[Chapter 161: The Mystery Revealed]

The hunt in the canyon, which took about fifteen days, was completed surprisingly easily, contrary to initial concerns.

At the beginning, there were many orcs who fought to the death, but even they quickly reverted to their original orc form once their leader was killed.

When they degenerated into mere brutish orcs, they could be easily handled by the trained soldiers alone.

"Everyone, cheers~!"

After successfully completing the hunt, the expedition team arrived at the gate and rented an entire tavern in the neighboring village to celebrate.

Though it was a celebration, it was a modest banquet where they drank in front of a single roast.

Though we wanted to hold a grander celebration, we needed to save money until we could find a sponsor after announcing the results of this hunt.

"I'm sorry, everyone. You've worked hard, but all we have is cheap beer."

"Haha! Even this much is a great treat for us!"

Despite feeling sorry, the expedition members started exchanging cheers and responses happily.

In reality, drinking during an expedition was something only the hero and their close aides did, and large-scale banquets like this were extremely rare.

No, it wasn't just rare; it might even be nonexistent. On the contrary, there were many cases where strict discipline led to poor treatment.

"Indeed, drinking comfortably after a hunting mission is something we couldn't even dream of, right?"

"Well, if it weren't for Hero Woo Hyo-sung, it wouldn't have ended so smoothly."

But since the hunt ended earlier than planned, there would be some free time for a while.

A significant portion of the stories told at the drinking party were about my exploits.

"Not only did you fight directly, but you also detailed the strategies for us to deal with the orcs."

"Thanks to you, we were able to wipe out the orcs without significant damage... I'd even like to propose it as an official strategy to the army after this."

Indeed, there were no casualties during the hunt, thanks to the strategy I taught them.

In reality, I had just relayed what Cheska had taught me to them.

"Is it just that the strategies were great? You seemed to know all about the orcs' habits, where they gather, and where they flee to."

"Thanks to that, we could easily mop up the remnants without having to search for them."

As they said, it was more efficient to handle things based on solid information rather than moving around physically.

Again, it was all thanks to what Cheska taught me.

"Is that all? What about when that mutant orc appeared, the one you beheaded..."

"Yes, yes, I remember. We all thought we were dead, but then you stabbed it with your flaming sword and pulled out its heart...!"

The soldiers continued to chatter happily, praising me as they went.

Despite being experienced soldiers, my achievements seemed significant even by their standards.

They didn't know that all those achievements were actually Cheska's doing, not mine.

'...I don't like it.'

Yeah, it was bound to feel unsettling.

Cheska only gave me appropriate strategies and let me take all the credit as the leader of the expedition.

Relying on someone else's efforts to raise my status wouldn't lead to my growth, as the 'savior' Airi mentioned.

"Hero, what's wrong? You don't look well..."

"Haha, it's just... it's been a while since I drank, so I'm feeling a bit dizzy. I think I need to rest in my room for a bit."

"Oh, yes. If you're feeling tipsy... then there's no choice."

The expedition members all looked regretful as they watched me get up in a hurry.

Their regret meant that our bonds were that strong, but unfortunately, I still had things to do for the future.

"By the way, I don't see Cheska around. Do you know where he is?"

"He went to the granary and stables to order supplies."

"He declined to drink with us, saying he's too humble and frugal for such things..."

So he's not in his room. Alright.

After roughly saying goodbye to the expedition members, I prepared to leave a note in Cheska's room.

The content was exactly what Airi had written in the letter she gave me.

Though I didn't understand the meaning, I decided to trust Airi and follow her prophecy.

[I know your true identity, Francheska.]

Whatever the reason, if this note could secure a chance for me to become stronger, then it would be a good thing.

So, after leaving the note in Cheska's room, late at night...

I didn't go to bed and instead lay on my bed, rereading the first note Airi had left for me.

[After finishing the orc hunt in the canyon, please write the phrase I have written on a note and leave it in the room of the noble who participated in the expedition with you.]

[If he then comes to your room to negotiate, you will have the opportunity to become even stronger.]

The first sentence already predicted that I would be in the canyon and that there would be an orc hunt.

