Sister Isabella

“Hero, I’m late with my introduction.”

The Sister said.

“I am Isabella, a follower who serves the Goddess Dynapole.”

Isabella.

I know who she is.

“….”

Amel joined Isabella’s table and was introduced.

Isabella was the Sister in the forest near Gospel who gave the [Main Quest]. The journey to defeat the Great Devil was set as the [Main Quest], and Amel was receiving that Quest.

Since refusing it once turned the game difficulty to Challenger, she was a figure who deeply influenced her gameplay in many ways.

“It’s been a while. It’s a bit much to say this after a long time, but what brings you here? If you have business, please make it brief.”

Am I being too cold?

‘No.’

It’s just a game anyway, and there’s no reason to get deeply close to anyone in the game.

Since there’s no reason to get close, there’s no reason to drag out personal conversations.

Amel keeps hearing Emily’s words, “Thank you for saving me,” in her ears. But it’s just something a kid in the game is saying.

I’ve been playing the game for too long, and I’m starting to get the wrong idea.

Isabella didn’t seem disappointed and maintained a happy smile.

“I came here to congratulate you, Hero.”

“Congratulate me?”

“Yes, Hero, you have defeated Dream among the Great Devils. Finally, a change has begun in my long-cherished wish. I couldn’t bear to stay cooped up in the Temple, so I came to find you in person.”

“…I didn’t defeat it.”

Isabella looks at her with unwavering eyes.

Clear eyes that seem strangely overwhelming.

“I have been watching the series of events. I can say with certainty that the subjugation of Dream would not have been possible without you, Hero.”

Isabella recounted Amel’s journey one by one.

Whether it’s a difference in perspective, hearing about her own achievements from a third party made Amel feel like she was talking about a complete stranger.

“It’s not just the subjugation of Dream. Thanks to you repelling the Demon beast of the King of Death, the influence of that existence has also significantly decreased. I have seen hope. Please don’t underestimate yourself.”

“….”

Amel crossed her arms and remained silent.

There have been many times to be silent lately.

But that’s not because she has a lot of thoughts, but because she has no thoughts at all.

‘Underestimate…’

I had no intention of underestimating myself.

It’s just that when I felt the journey I’ve been through, it didn’t feel that great.

If the Native Hero of the game felt that way, that would be more accurate.

“I understand. I was more amazing than I thought. Thank you for coming all the way to congratulate me.”

“This is a congratulatory gift.”

Isabella took out a box.

She took it out of thin air.

This is the first time I’ve seen an NPC use an Inventory, except for Native Heros.

She received the box.

“….”

“You can open it now.”

She opened it.

A Lantern.

It was an antique lantern covered in glass.

[Lantern Engraving Dreams]

“What is this?”

“This is a reward for defeating Dream and a tool that will be needed when facing a certain Great Devil.”

“What Great Devil?”

“You have already met it, Hero. As far as I know, you have met Dream, Death, Fate, Blood, and one more.”

“….”

There is.

Tower of Trials.

I met it there.

The Great Devil that [Medusa] channeled into her body by offering a Prayer.

“It’s called Abyss.”

Abyss.

“It is the Great Devil that receives the most generous permission of causality after Death. It is mainly active in the sea, but it has been taking a long time to establish its territory in the Southern Continent.”

“Southern.”

“According to the information I have obtained, Abyss’s movements have become more active recently. It must have seen the current situation where Death’s influence has decreased as an opportunity.”

“….”

The Great Devil of Abyss is in the Southern Continent.

“So, you’re saying I should catch Abyss?”

“That’s not the case. As it is a Great Devil with strong influence, it has many subordinates and infrastructure under its command. It’s just that it will be easier to face Abyss after defeating Dream.”

Easier?

“The power of the Great Devil is absolute. It has authority, so its power is absolutely manifested within a specific range.”

“I recently learned that Hunter Heros are born with something called Awakened Ability, and it has become available in our world in the past few months, hasn’t it?”

“After looking into it, I found that it is in the same realm as the power of the Great Devil, although there are some differences in the effective range.”

“Then I think you, as a Hunter Hero, know it. I haven’t been able to find out much, but if I speculate based on what I’ve heard,”

“Awakened Ability will be very susceptible to compatibility.”

“No matter how strong an ability you are born with, the characteristic of absolutely manifesting can block the source of even a strong ability.”

This is because Awakened Ability has absolute effectiveness within its effective range.

The difference in Mana is meaningless in the process.

There is a nemesis relationship beyond Mana between Awakened Ones.

I didn’t think that could apply to the Great Devil.

“The Great Devils are the same.”

Isabella’s words were not over.

“The power of Dream will give a clear shape to the power of Abyss, becoming a bright Lantern in the darkness of illusion.”

“….”

Awakened Ability.

The power of the Great Devil.

Amel closed the box containing the Lantern.

Isabella asked before leaving.

“You can deal with the Devil hidden in the shadows with what’s in the box. Then, I’ll be on my way.”

She was left alone in her seat,

As she left, the Barrier that had been spread around the table was also lifted.

Buzzing.

The restaurant became noisy.

“….”

Amel, who was left alone in her seat, was lost in thought for a moment and soon left the accommodation.

‘Chris will know better than I do.’

Let’s consult with Yuha too.

Amel went to the accommodation where the First Home Clan was staying.

She sent a text message to get the location, and it seems they are renting the entire accommodation.

“It’s here!”

A red-haired woman.

Jua waves her arms.

“You look okay?”

“Well, it’s been a month since then.”

“Hmm.”

Jua stared intently,

Then she turned around.

“Follow me.”

