I had to try very hard not to show my surprise in front of the bastard and my companions.

[What’s wrong? What is it?]

‘That guy has sinned against way too many people.’

[How many are we talking?]

I took a light breath and said,

‘Roughly 129 million.’

[…You are kidding, right?]

‘Unfortunately, I’m not.’

I have only ever seen a list this long once before.

Before the regression, Kaeld Wake.

The fake hero who had sinned against 148 million people.

But Sobius wasn’t far behind.

Well, I guess being short by around 20 million makes him “better,” relatively speaking.

‘Wait. Hold on.’

Were all those people really from the same era?

With a number this extreme, maybe instead of saying he sinned against 20 million fewer people, it’s more accurate to say the timeframe of the blood script records is different.

I expanded the blood script.

Soon, a massive translucent screen filled the room.

Each line of the blood-script was so tiny that I had to squint hard just to read them.

The same dizzying feeling came back as when I saw Kaeld’s blood script before the regression.

‘Is there any name here that could hint at his true identity…’

Damn it.

Could I really find a clue among this flood of blood-script?

All I could do was start from the top. Huh?

I almost rubbed my eyes in disbelief.

The third name from the top.

– Bedrayk Hoffman.

‘It’s Bedrayk Hoffman.’

[Who is that?]

‘You don’t remember? He was the ancestor of Count Acaine in the Dronoar territory. One of the member of the Fourth Hero Party, he led the Alkahad Order!’

[Ah…]

‘I knew it. This guy isn’t from our era.’

And he had committed a sin against Bedrayk, who was considered a legendary hero?

Just to be sure, I looked above and below Bedrayk’s name.

– Neo Magan.

– Lloyd Imagine.

– Arthur Smith…

These names were all very familiar.

They were other party member of the 4th generation Hero.

And if they were there, then that name should be too.

The name of the 4th generation Hero, Padania Brook.

‘…’

But that name was nowhere to be found.

[Maybe you just missed it? I mean, there are over a hundred million names.]

‘The names of the hero party members are all clumped together. But you’re telling me the party leader’s name is randomly somewhere else?’

[…No way.]

‘Exactly.’

It was hard to believe.

But denying reality just because “that can’t be true” wasn’t my style.

I swallowed hard and said,

‘This bastard is Padania Brook. The First Finger of Lie was one of the Four Heroes!’

The unbelievable reality that a hero had become a servant of the Demon King.

I kept the information to myself for now.

Blurting out “You are Padania, aren’t you?” would do nothing but let me watch Kaeld’s face twist in annoyance.

So I stayed silent.

My companions also said nothing, following my lead. Sobius and Kaeld remained quiet as well.

How long had we been locked in this strange staring contest?

Knock knock.

The door opened with a knock.

“The lord has returned.”

“Ah.”

“Shall I inform him who will be meeting him first…?”

At that moment, Kaeld spoke up.

It seemed he had already received ‘instructions’ from Sobius, because he responded smoothly without hesitation.

“We will go together.”

“Pardon? But…”

“We can’t possibly take up twice as much of the lord’s time. Mide, you’re okay with that, right?”

What was he planning?

Still, I welcomed the suggestion.

Who knows what he would whisper to the lord if I wasn’t there.

“Sure. Let’s go.”

And so, we all followed the butler’s lead to the room.

When the door opened, we saw the lord of Gabriel territory.

This land had once been ruled directly by the emperor after the fall of the Erenica family.

Eventually, a noble house without its own land bribed and schemed their way into receiving this land as a grant, and had ruled it ever since.

It was a fairly well known bit of history, so I remembered it too.

“Welcome. I’m Mike de Grand.”

“Count Mike. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

“The pleasure is mine, of course.”

He wiped the cold sweat on his forehead with a handkerchief.

[He doesn’t look pleased, he looks like he wants us gone as soon as possible.]

‘Well, two of the continent’s most talked about heroes just walked into his home.’

No wonder the lord was flustered.

That’s when Kaeld spoke.

“You have heard the oracle, haven’t you, Lord?”

“O-of course. I… received it twice, actually.”

“The second one is fake.”

Kaeld folded his arms, practically making a declaration.

Naturally, our party began muttering among themselves.

“He’s consistently insufferable.”

“How does he stay that shameless even after getting beaten by Mide so many times?”

Their whispering felt oddly encouraging.

And so, I straightened up and jumped into the conversation.

“I can’t help but step in here, Kaeld.”

“……”

“Count, I suggest you reach out to the territory of Avis, Hasphil, and Dronoar even now. It would be wise to hear what they think of me as well.”

The count was sweating so much that wringing his handkerchief would have produced a stream. He answered, flustered:

“There’s no need for that. Those territories already issued formal statements to the Empire.”

“They did indeed.”

“Moreover, I’m aware that a territory which once stood by your side, Kaeld, even risking their lives to rebel, has now pledged loyalty to Lord Mide.”

He must be talking about Atrium territory.

The count glanced cautiously at Kaeld before continuing.

“Looking at the bigger picture, it seems every territory Lord Mide has visited has recognized him as the true Hero without a shred of doubt.”

“That’s because it’s true.”

“B-but, if I may say so, doesn’t that also mean the territory you haven’t visited yet still hold that doubt? Ours included.”

“……”

“Aah, please don’t force me to make such a difficult choice. Picking the real Hero between the two of you is a burden I’m not fit to bear.”

I scratched my head.

That’s when Kaeld spoke.

“Then allow me to lighten your burden.”

“What do you mean, sir?”

“A Hero is ultimately one chosen to slay the Demon King. Surely the god above wouldn’t choose someone weak to carry that title.”

