Offense spoke.

“The sorcery is perfect. Go on.”

“Good. Keep Kaeld busy with some bickering.”

I leapt down behind Agril.

With such an overwhelming spectacle before the territory’s people, no one would pay any attention to some trivial business high up in the sky.

In fact, it seemed that no one had even noticed Agril yet.

I positioned myself a fair distance from the battlefield.

Then drew my sword and swung it.

‘Spatial Rend!’

This technique of mine was originally developed to counter Idria’s spatial authority.

Since the model was Idria’s own, the appearance was a perfect imitation.

The only question was, could I create a space as vast as the one Idria once did…?

Tzzzzzzt.

It worked far easier than I had expected.

[Didn’t you once say it felt like sawing through wood?]

‘Stop bringing up old stories.’

[It wasn’t even that long ago]

‘Anyway, this much is more than enough.’

Anyone would think it was Idria’s spatial authority.

And since the people of the continent believed that power belonged solely to the Demon King, it would never cross their minds that a ‘hero’ could create something like this.

I took a deep breath.

Then, imitating the lazy and relaxed tone of the Demon King, I spoke:

“That’s enough, Kaeld. It seems we have been found out.”

Since Neril had already cast a voice-amplifying spell, my words thundered even beyond the fortress walls, reaching the ears of the territory’s citizens.

Even from this distance, I could see Kaeld’s expression stiffen.

Excellent.

I continued:

“This land is already lost. Let’s return, Kaeld.” Content originally comes from noveⅼfire.net

“W–what… who are you!”

“You ask my name? After all the time we have been together, how cold of you.”

“No, no, that’s not it. Everyone, this is slander!”

“Even when told to stop, you persist. All the better that we withdraw quickly, so your reputation won’t be tarnished further.”

I pressed the attack swiftly.

“For you must play the part of the fake Hero who will nurture my power.”

At those decisive words, Kaeld shouted.

“Uaaagh! Silence! Who are you? Who!”

Then, in the distance, someone grabbed Kaeld’s arm.

I sharpened my vision to see clearly.

Pirensha.

Her face had gone deathly pale as she shook her head.

Clever Pirensha had realized it. That no matter what excuse was given, in the eyes of the people this scene was the perfect play.

[From their perspective, it would be better if Idria herself appeared to sort truth from lie…]

‘She can’t. Not while you’re here.’

[True. You have tied her down well. I have never felt so satisfied]

Then it happened.

Thud.

Kaeld slapped Pirensha’s hand away.

He leapt down from the wall.

Boom.

When the dust cleared, his furious face was revealed.

“Mide Mohan! So it was you!”

“…”

“I don’t know what trick you used to imitate Idria’s authority, but it won’t work. I will shatter your filthy scheme myself.”

He was burning with rage.

And rage clouds judgment.

Kaeld was, once again, helping this so-called Mide.

[Why are you acting so relaxed? Shouldn’t you refute him?]

‘No need. Watch.’

[Huh?]

‘Just watch.’

My silence only further infuriated Kaeld, who shouted again:

“Come here at once! Show yourself!”

“…”

“Then shall I come to you? Fine, I will do it!”

Just then.

Whoosh. Thunk.

Something dropped at Kaeld’s feet from atop the wall.

A small stone.

But what followed was not stones.

Thunk-thunk. Clang.

Arrows, spears, swords.

Attacks dripping with hostility.

“…?”

Kaeld slowly turned.

And saw them.

The soldiers’ enraged faces.

Heard them.

Their voices, screaming until their throats tore:

“Shut up, you traitor to humanity!”

“How dare you try to pin this on Lord Mide!”

“You’re humanity’s shame!”

“You deceived the whole continent! Deceived us all!”

“You dare pose as the Hero, when you have sided with the Demon King?”

“Lord Mide! Kill this trash now!”

Those were the very words Kaeld least wished to hear.

The play had ended.

For me, a comedy. For Kaeld, a tragedy.

I began to count the timing and said to Trail:

‘See that?’

[I never imagined it would turn out like this…]

‘Kaeld really doesn’t understand people. I felt that even before regression.’

