episode_0014

After that, the Kingdom of Laine was turned upside down. The warrior party members, who had hoped to become the kingdom’s core strength alongside the hero, were all thrown into a state of unprecedented crisis as they defected en masse to another country, declaring that they couldn’t stand it any longer.

It wasn’t just a matter of fleeing; the information that they had attached themselves to a hero from another country and were supporting him had spread so widely that the responsibility entirely fell upon Freit.

The nobles who had initially dismissed the overly aggressive proposal to assassinate the warrior were now seriously discussing the matter in relation to Freit. If Freit had shown himself in the capital, the discussion might have turned into action.

However, Freit, consumed by despair, had vanished, hiding in a remote inn where the nobles would never think to look, without informing anyone of his whereabouts.

Two months passed. It was then that rumors of the departed party members reached Freit’s ears, as he did nothing but reminisce about old memories.

Rumors abounded not only about Irina but also about Emelia, who had become Gunter’s lover, accumulating an astonishing amount of achievements, including the annihilation of an orc legion, the defeat of a troll tribe, and numerous solo conquests of mid-level dungeons. If Brunhilde had joined Gunter’s party and fought, she too could have gained an unparalleled reputation within Burgundt.

However…

“…Where is Brunhilde?”

Oddly, amidst the rumors, Brunhilde’s name was conspicuously absent. No one knew what the foreign knight, Brunhilde, was up to. Following Gunter to the Kingdom of Burgundt was confirmed, but there was no record of her activities thereafter. It was as if she had suddenly changed her mind and left for somewhere else.

Brunhilde’s disappearance.

“Why…?”

Upon hearing this rumor, a question arose in Freit’s mind, altering his fate.

◆◆

Freit knew.

Emelia and Irina had made up their minds to leave the party, not only because they were fed up with his weakness, but also because they were deeply immersed in their infatuation with Gunter. Hence, when even Brunhilde mentioned Gunter and left, it was inevitable for them to be filled with regret.

Freid, who was not only a martial arts mentor and comrade but also someone he admired, harbored feelings for the blonde-haired knight that went beyond mere admiration. It was a secretive affection that he had never confessed to anyone. That’s why his heart was broken. He could endure Emelia’s ridicule or Irina’s harsh words, but the shock of Brunhilde leaving him and going to Gunter’s side was simply unbearable agony, which was the fundamental reason for Freid’s despair, as he found himself slumped in a corner of the inn.

Even if he didn’t know, if by some chance a rumor reached his ears that Brunhilde, who had left calling for Gunter, was fluttering around Gunter’s bedside… Perhaps, he wouldn’t have been able to withstand reality and would have given up everything? At least, that’s what Freid thought. He believed that he might have done the same. It was truly an objective self-assessment. However, Brunhilde had suddenly disappeared. She had left for somewhere unknown, without staying by Gunter’s side, giving Freid hope.

“Perhaps…”

A small,

very small hope and expectation.

◆◆

Freid remembered.

The uncomfortable expression Brunhilde had openly displayed when mentioning Gunter’s name. It was a contrasting attitude to Emelia, who openly showed affection for Gunter, and Irina, who seemed indifferent to Gunter’s mockery.

What Brunhilde expected from Gunter was solely his prowess and talent. It seemed she held emotions closer to disdain towards his character.

“That means…”

Freid thought.

If she hadn’t completely surrendered to Gunter. No, if she had gone so far as to give up her position as a member of the hero party altogether…

“Perhaps.”

There might be a chance to meet her again. Not as a hero and a party member, but at least as people who knew each other well. Of course, it was not a high probability.

Brünhilde’s purpose for concealing her whereabouts was unknown, and there was no guarantee that she could be found.

However.

“If that’s the case….”

For Freit, there was a way to turn what seemed like a mere possibility into an inevitability.

His gaze shifted towards his holy sword, Nibelung, leaning against the edge of the bed, emitting a faint golden glow.

Enthralled by the dark blade, Freit reached out and pulled the holy sword closer to him.

Recalling the national secret taught only to him by King Alberich II of the Line Kingdom, he thought of Nibelung’s true power.

“Three times. Only three times in a lifetime, but it grants its master’s wishes.”

The power to fulfill desires.

That was the ability of the holy sword Nibelung.

“…Not all-powerful, though.”

