Neril, she refrained from immediately arresting, interrogating, or attacking us.

At the very least, she had developed a curiosity about me—enough not to act right away.

At that moment, the completely oblivious, and calm, guild master spoke up.

“Did you know? This place may be called the land of the lazy now, but it used to be bustling twenty years ago.”

“Really?”

“About twenty years ago, an unexplained laziness started spreading through the land. Half a year later, the lord submitted a request.”

Tap.

He placed a very old, worn document on the table.

—Find and resolve the cause of the laziness spreading through the territory!

The guild master spoke in a gloomy voice.

“It’s a request that’s remained unresolved for twenty whole years.”

“Hmmm.”

“If you accept this request, you’ll likely be able to meet the lord. And always by the lord’s side is the Martial King, Lord Terce.”

“I understand what you mean. I’ll take the request.”

“I’m sorry to dampen the mood right from the start, but this might stain your reputation, Sir Mide.”

In the past, I might’ve brushed that off, but not anymore.

Reputation.

Just that word made my body flinch.

I carefully accepted the document and said,

“I’ll have to go all in.”

“Whew. I don’t know what’s going on, but alright. I’ll send word.”

“Thank you. How long do you think it’ll take?”

“Two days should be enough.”

I nodded and asked another question.

“What exactly does the Martial King do in this territory?”

“He’s the commander of the lord’s personal knights. But it’s mostly an honorary title—he’s just listed by name. His actual role is guarding the lord from close quarters.”

“If what you’re saying is true, then an expert ranked among the top ten in the Empire is guarding the lord of this rural backwater?”

“He first set foot on the path of the sword when he joined the knight order of this land. He must have deep ties to it.”

Doesn’t seem like that’s the real reason.

Anyway, now that I’d gotten the gist, I stood from my seat.

“Understood. Let me know when preparations are ready. I’ll be staying at the inn.”

But Neril didn’t stand with me.

I motioned with my eyes, but she remained seated, gazing distantly out the window.

“…Did I do something wrong to her?”

“What are you talking about?”

“Don’t play dumb. You can feel this weird vibe too, can’t you?”

I scratched my head.

Both Neril and I had lived lives that made us sensitive to hostility.

Maybe that’s why she seemed unusually upset.

“This is so annoying. I’ve never even crossed paths with that woman before, so why is she picking a fight the moment we meet… No, even before that.”

“There was a time.”

“Huh?”

“Uh… never mind. It’s nothing. Let’s just get up.”

“You’re staying pretty calm even with all this pressure, huh? Unless I’m mistaken, that woman seems to have already surpassed Dame.”

She should have.

Dame is only ranked third in the Empire.

[Heh. I see. Only third-ranked…]

‘…’

[Wait! That messes up the whole equation.]

‘Still talking to yourself, I see.’

[Yeah. I developed that habit thanks to you constantly ignoring me.]

When did I ever ignore you?

[Aren’t both Neril and Xenia in the hero tier? But thirty years ago when Dame and Neril clashed, Neril was almost killed, right?]

‘I never said that. I just repeated the rumors that said so.’

Trail went quiet for a moment, then asked:

[So that was part of the covert contract too?]

‘Yup. It had to look like everything was under perfect control for the people. Even if Neril slipped away, the message was that the Holy Knights of Light are much stronger, so the public could rest easy.’

[Phew. The world’s just overflowing with lies. No wonder Idria was so strong.]

His cryptic remark made me tilt my head.

‘What’s that supposed to mean?’

[You’ll see. Or maybe not. Doesn’t matter.]

I pressed him a few more times, but Trail never opened his mouth again.

---

That night.

Just as I was thinking about lying down, something slipped under the door.

A letter—no, just a note.

—Tonight at 11. Near the south gate.

[That’s the shortest invitation I have ever seen.]

‘Or maybe it’s a challenge.’

[It’s from Xenia, right?]

The inn staff may have delivered it, but there was no doubt who had written it.

I grabbed my sword and stepped out.

And there she was—Neril, standing in the hallway. I had assumed she would be fast asleep by now.

“What, not sleeping?”

“Got a lot on my mind.”

“Still thinking about earlier?”

“…”

Neril looked out the window once.

“I’ve been going over it in my head, and I’m sure I didn’t do anything to Xenia.”

“…”

“But maybe… maybe I did something I didn’t realize.”

“That’s not it.”

I answered firmly.

Neril’s blood-written list had many names—far more than the number of true culprits—but Xenia’s name was nowhere to be found.

Neril widened her eyes and asked,

“How can you be so sure?”

“Most of the horrors you’ve been blamed for were false charges you willingly took on. This is probably just another case of that. It’s a matter of probability.”

“Huh. Doesn’t feel that way to me.”

“…”

“Still… I hope you’re right.”

I tilted my head.

“Not sure how this’ll sound, but you never struck me as the kind of person to care about this stuff.”

“I wasn’t. But now, if my infamy affects you negatively, that’s a problem.”

“What?”

“You said it yourself—you won’t let me keep racking up infamy. Doesn’t that mean the bad reputation I already have is an issue too? I’m not really sure, but…”

“…”

“I just don’t like that idea.”

I was honestly stunned.

Never imagined she would say something like that.

Neril frowned at my surprised expression and said,

“What’s with that face?”

“Hmph. Nothing.”

“Anyway, going somewhere?”

“Yeah.”

“Did Xenia send an invitation or something?”

Strange.

Neril stretched and added,

“I don’t need to tag along, right?”

“More like—you shouldn’t.”

“Pfft. Fair enough. Well, have fun. I’ll head to bed.”

“You could at least pretend to worry. I am meeting the Vice-Captain of the Holy Knights of Light, you know.”

Neril laughed like she’d just heard the world’s funniest joke.

“There are better people to worry about.”

---

I arrived at the meeting spot and scanned the area. Then I heard the sound of footsteps approaching.

Golden hair and blue eyes.

Except when dealing with Neril before the regression, Xenia usually wore a gentle expression.

Whoosh. Tap.

She tossed the dagger I’d thrown earlier into the air and caught it.

And before any greeting or introduction, she said:

“I’m returning this.”

 

“No, wait a minute.”

…Was what I meant to say, but the screen popped up first.

<Error. ‘The Secret Between Neril Slane and Dame Seide.’ This is classified as B-Rank.>

<You must reach Eye of Omniscience Level 3 to access it.>

‘……’

[……]

‘Got nothing to say?’

[Hmm. A woman with many secrets is always attractive, you know.]

I ignored Trail’s answer and fell into thought.

A secret involving someone named May Enerika was also B-Rank.

If it’s on the same level as Neril’s core secret, then whatever ‘that item’ Dame has must be incredibly valuable.

Just then, Neril spoke.

“Sorry. I still can’t tell you…”

“Anyway, what’s the reward?”

“Uh, huh?”

“The reward Dame promised. I’m very interested in shiny things.”

Maybe realizing I was deliberately changing the subject, Neril’s expression softened.

She answered in a light tone, playing along.

“A magpie, are you?”

“Worse than that.”

“Pfft. It’s just jewels and gold coins. And Dame is mistaken. I’m not so desperate for rewards anymore.”

Because the person who was supposed to give the reward is already dead.

Neril seemed to be implying that.

“So that grave keeper old man partnered with the Empire for a comfortable retirement?”

“You really are quick on the uptake. Yeah, the butler’s warehouse had piles of gold and silver higher than a person’s height. He just stuffed it all in without spending a single coin.”

“And you knew that and still kept accepting the rewards?”

“I considered it the bare minimum atonement.”

I didn’t bother asking what that meant.

Neril continued.

“Of course, all that treasure was stolen by Grey’s gang.”

“Aha. They all lived ‘successful’ lives on the continent, huh. I always wondered how those pieces of trash made it big—turns out they cashed in there.”

“Grey’s tool shop probably had the same story.”

She let out a light sigh.

I scratched my head and asked,

“So? If Xenia shows up, are you going to go along with the interrogation willingly?”

“Hmm. I’d love to kick up a fuss, but that might mess with your ‘Path of the Hero,’ right?”

“I’ll have to meet her to know for sure.”

“Then meet her and decide. I’ll do whatever you want.”

I opened my eyes wide in surprise, not expecting her to say that.

Then our eyes met.

We awkwardly turned our heads away at the same time.

Trail chimed in.

[No way… You guys aren’t going to stay like this forever, are you?]

‘What are you on about.’

[Anyway, this next part is going to be really interesting.]

‘Huh?’

[Xenia Seide. Nicknamed the God’s Agent. A holy knight who emits more divine power than most high-ranking priests. And most importantly—]

He continued in a subtle tone.

[She’s your former party member.]

He was right.

Xenia Seide was one of the members of the hero’s party.

The fourth person Kaeld successfully recruited.

He currently has three heroes under his wing… in other words, the next target(?) is Xenia.

[In other words, Kaeld hasn’t gotten to her yet. This is your chance—bring her over to your side.]

‘It’s not that simple.’

[Eh?]

‘Neril and Xenia. The two of them had an absolutely horrible relationship.’

I recalled my memories from before the regression.

Xenia was the fourth person Kaeld recruited.

And Neril was the fifth.

When they first met, Xenia treated Neril like a mortal enemy… even said she’d leave the party if Neril joined.

[Hmm. Well, one’s a witch and the other’s a holy knight.]

‘No, it’s not just bad chemistry. There’s a backstory between them.’

[A backstory?]

‘Yeah. And the one who resolved that story was Kaeld himself. That was the moment Xenia truly came to believe in him as the Hero.’

I stopped there and stared silently at Neril, who was now munching on an apple.

“What? Want one?”

“Yeah.”

“Here. Ten guilds.”

“Okay. Just a sec.”

“No, no—it’s fine. I was just kidding. Don’t actually pull out money. That’s embarrassing.”

Flick.

Neril tossed me an apple.

And then, for some reason, bit into her own apple a bit more hastily than before.

[So what is the backstory?]

‘Anyway, in my current position, I can’t afford to go against the capital. It’s hard to resolve things between the two of them right now. What to do…’

[Hey! I asked you what the backstory was!]

‘At the very least, I need to prevent them from going at each other’s throats. Maybe if I tell Xenia I’ll handle it later, she’ll believe me?’

[Hello?? Are you ignoring me again?]

‘Well, I’ll do what I can. If I earn a lot of trust through this mission, it might work out somehow.’

[I’m gonna cry. I really will, I swear.]

I could almost hear the sound of someone sniffing in sync with my sadness.

Though I was probably imagining it.

---

As we neared the Lior Territory, a piece of good news arrived.

<Ding! Your level has increased.>

<Level: Slightly Famous.>

<Your name is spreading throughout the Drucker territory. (All points retrieved!)>

<Your name is spreading throughout the Quelk territory. (All points retrieved!)>

<Reputation Points Needed for Next Level: 1,760 / 20,000>

All the points from the Quelk territory had been retrieved, and I had leveled up.

That gave me ten seconds of joy… and thirty minutes of despair.

Thanks to what Trail said next.

[Well done. Now that your level’s gone up, you can see Kaeld’s fame level in detail. Well, technically, you can see everyone’s fame levels now.]

‘Show me. Right now.’

[You sure you want to see it? You ready for this?]

‘I’m a so-called “slightly famous” person now. Show me without worry.’

With a solemn sound, Trail brought up the display.

The usual continental map showed our respective domains in different colors.

In the center of each domain, numbers appeared.

<Mide Mohan: 1,760>

<Kaeld Wake: 20,450>

…Huh?

“This has to be a mistake.”

I accidentally said it out loud, and Neril tilted her head.

“What is?”

“How do I explain this… It’s like starving for days and finally getting a drumstick in your mouth, only to watch someone toss away a full roast turkey, saying they’re too full.”

“……”

Neril didn’t respond.

She seemed to have given up trying to understand.

Thanks to that, I had a bit of time to complain to Trail.

‘What the hell has that bastard even been doing to be so damn famous?!’

[This might be the first time I’ve seen you yell.]

‘Haa…’

[Calm down. He started this “playing hero” thing several years before you. You can’t help it if you had a different starting line.]

‘If it was going to be like this, they might as well have sent me back ten years, not just seven.’

[Uh… I’m sorry? Is “sorry” the right thing to say here?]

My sigh only deepened.

---

The carriage arrived at the territory of Lior.

