episode_0012

The incident of being kidnapped from the orphanage is an event that existed in the original work.

However, unlike back then, there was the involvement of an unknown third party and the realization that the entity sponsoring the orphanage is either a high-ranking noble or even more than that, without being intimidated by this knowledge but rather knowing how to skillfully exploit it.

And when all these facts are considered, the culprit that emerges is.

“The demons.”

That’s right, demons.

The reason I consider the unknown third party as demons is primarily because of the existence of portals.

Demons are a race born with the inherent blessing of magic.

While humans are born with a talent level of 10, demons are born with a minimum of 1000 talents.

Of course, not all demons can be generalized, as each has different characteristics and methods, but fundamentally, the abilities of demons who use magic or primarily deal with it surpass imagination.

“First of all, it’s strange that there’s a portal in the Dark Territory.”

Wizards belonging to the 5th circle are precious resources and very busy.

Not only are they busy with their tasks, but fundamentally, as a race of wizards, they are obsessed with research, so they tend to spend all day cooped up in their rooms.

Even if they were to go outside, there would be no point in going to the insignificant Dark Territory.

But demons are different.

They had not yet revealed themselves on the surface and it was better for them to secretly move around using the Dark Territory.

Especially in a place like this, which is nothing more than a gathering of humans filled with greed, it was a perfect playground for demons to operate.

“They probably disguised themselves as humans and deceived others into thinking they were high-ranking wizards.”

By doing so, they could either gain the cooperation of humans or, despite being demons, attach themselves to humans who were blinded by their power and help them.

However, the question that arises here is whether it was demons moving instead of nobles, as in the original work.

Moreover, they blatantly interfered with an orphanage supported by a high-ranking noble or even higher, kidnapping children in the process.

Originally, they would not reveal themselves on the surface for several years.

And before fully revealing themselves, there were demons who occasionally showed movement, and Arien had been clearing out such demons to reach the present state.

“Oh, could that be the reason?”

They were aware of Arien’s presence and were causing trouble.

So, it made sense that they interfered with the orphanage.

Arien was from an orphanage and cherished the siblings from the orphanage immensely.

“The kids really liked him.”

There were occasions when people visited under the pretext of checking the orphanages they sponsored.

Among them was the orphanage where the protagonist grew up.

Thinking about the children who adored Arien brought a smile to my face.

“It could be considered Arien’s weakness.”

Although information about Arien was carefully handled to avoid leaks.

The fact that demons obtained the information meant that someone intentionally helped them.

“I should expose them once and for all.”

First, capture all the demons.

“If they’re demons, they might actually be easier to find.”

As someone who read the original work, I had a fair idea of how they lived, making it easier to locate them.

Of course, the timing was slightly accelerated, but there wouldn’t be a significant difference.

“By the way, if the demons moved, who helped them?”

If they were utilizing the Dark Territory to this extent, they needed to catch the suspects among the giants of the Dark Territory.

There were only four beings known as giants in the Dark Territory.

And one of them included the individual who created the Dark Territory.

Although I confirmed that it wasn’t the members of the Dark Guild when I conversed with them earlier.

“If this guy knew and didn’t inform his subordinates, anything is possible.”

Therefore, I couldn’t assert that it wasn’t the case.

“Going around looking for everything seems vague. If you’re going to reveal your identity anyway, wouldn’t it be better to do it openly?”

Of course, even if you go openly, it wasn’t something everyone in town was gossiping about.

At least the nobles with quite a position would know, right?

“There might be those who don’t take kindly to it.”

Because it shows the ugly side of bad nobles in a fantasy world.

Nobles with good and righteous minds and values also existed no less than that.

“But if you’re usually a good person, they’ll probably look at you favorably.”

As of now, I am the scum of the earth.

Rumors were spreading everywhere, and although I tried my best to hide all kinds of scummy deeds without making it obvious, it wasn’t just rumors; everyone actually thought I had done such things, so even if I said I was going to the dark forest, they would probably think I was up to no good.