Of course, it was hard to believe that an arrogant and calculating noble could be my teacher, but my doubts stopped at that initial thought.

The reason there were no casualties during the hunt in the canyon was because the strategy he taught was that effective against the orcs.

"Even if he wasn't good in battle, his analytical skills were amazing."

He knew the orcs' habits and had strategies and tactics to deal with them.

He even analyzed each expedition member's combat abilities and adjusted the strategies according to the climate and terrain before giving them to me.

He even realized that the beheaded orc was undergoing 'vampirization'...

These were things that couldn't be done with ordinary information or experience.

It was probably not just orcs. The information he had...

Even if I didn't know the details, since Airi connected us, it must be something significant.

But still, just leaving a note made me feel uneasy.

[I know your true identity, Francheska.]

I know your true identity. Could just this one thing really set up a negotiation with him?

All I knew was that he was the young head of a poor noble family and the illegitimate child of the current emperor...

Could it be that the name shouldn't be revealed? That his real name was Orion Francheska because he was a royal?

No, it couldn't be just that.

Airi's note clearly targeted someone with a secret, something more substantial than what appeared on the surface.

Something that would be most fatal given his current position...

"...That he's not a man but a woman?"

Yes, in the empire, the head of a noble family is usually a man, and if it turns out he's a woman, he might have to step down.

This guess seemed plausible not just because of his appearance but also because he avoided bathing or changing clothes with others.

Other soldiers thought it was just because he was a noble despite being poor, but after reading Airi's note, I couldn't take his actions lightly.

Maybe he's really a woman...

Knock, knock.

Just as I had that thought, there was a knock on the door, followed by a familiar voice.

"Hero Woo Hyo-sung. Can you open the door?"

"Oh, uh, sure."

Finally, what I had been waiting for arrived. As expected, it was Cheska.

But his expression wasn't the usual calm one.

His gaze was slightly fierce, and his face was flushed, unlike his usual impassive expression.

"...Did you leave this note in my room, Hero Woo Hyo-sung?"

"Oh, uh, yeah. I didn't even write my name, but you found me."

"I already checked the handwriting."

Handwriting... So that's why Airi insisted I write it by hand.

Of course, he identified the handwriting, so he didn't have to ask other expedition members or people.

"...Leaving the note secretly means you want something from me but don't want to tell others, right?"

"Well, yeah. The fewer people who know, the better."

It's better to keep it secret since we don't know what will happen next.

Sensing that things were going favorably, I let him in and closed the door, taking a moment to prepare myself.

Even though I had no idea about his true identity, I thought that if I handled the negotiation well, things would go as Airi said.

Rustle, rustle.

But right after closing the entrance, I heard the sound of fabric rustling.

By the time I realized it was the sound of someone changing clothes, Cheska had already taken off all his clothes.

All that was left was his slender body, barely covered by black underwear.

"Wh-what are you doing?! Why are you suddenly taking off your clothes?!"

"Rather than denying and causing a commotion, I thought it would be faster to reveal my true identity clearly."

Saying that, Cheska hurriedly adjusted her fallen underwear.

Her small but clearly feminine chest was exposed.

But more noteworthy than her chest were her joints.

Her joints, which should have been covered by skin if she were human, stood out, making her look like a doll.

"Yes, as you know, my name is Francheska..."

Before I could question her unusual body, she introduced herself.

No, it was more like a confession revealing a long-hidden secret.

"I am a tool with a self created through an ancient vision, known as a specialized hunting doll and guardian of the Orion Empire."

"...Wh-what? A doll?"

"Are you questioning if I came all the way here just to reveal that?"

"No, I really don't understand..."

"Of course, for someone like you, it wouldn't be surprising to know more about my identity. That I am a guardian-like entity that has protected the empire, that I have hidden my identity through the Plandor family due to the Emperor's indulgent nature, and that I am secretly investigating the current state of the empire..."

"Wait. Wait, calm down, Cheska, no, Francheska!"

Francheska was revealing her entire identity without even being asked.

It was only after I stopped her that she finally closed her mouth, and I quietly told her the one thing I had guessed.

"The only thing I guessed was that you're a woman..."

"...What?"