As I paid the coachman, he spoke.

“But you folks… you’re mercenaries, right?”

“That’s correct.”

“Nope.”

Neril and I gave completely opposite answers.

The coachman tilted his head, confused, then continued.

“If you’re mercenaries, it won’t be easy to find work around here.”

“Sounds like a peaceful region.”

“Hmm, more like… the whole town’s full of lazybones.”

A town of lazybones.

The coachman didn’t say it to mock them.

Around this time before my regression, Lior was practically a symbol of laziness.

As if it were agreed upon, the townsfolk didn’t even get out of bed until 10 a.m.

Then they wrapped up their daily work around 4 p.m. and went home.

And by 9 p.m., it was lights out.

Their bizarre routine, like that of small children, had even become a running joke in neighbouring territories.

Neril spoke.

“Ah, I get it now. It’s such a lazy town, there aren’t even any mercenary requests.”

“That’s right. Ironically, this is the land governed by the ‘Martial King.’”

“Who’s that?”

When Neril asked, the coachman looked flabbergasted.

I smoothly cut in.

“Please understand. This young lady was raised quite delicately—she doesn’t know much of the world.”

“Ah, well, that explains it. Even her tone had the air of nobility. If I’ve been rude in any way—”

“Not at all, so don’t worry. We’ll be going now.”

“Take care.”

The coachman bowed a full ninety degrees, probably thinking I was the lady’s bodyguard.

Once he had left, Neril spoke.

“‘Young lady,’ huh. Has a nice ring to it.”

Get a grip.

[You get a grip. You’re the one who got Rena to call you ‘big brother.’]

I ignored that and opened my mouth.

“Seriously though, you really don’t know who the Martial King is? You’ve had dealings with the Empire.”

“You keep going on about the Empire, but to be precise, the only person I’ve dealt with is that bastard Dame Seide, Captain of the Holy Knights of Light. It’s not like we’re close or anything.”

“Hmm.”

“The only imperial organization tracking me is the Holy Knights, right? So I only bothered learning about them.”

“You should work on building some general knowledge from now on.”

“Hearing that from the most nonsensical guy I’ve ever met is… weirdly insulting.”

That’s harsh—especially to someone as exemplary and reasonable as me.

“So anyway, who’s this Martial King?”

“Terce Crine. If you ranked the Empire’s power players, he’d be around tenth. He’s from this region, and about ten years ago, he entered a martial tournament in the capital as the local lord’s proxy and won.”

“Hm.”

“And not just won—it was an overwhelming victory. The Imperial Academy even tried to scout him, but he turned them down. He’s deeply attached to his hometown, Lior.”

Despite my enthusiastic explanation, Neril looked completely uninterested.

She glanced around instead.

It was 2 p.m.

A time when most people should be busy at work, but the territory was eerily silent, like a ghost town.

Neril spoke in an intrigued voice.

“The coachman was right. Everyone really is a lazybones.”

“If someone answers your question, try listening properly.”

“I did listen.”

“Then tell me the Martial King’s name.”

“Artwill Garen.”

Unbelievable.

Not a single letter was right!

“Close enough?”

“Sure…”

I gave up trying to explain.

Neril asked,

“Anyway, where are we headed? How are we supposed to make a name for ourselves here?”

“Let’s go to the mercenary guild first.”

“Huh? Didn’t the coachman say there wouldn’t be any work because everyone’s so lazy?”

I smiled lightly and answered.

“If there isn’t any, we’ll just make some.”

Lior may be infamous now as a land of lazybones, but in a few years, it becomes known for something else entirely.

One of the quests the so-called “Hero Party” received after it formed under Kaeld was here, in Lior.

[Wasn’t the quest to kill the Demon King?]

‘Kaeld judged the Demon King too powerful. So instead of charging straight at him, he decided to tighten the party’s bonds and level up through various quests around the continent.’

[Hmm. And the quest in Lior was what?]

I paused a moment, then answered.

‘Kill the Martial King.’

[What? What are you talking about?]

‘It’s complicated. You’ll see soon enough.’

[…]

‘Besides, there’s something more urgent to deal with right now.’

I said that and stopped walking, looking up at the sky.

Neril took a few more steps before turning back to look at me.

“What are you doing? Spacing out all of a sudden?”

“You don’t see it?”

I pointed to a spot in the sky.

Neril squinted in the direction I was pointing.

“Something’s flying… Isn’t it just a bird?”

“Your eyesight sucks.”

“Yeah, it sucks. Must be nice to have good eyes.”

“Hm. It’s far from ordinary magic, so I get it.”

“Seriously, what is it?”

Instead of answering, I pulled out a dagger.

Then I bent my body backward, almost touching the ground with my hand.

Neril recognized the pose and stepped back.

Creak…

The muscles in my right arm swelled to the point where the word “bulging” wasn’t enough.

And then—

Shwaaak!

The dagger shot upward at a terrifying speed.

I took a light breath and straightened my posture.

‘Consider that a greeting. It’s been a while, Xenia.’

 

Clack.

Xenia set down her teacup and continued speaking.

“The authority to investigate and judge matters within the territory lies with you, my lord. We only investigate what’s considered ‘unusual.’”

“……”

“For example, the Witch of Carnage.”

Frank’s back stiffened.

“Surely you’re not saying that witch is in our territory?”

“When the Witch of Carnage uses magic, she leaves behind a strong remains. It’s so unique and thick that it’s easily identifiable.”

“……”

“Our Knights Order has dispatched affiliated mages to every territory on the continent, and Quelk was no exception.”

Baron Frank’s face twisted.

That meant a spy from the capital had been openly operating in his territory.

But Xenia spoke on, unconcerned.

“We received a report not long ago that the Witch of Carnage’s mana had been detected. She’s such a major figure that I had no choice but to come personally.”

“……”

“Before I came to see you, I found traces of a battle in the open field north of the territory. Without a doubt, it was her doing. She fought someone.”

“Fought the witch, did they? Whoever it was, I’ll say a prayer for their soul.”

“I’m not so sure.”

Xenia furrowed her delicate brow.

“It might actually be the opposite.”

“Pardon?”

“On the way here, I heard a rumor spreading through the territory. About Mide Mohan. Apparently, a great mercenary arrested a notorious criminal who had been tormenting the people. And they say there was a woman at Mide’s side.”

Frank recalled the woman who had stood behind Mide like a lifeless doll.

That woman was the Witch of Carnage?

A cold sweat ran down his back.

“Looks like you recognize the description.”

“There was indeed a woman who accompanied Mide.”

“Tell me more.”

“Well… I never actually spoke with her. Mide led all the conversations while the woman simply listened.”

“The witch did that? She’s not the obedient type.”

“I’m just telling you what I saw. It felt like Mide had full control over the situation.”

A glint of interest appeared in Xenia’s eyes.

After a bit more conversation, she realized she had nothing else to learn from the baron and stood to leave.

She found a quiet bench in the garden, sat down, and took something from her coat.

It was a communication orb.

A device developed by one of the heroes who appeared during the descent of the Second Demon King—Archmage Iori Otix.

Xenia brought the orb to her lips and spoke.

“Father—no, I’m sorry.”

–Hm?

“Captain, I’m reporting in.”

–No need to be so formal. You’re still my daughter.

“That was a slip. I shouldn’t have said that during official business.”

–Fine, fine. So, did you learn anything?

“Yes. As we suspected, it appears to be the work of the Witch of Carnage.”

–I figured. Dammit, things were quiet for a while, and now this chaos.

Xenia shook her head.

Then, in a slightly quieter voice, she continued.

“I think it’s a bit different this time. The Witch of Carnage wasn’t alone.”

–What?

“My impression is… well, I don’t know if this term suits that witch, but it seems she has a companion.”

–That’s impossible.

“And not just any companion. Apparently, some lowlife caused a disturbance here in the territory, but the witch delegated everything related to the incident to her new companion. And that companion was…”

–Go on.

“Mide Mohan. You may not know him well, Captain, but in the mercenary world, he’s already reached the top. He’s a formidable expert.”

There was silence on the other end as if he were gathering his thoughts.

Xenia waited a bit longer and then asked,

“What should I do?”

–What happened to the lowlife? Another one of the witch’s poor victims?

“No, and that’s what’s strange. Mide turned him over to the lord and exposed all of his crimes. He was tried through formal procedures and is now imprisoned. Though… it seemed the trial had a personal grudge behind it.”

–Still, it followed proper procedures?

“Yes.”

Even as she said it, Xenia couldn’t quite believe it.

Who was the Witch of Carnage?

Thirty years ago, even after being completely beaten down by her father—this very man on the other end of the call—she had continued to commit heinous crimes across the continent. A criminal whose name would be etched into human history.

And now she’d gone and reported a petty criminal? And been welcomed by the people?

–I don’t understand it.

“Maybe she’s finally repenting. Perhaps what happened with you changed her mentally. Made her think, ‘I need to be humble.’”

Dame, her father, noticed that she had accidentally called him “Father” earlier but chose not to mention it.

Instead, he brought up something else.

–That can’t be. That was thirty years ago. And as you know, for the past thirty years, Neril has committed atrocity after atrocity—brazenly.

“…She did.”

Of course, that was a lie.

A hidden deal between the Empire and Neril.

The Empire promised her safety and compensation. In return, Neril accepted infamy under her name.

Nearly all the atrocities attributed to Neril after that event thirty years ago were actually committed by the Empire.

And leading that dark enterprise was the Captain of the Holy Knights of Light—Xenia’s father, Dame.

The tragic part? Xenia didn’t know any of that.

As Dame listened to his daughter’s report, he pondered:

‘Why? The Empire gains a villain to carry the blame, and the witch gains safety and rewards. I thought it was a fair trade—so why would she have a change of heart?’

Is she trying to clear her name now?

Did something happen to stir her feelings?

That would be a problem.

The puppet used to cover up the Empire’s filth must not rebel.

Meanwhile, Xenia asked,

“So what should I do now?”

–Hmm. For now, return to headquarters.

That’s when it happened.

For the first time, Xenia’s tone—until now full of respect and deference—changed.

She spoke in a cold voice.

“I refuse.”

–What?

“Oh—sorry. That came out wrong. I don’t mean to refuse. I just… want to ask why.”

Dame let out a low sigh.

Xenia’s tone earlier hadn’t come from mere professional enthusiasm .

And Dame understood exactly what she was thinking.

But he pretended not to know

–It’s too dangerous.

“I’m strong.”

–……

“This part won’t be on record, but I’ll say it clearly: I’m stronger than you.”

Realizing she was getting emotional, Xenia tried her best to calm herself.

Then she racked her brain.

She needed a logical justification for why she couldn’t return now.

After a short while, she thought of something useful.

“Captain. We need to confirm something. As I mentioned, she has a companion now.”

–……

“We need to determine whether this Mide person is a benefit to Neril or to us. Based on what’s happened so far, it looks like he benefits us—but who can say? I’ll find out myself.”

–Hmm.

“I’ll contact you after I locate the witch. Please send support then.”

Dame acknowledged his daughter’s skills.

He knew full well that Xenia could hold her own against Neril.

And that was precisely the problem.

‘With that upright personality, if she finds out about the secret contract between the Empire and the witch, she’ll cause a huge uproar.’

Especially if she finds out that ‘that incident’ had nothing to do with Neril.

After a moment of silence, Dame spoke.

—Even so, what if I order you to return?

“I’ll probably resign from the Holy Knights of Light. That way, I wouldn’t be obligated to follow Father’s orders.”

—What?

“I’ve been entrusted with the heavy responsibility of serving in the Holy Knights of Light. I just can’t accept stepping back when we’ve finally discovered Neril’s whereabouts after she’s been missing for years.”

At his daughter’s response, Dame instinctively realized—

That persuading her any further was impossible.

‘There’s no helping it. I’ll have to give Neril a heads-up first.’

He let out a sigh and said,

—In that case, swear to me here and now. Swear that you won’t confront Neril on your own even if you find her. That you’ll contact me immediately.

“Of course. I swear, Captain.”

—Good. Permission granted. If you need anything, let me know.

“Yes. Thank you.”

Just as the call was about to end, Xenia hesitated, then hurriedly blurted out,

“Um, and… ah, please don’t record this either. You absolutely must not.”

—Hm?

“I’m sorry for speaking so arrogantly earlier. Father.”

