Hestia Gardner.
Because she was a member of Gardner who hadn’t awakened, she had spent her entire life walking on eggshells. Hence, her sense had become sharp, and her ability to analyze and interact with others had also grown proficient. Honestly speaking, up to this point, it was quite common. It was a setting and characteristic that any character might have possessed.
However, as Naham had just said, Hestia was an “astute” woman. Despite her frail body, her intelligence was highly outstanding, and the result of that intelligence combining with her quick sense and ability to analyze others was evident.
‘The method of handling gazes, the timing of swallowing saliva, the pauses between a series of actions.’
The keen intuition that slipped into the cracks of habits discerned by her sense had accurately pinpointed the commonalities between the two individuals. This commonality was the gap in the acting that Naham had occasionally missed.
“Don’t worry. I have no intention to kill.”
“Free Priest Ian Red pays his respects to the intelligent lady of the Gardner family.”
Not “Black Wolf” or “Ian Red,” but the true form of “Naham” had been revealed. However, to her, it only appeared as a commonality.
For that reason, she spoke.
“…Black Wolf?”
Pretending it had slipped out without realizing, with an uncertain and hesitant tone. However, the reality was a suspicion close to certainty. The situation, the circumstances, and even the tiny crack she had discovered – everything combined, and the man before her was undoubtedly the Black Wolf.
“….”
“….”
Hestia observed his reaction. Of course, if he were indeed Black Wolf, she would most likely die. However, if, as a result of that, she could reclaim the “Heavenly Protective Barrier” and suppress the war, then wasn’t it an exchange between her own life, who couldn’t even walk and was a burden to her family, and the lives of hundreds of thousands of subjects?
‘Willingly.’
Having resolved herself, Hestia waited, keeping her bait out, for the opponent to reveal definite evidence.
‘So if you’re the Black Wolf, ask.’
I’m ready to offer this one life to save the lives of hundreds of thousands, millions, and tens of millions of subjects.
Just like that, after a brief moment of stillness.
In the narrowed-down dark eyes, Naham cautiously raised his hand.
‘…Are you trying to kill?’
Since I’m the only one who knows your identity, are you trying to silence me?
‘However, it’s useless.’
At the family head’s special order, many warriors were hiding all around to protect her.
It wouldn’t change the fact that I’d still die at the hands of Black Wolf, but with many warriors and the Hero Party – with Kwangmyeong nearby,
‘Somehow, we’ll catch you and figure out the location of the Heavenly Protective Barrier.’
So, let’s just die with peace.
‘I’m more useful this way anyway.’
Without even a flicker of expression change,
At the moment the woman who considered herself the family’s shame prepared for death,
Naham scratched his nape with the hand he had raised and grinned.
“Ah, I was trying to keep it hidden, but since you figured it out first, I don’t know what to do.”
“…Eh?”
The quick acknowledgment, beyond what she had expected.
Right as Hestia, dumbfounded by the response, tried to think of her next words,
【Stage 3 – Method activated.】
【You are now ‘Ian Red.’】
In an instant, Naham stepped up his <acting> and knelt on one knee before her.
“I am the free priest Ian Red, who confirmed your life from that ‘Black Wolf.'”
The considerate act of lowering his eye level for her, who couldn’t walk, emanated warmth.
For a moment, Hestia couldn’t help but feel favorably inclined, but she quickly steadied her mind.
‘Get your head straight.’
The method of handling gazes,
the timing of swallowing saliva,
the pauses between a series of actions.
The possibility that the man in front of her was Black Wolf…
“…Huh?”
Again, the dark eyes that met Naham wavered violently.
The habits Hestia had found were things people wouldn’t easily change. Even if one were pretending to be another, it was hard to maintain all the time.
So 90% was circumstantial, and the remaining 10% of the habits had led her to be certain that the man before her, ‘Ian Red,’ was ‘Black Wolf.’
“Miss?”
All the evidence vanished in an instant.
‘…Did I misjudge it?’
Could it have just coincidentally matched with the Black Wolf in that one moment I saw?
If not, was it an act?
‘No. Even highly trained spies couldn’t completely alter their natural bio-rhythm.’
Whatever the case, continuing to remain silent would attract suspicion.
Hestia smiled lightly and gave Naham a slight bow.
“I’ve heard many stories. Thanks to the Priest’s warning about life and death, I managed to return alive.”
“How could it be thanks to me? It’s due to Miss’s perseverance and the courage of the Hero and Aria’s grace.”
Ian Red.
The free priest who, when everyone thought he was dead, used his granted power to warn the Hero.
A gentle and humble man who is formal yet appears free and relaxed.
