Ch.22Method

# 1.

Asha Mirabel.

The protagonist of the dark fantasy novel <Babylonia>, and the “Hero” who, along with the “Emperor,” was given the quest to save the world.

If I were to define her in one word,

**[Warning.]**

**[<Hero of Light – Asha Mirabel (SSS)> appears before <You>.]**

Strong.

Terrifyingly strong.

When reviewing the novel’s content, I didn’t fully grasp it due to the description of her being “around S-rank,” but after checking the setting guide:

**[Name: Asha Mirabel]**

-Alias: Hero of Light.

-Rank: SSS-class.

-Information: Originally a commoner from the underdeveloped rural village of ‘Mirabel,’ she was chosen by the Goddess Aria to become a hero. Due to a certain incident, she constantly suffers from the status ailment <Distrust> and shows no emotional expression.

She wasn’t “around S-rank,” but “SSS-rank,” vastly surpassing S-rank.

‘The average member of the <Black Wolf>, the group I currently consider the strongest, is S-rank.’

The gap between ranks is like weight classes in combat sports. If Asha is a heavyweight (120kg) champion, the Black Wolf members are middleweight (84kg) champions, two classes below.

Of course, the leader of the Black Wolf, ‘Nahan,’ is described as Ex-rank, the pinnacle of this world, but that’s the original Nahan from the source material.

Currently, I’m like someone who’s in a tank but doesn’t know how to operate it. Until I figure out how to use it properly, I’m no match for Asha.

In other words, if she discovers that I’m the Black Wolf leader, my head will be separated from my body before I can even resist.

Now, here’s the problem.

“Are you listening? Would you be able to offer prayers and confession for a departed child?”

Facing the greatest enemy from the original work, what’s the most appropriate attitude for me to show right now?

The answer is:

“I will pray.”

‘Just shut up and do whatever she asks to get her out of the hideout quickly.’

‘Fortunately, I’ve fully digested the contents of both the <Original Work> and the <Setting Guide>.’

To perform as a clergyman, I recalled scenes involving the Black Wolf’s member #1, the fanatic – Pedro.

『”Let us pray for the departed.”

The young servants of Aria turned their gazes toward the voice of the young man.

They were incredulous.

They were angry.

They were resentful.

It was he who had turned the living into the dead, and now sought to kill them as well.

Yet despite all he had done,

“Light for all who have left this world, and rest without a trace of darkness.”

The man before them was praying with tears streaming down his face, as if truly grieving.

But before long, the young servants’ anger vanished without a trace.

“I shall embrace you all.”

As the man who muttered those words spread his shadow to embrace hundreds,

“Ah…!! Forgive their sins!!”

There were no longer any living souls left.

The lone fanatic.

“Everything is for Him.”

The only one he believed in was the master of the Black Wolf, the <Black Wolf> himself.』

The moment I recalled this scene, I was certain.

‘This guy’s a cultist.’

No wonder he had the title “fanatic” next to his name.

I thought I’d find something useful to reference, but I nearly got myself killed as a heretic.

“…?”

After kneeling in silence for about 30 seconds, Asha began to show signs of doubt.

-Bro. Let me pray for you.

-…I don’t believe in God.

-Neither do I. But I still pray.

-Fine, do as you please.

Recalling a more appropriate memory, I began to speak while acting as a priest.

“Our Mother who art in heaven, today too.”

“Oh my, has your mother passed away?”

“…I was referring to the Goddess. Please be quiet and focus on the prayer.”

“I apologize.”

Though interrupted at the first sentence, once I started speaking, the words flowed smoothly.

“Hestia Gardner. Grant that young soul an unquenchable light, and rest without a trace of darkness.”

While praying, I opened my eyes slightly to check.

“…”

A calm, transparent woman like a blue ice crystal, kneeling in silence.

At first she seemed somewhat suspicious, but now she was fully committed to the prayer.

Nevertheless, she was the Hero, the greatest enemy of the Black Wolf.

I don’t know why she returned three days earlier than in the original work, but what’s done is done, and I needed to hide my identity as best I could.

‘Ian Red, was it?’

