episode_0005

Having escaped the palace, I arrived at a place where people’s gazes couldn’t reach and danced with joy.

“Wow… This is working.”

Honestly, I didn’t think this would work.

As someone who ruled a vast empire, I was very good at reading situations and people, so every time we met, it felt like my true intentions were always exposed.

This time, too, I had that feeling, and secretly wondered if the Emperor would notice that my actions were to save the protagonist, but fortunately, it seemed like he didn’t catch on this time.

“If he had noticed, he wouldn’t have allowed it in the first place.”

However, the fact that he followed my advice meant that he hadn’t realized that I was trying to help the protagonist.

Perhaps all the acting I had done so far had been helpful.

“Whenever I meet the Emperor, I get nervous and my true self almost slips out.”

Still, thanks to my efforts, I seemed to have perfectly acted in front of the Emperor as well.

Although there was also the possibility that the Emperor simply let it slide…

“That’s unlikely.”

Amidst the rumors circulating about me not being viewed favorably, it was likely that news about me had reached the Emperor’s ears.

“It’s obvious that he sees me in a negative light.”

He wouldn’t just overlook it.

Anyway, it was fortunate that the protagonist’s face didn’t become widely known.

“Now, what’s left is…”

Meeting the protagonist and the protagonist’s party members.

Just then, the communication device in my pocket rang.

“How convenient.”

Honestly, I thought only exchanging letters in an ancient way was possible, but it was incredibly lucky to know that there was a means to contact someone far away from here, just like a modern cell phone.

It was truly convenient not having to bother meeting in person to deliver messages.

When I channeled magic into the communication crystal, a voice came through.

[Karyel.]

“Lena, how did it go?”

“I almost forcefully inserted the letter as per your request. Fortunately, a positive response was received. Also, the location has been decided for tomorrow at your hideout.”

As expected, she was quick in handling things.

Internally cheering for having such a competent person by my side, I thanked Lena.

“Thank you, as always.”

“Not at all.”

“By the way, I’m curious. You speak gently when we meet in person, why are you being so formal now?”

“It’s a separate matter. If Karyel wishes, I can immediately correct…”

I hurriedly interrupted Lena in a desperate tone.

There was no need to go that far.

“No need for that. I was just curious. Speak however you want, Lena, I know you.”

“Understood.”

Fortunately, Lena quickly understood and returned to her usual self.

With the business concluded, I was about to end the call, but suddenly, I became curious about how things had turned out with the tasks I had entrusted to Lena in the past.

“Alright, I’ll hang up… Oh, and how have things been going recently?”

“Are you referring to the rumors about Karyel? I’ve been handling those diligently.”

“Besides that. I mean the orphanages you’ve been supporting recently.”

“You don’t need to worry. Apart from the orphanages, we gathered children without a place to go and established a separate orphanage for them.”

“That’s great.”

Indeed, Lena was a talent almost too valuable to be by my side.

She was quick in handling tasks and resolved them decisively once given the responsibility.

“Um… But Karyel, I have something I’d like to ask.”

“If it’s the question you asked earlier, you know I can’t answer that, right?”

“It’s a different one.”

“In that case, what is it?”

If it wasn’t the question asked before, I could answer it.

After hesitating for a moment, Lena finally spoke.

“Why do you spread negative rumors about yourself? Even though you act as if you’re deliberately doing such things, I’m curious about the heart that supports sponsoring children behind the scenes.”

“Hmm… Didn’t you ask me that before?”

It seemed like I had answered that back then.

For some reason, Lena asked the same question now, after five years had passed.

[There is a reason for it, and it was said that by acting that way, the most precious person can become happy.]

“It’s not much different even now.”

What I want is the happiness of the protagonist.

And that fact remained unchanged, whether it was yesterday or today.

After hearing my response, Lena remained silent for a moment.

Seemingly deeply lost in thought, the silence lingered for a while.

It wasn’t until five minutes had passed that she spoke.

[I may not fully understand the meaning then or now. But now, I somewhat understand Kariel’s feelings.]

“Is that so?”

[And I also wish for Kariel’s happiness.]

“I am happy enough as it is.”

