1.
Method,
Or Method Acting.
An acting technique where the actor immerses their thoughts and emotions entirely into the role, performing as if the character is real.
And then,
【Stage 3 – <Method> has been activated.】
【You are now <Ian Red>.】
This was the final trait and effect that the characteristic of <acting> possessed.
The moment Stage 3 manifested, the most immediate change was sincerity.
Whereas moments ago, I treated Asha as the character <Hero>, now I was connecting with <Asha Mirabel> as a person.
‘Even now, I exist both as <Ian Red> and retain the memories of being a vessel.’
The past and future of Asha,
Her sorrow depicted in scenes,
The disillusioned hero who met a bed-end.
I am now the one human in the world, as a Free Priest, who knows part of ‘Asha Mirabel’s’ past.
Only I know her sorrow, and only I can genuinely comfort her.
“May I excuse myself for a moment?”
I,
“Excuse me, I’ll be a moment.”
Ian Red did.
Approaching Asha, he embraced her with neither haste nor slowness.
The still expressionless Asha turned her head to check my side face, but simultaneously, tears began flowing from my eyes.
『“…Nonetheless, we must live.”』
『In the heart of a burning village, a girl without expression mutters her father’s last words.』
Asha’s past was so pitiful.
And,
『In an ending without a black mercenary group, or a hapless Emperor, Asha Mirabel muttered alone in the bloodstained throne.』
『”…Had I known it would end like this, I would have closed my eyes back in that village.”』
It was heartbreaking to consider the vast despair and disillusionment she’d inevitably experienced if it weren’t for me.
Still, I hadn’t intended to cry.
I merely intended to perfect the character of <Ian Red> to gain Asha’s trust.
‘…I can’t seem to control it well.’
Method.
A technique where one immerses their thoughts and emotions entirely into the role, playing it as if the character is real.
The tears that flowed,
The embrace of Asha,
The sincere wish for her happiness—
None of these actions were premeditated. They were reflexive, much like how one instinctively pulls their hand away from something hot or closes their eyes when a punch is coming toward their face.
‘When my emotions were calm, I managed to control it well, like when I was portraying Black Wolf or Yellow Dragon, but ever since my emotions got intense, I’ve been swaying uncontrollably.’
It’s as if the soul of <Ian Red>, a real person, has seeped into me,
“What is the meaning of this?”
“…Don’t cry.”
As if compelling me to act this way.
‘I need to control this.’
Though it’s beneficial now, if Method activates with characters like ‘Black Wolf’ or ‘Yellow Dragon,’ it could lead to a great disaster.
‘…Let me break away first.’
To control the overwhelming emotions and regain control over my body.
‘…Got it.’
Just as I had almost mastered how to control Method through <Ian Red> and was about to step back,
“…Isn’t the one crying you?”
Asha buried her face in my shoulder.
2.
It was strange.
“…”
How had I ended up leaning my face against a man I had never met before?
‘…Why?’
Ever since the day my only hometown, Mirabel, burned down, until now as a hero,
-Asha, my beautiful daughter. Never trust anyone. Conceal your emotions and figure out what they truly seek from you.
-Dad!!
-…Go now. Despite this terrible world… shouldn’t we still live?
I had never once forgotten my father’s final words and had followed them diligently.
“…I apologize for this display.”
“It’s fine.”
“I will step away now.”
“No. Stay like this for a moment.”
Why had I crumbled at this Free Priest’s few words and leaned on him?
Even as an awkward silence lingered, Asha silently questioned herself without responding.
‘Why have I grown so weak?’
The answer came as soon as the question arose.
‘…Is it because of Hestia?’
The news that reached us on our way to the Demon King’s castle via messenger bird.
-Stay calm and listen, Balkin.
-Huh? Suddenly? But I’m hungry. Can’t we eat first and talk later?
-Let me deliver the message first.
I gripped my racing heart and started speaking as I usually would.
-A mysterious group <Black Wolf> launched an attack on Gardner dukedom. Casualties are being tallied. One death confirmed. The name of the deceased…
[Hestia Gardner.]
Ever since that name was called out, the memories of the time spent with that child haven’t stopped flooding my mind.
Hestia was a strong girl.