—…….

“I still do, and always will, respect you deeply. That’s all. Excuse me!”

Xenia abruptly ended the communication, almost like she was running away.

She realized her face must have turned red.

After lightly patting her cheeks to calm herself, she put the communication orb away.

When she rose to her feet again, there was no trace left of a daughter who admired her father.

What remained was only the face of the vice-captain of the Holy Knights of Light, carrying out her duty.

---

Neril seemed to talk a bit more now than she had before the regression.

Not that she had become chatty or anything.

Clatter. Clatter.

Inside the carriage heading for the Lior territory, Neril asked,

“Who’s the real Hero?”

“Huh?”

“You said before that the real Hero would appear later, properly, after receiving a divine revelation. And if my intuition’s right… you already have a guess who it is, don’t you?”

You’re sharp.

I shrugged.

“You wouldn’t know him even if I told you, but it’s a guy named Kaeld. Kaeld Wake.”

“Hm.”

“Word probably hasn’t spread this far yet, but he’s already pretty famous in the southwest of the Empire. He’s got five territories locked down tightly.”

Neril didn’t bother to ask how I knew that.

She must’ve known I wouldn’t answer even if she did.

I continued,

“So yeah, I’m a bit anxious. The real Hero I have to catch up to is already way ahead. I have to hit it big in the Lior estate.”

“…No.”

“Huh?”

“You’re the real Hero.”

“……”

“Let’s just call that Kaeld guy the fake Hero between us. Got it?”

Strangely, my chest felt a little ticklish at that moment.

I turned my head slightly—and so did Neryl.

For a while, we silently gazed out the carriage window.

[Seriously, you two are like moody teenagers.]

Then it happened.

A faint bluish glow suddenly began to radiate from Neril’s luggage.

With a face like she’d been expecting it, she rummaged through her things.

And pulled out a communication orb.

“Dame Seide. Captain of the Holy Knights of Light. Know him?”

“Yeah. Let’s listen together. Pretend you’re alone for now.”

“Sigh. Haven’t heard this bastard’s voice in a while.”

As Neril gently touched the orb, a deep, middle-aged voice came through.

—Neril.

“Dame. Long time no see. Not that I’m happy about it.”

—I feel the same, so I’ll be blunt. What the hell is going on in the Quelk territory?

“Already finished your investigation?”

Dame responded cautiously.

—Yes. For reference, the one who led the investigation is my own daughter.

“Xenia, was it? Well, you do seem to be stepping back from the front lines these days.”

—Here’s another reference: Xenia knows nothing about the contract between you and me.

Neril let out a short laugh.

“What? Wanted to look like a saint to your daughter, huh?”

—Don’t be cheeky.

“I was just stating the facts.”

—…In any case, since we found traces of you in the Quelk territory, the Holy Knights of Light had no choice but to investigate. Xenia will find you soon. So just… take it easy.

“You mean don’t bring up the secret contract and comply quietly with the interrogation?”

—No. You won’t even meet her in the first place. I already told her to contact me immediately if she finds you.

Dame lowered his voice.

—I’ll be sending a subordinate who knows about our contract soon. But if Xenia tries to contact you on her own before they arrive, just play along for a bit.

“Do I really have to go along with that? If it was going to be such a mess, you shouldn’t have sent your daughter in the first place. Just send another subordinate from the beginning.”

—If she hadn’t learned of your presence, maybe. But once she knew, I had no way to stop her. How could I possibly reject the vice-captain of the Holy Knights wanting to pursue the Witch of Carnage?

I nearly snorted at that.

‘That’s not it.’

[What do you mean?]

‘I heard something before the regression. This pursuit of Xenia’s is driven by personal feelings. So much so that even her captain’s orders couldn’t change her pursuit.’

Trail looked like he wanted to ask more, but before he could, Neril spoke.

Apparently, she was thinking the same thing I was.

“That’s really all there is to it? My gut says otherwise.”

—…You don’t need to know more.

“Ha. The little brat’s really grown up.”

—Don’t take it the wrong way. I’m asking as a favour. If everything wraps up well, I’ll reward you.

“Not really interested.”

—Don’t make me say it.

Suddenly, Dame’s tone turned cold.

—I’ll make this very clear.

“……”

—If you tell Xenia about our secret contract, I’ll burn that item I’ve been holding onto.

Neril’s face hardened.

—You’re quite fond of it, aren’t you? Burning it would be unfortunate, wouldn’t it?

“You bastard…”

—So let’s continue to maintain a cooperative relationship.

Dame said that, then hung up without waiting for a reply.

Neril’s mouth twitched.

“That son of a bitch.”

“That item? Did he get something on you?”

“……”

“Well, it did seem weird from the start. I couldn’t imagine someone as free-spirited as you cutting a deal with the Empire just for safety or some reward.”

I waited for a reply, but Neril’s lips never opened.

Then Trail suddenly spoke.

[Wanna take a look?]

 

Neril said, “Lucky you, huh?”

“Lucky how?”

“All I hear is your name from every direction. Looks like the baron’s plan failed. I bet this trial was supposed to be all about boosting his own fame.”

“It’s just his usual behaviour catching up to him. If he had run his domain properly, people would be saying, ‘That’s our lord!’ by now. He brought this on himself.”

“Hmph.”

Neril let out a snort and looked toward the trial bench.

There sat Grey, looking up at the sky, with barely a flicker of strength left in his expression.

Neril clicked her tongue.

“That bastard’s not gonna die in prison, is he?”

“People like that don’t give up their lives so easily. The more lightly they treat others’ lives, the more precious they think their own is.”

“……”

“Don’t worry. He’ll last at least seven years.”

Neril didn’t respond.

I kept talking.

“Let’s come back here together in seven years after I deal with the Demon King.”

“……”

“By then, I won’t stop you. You could probably storm that prison and take his head off on your own, but if it’s too hard, I’ll help you.”

“I don’t get it. Why is it okay in seven years but not now?”

“Because you can’t let yourself become a butcher anymore. I mean, most of those accusations against you were probably false to begin with.”

Neril tilted her head slightly and looked at me.

I crossed my arms and gave a wide grin.

“You’re about to become a member of the party that’ll save the whole continent. Did you really think I’d let your rampages slide anymore?”

“Ha. So basically… you don’t want my bad reputation staining the radiant path of your heroic journey, is that it?”

“Mm. Nailed it.”

Before the regression.

At that inn table, Kaeld had said the exact same thing.

That he couldn’t allow any more bloodshed.

In a way, I was saying the same thing now.

Except back then, Kaeld had been far more serious about it, and the mood had been gentle.

But Neril’s response had been ice-cold.

Yet now—

“Pfft. Ahahaha!”

She burst out laughing, clutching her stomach.

This is weird.

I said it way more lamely than Kaeld did—so why is she enjoying it so much?

After a while, Neril wiped away tears and said,

“You really don’t hold anything back, do you?”

“Huh?”

“Yeah. You say it straight up, and it’s kind of refreshing. Alright. No more bloodshed. I was planning to disappear after Grey anyway.”

She turned to look at Grey, who was nearing the end of his trial.

But calling it a trial now felt generous.

The crowd had turned into a mob, throwing stones, spitting, and shouting.

Normally, the lord would’ve stepped in to restore order, but he seemed to think this was a good chance to let people vent their fury and remained silent.

Thwack.

Grey, blood trickling down his forehead, cried out.

“Ugh. Y-Your Honor! Someone just threw a stone at me!”

“Silence!”

“No, you have to stop this! I haven’t even been officially found guilty yet—”

“I declare Grey Palm guilty!”

The judge cut him off and slammed the gavel.

Grey collapsed in his seat, dazed, as if the sky had fallen on him.

“Uwahh… Please… have mercy. I swear I’ll live honestly now. Please, forgive me…”

“Shut up, you wretched scum!”

“He’s the Demon King! The Demon King reborn!”

“Burn him now!”

“Give me back my daughter!”

In the hellish uproar where up and down blurred together, Grey’s pitiful sobs rang out.

Neril folded her arms and smiled in satisfaction.

“If I had just killed Grey back then, none of his other crimes would’ve seen the light of day. People might’ve even pitied him.”

“Yeah. Probably.”

“Thinking about that made me sick. I’m glad I listened to you.”

“……”

“This really must’ve been the right answer. So… uh.”

Neril scratched her cheek and turned slightly away from me.

“Thanks.”

“Sure.”

“I actually struggled a bit to say that, and you just answered right away? Were you waiting?”

“Yup. You’re not the type to let a thank-you slide by half-heartedly.”

“Hmph. Talking like you’ve known me forever.”

I just smiled.

Neril scowled at me.

“You really think you can become the Hero?”

“Yeah. But…”

“You won’t. Heroes chosen by divine prophecy have this glow about them. And the Hero’s Mark appears.”

Well, she’s not wrong.

Before regression, I had doubted and doubted Kaeld. But not once did I think, “Maybe he’s not the Hero,” because of that mark.

The chosen Hero gets a symbol on their forehead.

Neril said,

“So the first thing we need is a fake symbol.”

“I’ll have to find a good makeup artist. There should be some in the Mercenary Guild.”

“That won’t cut it. It might fool commoners or low-tier nobles, but the higher you go, the quicker they’ll see through it.”

“……”

“I’ll make it for you. The mark.”

My eyes widened.

Neril continued.

“With my magic, I can fool anyone. Well, not the real Hero, but that’s your problem.”

“Neril.”

“There’s a lot more you need too. You’ve got to be able to wield the Hero’s Sword, earn the spirits’ recognition, and overcome the trials of past Heroes, right?”

She stared off into the distance and added,

“You can’t do all that alone. I’ll help.”

And for some reason—

My heart thumped.

I started to wonder why, but before I could dwell on it, a screen popped up.

<You’ve earned 100 Fame Points!>

<Your name echoes throughout the Drucker Territory. (All available points retrieved!)>

<Points needed to reach next level: 970/1,000>

<Points expected from this event: 790>

<Neril Slane now sees you as ‘a man her eyes keep wandering to.’>

Uh.

What is this?

‘What the hell, Mr. Trail?’

[You’re flustered. Your tone got weird.]

‘Ahem. Sorry.’

[No, I get it. “A man her eyes keep wandering to”? Is this what I think it is? Is it that?]

You’re the one with the weird tone now.

I changed the subject.

‘Anyway, bring up the map.’

[Good idea.]

‘Time to fix your tone again, too.’

The map of the continent appeared on screen.

The light that had only faintly glowed over Drucker Territory now shone far more brightly.

Quelk Territory was glowing as well.

My fame was spreading across the land.

I stared quietly at the map.

‘What about Kaeld’s side?’

[Let’s see… oof. It’s no joke.]

Last time, Kaeld’s fame—that is, the black aura—was affecting four territories.

But in less than two weeks, that number had increased by one.

Now the guy’s influence reached across five territories.

‘What’s his total Fame right now?’

[It’s still hard to get an exact figure. So level up quickly. Once you raise your level, you’ll be able to check.]

I guess I’ll have to.

I once again examined the black aura.

It wasn’t just the size of the area—it was also the density of the glow. That suggested his fame must be quite high.

‘Trail. The Empire can be divided into a total of forty territories.’

[What, are we having geography class now?]

‘Just listen. There’s a mountain range called the Koskart Mountains running horizontally across the center of the Empire. It practically splits the Empire in two.’

I pointed at the map with my chin.

‘And by coincidence—or maybe not—it’s almost perfectly divided, with twenty territories on each side of the mountains.’

[Hmm.]

‘I need to claim the northern half first. I have to hurry. Kaeld’s already way ahead.’

[Alright. So what’s your plan now?]

“What’s your plan now?”

Right on cue, Neril asked the question.

Pretending to think for a moment, I opened my mouth.

“First, I need to spread my name a bit more.”

“I figured. I still don’t get how that’s connected to becoming the Hero, though.”

“My plan is to travel through the northern regions first and slowly work my way down. Any idea where I might find some work?”

“Not sure. I’m not some wandering mercenary, you know. I don’t keep tabs on that kind of thing.”

“It’s fine. Truth is, I’ve already decided.”

“…You’re kind of annoyingly smug, you know that?”

Ignoring her, I pulled a map out of my bag.

It used to be one of my prized possessions before I met Trail, but compared to the digital map from earlier, it now looked embarrassingly crude.