"No, I didn't know anything about you being a doll, a guardian, or investigating the empire..."

I never expected so much to be revealed just from the name Francheska.

I tried to explain that, but Cheska just stood there, staring blankly at me.

"...Huh."

She finally spoke after quite some time.

After coming to her senses, Cheska hurriedly put on her clothes and ran away.

"Forget what just happened. Goodbye."

"Hey, wait! What do you mean, forget everything?! Don't go..."

Crash!

The window shattered violently as she escaped.

It was an action I never expected from the dignified head of a noble family.

[=Chapter 162: Occupational Hazard=]

[I know your identity. Francheska.]

After finishing her task and returning to her room, Cheska found a note on her bed and fell into thought.

It wasn't difficult to identify who the sender was.

During the detailed verification process of the expedition members' abilities, they had also examined all their handwriting.

'This is not good.'

Yes, it was certainly not a favorable situation.

According to the original plan, she was supposed to assist him, the most excellent hero in the empire, to gain access to the Imperial Family's top brass. But she never expected the other side to identify her first.

'I must keep my identity hidden until the critical moment. I have no idea what they think or if they're friendly towards me.'

Fortunately, there was no sign of him being bewitched by a vampire, but she didn't know the extent of his relationship with the Imperial Family, which had been taken over by these beings.

In such a situation, having her identity revealed was a painful mistake.

If she wasn't careful, the revelation of her identity could cascade into the collapse of her mission to save the empire.

'How much did they find out—no, if they know my real name, they must have figured everything out.'

If they just knew she was a doll, it wouldn't be so bad. However, if they specifically knew her identity, they must understand not only the empire's hidden history but also her actions.

The silver lining was that there were no signs of him being bewitched by a vampire, suggesting he might be separate from the Imperial Family.

'I need to figure out how to navigate this from here on... To gauge that, I must meet him face to face.'

And if it was judged that her identity hadn't been revealed externally yet, she must somehow get him to promise to keep it a secret.

She had to persuade him in a way that wouldn't harm his social status... If necessary, she must be prepared to offer her body or dignity.

'To that person... even if it means transferring my ownership.'

At that moment, she felt the sound of the mana core that replaced her heart pounding.

Thump, thump. The sensation of energy coursing through her body.

To humans, this feeling would probably be defined as 'anticipation.'

'Anticipation? In a situation that could turn out to be the worst, why?'

"Master. Master of Plandor?"

At the moment of confusion, a voice came from outside the door.

Only then did Cheska, coming to her senses, put the note in her hand into her bosom and turn her gaze to the open door.

Standing there was a familiar face.

It was Lieutenant Sanson, who was in charge of leading the expedition members.

"Did you... call me?"

However, the title that came out of his mouth didn't resonate with Cheska.

Her identity was Francheska, the great foreign weapon, not the Master of Plandor.

"Ah yes, I thought you might be hungry, so I brought some food from the banquet... Did I commit a discourtesy?"

"...No, thank you for your consideration."

Nevertheless, Cheska, determined to fulfill her role, accepted the food Sanson offered and bowed her head in thanks.

Yes, a noble bowing to a mere soldier.

"...Mr. Sanson?"

"Ah, yes, no, it's nothing."

Cheska tilted her head, not understanding Sanson's flustered reaction.

Sanson, looking at Cheska with discomfort, soon cleared his throat to break the silence and looked down at her again.

"Well, anyway, I wanted to consult with you because the banquet seems to be going on longer..."

"Don't worry about it. We plan to stay here for a day or two anyway, so just enjoy it as long as it doesn't affect your condition until then."

"Yes, yes. I'll inform the members accordingly. Then, I'll take my leave."

Lieutenant Sanson bowed his head and hurriedly left the room.

Cheska watched him leave and quietly exhaled a breath, easing the tension in her chest.

'The role of standing above humans, for a being made to serve humans, feels like wearing ill-fitting clothes.'

But now, she had no choice but to go against the essence of her existence in such a way.

No matter how she was made to serve humans, if there wasn't a second entity absolutely on humanity's side, she had to play that role.

'Yes, I must never be discovered.'