[…]

‘When someone earns people’s trust, they have a duty to uphold it to the end. If not, this is what happens.’

The greater the faith in Kaeld as a true hero, the more violent the betrayal and fury once that faith shattered.

Later, we will confirm it, but right now Kaeld’s reputation was plummeting vertically, exponentially.

I decided to close the curtain.

“If you truly dislike it, then return first. We will meet again later, Kaeld. And you, Pirensha.”

On the wall, Pirensha’s body trembled.

Still, she fared better than he did.

Thud.

Kaeld collapsed to the ground outright.

Weapons and stones continued to rain down on his dazed head.

Along with curses.

“Hey, you bastard, say something, will you?”

“Crazy. We worshiped someone like that as the Hero?”

“We will expose your true nature to the entire continent.”

“Die, just die right now!”

Slowly, I closed the rift.

And while all eyes were fixed on Kaeld, I ducked low and slipped back toward Agril.

Neril lifted me with flying magic.

Adwin hid my presence with necromancy.

Thanks to them, no one noticed me reboarding Agril.

Offense hurried over and pressed a hand to my neck.

“It will hurt again.”

“Ugh.”

“All done. As I said earlier, you endure remarkably well.”

“How can you handle things like this so casually?”

“No need for praise. Hurry, we need to finish this.”

“Right. Good work.”

Offense stepped back, dispelling the sorcery on himself.

His face shifted from Mide’s back to his own.

Thus, we had passed the baton without mishap.

From atop Agril, I shouted loudly:

“Everyone! At last the truth has been revealed!”

“Ohhh!”

“Kaeld Wake! You vile traitor to humanity. I will descend now to execute you!”

I prepared to jump from Agril.

But before I could, Pirensha sprang forward.

Whoosh. Thunk.

She seized the dazed Kaeld by the scruff of his neck.

With a face full of grief, she muttered something under her breath.

I focused my eyes and read her lips.

-Mother. I’m sorry. I’m really sorry.

‘…’

Mother?

Who was she talking about?

[Given the context, wouldn’t it be Idria?]

‘No way. That makes no sense. It’s not like they are family.’

[…To them, she might be like family.]

‘…’

At that moment.

The space opened again.

This time, it wasn’t something I made.

It was real space, opened by Idria’s authority.

Neril muttered.

“She is openly showing it now. That she is on Kaeld’s side.”

“Probably because at least in this territory, it’s over. Since they have been exposed anyway, she must have judged it better to pull him out quickly than let Kaeld die at my hands.”

“Hmph. Either way, I’m recording all of this. We can use it later.”

“If we can use it.”

At my words, Neril’s expression darkened.

Xenia spoke comfortingly.

“Even if it doesn’t get stored in Append View, it’s fine. This isn’t your fault, Neril.”

“Velosian…”

“Yes. So don’t make that face right now. Let’s finish this properly. Right, Mr. Mide?”

I nodded.

Looking down again, I saw that Kaeld and Pirensha were already gone.

All that remained were the monsters, collapsed in exhaustion.

Then, let’s begin the cleanup.

“Neril.”

“Mm. Here.”

She handed me the Gem of Desolation. I gripped it tightly in my fist.

Then I drew my sword and raised it high into the sky.

“Everyone! I will now wipe out the monsters. Please wait just a moment.”

“…!”

“This is the power imbued with all of humanity’s hopes for a better future, for a happier life! Watch closely.”

And in my heart, I shouted:

‘Light Attack!’

[For heaven’s sake, don’t ever shout out the skill name by mistake. Everything we have built will go up in smoke.]

Is it really that bad?

My ‘Light Attack’ is actually the ability of Adin, the so-called Celestial God.

That’s why it looks so undeniably divine.

And in this moment, where Kaeld has been revealed as a fake, using Light Attack was the perfect way to conclude everything.

“Begone, foul monsters!”

I slowly pointed my blade across the horde, from one end to the other.

Brilliant, dazzling light poured from the sword tip.

It streaked across the monsters, erasing them.

“Kwaaaagh!”

“Gyeeeek!”

“Uwooooooh!”

