Chapter 117

117.

[Strategy Objective (Hidden): Rescue Agon, the Guardian of the Heavens.]

Leo narrowed his eyes upon seeing the strategy objective that hadn’t disappeared.

‘The objective still hasn’t been fulfilled.’

The historical flow must have already diverted significantly from the original timeline, yet this hidden objective remained. It meant the orphanage was still in danger.

Leo used fire magic to turn the corpse into ashes.

“Whoosh-!”

‘Is this to say the result will be the same even if we continue on like this?’

The original objective was easily resolved thanks to Kyle’s memories, but fulfilling this hidden objective wasn’t as straightforward.

‘Should I call Agon?’

The current situation arose because Agon left the orphanage unattended.

‘But Agon is at the castle right now.’

And there was no guarantee that he’d return tonight.

Furrowing his brows, Leo glanced at Elshi.

‘No, even if Agon were here, it might be hard to stop this.’

The hidden objective appeared after Leo met Elshi.

In other words, even though Elshi didn’t leave for Guardstron, the children at the orphanage were still unable to escape d*ath.

A d*ath not even the Great Spirit could prevent.

Though Leo didn’t know what Leabathen was hiding, even if Agon were called, there was no guarantee of the children’s survival.

‘Maybe he’s the only one who can definitively resolve this.’

Thinking of a close friend, Leo headed towards where Arga was.

Arga was consoling the terrified orphans.

“You’re here?”

Having thought of Leo a moment ago, Arga hesitated, realizing what Leo had done.

Of course, she didn’t blame him.

The orphans didn’t deserve sympathy. They were planning to k*ll innocent children, and if left unchecked, they would have attacked again.

Besides, this was the Hero’s World.

No matter how realistic it seemed, the characters here were artificial.

However, as a fifteen-year-old girl, Arga couldn’t help but feel an immense burden from the act of shedding bl**d.

Leo’s actions worried her.

“Black Rabbit, are you alright?”

Leo smirked as he messed up Arga’s hair while carefully observing her.

“You don’t have to worry so much.”

Leo’s rough touch pressed slightly on Arga’s neck, unusual for someone of his age.

‘Hmm, he feels mature.’

Sensing an unusual maturity, Arga slipped away from Leo’s hand, resembling a cat.

“Anyway, this isn’t the end, is it?”

“Probably not.”

“I’m fine! As long as the Black Rabbit and I hold out until Uncle Agon comes!”

“Isn’t that easy.”

Arga trembled in response to Leo’s words.

“Stronger enemies will come than those we took down earlier.”

“Umm… but even so, if the Black Rabbit and I team up—!”

“Simply defeating them may be possible, but protecting the children while doing so won’t be easy.”

“Th, That’s—”

Arga’s ears and tail drooped.

Seeing this, Leo spoke.

“Still, we’re not completely out of options.”

“What is it?”

The ears that had drooped suddenly perked up.

“Find Aron.”

“Aron-sama? But Agon-sama said that Aron-sama had left Raysar…”

“Aron is still in Raysar.”

Leo looked towards the castle walls.

“I checked last night, and it wasn’t possible to leave the city.”

“Can’t leave the city? So our movement is limited to Raysar only?”

“That’s right.”

“Well, if what you say is true, then Aron-sama must definitely still be in Raysar!”

Arga’s face brightened, but only for a moment.

“But how do we find Aron-sama in this vast city? Those guys might attack at any moment.”

Indeed, finding a beastman in this sprawling refugee city was nearly impossible.

Leo glanced at the orphans in the orphanage.

‘We’ve already conquered the Hero’s World.’

After all, the hidden strategy objective was just an option.

It didn’t necessarily have to be achieved.

Of course, completing it might bring greater rewards.

However, taking risks for that might be considered foolish.

Most importantly, the people here in the Hero’s World had already disappeared in the original timeline.

Saving them here wouldn’t bring back those who were dead.

And yet…

The image of his friend tearing up while talking about his younger siblings flashed in Leo’s mind.

If the man named Agon was the one who placed the hero Aron in his current position…

These children were the motivation that gave Aron the courage to withstand even the most arduous battles.

Aron’s wish to create a world where people can laugh happily stemmed from his desire to see fewer children as unfortunate as his own younger siblings.

Leo couldn’t ignore these children.

‘And it’s not just these children.’

Regardless of what anyone said, Leo was part of this era.

He couldn’t say he had no connection to it.

“Arga.”

“Yes?”

“We’ve completed the main mission. There’s no need to take further risks.”

Hearing this, Arga’s eyes widened.

She stared at Leo for a moment before scoffing.

“Tsk! You’re not getting out of this that easily, are you? Are you just trying to hog all the cool jobs for yourself? I already know you too well.”

