Ch.41What a strange personality.

“I refuse.”

“May I ask why?”

“Ah, that’s…”

Because I already have three accounts in use.

Having considered that revealing this might make him a living witness to black magic and subject to dissection, Nahan pondered briefly before speaking.

“As I mentioned before, my powers are quite meager.”

After answering, Nahan tried to subtly distance himself, but Asha quickly grabbed his wrist.

“What does that have to do with anything?”

“Surely it matters. While I’d love nothing more than to join your team and assist you, I’d only hold you back.”

“…? Wait.”

Asha suddenly realized Nahan had misunderstood something and hastily added:

“The party I mentioned isn’t our Light Guild, but literally a party.”

“…Pardon?”

“Hestia has returned safely, hasn’t she? It’s a celebration for that.”

“Oh.”

Nahan deliberately blushed.

“I apologize. I too once dreamed of being a hero like others…”

As if embarrassed that the character ‘Ian Red,’ a free priest with humble abilities, had declined an invitation to a ‘hero’s party’ that wasn’t even offered.

“Someone like me… this is quite embarrassing in many ways.”

“No.”

His ploy seemed to work well as Asha shook her head in response.

“I should be the one apologizing. I caused the misunderstanding first. And the successful resolution of this matter was all thanks to you.”

“Ahaha… you flatter me.”

“Flattery, you say?”

Tap.

On Nahan’s shoulder—

On Ian Red’s shoulder, a slender white hand covered in calluses was placed.

“Without you, we would have lost Hestia. You accomplished what even heroes couldn’t, so please be more confident.”

“…When a true hero says such things, I don’t know how to react.”

“You’re reacting just fine.”

…Was that a joke?

While Nahan pondered this, Asha, who had been watching him with clear eyes, subtly lowered her hand.

“…”

As if she had touched something, she hesitated, looking down at her hand before clenching it.

“Anyway. The party is scheduled to begin tomorrow, so if you’re willing, come with us.”

“By ‘us,’ do you mean…?”

“Exactly what I said. Join the party with the Light Guild.”

The Light Guild.

A hero party in <Babylonia> consisting of Asha, Balkan, Marin, and Selena.

Though Asha proposed it casually, it was equivalent to a mere military chaplain joining the President and Secretary of Defense’s entourage.

Nahan immediately decided.

‘I must decline.’

While Asha already trusted Nahan, the other members would be meeting him for the first time.

‘They’re a hero party. The Great Sage Marin is also a member.’

He might receive suspicious glances, and in the worst case, his identity could be exposed if they discovered his artifact use.

Moreover, wasn’t Hestia herself the world’s greatest strategist?

‘I really should decline.’

Just as Nahan raised his head to express his refusal,

A bluish system window greeted him.

─『Sub-Quest Generated!』─

◆ I Too Am a Hero.

: Attend the party hosted by Margrave Gardner with <Light Guild>!

◆ Completion Conditions:

1. Apply medicine to Asha’s face.

2. Attend the party with Light Guild.

3. Converse with the returned <Hestia>.

4. Prevent <Eclipse>’s attack.

◆ Reward:

: <Light Guild>’s trust in <Ian Red>.

◆ Upon Failure or Rejection:

: <Eclipse>’s trust in <Light Guild>.

Eclipse.

The true shadowy organization of this world, moving with unknown objectives.

The madmen who ultimately deceive the hero party and guide the world toward a bad ending.

This sub-quest was essentially blackmail, demanding he accept Asha’s invitation if he didn’t want events to unfold as in the original story.

A quest that seemed to offer choices but was practically forcing his hand.

‘System being arbitrary as usual. And what’s this about applying medicine?’

Though slightly annoyed, Nahan couldn’t refuse.

As long as their goals aligned, he had decided to follow without complaint.

“Thank you for the kind offer. It’s an honor to attend with heroes.”

When Nahan bowed with a faint smile, it was Asha who seemed surprised.

“Oh, um… are you sure?”

“What do you mean?”

“Well…”

Asha carefully chose her words.

“You’re a free priest, aren’t you?”

Free priests.

Those who left their orders for various reasons but still served their goddess.

Most chose seclusion, quietly helping others before departing without regrets.

In contrast, Light Guild were the world’s heroes.

Unlike free priests who quietly helped others, they shouldered great responsibilities and aided the world under brilliant light.

That was Asha’s concern.

“If you move with us, you’ll attract much attention.”

They lived lives that were the complete opposite of free priests who sought static existences, always being in the spotlight.

“So don’t force yourself. Actually, Margrave Gardner has been insisting on meeting his benefactor, so I made the offer out of courtesy.”

…That’s not how it seemed.

For a mere courtesy offer, her eyes were suspiciously sparkling.

“Of course, you could wear a robe or mask to hide your identity, or wear heavy armor, or we could travel by carriage, just the two of us.”

“Ah, well.”

“Don’t worry. If you’re still anxious, I can ask Marin to cast a cognitive dissonance barrier around you. But… if you’re truly uncomfortable, you can decline.”

See?

Though her expression remained impassive, her eyes were just like the supply officer urging enlistment.

Either way, it was a good sign.

It meant that the character ‘Ian Red’ had become somewhat special to Asha.

Nahan met her faintly trembling sky-blue eyes and smiled.