The doll's Rule 0: If an entity was deemed a threat to the survival of the empire and humanity, prioritize eliminating that entity over all other rules.

Cheska, believing her identity must never be revealed for this rule, looked at the note in her bosom again, firming her resolve.

'No matter what the demand is... I must accept it.'

Perhaps becoming his tool rather than the head of a noble family would better serve her purpose.

With such a perhaps hopeful anticipation.

"So, you just gave me a letter written following the fortune teller's prophecy?"

"Yes, I didn't know anything about your situation... So, you're like a guardian of humanity, and you woke up because you judged that humanity is in immediate danger?"

"Th-that's right."

After a moment of confusion, Cheska returned to the room and had a conversation with him to organize the situation.

Though he just followed the prophecy, since she had already confessed, she needed to convince him to ensure he wouldn't inadvertently reveal anything externally.

Yes, explaining away the significant issue that the Imperial Family had been taken over by vampires could be allowed.

"...Well, in a world that's a mess everywhere, such beings could wake up too."

And fortunately, without prying into her role and mission, he showed an attitude of generally understanding by just looking at the current state of the world.

Since she couldn't trust him yet, it was fortunate that she could save some explanations.

As she felt relieved, he suddenly asked her a question, as if something was bothering him.

"By the way, why is a guardian of the Imperial Family acting as the head of a remote noble family instead of being inside the Imperial Family?"

"That's..."

"No, I don't think you need to explain."

Why she, a guardian of the empire, was playing the role of a separate individual instead of being directly involved with the Imperial Family.

Before she could come up with a prepared excuse, he started to smile bitterly, seemingly understanding on his own.

"From the start, the inside and outside were so misaligned that even a clone would rebel against the original, so you're probably no different."

"...A clone?"

"There's such a thing."

Whatever it was, his words showed sympathy and a sense of camaraderie.

Just hearing that made Cheska put aside the suspicion that the person in front of her might be a lackey of the Imperial Family.

Yes, their interests were aligned, but that didn't mean he was actually allied with them.

"But still, a doll."

But that only avoided the worst-case scenario. There was still a possibility that he might have malicious intentions towards her.

Even if he followed the fortune teller's prophecy, he must have had his own agenda for seeking the prophecy.

"That's perfect—no, it might be even better than I expected."

His muttering might be because he was considering such a thing.

"Cheska."

Feeling her throat dry with tension towards him, she heard his call.

Cheska stiffened, bowed her head, and asked him in a strained voice.

"Y-yes. Please go ahead."

"Now that I know your identity, I'd like to ask you a favor..."

Finally, the time had come.

The man in front of Cheska, who had already steeled herself, soon spoke words driven by his desires.

"Can you take me as your student?"

"Y-yes. I'll serve you as my mast– What?"

"As I said earlier, I sought advice from the fortune teller because I wanted to find a way to become stronger."

A voice filled with such desperation that it interrupted her reply.

Looking at him in a daze at the unexpected question, his face began to take on a more serious tone.

"Your knowledge of orc habits comes from dealing with various beings while protecting humanity, right?"

"Yes, but..."

"Can you teach me anything that would help me increase my strength, including that? I'll pay whatever price I can afford."

"Yes... to help you grow stronger."

It was a reason even a fool could understand.

No matter the reason, the result of gaining strength was something commonly seen everywhere.

And she, too, was hoping to help him rise to power, become his close aide, and use him as a means to get into the Imperial Family's inner circle.

Naturally, she considered this situation, where he asked for her help, as an opportunity to be seized.

"But."

But such a purpose couldn't be purely innocent, and the thing she first kept in mind might happen someday.

"Are you... threatening me?"

"...What?"

"To achieve that goal, you're exploiting my vulnerable parts..."

Cheska carefully placed a hand on her body, blushing, and looked up at him with anxious eyes.

"Knowing that I'm a woman, you proposed a negotiation, so... you want my body, for example..."

"No, that's not it."

But he just waved it off casually, despite her worried and hopeful words.

"Either way, it's true that it would be problematic if your identity were revealed, right?"

"Yes, yes. That's right."

"Then keeping it a secret is the right answer. If I spread it around and it causes problems, I'd be in trouble too."

