[Chapter 165: The Secrets Of Beastmen]

Beastmen.

Their presence became prominent shortly after the series of calamities struck this world.

A mysterious race that seemed to be a fusion of humans and animals.

Upon their emergence, they claimed to be the new humanity and the epitome of progress, constantly displaying their ambition to dominate over humans.

Although the damage they caused was not as severe as that by the undead or the Demon King's army, they were still a target for extermination as they were in a struggle for survival.

"Please help us!!!!"

But why was a group of these beastmen swarming the gate and pleading for help from the soldiers and residents?

"Our comrades are dying! Please provide us with a place to rest, even if it's just for a little while!"

"We can't rest properly outside because it's crawling with monsters! Please, just a little... even a little bit would be enough, please!!"

The beastmen, who appeared to be in poor condition, were gasping for breath or trembling, hugging each other, and desperately pleading.

Despite their beastly appearance, their human traits showed that they were not just mere animals.

Yes, they certainly possessed a personality.

"Get lost!!! How dare you crawl in here?!"

"Come any closer, and I'll blow your heads off!"

But the faces of the soldiers confronting them were filled with fear and hatred.

It was a natural reaction.

No matter how much they could communicate, unlike the demons or undead, letting them in was akin to bringing enemies into the camp during a war.

"Please, I beg you!"

Surely, the beastmen were aware of this.

Nevertheless, the fox beastman, presumed to be the leader, bowed her head to the ground, disregarding the arrows aimed at them.

"Even if it's just for a moment. We'll leave quietly once our comrades' condition improves. Or at least until the main group that followed our scent arrives..."

"Danger!!!"

At that moment, the arrow was deflected by the swipe of the lion beastman next to her.

Amid the standoff, one of the soldiers, unable to bear the tension, had fired an arrow at them.

"Are you crazy!? Firing without orders, provoking them..."

"Shut up! What more do you need to see? They're beastmen! Do you know how many villages have been destroyed by them?!"

"Yeah, if we could deal with anyone who could talk, we wouldn't be at odds with the Demon King's army or the undead!"

"How can we deal with them when they call themselves the Anti-Human Alliance? There's nothing more to see. They're enemies, enemies!!"

"Captain! Give us the order!"

The soldiers, starting with the first shot, began to rally.

The lion beastman snarled and glared at them menacingly in response to the hostile atmosphere.

"Grr, I didn't think we could talk to humans anyway. We should just wipe them all out and take over..."

"No, we can't do that!"

The fox beastman quickly restrained the lion beastman.

Even though an arrow almost hit her head, she tried to restrain the enraged lion beastman.

"You know our people aren't in good condition right now! The reason they're hostile to us is largely our responsibility..."

"Don't talk about responsibility! If they hadn't treated us like failures from the start, we wouldn't be in this situation!"

"Even so...!"

Unlike the humans, who were united in hostility, the beastman representatives were divided on whether to fight or not.

Meanwhile, many of the beastmen behind them were either sick or looking worried and anxious.

The lion beastman was also wary of them and couldn't just charge in emotionally.

Anyone could see that they weren't pretending to attack this place.

"...Hero, what should we do?"

Lieutenant Sanson asked me, observing the situation objectively from the gate.

Unlike the soldiers at the gate, he was focused solely on me, waiting for my opinion.

"Can I make the decision?"

"The gate's captain seems to be waiting for your opinion as well."

The reason they hadn't given the order to fire yet was because the captain hadn't given his command.

Though he was in charge, they couldn't ignore my influence as a hero, so their tense gazes were directed at me.

Alright, so my opinion is the most important here.

"Hero, give us the order!"

"We need to drive them away from here... No, we need to exterminate them all!"

Realizing this, the soldiers slowly turned their attention from the captain to me.

I turned away from them and briefly looked at the beastmen below the wall.

"Please..."

The desperate fox beastman and the lion beastman, who was ready to use force if necessary.

If we drive them away, conflict is inevitable, but letting them in also carries risks.

Whichever choice we make, we can't expect it to go smoothly since they are an enemy force.

Objectively, it would be more sensible to block the danger from the outside rather than let it in.

"Ah, ah..."

However, there was one reason I couldn't just draw my weapon and charge at them.

From the moment Francheska heard that the beastmen had approached, her complexion had turned pale.

"Flang, are you alright?"

"No. It's just that..."

"I understand that you're scared because the beastmen have come in groups. Please go down for now. We'll handle this."

"I can't do that. How can I leave them...?"

Flang trembled, unsure of what to do at Sanson's words.

Even after revealing her true nature, she had always maintained her composure, so why was she so shaken upon facing the beastmen?

"...Can we find a place as far from the residential area as possible for them?"

I couldn't know the reason, but I could make a guess.

None other than one who claimed to be the protector of humanity, and the connection Airi had made suggested something significant about the beastmen.

"Hero, what do you mean...?"

"You're not seriously thinking of letting them in, are you?"

"They said it would only be until their main group joins them, so I don't think simply dealing with them will be enough."

I wanted to gently convey my most rational thoughts to the shocked soldiers.

"Beastmen are a race with a strong sense of kinship. If they find out we drove them away or killed them, they might lead their entire group to raze this place."

"We've prepared for that. They're clearly enemies of humanity too...!"

"I'm not prepared for that."

The uproar stopped abruptly at my firm declaration.

In the silence that followed, I spoke to them in a heavy voice.

"No matter how much I'm recognized as a hero, I'm not invincible. Even if I fight with you, someone might still end up buried here."

"But..."

"I don't want to see people I know die in front of me."

"..."

"...Please, if you're truly worried, I'll guard them myself. Just prepare a place and stay as far away as possible."

I knew it was a dangerous choice, but I was determined to carry out my current stance.

I was confident that if my choice was wrong, the protector of humanity, who had the duty to guard them, would have stopped me immediately.

After much persuasion, the gate's defense unit provided a place to accommodate the beastmen.

It was just an unused outpost, but having walls and a roof meant they could be safely cared for, which was fortunate.

Yes, a place like this would avoid unnecessary friction, which was ideal.

"Damn, who would have thought we'd end up indebted to humans?"

As the expedition members brought in supplies for treatment and rest, I heard the lion beastman guarding the outpost grumbling.

Though they were reluctantly accepting help, they still harbored negative feelings towards humanity.

"Don't say that, Leon. We're the ones receiving help here."

The fox beastman spoke cautiously, as if admonishing the lion beastman.

Her demeanor was gentle, contrary to the stereotype of beastmen being fierce, but the lion beastman only looked more irritated.

"Is there any kindness without price in this world? And that guy volunteered to watch over us. Heroes are usually selfish jerks and idiots..."

Every word he said was true.

"Don't worry. As long as you don't harm us, we don't intend to harm you either."

Thinking there was no point in arguing, I snorted and approached, causing the lion beastman's body to tense up.

Unlike the lion beastman, the fox beastman bowed her head with a guilty expression.

"I'm sorry, we're in no position to complain when we're receiving help."

"Well, we've been enemies until now, so it's understandable. But we're helping because we don't want unnecessary friction either... Do you understand what I mean?"

"Yes, we'll leave as soon as we're better."

It's a relief that their leader is reasonable.

We should still be cautious, but if things go well, we can send them back without further conflict.

With that relief, I quietly introduced myself.

"I'm Hero Woo Hyo-sung, and you?"

"I'm Hororis, the leader of the Anti-Human—no, the Beastman Alliance reconnaissance team. And this is..."

"...Leon, a member of the reconnaissance team."

"So he's your subordinate?"

"Ugh! It's just because of experience. Just wait, once I prove myself..."

Leon growled and clenched his fist.

Hororis, watching him, wore a troubled expression and turned her gaze inside the outpost.

"Anyway, that girl is amazing. Most humans are either shocked or scared of us, but she's even taking care of us directly."

In the direction of her gaze, a girl in a maid outfit was moving among the fallen beastmen.

She approached the beastmen who were trembling as if on the brink of death without hesitation, holding their hands and encouraging them.

"It's alright. You just lost your composure a bit. You can do this."

"Uh, uggh. Uh... Hah."

"Take a deep breath. Slowly, quietly..."