[Do you finally understand my greatness?]

“Alright. We’re currently here.”

[Excuse me?]

“Next, we’re heading here—the Lior Territory.”

[Hey.]

Neril tilted her head and asked,

“What’s in this place?”

“Nothing much. For now.”

“You’re talking like you can see the future.”

I casually shrugged.

“Anyone trying to make a living needs a few trump cards up their sleeve, right? You’re the same.”

Neril flinched and shot me a sideways glance.

“I thought it was strange how you listed off all those dirty secrets about the baron and that Grey bastard… Do you have some kind of power that lets you dig up people’s secrets or something?”

[Indeed! That is the power of my all-seeing eye!]

“If only. Just think of it as insight built from long years of experience.”

[Hey! Listen to me!]

“Whatever. But if you try digging into my secrets, you’re dead.”

[Uh… would it kill you to acknowledge me a little?]

“I’ll be careful. I may be younger than you, but I’m not ready to die just yet.”

[…]

“Now that we’re on the subject, use honorifics.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“…Just talk normally.”

“Will do.”

And so, we bickered over nothing as we began leaving Quelk Territory.

Behind us, the heat of the ongoing trial could still be felt.

Once we had secured a wagon and were completely out of the territory, I suddenly heard Trail sniffle.

[Sniff]

‘What now? Are you crying? Why?’

[I’m sorry. From now on, I’ll always stay humble.]

What a weird guy.

---

After Mide and Neril departed for the Lior Territory, a visitor came to Baron Frank.

Normally loud, Baron Frank couldn’t raise his voice in front of this guest.

One of the Empire’s two swords.

The Vice-Captain of the Holy Knights of Light had arrived.

While the other sword, the Alkahad Division, symbolized pure military force, the Holy Knights of Light were responsible for investigating and resolving unusual phenomena and incidents across the Empire.

Their investigative authority came directly from the Emperor.

No mere lord could challenge their authority.

And this was the Vice-Captain.

Baron Frank sipped his tea and looked at Vice-Captain Xenia Seide.

A young blonde woman who looked barely over twenty, she was considered the most brilliant talent in the Holy Knights’ history.

Baron Frank spoke.

“It’s true there was a bit of unrest in my territory recently, but I didn’t expect it to warrant an investigation by the Holy Knights. The incident happened only a few days ago—how did you arrive so quickly?”

Despite the slightly sarcastic tone in his voice, Xenia replied nonchalantly.

“Let’s just say the Empire has some very fine horses.”

“…Alright, then. But still, why the urgency? I didn’t think that trial would draw this much attention from the capital.”

“No, I’m not interested in that matter.”

“Excuse me? Weren’t you here to investigate that scum Grey?”

“Who’s Grey? Actually, never mind. Don’t answer. Like I said, I’m not here for that.”

Her indifferent tone made the baron’s brow twitch.

This brat’s getting cocky. Giving a rookie like her lofty titles like ‘God’s Agent’… The Holy Knights sure love their exaggerations.

If Mide had been there and heard the baron’s thoughts, he would’ve laughed until he cried.

The woman before him—Xenia Seide.

Before the regression, she had been Mide’s comrade and a hero-level member of the Hero’s party.

While walking through the estate, a crowd began to gather around us.

“Huh? Isn’t that Mr. Grey?”

“He’s tied up. Did he do something wrong? Haven’t seen him around for days.”

“No way. Mr. Grey’s always been so kind.”

“Who are those people with him?”

It seemed Grey had done a decent job of building a reputation. The crowd wore expressions of shock and concern.

One man even stepped in front of us and asked,

“Excuse me, but why are you dragging Mr. Grey around like that?”

At that moment, Grey had been gagged again, so all he could do was groan and mumble to express his frustration.

I calmly replied,

“He committed a serious crime.”

“That can’t be. No, seriously, who are you people? Are you from the Inspectorate?”

“We’re just mercenaries hired to investigate.”

“Mercenaries?”

“Yes. My name is Mide Mohan.”

“Mide… I feel like I’ve heard that before. Wait—”

Soon, the man and the people around him started to change expressions.

They whispered among themselves.

“Mide? That’s the Swordmaster of No Killing.”

“That eccentric mercenary who wanders the continent?”

“I heard there are only ten top-class mercenaries even in the entire guild registry.”

“But still, he’s just a mercenary. What authority does a mercenary have to make arrests?”

“Even if he was hired… no, he wouldn’t be able to do it so openly like this.”

That last whisper struck at the heart of the matter.

The man seemed to think so too, as he questioned me.

“No matter how famous you are—Sir Mide, was it?—it’s strange to be dragging off an innocent man like this.”

“I told you. He’s not innocent.”

“That can’t be. Mr. Grey has helped so many people in this estate. Then who exactly hired you?”

I answered gently,

“Baron Frank de Levant.”

“…”

“Do you have anything more to say?”

“N-No. I apologize for stopping you.”

Once I mentioned the name of the lord of the territory, no one else stood in our way.

Good. Now the rumors about me will start to spread.

Perfect fertilizer.

By the time I finish this job, it’ll bloom into a fruit called ‘reputation.’

Trail spoke nonsense in my head.

[Excellent. There is nothing more I can teach you.]

Of course, I had never received any request from the lord.

But I still walked confidently toward Baron Frank’s mansion.

Naturally, no one opens the doors for uninvited guests.

As expected, the guards stopped us.

“Halt. Who the hell are you?”

“I’d like to speak with the lord.”

“What? Pfft. One of these nuts pops up every few years. Hey, you think the lord is someone just anyone can meet? You must’ve lost your mind, boy.”

Neril clenched and unclenched her fists, visibly annoyed.

I lightly patted Grey’s back.

Thump.

“Urgh.”

One of the guards frowned.

“What’s up with him? Huh? Isn’t that Mr. Grey?”

“That’s right.”

“You bastard… under what authority did you tie him up?!”

“Seems you know him well?”

“Mr. Grey supplies utensils to this house. He’s been a business partner for years. Release him at once!”

The guards began to surround us with menacing expressions.

Before they could make a move, I spoke first.

“Maybe a long-time partner—but not a good one.”

“What?”

“Hasn’t the lord recently lost a treasured heirloom?”

Freeze.

The guards, who looked like they were about to charge in, stopped cold.

I rummaged through my bag and pulled out the jewel box we found in the basement.

I gave it a light shake and said,

“This came from that bastard’s tool shop.”

“…!”

“If you’re wise men, you’d know that no matter how long a business relationship lasts, no one could easily steal from the lord.”

“Y-You mean—?”

“Yes. There’s an accomplice on the inside. And I know exactly who it is. So…”

I licked my lips slowly.

“Let me speak with the lord. Privately.”

Thirty minutes of frantic commotion later, Neril, Grey (still bound), and I were granted an audience with the lord.

Baron Frank wore a stern expression as he spoke.

“A top-class mercenary, you say?”

“Yes. I apologize for requesting an audience so suddenly, but the matter was urgent.”

“Hmph. A top-class mercenary should be more than capable of leading a knight order. Considering the information and skills you brought, I’ll overlook the breach of etiquette.”

Neril let out a faint snort, as if to say what if he didn’t forgive us? Fortunately, Baron Frank didn’t seem to notice.

“Now tell me everything. How did you find this jewel box?”

I began to talk, just as I’d prepared in advance.

“Let me begin with the background. Grey is quite close with Tobian Petton, your head butler. Years ago, when Tobian’s only daughter was kidnapped by thugs, it was Grey who found her and reported it.”

“I remember that.”

Well, that was a setup by Grey himself.

Among Grey’s victims was a man named Tobian Petton. Wanting to cozy up to the head butler, Gray had his men kidnap the daughter.

Too complicated to explain, so I left that part out.

“It started as a good relationship, but Gray slowly began seducing Tobian.”

“…”

“He said, ‘Surely the mansion has many valuable trinkets—nothing important to the lord. If you pass them to me, I can sell them for a high price through my own channels.’”

“…”

“He started small, with teacups and ornaments. But he got bolder. Eventually—”

I didn’t finish the sentence and instead nodded toward the jewel box in the baron’s hand.

Their greed, bloated like an overfed belly, had led them hand-in-hand to the lord’s heirloom.

The baron, having pieced things together, wore a somber expression.

“Tobian, that bastard…”

“Tobian committed a serious offense. But it was Grey who first suggested the idea.”

“Hmm…”

“There’s one proposal I’d like to make.”

The baron’s expression hardened.

He leaned back in his chair and growled in a low voice.

“Are you under some illusion?”

“Pardon?”

“Sure, I admit you did a great service in this matter. But that only deserves an appropriate reward. It doesn’t give you the right to make suggestions to me.”

Crunch.

Hm? I think I just heard the sound of veins popping somewhere?

I glanced sideways and my eyes landed at Neril’s forehead.

‘Still, she’s holding it in well. She’s grown since seven years ago, Neril.’

「What an incredibly contradictory statement.」

‘The flow of time really is scary. It even managed to tame that temper of hers.’

「Which is why I’m saying it didn’t flow—it reversed.」

Well, anyway.

I slowly opened my mouth.

“I would like Grey to be put on public trial. This isn’t the only crime he’s committed, after all.”

“You. I clearly said I could not approve such a thing.”

“I’ve compiled everything here. Would you like to take a look?”

I dropped a book onto the table as if casually tossing it aside.

During the two days I waited for Neril, I had looked into Grey’s secrets through the eye of omniscience.

It was a notebook summarizing all that.

Trail muttered:

「This book contains all the heat and passion of my youth. Hoo… I was only able to pull it off because I was young. I couldn’t do it again.」

‘It was just a few days ago.’

At any rate, Count Frank surprisingly didn’t yell immediately.

That was because, right before he could, he was stunned by the densely packed list of crimes in the book.

Stroking his beard, he slowly went through the notebook.

Raping and selling off the girl next door.

Staging a fire to take out a rival tool shop.

Poisoning the neighborhood well so his own herb shop could sell at higher prices.

And more.

Of course, I hadn’t included the part about him murdering the caretaker of the Enerika family cemetery, but even without that, it was a list of truly detestable acts.

“This—this is all true? A single person committed all of this?!”

Grey could only hang his head now, his face showing he had given up on everything.

Let me answer for him.

“There are many people in this world so wicked you’d suspect they were the Demon King reborn. Of course, Grey went especially overboard.”

“……”

“Wouldn’t it be best to reveal all of his crimes to the domain through a public trial? The lord will be remembered as the one who discovered a criminal no one else even noticed, with his keen insight.”

Count Frank seemed tempted—he swallowed his saliva.

I spoke again.

“In return for uncovering all this, please just attach my name to it, even if only a little.”

“Hmm?”

“It’s nothing grand. Just say that it was I who reported Grey as suspicious. You can take full credit for the thorough investigation. It’s a mutually beneficial arrangement, wouldn’t you say?”

“Haha. An arrangement, huh. But why bother? I could just say I uncovered it all myself from the start.”

“I figured you’d say that.”

I sighed lightly and spoke to Trail.

‘Deploy.’

「Huh?」

‘Show him the lord’s secret. I want to see the truth about Aeria Emel and the lord.’

Aeria Emel was the top name in the lord’s blood-written list.

Trail must’ve liked the word “deploy,” because he quickly activated his power.

And the secret I found out about the Count was…

Snap.

The vision cut off. I opened my mouth.

“If it’s too difficult, then I’ll have no choice but to go ask Mr. Todman.”

“Who’s Tod—guh!”

“I’m not sure what the circumstances were, but it seems that your former housemaid, Aeria, is currently raising him. But still, as your son, wouldn’t he have some authority?”

The Count’s face turned pale.

Neril, seemingly piecing things together, glanced at me with a look of amazement.

A few seconds later, the Count, after barely calming his pounding heart, spoke.

“You brat. If you dare mention that to anyone…”

“If you don’t trust me, then at least trust my reputation. To become a top-tier mercenary, I’ve seen countless things across many domains. Frankly speaking, your matter is so minor it’s hardly worth mentioning.”

“……”

“And don’t even think about sending soldiers after me. You yourself said earlier that a top-tier mercenary would be comparable to a knight commander.”

In other words, don’t foolishly try to apprehend me.

The Count nodded with a grim expression.

“Then will you grant my request?”

“So be it.”

“Thank you. Ah, and just one more thing.”

