Time passes quickly when you’re happy.
– ……What?
– It’s alright, bro. You didn’t know about it anyway, right?
– No. I should’ve somehow…!!
– It’s not because of you. We just failed the last attempt, and that’s all. The time has come.
Living peacefully for a while makes you forget the problems you once faced.
This was true for the previous world, and the same applies to this world now.
I asked softly while taking the <Named Request> newly handed over by Ruby.
“…What did you just say?”
“I’ve missed you, Captain.”
“Not that.”
“Should I just hold your hand?”
“Ruby.”
I called her name sharply, and only then did Ruby’s teasing eyes light up.
“The heroes are said to have returned this morning?”
Yeah, that’s it.
‘Now that I think about it, the system was acting up since dawn.’
It looks like the main story of <Babylonia> is starting today.
As expected, but even after hearing it directly, there’s nothing to be done about the complicated feelings that arise.
Still, what can we do?
If we want to survive, we need to get through this.
After a while, I leaned toward Ruby, who had given the correct answer, and added,
“What’s the current location of the hero party?”
“According to the joint gate supervisor, they are expected to arrive by midnight,” Ruby replied.
“So late? It’s only 9:00 AM?”
“Even the hero party will take a while. They’re coming back from the demon territory outside the empire, not from somewhere else,” Ruby explained.
Indeed, the Blue Magic Tower and Gates are only widespread within the empire.
Other countries having five Gates is considered well-equipped, and there’s no reason for them to exist in the demon territory, which is completely hostile to humans.
The report indicates that the hero party will first move by foot to the Gardner Marquis’ territory and then return to the empire after staying there for the funeral.
‘The duration will be from tomorrow for three days.’
On the evening of the day they return will be the first event: the ‘Ruby vs Gardner’ case……
‘…Maybe we can somehow rest until today.’
I was pondering what to do and rest so as to leave no regrets, even if I die suddenly, when Ruby, who had just brewed the tea, handed me pastries of all colors and opened her mouth.
“Anyway, Captain, we should probably move the hideout soon.”
“…I knew it would come to this.”
Indeed, even during the ‘Hestia Assassination (Not) Operation,’ this was something I had in mind.
My identity as leader of the D-rank mercenary group <Black Wolf>,
– Convey this to His Majesty the Emperor. If anyone touches the <Black Wolves> one more time, I will kill everyone in the empire.
Because the group that the Black Wolf belongs to is called the <Black Wolves>.
Since the name <Black Wolves> is officially registered in the Mercenary Guild, we are bound to be suspected.
That’s why we tried to reveal the name <Black Wolves> as late as possible.
– We’re being suspected.
– Us?
– Yes, captain. After you revealed yourself as <Black Wolf> yesterday, a few officers from the Eastern faction called me aside. They asked if there wasn’t a mercenary group called <Black Wolves>.
– …Hmm, it would indeed be stranger not to know.
Since we were already suspected, I planned to reveal it and disappear.
“Has the guild made a move?”
“We haven’t been spotted yet, but the guild leader is currently gathering all ten of his strongest members.”
“Are they planning to attack us?”
“No. It seems they want to confirm the identity of our disguised group, the <Black Wolves> mercenaries.”
“…Are they gathering the ten strongest just to confirm a D-rank mercenary group?”
Though I asked without thinking, because the notion was unsettling, Ruby’s answer was unusually firm, shoulders raised.
“That’s because we’re <Black Wolves>.”
…Please, take me out of this.
‘Anyway, since we’ve found out about this early, it’s better to resolve this before any conflict arises.’
Since I’ve been aware we were suspected, all preparations except for our disguise and the new hideout are complete.
“And about the disguise and the new hideout?”
Just when I asked for confirmation, since I’d received the report a few days ago.
Bang! Bang!
There was the sound of knocking on the other side of the magic seal.
“Just in time.”
After checking through a small artifact, Ruby stood up with a smile.
Click, click, click.
As Ruby moved with light steps, she turned around before opening the door and added,
“You told me to look for the best disguise and hideout, didn’t you?”
“…And?”
“You can expect great things.”
Her thin smile made her striking red eyes both beautiful and eerily chilling.
Creeak…Click.
After Ruby opened the door and grabbed the envelope, she took out a wooden, fully enchanted identity badge and handed it to me.
I stood up as I took it.
『Priest – Ian Red』
My real name is Nahan.
Alias names are Black Wolf and Yellow Dragon.
Additionally, this new identity is Ian.
‘Is this what it feels like to be an actor with multiple roles?’
Even though I now have one more character to act as, it oddly feels exhilarating.
– Look, you enjoy it, don’t you?
– …What?
It’s exhausting.
I didn’t realize that I smirked at the memory, and Ruby’s eyes widened in surprise.
“Did you just smile?”
“Yeah, good work, Ruby.”
In case she suspected anything, I carefully placed my hand on her head.
Swish.
“…!!”
As she looked up into my eyes, Ruby raised both her hands and clasped mine.
“I thought you’d scold me…”
“There’s no reason for that.”
Why would I scold you?
You’re the one who deals with all sorts of bothersome, difficult, and complicated tasks. You’re a very precious existence.
“…Then, if you really don’t mind… Can I… Can I ask for one favor?”
“What is it? Stop keeping me waiting.”
“It’s that, captain…”
“It’s alright. Say it.”
Somehow moved by the feeling she must have sensed, Ruby looked at me with teary eyes and asked,
“When you’re incognito… Can I call you ‘brother’?”
Huh?
What’s this nonsense?
