“I decline.”
“May I inquire about the reason?”
“Ah, well….”
Already using three accounts.
If he were to reveal this, he might become a firsthand witness of dark magic and be dissected, so Nahan hesitated for a moment before speaking.
“As I mentioned before, the powers I possess are rather weak.”
After finishing his answer, Nahan slowly moved away, but Asha immediately grabbed his wrist.
“What does that have to do with it?”
“It obviously doesn’t matter, does it? To be honest, I would like to join and assist you immediately, but I’d only hold you back.”
“Hmm? Wait a moment.”
Just then, Asha realized that Nahan had misunderstood her proposition and promptly added.
“The party I mentioned is not related to our ‘Glory,’ but literally a party.”
“…Huh?”
“Hestia returned safely, didn’t she? This gathering is to celebrate that.”
“Oh.”
Nahan deliberately blushed.
“I apologize. I, too, once dreamt of becoming a hero, but…”
Due to his meager abilities, Ian Red became a Free Priest. He felt awkward because ‘Ian Red’ had declined an invitation to the ‘Hero Party’ without even being asked.
“I’m not someone like that. There’s no way you would have proposed such an offer to someone like me. This is quite embarrassing in many ways.”
“No.”
It seemed his intentions worked well as Asha shook her head in reply.
“I’m the one who should apologize. It seems I caused misunderstanding, but the successful resolution of this matter was all thanks to you.”
“Haha… you flatter too much.”
“Flattery?”
Ian Red’s shoulder was touched by a calloused yet pale and thin hand.
“If it weren’t for you, we would have lost Hestia. You achieved something that even heroes couldn’t, so please hold your head high.”
“…That I, a true hero, hear such words… I don’t know what to do with myself.”
“Hmm… Isn’t your body fine where it is?”
…Is this a joke?
While Nahan pondered, Asha, who had been observing him with clear eyes, subtly lowered her hand.
“…”
As if she were about to ask something, she briefly hesitated, looked at her own hand, and then clenched it tight.
“Anyway, our party is set to start from tomorrow. Would you care to join us if possible?”
“To join…?”
“Exactly. I’m inviting you to this party with Glory.”
Glory.
The party of heroes appearing in <Babylonia>, consisting of Asha, Balkin, Marin, and Selena.
While Asha casually proposed, it was equivalent to an ordinary private soldier being invited to join the President and the Minister of Defense.
Having quickly made his decision, Nahan replied,
“I must decline.”
Though Asha already trusted Nahan, he was essentially a stranger to the other party members.
“I must decline. The opposition is the Hero Party. Even the Great Sage Marin is part of it.”
He might attract suspicious glances and, in the worst case, be exposed as a user of powerful artifacts, revealing his true identity.
After all, wasn’t Hestia herself one of the greatest strategists in the world?
“I must decline.”
Having completed his thoughts, as Nahan was about to express his intention to refuse, a faintly green system window greeted him.
─「A Sub-Quest has appeared!」─
◆ I, Too, Am a Hero.
: Attend the party held by Lord Gardner with <Glory>!
◆ Requirements.
1. Apply medicine to Asha’s face.
2. Attend the party with Glory.
3. Have a conversation with the returned <Hestia>.
4. Prevent the assault by <Eclipse>.
◆ Reward.
: Trust of <Glory> towards <Ian Red>.
◆ Failure & Rejection.
: Trust of <Glory> towards <Eclipse>.
Eclipse.
A mysterious entity with unclear objectives, the true Black Curtain of this world.
The lunatics who deceive the Hero Party to guide the world to a bad ending, as in the original storyline.
If you don’t want things to unfold in the usual way, this sub-quest essentially forces you to accept Asha’s invitation – it’s almost like a threat without a weapon.
A quest that seems to give you a choice but is essentially mandatory.
“…Damn, it’s always this way with the system. Applying medicine? What’s that even for?”
Though slightly disgruntled, Nahan was unable to refuse.
While their goals aligned, Nahan decided to follow without complaint.
“I thank you for this excellent offer. It’s an honor to attend alongside heroes.”
As Nahan bowed with a faint smile, Asha was the one who became flustered.
“Eh, well… Is it okay?”
“Is it okay?”
“It’s just that…”
Asha carefully chose her words.
“Aren’t you a Free Priest?”
Free Priests.
People who have left the church for various reasons but continue to serve the Goddess, mostly choosing solitude, assisting others subtly, and prioritizing a life without regrets.
In contrast, Glory is the hero of the world.
Unlike free priests who quietly help others, Glory shoulders great responsibilities and supports the world under the brilliant light.
This was Asha’s concern.
“If you join us, you will attract a lot of attention.”
Since they lead a life opposite to that of free priests, who seek a tranquil existence, always living in the spotlight.
“Therefore, please don’t overexert yourself. Truth be told, Lord Gardner has been requesting a meeting with an old benefactor, so I only made the offer out of courtesy.”
…Not really.
She seemed oddly enthusiastic, her eyes gleaming.
“Of course, we could obscure your identity by wearing robes or masks, or having you dress in heavy armor, or even traveling with just me in the carriage.”
“A. That.”
“Don’t worry. If you’re uncomfortable, Marin can provide an anti-harmony barrier around us. But if you’re still uneasy, you can refuse.”
Look at that.
Though still expressionless, her gaze was identical to the quartermaster who was essentially begging for support.
At least this was a positive sign.
It meant that Asha now regarded ‘Ian Red’ as someone special.
Nahan noticed the slightly trembling, sky-blue eyes and smiled.