"Hah, hah."

Although it couldn't be called proper treatment, her gentle words seemed effective as the beastmen's condition quickly improved.

I wondered if she was knowledgeable about beastmen because she specialized in hunting them, and I asked Hororis for more information.

"They don't seem to have any major external injuries. What happened?"

"They went into a frenzy during their activities."

"Frenzy?"

"Yes, when they're under mental stress, their rationality gets overwhelmed by their wild instincts..."

"That's too much."

Leon interrupted the explanation with a dismissive tone.

But Hororis couldn't ignore his words and quickly closed her mouth, watching him warily.

"...Hey, human."

Leon, behind Hororis's gaze, spoke quietly to me.

"Thanks for helping us, but... don't try to learn too much about our nature. It won't be good for you to know too much."

"...If that's what you want."

Quite rude for someone receiving help.

I wanted to say that, but I decided to keep quiet for now.

There would be other opportunities to learn about the beastmen's nature.

Late at night, after the beastmen's condition had somewhat improved.

Francheska, who had watched over their condition until late, finally explained their situation to me when I asked.

"Many of the beastmen who came here are on the verge of beastification."

"...Beastification?"

"Beastmen are beings whose physical structures were forcibly transformed for external reasons."

Francheska looked around the outpost where they were resting.

The complex emotions in her gaze and the way she placed her hand on her chest clearly expressed her inner turmoil.

"Since they weren't born this way, their bodies are highly unstable. If that balance is disrupted by external shocks... they eventually lose their sanity completely and fall into an irreversible frenzy."

"Irreversible... what do you mean?"

"Humanity has probably seen it many times. Beastmen going on a rampage, destroying settlements or massacring humans."

One reason for their hostility towards humanity is the frenzy inherent in their race.

Normally, that would be the end of the story, but Francheska's suddenly darkened expression presented a different level of dissonance from what I usually knew of her.

Isn't it strange?

That someone who claims to be a companion of humanity would show such a reaction to a race hostile to humans like the orcs.

"...Wait."

No, perhaps she was reacting this way because of such reasoning.

With that thought, I voiced my sudden question to her.

"Beastmen... were forcibly transformed?"

Beastmen started to rampage after the calamity, so they, like the Demon King's army or the undead, were believed to have been born in the successive calamities.

But the one in front of me is a being that has shared history with the empire for a thousand years.

The reason she reacted so intensely was probably because she had encountered the existence of beastmen in that history.

"Then, the beastmen we know were originally..."

"Humans, perhaps."

Francheska spoke before the hypothesis could even form in my mind.

As my heart sank at her words, Francheska began to raise her head.

"...If that's true, what will you do?"

I realized.

Why her voice was so gentle when caring for the beastmen.

And why she turned pale when she first saw the beastmen.

"If, regardless of the reason, they were truly human... can you embrace those who are now classified as non-human?"

From the perspective of someone who had protected humanity for a thousand years, facing the sight of humans turning against each other.

Who could imagine how that heart could become twisted?

-Swoosh!

As if to reflect those feelings, a cold wind began to blow in front of the outpost.

No, it wasn't just a normal change in the weather.

The cold and ferocity in that wind indicated that someone was creating it artificially.

"I have a question for the humans over there."

At the sound of a deep voice amidst the frost in the wind, Francheska and I reflexively turned our gazes there.

A shadow approached, cutting through the snowstorm that had started to blow.

When the figure finally stood in the moonlit spot, it revealed a huge white fur cloak.

Seeing that figure, I immediately recalled a beastman from a wanted poster created by humans.

"I came here because I smelled my comrades..."

"Can you honestly tell me what state those behind you are in?"

Phobia Homer, Assault Team Leader of the Anti-Human Alliance.

Even I, as a hero, couldn't guarantee a complete victory against him, the strongest warrior of the beastmen.

[Chapter 166: The Root Of All Evil]

It was something I had somewhat foreseen.

The decision to temporarily protect the beastmen was partly because of Francheska's concern, but also to avoid unnecessary friction and reduce casualties.

Among them, the one to be most cautious of would be the Assault Leader, who had survived every frontline battle against the beastmen forces.

"You didn't come to fight, did you?"

"That depends on the condition of my comrades behind you..."

As his words trailed off, the wind grew fiercer.

The chill that made my body shrink couldn't be attributed to just the cold.

Even if I'm as strong as the Mississippi, by that measure, my opponent would be as formidable as the Amazon.

"Is that woman doing well?"

But unlike my tense self, his next words didn't carry much hostility.

"...Woman?"

"I'm asking about the woman you tried to save."

The woman I tried to save... Right. I remember meeting him once.

At that time, it seemed like he was attacking Merilyn, so I hugged her and immediately passed out. Given the circumstances, it wouldn't have been surprising if I was torn apart by his hands.

But I survived thanks to Merilyn.

"Yes, she's doing well."

"...I see."

Fortunately, he didn't seem to harbor any hostility towards Merilyn either.

As I felt his attitude and gradually let down my guard, he also calmed the northern wind he generated and began to walk quietly.

"I want to check the condition of my comrades. Can you step aside?"

"...You're surprisingly reasonable."

"There's no smell of blood mixed with the scent of my comrades. If you haven't harmed them, there's no need for us to be hostile."

It was a convincing reasoning for a beastman sensitive to smells.

Alright, I was ready to end the conversation peacefully and step aside, but...

"...Wait a moment."

Francheska quickly filled the spot I vacated.

"What will you do with those behind me?"

Phobia stopped in his tracks and began to glare at her with narrowed eyes.

"From the smell, you don't seem human... Are you a doll?"

"Please answer my question first."

The difference in their size alone was several times.

But unlike me, Francheska stood fearlessly, blocking his path confidently.

She seemed prepared for direct conflict depending on his response.

"Once they fall into beastification, there's no turning back. You know that, don't you?"

Phobia's body flinched at the girl's words.

Francheska glared at Phobia, pushing him with her questions.

"If what I know is true, there haven't been many cases of beastmen going berserk and causing problems in the past half century. But it's not easy for beastmen, who are unstable as humans, to live without falling into a berserk state."

"You..."

"What do you do with those on the verge of beastification? And more importantly, if they're on the verge without any external injuries, it means it's self-induced..."

"How much do you know about us?"

Swoosh!

The fierce northern wind began to blow again.

As I reflexively prepared to draw my weapon, Francheska spoke calmly.

"Probably more than you think."

Her attitude was unwavering.

Phobia, looking down at her silently, eventually closed his eyes and calmed his power.

Then, he moved his stopped steps quietly and said.

"Rest assured. If the line is crossed, there's no choice, but if not, we'll share our fate to the end."

His voice was serious, with almost no emotional wavering.

Phobia, revealing himself without reservation, spoke quietly before entering the outpost.

"After checking their condition, follow me for a bit. It seems we have a lot to talk about."

"..."

After checking on his stabilized comrades, Phobia had a private conversation with Francheska as planned.

Their conversation ended around dawn.

But Francheska returned to the outpost immediately after the conversation, and Phobia faced me instead.

"You've been guarding all night?"

"Well, I promised the gate residents I would."

To reassure the people at the gate, I had to guard this place myself.

I was used to staying up all night, and I could catch up on sleep in the carriage once the expedition starts, so it wasn't a problem.

"...On behalf of my group, I thank you."

Phobia Homer expressed sincere apology and gratitude to me.

Despite his size, his gentle demeanor felt surprisingly approachable, not like a beast disguised as a human.

"No, I should be thanking you. Despite being hostile forces, you've given us the opportunity to talk face to face."

Maybe it's because I've been hurt by people so much? Or maybe it's because I've found it easier to talk to other races than humans?

After safely getting through today, I even vaguely felt like I'd want to interact with them if given the chance.

"If the world wasn't so chaotic, we might have been friends."

"Do you really think so?"

Phobia reacted immediately to that sentiment.

He didn't seem to find it amusing, indicating he might feel the same way.

"You've always been hostile with these humans, but people like me were dragged here from another world. As long as we can communicate, the perception isn't as harsh."

"From what you're saying, you seem to have a grudge against the current humanity... So why are you playing the hero in front of them?"