“Uh, well. Ian is my distant relative, but he ran away from the family when he was young, avoided conflict, and became a priest, that’s the setup…”
Unprepared for this flustered question, I checked the identity card again.
『Priest – Ian Red』
Ian <Red>.
Ruby <Red>.
‘So that’s the setup.’
As soon as I understood the meaning of her words, the identity badge I was holding emitted a red light.
【Legendary Artifact – <Fire-Cano's Red Disguise Stone (B+)> is activated!】
【”Alright!! I’m definitely coloring my hair –!!”】
A warm sensation spread through my body, and the hair inside the helmet turned red.
My eyes felt like they had drops in them, so my irises must have turned red too.
“Hoah…!!”
“…What?”
“You look great in red…”
“Uh, yeah, thanks.”
Despite Ruby’s intense gaze making me feel burdened, this was undoubtedly a better disguise method.
Moreover, considering the relationship with the guild director <Ruby Red>, this alias will be verified and allow me to move around more conveniently.
‘Those Black Wolves, indeed.’
Could they have thought out this extent for a disguise?
“…Wow, I share blood with the captain. Something the rest of the members couldn’t accomplish, I did first…”
Indeed, Black Wolves…
‘….my head hurts.’
I can’t tell if the glimmer in her eyes is strategic or personal, but regardless, this is an excellent disguise.
Since it’s right for a superior to reward good work, after pondering for a while, I nodded at Ruby.
“You can act casually when I’m incognito.”
“…Eh?”
“Both the honorifics or attitude. I mean that I’ll follow your set-up.”
“Really, captain?!”
I nodded to her again, and Ruby moved toward me with her arms wide open… but stopped mid-way and quickly bowed.
“Thank you so much!!”
Well, at least she’s polite.
She’s a great girl unless she loses her mind during battles.
Anyway, since the hideout move is ready, I turned toward the door.
“We’re moving the hideout.”
“Yes, captain! Shall we move it now?”
It’s a bit early since it’s still daytime, but we need to complete the move before the hero party arrives back at the headquarters. We need to relocate Hestia as well.
“Hiding objects is better at night, but hiding people is better during the day.”
“…! As you say, captain. Knowing it’s the day when merchants return, you’re suggesting we move while blending with them, aren’t you?!”
“Uh, yeah, everything’s on the palm of my hand.”
That’s right.
Every Friday, the street market opens.
“Didn’t you say it was a dilapidated building at the edge of town?”
“Yes, captain! It used to be where Aria followers came together for worship.”
A church or sanctuary, right?
“Originally, they also operated an orphanage there, but it was ruined by some garbage called <Black Fang>, leaving everyone dead or missing.”
Quite the gutsy group.
Even evil people wouldn’t treat Aria’s followers lightly in this world as she’s the sole deity.
But ironically, this makes it an optimal hiding spot for us.
Although I wonder what will happen if the deity of wrath inflicts punishment since she’s the one who got hit first.
“In any case, good job Ruby. I’ll go ahead; please wrap up the old hideout and meet me by 7 PM.”
“Yes, captain! The clothing and basic necessities are already prepared, so you can search and use them.”
“Alright.”
Reliable as always, Ruby.
“Tomorrow’s the deadline to either accept or reject the named request, so speak up whenever you’re comfortable!”
By that realization, I remembered I hadn’t checked the request because I got so caught up in relocating the hideout,
“I’ll reply by tomorrow.”
“Yes, captain!”
I’ll look into it when I get back.
‘Being alone at an empty house to rest?’
Absolutely unacceptable.
For some reason, my steps got lighter,
“Wa, Yellow Dragon-sama has arrived!!”
“Today is the day of meeting the signature!!!!”
“Chill, Nam Gong!!”
…until they got heavier again. Just as I was about to switch clothes and identities while activating the artifact’s power, I was heading back to my sweet home…
It was happening on a clear spring morning.
2.
A few hours later, at noon.
Hardly having finished arranging the new hideout, Naham confirmed his disguise with his identity badge and free priest’s attire, re-identifying himself as <Ian Red>.
BANG!
Suddenly, someone burst in without knocking.
“Who is this?”
“….”
Swish-swish sky-blue hair,
Unmoving, yet beautiful face.
Neck revealed by neatly tied-up hair.
An unfamiliar face, but for some reason, I felt an eerie sense of familiarity just when Naham paused.
The woman then inquired calmly,
“The orphanage?”
“Um… you can see. I’ve just taken it over today.”
“…I see.”
The silence resumed.
‘Who is she? She feels familiar somehow…’
Naham furrowed his brow while observing when the woman, who had been chin-in-hand pondering, spoke again.
“Because the great Goddess Aria embodies boundless light, she leads the dead to heaven, right.”
As she said, Aria, the Goddess, is the sole ruler of life and death.
Understanding this, I nodded, and the woman knelt before me on one knee.
“My colleague’s younger sister recently left this world due to evildoers.”
Huh? Wait a moment.
“You appear to be a free priest. Would you mind praying for her?”
Could it be…?
Ian, having guessed something, composed himself and asked the woman,
“Child of the Goddess, would you mind repeating that?”
Child of the Goddess.
There are only three individuals known by such a title in the world.
The Emperor of the Empire, Reina Babylonia,
The saint we met briefly during the Graf Gafelt affair,
And the remaining one,
the Hero of Light, Kwangmyeong.
“Hestia Gardner. Please pray for that upright child. Later, confession might also be appreciated.”
Ash Mirabel.
【Warning.】
【<Hero of Light – Ash Mirabel (SSS)> has appeared before you.】
I faced the greatest confession of all.