He was afraid of the consequences, so he wouldn't get involved.

Indeed, it was wise not to get involved after knowing her identity, but she had already steeled herself, revealed her identity to him, and even undressed.

Shouldn't there be at least a slight hint of hesitation?

"So rest assured. There will never be any situation where I'll lay a hand on you."

"How can I trust those words?"

Despite that, thinking there might still be something hidden, she expressed her doubt, and he casually laughed and answered immediately.

"Because I prefer older women."

"What?"

"I prefer women who are more mature than me and listen to me well... For that reason, I don't feel that way about you at all."

Snap.

Something snapped in her mind at that moment.

Such a remark didn't sit well with Cheska at all.

"So, you're saying I don't look mature?"

"Of course not. I was a bit surprised when you undressed earlier, but someone as small as you– Cheska?"

"Let's continue this conversation tomorrow."

Thud!

Cheska brushed him off and left, ignoring his puzzled call.

Returning to her room and locking the door, she took a deep sigh and roughly removed the glasses covering her eyes.

"Young? You're treating me, who has lived through the empire's history, like a child?"

A thousand years lived as a doll.

Even if she spent most of that time asleep, she endlessly reflected on her experiences, achieving mental maturity.

For her, being told she looks young was enough to hurt her pride, given her serious mission to serve humanity.

"Alright, I'll show you how reliable and dependable I am."

Swish, swish.

Cheska started to take off her clothes one by one, unweaving the threads to create a new outfit on the spot.

She never doubted for a moment that what she was doing was wrong as she put on the new clothes.

Believing that as long as she became his close aide, it would help achieve her goal.

The next day after such events transpired.

As soon as he left the room to consult Cheska about what happened last night, he was taken aback by the girl standing in front of him.

"U-uhm. Who...?"

"It's an honor to meet you. Hero Woo Hyo-sung."

A girl in a maid outfit lifted her skirt slightly and greeted him.

Afterwards, she fixed her long blonde hair and greeted him again with her haughty blue eyes.

"I am a servant sent to assist the expedition as a representative of the head of Plandor, who has returned to the main house..."

"And from now on, I will be serving as your personal maid, 'Flang'."

No, you're Cheska.

What are you doing?

[=Chapter 163: Maid Flang=]

Let me briefly reflect on the person I knew... or rather, the person she was.

Our first meeting was a few months ago when I was invited to the Imperial Palace.

At that time, she introduced herself as the guardian of a child I had a connection with, and through the warnings she gave then, I was able to approach the situation with caution before entering the Imperial City.

Knowing she had helped me in that way, I felt some sympathy when I learned she was not even treated as a noble by her peers.

It was only yesterday that I found out her noble or illegitimate status was all a disguise and that she was actually an ancient weapon that had protected the empire.

"Nice to meet you, expedition members. My name is Flang, and I am here to assist you on behalf of Lord Cheska, the head of the Plandor family who has returned home."

But why, as soon as she accepted that, did she become a new person named Flang and introduce herself in front of the expedition?

"Although Lord Cheska had to return quickly for his duties as a lord, I will do my best to fill his place and assist you all."

"Uh, um..."

Naturally, the expedition members' reactions were all stiff.

Some of them seemed unable to fully grasp the current situation, as if still affected by last night's drinking.

It was understandable.

Though her hair and attire were different, she appeared in place of the noble boy who had left, with the same face.

"Hey, Hero. Who is this person...?"

"They say they are related by blood."

"Related by blood? Siblings? Or cousins?"

"...Just roughly accept it. It will be troublesome if you dig deeper."

"Ah, yes. Well, they are nobles..."

Although she was more than a noble, it was enough if they roughly accepted it.

After Lieutenant Sanson explained to the members, they, too, began to understand the situation and stared at Flang with stiff eyes.

They seemed to believe she wasn't the same person as Cheska, but they worried about the repercussions if she were related to the nobility.

So, if she were to stay with us, I hoped she would appear more familiar. But she just opened the door to the kitchen as if my inner thoughts didn't matter.

"Now that I think about it, it's morning. Aren't you hungry? I've prepared breakfast, so I recommend eating before you start your activities."