"Because there are people I need to protect."

The people I need to protect owe their lives to humanity.

If they leave humanity's protection, they'll be exposed to the harshness of the world.

"So, we're in the same boat."

Phobia quietly respected my stance.

Then he looked at me, as if pointing out something that bothered him.

"Now that I think about it, I can sense a spirit's presence from you... Can you handle spirits?"

"You know about spirits?"

"Yes, the power I use is also borrowed from them."

Swoosh.

The cold wind began to blow in response to his power.

Maintaining the intensity, he continued his explanation to me.

"And it's also the power that people like me use to avoid crossing the 'boundary'. The spirits' fine control helps calm emotions."

"By 'boundary', you mean beastification, right?"

"...Yes."

Beastmen were naturally prone to losing their minds and going berserk.

Phobia, ending his answer with a short reply, turned his back on me and prepared to leave for the outpost.

"If you want to deepen your understanding of spirits, you should visit the Great Forest to the west."

"The Great Forest?"

"In areas preserved in their natural state for a long time, sometimes clusters of spirits with personalities naturally form. It's a rough place, but even briefly encountering them will make it easier to grasp how to handle spirits."

"Ha, what's this? Are you giving me advice?"

"It's my way of thanking you for protecting my comrades. And..."

Phobia Homer turned to look at me.

The complexity on his face showed that he wasn't entirely pleased with our meeting.

"I hope we don't have to meet again. Even if we don't have ill feelings towards each other, as long as we belong to different forces, we might have to draw swords against each other."

"..."

"...Then, now that the day has dawned, let's get going."

With that, he returned to the outpost and began waking his stabilized comrades.

That's how the brief meeting with the beastmen ended.

"May Friga's favor be with you."

Uttering the name of the god humanity worships.

Leaving a greeting unusual for a beastman.

Early morning. After the beastmen left, the expedition set out as planned.

The destination was already set. After stopping at the nearest gate, the plan was to hunt monsters and Aein species in the surrounding area.

And the one who made this plan was Francheska, who was riding in the carriage with me.

"...Flang."

But throughout the explanation, her displayed gloom overshadowed the prideful attitude she had shown until now.

Anyone could see that she was deeply troubled.

"What did you talk about with Phobia?"

"..."

Francheska glanced around nervously at my words.

Then she put the papers she used to explain the plan on the table and started biting her lip.

Her answer came quite some time later.

"...About the group he originally belonged to."

Her voice carried more weight than her appearance, and I cautiously shared my thoughts with her.

"By the group he originally belonged to... Were the beastmen originally on humanity's side?"

"Not all of them. Some generations were born after transforming into beastmen and forming relationships."

Right, beastmen reproduce too.

Calling it reproduction might be misleading since they're human, but the important thing is that they also have 'generational shifts'.

"The new generations born that way don't know why their ancestors split from humanity... They just inherit the consequences."

The Anti-Human Alliance is primarily composed of the descendants of those who split from humanity for some reason.

Inheriting only their ancestors' grudges, they view themselves as the products of advanced humanity and thus have extreme tendencies.

I could understand that much.

Even if they started as humans, over generations they've inevitably become separate from humanity.

"Then at first..."

But the first beastmen, not their descendants...

People with the background to lead a group, like Phobia, can't be seen as completely separate from humanity.

"Is the reason the beastmen were born because humanity betrayed them?"

It might be extreme, but that's the thought that came to mind.

After talking with Phobia, she seemed to see herself as a sinner.

The sight of humans she protected antagonizing each other must be something she couldn't overlook as a guardian.

"Did the Empire really...?"

The Empire she had always protected created the beastmen for some reason and then expelled them.

And now, they were being crushed by the disaster they created.

"Before I answer that, there's something I'd like you to answer first."

Francheska quietly countered my cautious question.

Her serious demeanor made me pause and prepare to listen.

"If the birth of the current beastmen is linked to 'witches'..."

Something I couldn't overlook as someone who only considered myself an outsider.

Words that could possibly threaten someone I deeply care about.

"And if the cause of the disasters in this world originates from witches..."

"Can you still see the people you cherish in the same way?"

Clip-clop, clip-clop.

Only the sound of horses' hooves and the carriage wheels filled the silence.

In that weighty silence, I took time to quietly reflect on her words.

Why did the conversation about the beastmen suddenly shift to witches...?

It didn't feel entirely out of the blue because I felt the things we encountered along the way were clues coming together.

'Humanity, having won the war against the witches, found hope in the remnants they left behind when disaster struck. Do you know what humans did in their desire for hope?'

They grafted the witches' power onto humans.

The Crown Prince said that was the source of his power. Before using tricks like summoning outsiders, humans in this world tried to graft witches' power onto themselves.

And the beastmen were humans forcibly transformed by external factors, put into an unstable state where they could go mad at any time.

If their emergence was right after the disaster, it coincides with the time when humanity sought hope in the witches' power to resist the disaster.

"...Teacher."

If the beastmen were the byproducts of such attempts, they might be targeting the only witch the Empire possessed.

Furthermore, the guardian of humanity might be displeased with a witch causing a situation where humans fight each other.

"Can you continue to guide me?"

So if I want to protect her, I might face a future where I'm hostile to not only the beastmen I've met before but also the girl in front of me...

Or if the opposite happens, then what I must do now is clear.

"Guide you, you mean?"

"Yes, if you help me achieve what I want, I'll help you achieve what you want."

Even if I don't know what will happen later, set aside questions about things that haven't happened yet.

Maintain a cowardly silence and get through now, no matter what happens later.

And prepare the strength to deal with whatever choices I have to make.

"...Teach me how to fight as the weak."

Believing that at least this will be allowed, Francheska suppressed her emotions and nodded.

Even if we can't be sure of the future, maintaining our current relationship for our respective goals is the best course of action.

As her beloved partner foresaw him learning from his second teacher...

"Are you comfortable here?"

While staying in an annex of the palace, Airi had a visitor come to her room.

No, she should call him the owner.

The person who just entered the room could be considered the de facto ruler of this empire.

"...Yes, thanks to you."

Despite the palace providing maximum convenience, Airi reflexively clutched her stomach in fear upon facing him.

It was inevitable. In his eyes, her child was a thorn in his side.

"Following me this far means you're prepared for what's to come. Isn't the child in your belly a burden?"

Even as a fortune teller who predicts the future, she couldn't be free from human values as long as she was human.

Since she was central to his plans, he might think the child in her belly could interfere with those plans.

"You agreed not to worry about this child... That was one of the conditions of our cooperation, wasn't it?"

"...Yes. Until the appointed day comes."

But as a human, he also had to consider his discontent towards her.

To avoid unnecessary antagonism, she needed to play along to some extent.

Realizing this, the Crown Prince turned his back to her and started walking somewhere.

"Follow me. I'll introduce you to her as promised."

Witch Vivian.

Indicating that the day had finally come to meet the key figure of the foretold future.

[=Chapter 167=]

The Orion Empire was the last land to retain its name within the human territory.

Although it was said to be in crisis, the capital and the Imperial Family were so well protected that the crisis was not felt, which meant there would be no obstruction to the leader's plans to be implemented with the empire at its core.

This meant that the future she prophesied was highly likely to be implemented.

Therefore, before that future would come, there was one thing she had to do: meet and persuade the witch.

"Oh, found you, Airi~"

She encountered a familiar face just before heading to the library where she was waiting.

As she stopped for a moment and turned to the side, Airi spotted a woman with short white hair approaching, wearing a black cloak.

"Merilyn?"

"Hehe. I heard about it, but you really came to the Imperial Family~ Do you know how much I looked for you as soon as I heard the news?"

As soon as she appeared, Merilyn expressed her joy.

Although she usually found her rival annoying and bothersome, when Airi actually faced her, she felt a sense of anticipation.

She thought that maybe the person in front of her had come here for her sake.

"Could it be that you came all the way here to rescue me?"

"No, I came here on my own."

"I knew it, you damn demon!"

No matter how much she fell in love with a human, her nature was still that of a demon.

She wouldn't act out of an altruistic heart to help someone, would she?

