Asha Mirabel.
The protagonist of the dark fantasy novel Babylonia, she is the last remaining ‘Hero’ who, alongside the ‘Emperor’, has been given the quest to bring salvation.
If she were to be defined in a single word:
【Warning.】
【The Hero of Light – Asha Mirabel(SSS) appears before you.】
She’s strong.
Terrifyingly strong.
When reviewing the novel, I wasn’t entirely aware because her power was vaguely described as being around “S-Rank,” but after consulting the setting collection, the truth became clear:
【Name: Asha Mirabel】
-Nickname: Hero of Light.
-Rank: SSS-Rank.
-Information: Originally a commoner from the run-down rural village of ‘Mirabel,’ she became the Hero after being chosen by the goddess, Aria. Due to a certain event, the abnormal status condition “<Loss of Faith>” is permanently active, leaving her without emotional expression.
She isn’t near S-Rank. She surpasses it entirely—SSS-Rank.
“Currently, the strongest group I know, Black Wolf, averages at S-Rank.”
The gap between ranks is akin to the weight classes in combat sports. If Asha were a heavyweight (120 kg) champion, then the members of Black Wolf would be middleweight (84 kg) champions—two classes below.
Of course, the leader of Black Wolf, Nahan, is described as Ex-Rank, the peak of this universe. But that’s only in the original story. In this current moment, I’m like a tank operator who doesn’t know how to drive the vehicle, so, until I figure out how to properly use my abilities, I can’t go toe-to-toe with her.
Which means, if she discovers I am the leader of Black Wolf, codename Black Wolf, she could cut off my head without giving me even a moment to resist.
Now, here’s the problem.
“Are you listening? A prayer and confession for a departed child. Is it possible?”
What is the most appropriate attitude I should display toward my greatest rival from the original story?
The answer is…
“I will pray.”
The correct strategy: completely submit, do everything he asks, and quickly get out of his way.
“Fortunately, the content of the original and the setting collection is fully absorbed.”
I recalled a scene involving Peter, a fanatical follower of Black Wolf, to simulate the act of a cleric.
—
“Let us pray for the departed.”
The young servants of Aria redirected their gazes at the sound of the young man’s voice.
Out of confusion.
Out of anger.
Out of resentment.
After all, those who had been killed, and those who were being killed now, had all been the work of this man.
Still, the man in front was shedding tears earnestly, praying as if deeply aggrieved.
However, soon enough, the fury of the young servants faded.
When the man spread his shadow, embracing hundreds,
“Forgive the sins of these people!!”
there were no survivors left.
Alone stood the fanatic.
“All is for His sake.”
His only belief was the master of Black Wolf, Black Wolf, alone.
—
The moment I recalled the scene, I realized something.
‘This guy’s a cult leader.’
Now it made sense why the title ‘fanatic’ was conspicuously attached to his name.
I searched for a reference worthy of study, only to almost get labeled as a heretic and almost die.
“…?”
After kneeling and remaining silent for about 30 seconds, Asha began to grow suspicious, so…
“Big brother, I’ll pray for you.”
“… But I don’t believe in God.”
“Neither do I. But I still pray.”
“Alright, go ahead then.”
I remembered a much more relevant memory and, playing the part of the cleric, spoke.
“Our mother in heaven, as always…”
“Ho, has your mother passed away?”
“… I was referring to the Goddess. Please be solemn and focus on the prayer.”
“Forgive me.”
Though my first sentence was interrupted, once I began, the words flowed smoothly.
“Hestia Gardner. To that young soul, grant an unextinguishable light and an undarkened rest.”
While praying, I glanced up.
“…”
A woman knelt silently, her calm and transparent presence resembling sharp fragments of blue ice. At first, it seemed like she had a hint of suspicion, but now, she was trusting the prayer entirely.
Still, this woman is the Hero,
the greatest adversary of Black Wolf.
It’s unclear why she returned three days earlier than expected in the original story—but things have changed, and I must hide my identity.
‘Ian Red, was it?’
A distant relative of Ruby, the commander of the Mercenary Guild. He fled his family at a young age to avoid trouble and survive, only later becoming a Free Priest—according to the setup.
