“Yes, thank you.”
The moment she opened her eyes, she sprang out of bed at the sound of a knock and promptly sent the dorm supervisor away, much to their own confusion after coming to inform her about the commencement ceremony.
After dismissing the dorm supervisor, Selian took out the communication orb she had brought along to connect with the family estate before preparing to go outside for the ceremony.
Though Selian had not been fond of asking for help from her family or house in her previous life, in this case, the aid of the house was indeed necessary.
– What is the matter, Young Lady?
The voice of the head butler who handled all the affairs of the house came through. However, no matter how powerful his authority as head butler might be, the matters to be discussed could not be addressed to him.
“I would like to be connected with Father, please.”
– The Head of the House is currently conducting the monthly family meeting…
Through the crystal ball, Selian could see the background behind the butler and his hushed reply, indicating that he too had secretly slipped out of an ongoing meeting to take her call.
“This is an emergency. Please bring him immediately.”
To Selian, the monthly family meeting was of no importance at all. Her expression and tone were more serious than ever.
The head butler could sense that something was off. Having worked in the house since before Selian was born, and having watched her grow from an infant to the poised young lady she was now, he had never seen her so resolute.
Thus, instead of arguing further, the butler realized the urgency and headed straight to the family meeting room where the Head of the House, Lucas, was presiding.
Once Lucas appeared on the crystal ball, Selian calmly relayed the information she had prepared.
She explained that she was being targeted by an assassination group and even mentioned where their base was situated.
Lucas knew his daughter was not lying, but it was hard to believe. Being a high-ranking noble himself, he was no stranger to assassination attempts. However, it was unimaginable that anyone in the human race, not the demons, would target Selian, who was fated to be a hero, just for personal gain.
Even if Lucas considered himself to be a moderate among nobles, this situation had crossed a line.
So, the moment the communication ended, he immediately got up and issued commands. He gathered only the most skilled knights and soldiers, leaving behind just enough to guard his territory.
Of course, among those gathered, there was no explanation given for the reason behind the summoning.
At the family council meeting, secrecy was guaranteed among those present, but these soldiers and knights were a different matter. Although they were trustworthy vassals and subjects, any leaks could alert the assassins, potentially ruining their plan.
Thus, only the phrase “night operation” was mentioned while the actual details of the mission remained undisclosed.
Among the assembled knights and soldiers, they noticed they were chosen from among the best. The fact that the House’s Head himself was joining made them vaguely realize the situation was unusual, but nothing more.
Skipping even a nearby town like Dephel to avoid detection, they carefully made their way through deserted paths until they arrived at the foot of the mountain.
Sure enough, following the directions Selian had previously given, they came across an assassin guild’s hidden den, which looked exactly as described.
It was an unremarkable, small hunting cabin that could easily be mistaken for one belonging to a nearby hunter.
However, details such as the damaged chimney or the towering conifer tree beside it matched Selian’s description perfectly, leaving no doubt it was the assassin’s hideout.
The only question on Lucas’s mind was how Selian knew all this.
Even as he burned with rage, Lucas maintained a cold, calculating composure. Naturally, this led him to think deeply.
Perhaps Selian had discovered the assassination plans accidentally. From there, she might have also deduced the identity of the assassin and the location of their guild.
Still, the exact whereabouts of the assassin’s guild, how it operated, and the safest approach to it—all this information hinted at more than just an accidental discovery.
Even their current hiding spot among the bushes was noteworthy. Unseen from the hideout yet providing a clear view of it—finding such a well-placed spot simply by walking around wasn’t easy.
Lucas, however, simply set his doubts aside without questioning Selian further. Though she seemed young, she was after all an accomplished lady, a noble, and a hero.
Of course, even if he did ask, Selian would not have answered, and given her past life regression, Lucas could never have guessed this truth himself, leaving it a mystery for life.
As twilight faded into darkness, Lucas signaled his men quietly.
Even with the utmost stealth, moving such a large number of troops would inevitably make some noise.
Thus, soldiers would only form an outer ring while Lucas led a few top knights toward the hideout directly.
After all, these assassins weren’t much to fear once discovered. Brave in the shadows, they were nothing more than cowards in the light.
Though it was possible some of them were skilled and might strike back causing a minor wound, Lucas didn’t care. He was prepared.
These people betrayed humanity by targeting the hero. They needed to know true fear. The mindset of combating demons, not humans, would prepare his sword.
…No, in truth, Lucas knew this was just about revenge.
For risking his daughter’s life, for daring to target her, their actions ignited a paternal fury unmatched.
Indeed, that was the essence of fatherhood.
“Thank you, Father.”