It wasn’t an empty statement; my life now was better than when I lived an ordinary life in the past. Despite facing various difficulties, I had met precious connections like Lena and even the protagonist whom I adored.

Perhaps I could proudly claim that there were no happier moments in my life than now.

However, Lena, as if implying that it was not enough, spoke firmly.

[I hope you become even happier. Laugh more, live more boisterously, and spend peaceful days like today. And I am willing to do anything for Kariel’s happiness.]

“Hmm…”

I felt a tug at my heartstrings due to Lena’s blind loyalty.

Rather than feeling burdened or disliking her loyalty, I was first struck by a sense of wonder.

Upon reflection, I realized that I hadn’t done much for Lena, yet her unwavering support left me somewhat puzzled.

But unlike my lack of understanding, I was genuinely grateful to her personally.

Because she showed more loyalty than what I had given her.

“Don’t push yourself too hard.”

[I will keep that in mind. Also, I have placed the mask you mentioned in the study. That’s all for now.]

“Alright. I’ll count on you in the future.”

With those words, the communication link was cut off, and I pondered Lena’s words on my way back.

***

Upon arriving at the study, there was a mask on the desk.

Even I could sense the formidable magic contained within the mask.

‘Incredible.’

Even though the effectiveness of perception-inhibiting magic varied depending on the user, it was evident that a high-level mage had cast this spell without needing a closer look.

Where on earth did she get something like this?

Once again, I marveled at Lena’s abilities.

‘Perhaps tomorrow.’

The time to meet the protagonist and her party was tomorrow.

The meeting place was her hideout.

Since it was the protagonist’s hideout, I needed to leave immediately to arrive on time tomorrow, so I prepared to depart right away.

After finishing my preparations and putting on the mask Lena had provided, I muttered to myself.

“Let’s set off then.”

***

The next morning.

I headed towards the hideout where the protagonist’s party would gather.

As it was a secret hideout, the building itself had an ordinary exterior, making it difficult to find. However, having heard from Lena about the location of the hideout, I was able to locate it more easily than expected.

‘Is this it?’

Though the building appeared to be an ordinary general store from the outside, I trusted Lena’s words and entered.

“Welcome.”

A man who seemed to be the shopkeeper was guarding the entrance, but I could sense the presence of the protagonist and other party members beyond him.

Approaching the shopkeeper, I spoke.

“Step aside.”

“What? What do you mean by that?”

The man stammered, seemingly taken aback.

But I was not oblivious to the sharp hostility beneath his confusion.

“It’s better to step aside when asked nicely. Unless you want the whole neighborhood to know that a hero is here.”

“…”

The man remained silent.

As the silence lingered,

Thud!

He snapped his fingers, and magical runes began appearing on the floor, ceiling, and walls.

‘Just as I suspected.’

The man before me was no ordinary being.

In a party of heroes that I had only seen in novels, there was a genius wizard.

His name… what was it?

‘Ah, right.’

It was definitely Arell.

‘When it comes to Arell’s talent…’

It was safe to say he possessed the most exceptional talent in this world.

A talent that could surpass even the Grand Sorcerer, the strongest magician in the world.

Fortunately, it was before his talent fully bloomed, so I could defeat him.

If not for that, I would have turned into a corpse as soon as the word “hero” left my mouth.

“I don’t know who you are. It would be wise to keep to yourself how you know that fact. Otherwise, you might find yourself in a tough spot.”

Arell stared at me with a menacing gaze.

An ordinary person might have trembled here.

“You seem to worship your sponsor like a dog.”

“…”

Sadly, the current situation had me as the pawn and him as the king.

Perhaps even the general store here was funded by the sponsorship money I sent.

In the protagonist’s party, I had to come out with a humble attitude no matter what.

And as soon as the word “sponsor” came out as I had thought, the hostility emanating from Arell subsided in an instant.

“Are you really the sponsor?”

“I must have mentioned that I would visit today. Did you not receive the letter?”

“…I apologize. Please come in.”

Convinced that I was indeed the sponsor, Arell immediately took on a humble posture and guided me inside.

‘The protagonist is beyond this point.’

With that sudden realization, excitement and tension surged through me, but I managed to suppress them and stepped inside.