"...Merilyn, what on earth were you thinking coming here?"

"Hehe, who knows? I think you, Airi, would understand without me having to explain..."

Merilyn just responded with her characteristic sly smile to her question.

Although it grated on her nerves, Airi didn't care and focused on reading her movements.

Before parting with her partner, she met another of the Four Heavenly Kings and was led to the Imperial Family.

"The Demon King... Are you serious?"

The look of shock on Airi's face as she recalled all those events was an expected reaction.

Merilyn just shrugged her shoulders nonchalantly despite the reaction.

"Well, I don't know either. What was I thinking getting involved in this?"

"Don't dodge the question; answer properly. What you're trying to do now is..."

"It's a necessary task."

A single word that cut off emotional questioning.

As Airi felt at a loss for words and stared at her fixedly, Merilyn gave a bitter smile and quietly placed her fingers on the strings of the lute she was holding.

"To test how strong my love is... I should be prepared to jump into the fire myself, shouldn't I?"

"...Even if that decision turns this land into a sea of fire?"

"Honestly, there are things that bother me. I don't care what happens to humanity or the world... but it would be sad if the place he returns to is burned down."

Merilyn also knew what would happen on this land in the future.

Still, the reason she had given in to her deceitful kin and joined this plan was simple.

"But it turns out that much of it was already in motion by the time I realized it. And it seems the Crown Prince has made up his mind, too."

Even if she didn't take action, it was something that would eventually happen.

Feeling that one of the people who caused this was watching the conversation, Merilyn drew a bitter smile and plucked the strings.

"If it is a fate destined to flow uncontrollably, then perhaps it is right to ride the current rather than resist it..."

Dding~

"Airi, isn't that why you voluntarily came here?"

As if to say that Airi was no different from her and had no right to criticize, Merrilyn's gaze pierced her.

Just as Airi placed her hands over her pregnant belly, Seis, who had been watching the situation unfold, intervened between the two.

"Shall we stop the conversation here?"

"Hehe, of course. The great leader shouldn't waste time with a lowly jester. Then, I shall excuse myself."

With a light bow, Merilyn left Seis's side.

Then she brought her lips to her rival's ear and whispered softly.

"Hyo-sung will be sad when he returns."

Even without the gift of prophecy, she knew.

She already knew what she had come here for and what she had prepared for.

Indeed, just as Merrilyn had said, the world they knew was heading toward destruction.

The Crown Prince's plan was to prepare for such destruction, and Airi had already decided to participate in it.

If she had truly received all of her clan's power for that purpose and if it was meant to lead to a future connected with him...

'But not this child.'

Yes, not the child in her womb.

She, as the last descendant of the Goddess of Destruction, was the one who should bear that burden—not her child, who would inherit the future.

This was the reason she sought to meet the witch.

By meeting the central figure in person, she hoped to rewrite the future she did not want.

"Wh-who are you?"

But what she encountered when she steeled herself was not what she expected—a shabby-looking woman in pajamas, trembling amidst piles of books in the library.

"...Vivian."

"Wh-where am I? I... I..."

"Vivian, can you hear me?"

"Uh... uh... ah..."

Vivian looked around with trembling eyes even at Seis's call.

No, even that was only for a moment.

What flowed from her mouth as she collapsed to the floor was deep despair.

"Wh-what is this? Where am I? Wh-why am I here...? M-Mom... Wh-where are you?"

To some, she was a mass murderer who had slaughtered people like they were trash. To others, she was a symbol of hope who could save humanity. To those who knew the distant past, she was the most terrible disaster of all.

But now, there was no trace of any of those aspects in her current state.

"M-Mom? Did I have a mom? N-no..."

"Who was I to begin with?"

Her voice was as empty as her mind.

Unable to bear it, the woman grabbed her head and began to sob deeply.

"N-nothing comes to m-mind. N-nothing comes to m-mind...!"

She wanted someone, anyone, to give her a clear answer.

As her desperate cry echoed in the library, Airi's face, listening to her sobs, began to turn pale.

"Your Highness, is that person...?"

"If I say it's the curse of forgetfulness, does that make sense?"

Forgetfulness.

The word itself perfectly described her state.

"It's a type of magic used by vampires. To vampires who treat their subordinates like livestock, human memories are unnecessary."

"You mean they used that on her?"

"She was once the most dangerous being in the world, but a witch with erased memories can be a convenient tool to control as desired..."

Seis the Crown Prince paused after saying that.

When he took off his mask, his bare face showed the complex emotions he felt towards her.

"Although I learned all that after I grew up."

Did he mean that he had nothing to do with it?

Even though he had already prepared to inherit the empire and was working with the vampires to utilize her powers?

'No, that's not enough.'

But what Airi was concerned about wasn't the dark side of the empire or the Crown Prince's psychology, but that Vivian's past, which she needed to read, was unclear.

'The past is the traces that person left behind... Individual memories are just part of the expression of those traces.'

Even if someone's personal memories are lost, the memories of others who witnessed them remain.

Likewise, the memories she read from others were not something that could be easily erased by a simple curse of forgetfulness.

If she couldn't read the past of the person in front of her, it meant that something even more complex was entwined.

"Vivian."

Seis, the Crown Prince, passed by Airi, who was trying to gauge what it was, and began to close the distance to Vivian, calling her name.

"Vi-Vivi...?"

"Do you remember the name Woo Hyo-sung?"

And then he spoke another name.

For someone suffering from the curse of forgetfulness, it was a name she should have forgotten even at this moment.

"W-Woo Hyo...?"

But was there something that caught her with that name?

Vivian tilted her head and then began to look up at the Crown Prince with wide eyes.

"W-Woo Hyo, th-the housekeeper..."

"...You seem to remember."

"Yes. I remember. I've never forgotten."

Yes, it was a name she had never forgotten, even for a moment.

As Vivian realized this and began to smile, the Crown Prince put on his mask again and prepared to leave the library.

And quietly looked back at Airi and said.

"Handle the rest yourself."

He was leaving her without any further control.

Was it because he trusted her that much? Or did he believe she wouldn't interfere with his plans since she had come this far anyway?

"Thank you."

No matter what, he had given her the opportunity to lead the future straight.

Airi, who expressed her minimal gratitude, then faced Vivian, who was sitting in the library after the Crown Prince had left.

"Nice to meet you, Vivian. My name is Airi... I'm the wife of the person you're indebted to."

"The wife... of Woo Hyo?"

"Yes. The child inside me is his."

Airi cautiously showed her belly to her.

Now, nearly half a year after conceiving life, her belly was visibly swollen.

"The housekeeper's child."

Vivian stared blankly at her belly.

As she watched her nervously, a bright smile began to form on Vivian's lips.

"Can I... touch it?"

"Yes, of course."

The prophecy hadn't shown itself yet.

Not yet.

"Something, something's moving..."

"It's fetal movement. The child in my belly is happy to see you."

"Really? Happy to see me?"

"Yes. Really."

Gradually, there was a glimpse of tenderness in her gaze at her belly.

Airi's expression, hinting that this feeling might be forgotten again due to the curse of forgetfulness, began to darken.

'Don't worry, Hyo-sung...'

But it was still too early for that time to come.

During the remaining period, she had the duty to persuade her, who relied on his memory, and lead her to a straight future.

'No matter what, I will protect this child.'

Everything was for the path where love and mission coexisted.

Airi, who had resolved that again, firmly grasped the back of Vivian's hand, which was stroking her belly.

And, half a year later.

Roooooooaaaarrr!!!

The Linnea Great Forest located in the west of the empire.

At the fierce roar that echoed through the vast forest, the expedition members traversing the area began to tremble in fear.

"Hero! It's finally appeared!"

"The ruler of the Great Forest, Linnea Saurus... It's the monster listed on the wanted poster."

The expedition members guarding the surroundings cried out in tension.

Their attention was focused on a giant reptilian monster with a long neck that could not be hidden by the forest trees.

As its name suggested, it was a creature beyond a mere monster, fitting the name 'dinosaur.'

There must have been a reason why a wanted poster was issued for a monster created by the distortion of dimensions.

"Wow... I thought it was just a rumor, but there really is a dinosaur living in the forest."