She dreamt of becoming a hero like others, but despite hitting a born limitation and being disappointed,
-The probability of an awakening is extremely rare. It’s like trying to find a needle in a desert.
-Is that so.
-However, I am fine. Because the Hero will accomplish what is needed for both of us.
Even then, she was fine, cheering us on and declaring with her tender fists,
-I won’t be idle either. I will give my best in the field I am capable of. I will ensure that the Hero can advance without concern. Yes…
…This is
…my promise to the Hero.
With a gaze showing both admiration and shyness, Asha nodded and replied,
-I will believe and wait.
-…!! Yes!! Yes, Hero!!
That’s how, three months after our expedition, she became the head strategist of the Royal First Army Division.
Reorganizing internal enemies for the incompetent emperor, she put spies and foreign demons under her control.
That was around the sixth month of our expedition, and another four months passed. By the tenth month,
-Hey, is that true, Marin?
-Of course!! I heard that the citizens are dying because of the emperor’s tyranny! Let’s just turn back and warn the emperor!
We were discussing the idea of returning due to rumors of the emperor’s tyranny.
-Asha! Hestia sent a letter!
-So?
-So?! It’s not to me this time! It’s to you!
-Is that so.
-I’ll read it separately then.
-What?! Let’s read it together! She’s my sister!!
-Alone. I’ll read it alone.
A letter arrived from Hestia.
Taking it apart and reading privately,
The contents weren’t much different from what we had been hearing about Gardner.
‘I am the strategist of the First Division…’
‘Names of the spies…’
‘The majority of the royal political conflicts are under control, though the grievances of the common people are concerning, but many issues are settled…’
After the matter-of-fact reports, there was a hesitant sentence, as if written tremblingly.
‘Didn’t we promise? Worry not, for I am holding it all as per our promise.’
Asha chuckled softly, recalling the night-colored eyes filled with admiration and shyness.
As she found her needle in the desert after being so disheartened, Asha ceased worrying.
-Are you done?
-Yes, we’re heading back to the Demon King’s castle.
-What?! Wait! Let’s briefly visit the capital because of the emperor’s tyranny!
-Operation canceled. Let’s proceed with the original goal.
Operation was canceled, and we continued our advance. Two months later, the first year of the expedition.
Finally, we successfully reached the land of demons and the territory of nobles.
And the next day.
“…I received the news of Hestia’s death.”
Before finishing her explanation to Ian, Asha bit her light pink lips.
If we had come back upon reading the letter,
If we had returned early as Marin said,
If we had put pressure on the emperor properly before the expedition,
And more than anything else,
“If we hadn’t told Hestia that child to just trust and wait…”
That lovely girl, gentle like a serene autumn,
Would not have lost her life.
“It is a misfortune that originated from me. As always, this misfortune stems from me.”
Grief-stricken.
Every choice was regretful.
Even so, it was frustrating that her emotionless, expressionless body showed no wrinkle in her brows.
“If that child returns alive… No, if there’s even a 1% chance that she survives, I would attempt anything.”
The moment Asha murmured that, still leaning on Ian’s shoulder in a steady voice,
“Let me first return the letter.”
“…Do so.”
Nahan, who had finally identified her ‘deficiency,’ opened his mouth solemnly.
“Lady Hestia may still be alive. No. She is surely alive.”
“…?”
“You may find it hard to believe, but let me explain briefly—”
Kwaak!
Nahan’s vision suddenly wavered. When he regained his senses, he found his collar grabbed, and Asha quietly spoke to him.
“Were you a zealot?”
The ominous killing intent in her otherwise expressionless gaze.
Even Ruby’s killing intent that she had faced once before would seem like mere jest compared to Asha’s.
Still, Nahan, <Ian Red> remained calm and spoke.
“Though I am free now, I was also a priest baptized by the goddess. A baptized priest gains an <authority>.”
As Asha’s grip tightened more, Nahan continued hurriedly.
“The power I was given is the ability to distinguish between the dead and living. When I hold something someone owned, I naturally know.”
In a consistent manner, Nahan smiled gently as if understanding all of Asha’s actions and added the last sentence.
“And when you handed me Lady Hestia’s letter earlier, I checked. The revelation was that she’s still among the living.”
And as always,
“…Is that true?”
Human beings, when their deficiency is filled, tend to open their hearts to the person who fills it.
