Ch.24A Gentle Man

# 1.

Humans have deficiencies.

“The funding has been cut again, I see.”

“I’ll earn money, Director. In exchange, please give me just a small room.”

“…You, Nahan?”

For the orphanage director who was at risk of losing the facility due to reduced funding, it was “money.”

“Hey, Nahan. Can I trust you?”

“You don’t have to trust me. But I trust you, Boss.”

“…Kid, you sure talk well.”

For the boss who had nearly died from his right-hand man’s betrayal, it was “trust.”

“I want to go for a walk.”

“I’ll carry you. Let’s go.”

“…Yeah. Thanks, bro.”

For the friend gradually losing vitality due to a rare disease, it was “health.”

And,

For Asha Mirabel, outwardly emotionless but actually more tender-hearted than anyone else,

“She is definitely alive.”

It was Hestia’s “survival” that was missing.

“……”

Swoosh.

Her face remained expressionless, but the hand gripping the collar loosened.

In the quiet silence, only time passed, but that was enough for Nahan to know.

The undefeated warrior,

Asha Mirabel, was now,

“…Show me proof.”

More shaken than ever before.

‘Let’s keep it simple.’

Ian Red was merely a fictional character created solely for Asha.

Getting close to Asha would allow him to learn about the “Hero’s Party” movements and serve as a valuable joker card for the main quest of saving the <Imperial Princess> and the <Hero> in the future.

‘So first, I’ll gain Asha’s trust as a free priest who gives without expecting anything in return.’

Having finished his thought, Nahan slowly reached out and gently took Asha’s pale hand.

“Let’s calm down first.”

At Nahan’s gentle whisper, Asha’s wavering gaze slowly lifted.

“You might face the <Black Wolf> and be in danger soon… I’m too worried to speak freely when I see you trembling like this.”

Crimson hair,

Faintly gleaming red eyes,

An infinitely gentle smile.

Before her stood a solid, mature man who unconsciously made one want to lean on him.

“No.”

But Asha brushed his hand away.

“Show me proof first.”

She was no fool like Gardner.

The man’s words might be true, but assuming the worst, he could also be associated with the ‘Black Wolf.’

And if…

If this man was indeed connected to the ‘Black Wolf,’ she would behead him without hesitation.

As Asha, having made this resolution, moved her hand toward the holy sword at her waist, the man awkwardly smiled while touching his wounded neck with the hand she had brushed away.

“I’m sorry, but I have no proof.”

“…Why not?”

“As you would know better than anyone, Hero, it’s not exactly an impressive power for someone baptized by the Goddess.”

Nahan once again touched his neck, as if it bothered him unconsciously.

“…Indeed.”

What Nahan said was true.

The average rank of those who received baptism was E-rank.

Sword wielders reached trainee level, while magic users reached the 3rd circle.

Normally, ordinary F-rank individuals would instantly step into superhuman territory, gaining powers of protection, healing, or combat.

As if reading these thoughts, Nahan added with a bitter smile:

“The fortunate thing is that, as minimal as the power is, it requires neither mana, divine power, nor aura. Therefore, there are no precursors to activation nor residual effects afterward—it’s completely silent.”

“…So there’s no proof?”

“That’s correct.”

Nodding, Nahan touched his neck once more and sighed.

“Originally, my dream was to become a combat priest. But I couldn’t achieve that, and feeling like I was just wasting food, I became a free priest instead.”

“……”

One who abandoned his dream due to lack of talent.

-They say the probability of awakening is extremely rare. It would be faster to find a needle in a desert.

…Hestia,

Wasn’t she the same?

“But it’s alright. I wanted to be a combat priest to serve the world, but in the end, I’ve been able to help you, Hero, so it’s almost as if my dream has come true. This too must be the Goddess’s will.”

A steady, peaceful biological response that could only come from sincerity.

Seeing Nahan, who had faced the limits of his talent yet still helped her, Asha unconsciously bit her lip.

‘…This is just like my first meeting with Hestia.’

Reminded of Hestia by Nahan’s appearance, Asha finally withdrew her suspicious gaze.

“Where is she?”

Asha finally withdrew her killing intent.

‘Good. She finally asked.’

Having passed the first stage, Nahan prepared the groundwork for the next phase.

“My ability only confirms the moment of a living person’s existence once. So pinpointing an exact location is difficult, but I did manage to discover one helpful fact.”

“Tell me.”

The current situation was in the middle of the main story after the prologue had ended.