While all the expedition members hid upon recognizing the great monster, only one hero in black armor quietly advanced toward it.

Despite facing a creature dozens of times larger than himself, he showed no fear.

"B-be careful! Hero! They say the breath from that monster's mouth is powerful enough to turn everything to dust!"

"Haha, that's perfect."

As the monster began to inhale, the hero leisurely raised his spear in front of it.

Soon, he sharpened his gaze and focused all his attention on the monster's mouth, which was about to launch an attack at him.

"The fact that the opponent is strong means there's a lot to take advantage of."

The weak's way of fighting starts by using the opponent's strength against them.

Kwaaahhh!!

As he recalled that teaching, compressed air began to burst out of the monster's mouth towards him.

The compressed air, equal to the height of the monster's neck rising above the trees, was released.

Its power was so formidable that it swept away everything in its path, but the hero swung his spear fiercely along its trajectory without hesitation.

Calmly, without a hint of wavering.

He created a path for the incoming attack with the mana flowing through his body, channeling the flow from himself to the opponent. He prepared to return the attack precisely.

Swiiish!!

The stronger the attack he intended to return, the more dangerous the skill, as even the slightest mistake could result in his body being shattered.

But he didn't worry.

The spirits that followed his presence would guide the power he couldn't fully control to a straight path.

Kwaaaah!!!

The pressure cannon that returned along the trajectory of the swung spear hit the monster's neck along with the full-force thrown spear.

When its neck was torn and its body separated from its head, the expedition members cheered.

"H-he did it! The hero did it!!!"

Hero Woo Hyo-sung.

The hero who made the most contributions during the subjugation mission ahead of the Crown Prince's succession ceremony.

His achievements would be highlighted today by taking the head of the tyrant who ruled the Great Forest.

[=Chapter 168=]

As the aged leader stepped down, the Crown Prince was about to take his place in the succession ceremony.

I had finally completed the planned subjugation expedition and was about to return to the capital.

Was there anything special during that time? Well, every day was a series of special events, so by now, I hardly felt any excitement about most things.

Upon leaving the base and arriving at the expedition site, we would first scout the area to assess the dangers, set up a base camp, then plan the subjugation. Led by me, the expedition members would advance cautiously, and once deemed safe enough, we would launch a large-scale operation to clear the area.

After repeating this process about ten times, the subjugation period finally came to an end, and before long, the expedition team, including myself, was elevated to the status of heroes of the empire.

"Is that the hero from the rumors?"

Such achievements became palpable when we completed the last subjugation in the Great Forest and set foot in the city located at the gate.

While resting in the carriage, I took a moment to quietly listen to the chatter of the crowd outside the window.

"Yeah, that's the person who made the most noise during this subjugation period. Not only did they handle the dangerous species on the wanted list, but they also conquered several unexplored areas."

"With the Imperial Family as their patron and their name becoming so well-known during this subjugation, it seems that sponsors are lining up."

"No wonder, the equipment really shines."

Indeed, our expedition team's equipment was quite different from before.

Initially, we managed with funds from the Imperial Family and our own money, but after a few missions, money started coming in from all directions.

Of course, it wasn't always an easy process.

When someone rises, there are always those who become envious, and their interference could sometimes be more troublesome than dangerous monsters.

"I heard many heroes died during this subjugation mission. Seeing you survive and achieve so much, you must be incredibly strong."

But jealousy alone can't surpass the desire for advancement and lead to success.

Over time, it became clear that what we needed to aim for were achievements, not personal feelings. Even those who were hostile towards me ended up showering me with flattery and gifts.

In addition, I heard news that some expedition teams, driven by excessive competition, had been annihilated during reckless subjugations. But from my perspective, focused only on moving forward, I couldn't afford to pay attention to that.

"It's not just about being strong. I hear that every time they return, they share tales of their exploits, including strategies to defeat all sorts of monsters, which are so useful that even the regular army uses them."

"That's amazing. A perfect hero skilled in both martial and literary arts."

However, as was often the case with rumors, I couldn't attribute all the circulating stories to my achievements.

While my martial prowess was undeniable, someone else had directly advised me on how to deal with monsters and the 'otherworldly beings' referred to as 'different types of beings'.

Though she was temporarily away on business... Thinking like this made it seem like I might never see her again.

She had only been away to organize the massive scale of the expedition team due to the overwhelming support we received.

I hope she wouldn't just suddenly leave on the day we were supposed to return.

We grew quite close during our time together, so we should at least celebrate our return to the empire together.

"Woohoo!"

Whatever the case, the long expedition ended here.

Reflecting on the days that had passed, I poked my head out of the carriage to look at the crowd cheering for the expedition team.

It was a situation where everyone in the village had come out and was singing praises for me and the expedition team without any empty words.

Naturally, the person at the center of it all was me, the leader of the expedition team.

"Hero Woo Hyo! Hero Woo Hyo!!"

"Woo Hyo is the best!!!"

"Thanks to Woo Hyo, we can sleep peacefully!"

"Stay strong, Woo Hyo!!!"

"...Haha."

Seeing them celebrate so passionately, I felt my heart gradually swell.

Not from the joy of the moment of glory, but from the anger at the fact that even in such moments, my treatment hadn't changed.

Damn it, my ability is to make people remember me, so why do they keep shouting "Woo Hyo"?

My name is not Woo Hyo; it's Woo Hyo-sung...

"Oh! Everyone is blessing the hero!"

"Hey, you guys, hold on."

At that moment, the expedition members began to react to the crowd's cheers.

I was taken aback and shouted out, but they didn't mind and continued as usual.

"We can't just stay still! Everyone, prepare to shout!"

"Hey, you guys. Don't do it. Don't do it."

"Everyone, shout forward for five seconds!!"

"Woo Hyo~!!"

...Damn it, I knew they would do this.

Did I let them loose too much for the past six months? Even if the initial discipline had loosened by now, incidents like collectively teasing me and violating the hierarchy happened often.

Moreover, since they did this in front of everyone, I couldn't scold them right away... What's the point of achieving so much if my fate is always so miserable?

"Fine, do whatever you want."

But this was better than maintaining a consistently heavy atmosphere.

I had gotten so used to it by now that I just ended up laughing it off.

While only triumphant news was delivered to the outside, it wasn't that there were no dangers within the expedition team.

There were many times when I faced mortal danger, and some expedition members were often isolated in dangerous areas or seriously injured during the subjugation stages.

The most bleak moments were when there were deaths... Yes, we embarked on this expedition knowing it was dangerous from the start.

No matter how much experience we had as heroes and no matter how well we knew the strategies, there were limits to what humans could do.

After the influx of sponsors, we had more reinforcements like mercenaries, so the lack of personnel didn't hinder our progress, but sometimes their absence lingered in my mind and dampened our morale.

"Everyone, a toast to Hero Woo Hyo~!"

So, to prevent such complexities from hindering our work, we celebrated even more grandly when we achieved results.

The soldiers who had come this far with me, strengthening their resolve, began to cheer and raise their glasses as the subjugation period came to an end.

"We dedicate all this victorious glory to Woo Hyo!"

"Come on, Woo Hyo. Drink up, drink up!"

"So now you don't even call me a hero, just Woo Hyo?"

"Oh, we didn't mean that. We were just faithfully following your words!"

"You said, 'Train like it's real, fight with your life on the line, and at the drinking table, treat each other like family!' Didn't you?"

Even if the atmosphere was like a family, they shouldn't address their superior so casually.

"...Fine, do whatever you want."

But at the end of the arduous expedition and on the verge of returning.

Thinking it wouldn't be easy to stop them in their high spirits, I took a sip of my drink as the soldiers began to noisily enjoy the feast.

I didn't feel any hesitation at their indulgent behavior.

Because I, who had wandered through the brink of death with them, knew better than anyone that they deserved it.

"Then let the members enjoy themselves... I will take my leave."

As the cheerful banquet continued, one member, deeply immersed in the excitement, tried to leave the tavern.

Though he was a bit tipsy, it didn't take long to recognize who he was.

"Where are you going in the midst of all this fun?"

"Where else? There are people who can't be here; shouldn't we comfort their spirits too?"

