I kept talking.

“The Count dallied with a maid while his wife was still alive. Whether it was misfortune or fortune, the Countess passed away while recovering from childbirth.”

“……”

“If it were me, I would have confessed my sins and sought forgiveness… but I suppose he didn’t want it known that he fooled around with another woman while his wife was ill. So he kept it buried to the end.”

Ariena’s lips trembled.

“H-How do you know all that?”

“I have wide feet and sharp ears, you could say.”

“……”

“We’ve arrived.”

As the door of the inn opened, someone ran out immediately.

It was Settlia.

She rushed forward and hugged Ariena tightly, sobbing.

“Hrk— My lady! You’ve returned safely!”

“Nanny…”

“I’m sorry. I was right there, and I couldn’t do a thing.”

“Mmh… No, don’t say that. I’m just really happy you’re safe.”

Tears welled up in Ariena’s eyes as well.

From behind, Xenia and Neril came out.

Sniffling, Xenia turned to me and asked,

“What about Offense?”

“He said he wants to stay and watch until everything’s wrapped up. Said we’ll meet again after it’s all taken care of.”

“He’s playing hard to get.”

“It’s fine. Honestly, I didn’t think he’d join our party right away anyway. It’s better that he takes his time and acts with caution.”

“Yeah?”

I shook my head like it was nothing.

This time, Neril spoke up.

“By the way, about that wrapping up. What exactly do you plan to do?”

“Hmm.”

“Sure, if we let people know Ariena is safe, that’ll stop the war. But do you really think the Count will announce that she’s unharmed? He’s hell-bent on starting a war.”

Though she addressed the question to me. Xenia, Ariena, and Settlia were all looking at me as well.

I scratched my head and turned to Ariena first.

“I do have an idea in mind.”

“……”

“But if we go through with it, the Count’s dignity will be utterly shredded and trampled. Are you alright with that?”

Settlia hurried to respond—

Grip.

—but Ariena took her hand and shook her head.

Then she stepped forward and took a deep breath.

“It’s alright. I’ll take full responsibility.”

“……”

“Please, crush his pride.”

“Sounds like you’ve made up your mind.”

“Yes. I no longer want to call that man my father.”

Settlia flinched visibly.

I smiled gently and nodded.

“Even just this incident would deal a critical blow to the Count, but let me give you some extra help.”

“Yes?”

“We’ll carry out the plan the morning after tomorrow. And until then, I’ll dig up and deliver every last one of the Count’s crimes and corrupt dealings. For a lady with grand ambition, there’s no weapon greater.”

At that, Trail reacted in horror.

[Hey, no way—]

“Of course, having a weapon doesn’t guarantee victory. How you wield it in the right place at the right time… that’s up to you, my lady.”

[No, no! This isn’t right. I object to this plan!]

“You can do it. You’re a wise one, after all.”

[He’s not listening. Fine. I’ll just enjoy the ride.]

Resolve hardened in Ariena’s expression.

She wiped the tears from her eyes and stood tall, her back straight.

“You’re more politically savvy than I expected, Hero.”

“I just pick things up from what I see and hear.”

“Alright. Let’s do as you suggested. Within a year… no, within six months, I’ll overthrow the Count and take his place.”

“I’ll be counting on it.”

A strange fire lit up in her eyes.

“Could you… stay by my side during those six months?”

“I’m sorry, but I don’t think that’ll be possible. I have to visit other territories as well.”

“Hehe. I figured. You’re not the kind of person someone like me can tie down.”

“……”

“But I do have one request. Please, come visit this land again someday. When you do, I’ll welcome you as its rightful lord.”

She was no longer someone who could be called a noble’s daughter or young lady.

She already carried the dignity of a true lord.

I gave a respectful bow and replied,

“I’ll be sure to do that.”

Just then, Trail’s voice echoed in my mind.

[Alright. Let’s have ourselves a fun little overtime shift.]

What’s gotten into this guy all of a sudden?

—

Thanks to Trail’s tireless efforts, I managed to secure all the secrets involving the Count’s blood-script associates.

I organized the information and handed it over to Ariena.

Surprisingly, she didn’t seem too shocked.

“These are more or less what I’d suspected.”

“Truly impressive.”

“No, the impressive one is you, Hero. I don’t know how you uncovered all this from within a single room.”

“They don’t call me a Hero for nothing.”

I meant it as a joke, but Ariena took it seriously.

“I see. A Hero really is someone beyond the understanding of ordinary people. The records in the history books weren’t exaggerations at all.”

“……”

“But I think you’re even greater than the four Heroes of legend, Mr. Mide.”

“Ahem. Thank you for the compliment.”

I had received plenty of praise in my life.

But this was the first time I’d been praised as a Hero, and I could feel my face getting warm.

Neril and Xenia whispered to each other.

“I’ve never seen that expression on him before.”

“Guess he was really starved for someone to call him ‘Hero.’ Should we start calling him that too?”

“He’d get smug in no time. I’m not doing it.”

“Yeah, he’d probably start flaring his nostrils too.”

“We’ve been in sync lately.”

“Pfft. Totally.”

Why is it that the only time they get along is when they’re making fun of me?

I brushed a hand over my face and changed the topic.