“Another request?”

“It’s not much. Just… don’t execute Grey. He won’t be escaping a life sentence anyway.”

“And why is that?”

I glanced at Neril.

Her mouth was slightly open in surprise.

“Because someone’s already claimed him.”

---

One week later.

A public trial was held in the domain.

The quick resolution was largely thanks to Head Steward Tobian.

Perhaps he decided he couldn’t go down alone—he readily admitted that Grey was his accomplice in the recent incident.

Furious, the lord unleashed the entire military force to dig up the rest of Grey’s crimes, and within a week, they were all exposed in broad daylight.

Rumors had already spread throughout the domain after Grey was dragged away in chains a week prior.

So with a public trial now happening, it was no surprise that the place was overflowing with people.

‘This brings back memories.’

Of the public execution I hadwitnessed in the place I used to live in.

That one wasn’t a trial, but an execution, yet the overall setup and the crowd’s scale were more than enough to stir up the past.

“Grey Palm. The charges against you are as follows. First, conspiring with the Head Steward to steal the lord’s heirloom. Then, raping and selling Aria Krezen, daughter of Taylor Krezen…”

“You bastard! Where’s my daughter?!”

Someone abruptly stood up during the trial.

The presiding judge made no effort to calm him.

Murmurs filled the air.

“Poor Mr. Taylor… what a tragedy.”

“I can’t believe it was Grey… that monster.”

“In the end, Lord Mide saw right through him. You’ve heard the rumors, right? About Lord Mide dragging Grey off like a dog?”

“I thought they were just exaggerating, but turns out it was all true. He really caught that monster under the lord’s orders.”

“No, I heard he was the one who first reported Grey to the lord.”

“Wow. I thought he was just a skilled swordsman…”

“Not only skilled, but what a noble heart. If he comes to our tool shop, I’m giving him everything for free.”

That was the general sentiment.

I hear it. I hear it.

The sound of my fame rising.

Neril studied my face from various angles before opening her mouth.

“You came.”

“Of course I did. It’s an invitation from a future companion.”

“Hmph. Kid, how old do you think I am?”

She looked to be in her early twenties at best, but I said her true age.

“The Witch of Carnage first appeared in the history books about 200 years ago, right?”

“Yep. I’ve been honing magic for 200 years. Honestly, if I said I studied hard that whole time, I’d be lying… but still, time like that doesn’t just disappear.”

“……”

“How old are you?”

“So this is what it’s about. You’re stronger, so you want to tell me not to act cocky?”

Neril spoke slowly, clearly, with a completely serious expression.

“That’s exactly it, Mide Mohan.”

“……”

“I quite like you.”

“……”

“Please don’t make me change my mind.”

Oh.

Just like back at the tool shop, the atmosphere began to grow heavier.

It felt like some invisible force was pressing down on me.

Like my body suddenly weighed twice as much.

I slowly, carefully put some distance between us.

“Grey said the payment would be delayed. He said he would pay up If you stick with me for seven years.”

“And you want me to just stand by and watch Grey live happily for seven more years?”

“I don’t particularly plan to let him live happily… but what kind of grudge do you have against him anyway? What did he do to you?”

“That bastard killed someone I cared about.”

Someone she cared about?

Ah—maybe that old guy.

It felt off to hear someone who looked barely twenty call an old man a ‘kid’, but considering her real age, it made sense.

I said,

“Grey told me he once tried to loot the Enerika family’s grave and ended up killing an old man..”

“You know a lot.”

“The Enerikas were a high noble family that got wiped out. What’s your connection to them?”

“You don’t need to know that. What you do need to know is that old man was the last butler of the Enerika family. A paragon of loyalty, guarding the graves of a fallen house for generations over 200 years.”

“……”

“He had no children. His line was about to die out too. It probably would’ve ended in a few years anyway.”

“……”

“But that doesn’t mean some trash grave robber gets to end it with his own hands.”

I still didn’t know what secret lay between Neril and the Enerika family.

If I could level up my Eye of Omniscience…

[Why are you calling it your Eye of Omniscience.]

…I might learn more. But that was still far off.

Then Neril spoke.

“Hand over Grey. This is your last chance.”

“……”

“You said you wanted to be a Hero, right? It’s easy to say anything. Just by talking, you can say you’ll become a Hero or save the continent.”

“……”

“Sorry, but I don’t know you well enough yet. So rather than trust your word and wait seven years, I’m going to take Grey by force now.”

“That’s not going to happen.”

Right as I said that—

Whoosh!

I almost let out a very undignified scream.

I instinctively dropped to one knee.

Just a centimeter above my head, a blade of wind sliced through the air.

Wind Cutter—Neril’s signature spell even before the regression.

A single sweep of her hand could kill tens of thousands of monsters.

Crack! Ssssshh.

I heard the sound of the tree behind me being neatly cut down.

Swish.

Neril pointed her hand at me and said,

“The Sword master of No Killing never accepts assassination requests, right? To think someone with such a dumb rule could become an S-rank mercenary. Impressive. But it won’t work on me.”

“I wouldn’t be so sure.”

“Let’s find out, kid.”

Fwoooosh.

The surroundings went up in flames.

It was supposed to be early winter, but it felt like the peak of summer at noon.

I ran, carefully stepping only in the places where Neril’s fire didn’t reach.

Been a while since I moved like this. Tough work.

‘I never had a serious fight with a party member before, so I didn’t realize… but she’s no joke.’

[Think you can win?]

‘If I were trying to kill her, maybe.’

[But you’re not.]

‘Exactly the problem. I didn’t expect Neril to be this strong. So the Demon King of Lies withstood magic like that with his whole body…’

Now that I was the one being targeted, I could finally understand just how strong the Demon King really was.

He even had the leisure to fake his death as a ‘prank.’

Even if I become a Hero, could I really kill that guy?

[Side!]

‘Kgh—!’

Splat!

Blood spurted from my side.

I quickly pressed my palm to it and jumped backward.

After retreating more than twenty steps, I applied a high-grade potion I had bought from the guild to my wound.

“That’s an amazing potion. Must’ve been pricey.”

“Pay me back later.”

“You’re the one who used it. Why should I pay?”

“Isn’t that what having a companion means? What’s yours is mine, and what’s mine is mine.”

“I get that you’re stalling for time, but I’ll play along. I do want to talk a little more with you.”

Neril folded her arms.

“I’ve lived a long time, but I’ve never met someone like you. If you were born with that kind of talent, I suppose it’s natural to think, ‘Why not become a Hero?’”

“……”

“But Heroes, and the heroes who walk with them, are on a whole different level from us. You’ve read history books, right? The kind of people who split mountains and summon tidal waves with a single swing of a sword.”

“That’s exaggerated.”

I’ve seen it with my own eyes, so I know.

Neril let out a small laugh.

“How can you be so sure?”

“I think someone like you is already at the hero level. If it weren’t for me, you might’ve had a shot at being the Hero yourself. Shame.”

“Only someone whose skills back it up can speak that confidently. It’s nice. That self-assurance.”

“……”

“But if what you say is true, doesn’t that mean you’re not the Hero? You’re getting beaten by someone like me, just a mere hero-class fighter.”

Looks like I really will have to beat her.

Guess I’ve got no choice. Should I use that technique?

Trail butted in.

[If you had one, you should’ve used it already.]

‘It’s been a while, so I couldn’t quite get the timing right.’

[Sigh. What’s the skill called? Got a name for it?]

Of course.

‘Running Fast.’

[…]

‘What?’

[Even the name is pathetic. I should’ve known when you said something about “invisibility” earlier.]

‘It’s not like I’m going to shout the name during a fight. Who cares what it’s called? And I spent two whole days thinking it up, too.’

[You absolute—!]

He seemed like he was about to start cursing again, so I lost interest.

Instead, I began focusing strength into my legs.

Creak. Crack.

I could feel my muscles twitching beneath my clothes.

Veins rose to the surface, and a slight tremor passed through me.

“Planning something, are you?”

Neril quickly picked up on the change and uncrossed her arms.

She swiftly began forming a series of hand signs.

I knew those gestures well.

It had to be earth magic.

Ta-at!

Dozens of muddy arms burst from the ground around me.

But before they could grab me, I pushed off the earth and jumped upward.

“Huh?”

Whoosh. Tap.

I twisted in midair and adjusted my posture.

Then I drew my sheath downward and used it as a foothold.

Good. I can use it.

“Hmph.”

Neril began preparing the largest spell she’d cast so far.

But from the moment she chose to prepare it now, she was already too late.

‘Quick Leap!’

[Oh, for crying out loud.]

Taaat!

Before she could complete the final hand sign, I was already five steps away from her.

I could see her pupils dilating in real time.

Frantically, she slapped the back of her right hand with her left.

I knew that move too.

A low-tier Lightning Bolt.

Of course, even though it was low-tier, if the caster was the Witch of Carnage, a normal person would be roasted instantly without even a chance to scream.

‘What do I do?’

In a split second—less than 0.1 seconds—I ran through countless thoughts.

Before the spell fully activated, I could undoubtedly plunge my dagger into her heart. I was confident in that.

But if I did that—

“Damn it.”

I subtly shifted the dagger’s trajectory downward.

Because of that, her spell was able to activate in time.

Thunk. Crackle!

My dagger plunged deep into Neril’s abdomen.

And her magic slammed into my back.

“Guhk!”

“Nnngh.”

Something smelled like cooking meat.

I lifted my head slightly to look up at Neril.

Her eyes were trembling more violently than ever before.

“Why? Why did you change your aim?”

“……”

“You were aiming for my heart. You could’ve killed me before I cast my spell.”

“Instead of saying that… focus on healing. That stab went in deep—it’s gonna hurt.”

She bled as she gave a wry smile.

“Worry about yourself. Your back’s practically skinned raw.”

“I’m in better shape than you.”

“Doesn’t look like it.”

Every time we opened our mouths, acrid smoke wafted up.

“Surrender, Neril.”

“…Idiot. I won. I could still kill you right now.”

“Surrender.”

“You would’ve won, you know. If you’d just stabbed me in the heart.”

“Ugh, save it for later. Honestly, I’m in agony too, so just surrender already.”

“……”

Come on.

I may not look it, but I’m really on edge right now, lady.

If you keep stalling, even my expensive potions won’t be enough.

Thump-thump.

My heartbeat thundered in my ears.

After what felt like an eternity, Neril finally opened her mouth.

“…I lost.”

“Then we’re working together for seven years, right?”

“……”

“Don’t go changing your mind now.”

With a sigh, Neril asked,

“Are you really going to just leave Grey alone? Seven years is a long time. He’ll disappear from the continent in that span.”

“I’ve got a plan for that.”

“Hmph. A plan, sure.”

“I mean it. If you don’t believe me, just give it a few days.”

“Huh?”

I grinned and spoke.

“As a celebration of our partnership, I’ve got a gift for you.”

---

A few days later.

Thanks to using all the high-grade potions I’d been saving for near-death situations, both Neril and I were fully healed.

It cost me a fortune, but that wasn’t a problem—Neril covered the entire bill.

“You sure you want to pay for all of it? I should at least cover half.”

“It’s fine. More importantly, why are we back here again?”

We were standing in front of Grey’s tool shop.

“I told you. I’m giving you a gift to mark our partnership.”

“……”

“Let’s go in.”

Grey was still squirming on the basement floor like a worm.

I’d given him drinks occasionally while staying here, but he hadn’t had a proper meal in about a week.

He was soaking his feet in the Redvi River—a stream said to flow straight into hell.

I removed Grey’s gag.

“H-huh. W-water, please…”

“Here.”

I poured water from a canteen, just like before.

I could feel Neril glaring at me disapprovingly from behind.

Grey chugged the water down and looked up at me.

“I… I can’t feel my arms.”

“……”

“Even a high priest wouldn’t be able to fix them now. My arms… huuuhuhuuu…”

“Don’t cry.”

“Waaaah!”

“Want to finish crying in hell instead?”

“No! I’m sorry.”

He stopped the tears instantly, as if flipping a switch.

I grabbed him by the collar and lifted him up.

“You’ve still got enough strength to walk, right? Even if you don’t, squeeze it out. We’re going somewhere.”

“N-not hell, please.”

“Hell? No. We’re going somewhere—together.”

I leaned in and whispered in his ear.