Lieutenant Sanson.

After surviving the war with the undead, he replaced the then commander and assisted me in leading the soldiers for six months.

He, who managed people in my stead, was still deeply appreciated, but throughout the expedition, what he showed was closer to guilt and longing than pride.

"General Marcus and the comrades who went ahead deserve to enjoy this moment too."

"...Indeed."

We wouldn't have come this far without their sacrifices.

Feeling the excitement wane due to those bittersweet emotions, I took advantage of the soldiers being engrossed in the feast and followed Sanson.

The celebration shouldn't dampen just because two of the leaders were absent.

"I was going to pay my respects to the General too. Let's go together."

"That's fine, but... are you going to train again?"

"I have to. Just because we ended the subjugation doesn't mean all the calamities in this world are gone."

What I eradicated was just a small part of the whole.

There were still many paths to go, so my determination to strive shouldn't fade due to a day's excitement.

After paying tribute to those who left before us, I left Sanson's side and went into the forest behind the village to dedicate myself to training.

And that training was done solely by my own strength.

There was a great teacher in the expedition team guiding me, but unfortunately, she didn't know how to handle spirits.

Spirit arts were something I had to train on my own.

In figuring out how to navigate such training, Airi's prophecy was a tremendous help.

[After meeting with the Furry Tribe and listening to their advice, make Linnea Great Forest your final expedition site. When you go to the designated place, a spirit interested in you will approach you on its own.]

[Remember, the Great Forest is a very treacherous place, so make sure you are strong enough before entering.]

Yes, the last expedition site was the most dangerous place I had ever been to.

It required a lot of preparation, and if I had made even a slight mistake in capturing the giant Dully, I might have died.

If I hadn't encountered the spirit swarm that Phobia mentioned, I wouldn't have been able to repel the attack and take them down in one blow.

Whooong... whooong.

Of course, the spirit swarm, though possessing a sense of self, naturally took the form of animals or plants as they were nurtured by nature.

Thus, they couldn't offer me clear guidance, but just interacting with them taught me a great deal.

They were much larger and more precisely formed than those created under human influence.

To use an analogy... It's like the difference between charging headfirst without knowing anything and carefully constructing the process once you know the outcome.

Whooong.

Anyway, having become accustomed to handling spirits, I finally mastered the art of creating 'clones' that had been stagnant until then.

At first, they merely mimicked me, but now they had a much clearer form and could make their own decisions and movements.

Now, they could be considered independent entities created by my hands rather than mere clones of myself.

"Hmm, hello spirit. Do you remember me?"

The spirit, seeing the constructed me, immediately responded with a "whooong" sound.

The act of waving its hand was a greeting I had consistently taught since I became proficient in handling spirits.

This indicated that the spirit had reached a level where it could not only mimic my actions or observe closely but also practice what I had taught it independently.

While I was pleased with such growth, the more the spirit grew, the more questions arose in my mind.

"...But why do you keep turning into a female form?"

Half a year ago, I had noticed a slight change, but since it wasn't clear, I thought it was either an illusion or the form wasn't fully established.

Now that the form was completely clear, I could see that it was transforming noticeably into a female shape.

-......

And whenever I pointed this out, the spirit always kept its mouth shut.

Usually, it would respond with a humming sound whenever I spoke to it.

Isn't it strange that it only stays silent when I point out the fact that it's female?

"...You."

And I had a hunch about the reason.

The spirit swarm began by mimicking the conjurer's body, and what this spirit reflected was a 'being with two personalities.'

"Could you be Pheloi?"

If this spirit mimicked my other personality...

If this spirit, thinking it had become one with me, used the spirit vessel to reappear before me...

Whooong!!!

The spirit swarm reacted violently as soon as I voiced this suspicion.

My body froze at the unexpected intense reaction, but I couldn't block the ensuing attack.

Bang!!!

A burst of magical power exploded from the fist that struck my body.

I was thrown far away, but the spirit swarm didn't chase me. It just turned its back.

"Ugh! Wait, why all of a sudden...?"

Whooong!

The spirit swarm disappeared with a particularly emotional hum.

I couldn't understand what it was saying, but I could feel its emotions through our connection.

This guy is really angry right now.

"You're not Pheloi, then?"

Did I touch a nerve by suggesting a different identity?

But if it wasn't Pheloi, I had no clue why a being mimicking me would take on a female form.

Should I call it back and talk to it directly? No, calling back an angry spirit isn't a good idea.

I'll think about it myself first, and if that doesn't work, I'll try talking to it again later. I started to get up from the ground.

"Are you alright?"

A gentle voice and a hand extended towards me.

Feeling a sense of familiarity, I grabbed the hand and stood up.

"...Why are you here? Everyone is having fun; you should join them."

"As a maid, it's only natural to prioritize my master."

It might just be an excuse, but she still treated me as her master.

I couldn't help but chuckle at her words and greeted the girl in the maid outfit who helped me up.

"Long time no see, Flang."

"Yes, master."

Flang smiled brightly at me.

"I'm your maid, Flang."

The sense of warmth from her was certainly not a mistake.

[=Chapter 169=]

Francheska.

She, who had now become affectionately known as Flang, was the reliable housekeeper and intelligence agent of the expedition team, and also my teacher.

Without her, a safe expedition wouldn't have been possible; she played a crucial role in this expedition.

Although she ceded the credit to me, so the other members and outsiders saw me as the main figure, I constantly reminded myself that she was the number one contributor to this expedition.

"...Hey, Flang."

"Shh. Stay still for now."

Despite being such a grateful person, she occasionally did troublesome things.

Dragged out of my training suddenly, I couldn't help but express my confusion to Flang, who was pulling me towards the village.

"I'm training right now..."

"It's good to work hard, but taking care of your body is important too. The expedition is over now, so it's okay to rest for a day, isn't it?"

"That's true, but just because the expedition is over doesn't mean everything is finished..."

"If you're uncomfortable with the drinking party, at least take a light walk. This is an order from your teacher, so comply quietly."

Flang, unusually using the word "order," was determined to lead me firmly.

Of course, she only looked like a cute girl on the outside, but inside she was a guardian who had protected humanity for over a thousand years.

Even though we formed a relationship somewhat similar to that of a master and servant, Flang always held the upper hand in our relationship.

"...Is it okay for a maid to give orders to her master?"

"Sometimes, it is the loyal servant's duty to defy the master's orders for their sake. If you're not satisfied, you can behead me right here."

"Yes, yes, I understand. I'll comply, master."

So it was like this again. I reluctantly followed Flang out.

But still, I couldn't help but feel a bit uneasy.

Now I led the most successful expedition team, but even after half a year, I couldn't help but doubt if my strength was sufficient.

"...Is it really okay like this?"

"I guarantee it."

Flang glanced up at me, subtly expressing my underlying anxiety.

She then smiled faintly and, wrapping her arms around mine, spoke softly.

"You're strong enough as you are now. I'm confident that there is no human stronger than you on humanity's side."

"Really?"

"Honestly, I wish you wouldn't push yourself so hard... but if you must become stronger, you need to gain enough strength to not be broken by anything."

Unable to choose the best option, I chose the lesser evil.

That mindset often showed in the form of a pained expression when she saw me pushing myself too hard.

Her role was to protect and support humanity, but teaching me was almost like harming the very human she was supposed to protect with her own hands.

"...That's right. I've worked hard."

Even though she acknowledged my achievements and encouraged rest, how could I go against that and return?

Accepting the situation, I stepped into the village, and Flang, smiling, released her arm and walked beside me.

What we arrived at was a small shrine in the center of the village, where villagers were holding a modest ritual in front of a statue.

"Friga, please grant us rest and peace."

The scene of praying before the sacred statue was not uncommon in the capital, so I could immediately guess what they were doing.

"The world is tough, so it seems like more and more people are praying wherever I go."

Though I wasn't religious, I could understand it to some extent.

The world was full of monsters, and the empire was collecting huge taxes to summon heroes, making life tough for everyone.

In such impoverished conditions, relying on religion was the only way for people to maintain their spirits; that was the situation humanity was in.

In that sense, the state religion Friga acted as a beacon of hope that gathered humanity in one place.

