There exists a deficiency within humans.
– The funding has been cut again.
– I’ll earn it, Master. In return, please let me have a small room.
– … Han, is it you?
To the master who was in danger of losing the orphanage due to reduced funding, there was a need for ‘money’.
-Hey, Nahan. Can I trust you?
-I’m fine even if you don’t trust me. But I trust Big Brother.
-…Kid, you talk well.
To Big Brother who had narrowly escaped death due to betrayal by his right arm, there was a need for ‘trust’.
-I want to go for a walk.
-I’ll carry you. Let’s go.
-…Yeah. Thanks, Brother.
To a friend who was gradually losing vitality due to a rare illness, there was a need for ‘health’.
And,
To Asha Mirabel, who appeared emotionless but was, in fact, more sensitive than anyone else,
“Truly, a living soul.”
Hestia’s ‘return to life’ was her deficiency.
“…”
Softly.
Though still expressionless, the strength in the hand gripping the collar faded.
Time flowed silently in the calm, yet Nahan understood.
The undefeated hero,
Asha Mirabel, was now,
“…Show me the proof.”
More shaken than ever before.
‘Think simple.’
Ian Red was a fictional character created solely for Asha’s sake.
By getting close to Asha, he could continue to uncover the movements of the ‘Hero Party,’ and in the future, this would be a valuable joker card for the main quest involving the ‘<Princess>‘ and the ‘<Hero>‘.
‘So, first, obtain Asha’s trust by giving freely and without conditions, as a Free Priest.’
Having finished his thoughts, Nahan slowly extended his hand and clasped Asha’s pale one.
“Let’s calm down first.”
At Nahan’s gentle whisper, Asha’s wavering gaze gradually rose.
“If you face the <Black Wolf> in the future, it may become dangerous, and seeing you tremble like this… it’s concerning.”
His scarlet hair,
His faintly gleaming red eyes,
And an endlessly gentle smile.
A resolute, mature man stood there, someone who unknowingly made one want to lean on him.
“No.”
But Asha brushed him off.
“Proof first.”
She wasn’t like Gardner, some fool.
Even if his words were all true, considering the worst-case scenario, this man might also be affiliated with the ‘Black Wolf.’
And if so,
If this man truly were related to the ‘Black Wolf,’ then I’ll cut off his head without hesitation.
Just as Asha reached for her sword at her waist, the man, whose hand had been brushed off, awkwardly smiled as he tenderly touched his wounded neck.
“I apologize, but there’s no proof.”
“…Reason?”
“The Hero surely knows better, but isn’t the power granted by the Goddess’ baptism not all that impressive?”
Nahan once again unconsciously scratched his neck as if it irritated him.
“…Indeed.”
It was true what Nahan said.
The average rank of baptized individuals is E-class.
Trainees wield swords, and those handling magic can barely reach the third circle.
F-class commoners can suddenly step into the realms of superhuman abilities through protection, recovery, and combat enhancements.
As if reading his thoughts, Nahan added with a bitter smile,
“At least the upside is that since my power is minimal, it requires neither mana, divine energy, nor aura. Thus, there’s no premonition before activation or traces afterward. It’s completely silent.”
“…So there’s no proof?”
“That’s right.”
Nahan nodded, again touching his neck and sighed.
“Originally, my dream was to be a combat priest. Unfortunately, it didn’t come true, and feeling useless, eating away my meals, I decided to become a Free Priest.”
“…”
A man who gave up his dream due to lack of talent.
– The probability of awakening is incredibly rare. It’s like searching for a needle in a desert.
… Hestia,
Wasn’t that child the same?
“Still, it’s fine. My wish to become a combat priest was also for the world, but if I could help the Hero, then it’s as if my dream came true. This too must be the will of the Goddess, right?”
Steadfast, peaceful, a bio-response that could only come from sincerity.
Despite hitting the limit of his own talent and failing, seeing Nahan helping him anyway, Asha unknowingly bit her lips.
‘…Isn’t this similar to the first meeting with Hestia?’
Bringing Hestia to mind as she looked at Nahan, Asha finally retracted her suspicious gaze.
“Location?”
Finally having withdrawn her malice, Asha.
‘Good. She finally asked.’
Having passed the first phase, Nahan included a hint for the next step.
“My ability allows me to confirm only the moment of life. Therefore, it’s difficult to specify an exact location, but I have managed to uncover a helpful fact.”
“Tell me.”
The current situation finds us in the middle of the progression of the story following the prologue.
Among the fifteen upcoming events, the one immediately approaching is the first incident: ‘Persona vs Gardner.’
“To disperse the Hero Party.”