“As I told you, I too once dreamed of being a hero. I gratefully accept your invitation and will join you.”

“…!!”

Asha’s eyes widened.

“I express my gratitude. Thanks to you, I can now face Margrave Gardner.”

A faint smile mixed with joy and relief, unlike her previous emotionless demeanor.

Though it was so subtle that one might miss it without focus, Nahan caught it precisely, and found himself saying:

“You’re beautiful.”

“…Huh?”

Following Nahan’s words, Asha raised her hand and gently touched the corners of her mouth.

…Swish.

A slight curve felt at her fingertips.

…Am I smiling?

…Me?

Though it would vanish if confronted directly, it was definitely a smile.

-Still, I must live.

-I must run, not cry.

-I must live. I must live…

And I will have revenge.

Memories flooded in with her fumbling hands.

Crash!

Startled, Asha rose from her seat and inadvertently scratched her cheek.

“A-are you alright?!”

Equally surprised, the kind man reached out toward her.

Asha roughly pushed his hand away and hastily added with a face contorted in anger:

“I apologize. I must still be fatigued from travel. I’ll come for you tomorrow at this time.”

That was it.

Asha turned abruptly and walked away from Nahan.

Revenge.

Intense anger toward the towering trash who trampled the small but close-knit Mirabel.

“I mustn’t become dull. I can’t stop, can’t settle for where I’ve stopped.”

That day, I alone escaped with my life thanks to the villagers’ sacrifice, so I must carry the burden of all their lives.

…Drip.

Only then did a crimson streak of blood flow down Asha’s once again expressionless cheek.

The metallic scent of blood,

The lukewarm temperature,

The sticky sensation.

Her life, which appeared ice-cold, was actually always gently burning.

“…I need to keep my distance.”

Accustomed to misfortune, she lowered her head and trudged away.

Sudden farewells were familiar to her.

-Don’t approach me.

-I’ll be going now.

-I told you I don’t need it.

When she created distance,

-Ah, …I see.

-…So the rumors were true. How unpleasant.

-Forget it. Let’s just go.

No one ever closed that gap despite her distancing.

But she didn’t know.

“…Hero!”

That even if she, the Iron-Blooded Hero, the Emotionless Empress, the Strongest Sword, created distance.

That a man who would never yield to cold and supreme power and authority, who would ultimately enforce his own will,

“Hero!”

Such a man had flowed into this world.

Tap!

Quickly gathering something, Nahan ran and grabbed Asha’s wrist.

…Grind.

Asha gritted her teeth, raising her aura threateningly as she asked Nahan:

“What do you think you’re doing? Didn’t I clearly say I’d come for you tomorrow?”

You can curse me for having a strange personality.

“And you dare lay hands on me? Don’t you know that I, as a hero, am like the Pope?”

You can think I’m a madwoman who suddenly changes her behavior.

“So I warn you.”

Everyone who has shaken me before thought so and turned away.

“Never approach me like this again, Free Priest Ian Red.”

You too should turn away.

It would be better for you.

As Asha finished her warning and was about to turn away again with a cold gaze,

“I apologize, but since I’m already being rude, allow me one more discourtesy.”

…Pat.

Something warm and clean touched her face, covering half of Asha’s vision.

“W-what…!!”

She frantically waved her hands, but Nahan skillfully avoided them while wiping away her blood.

“Didn’t I tell you? That you, hero, are truly beautiful.”

Taking advantage of her hesitation, his touch continued.

…Pat.

An ointment, warmed like the towel, was applied to the wound on her cheek.

“Someday when all the hardships are over, you’ll return to normal life, and wouldn’t it be better to have fewer scars?”

“…There won’t be a return to—”

“Shh. The wound is opening and the medicine isn’t applying well. Please stay still for a moment.”

After applying the medicine with delicate touches, Nahan confirmed the bleeding had stopped before removing his hand from Asha’s cheek and stepping back.

“There. Now you may punish or spare me as you wish.”

A gentle smile.

“…Why do you…”

“Pardon?”

“…Never mind.”

Asha, who seemed about to say something, quietly turned her head.

“I’ll come for you tomorrow.”

This time she disappeared quickly, leaving even an afterimage, giving no chance to be caught.

“…”

Nahan, still acting as ‘Ian Red,’ returned inside and closed the door.

“…Wow, I really thought I was going to die. Why did she suddenly act like that?”

Her personality is truly strange.

Anyway, though it was as risky as putting a bell on a tiger’s neck,

◆ Completion Conditions:

1. Apply medicine to Asha’s face. (Achieved!)

2. Attend the party with Light Guild.

3. Converse with the returned <Hestia>.

4. Prevent <Eclipse>’s attack.

The first condition for the sub-quest “I Too Am a Hero” had been fulfilled.

Though he had suddenly received a party invitation, that was tomorrow’s concern…

“Let’s check the reward first.”

Main Scenario – Luna Rescue Reward.

Past memories of <Black Wolf> members obtained from completing the sub-quest.

After brief consideration, Nahan decided to check the main scenario reward first and tapped the golden system window to accept.

The words that appeared before him:

【Artifact Guaranteed Enhancement Right】

◆ Effect:

Designate one artifact for enhancement. <Guaranteed Promotion> to <Ex Grade>.

Nahan resolved to prioritize the main scenario going forward.