"Oh, oh!"

The food was gradually being pulled out on a cart...

As the beautifully colored dishes that could be called a feast lined the table, she had somehow finished setting up and began looking up at me from beside me.

As if she was waiting for me to react to this table now.

"Did you make all of this by yourself?"

"Except for recovery periods, I don't need sleep. As long as I have enough mana, I can move even in the middle of the night, so it's no big deal."

Right, since she wasn't human but a doll, this was possible.

Of course, even a doll wouldn't work endlessly without reason, but what worried me more was the expedition's finances.

"...How much did you spend making this?"

"These are the costs of the ingredients used here."

A ledger was smoothly presented in front of me.

It contained the expenses for the ingredients, but the amounts were not much different from what we usually spent on provisions.

"Foods that are not widely distributed, like local specialties, are generally cheaper. Also, freshly obtained foods do not require quality preservation or labor investment, so you can buy them cheaply at the early morning market."

"...So you bought them cheaply from locals early in the morning?"

That was a tip my dad, who used to run a truck business, taught me.

"It's wisdom gained through long experience."

Cheska confidently revealed such practical wisdom while puffing out her flat chest.

In that action, there was a different confidence compared to when she played the role of a noble boy.

It was an emotional appearance that was hard to believe was acting. As I stared at her, positive remarks from the expedition members began to emerge from everywhere.

"D-Delicious!"

"It's not just beautifully colored; it melts in your mouth!"

"If we had this at last night's banquet, it would have been great with drinks."

"How about a drink?"

"No, you idiot. We need to focus on preparing for the expedition today."

The expedition members were full of praise, and as they faced it, they gradually nodded in agreement.

When she was always aloof, her actions felt unfamiliar, but now she spoke to me confidently, as if the current situation was ideal.

"Household chores are my specialty. From now on, leave the menial tasks of the expedition to me."

...This girl.

Is she really the same person as Cheska?

The expedition period spanned six months, but since the first subjugation ended quickly and smoothly, we could afford to invest a day in rest.

Of course, with many tasks like preparing necessary supplies and repairing equipment, the expedition members would have free time in the afternoon.

At least in the morning, even if suffering from a hangover, we had to take care of things to start the expedition in good condition the next day.

"The order for necessary supplies and informing the informants of the expedition's achievements have already been completed."

And all these tasks had already been completed by the excellent maid who suddenly appeared, unbeknownst to us.

"Also, the repair of the carriages, the maintenance and washing of the equipment, and the inspection of the stables' horses have all been completed, so please rest and focus on relaxation."

"...You did all that while we didn't know?"

"It's a natural duty as a maid."

Cheska said it as if it were no big deal.

But having seen her work up close, I could immediately understand that her words were not bluffing.

Her speed was such that her body left afterimages, and her hand movements were precise, as if measured with a ruler.

Even when cleaning, she utilized mana aptly to ensure that not a single speck of dust was dislodged.

"...My sword is gleaming."

"It's neat, so we can rest comfortably."

"The horse's mane is so clean!"

Naturally, the members' evaluations were full of praise.

Having done menial tasks as a porter for two years, I could immediately understand the remarkable level of her household chores.

If I had continued as a porter, I might have sought her out as a master. That's how skilled she was.

"So, how is it?"

After providing the members with a pleasant rest, the afternoon—no, a little before noon.

Having finished all the necessary tasks by that time, Cheska stood confidently with her hand on her waist, looking up at me.

"What do you mean, how?"

"I asked what your evaluation is of me, who has sorted out the tasks needed by the expedition as a maid."

"Oh, right. Evaluation."

Objectively, it was an incredible level without any flaws, but that was just the result.

In the world, there are no tasks without compensation, so if things go too smoothly, suspicion is warranted.

For example, the person in front of me might have a hidden agenda, or she might have sacrificed something I didn't know about to achieve such results.

"Are you okay?"

"...Why are you suddenly asking about my well-being?"

"No, it's just a bit hard to understand logically. It would be more comfortable as a noble, but you suddenly claim to be a maid..."

Sigh.

A deep sigh followed before the obvious suspicion-laden concern ended.