“Anyway, if we want those scandals and crimes to really make an impact, we have to start by letting the world know Lady Ariena is safe.”

“Ah, yes. You said you had something in mind for that, right? What should we do?”

Instead of answering, I turned to Xenia.

“Let me ride Agril.”

“……?”

“I’m talking to you, Xenia. Don’t look around.”

“What’s Agril?”

“Seriously?”

“I mean… Agril is a divine beast! The chariot of the gods! She doesn’t let just anyone ride her, you know!”

She protested, but it didn’t work on me—I still remembered the time before regression when I’d ridden Agril with my party across the continent.

“We can’t just try to get on like it’s nothing. You need to convince Agril first.”

“She’s been out of shape lately, so we can’t go over capacity.”

“You’ve only ever ridden alone. How would you know what her capacity is? Just give it a shot, at least.”

“Agh… What if she gets mad?”

Despite grumbling, she agreed to try.

Neril, clearly excited at the prospect of riding a legendary beast, spoke with shining eyes.

“I’m all for it, but why does it have to be Agril?”

“Everything I do is to increase my fame.”

“…Is it okay to say that so openly in front of a noblewoman?”

Hmm. She had a point.

As I reflected on that a little, Ariena quickly responded.

“Fame must be quite the virtue for you, Hero. There’s nothing wrong with using the best means to get what you want. I plan to do the same.”

“You’re really good at putting a positive spin on whatever I do.”

“I’ve held back because you’re the Hero’s comrade, but I’ll say it now: I have no intention of looking down on you just because you’re a noble. But frankly, you seem much younger than I am—so please show a little more respect.”

Apparently, Ariena didn’t know Neril was the infamous Witch of Carnage.

‘With Neril’s temper, she’s probably going to snap.’

I quickly tried to intervene.

But Neril suddenly twitched her lips and said, Content originally comes from novᴇlfire.net

“I really looked that young?”

“……”

“Thanks. You’re actually kind of nice.”

…What was that?

Count Tobira had a bad feeling.

Deirt, the branch chief of Alkahad, was nowhere to be seen.

There wasn’t much use for him now with the expedition only a day away, but the absence of that greedy bastard made him uneasy rather than relieved.

Tobira looked down from the castle wall at his army lined up in formation.

From above, they looked solid—like a force of warriors each worth a hundred men.

But in reality, the talk circulating among the troops was anything but that of a mighty army.

“Ugh. Dragged into war at my age…”

“Damn it, it’s almost time to sow the fields. What’s the lord thinking?”

“Shh. Keep your mouth shut if you don’t want to lose your head.”

“Honestly, if it’s to find Lady Ariena, I’d do anything. She was such a lovely person.”

“Did they really hide her in Kitur? Something about it doesn’t sit right.”

“Ahh… if only the Hero would show up and solve everything.”

“The Hero, huh? Speaking of which, I heard a rumor…”

That’s how it went.

By noon, all preparations for deployment were complete.

Everyone stood seriously, wearing expressions that seemed to beg someone to tell them this wasn’t real.

Then—

“Hey? What is that?!”

A soldier suddenly pointed to the sky.

It was a textbook case of broken discipline, but no one could blame him.

Because a beast had appeared in the sky where he pointed.

Agril, The Chariot of the Gods.

Most commoners didn’t even know such a creature existed.

So the soldiers interpreted its appearance as some sort of omen.

“Ahhh! It’s a monster! A demon beast!”

“For something like that to appear right before we march out… We’re doomed! Doomed, I tell you!”

“Mommy!”

“I was going to propose to my girl after this battle!”

“Shut up, man! You’re gonna jinx it!”

Then it happened.

A deep voice echoed from atop the mysterious beast.

It was my voice, amplified by Neril’s sound magic.

“Everyone, please—there’s no need to worry.”

Gasp

“There is no need for you to fight. You don’t have to kill anyone. Today, all of you will return to your homes. I will make sure of it.”

I paused for dramatic effect, then spoke again with firm conviction.

“I, Mide Mohan, give you my word.”

After my speech, I turned around atop Agril.

Neril, Xenia, and Ariena were riding with me.

The other two were expected, but Ariena remaining composed at this height was a real surprise.

“Lady Ariena. I’ve laid the groundwork—er, I mean, set the mood appropriately. Are you ready?”

“……”

“Lady Ariena?”

“……”

Trail commented:

[Looks like she fainted with her eyes open.]

So she wasn’t composed after all.

I grabbed her shoulder and gave her a gentle shake, a bit rudely.

“Ah.”

“Apologies. Timing is everything right now. I’ll accept punishment for the rudeness later.”

“N-no, it’s fine. I should apologize. I’ve never been this high up before.”

“I understand. Shall we begin?”

“Yes.”

She took my hand and slowly stood up atop Agril.

Neril frowned a little, for some reason.

“That’s quite the gentlemanly escort.”

“I am a bit of a gentleman.”

“Sure you are.”

“Anyway, let’s get started. Flying magic, please.”

“Okay.”

She began casting the spell.

Meanwhile, I turned to Xenia.

“Make us shine with holy radiance, will you?”

“This really isn’t what divine power’s supposed to be used for… but somehow it feels just right. Alright.”

“Great.”

I led Ariena to the edge of Agril’s back.

Time to begin.

The descent of the Hero.

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