Ch.61Divine Revelation

# 1.

Brilliantly shining cross-shaped eyes.

Feeling somewhat eerie from the holy power, Nahan quickly checked the status window.

【Name: Yuria.】

-Aliases: Saint of Insight, Saint of Judgment, Holy Tooth Extractor, Punisher of Evil.

-Rank: SS+

-Information: An ill-fated nun who lost her home due to <Viscount Gapelt> and the <Black Fang Mercenaries>. She was saved thanks to her encounter with Black Wolf, and just as she was about to return to him after completing her revenge, she received an invitation from Asha, the leader of <Light>, which she is currently contemplating.

Saint Yuria.

In the original story, she was a woman who lost everything to Viscount Gapelt, suffered all kinds of abuse, escaped when she saw an opportunity, and sought revenge.

However, the <Black Wolf> eliminated her revenge target, Viscount Gapelt, before she could, and upon hearing only “Black…” she misunderstood and redirected her anger toward them.

Later, thanks to Asha’s proposal, she joined Light and became a persistent and cruel saint who tormented the <Black Wolf> until she was nearly killed.

But perhaps because Nahan had saved her ahead of the original timeline?

“Please, quickly give it to me.”

With a faint smile, she requested the items she had previously entrusted to him, and not even a hint of hostility could be felt from her.

Nahan quickly thought to himself.

‘Yuria’s constant power, her passive ability, is Aria’s Scale, which distinguishes truth from lies.’

During the time she’s been observing since entering this place, she must have already figured out that I am the ‘Black Wolf.’

So further lies would only be poison.

‘This might actually be good. Since it was Black Wolf, not Ian Red, who saved her, perhaps I can get her help.’

Right.

I even made plans just in case.

‘Let’s execute it now.’

Having made his decision, Nahan began to act as ‘Black Wolf’ while maintaining the appearance of ‘Ian Red.’

First, if he were Black Wolf…

“…Excuse me?”

He would return her belongings first, regardless of the pressure from such holy power.

Nahan maintained his silence as he opened his spatial storage and rummaged through it.

He then carefully took out the items Yuria had previously entrusted to him and handed them over.

At the same time, Yuria’s eyes widened.

“…Huh? But back then…”

Her hand trembled as she reached for the items.

The reason was simple.

-Can you fix this, Ruby?

-Yes, Commander!

Before preventing the previous bad ending, he had anticipated meeting Yuria and had them repaired.

…Clatter.

As Nahan carefully placed the items in her hands, Yuria looked up to meet his gaze and asked with teary eyes.

“How… no, why…?”

“Weren’t they collateral?”

“What…?”

“To get a better price, it’s better to keep things well-maintained.”

Yuria’s cross-shaped eyes glowed softly.

[Speech: False.]

Pretending not to notice, Yuria averted her gaze and asked Black Wolf once more.

“Was that really the only reason?”

“…That’s right.”

[Speech: False.]

“Perhaps… because they were precious to me… perhaps you were trying to protect them from decay and disappearance…?”

“You’re talking nonsense. Do I look like such a kind person to you? Unfortunately, I had no such intentions.”

[Speech: False.]

“…Then, one last question.”

After hesitating briefly, Yuria clutched the received items preciously to her chest and asked.

“That day, why did you save me… why did you punish the evil ones?”

“Because it was the right thing to do.”

If he hadn’t followed the system’s instructions, this world would have ended badly.

That was Nahan’s sincere thought, but…

[Speech: Truth.]

“Ah…!”

Yuria heard it differently.

After using her power, she realized he hadn’t repaired them just to get a better price.

‘Despite trying to act like a cruel person, weren’t all your answers lies?’

Black Wolf must have fixed these items to protect what was precious to her heart.

Yuria was certain.

The [Black Wolf] before her punished evildoers beyond the reach of law,

While his fake identity [Ian Red] helped Light ensure the law functioned properly.

Even the faintly visible [Yellow Dragon] was a hero supporting the Empire.

He saved her from the cage.

He punished evil on her behalf.

And finally, the returned possessions were clean…

Amidst the swirling thoughts, Yuria recalled the revelation she received as a saint.

【My beautiful child. Follow the one who bears a single name but is called by many. His path is the only hope for saving the world, so follow him without doubt and in silence.】

Nahan, who stood in Yuria’s sight.

[??.]

[Black Wolf.]

[Yellow Dragon.]

[Ian Red.]

A name unverifiable even by the goddess’s power, and many other names.

“…Ah, ahhh…!!!”

Finally reaching enlightenment, Yuria prostrated herself before Nahan and murmured.

“…My Savior…”

Honestly a bit startled and backing away, Nahan looked down at Yuria and thought.

‘What’s with her now…’

Somehow, there seemed to be no normal people in this world.

.

.

.

[??.]

[Black Wolf.]

[Yellow Dragon.]