“You’re going to hell later, alone.”

He shuddered violently.

Thump.

I gave him a light push on the back, and Grey stumbled forward.

I grabbed the rope binding him like a leash and walked with him.

Neril followed behind me and asked,

“Where are you taking him?”

“You were worried, weren’t you? Said you couldn’t stand the thought of Grey enjoying himself for the next seven years. Or what if he vanished in that time?”

“So?”

I continued in a casual tone,

“I’m handing him over to a place where he’ll never be happy, and never be able to hide.”

Neril had always been cold and composed, both before and after my regression.

Even after I spoke her true identity aloud, she didn’t get flustered or lash out.

Of course, her rigid face alone was enough to make it clear that if I misspoke even slightly, she would take my head off right then and there.

She spoke.

“Shall we talk?”

“I was waiting for just that.”

At that moment, a new customer entered the tool shop.

“Uncle Grey! …Huh?”

“……”

“W-Who are you? Where’s Uncle?”

“Ugh, so noisy.”

Snap.

Neril flicked her fingers lightly.

The customer who had entered immediately collapsed to the floor.

Whish. Clack.

With a wave of her hand, she locked the tool shop’s door and windows.

In a matter of seconds, the shop was enveloped in darkness—and now, the only ones still conscious were Neril and me.

‘Still the same as ever.’

In the meantime, I had started making black tea.

“Did you kill him?”

“Just put him to sleep. These days, killing people carelessly tends to bring on unsettling dreams.”

“That’s just age catching up to you.”

“Mm. But you? You could kill without remorse and sleep just fine.”

I gave a casual shrug.

Clack.

Then I placed the tea in front of her and spoke in a serious tone.

“Pardon the rudeness for our first meeting. Have some tea.”

“I’ll pass. The aroma’s too faint—it’s clearly low-grade tea.”

“……”

“Let me ask the important thing first. You said you were waiting for me… how did you know I was coming to this territory?”

Naturally, I didn’t answer with my memories from before regression.

But of course, she’d be curious.

As far as I know, there have only been two people in the entire Empire who managed to track down Neril after she disappeared.

One was Krotz, vice-commander of the Empire’s elite unit, Alkahad.

The other was Dame Seide, commander of the Holy Knights of Light.

Incidentally, that was 50 and 30 years ago, respectively.

Hopefully that explains why I call her “madam” and she lets it slide.

“Hmm. Let’s start with introductions.”

“Oh my, but I couldn’t care less about your name. Just answer my question first.”

“Mide Mohan. Freelance mercenary. Nice to meet you.”

“You really know how to get on someone’s nerves, don’t you? Wait—Mide, Mide Mohan?”

“Doesn’t that answer your question? That name should explain it.”

Not to brag, but I’m a fairly well-known mercenary across the continent.

Even the title of Sword master, which mercenaries don’t normally get, has been attached to me.

[Not just any Sword master either.]

‘Shut up.’

Almost as if responding to Trail’s words, Neril spoke.

“The Sword master of No Killing. You look much younger than I imagined.”

“Compared to you, everyone must seem young.”

“You’ve got a real knack for saying things that get under the skin, huh?”

“Sorry. Just trying to lighten the mood.”

“Hmm. If someone like the Sword master of No Killing managed to track me down, then perhaps your reputation is actually underestimated. Still, I’m not exactly thrilled.”

At least her curiosity seemed satisfied.

I carefully gauged the mood before speaking.

“Mind if I ask something now?”

“Go ahead.”

“Why don’t we work together?”

Her expression shifted into something subtle and hard to read.

It was the look of someone not quite sure they’d heard correctly.

But I kept speaking calmly.

“I don’t think it’s that strange of a proposal. There are plenty of mages who work as mercenaries. If you’ve got the skills, no job pays better.”

“This is so absurd I don’t even know where to start.”

“Take your time. I’ll wait.”

I folded my arms and made a show of waiting patiently.

After a moment, she finally spoke.

“Hand over Grey and get out.”

“……”

“Whatever he paid to hire you, I’ll double it.”

“I told you—I wasn’t hired.”

“You said you’re a mercenary, didn’t you? Mercenaries do anything for money. Guarding a murderer is nothing to them.”

She studied my face, noting my lack of reaction, then continued.

“You don’t seem surprised. I take it you know something about his past?”

“So you’re rejecting my offer to work together? Why?”

“Hmph, kid. Do you know why I’m called the Witch of Carnage?”

“……”

“If you’re looking to recruit me, you probably know many of those infamous accusations are false. But isn’t it strange? Just claiming ‘Neril Slane did it’ is enough to pin any crime on me.”

Of course I knew that.

I’d heard it from Neril herself before regression.

Still, I put on a face like I was thinking about it for the first time.

Then I looked as if I’d suddenly figured it out and said:

“I see. You made a deal with someone high up in the Empire.”

“…Oh?”

Neril didn’t hide her surprise.

“You’re sharp.”

“I looked at the timing of the crimes attributed to you. Every time there was a disaster—drought, flood, public unrest—it matched with your alleged ‘appearances.’”

“……”

“Now it makes sense. The higher-ups used you as a scapegoat for all the people’s rage and grief. That way, the resentment wouldn’t turn toward the Empire or the royal family, but toward you.”

Neril was silent for a moment.

I went on.

“The Empire fought you twice, right? Once 50 years ago, and once 30 years ago. I heard those battles were intense. You were in real danger.”

“……”

“Especially 30 years ago. I heard you came close to dying. That must’ve been when it hit you—the Empire’s getting stronger. Next time, they might actually kill you.”

“……”

“So you sought a deal. Or maybe the Empire came to you first. Suggested cooperation instead of continued war.”

At first, she looked only mildly surprised, but now Neril’s eyes were wide open in astonishment.

This is why, before regression, Neril hadn’t been especially moved when Kaeld cleared her name.

Those accusations were something she had willingly taken on herself.

She asked, her voice now deeply cautious.

“…Just what are you? Even for a top-tier mercenary—how do you know all this?”

“Still doesn’t explain why you rejected my offer.”

“I still have ties to the Empire. If they need something covered up, they contact me. I get paid, go to the designated location, and… well, leave just enough evidence behind.”

“You scatter your magic, so investigators can pin the blame on you.”

“You figured that out too? You really are sharp.”

That was something she’d often told me even before regression.

Neril crossed her arms and continued.

“I hate smooth talkers who only say what people want to hear. That stuff’s fleeting. In the end, only results matter. And to get results, you need real skill.”

“……”

“In that sense, I do like you. So I’ll spare your life.”

Wow. Thanks so much for that.

“It was quite the memorable conversation. But my answer is still no.”

“……”

“I made those dirty deals with the Empire because I had something I desperately needed to protect. I can’t just go roam around for fun like you.”

…

Something to protect?

‘Don’t tell me she means that old man.’

[That seems to be the case.]

With the Eye of Omniscience, the image of the old gentleman who had met a tragic end at Grey’s hands surfaced in my mind.

Operating under the assumption that my hunch was correct, I opened my mouth.

“It sounds like you’re saying ‘there was’—as if there isn’t anymore.”

“…Yeah. He’s dead. Grey and his gang killed him.”

“So you came here for revenge. And the rest of the gang is already dealt with.”

“…”

“Then if I hand Grey over to you, will you cooperate with me? You don’t have anything left to protect anymore, do you?”

Neril seemed to hesitate for a moment.

Her eyes wavered.

“Looks like I misunderstood. You’re not working for Grey.”

“I told you that from the beginning.”

“Fine. If you hand Grey over, I’ll join forces with you.”

“Hahaha.”

I burst into cheerful laughter.

Neril looked conflicted, as if unsure whether she was supposed to laugh along.

Just as she tried to force a small smile to match the mood, I spoke again.

“Don’t lie.”

“…What?”

“You’re planning to disappear after killing Grey, aren’t you?”

For the first time, Neril’s expression showed a hint of panic.

I resurfaced a memory from before the regression.

Back then, Neril had clearly said this.

That the owner of the tool shop had been the final tragedy.

That she accepted Kaeld’s offer to join him because she wanted to find a final place to make her stand against the Demon King.

Which meant—

“You don’t seem to have any lingering attachments to this world anymore.”

“…!”

“A fifth Demon King will soon descend upon the continent.”

“What? What are you suddenly talking about?”

“And a Hero will surely appear as well.”

“…From the certainty in your voice, it doesn’t sound like a bluff. Which means you know this somehow… Wait, don’t tell me—are you the Hero?”

“Let’s say… I’m a candidate.”

Neril tilted her head in puzzlement.

But I pressed on without concern.

“The Hero will be publicly revealed elsewhere through an oracle. But I’m going to become the true Hero of this continent.”

“You… You’re insane.”

“To do that, I need capable companions. I’ll take down the Hero chosen by the oracle and rise as the real Hero myself.”

“…”

“Seven years. Just work with me for seven years. That’s how long it’ll take for me to become the Hero and defeat the Demon King.”

She didn’t answer.

A heavy silence settled between us.

It was so quiet, I could almost hear the flow of the air itself.

Only when my eardrums began to ring did Neril finally speak.

“When will you hand over Grey?”

“In seven years. After I’m done. Payment upon completion.”

The air froze in an instant.

I thought I’d grown used to her due to our past dealings, but I was wrong.

The murderous energy Neril exuded when she was dead serious was overwhelming even for me.

Crack. Clink.

The teacup between us couldn’t withstand the pressure and shattered.

“Is he hiding underground? Grey?”

“Yeah.”

“What if I burn down this whole tool shop right now?”

“In front of a top-tier mercenary? You’d be the one to die first.”

“…Hoo. Fine.”

Neril slowly rose to her feet.

“Looks like I’ll have to kill you first.”

Neril set the time and place and left.

Though her rage was boiling over, she must’ve decided that causing a scene in the middle of the village wasn’t a good idea.

‘Even that alone proves something. There’s no way someone that rational would go around committing atrocities. All that talk of wiping out entire villages… it was all a false charge.’

[Is this really the time to be talking so leisurely?!]

‘Don’t shout. My head’s ringing.’

[What are you doing? Just hand over Grey and get her on your side already.]

‘Then I’d just end up boosting Neril’s infamy, like in the previous timeline.’

[Would that be so bad?]

‘Of course it would. The infamy of my allies reflects on my reputation too.’

Trail fell silent, seemingly not having considered that.

I explained calmly.

‘Even Kaeld, who had the god-tier support of the oracle in the previous timeline, took a lot of criticism for working with Neril.’

[Hmm.]

‘If my interference can raise someone’s reputation, the reverse is also true—someone else’s reputation can drag mine down.’

[You might understand this stuff better than I do now. I can retire.]

‘I never asked you to hike with me in the first place.’

[You’re surprisingly thoughtful. If Neril causes any more atrocities, it’ll definitely hurt your image.]

‘Yeah. In fact, I’ll eventually need to clean up her existing reputation too. But we’ll deal with that later.’

Trail seemed satisfied, but then posed another question.

[One more thing. Why did you blurt out your whole plan like that?]

‘Huh?’

[That bit about becoming the Hero. Which means you’re not the Hero yet. Why’d you say that out loud?]

‘Ah, that.’

[There were a dozen ways to spin that. Even if Kaeld gets the oracle, you could’ve played it off as a mistake or misunderstanding. You’re good at lying, aren’t you?]

‘…’

[So why open with a full-on confession that you’re a fake Hero? You think she’s going to side with you after that, seriously?]

Trail’s point was valid.

But this was one thing I couldn’t change my mind on.

‘Then I would be no different from Kaeld.’

[…What?]

‘Kaeld was a fake, but he lied to his party and companions, pretending he was the real thing. If I start by lying to Neril, I become the same kind of person.’

[Well… that’s true, but still.]

‘And more than anything, I can’t trust a relationship built on lies.’

I’ve lived my whole life without trusting others.

In a world where I saw every sin committed by everyone around me, mistrust had taken root deep within me.

This time, I want to build a team I can genuinely believe in.

If I hide the fact that I’m a fake Hero, then I’d be lying to them from the start.

How far could I possibly go, putting my faith in a relationship built on lies?

‘If I do that, I’ll just repeat the same failures as before the regression.’

[…]

‘I’m not asking anyone to understand. I doubt anyone else in the world could understand this.’