The next day, Selian received something special directly from her father who had come to the academy in person. Something as trivial as a piece of paper could easily have been entrusted to a messenger, yet Selian had insisted that her father deliver it personally.
It was that important.
“Not at all. Even though you’ve not been here long, it warms me to see you looking so healthy.”
From Selian’s perspective, it had been a long time since she’d seen her father.
In her first life, she’d left on a journey to defeat the Demon King, while in her second and third lives, busy hunting the assassin’s guild during vacations, she only kept in touch via crystal ball.
Thus, it was a rare meeting for her.
But to her surprise, her father looked younger, not older, than when they last met. The sense of relief that everything was resolved brought a smile to her face, restoring her everyday happiness.
“Should you ever need anything, don’t hesitate to contact me. And do visit during the holidays.”
Unaware of why Selian smiled, Lucas, delighted that his daughter had smiled at him, loudly said goodbye before climbing into his carriage.
Lucas believed this was the moment to show his daughter a dependable father’s image, someone she could respect in the future.
Of course, from Selian’s more experienced perspective, it was laughable.
As the carriage left, Selian returned to her room, clutching the delivered scroll tightly to her chest.
After ensuring the door was locked and the curtains drawn, Selian slowly unrolled it.
This scroll was the Master-Slave Mark contract that bound Alicia, used by the assassin guild to compel her. It should never have existed.
With one hand holding the scroll, Selian carefully lit the candle with her other. Despite its magical properties allowing it to resist the flame for a short while, it eventually caught fire and burned completely.
The black remains resembled the scorched scroll from her first life.
With this, Alicia was free. Selian learned Alicia had visited the hideout last night after the attack, likely realizing her control by the assassin guild was now gone.
No longer restrained, Alicia’s master-slave mark would have vanished as well.
Now she could approach her again.
*
Selian did everything for her. She took care of everything—food, clothing, shelter—ensuring Alicia had everything in abundance.
Of course, she had done this through the academy in the name of the house to avoid making Alicia feel uncomfortable. She had planned alternative measures if necessary, but Alicia thankfully accepted the support.
Renewed regular life brought happiness day by day, and she rekindled friendships with old friends like Anne and Yuli, distant during her previous attempts.
Time flew happily until they set out again on their quest to defeat the Demon King, but this time together.
Anne had eagerly agreed, delegating her house duties to her mother and younger sibling. Yuli, though less skilled, had improved enough thanks to Selian’s help.
Mariel, the saint, smiled brightly, unlike in the previous life, a source of guilt for Selian.
This time, both Selian and the party were much stronger. Even Alicia, freed from the assassin’s shackles, blossomed under Selian’s guidance, reaching Sword Master status within a few years.
Nothing stood in their way. Even one of the Four Heavenly Kings like Glen could be defeated, and they indeed did so, moving on to the Demon King.
“Only the Demon King remains.”
Worn out from the previous battle, Anne lay sprawled, gasping for breath while Yuli handed her water. Mariel, as ever, checked for injuries and cast healing spells.
“It’s been such a… long journey.”
It was long indeed, more personal for Alicia.
Once the Demon King fell, peace would reign. They could finally enjoy life with friends.
However…
“Damn… fell into a trap…”
It was a fiendish trap, ingeniously designed to be unavoidable if unnoticed. They were exhausted; if they kept moving, a complete massacre was inevitable.
Soon their hideout would be discovered. The first wave of fiends could be repelled, but they’d ultimately fall.
The heroes and saint couldn’t perish, or the continent’s future would fade.
Thus, Alicia stood up silently among the resting group.
“El…?”
Her unexpected move startled Selian, who called her name. The unresponsive Alicia triggered Selian’s worry; her posture reminded her of the past.
“Surely not…?”
“It’s either we all die or I leave.”
Her answer shattered Selian’s hopes. Alicia’s eyes were set with determination.
“Not this…!”
Selian tried to rise but stumbled back down. Her vision blurred and her body weakened.
Around her, Anne, Yuli, and Mariel lay slumped, seemingly asleep.
“Even you, Selian? A hero, or a Sword Master effect? The strongest sleep inducer I know and you’re still holding consciousness?”
“Ugh… Stand…”
“Don’t worry about discovery. I’ve adapted and ensured this temporary shelter is as stealthy as possible.”
Though temporary, it was enough. She would sacrifice herself to draw the fiends’ attention elsewhere.
When the group eventually wakes, they’d already be far enough to escape.
“Don’t… Go…”
Selian clearly understood Alicia’s plan. Sleep slowly overtook her, muting her protests.
“Goodbye…”
Avoiding prolonging it, Alicia turned away, unable to face Selian any longer.
“El!”
The last image Selian saw before succumbing to sleep was Alicia’s retreating figure, her final living memory of El in her fourth lifetime.