What sets this role—‘Ian Red’—apart from my other roles, such as ‘Black Wolf’ or ‘Yellow Dragon,’ is that while the others follow well-defined settings, ‘Ian Red’ lacks detailed specifics, only possessing a rough outline.
Which means, I am not merely portraying a pre-made character but creating this character entirely from scratch.
‘Thus, the current situation of meeting the Hero is actually fortunate.’
If I can act in a way that resonates with the Hero, I may be able to establish a relationship with her and gather useful information.
‘Then, let’s think.’
People are drawn to others for countless reasons: love, friendship, money, fame, learning, and teaching. But I have none of them.
“—Big Brother! Saying that makes me sad!”
…Perhaps, without even realizing it, I too have acquired one.
Still, through the orphanage, shelters, labor dorms, demolition site dormitories, thug accommodations, security housing, and the military—all the places I’ve wandered—I’ve come to understand: people are inevitably drawn to those who can fulfill their inner lacks.
And the same must hold true for the Hero.
I remember the details from the original and the setting collection.
The Hero of Light – Asha Mirabel.
A commoner from the neglected rural village of ‘Mirabel,’ she was chosen by the goddess Aria to become a Hero. However, due to an incident, the abnormal status “<Loss of Faith>” is perpetually active, almost eradicating her emotional expressions.
And I am the only person in this world who knows about Asha Mirabel’s past.
Thus, I can predict:
‘Asha will cancel the confession as soon as the prayer ends and leave.’
Understanding someone’s inner lacks allows you to address them and earn their trust.
I closed my eyes and began crafting the character’s traits.
【Alert: Creative Acting has commenced!】
【Stage 1 – Settings completed.】
【The three-dimensionality of Ian Red has skyrocketed!】
Just as I had when the dominatrix of the orphanage forced me to obey without question,
And just like when I took the blade meant for that big brother in Seoul’s top syndicate, who couldn’t trust others.
【Stage 2 – Immersion completed.】
【Every detail of Ian Red will be flawlessly reenacted, as designed by you.】
Now, all I had to do was act out the ideal human Asha looked for and slowly fulfill her latent lacks.
“I will conclude the prayer here.”
Since no one is genuinely dead, I finished the rough outline of the prayer, looked up, and saw Asha also open her eyes and lift her head.
A cold movement that seemed mechanical, as though she was simply following what others did, devoid of any sorrow or tears.
Without even a small sigh, she rose and opened her blue eyes.
“The confession will be postponed.”
The expected response.
Because this response matched my prediction, I could form another hypothesis.
The Hero of Light,
The Empress of Coldness,
The Destroyer Doll.
Her “expressionless” nature is known across the continent. But in reality, Asha Mirabel isn’t unfeeling.
“Rather, compared to anyone in Babylonia, she might possess the most emotion.”
The reason she maintains that ‘blank slate’ isn’t an innate defect, nor the work of any magic or curse, but rather a thick protective barrier she created for herself.
So, what human archetype would most attract Asha?
While pondering, countless keywords sprang to my mind.
‘Kind, quiet, steadfast, strong against the strong but gentle to the weak, treating everyone equally, infinitely compassionate.’
Decided.
Let’s go with this.
Recalling the original and the setting collection once more, I finally finished all the settings for the character Ian Red.
【Stage 3 – Method Acting has been activated.】
【You are now Ian Red.】
Simultaneously, Stage 3 manifested.
Before I could fully comprehend what had changed, my body moved on its own.
“May I briefly excuse myself?”
A question not really seeking a response.
“No, I will briefly excuse myself.”
For some reason, feeling slightly awkward, I added hastily and approached Asha.
And hugged her.
Holding her tightly, I barely managed to suppress the tears threatening to fall, gently embracing this girl who had endured everything alone.
“What is the meaning of this?”
Right…
Me neither.
But what I do know is…
“Please don’t cry.”
Hero of Light,
Asha Mirabel.
I wish you would stop crying.
A moment later…
“… Aren’t you the one crying?”
The girl I’d embraced slowly buried her face in my shoulder.