Among the fifteen events about to unfold, the one immediately approaching was the first event, ‘Persona vs. Gardner Battle,’ so…

‘I need to disperse the Hero’s Party.’

Only then could he save Luna, the fourth member of the Black Wolf, differently from the original story.

Pretending to reconsider the details while actually confirming his plan once more, I whispered to Asha:

“Tomorrow night. The <Black Wolf> will attack <Gardner County> once again.”

Flinch.

A spasm crossed her expressionless face, but Asha asked without changing her expression:

“Are you certain?”

“It’s information I overheard directly from the villains holding Lady Hestia while I was observing her life or death situation, so it should be certain.”

As soon as Nahan finished speaking, a question arose in Asha’s mind.

‘…Why?’

After killing—no, kidnapping—the precious daughter, why return there?

‘…Could it be.’

Something dawned on Asha, and a faint killing intent rippled from her like heat.

“They plan to use the hostage to obtain it.”

“Obtain what?”

“…As a priest without material desires, you wouldn’t know. They must be after the Gardner family’s first heirloom, the Celestial Shield.”

The Celestial Shield.

A transcendent item briefly mentioned in the original story that could nullify any attack once per day, based on midnight.

“Using a human life as leverage to covet an object. They’re nothing but trash.”

“I agree.”

I was wondering where it was, and there it is.

‘…I need to steal that too.’

Having unexpectedly received this information, Nahan approached Asha, who was trembling with rage, while touching his neck.

Pretending not to notice, he took her hand and whispered with a radiant smile:

“I’m sorry I could only provide minimal help.”

Finally coming to her senses, Asha shook her head with an expressionless face.

“No. If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t have known that Hestia is alive or that the Black Wolf will attack there. After this matter is settled, I’ll request the Empire to reward you.”

“You know that such things are of no use to us. Please use it for your journey expenses instead.”

A serene smile.

A man who unconsciously made one want to lean on him, exuding the cool scent of an early evening field.

Swish.

Her wandering eyes met the reddening wound on his neck.

‘…I only hurt him again. Why are you so kind?’

As she reached out her hand with an apologetic heart—

“Ah.”

Nahan, pretending to just notice his wound, covered it with his hand.

“It’s fine. I’m quite sturdy, so wounds like this heal quickly.”

“…I’m sorry.”

“Not at all. If I were in your position, Hero, I would have acted the same way. I’m only grateful that you believe me.”

The man smiled once more.

…Thump.

A faint heartbeat sound came from somewhere.

“…?”

Asha sensed something strange, but there was truly no time left.

With her still expressionless face, she bid farewell to Nahan.

“I’ll be going now.”

“Yes, Hero. Please give those Black Wolf… those bastards a good thrashing on my behalf.”

Bastards?

Asha was uncharacteristically taken aback, wondering if a priest should use such language, but Nahan, noticing her reaction, added with a slight smile:

“I’m a free priest, after all.”

“…Is that so.”

“It is.”

A kind yet composed man who walks steadfastly on his chosen path.

“I’ll always be here. If you ever face difficulties, please visit anytime.”

“…I will. Now please go inside.”

“No. I’ll watch until you’re out of sight before going in.”

Seeing him escort her to the end, Asha’s lips twitched ever so slightly.

“Very well. Farewell then.”

“Oh, and please don’t get hurt. It would pain my heart even more.”

“I won’t.”

Asha turned and walked away.

Her expression,

Her gait,

Her breath.

A warm sunset glow gently settled over her cold demeanor.

Perhaps because of that?

Recalling the warmth from moments ago, Asha unconsciously murmured his name.

“…Ian Red.”

She hoped this matter would end well so she could bring him good news.

Still expressionless,

With steady steps,

And yet somewhat…

-Oh, and please don’t get hurt. It would pain my heart even more.

“…What an amusing man.”

Her breath had warmed.

Asha thought:

If the world were filled with such people, I would never have needed to become a hero.

The face of that uncommonly earnest man kept holding back her steps,

Under the sunset.

# 2.

Several hours after Asha left.

A fierce voice echoed inside the hideout where the Black Wolf members had gathered.

“You all know about the Gardner family’s first heirloom, the Celestial Shield.”

Yes, Leader!

The members responded with discipline and determination.

Black Wolf made eye contact with each of them before declaring with eyes like the abyss:

“We will take it.”

Yes, Leader!

Deadly intent flickered in the eyes of the members who now had a new objective.

The transcendent artifact,

<Celestial Shield (SS-)>.

‘…I can’t resist this.’

Nahan’s mouth watered.