1.
Balkin Gardner.
The eldest son of the Gardner family, he is the guardian of the <Hero Party>, taking on the role of a tank.
He is known for his kind-hearted nature and, despite not being able to unlock the full potential of his family’s power, he tirelessly honed his skills, becoming strong enough to join the Hero Party.
The shield-wielding sage,
The protector of peace,
The hero Balkin.
The titles attached to Balkin Gardner are indeed well-deserved, as he is a man of unwavering integrity.
But as they say, even the strongest iron won’t break easily when beaten, yet if it ever does, that’s the end of it.
『…Black Wolf. I will capture you alive. From your toes to the top of your head. I’ll tear you apart slowly to console Hestia.』
After losing Hestia, Balkin Gardner picked up a shield that was broken, replacing his usual defensive shield, becoming an especially difficult adversary within the <Hero Party>.
So,
“Haa… Putting that aside, what are we supposed to do if you enter by breaking the window?”
“That’s a misunderstanding. I didn’t break the window to enter; I entered to find the window already broken.”
Let’s try to resolve this amicably.
“What… what is that supposed to mean?”
As I followed the question, my gaze shifted to a woman in a pristine nightgown.
Her hair was a light brown, reminiscent of dry autumn leaves, her eyes a deep nightshade, and her skin so pale it bordered on ashen.
If the Black Wolf members were idol-like beauties, Hestia was the kind of serene beauty one might encounter on the street.
Staring at her as if entranced, Hestia finally collected herself and spoke.
“I apologize, but it’s rare to meet someone as foolish as my brother, so I’m at a loss for words.”
“The night is long; there’s no rush. Please feel at home.”
“…This is my home.”
“Then all the more, please make yourself comfortable.”
Without any members around, she was treated with her usual ease of manner, allowing Hestia to sigh and rest her temple.
“So, who are you?”
“Your sudden question leaves me confused. What do you mean?”
“I’m asking who provided ‘that information’ to Black Wolf.”
“…Hmm. I don’t know either. Could you explain further?”
Dal-click.
Hestia, adjusting her glasses, picked up a pen from the side table.
“The Gardner family is renowned for their robust bodies but less so for their minds, but unfortunately, I’m the opposite type. My body is weak, but my mind works tirelessly. By the way, my inability to walk stems from an accident, not a natural condition.”
Scratch-scratch.
What was she writing?
Neat and precise characters began stacking on the blank paper.
“A black attire with the wolf emblem on a white mask. A robust build and a tall stature match the records of the Emperor’s attack incident. Moreover, the commotion heard outside.”
Listening toward the broken window as Hestia continued, sounds of commotion mentioning the Black Wolf attack and reassurances to not be frightened reached my ears.
“Right after the <Central Square> incident, ‘that plan’ was devised, and within that night, the strategist found me. What more words are needed?”
Tap.
Hestia set the pen down and looked over her glasses at me.
“I ask again, who provided ‘that information’ to Black Wolf?”
The information Hestia referred to was surely the one heard from Amelie earlier—using the ‘Imperial First Legion’ and ‘Yellow Dragon’ to eliminate ‘Black Wolf.’
The moment the plan was made, Black Wolf sought out Hestia, who suspected there was a spy and was thus inquiring about their identity.
An impeccable deduction based on the intruder’s identity and the current situation.
“Truth is always singular.”
“…Pardon?”
“There’s wisdom in that phrase.”
After adding a remark to her sharp reasoning, I approached and sat opposite her.
“Indeed, impressive. A truly flawless deduction befitting the brain of the First Legion.”
“No, it wasn’t flawless earlier. But now that you’ve acknowledged it, it has become so.”
“…Ah, you’ve bested me.”
While joking, I glanced at the paper on the table.
What she had been scribbling during our conversation was her own will.
“Let’s call it a draw.”
“…”
She naturally averted her gaze and folded the paper to put it in her bosom.
“You could’ve continued reading.”
“I don’t have the habit of prying into others’ secrets.”
“At least you have some manners.”
Hestia smirked, leaned back on the chair, and closed her eyes.
“Either way, killing me is futile. The Legion will proceed as planned, and you and your subordinates will perish. Just like a typhoon pathway, even knowing its route makes it unchangeable.”