It was something I never encountered when she played the role of the arrogant and calculative young lord.

"...Master."

And that applied to the words that followed.

"Maste– What?"

"I called you. I am now a maid, not a noble, so the title for calling you who commands me should change, shouldn't it?"

"No, no matter how you put it, calling me master is a bit..."

"It's just a formality, so don't attach deep meaning to it."

Yes, as long as it helps the expedition, anything would be fine. Cheska straightened up and continued.

"As I mentioned yesterday, I am a doll created for humanity. Although artificially made, I possess emotions and will, just like humans."

Right, that's the part that concerns me.

In the world I lived in, she is what we commonly refer to as artificial intelligence, or AI.

Although created by human hands, with her high-level thinking and personality, she is no different from a human.

So I thought she would also have desires and preferences, and thus avoid hard labor.

"And our purpose of existence is to live for the humans who own us... Serving and working for the master is the meaning of existence and the joy of life for beings like us."

"So, you mean it's more comfortable to be commanded than to command?"

"If we compare it to humans, it could be called an occupational disease or nature. Honestly, I feel like I've properly fitted into my role now that I've shed the noble guise."

She said that while placing her hand on her chest and making a comfortable expression.

The haughty and quiet atmosphere remained, but now she felt endlessly natural and human-like, unlike her mechanical demeanor before.

"For that reason, I will ask you again, who has become my master in form..."

Cheska, who had transformed into such an emotional figure—no, the girl now rightfully called Francheska looked at me with clear eyes and asked.

"Was there any flaw in what I showed today?"

"None at all. It was perfect."

"And?"

"And what else?"

"Don't you have more to say? Like I seem reliable, or you want to depend on me after seeing how perfect of a maid I am..."

"Oh well, it's definitely easier for the expedition members to deal with a maid."

"Not that...!"

Her voice slightly raised.

Her expression showed not just frustration but also a hint of irritation, but that too was fleeting.

"...No, it's nothing."

Francheska quickly turned her gaze away.

It seemed she was unsatisfied with my response, but whatever it was, she had a reason to help me.

"Whatever it is, you're helping me because you want to achieve something through me too, right?"

Hmph.

Just as I roughly figured it out and was about to return to the main point, Francheska expressed her frustration.

After some time, she regained her composure and spoke to me with a proud attitude.

"Yes, that's correct. If you succeed and become a close aide to the Imperial Family, I too can get closer to my goal by assisting you."

"That's because you want to have a natural connection with the Imperial Family as the protector of the empire, right?"

"I won't say it directly. If I tell you my purpose, it could harm you, so please understand."

Yeah, I too am struggling to take care of myself.

It's beyond my capacity to deeply question what she knows and what her purpose is.

If it directly harms me, I would have to stop it, but since Airi wouldn't make such a prediction, I decided it's best to rely on her for now.

"Alright, then let's consider last night's discussion settled... What do you think is the first thing I should do?"

"First, based on my analysis of the expedition so far, I think we should assess our strengths and address any weaknesses."

Fortunately, she too seemed willing to cooperate on this matter.

As we got to this point, I began to feel curiosity well up.

"So, from your perspective, how is my strength?"

I wondered how my skills, honed and inherited from the hero's persona, would appear to an entity known as the protector of the empire and its history.

"To conclude, it's pathetic."

"...What?"

"Please don't misunderstand. Compared to the heroes summoned to the empire, your strength is top-notch, but the perspective I consider is on a different level."

A difference in perspective.

Well, considering the evaluation of an entity that had lived for over a thousand years, it was understandable that the strength of someone who had inherited a persona for only 20-30 years wouldn't be impressive.

"Then, what level are you considering?"

"If I were to make a comparison... well."

"Compared to the universe, it would be like dust."

"That's the same even if a dragon came."

If Tashian heard this, she would slap her back.

"I apologize if the expression was excessive, but please understand."

But contrary to thinking it was a joke, her words aimed at me were serious.

"What I will teach you is to deal with 'transcendent beings,' and facing such beings requires more preparation than can ever be enough."

Along with her sharp, gleaming eyes, she was teaching me that what awaited would not be easy from now on.