[Hmph. You should’ve been a philosopher instead of a mercenary. Picked the wrong career.]

Judging by the sarcastic tone at the end, Trail had decided to drop the topic for now.

Step, step. Tap.

As I chatted with Trail, I arrived at the rendezvous point.

It was an abandoned clearing at the northern edge of the Quelk territory.

The time was exactly midnight.

Neril was already there, sitting atop a small rock.

The owner of the tool shop was a middle-aged man.

He wore a gentle expression, but the bulging muscles and scars on his shoulders suggested that he had once lived a rough life.

He asked in a soft voice,

“Have you picked out everything?”

“Yes.”

I placed a reasonable selection of herbs on the counter.

The owner bowed his head and said,

“That’ll be 12 guild.”

“Here you go.”

“Thank you… Hm? Sir, you’ve given too much.”

I had handed him 50 guild.

I spoke in a subtle tone.

“I was hoping to get some information.”

“If it’s information you’re after, perhaps try requesting it from the Mercenary Guild instead. I can give you directions, if you’d like?”

“It’s not the kind of information that needs professionals.”

“In that case, sure.”

He smoothly tucked away the coins.

I spoke again.

“Let’s see… Oh, right, what’s your name?”

“Grey Palm.”

“Nice name.”

“Haha. Thank you. So, what would you like to know?”

I already knew.

‘He said his name is Grey Palm. Show me the secret between Grey Palm and Neril Slane.’

[Got it.]

A screen soon appeared.

<You have used the Eye of Omniscience.>
<The current level of the Eye of Omniscience is 1. Accessible secret rank: D.>
<Selection condition: “The secret between Grey Palm and Neril Slane.”>
<The relevant secret is rank D. Accessing.>

The first image on screen was of Grey Palm.

Grey was moving through the darkness with a group of huge men.

One of the thugs spoke.

“Hey, boss. You sure about today’s job?”

“Yeah. This info took a lot of effort to dig up. Trust me.”

“Say that ninety-five more times and we’ll hit a hundred.”

“Talkative bastard. I’m telling you, this time’s the real deal.”

“……”

“Don’t let your guard down. Today we’re digging up the hidden tomb of none other than the famous Enerika family.”

The others grinned at his confident words.

Wait a second. Enerika family?

Enerika… Where have I heard that name before?

‘Ah!’

[What is it? You startled me.]

‘No, it’s nothing.’

I brushed it off to Trail, but it wasn’t nothing at all.

The blood-red letters that were once written above Neril’s head before regression:

—Committed crimes against May Enerika and 287 others.

That same Enerika name had just come up again.

‘The Enerika family… Yeah, they were pretty famous.’

[Indeed. They’re the family of the hero who appeared during the third Demon King’s descent, the Demon King of Corruption.]

On this continent, Demon Kings had appeared four times in the past.

Destruction, Greed, Corruption, and Ruin — in that order.

And in a few years, the fifth one, Idria, Demon King of Lies and Deceit, would descend.

Anyway, one of the heroes from the era of the third Demon King of Corruption was the great sage Beyond Erenika.

Like the other heroes, Beyond made major contributions in defeating the Demon King of Corruption.

In recognition, he was granted a title, and his family went on to produce many capable mages, becoming a prestigious household.

However, when the fourth Demon King of Ruin appeared, they failed to achieve anything notable, and their influence declined. From what I know, the family was completely wiped out around 200 years ago due to some incident.

‘Don’t tell me… Neril was the one who wiped them out? Since it said she committed a crime against May Erenika…’

It sounded plausible, but my instinct — which often activated randomly — told me, ‘It’s too soon to be certain.’

Well, it wasn’t the most pressing matter right now anyway.

The scene shifted again.

Climbing a mountain path, they finally arrived at a few rather shabby burial mounds.

Grey looked visibly baffled.

One of the men spoke as if he had expected this.

“Knew it. Damn.”

“Wait. I think there’s been a mistake…”

“You can say that looking at this garbage? Even if they were wiped out, this was a noble family! No village elder would bury their dog here!”

“……”

“Just wasted our time. I’m heading back.”

That’s when it happened.

“Who goes there?”

A voice rang out — one that didn’t belong to anyone in the group.

An old man appeared, holding a torch. He looked to be nearing sixty, yet his posture was straight and his voice clear — he was in excellent condition.

‘And his outfit…’

[Hmm. Not something you’d wear to hike up a mountain. He’s dressed quite nicely.]

‘To be precise, he’s dressed formally. Maybe he came to pay his respects to this grave.’

Of course, Grey and his crew had no sense of respect.

One of the men spat on the ground and said,

“Move along, old man.”

“Wait. Hold on.”

“Huh, boss? What is it?”

“Don’t you think that old guy’s dressed a bit too well?”

“And?”

“Wouldn’t be easy for someone his age to climb all the way here in clothes like that.”

They started whispering among themselves, speculating.

Meanwhile, the old man spoke with a displeased expression.

“Leave. This is private property.”

“Oh yeah? Yours?”

“No. It belongs to the one I serve.”

“So it’s not yours, then?”

“Don’t waste time with nonsense. Just leave—”

That’s when one of the thugs cut him off.

He looked rather sly.

“Hey. We were thinking… you didn’t climb up from the base of the mountain, did you?”

“What are you talking about?”

“Hard to imagine someone hiking in that outfit. Bet you live somewhere around here.”

“……”

“And judging by what you said… you must be the caretaker of this tomb? A tomb of a noble family, at that. I bet you get paid handsomely.”

I knew where this was going.

The old man seemed to realize it too and quickly backed away.

But it was already too late.

“Guh…! Cough…”

Before anyone realized, Grey had slipped behind him and stabbed a dagger into the old man’s chest.

“Y-you bastards…”

“Geez, tough old man. Rest in peace.”

He twisted the dagger.

The old man let out a bubbling, bloody sound and died.

Drip.

With that, the screen cut out.

I folded my arms and tapped my index finger.

That’s when Trail cautiously said,

[By the way, when you use the Eye of Omniscience, time in the real world stops. No matter how long you watch, it won’t cost you any time.]

Just as he said, Grey showed no sign of awkwardness and asked,

“Is something wrong? You said you had a question.”

“You’ve gotten quite polite with age, haven’t you?”

“Pardon?”

“Where are your men? You grave-robbing scum.”

Grey’s face froze instantly.

A moment of silence passed between us.

Slide.

Slowly — very slowly — he reached under the counter.

Knowing exactly what he was doing, I calmly turned and shut the tool shop door.

I flipped the sign hanging on it to “Closed.”

By the time I returned, Grey had a dagger in hand, ready for combat.

He asked,

“Who the hell are you?”

“Just a freelance mercenary.”

“Pfft. So you couldn’t get hired anywhere? Sounds like you’re not much.”

“Or maybe I’m so skilled I don’t need to tie myself down.”

“Haha! You saying you’re the second type?”

“Don’t laugh.”

At my words, the man’s laughter stopped like a lie.

Sweat began to bead on his forehead.

Because I wasn’t hiding my pressure anymore.

“Compared to you, even bandits are cute.”

“W-what?”

“Let’s start by putting that down.”

Crack.

I dashed in like lightning and twisted his arm.

Grey let out a strangled cry and dropped the dagger.

I saw his white bone burst through his flesh.

“Uugh. Grrgh.”

Grey foamed at the mouth and swung his another fist.

I casually leaned my torso back to dodge, then hooked his leg and tripped him.

Thud!

“Aaaargh! Hrk!”

He struggled to get up, but I was already pressing firmly on his back with my foot.

“Don’t move. Unless you want your spine broken.”

“Wh-Why are you doing this to me? I didn’t do anything…”

“No. You’ve done plenty.”

Crack. Creak.

A sound that shouldn’t have come from a back echoed.

I continued, giving him just enough pain to make him pass out — but not quite.

“Let’s go through this one by one. This case involves recruiting Neril, but I also need to build my reputation.”

“P-Please… please spare me…”

“First, let’s see. Who should we look into first?”

I expanded the blood-lettered window floating above his head.

As always, the phrase “~and several others” disappeared, and ninety names were listed in a long column.

Plop.

I sat down on Grey’s back.

“Let’s go through them one by one before Catastrophe arrives.”

---

For the next two days, Grey’s Tool Shop didn’t open.

I was still sitting comfortably on Grey’s back, leisurely watching through the Eye of Omniscience.

“Uuugh… Ngh…”

Grey clutched his broken arm, drenched in cold sweat.

He couldn’t speak properly because his mouth was gagged.

‘Alright. Show me the next one. I want to see the secret between Greg Felis and that bastard.’

[Can we… maybe take a short break first?]

‘I suppose. I have been using the Eye of Omniscience back to back. Let’s rest for a bit.’

[Thank you…]

‘Alright. Now that we’re rested, let’s get started again.’

[…]

On the evening of the second day,

I had come to vividly understand the full extent of the crimes Grey had committed against all ninety people.

Putting it all down in documents could easily fill a book.

Trail spoke in a strangely enlightened voice.

[Something’s coming to me… Ah, I see a river. Would things feel easier if I crossed it?]

‘Stay calm and come back.’

[You are a demon.]

‘I had no choice. To ensure the greatest happiness for the greatest number, I needed a meticulous plan. If I were just here to recruit Neril and leave, there’d have been no need to go this far.’

Trail regained some composure and spoke again.

[You seem more passionate about this than I am now.]

‘Appreciate it.’

[But wouldn’t it have been easier to just torture that guy and make him talk? Instead of working me to death.]

‘You can’t tell whether something’s the truth with torture. When there’s a more reliable way, why take a risk?’

Trail seemed to accept that and went quiet.

At any rate, I ungagged Grey.

He was half-dead from the pain of his broken arm, rising fever, hunger, and thirst.

“Hrrgh… Please, just spare me…”

I opened a canteen and dripped a bit of water into his mouth.

“Stay with me. You can’t die just yet.”

Gulp gulp. “Hah… what do you mean, yet?”

“Someone will be visiting soon. Is there a secret room in this tool shop?”

“…Th-There’s a basement.”

“Let’s go.”

I dragged him down the stairs.

Crash.

I tossed him to the floor and asked casually,

“Where did you hide the Lord’s heirloom?”

“…!”

“Not that I needed to ask. It’s right here.”

Grey had committed crimes against “Frank de Levan and 89 others.”

Frank de Levan was listed as the representative. In other words, the person whose secrets Grey most wanted to hide.

That was the name of the lord who governed the Quelk territory.

Through the Eye of Omniscience, I had clearly seen Grey hide the Lord’s heirloom in this basement.

Rustle rustle.

I moved aside some disorganized farming tools, and beneath them was a small jewel box.

I picked it up lightly and gave it a shake.

“Seems a bit too valuable for someone like you to hold onto.”

“Grrgh.”

This time, Grey looked like he might die not from the broken arm, but from the spike in his blood pressure.

“How the hell do you know that?! Who the hell are you?!”

“Changed your tone again?”

“No! I mean—what the hell are you?!”

“Take a break. There’s something more urgent than dealing with this box right now.”

Click clack.

Familiar footsteps approached from outside the shop.

‘She’s here. Neril.’

I struck Grey at the back of the neck, knocking him out cold.

Then I hurried upstairs. Just as I reached the top, I heard a knock.

“Excuse me. Are you open?”

Definitely Neril’s voice.

Was it strange that I felt glad, even under these circumstances?

“Yes, I’ll be right there.”

I flipped the sign to “Open” and opened the door.

A woman with deep blue hair down to her waist stood there.

Slightly slanted eyes and tightly pressed lips gave her a sharp impression, but even that couldn’t overshadow her beauty.

The teardrop mole under her right eye was just as I remembered.

I smiled gently and said,

“Are you a customer? The owner stepped out for a moment.”

“Do you work here?”

“Yes. Just for today. For this one time only.”

“…?”

“Why don’t you come in?”

Neril nodded and stepped inside.

I returned to the counter and asked in a relaxed tone,

“Is there something you’re looking for?”

Neril stood with her arms crossed, staring at me silently.

“I’m looking for someone.”

“…”

“His name is Grey Palm. He’s probably around 41 now. Bald except for the hair right above his ears.”

“Sounds like someone I know.”

“You’d have to. He’s the owner here, isn’t he?”

Her tone changed.

She continued in a voice as cold as winter.