“Phaha. Why would I kill you, strategist?”
“…Giving me hope won’t change anything. I will not betray anything.”
“Hmm. I genuinely won’t harm you.”
You die, and Balkin’s eyes would only turn bloodshot.
Balkin’s descent into darkness would only increase the difficulty level, something I must avoid at all costs while already struggling immensely.
“My goal has always been kidnapping.”
Of course, until the <Hero Party> retreats, I must feign death, but before Balkin descends into darkness, I’ll visit to clear up any misunderstanding and return you.
“So, let’s go.”
I used the money from Dalan’s pocket to buy you an entire hideout over at the <Yellow Dragon>.
Approaching the seated Hestia, I extended my hand to help her up, when…
Bang!
Hestia’s eyes widened as she grabbed my wrist and pulled herself toward me.
“Well then, let’s go.”
It was only when her lavender scent filled my nose that I realized…
The pen resting on the table was now gripped in her right hand like a dagger.
My tilting torso,
The sharp pen aimed at my throat,
And,
“However, I can’t let you go alone.”
A beautiful face, determined as death itself seemed to approach.
Lost in the momentary beauty like any other, I was about to yield my life when,
– “Can you fulfill the dream I couldn’t?”
Always holding something more precious deep inside, I tilted my neck at the last moment, avoiding the pen and whispered in her ear.
“Then let’s go together.”
“…Kyaaak!!”
Lifting her delicate body in one motion, I slung her over my shoulder like a sack of rice.
Tap-tap.
Only then realizing she had exhausted all her prepared tactics, Hestia began to shriek.
“Evil person!! Wicked person!! You’re planning to kill me in front of my family!! You intend to thrust my corpse in front of my parents!!”
Oof,
Your words are far more evil and wicked.
“Keuhh… Is anyone there?! Damn it, if only I could move my legs!!”
“…I could’ve easily captured you anyway.”
“Y-you trash!!”
Realizing I was serious, her voice grew louder, but her actions remained tame.
Only then did I see a chance to escape and slowly approached the window…
“Ugh, I’m dizzy.”
“…?”
“I have acrophobia.”
“…And you managed to get in so smoothly?”
“They helped me come in.”
Since getting in was easy but leaving was not, I decided to break through the front.
“Is that the main entrance?”
“…”
“Guess it is.”
Silence usually meant the right answer.
‘Ruby and Dalan are drawing attention, so this side should have fewer troops.’
Just as I grabbed the silent Hestia as a hostage and confidently opened the door…
“Of course it’s the young lady’s room!!”
“What are you doing?! Call the rest of them over here!!”
“A-Class knights to the front line!! The rest support from behind!! Capture that punk no matter what!!”
I was met by a swirling mass of backup forces.
“Goodbye.”
Calmly, I closed the door and turned to the Hestia slung over my shoulder.
“What do we do?”
“…Why are you asking me?”
“Exactly.”
I had hoped she’d have some ideas, but as predicted, she didn’t.
“I’d prefer minimal harm.”
“…?”
While invading was inevitable, I’d rather avoid causing casualties.
But my skills? Merely the terrifyingly deadly <Black Curtain> and the outright lethal <Sunlight Slash>.
“Would it be better to be terrified to death or just be killed outright?”
“…Of course the former.”
“Exactly.”
Though I intended to hold back until I could better control it,
‘It’s better than killing or being killed.’
As I reaffirmed my decision, I opened the closed door without hesitation.
“We’re out now!!”
“Rescue the young lady!!”
“Destroy the Black Wolf!!”
With at least fifty troops arrayed tactically in the narrow corridor,
“Excuse me.”
“Eek?!”
“H, Hold on!! He’s using the young lady as a shield!!”
“Understood.”
After briefly stalling time with the Friend Shield, I closed my eyes and visualized.
A box full of smoke.
A pinhole appeared in that box, allowing the smoke to slowly escape.
Thus, people would suspect the box and keep their distance.
< detecting fear from the targets. >
【<Black Curtain(Ex)> has been activated.】
That still image.
When I opened my eyes after visualization,
No one moved.