"Hmm, hmm."

As I was contemplating humanity's circumstances, Flang, standing beside me, cleared her throat for some reason and looked at the shrine ceremony.

Her side glance at me seemed like she was expecting some reaction from me.

"Master, are you also interested in Friga?"

"...Friga?"

"U-uh, she is the god of humanity. From my perspective, she deserves respect, r-right?"

Well, as a guardian of humanity, it was understandable that she would be interested in religious matters.

But why was she stuttering, which was unlike her?

Even though she had changed quite a bit from the first impression, I still knew her to be serious and dignified in everything.

"Well, anyway, if you're interested, maybe you could share your thoughts? Just as casual chatter..."

"Yeah. Casual chatter?"

Whatever the case, her heightened reaction meant she was expecting something from me.

I didn't think it was anything to be concerned about, so I replied quietly.

"My thoughts on Friga..."

"Yes?"

"I don't have a very good opinion. I've seen a lot of people who believe in Friga commit atrocities."

Religion may give people hope, but it also causes problems, just like in the previous world and now.

Just a year ago, the cardinal leading the self-righteous church committed all sorts of illegal acts, and after his death, the other church members didn't seek revenge for him but fought to take his place.

Moreover, they oppressed other religions, demanded excessive donations from people seeking healing, and considered those who didn't believe in their religion as blasphemous...

Having seized power, they engaged in numerous activities that couldn't even be compared to the hypocrites of my previous life, not just in terms of quality but also in quantity.

"...Master, do you not like Friga?"

As I continued to speak, I noticed Flang's dejected expression.

With her head down and shoulders slumped, she looked nothing like the proud figure who served the expedition members.

Yes, anyone could see that she was clearly downcast.

"Yes, that could be the case. Yes."

...Damn, I always thought this, but the gap between her first impression and now was too great.

When I first met her, I thought she was a calculating, cold-blooded person, but no matter how much she has softened now, she still shows what she thinks outwardly.

"...Well, just because the upper ranks are corrupt doesn't mean the lower ones are always wrong. It's the ones exploiting people's hopes who are at fault."

Even so, it was true that the upper echelons of the church were rotten.

Flang, for some unknown reason concerned with Friga, couldn't deny that and nodded quietly at my words.

"Yes, that's right. No matter how noble the group, they can go in a direction different from their intentions depending on the situation."

She seemed to understand intellectually, but her gaze at the statue was still filled with complexity.

From the perspective of a guardian of humanity, did the deteriorating state of the church, considered a beacon of hope for humanity, look so unfavorable?

"Come to think of it, that statue was made in the image of a god, right?"

Whatever the case, it wasn't good to let her stay so downcast.

I thought it was necessary to change the subject, so I decided to steer the conversation toward the god the church worshipped, rather than the church itself.

"Yes. It was made in the image of the Goddess Friga."

Flang responded immediately, her voice regaining energy.

The same applied to the explanation that followed.

"Friga is known as the guardian god who has protected the country since the founding of the Orion Empire. Those who have seen her often describe her as benevolent, trustworthy, and someone they want to rely on."

"Hmm, I see. Is that what the myth says?"

"I am also striving to live up to those expectations."

"...Why are you talking about fulfilling expectations when we're discussing the Goddess?"

"Oh, no... I meant that I want to emulate her. It doesn't mean much."

Well, she was just projecting her ideals onto the idol because she was a guardian of humanity.

Thinking that, I turned my gaze back to the statue, and the image of the Goddess soon came into focus.

A delicate face, elegant posture, and a voluptuous body...

"Aren't there inherent limitations that make it impossible to emulate her?"

"Inherent limitations?"

Flang looked puzzled, glanced at the statue, then followed my gaze downwards.

Realizing that it was her own flat chest I was referring to, she began to glare at me with narrowed eyes.

"......"

"...Are you mad?"

"No."

"You seem mad."

"I am not mad."

Hey, your tone has become stiff.

"I'm sorry."

"You don't need to apologize. It's just my fault for not being good enough to satisfy your preferences, master."

"No, Flang, you've done well enough up until now..."

"But didn't you say that I can't overcome inherent limitations?"

"......"

"...Why aren't you saying anything?"

Because lying to get through the situation feels too petty.

But I can't let her stay sulking like this.

"If you let go of your anger, I'll do that for you."

As soon as I raised my hand, preparing my secret weapon, Flang's body flinched.

Yeah, it had been a while since I trained voluntarily, so I hadn't had many opportunities to do this.

"S-still, it's not right."

"Not right? What do you mean?"

"That I'm angry..."

"Didn't you say you weren't angry before?"

"No, that's—ugh!"

I placed my hand on her head and gently stroked her hair.

That was all that was needed.

Stroking her hair and genuinely thanking her for always being there for me.

"Thank you for always working hard, Flang."

Over the past six months, I realized that, for a doll dedicated to serving humanity, that was all she ever wanted.

To the point where I worried that I was taking advantage of her too conveniently.

"...You're treating me like a child again."

But as if that was enough, Flang finally accepted my touch, calming her anger.

"Do you dislike it?"

"I didn't say I disliked it."

She then covered my hand with both of hers, bringing it to her cheek to savor the touch.

Imprinting the sensation deeply into her skin, as if not wanting to forget.

"Rather, like this..."

Bringing my hand to her face, she lowered her gaze and began to speak in a bitter tone.

"I wish these days could continue forever."

Forever.

Uttering a wish that seemed impossible to come true, Flang fell silent.

It was because she vaguely anticipated the future awaiting us at the end of this expedition.

"...Let's go back to the lodgings. We need to sleep early if we're leaving tomorrow."

The relationship of teacher and student, even the formal master-servant relationship.

Once we would return to the empire, these relationships would inevitably distort in ways we wouldn't want.

But no matter what would happen next, I couldn't just pretend that nothing happened.

I just hoped that the strength I'd gained would help me handle whatever came next.

As I boarded the carriage for our journey home, holding onto that one thought, Sanson, who was managing the soldiers, ran over to me and spoke urgently.

"Wait a moment, hero. There's a place we need to visit before going to the empire."

"A place to visit?"

"Yes, those who participated in the subjugation have been instructed to undergo a purification ritual in a specific area before returning to the empire. Given how long we've been in the subjugation, we might have been exposed to evil energy."

Evil energy.

I didn't particularly feel anything, but we should respect the ritual or tradition to some extent.

"So, where do we need to go?"

The place for such a ritual would be our next destination.

Sanson answered my intuition.

"Frigarach."

Frigarach Sanctuary.

The city that serves as the stronghold for the Friga Order, the state religion of the empire.

,Francheska.

She, who had now become affectionately known as Flang, was the reliable housekeeper and intelligence agent of the expedition team, and also my teacher.

Without her, a safe expedition wouldn't have been possible; she played a crucial role in this expedition.

Although she ceded the credit to me, so the other members and outsiders saw me as the main figure, I constantly reminded myself that she was the number one contributor to this expedition.

"...Hey, Flang."

"Shh. Stay still for now."

Despite being such a grateful person, she occasionally did troublesome things.

Dragged out of my training suddenly, I couldn't help but express my confusion to Flang, who was pulling me towards the village.

"I'm training right now..."

"It's good to work hard, but taking care of your body is important too. The expedition is over now, so it's okay to rest for a day, isn't it?"

"That's true, but just because the expedition is over doesn't mean everything is finished..."

"If you're uncomfortable with the drinking party, at least take a light walk. This is an order from your teacher, so comply quietly."

Flang, unusually using the word "order," was determined to lead me firmly.

Of course, she only looked like a cute girl on the outside, but inside she was a guardian who had protected humanity for over a thousand years.

Even though we formed a relationship somewhat similar to that of a master and servant, Flang always held the upper hand in our relationship.

"...Is it okay for a maid to give orders to her master?"

"Sometimes, it is the loyal servant's duty to defy the master's orders for their sake. If you're not satisfied, you can behead me right here."

"Yes, yes, I understand. I'll comply, master."

So it was like this again. I reluctantly followed Flang out.

But still, I couldn't help but feel a bit uneasy.