Freit already knew. The manner in which Nibelung granted wishes was severely twisted.

The two wishes he had made so far proved this.

The first wish.

When he was acknowledged as a true hero and bestowed with the holy sword, Freit looked down at Nibelung with a skeptical gaze and made his first wish.

He wanted to become a legendary hero, much like those in the tales.

It meant he wanted to become strong and admirable, saving many and being loved by many.

And Nibelung granted that wish.

By transforming his physical body to resemble that of a legendary hero upon waking.

To Freit, it was truly astonishing.

He came to realize that while Nibelung certainly granted its master’s wishes, it might not be in the way the master intended.

Regardless, Freit obtained a new body in that manner.

“It was a disaster.”

Apart from his hair color, there was nothing left of his old body, so he struggled to adapt, suffering even more.

The second wish was naturally to become stronger.

His incompetence burdened his fellow party members greatly, leading to a deterioration in their relationships.

And Nibelung also granted that wish.

“…Probably.”

Perhaps it was inevitable to attach the word “probably” because nothing had changed since making the wish. He was still weak and incompetent, to the extent that all his party members had left. It was reasonable to suspect that the wish itself had failed, but as Freit, he couldn’t even entertain such a doubt. There was a clear mark on the hilt of the Holy Sword. A sign that there was only one chance left to make a wish. Therefore, he had to consider that the second wish had been fulfilled. The reason it had no effect… perhaps he hadn’t realized that the way wishes were granted was entirely different from what the owner expected. Maybe getting stronger through the power of the Holy Sword was just this level of limitation. That’s what Freit thought.

◆◆

And so, only one last chance remained. The third wish. Originally, it was a power that should be kept to defeat the Demon King. Should it be considered a last resort, a gamble that might become a lifeline? It was a solemn duty entrusted by Alberich II. He had been holding back from using the final wish. “Is there a need for that now? At this point?” Until now. And now. “Let’s use it.” Freit made a decision. Let’s finally make the last wish that had been saved and saved. If he used up the last wish, even if he possessed the Holy Sword, he wouldn’t be able to defeat the Demon King. “The Demon King and such, heroes and such. They’re no longer relevant.” Such things were no longer important. After all, it was impossible for him to defeat the Demon King, let alone face him. Saving the last wish was meaningless. Since even Brunhilde had left him, there was no lingering attachment to being a hero. Therefore, Freit decided to dismiss the duty of a hero and make a wish for himself. Then, what wish should he make? If Brunhilde had been by his side, Freit would have wished to give up everything and disappear.

Perhaps, the party members who abandoned themselves might have wished for them to regret their choice. However, “I want to meet Brünhilde again.” Now that Brünhilde has suddenly disappeared, Freit’s wish was predetermined from the start. “I hope we can meet again and smile at each other just like when we first met.” Reuniting with Brünhilde. Restoring their strained relationship. That was Freit’s only wish. And then… “Aaargh!” Nibelung’s dark golden brilliance responded to his wish, as always, in a twisted manner.

The next morning, as Freit groggily opened his eyes, he realized that Nibelung’s power had been activated as soon as he got up from his faint. “My body…” His physical form, transformed by his first wish, was now undergoing yet another significant change. A body that bore no resemblance to his original self. Too light. A drastically lowered field of vision. Even his fair skin and slender fingers. It was evidence that the Holy Sword’s power had been activated. “I didn’t think it would fulfill it properly, but… I never expected this.” Bewildered by the altered sensations before he opened his eyes, Freit staggered a bit and made his way to the bathroom. This time, to confirm how he had changed once again. He had a rough idea of what to expect, but seeing it with his own eyes was necessary for certainty. And… “As I thought.” Looking down at his face reflected in the water of the tub, Freit finally gained assurance. “I’m back.” Confidence that he had returned to his original body. The face he had seen every time he washed up for the past sixteen years before becoming “Hero Freit” was welcoming him. No, it was welcoming her. “Ahaha…” Freit laughed. It was a bitter, tear-stained smile, with sunken cheeks and tear-streaked eyes, but nonetheless, she could smile. Returning to being a woman was proof that the Holy Sword had decided to grant her wish. So surely, someday, she would be able to reunite with Brünhilde. Freit…

No, “Frida” was certain of that.

What form that meeting would take, even she couldn’t know yet.