[Ian Red.]

[Savior] (New!)

# 2.

The Imperial Palace’s guest room.

Having been sold into service as a maid at the age of ten, now approaching sixty and facing retirement.

Head Maid Barbara, who received love calls from numerous nobles, asked in surprise, unable to hide her emotions for the first time in decades.

“Homemade cooking… you say?”

“Yes.”

“My goodness…”

The woman before her was Asha of Light.

Like herself, Asha had become a hero at a young age and had served almost exclusively.

-I’ll help you prepare for training.

-Thank you.

-I’ll prepare your meal.

-Thank you.

-Have a good night.

-Thank you.

Despite spending nearly a decade together, they had only exchanged formal conversations. But now…

“…Would it be difficult? I heard my benefactor likes meat dishes, and I wanted to cook for him myself…”

For the first time, she was asking for a personal favor.

Because of this, Head Maid Barbara also asked her a personal question for the first time.

“Might it be for that free priest?”

“…! How, did, ow… h-how…?”

Still expressionless but with varied actions.

‘Oh my, it’s love after all. I was worried she was always so cold, but now she’s finally showing her age-appropriate side… how delightful.’

Barbara’s usual faint smile widened a bit more.

“You said you wanted to cook it yourself?”

“Ah, yes.”

“Do you have something in mind?”

“…Spicy meat stew.”

A reddish flush rose to her usually pale white face.

Asha felt it too, unconsciously scratching her cheek.

‘What is this ticklish feeling?’

……She still didn’t understand.

But what was certain was,

‘…I want to see him.’

Just like before, she wanted to spend time talking about trivial things under the pretext of consultation.

Preferably face to face.

If possible, making eye contact too.

‘…And when he prays, his hands…’

Whoosh.

The heat intensified as soon as the thought emerged, causing Asha to unconsciously cover her face.

What is this?

Why am I like this?

I don’t even get sick?

Barbara chuckled and, for the first time crossing the line between maid and master, took hold of the slightly trembling white hand and led her.

“How fortunate. We just received some excellent meat today and I was wondering how to cook it. Hero, would you spare this old woman some time?”

She tried to open her mouth to answer, but somehow felt shy, so Asha just nodded.

Seeing this, Barbara rolled up her sleeve and declared.

“I’ll help you make it so delicious that he’ll ask for it every day!”

# 3.

The completed stew.

Nahan took a large spoonful of it from what was clearly an expensive dish.

The rich meat aroma,

The tender meat,

The spicy and clean finish.

“…! This is delicious, incredibly so.”

Although what he had explained to Asha was kimchi stew, this dish, which reminded him of spicy tomato pasta seasoning, was surprisingly delicious.

At his genuine reaction, Asha fidgeted before bowing her head and murmuring.

“…Thank you.”

“Pardon? You brought the stew, Hero, so I should be the one thanking you.”

“……Thank you for thanking me.”

“…What?”

It felt like talking to a broken machine.

‘Is it guilt from being harsh at the banquet? Or because of the concept of using up her lifespan?’

He didn’t know the exact reason, but it was already in the past, so it didn’t matter much.

‘This is really delicious though. It’s on a completely different level from the stew Lactea used to make.’

That one seemed to come from a truly different dimension, like the demon realm or the deep sea.

“You should eat too, Hero.”

“Ah, th-thank…”

“Stop thanking me and eat. Here.”

“…!! C-can I eat, mmph!”

“Delicious, right?”

…Nod, nod.

While enjoying the delicious meal after a long time, tearing bread to go with it…

“It is quite tasty.”

“……”

Yuria, who had naturally joined them for the meal, cheerfully asked Asha.

“Were you cooking while children were being kidnapped and the orphanage was burning down?”

“…I was in the middle of subjugating demons.”

“Ah, I see? So you were too busy being manipulated by the stupid Emperor to care about the citizens?”

…That’s right,

Light and Yuria didn’t get along, did they?

Yuria had joined Light because they shared the goal of saving the world, but she disliked them for neglecting Viscount Gaspel.

Therefore,

“…It’s been bothering me since before. Can we prevent every misfortune?”

“Isn’t that why you became a hero?”

“Ah, is that so? Is that why you punished even the innocent families of the Black Fang with guilt by association? Just like the same trash.”

“…Hey, say that again.”

“I have no problem doing so.”

They fight like that whenever there’s even a small opening.

‘…This is going to be a headache.’

As Nahan was about to say something to ease the heaviness settling in his chest…

“Asha Mirabel. Is it because you’re such an incompetent hero that the priest has to help you even at the cost of his lifespan?”

“That’s…!!!”

“Didn’t you come today to ask for help with that bastard Duke Hallorand? Shamelessly asking to stay together for a while, right?!”

…Wait a minute.

That’s actually a request I’d welcome?

“…Indeed, perhaps I was too shameless.”

No, please make that request!