“Yet there were crazy people who liked me.”

Honestly, I thought all high-ranking nobles would only see me as trash.

It’s a funny thing, but I’ve worked so hard to make it that way.

However, recalling the time when I fought and won against Arien, I realized that there were quite a few who didn’t see me that way.

The voices of those who truly believed in me as a hero.

At that time, I didn’t plan to win, so I was too flustered to think properly.

There have been several times when I’ve had to decide whether to like or dislike that sight when I recalled it later.

“I need to make it more certain.”

That way, when it is revealed that I am not a hero, there will be less disappointment and betrayal.

“Oh, I’ve strayed off course.”

Recalling my original purpose, I took out a different talisman instead of the one I used to communicate with Lena.

Honestly, I had promised myself never to use it, and I didn’t really feel like using it now.

It wasn’t a time to hide something now.

Channeling magic into the talisman, I waited for about a minute.

When the communication stopped, a voice came from the other side of the talisman.

[Who is this? Clearly, this is the talisman I gave you to use. ‘You’ who has never contacted me once is reaching out through the talisman.]

In response to the reprimand, I cleared my throat and spoke.

“Ahem. Even so, I think directly contacting you is a bit… inappropriate.”

[Nevertheless, you did it in the end.]

Unable to say anything in return, I changed the subject.

“I have a request.”

[What is it?]

“I have personal reasons, so I may have to meddle in the dark forest. Is that acceptable?”

Listening to my words, the Emperor, known as the Heaven of the Empire, seemed impressed by what I said.

[Hero, you sometimes have misunderstandings. A hero is a savior who saves the world. There is no one who can interfere with what such a savior does, even if it were the country itself. Sometimes you underestimate your own position too much. Even if it doesn’t harm the empire, meddling with the dark forest is not a problem at all, so go ahead.]

“The dark forest is doing all sorts of illegal activities, but there are quite a few nobles who use that place, which is why I mentioned it.”

[So do those nobles hold such high positions that it would be difficult for you to interfere with them?]

I was momentarily at a loss for words, but soon I came up with a response.

“…Not exactly. However, I’m just saying, Your Majesty, we don’t know how you would feel about it.”

“Such strange words. Unless it’s a challenge to me, I have no intention of stopping you or interfering. There is no reason for you to seek my permission. Let me say this again: You are a hero, and the only one equal to you is me, the Emperor. Do you understand what that means?

I understand the Emperor’s words well.

It was something I had already been aware of for some time.

However, even though I understood it intellectually, my body didn’t quite follow suit.

“From the start, I never considered myself a hero.”

Because of this, there were times when I would occasionally forget my position.

Partly because Lena, acting as my proxy, handled various matters, so I didn’t have to intervene much.

“I should get used to it now…”

For a moment, I thought that way, but in the end, Arienne will return as the true hero.

I felt that it was better to leave things to Lena as she handles most of my affairs anyway.

“I understand.”

“Even though it seems like you don’t understand at all, let’s go with that for now.”

Internally, I bit my tongue at their complete lack of belief in my words.

Anyway.

Their perceptiveness was almost ghost-like, as if they noticed that I was only half-listening.

What kind of trickery were they using?

Feeling like everything would be exposed if we continued the conversation, I quickly ended it.

“Well then, I’ll end the call here.”

“So be it.”

“If you’re going to call next time, let’s engage in some small talk. Skip the unnecessary chatter.”

Small talk seems more like useless talk.

After swallowing my heated words down my throat, I responded to the Emperor.

“Understood.”

“Very well. I wish you luck in the future.”

“Yes.”

With that, the call ended.

I sighed heavily.

“I shouldn’t contact them again.”

Although the atmosphere felt heavier and more tense in reality.

Communicating through the communication device felt more draining.

I tucked the communication device away and headed towards the location where the giants of the dark abyss resided.”