“It can be really dangerous, you know.”

“Someone like you scared of that? I started dreaming of being a hero after admiring Aron-sama’s story.”

Arga puffed out her chest.

“I wouldn’t retreat like a coward, would I? Moreover—”

“Moreover?”

“If you show off too much, Aron-sama might only favor you!”

Arga wore an expression of protest.

“I’ll work hard too! I want Aron-sama to recognize and praise me, to maybe even pet me!”

Arga wiggled her body imagining Aron praising her.

Realizing Leo watching her with an amused expression, she coughed nervously.

“Anyway! You’ve figured out how to find Aron-sama, right?”

“Yes.”

“Then hurry! I’ll guard here until you get back!”

Initially planning to evacuate Arga and ask Elshi to guard the place, Leo chuckled.

“If you were this capable or even half as capable as you, I wouldn’t have gone through all this trouble.”

“Huh? What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Just talking to myself.”

Shaking his head, Leo spoke seriously.

“I’ll be back as fast as I can. If it gets too dangerous, don’t push yourself and retreat.”

“I’ll be fine, worry wart!”

Leo leaped into action seeing Arga confidently flexing her arms.

As he watched his retreating back, Arga raised her hands.

“Alright! Let’s work hard and get lots of praises from Aron-sama! Let’s go!”

Walking into the streets of Raysar, Leo quickly began considering where Aron might be.

‘Given his habits, he’s probably hunkering down somewhere and not moving.’

Recollecting previous conversations with Aron, Leo considered the locations Aron might frequent.

Raysar was a place where Aron spent ten years of his life.

It held many nostalgic spots where he could find solace.

Leo delved into memories from his past life.

Having explored the city extensively for a month after arriving 5000 years ago, Leo knew the lay of the land well.

Comparing these memories with places Aron discussed, he started narrowing down the search.

‘The bell tower was the place he visited most often, wasn’t it?’

Leo sprinted towards the tall tower with a giant bell, which served as a warning beacon for Tartarus’ invasions.

Arriving at the top of the tower, Leo looked around for Aron but found no trace of him.

Realizing Aron wasn’t there, Leo hastened towards the next location.

The park he frequented.

The abandoned alley where Aron trained alone.

Despite checking all these spots, there was still no sign of Aron.

“Huff… Huff…”

Even the tireless Leo was breathing heavily after rushing through the city.

‘No more places come to mind.’

Leo clenched his teeth while recalling previous conversations with Aron.

“Aron, you’re so powerful, yet during your time in Raysar, you never considered fighting Tartarus?”

“The demons scared me.”

“Shouldn’t they be the ones scared of you?”

Dweono had commented when Luna jokingly remarked,

“He’s delicate, unlike you.”

“What’s that supposed to mean? I’m delicate too!”

“As far as delicate qualities go, all I see is your pretty face. Though that, too, is dulled by your disagreeable nature.”

“Dieee!”

Enraged, Luna wildly swung her staff, but Dweono skillfully blocked every attack.

Their comrades ignored the squabbling pair.

“Still, did you never feel inclined to fight?”

At Lissinas’ question, Aron had given an embarrassed laugh.

“There was one instance. I decided one day that I’d stand atop a place overlooking all of Raysar.”

“You don’t fear heights, do you? Why there?”

“I wanted to protect the city where my master and younger siblings lived. I thought gazing upon the place I wanted to protect might give me courage.”

Aron wore a wistful expression.

“Unfortunately, by the time I found courage, my siblings had already passed away.”

Leo’s gaze turned towards the tallest spire overlooking Raysar.

From there, he could surely see the entire city.

*

Stepping inside the spire, Leo swiftly climbed the winding staircase to the top.

Creak!

The door, which was supposed to be locked, was wide open, as if awaiting visitors.

Scuff.

Leo stepped cautiously, out of breath from his frantic search.

The circular spire was spacious.

Scuff… Scuff…

Following the railing, Leo walked to the side opposite the entrance and stopped.

Tap.

The white wolf ears of Aron, leaning on the railing and gazing down at the city, twitched.

Startled, Aron turned his gaze towards Leo.

“Who—?”

Aron’s youthful face, tinged with surprise, was clearly visible.

‘He must be about eighteen right now.’

The sole Hero born during the Era of Catastrophe who was renowned, despite his timidity, for an unfathomable amount of courage.

As Leo gazed at the long-time ally he once fought alongside, a lump formed in his throat.

He hadn’t expected to converse with him again.

Even in the Hero’s World.

Even if his friend didn’t remember him.

Grateful for this moment, Leo spoke.

“I’ve come to take you, Aron.”