A distant relative of Ruby, the branch director of the Mercenary Union. According to his backstory, he ran away from his family at a young age to avoid trouble, survived, and later became a free priest.

The difference between him and the other roles I’ve been playing, like ‘Black Wolf’ or ‘Golden Dragon,’ is that ‘Ian Red’ only has a rough outline without detailed settings.

In other words, rather than playing an already established character, I need to create and act out a character myself.

‘When I think about it that way, this encounter with the Hero might actually be fortunate.’

If I create and portray a character that appeals to the Hero, I could form a connection and occasionally meet her to eavesdrop on information.

‘So let me think.’

There are countless reasons why people are drawn to others—love, friendship, money, honor, learning, teaching, and so on.

But I’ve never experienced any of them.

-Bro! It hurts when you say that!

…Right,

Maybe I’ve experienced one without realizing it.

Anyway, through all my wanderings—orphanages, shelters, factory dormitories, demolition site lodgings, thug quarters, security guard barracks, and the military—

I’ve realized that <humans are inevitably drawn to those who can fill their deficiencies>.

And that,

‘It shouldn’t be much different for a Hero.’

I recall the content from the original work and the setting guide.

Hero of Light – Asha Mirabel.

Originally a commoner from the underdeveloped rural village of ‘Mirabel,’ she was chosen by the Goddess <Aria> to become a hero. Due to a certain incident, she constantly suffers from the status ailment <Distrust> and shows almost no emotional expression.

And I am,

The only outsider in this world who knows what incident Asha Mirabel experienced.

Therefore, I could predict:

‘Asha will definitely cancel the confession and leave as soon as the prayer ends.’

If you know someone’s deficiency, you can gain their favor by filling it.

I closed my eyes and assigned settings to the character.

**[Notice – <Creative Acting> begins!]**

**[Stage 1 – <Setting> completed!]**

**[Character – <Ian Red>’s depth increases exponentially!]**

Just like when I was most obedient under the domineering orphanage director.

Just like when I took the knife for the big boss who couldn’t trust people despite leading Seoul’s top organization.

**[Stage 2 – <Immersion> completed!]**

**[You will recreate the image of <Ian Red> that you designed without any deviation.]**

All I need to do is act out the human image Asha desires, gradually filling the deficiencies she herself doesn’t even recognize.

“This concludes the prayer.”

Since no one had actually died anyway, I finished the prayer casually and raised my head. Asha also opened her eyes and looked up.

A cold movement, without tears or regret, as if she was just following along because others did.

Rising without even a small sigh, she opened her blue eyes and spoke.

“I’ll postpone the confession for next time.”

The expected response.

And because my prediction was correct, I could establish one hypothesis.

Hero of Light,

Empress of Cold,

Destruction Doll, and so on.

Her characteristic of “emotionlessness” is famous enough for the entire continent to know, but in truth, Asha Mirabel is not emotionless.

‘She probably has more abundant emotions than anyone else in <Babylonia>.’

Her consistent “expressionlessness” is neither an innate defect nor a magical curse, but a thick defense mechanism for her own protection.

So what kind of human image would Asha be most drawn to?

As I pondered, numerous keywords came to mind.

‘Kind, tight-lipped, steadfast, strong against the strong but infinitely gentle to the weak, equal to all, boundlessly compassionate.’

That’s it.

This is what I’ll go with.

Once again recalling the <Original Work> and <Setting Guide>, I finally completed all the settings for the character <Ian Red>.

**[Stage 3 – <Method> activates.]**

**[You are now <Ian Red>.]**

With the simultaneous manifestation of Stage 3.

Before I could even perceive what had changed, my body moved on its own.

“May I intrude for a moment?”

A question not expecting an answer.

“No, I will intrude for a moment.”

With an inexplicably aching heart, I hastily added as I approached Asha.

And embraced her.

Barely holding back tears that seemed about to spill, I gently embraced the girl who had endured everything alone.

“What are you doing?”

I wonder too.

I’m not entirely sure myself.

But what I do know is,

“…Don’t cry.”

Hero of Light,

Asha Mirabel.

I wish you would no longer cry.

A moment later.

“…You’re the one who’s crying.”

The girl in my arms slowly buried her face in my shoulder.