“I’ve already said it, haven’t I? I, too, once dreamt of becoming a hero. I humbly accept your generous offer and shall join you.”
“…!!”
Asha’s eyes widened.
“I express my gratitude. Thanks to you, I now have the face to meet Lord Gardner.”
Not the indifferent demeanor shown till now, but a faint smile tinged with happiness and relief.
Though still faint enough to be missed unless closely observed, Nahan precisely noticed it and, without realizing, responded,
“You are beautiful.”
“…A?”
Following Nahan’s words, Asha’s fingertips unconsciously traced her lips.
…Softly.
The faint curve detected at the tip of her fingers.
…Is she smiling?
…Me?
Though blurry, it was definitely a smile.
–We must still live.
–Don’t cry, run.
–We must live. We must…
And seek vengeance.
At the same time that her trembling hand began, memories flooded back.
Clang!
Taken aback, Asha abruptly stood up and unintentionally hurt her cheek.
“Are you alright?!”
Similarly startled, Nahan extended a hand towards her with concern.
Grossly swatting his hand aside, Asha hastily added with a face distorted in anger,
“I apologize. I suppose I’m still recovering. I’ll come to fetch you at this time tomorrow.”
And that was that.
Turning sharply, Asha gradually moved away from Nahan.
Revenge.
The fierce anger aimed at the lofty garbage that trampled Mirabelle, her small but cozy home.
“I must not become numb. I must not stop, and I must not settle for where I stand.”
That day, thanks to the sacrifices of the villagers, I alone survived and escaped. From this day forth, I must carry forward their entire lives.
…Drip.
Only now did the crimson bloodline trickle down Asha’s pale cheeks.
The bitter scent of blood,
The lukewarm temperature,
The sticky sensation.
Despite appearing as cold as ice, her life was consistently burning softly.
“…I must keep my distance.”
The woman who became accustomed to misfortune bowed her head and slowly continued walking.
Sudden farewells were nothing new to her.
–Do not come near me.
–I’ll take my leave now.
–I said I don’t need it.
Even if I pull away now,
–Oh, …… I see.
–…So the rumors were true. Bad karma.
–Alright, let’s just go.
No one ignored this to close the gap.
But she didn’t know.
“Lord!”
Even knowing me now, the Iron-Blooded Hero, the Unemotional Empress, the Strongest Sword, who pulls away,
“Hero!”
There exists, in this world, someone who refuses to yield even before icy strength and supreme power, someone who firmly follows his own will.
Thump!
Nahan quickly retrieved something and dashed towards Asha, grabbing her wrist.
…Clench.
Teeth grinding, Asha menacingly summoned her aura and questioned Nahan,
“What’s the meaning of this? I clearly said I’d come fetch you tomorrow!”
Go ahead and call me a personality disorder.
“And you dare lay a hand on me? Am I not equal to the Pope as a hero?”
If you must consider me some erratic lunatic jumping from one to another, so be it.
“Thus, I warn you.”
Each and every person who tried to shake me eventually turned away with that very thought.
“Never approach me in such a manner again, Free Priest Ian Red.”
You, too, should turn away.
That’s far more advantageous for you.
After ending her warning, just as Asha was retrieving her cool gaze to turn away,
“But since I’ve already been rude once, allow me to be rude one more time.”
…Splash.
Something warm and clean met her face, blocking half her vision.
“Wh, what…!”
She quickly waved her hands around, but Nahan skillfully avoided her.
“Didn’t I already say it? A Hero is truly beautiful.”
Taking advantage of her hesitation on what to reply, his action continued.
…Splash.
Much like the towel, a similarly warmed ointment was applied to the wound on her cheek.
“When all this difficulty is over and you return to your daily life, wouldn’t it be better to have fewer scars?”
“…Return? There’s no…”
“Chomp. The wound is wide, and the medicine isn’t applying well. Please stay still for a moment.”
Having carefully applied the medicine with delicate hands, only after making sure the bleeding had stopped, did Nahan step back from Asha’s cheek.
“It’s done. Now, do with me as you wish—punish to your heart’s content or let me live.”
A smile tinged with mischief.
“…Why…”
“Hm?”
“…Never mind.”
Asha hesitated as if about to say something, then quietly turned her head.
“I’ll come fetch you again tomorrow.”
This time, she disappeared quickly without giving room for any interception, leaving behind no trace.
“….”
Nahan acted as ‘Ian Red’ before returning indoors and closing the door.
“Wow, really thought I was done for. What was all that about?”
Her personality was truly strange.
Anyway, it was nail-biting, like tying a bell around a tiger’s neck, but…
◆ Requirements.
1. Apply medicine to Asha’s face. (Completed!)
2. Attend the party with Glory.
3. Have a conversation with the returned <Hestia>.
4. Prevent the assault by <Eclipse>.
First requirement completed for the Sub-Quest – ‘I, Too, Am a Hero.’
Although she suddenly invited him to the party, that’s an issue for tomorrow…
“Let me check the reward first.”
Main Scenario – Luna’s Salvation Reward.
Sub-Quest Success – Acquired past memories of the <Black Wolf> mercenaries.
After a brief moment of contemplation, Nahan decided to check the Main Scenario reward first and touched the golden system window to confirm the acceptance.
And then the words that appeared before his eyes:
【Artifact Guaranteed Enhancement Token】
◆ Effect:
Select an artifact to be enhanced. It will be <Promoted to Ex Grade> with <Guaranteed Confirmation>.
Nahan resolved to give utmost priority to the Main Scenario moving forward.