Grotesque monsters of every shape and size vanished without a trace.

[What about the no-kill rule?]

‘I don’t know why you care, but it’s fine. Monsters don’t have souls.’

[Ah.]

‘My blood script distinguishes black and red based on whether a soul goes to the underworld. Since the blood script’s power came from Impelium, his “no-kill” rule probably works on the same basis.’

Just as that conversation ended.

The light from my sword gradually faded.

Nothing remained where it had swept through.

The monsters’ bodies vanished completely, leaving no trace behind.

A thunderous cheer erupted.

“They are all gone?”

“He only… pointed his sword, and…”

“Wow… that holy light.”

“That’s what a hero should be like. That’s how a warrior of legend ought to be!”

“Sir Mide! Heroes!”

“Thank you, truly. Sob…”

I quietly closed my eyes and basked in the shouts.

Then.

<Ding! You have gained 45,000 Fame Points.>

<Fame required for next level: 330,900 / 500,000>

<Your name will now resound throughout the Havel Territory.>

<Total Fame Points to be gained from this incident: 45,000>

<Your name is spreading through the Drucker Territory. (All points collected!)>

<Your name is spreading through the Quelk Territory. (All points collected!)>

<Your name is spreading through the Lior Territory. (All points collected!)>

<Your name is spreading through the Avis Territory. (All points collected!)>

<Your name is spreading through the Raynus Territory. (All points collected!)>

<Your name is spreading through the Tetra Territory. (All points collected!)>

<Your name is spreading through the Capital. (All points collected!)

>

<Your name is spreading through the Hasphil Territory. (All points collected!)>

<Your name is spreading through the Dronoar Territory. (All points collected!)>

<Your name is spreading through the Atrium Territory. (All points collected!)>

<Your name is spreading through the Gabriel Territory. (All points collected!)>

<Your name is spreading through the Feck Territory. (All points collected!)>

<Neril Slane now regards you as “My Pride.”>                         TL: Hahaha, these two

<Xenia Seide now regards you as “Humanity’s Hope.”>

<Offense Dake now regards you as “A Cunning Mind Worth Respect.”>

<Adwin Ayn now regards you as “A Hero Recognized.”>

<Lisel Vint now regards you as “The One Who Sets All Things Right.”>

<Serein Magnus now regards you as “One Who Always Finds a Way.”>

…Huh?

45,000 points?

And including the later settlements, that’s 90,000 points total?

‘What’s going on? Is this a bug?’

[What nonsense are you talking about?]

‘No, normally I only get 20,000 to 30,000 at most.’

[This time was on another level.]

Trail’s voice held a note of satisfaction.

[You have finally been acknowledged as the continent’s one and only hero. At least, in this territory.]

‘…’

[The reason your Fame didn’t skyrocket before was because there were two heroes. But now, it’s been narrowed down to one.]

‘Ah.’

[Of course people will cry your name to the skies.]

For some reason, my chest grew tight and warm.

Trail chuckled.

[Hey… are you crying?]

‘As if.’

[Heh. Looks like I will have to push a bit more if I want to make you cry for real.]

‘What? What do you mean?’

[Take a look at this.]

Thud.

A map of the continent appeared before me.

I widened my eyes.

< Mide Mohan / Total Fame: 330,900 >

< Kaeld Wake / Total Fame: 340,270 >

Kaeld’s fame had dropped drastically!

By the exact amount mine had risen.

Trail said:

[You have caught up, Mide.]

‘…’

[Even after that unfair oracle, you finally caught up to Kaeld.]

My eyes grew hot.

I quickly turned away so the townsfolk wouldn’t see.

But my companions saw instead.

“M-Mide?”

“Hyung, what’s wrong all of a sudden?”

“Is it because you’re too happy…?”

“Is there some problem?”

“No way, everything went perfectly.”

“Why cry on a good day?”

I rubbed my face quickly and said:

“I just confirmed with Trail.”

“Yeah?”

“I have caught up to Kaeld’s fame.”

In the next instant.

My party members all wore the same expression as me.

Truly, Heroes and a Hero are much alike.

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