There was no trace of the terrifying and powerful aura that one would sense from Black Wolf.
‘Was it a mistake?’
Though everyone has different bio-rhythms, they do occasionally overlap.
‘…Yeah. I guess I’ve unknowingly become too sensitive because of all the recent events.’
Hestia was intelligent.
That’s why she was clear about her own condition and, factoring in her fluctuating condition, came to a new conclusion.
‘Ian Red is not the Black Wolf.’
Based on that conclusion, doubt still lingered, and the basis for that doubt was solid, so
‘Let me check one more time.’
If the man in front of her were Black Wolf, he would react without realizing it to unexpected attacks.
“Have you eaten?”
“I was about to get something because I’m feeling hungry.”
“At your service. The Gardner family owes you a great debt. We’ll provide whatever you desire.”
Hestia naturally continued the conversation while stealthily grasping the dagger in her lap.
“Even as a free priest, how could I accept rewards? I am already grateful for your remembrance.”
A perfectly relaxed smile.
‘If I push my wheelchair a little further, there’s a small slope. As I tilt and stumble, I’ll pretend it’s an accident and stab the dagger into his neck. Or stop halfway and ensure it hits—’
Hestia finished her plan instantly and started rolling the wheelchair according to her plan.
“No, it’s not necessary—”
Clunk!
The wheelchair tilted on the small slope, and the dagger she had been holding in her lap popped out.
‘The small attack might be noticed and countered. But I need to aim for certainty.’
While falling chaotically, Hestia, who “accidentally” gripped the “self-defense dagger” swung her blade towards Naham’s heart,
‘That’s it.’
As she observed her plan unfolding as expected, a faint smile graced her face.
“Miss!!”
Naham lunged forward.
And what’s more,
“Danger!!”
At a speed that wouldn’t have been possible from the frail free priest Hestia had imagined.
“Wh-what—!!”
By the time she realized her plan had gone awry, it was already too late.
Thud!
A sharp blade slicing through flesh, the cool sensation accompanied by the warm cover of blood.
Clang!!!
In the end, the two rolled onto the ground in a tangled heap, and as Hestia quickly raised her head, she faced
“Are you alright?”
Naham smiling just as before,
…Gulp.
The deep stab nearly swallowing the blade entirely, and the blood gushing from that wound in his abdomen.
“Sir, Priest! Is there anybody nearby!? There’s an emergency patient here!”
“I’m quite… alright… please calm down.”
“But I…!!”
“Isn’t it natural for anyone to make mistakes?”
“Ah…!! Sir Priest!!”
How could I have suspected this person of being Black Wolf?
Only now did Hestia realize what she had done.
‘I heard from the Hero that the power the Priest possesses is weak.’
That’s why he must have trained his body, and I underestimated his reaction speed.
‘A little more, just a little more thinking…!!’
This could have been avoided – the Priest wouldn’t have been hurt.
“Groan…”
As her fingertips accidentally brushed the dagger, Naham groaned.
“Ah!! I apologize, I apologize…!!”
In her shock, Hestia hurriedly tried to rise, and she noticed something she hadn’t seen before.
Beyond the small hill that had been obstructing her view, Naham had protected her head from the sharp edge of a rock where it would’ve struck.
She had intended to stab him, yet he was solely concerned about her.
“Aaa…!!”
As the wave of guilt surged, her dark eyes began to moisten.
Naham, with the same faint smile as before, leaned in closer and whispered to Hestia,
“I was trying… to hide… but you figured it out first… so I don’t know what to do…”
It was the first words he had offered her, teasing yet kind.
Just then,
“There!!”
“Don’t pull out the blade!”
“Release your hands, now!”
The situation was relayed by the warriors guarding Hestia, and some mages rushed in.
“I’ll count to three and pull.”
“Huff… Ready.”
“Three!!!!”
Whoosh!
“Damn it!!”
With one swift pull, the dagger was out,
The wound healed rapidly,
And then,
‘What the f*ck, surviving like this is really tough? Seriously, how unlucky can I get?!’
Playing the part of Ian Red while cursing inside himself,
The accidental fall of Hestia,
The dagger accidentally in her hand,
The dagger accidentally piercing me.
‘Is this guy really serious?’
Would Eclipse attack now?
“GYAAAAAAH—!!!”
“Strangers are attacking!!”
“What!? Could it be the Black Wolves!?”
“…Damn.”
Incidentally, the last word was from Naham.
◆ Mission conditions.
1. Apply ointment to Asha’s face. (Achieved!)
2. Attend the party with Kwangmyeong. (Achieved!)
3. Talk to <Hestia>. (Achieved!)
4. Defeat the attack of <Eclipse>.(…In progress.)