She followed.

It was a Castle.

“Chris, Yuha, and I are staying in the Castle. Life in the Castle isn’t as romantic as in fairy tales. Even with Magic, the atmosphere was stiff and gloomy.”

“….”

Jua talked about her life in the Castle.

“I heard you lived in the Imperial Castle, is that place any better? It must have been fancy, right? Unlike this place, I don’t think it was built to be just big.”

“I don’t know. I only used it briefly when I slept.”

She spends almost the whole day at the orphanage, so she doesn’t know much about life in the Imperial Castle.

“Did you meet the Emperor?”

“I met him.”

“I heard he’s very handsome.”

Talking about men.

I’m not interested.

I half-listened.

Was she always this talkative? When I think about it, she had a bit of an attention-seeking vibe when we first met at the [Duel Arena].

Did I just get used to it over time?

“Were you okay after the video was uploaded?”

“Huh? What video?”

“The one where you fought Death Knight. There were several others too.”

“…I don’t know, I was sleeping.”

“So, you’ve been living normally.”

Jua’s lips twitched.

“Well, almost all the Heros of the Imperial Castle were attached to the Raid, and now they’re scattered all over the continent. You might not know.”

“What did everyone say after watching it?”

“After watching it, everyone became very interested in me. I only received a little attention from Hunter Heros, but after the video was uploaded, both warriors and Native Heros came to me, saying they wanted to fight.”

“Hmm… was that bad?”

She shakes her head.

“It was good. I used to be looked down upon as just a Hunter Hero, and even after Awakened Ability was manifested, I was only considered a slightly stronger Hunter. I had the opportunity to teach a lesson to those who didn’t understand how strong I was. Haha. I’m actually grateful. If the other side starts a fight first and asks me to fight with all my strength, there’s no reason to refuse, right?”

Jua boasted about how she had dealt with the challengers so far.

“It’s inside here.”

Gospel Lord’s Castle.

When she opened a door, Chris and Yuha were gathered in one place.

Across from them, a woman in a fancy outfit was sitting in a luxurious chair. A design that exposed her chest with jewels and a dress.

Jua whispered.

“That’s the Lord’s wife, Miel Gospel. The Lord is currently absent, so she’s acting as the Lord’s representative.”

Miel Gospel.

Lord’s wife.

She looked very young to be called a wife.

The blue-haired Lord’s wife, Miel, showed curiosity at Amel’s appearance.

Chris also welcomed Amel and conveyed the words ‘Can I talk about it?’ with her eyes. She immediately understood what she was talking about.

She closed her eyes and agreed, and briefly introduced Amel to Miel.

“Madam, this is Americano, my friend’s Noona.”

“She’s very pretty. I was surprised.”

“She’s very pretty.”

Chris was happy as if it were her own story.

Chris glanced at her again.

“Originally, she’s even more… ahem. And one more thing, she’s also a celebrity who’s been making headlines these days. She’s probably in the top three.”

“That much? As much as that Little Heavenly Demon who climbed to the 80th floor?”

“Yes.”

Miel’s eyes sparkled even more.

Innocent eyes grown in a flower garden are directed at her.

Pure curiosity was felt on her skin.

Then Miel exclaimed “Ah..!” and clapped her hands lightly.

“Come to think of it, if you’re Americano, you have the same name as the person who helped us when Gospel was in crisis. Are you the same person?”

It was when Gospel was about to be captured by the Clans.

Amel sat next to Chris and nodded, saying, “Yes.”

“I knew it, you’re as pretty as I heard! I heard it from Skilla too. That you’re a brave person who can overcome difficult trials.”

“Haha…”

“Chris.”

Chris answered, “Yes.”

“Who is she?”

“Anonymous.”

“Anonymous. Ah! I know, I heard it from Skilla! That she fights very well and is a genius.”

It seems Skilla has told her a lot about Anonymous.

Then Miel rested her chin and made a doubtful expression.

“But that’s strange. Doesn’t Skilla know that Americano is Anonymous?”

“It just happened that way.”

“Hmm…”

Miel’s sullen face soon turned into a bright smile.

When she heard what Chris was talking about with Miel, she said that she was giving advice on the Hero Martial Arts Competition.

Hero Martial Arts Competition.

The final round of the competition will be held in Gospel.

The start date of the final round was one week after all the preliminary rounds were over.

The competition itself was decided suddenly, so there was not much to prepare, but it was still a competition mediated by the King and the Emperor.

Miel was making every effort to make it as successful as possible.

Even though she had the impression of being only in her mid-teens, she had a strong will to do something. As an adult, I couldn’t help but help her.

While Miel was talking about her plans,

“Ah, that’s right.”

She claps her hands.

“There’s a meeting with the representatives in the afternoon, would you be able to attend?”

“…Before that, can I ask you one thing?”

“Yes.”

“I couldn’t apply for the competition, can I apply now?”

“….”

Miel thought for a moment,

“Since you’re Anonymous and no one else, I’ll have to discuss it with the other representatives? If a strong candidate for the championship suddenly appears, the people who were expecting to win 3rd place will be pitiful.”

Moreover, the Hero Martial Arts Competition was not just a competition.

A new form of war in which the King and Emperor mediate and compete for the Hero’s rights.

The appearance of a strong championship candidate called Anonymous would never be welcome.

“I’ll talk about it at the meeting. If you’re there with me at that time, the conversation might be easier.”

“…I’ll attend if it’s okay to hide my identity.”

And the meeting.

Amel attended as Miel’s escort and wore a slender full-body armor. It was a chest-flattening full-body armor made by Ibon.