“……”

“It may seem barbaric, but…”

He looked straight at me and continued.

“In short, let’s settle this with strength.”

“What? You want to fight me?”

“Yes.”

“You’re serious? I’m not trying to brag here, but it’s a simple fact. I’m stronger than you. By a long shot.”

Back when I first returned, Kaeld and I were evenly matched.

But ever since I heard Impelium’s voice in my dream and saw the blood script of the dead, my strength had skyrocketed.

Now, the idea of losing to Kaeld doesn’t even cross my mind. Follow current ɴᴏᴠᴇʟs on novel·fıre·net

Kaeld, however, replied with a smug expression.

“How arrogant.”

“I already said, it’s just the truth.”

“Oh? Then this will be all the more fun. Watching someone that arrogant get cut down by my party member’s sword.”

I caught on to what he was planning.

Sure enough, the one who had been quiet until now finally opened his mouth.

“There’s no need for Lord Kaeld to step in. Someone like you isn’t worth it.”

He sounded exactly like some generic underling about to die in the next scene.

“I will handle you, Mide Mohan.”

“And you are?”

“Sobius. Comrade of Lord Kaeld.”

At that, the count, who had been listening intently tilted his head.

“Pardon my intrusion, but weren’t all of Lord Kaeld’s companions now standing with Lord Mide?”

“Correct. Those traitors are indeed with him.”

“……”

“But that’s only because their eyes were too clouded to recognize Lord Kaeld’s greatness. Or no, that might be too rude.”

Sobius softened his tone, smiling insincerely.

“You could say they are victims too, in a way.”

“What are you getting at?”

“Mide is a pawn of Idria, the Demon King of Lies and Deception. As her lackey, he must be quite skilled at lying.”

“……!”

“So they must have been tricked. I do wish they would come to their senses, but…”

Before he could finish, Neril cut him off coldly.

“Shut up. Your voice makes me sick.”

“As you can see, they have been completely brainwashed.”

“This is a joke. A clown show. Kaeld is the real servant of the Demon King.”

“Silence.”

“Maybe I gave Kaeld too much credit. He is not a right-hand man, he is just a puppet on strings.”

She was as sharp tongued as ever.

I stepped in between them before things could boil over further.

“So what, you want to fight me? You, the so called Kaeld party member, Sobius?”

“That’s right. I plan to ask the lord here to host a formal duel.”

“……”

“I heard you crushed the Martial King Terce in a duel back in Lior. Your first major move as a so called Hero. This will be no different.”

So they are trying to use the duel to fake an accident and kill me?

Or do they have some other scheme?

I glanced at the count.

His expression was calmer than before, and he gave a small nod.

He seemed to be thinking something like: Whether duels are reasonable or not doesn’t matter, if both sides accept it, I can wash my hands of this.

[What now?]

‘They are the ones challenging me. If I back out, it will look like I’m scared.’

[Still, they are clearly up to something.]

‘Yeah. And I think I have figured out what it is.’

That bastard had commented on my Hero’s mark.

He said it looked like something Neril made.

Which means… surely not…

‘Show me the secret between Padania and Defir.’

[Huh? If you mean Defir, then…]

‘Just show it.’

[Alright. One sec.]

Click.

A screen appeared.

<You have used the Eye of Omniscience.>

<Current Eye of Omniscience level: 4. Secrets viewable up to Grade A.>

<Selected condition: “The secret between Defir Erenica and Padania Brook.”>

<This secret is classified as Grade A. Accessing.>

On screen, Defir was in his room facing Padania.

Defir spoke first, looking slightly nervous.

“What brings you here today?”

“What other reason would an investor have to visit?”

Defir rubbed his palms together, awkward.

“You’re referring to the research on the Gem of Desolation. Don’t worry. It’s going well, no doubt about that.”

“Then prove it. Right here. Right now.”

“As I said, the problem is that Neril refuses to cooperate.”

He walked over to the window.

Hands behind his back, he stared outside.

Strangely, the Eye shifted perspective to show what he was looking at.

‘Neril.’

Little Neril stood in the garden, watering the flowers with a face that looked like she could cry at any moment.

Having only seen her always composed and mature, seeing her as a child like this felt… surreal.

“But it won’t be long now. As I told you before, I have applied enough pressure.”

“Heh. You mean telling her that her friend May will kill her?”

“Yes. Though she didn’t believe it easily. Neril even made a strange headband to verify whether we were lying.”

“A headband?”

“It’s just a basic illusion-enchanted item, but no one can tell it’s fake. Really impressive. She is a genius.”

Padania nodded, acknowledging her talent.

Then Defir smirked.

“She may be a genius, but that headband? That was a fluke.”

“What do you mean?”

“Even for a genius, this item is clearly beyond her skill. She has already lost the inspiration she had when she made it. I doubt she could replicate the magic circle etched into it.”

“Hmm.”

“That’s how desperate she must have been. For someone who never formally studied magic to create that, it’s proof humans can work miracles when cornered.”

Padania didn’t care about the depth of the magic in the headband.

“So? How does that help me?”

“Neril plans to use the headband to transform into May. She will approach us disguised, then try to determine if we are lying.”

“……”

“But I have already caught on. I plan to take the headband and give it to May. Her birthday’s coming up, so I will say it’s a present.”

Padania let out a low chuckle.

“Heh. Once she sees May wearing it, that will seal the deal. Neril will kill her with the gem’s power.”

“Exactly.”

“Probably pointless to ask, but… are you really okay with that? Offering your own daughter as a sacrifice?”

It was outright mockery, even contempt.

But Defir didn’t even flinch.

He answered calmly.

“You’re mocking me? Coming from a fake Hero like you?”

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