Now I led the most successful expedition team, but even after half a year, I couldn't help but doubt if my strength was sufficient.

"...Is it really okay like this?"

"I guarantee it."

Flang glanced up at me, subtly expressing my underlying anxiety.

She then smiled faintly and, wrapping her arms around mine, spoke softly.

"You're strong enough as you are now. I'm confident that there is no human stronger than you on humanity's side."

"Really?"

"Honestly, I wish you wouldn't push yourself so hard... but if you must become stronger, you need to gain enough strength to not be broken by anything."

Unable to choose the best option, I chose the lesser evil.

That mindset often showed in the form of a pained expression when she saw me pushing myself too hard.

Her role was to protect and support humanity, but teaching me was almost like harming the very human she was supposed to protect with her own hands.

"...That's right. I've worked hard."

Even though she acknowledged my achievements and encouraged rest, how could I go against that and return?

Accepting the situation, I stepped into the village, and Flang, smiling, released her arm and walked beside me.

What we arrived at was a small shrine in the center of the village, where villagers were holding a modest ritual in front of a statue.

"Friga, please grant us rest and peace."

The scene of praying before the sacred statue was not uncommon in the capital, so I could immediately guess what they were doing.

"The world is tough, so it seems like more and more people are praying wherever I go."

Though I wasn't religious, I could understand it to some extent.

The world was full of monsters, and the empire was collecting huge taxes to summon heroes, making life tough for everyone.

In such impoverished conditions, relying on religion was the only way for people to maintain their spirits; that was the situation humanity was in.

In that sense, the state religion Friga acted as a beacon of hope that gathered humanity in one place.

"Hmm, hmm."

As I was contemplating humanity's circumstances, Flang, standing beside me, cleared her throat for some reason and looked at the shrine ceremony.

Her side glance at me seemed like she was expecting some reaction from me.

"Master, are you also interested in Friga?"

"...Friga?"

"U-uh, she is the god of humanity. From my perspective, she deserves respect, r-right?"

Well, as a guardian of humanity, it was understandable that she would be interested in religious matters.

But why was she stuttering, which was unlike her?

Even though she had changed quite a bit from the first impression, I still knew her to be serious and dignified in everything.

"Well, anyway, if you're interested, maybe you could share your thoughts? Just as casual chatter..."

"Yeah. Casual chatter?"

Whatever the case, her heightened reaction meant she was expecting something from me.

I didn't think it was anything to be concerned about, so I replied quietly.

"My thoughts on Friga..."

"Yes?"

"I don't have a very good opinion. I've seen a lot of people who believe in Friga commit atrocities."

Religion may give people hope, but it also causes problems, just like in the previous world and now.

Just a year ago, the cardinal leading the self-righteous church committed all sorts of illegal acts, and after his death, the other church members didn't seek revenge for him but fought to take his place.

Moreover, they oppressed other religions, demanded excessive donations from people seeking healing, and considered those who didn't believe in their religion as blasphemous...

Having seized power, they engaged in numerous activities that couldn't even be compared to the hypocrites of my previous life, not just in terms of quality but also in quantity.

"...Master, do you not like Friga?"

As I continued to speak, I noticed Flang's dejected expression.

With her head down and shoulders slumped, she looked nothing like the proud figure who served the expedition members.

Yes, anyone could see that she was clearly downcast.

"Yes, that could be the case. Yes."

...Damn, I always thought this, but the gap between her first impression and now was too great.

When I first met her, I thought she was a calculating, cold-blooded person, but no matter how much she has softened now, she still shows what she thinks outwardly.

"...Well, just because the upper ranks are corrupt doesn't mean the lower ones are always wrong. It's the ones exploiting people's hopes who are at fault."

Even so, it was true that the upper echelons of the church were rotten.

Flang, for some unknown reason concerned with Friga, couldn't deny that and nodded quietly at my words.

"Yes, that's right. No matter how noble the group, they can go in a direction different from their intentions depending on the situation."

She seemed to understand intellectually, but her gaze at the statue was still filled with complexity.

From the perspective of a guardian of humanity, did the deteriorating state of the church, considered a beacon of hope for humanity, look so unfavorable?

"Come to think of it, that statue was made in the image of a god, right?"

Whatever the case, it wasn't good to let her stay so downcast.

I thought it was necessary to change the subject, so I decided to steer the conversation toward the god the church worshipped, rather than the church itself.

"Yes. It was made in the image of the Goddess Friga."

Flang responded immediately, her voice regaining energy.

The same applied to the explanation that followed.

"Friga is known as the guardian god who has protected the country since the founding of the Orion Empire. Those who have seen her often describe her as benevolent, trustworthy, and someone they want to rely on."

"Hmm, I see. Is that what the myth says?"

"I am also striving to live up to those expectations."

"...Why are you talking about fulfilling expectations when we're discussing the Goddess?"

"Oh, no... I meant that I want to emulate her. It doesn't mean much."

Well, she was just projecting her ideals onto the idol because she was a guardian of humanity.

Thinking that, I turned my gaze back to the statue, and the image of the Goddess soon came into focus.

A delicate face, elegant posture, and a voluptuous body...

"Aren't there inherent limitations that make it impossible to emulate her?"

"Inherent limitations?"

Flang looked puzzled, glanced at the statue, then followed my gaze downwards.

Realizing that it was her own flat chest I was referring to, she began to glare at me with narrowed eyes.

"......"

"...Are you mad?"

"No."

"You seem mad."

"I am not mad."

Hey, your tone has become stiff.

"I'm sorry."

"You don't need to apologize. It's just my fault for not being good enough to satisfy your preferences, master."

"No, Flang, you've done well enough up until now..."

"But didn't you say that I can't overcome inherent limitations?"

"......"

"...Why aren't you saying anything?"

Because lying to get through the situation feels too petty.

But I can't let her stay sulking like this.

"If you let go of your anger, I'll do that for you."

As soon as I raised my hand, preparing my secret weapon, Flang's body flinched.

Yeah, it had been a while since I trained voluntarily, so I hadn't had many opportunities to do this.

"S-still, it's not right."

"Not right? What do you mean?"

"That I'm angry..."

"Didn't you say you weren't angry before?"

"No, that's—ugh!"

I placed my hand on her head and gently stroked her hair.

That was all that was needed.

Stroking her hair and genuinely thanking her for always being there for me.

"Thank you for always working hard, Flang."

Over the past six months, I realized that, for a doll dedicated to serving humanity, that was all she ever wanted.

To the point where I worried that I was taking advantage of her too conveniently.

"...You're treating me like a child again."

But as if that was enough, Flang finally accepted my touch, calming her anger.

"Do you dislike it?"

"I didn't say I disliked it."

She then covered my hand with both of hers, bringing it to her cheek to savor the touch.

Imprinting the sensation deeply into her skin, as if not wanting to forget.

"Rather, like this..."

Bringing my hand to her face, she lowered her gaze and began to speak in a bitter tone.

"I wish these days could continue forever."

Forever.

Uttering a wish that seemed impossible to come true, Flang fell silent.

It was because she vaguely anticipated the future awaiting us at the end of this expedition.

"...Let's go back to the lodgings. We need to sleep early if we're leaving tomorrow."

The relationship of teacher and student, even the formal master-servant relationship.

Once we would return to the empire, these relationships would inevitably distort in ways we wouldn't want.

But no matter what would happen next, I couldn't just pretend that nothing happened.

I just hoped that the strength I'd gained would help me handle whatever came next.

As I boarded the carriage for our journey home, holding onto that one thought, Sanson, who was managing the soldiers, ran over to me and spoke urgently.

"Wait a moment, hero. There's a place we need to visit before going to the empire."

"A place to visit?"

"Yes, those who participated in the subjugation have been instructed to undergo a purification ritual in a specific area before returning to the empire. Given how long we've been in the subjugation, we might have been exposed to evil energy."

Evil energy.

I didn't particularly feel anything, but we should respect the ritual or tradition to some extent.

"So, where do we need to go?"

The place for such a ritual would be our next destination.

Sanson answered my intuition.

"Frigarach."

Frigarach Sanctuary.

The city that serves as the stronghold for the Friga Order, the state religion of the empire.