“You’re not just some part-timer, are you? You weren’t hired just to mind the shop.”

“…”

“I already took care of all Grey’s other lackeys. One by one. Over five years. They were living successful lives all over the continent.”

“…”

“Guards, guild masters, branch heads of merchant unions… Their deaths made waves. If Grey heard those rumors, I figured he might start hiring bodyguards.”

She seemed to think Grey had hired me as one.

“But would he really have the money to hire someone of your caliber?”

“Do you know who I am?”

“No idea. But I can tell from your posture alone—you’ve been through a lot.”

The tension in the air began to thicken.

I straightened my back and changed my tone.

“You’re mostly right, but let me correct one thing. I wasn’t hired by Grey.”

“…”

“I was actually waiting for you.”

“…What?”

“Would you like some tea? I heard you especially love black tea. Absolutely crazy for it, in fact.”

Neril’s eyes wavered slightly.

“Nice to meet you… Witch of Carnage, Neril Slane.”

At the word ‘false accusation’, Trail let out a low groan.

He was pretty quick on the uptake too, so he must’ve figured out what that meant.

Before the regression, Kaeld had shown a unique approach from the very start when recruiting party members.

He would cleverly identify a person’s weakness or trauma, and approach them with a warm attitude, pretending to heal or solve it.

Everyone fell for it.

I was the only one it didn’t work on, so he had to try something else… but, well, let’s move past that for now.

Anyway, the way he approached Neril wasn’t all that different.

‘Didn’t he clear up the false accusation placed on her?’

Apparently, Neril didn’t bawl her eyes out or anything pathetic like that.

It wasn’t in her nature.

But instead, she’d felt a strong curiosity toward Kaeld.

I remembered what she told me in the carriage on the way to the region for our quest before the regression.

“I’d never met someone like that in my life. Everyone else either ran away in fear of my reputation or didn’t even bother to find out if it was true. Let alone try to clear it.”

“Yeah.”

“I mean, sure, there are hundreds of bad rumors about me, so one of them being cleared didn’t mean much. Still, it was fascinating. His approach was just completely different.”

“Okay.”

“You’re so damn dry.”

She really was a strange person, Neril.

Even with my blunt attitude, she was always the one to start the conversation with me.

[Judging by how clueless you are… were you maybe single your whole life before regression…?]

‘……’

[Nope. Forget I said anything.]

This guy always gets all polite when he’s cornered.

‘Anyway, let’s get started.’

[With what?]

‘What do you think? I’m going to use that grand-sounding ability of mine — the Eye of Omniscience or whatever.’

[Huh?]

‘Neril’s not the type you can win over easily. Even if I ask her to join forces, she won’t give a damn. I need to have a card to show her.’

[Aha. Whose secrets are you going to reveal?]

I recalled what I saw before the regression.

More precisely, the bloody letters that floated above her head.

—Sinned against May Erenica and 287 others.

‘May Enerika.’

[Very well. Feel the majesty of my Eye of Omniscience throughout your body.]

I ignored him.

Soon, a screen appeared.

Now then.

What kind of adorable secret was our dear Witch of Carnage hiding?

Let’s take a look slo— huh?

<Error. The secret between ‘Neril Slane and May Erenika’ is of Rank B.>
<Requires Eye of Omniscience Level 3 or higher to view.>

To hell with the Eye of Omniscience.

‘……’

[……]

‘Say that thing you just said one more time.’

[I have no excuse.]

His voice dropped, then he immediately pushed back.

[Wait! Logically, this isn’t my fault! It’s your fault for having a low level!]

‘I didn’t even say anything. Why are you getting defensive?’

[…]

‘Well, nothing I can do about it. Honestly, when you think about it, it’s weirder if a party member of a hero just had their secrets laid bare like that.’

So, you need a high level to peek at higher-tier secrets.

‘Looks like I won’t be able to view Kaeld’s or Bion Kunze’s secrets either.’

[Most likely not.]

Can’t be helped.

I put all my focus into recalling my memories from before regression.

Surely there was something in our conversations, attitudes, expressions, or glances — some hint.

[You can actually recall all that?]

‘I have an extremely good memory. Practically inhuman.’

[Do people usually say that about themselves with a straight face?]

‘Of course, most of it’s probably useless. But thankfully, my instincts are also inhuman.’

[…]

Every once in a while, I’d get this sudden flash in my head, like lightning.

Yeah, to use an example—

Like when I saw my father’s name appear above my mother’s head.

…Useless memory. That’s not what’s important right now.

Anyway, instead of just replaying conversations or actions from the past, I had to recall those moments when the lightning struck.

And focus on the memory that flashed through me then.

Soon enough, a vivid memory sparked in my head.

It happened during the journey for the quest before the regression, when we were staying at an inn. I’d gotten up in the middle of the night to pee.

On my way down to the first floor, I saw Neril sitting at a table in the inn’s dining hall, with a rather chilling atmosphere.

Kaeld was seated across from her with a serious face.

On instinct, I suppressed all sound and presence.

I’d already figured out by then that even my party members, including Kaeld, couldn’t detect me if I really wanted to hide.

“Calling someone out for a private meeting in the middle of the night. How classy, Mr. Hero.”

“You’re rather sharp with me, Ms. Neril.”

“It’s not just you. I hate everyone.”

“……”

“So? What do you want?”

“This might sound sudden and rude, but… Ms. Neril, you’re the infamous Witch of Carnage, right?”

Kaeld usually spoke casually to all party members, but not to Neril.

She was a bit older than the rest of us.

“So what?”

“I did my homework before recruiting you. I know that most of your terrible reputation wasn’t from things you actually did. You were framed.”

“You used that line when you recruited me, remember?”

“But I also think that some of it — especially the last atrocity right before we met — was something you really did.”

Neril crossed her legs in silence.

Kaeld kept speaking.

“It was in the Quelk territory, wasn’t it? You brutally killed the tool shop owner there.”

“He deserved it.”

“There’s no such thing as someone who deserves to die.”

This guy, who fooled 148 million people, sure looked saintly saying that.

“Even if there were — was that shop owner really someone who deserved death? He just sold herbs and farming tools in that territory.”

“What do you know.”

“I don’t. That’s why I’m asking you to tell me.”

“What if I don’t want to.”

“You’re a party member, and I’m the leader. It’s my responsibility to manage the team. If you continue causing atrocities, it’ll be hard to keep traveling togeth—”

“Ha.”

Neril stood up abruptly.

“First of all, let me ease your worries. No more atrocities. Once this Demon King subjugation is over, I’m gone. I’ve done what I needed to do.”

“You’ve… done what you needed?”

“No need to explain that part. Just know that I’ll be a quiet, well-behaved party member from now on.”

“Ms. Neril. As a comrade, I want to genuinely understand what’s in your heart.”

Neril let out a deep sigh.

Then she looked up at the stairs above.

To be honest, I got nervous back then, thinking I’d been caught.

But she hadn’t seen me.

“When my party members found out I was the infamous Witch of Carnage, their expressions were hilarious. At first, I just introduced myself as a mage who’d turned her back on the world.”

“……”

“They all had different reactions. How could you bring in a witch like her? That monster should be killed.”

“……”

“But one of them stayed pretty calm. Like, As long as she does her job well, who cares? That kind of face.”

“…You’re talking about Mide.”

“That’s the most desirable attitude. The next best is being wary or scared of me. The absolute worst is—”

She glared coldly at Kaeld.

“Doing what you’re doing. Trying to console me or soothe me by digging into my past.”

“……”

“You think I joined the party because you cleaned up my reputation? That I’m here out of gratitude or some emotional debt?”

“……”

“I just found the last place I belong. And what’s more fitting for an ending than the fight against the Demon King?”

Kaeld’s brow twitched.

Neril yawned once and waved her hand dismissively.

“I’ll head up now. Sleep well.”

I stopped reminiscing.

[Hoooh. So that’s what happened.]

‘Yeah… Wait, are you seriously peeking into my memories now too?’

[But how do you know this memory is even useful? Don’t give me vague stuff about intuition.]

‘Neril said she had finished her work, and after the incident with the tool shop owner in the Quelk territory, she stopped the carnage. Then she jumped into the Demon King subjugation to find the final stage of her life.’

[Aha. So causing carnage to the tool shop owner was that “work” she mentioned.]

‘In other words, revenge. I don’t know why such a powerful mage like her would have that kind of grudge against a mere shopkeeper, but still.’

I counted on my fingers.

‘Timeline-wise, she hasn’t contacted the tool shop owner yet. Her final carnage happens a week from now.’

[So then?]

‘Exactly.’

I have to get there first.

I’ll take hold of her target of revenge before she can.

Then I’ll use it to blackma— ahem, negotiate.

Feeling confident, I smiled.

Inside my head, Trail chimed in with his usual nonsense.

[Uh, you really gonna do that? Think it through again.]

‘What’s wrong with this flawless plan?’

[She’ll be pissed, obviously! If you hold her hard-earned revenge target hostage and try to use it for leverage, of course she’ll blow up!]

‘I told you, it’s a negotiation.’

[How about trying to calmly talk to her instead? Like, Let’s work together to defeat the Demon King and save the continent kind of pitch.]

You really don’t know Neril at all.

Let’s just say you’re a Neril-illiterate.

The carriage traveled three more days before arriving at the Quelk territory.

After such a long journey together, the coachman and I had become close enough to put arms around each other’s shoulders.

“Must’ve been rough traveling so far. Here’s the rest of the fare.”

“Oh, thank you! Will you be needing a ride back?”

“I haven’t decided on my next move yet.”

“Next move?”

“Never mind. Anyway, Quelk is a decent-sized place. You’ll probably find a passenger for the return trip soon. But just in case, I added a bit extra to your fare.”

The coachman bowed deeply once again.

As we entered the domain, Trail commented,

[You’re surprisingly polite.]

‘What did you expect?’

[Thought you would be rough around the edges, being a mercenary and all.]

‘At least I’m more polite than you, so don’t worry.’

[So how are you going to find Neril now? Like you said, this place is pretty big.]

‘Pull up the map.’

[…]

Trail grumbled something but brought up the familiar screen.

A map of the entire continent filled the display.

But I shook my head.

‘Just the Quelk territory map.’

[What do you take me for, your secretary or something?]

‘Ah, sorry if that’s how it came off. It’s just that you’re so capable—you can do anything, so I thought this would be easy for you.’

[Hmph. Of course it is. Easy peasy.]

Soon, a zoomed-in map of the Quelk territory appeared.

……

He is easy.

Anyway, I examined the screen carefully and spoke.

‘No need to find Neril directly. The hint is that her next target of carnage is a tool shop owner.’

[…]

‘Speaking from experience as someone who has wandered all over the continent, tool shops are usually located between residential areas and the village entrance. They have to cater to both travelers and locals, after all.’

[Aha.]

‘That means they’ll be clustered around here. Let’s check this area first.’

I set off.

There were ten tool shops in the Quelk.

The first owner had sinned against only five people. A diligent young man.

His blood lettering didn’t include Neril’s name.

The second owner had twelve. Still no Neril.

The third—nine. Again, no Neril.

The fourth—thirty-nine? What the hell.

In my experience, if someone’s harmed more than twenty people, they’re usually not just an ordinary person.

Anyway, Neril’s name wasn’t on this one either, so I turned around with a baffled laugh.

The fourth owner spoke up.

“What, just leaving like that?”

“Yes. Nothing that caught my eye.”

“Don’t be like that—pick something, will you? Cah, ptuh.”

He spat on the floor of his own shop.

“Business is crap these days. Why don’t you at least take a dagger or something? You look like a mercenary.”

“Sigh. How much?”

“How much were you expecting to pay?”

“……”

Smack! Thud.

Creeeak.

I dusted off my hands and walked out of the fourth tool shop.

Just then, a customer who looked like an adventurer approached, about to enter.

To save him the trouble, I kindly spoke up.

“They’re probably closed for the day. This tool shop.”

“Huh?”

“Seems the owner’s exhausted. Said he needed a nap.”

Leaving the confused adventurer behind, I headed to the next shop.

For some reason, I felt oddly refreshed.

After checking a few more shops, I arrived at the seventh.

The writing above the owner’s head read:

– Has against Frank de Levan and 89 others.

I expanded the screen, and there it was—the fourth name from the top, a name I recognized.

– Neril Slane.

Found her.