Only then would it be possible, differing from the original story, to save the 4th member of the Black Wolf, ‘Luna.’
Having reconfirmed the plan under the guise of pondering the content, I whispered to Asha,
“Tonight, the <Black Wolf> will once again raid the <Gardner Viscounty>.”
She flinched.
A spasm ran across her expressionless face, but Asha calmly repeated,
“Are you certain?”
“During my observation of Lady Hestia’s fate, the kidnappers themselves disclosed this information. It must be accurate.”
As soon as Nahan finished speaking, a question arose in Asha’s mind.
‘…Why?’
Even while having kidnapped—no, murdered—the forbidden daughter, why return there?
‘…Impossible.’
From Asha, who had some suspicion, there emanated an indistinct but ominous killing intent.
“Are you thinking of obtaining that item by using a hostage?”
“What item?”
“…Priest, being without desires, you might not understand. But it’s surely the intention to obtain the Gardner Viscount’s First Treasure—the Heavenly Protection Barrier.”
The Heavenly Protection Barrier.
A transcendental-class item briefly mentioned even in the original story—every day, at midnight, it activates once to nullify any attack.
“To use a human life as a hostage just for an object. They’re nothing but garbage.”
“I agree.”
Where were you hiding? There you were.
‘…And I need to steal that too.’
Naively taking in information he hadn’t expected, Nahan coolly approached Asha, who trembled with anger.
Unnoticed, he grasped her hand with feigned indifference, and whispered with a radiant smile,
“I apologize for only being able to provide minimal help.”
It was then that Asha, finally snapping out of it, shook her head expressionlessly.
“No. If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t have known that Hestia is still alive or that the Black Wolf will attack there. I’ll recommend you for commendation after this matter is resolved.”
“You should know. Material rewards are of no use to us. Put this towards your travels.”
Calm smiles.
A man who unintentionally inspires trust, as if carrying the cool scent of the evening field.
Swish.
The wandering gaze that had taken him in now faced the scar on his neck, tinged crimson.
‘…I keep inflicting wounds on you, so why are you so gentle?’
Just as she stretched her hand out, moved by guilt,
“A.”
It was then that Nahan, pretending to just now notice his wound, covered it with his hand.
“I’m fine. Despite appearances, I’m pretty sturdy, so a wound like this heals quickly.”
“…I’m sorry.”
“That’s not necessary. If I were the Hero, I would have acted the same way. On the contrary, I’m grateful that you trust me.”
And once again, the male smiled.
…Thump.
A faint heartbeat somewhere.
“?”
Asha felt something was amiss, but since time was truly short now,
She still expressionless bade farewell to Nahan.
“Let’s go back.”
“Yes, Hero. Please punish those bastards instead of me for the Black Wolves.”
“Bastards?”
Because he noticed her surprise, Nahan smirked and added,
“I’m a Free Priest.”
“…Is that so.”
“That’s right.”
A kind, gentle man who nonetheless walks a hard path with unwavering steps.
“I’ll always be here. If you have any difficulties, please visit anytime.”
“…Alright. That’s enough. Please go in.”
“No. I’ll see you off until you leave.”
With his final, considerate escort, a corner of Asha’s lips quivered ever so slightly.
“Alright. Then, I’ll leave.”
“Ah, please don’t get hurt. It would hurt my heart more.”
“Alright.”
And just like that, Asha turned to leave.
Her expression,
Her steps,
Her breath,
Everything about the cold her seemed to be touched lightly by a warm noon sun.
Could it be?
Recalling the warmth from just now, Asha unknowingly murmured his name.
“…Ian Red.”
I hope this matter concludes well, so I can bring him good news.
Still expressionless,
With steady steps,
Yet, somehow.
-By the way, I hope you don’t get hurt. It would hurt more than anything.
“…What a ridiculous priest.”
Warmed breath.
Asha thought.
If there were only more people like him in the world, there would have been no need for me to be a Hero.
The face of the uncommonly earnest man kept tugging at her.
It was an evening sunset kind of affair.
2.
A few hours later after Asha had left.
In the hideout where the Black Wolf mercenaries had gathered, a brutal voice reverberated.
“Everyone knows, right? The Gardner Viscount’s First Treasure, the Heavenly Protection Barrier.”
Yes, Captain!
Decisive, resolute members.
The Black Wolf leader met the eyes of each member and declared with an abyssal gaze.
“We’re stealing it.”
Yes, Captain!
A piercing killing intent swelled in the eyes of the members with their new target.
Transcendental artifact,
<Heavenly Protection Barrier(SS-)>.
“…I can’t let that one go.”
Na Han was salivating uncontrollably.
