Kaeld’s party was riding high on their recent success.

They had obtained the Hero’s Sword from the tomb of the fourth hero, Padania Brook.

Even that alone was an unprecedented achievement—but Kaeld wasn’t satisfied.

He informed the Empire that, just as written in the “Official Notice,” the sword was a fake.

Top imperial mages and scholars gathered to study the sword. Eventually, they all confirmed in unison that it was made of a material different from that of the historically recorded Hero’s Sword.

There were other complicated processes involved, but to skip over all of that—the key point was that this success earned Kaeld an audience with the Emperor, the ruler of the Empire.

It was the first time since the second hero, Lepia Odgar, that a mere commoner had ever been granted a direct audience with the Emperor.

The Emperor spoke in a weighty voice.

“I have concluded that the sword in Padania’s tomb is a fake. It aligns with your claim.”

“I am deeply honored, Your Majesty.”

“How did you come to know such a thing?”

Of course, Kaeld didn’t reply, “Because the official notice said it was a fake.”          *Official notice meaning system message.

“I am not withholding the truth, merely… I had a feeling I cannot put into words.”

“Hmm. Historically, heroes have always had aspects beyond human understanding. It seems this time is no different.”

That statement from the Emperor was, in effect, an acknowledgment that Kaeld was a hero.

Kaeld’s lips were just about to curl into a smile—

“But recently, I’ve heard a curious name making the rounds.”

“What name do you speak of…?”

“There is a name I’ve heard repeatedly from the north: Mide Mohan. A former mercenary, I hear he’s been accomplishing one astonishing feat after another.”

Kaeld’s expression stiffened instantly.

Whether the Emperor noticed or not, he continued calmly.

“If a hero has appeared, then surely a Demon King will rise again as well. The gods of the heavens will soon deliver their oracle. When that day comes, we’ll know for certain who the true hero is.”

“……”

“I tell you this because I have a personal fondness for you.”

“I am honored, Your Majesty.”

“Until the oracle is delivered, let us not reveal to the public that the sword is a fake. With the fifth Demon King’s return on the horizon, I’d rather avoid needless chaos.”

Kaeld simply nodded in silence.

The Emperor leaned back in his chair and spoke.

“You may go now. Go and do what you must.”

“……”

“Show us proof that you are the true hero.”

Kaeld bowed deeply and withdrew.

—

Waiting for him outside the audience chamber were Serein, Lisel, and Offense.

They asked what kind of meaningful conversation he’d had with the Emperor, but instead of answering, Kaeld gave a small glance at Offense and spoke.

“The Emperor mentioned someone named Mide.”

He had hoped Offense might show even the slightest change of expression, but unsurprisingly, his face remained perfectly composed.

Serein chimed in.

“Mide? You mean that guy who’s been making a name for himself in the north lately?”

“Yes.”

“I’ve heard he’s been stirring things up—ah, I mean, doing all kinds of good for the Empire. I didn’t expect His Majesty to be familiar with his name too.”

“……”

“But… shouldn’t we not worry too much? I mean, the hero is already decided—it’s you, Mr. Kaeld. Try not to look so grim.”

At Serein’s careful remark, Kaeld consciously ran a hand across his face.

He took a moment to gather his thoughts.

Serein is right. That guy couldn’t even interfere in the fake hero’s sword affair.

Mide probably didn’t even know the sword was fake.

He had already missed one of the key events on the path to becoming a hero.

Moreover—

Kaeld’s gaze flicked toward the empty air beside him.

There, a message appeared.

The last quest from the official notice had been to acquire the fake Hero’s Sword and report it to the Emperor.

Now that was complete, a new quest had appeared right on cue.

A guide for the path to becoming a hero.

All I need to do is follow this. No need to overthink it.

He relaxed his expression and spoke.

“Yeah. Serein. Thank you.”

“No problem.”

“Everyone’s worked hard. I hate to say this the moment I say that, but… we need to move out again soon.”

Offense, who had been silent, finally spoke.

“Where are we headed this time?”

“To Dronoar Territory—”

It was then.

Kaeld’s mouth dropped open at the unbelievable sight before him.

Crackle.

Red lines began to strike through the text of the quest that had just been floating before him!

This was the first time such a bizarre phenomenon had happened since he started receiving these notices.

W-what in the world is this?

After crossing out the previous quest entirely, the notice began writing out a new message.

Kaeld’s mind raced.

The notice was issuing an emergency quest just to stop Mide.

And it warned that Mide’s fame was catching up fast.

At that moment, Kaeld made a decision.

He must die.

Mide had to die.

Just like Bion Kunze before him.

Suppressing his growing urgency, he carefully read the notice again.

Then he spoke slowly.

“Change of plans. We’re heading to Tetra Territory.”

Offense raised an eyebrow.

“Tetra? That’s north from here.”

“Yes. Though on a continental scale, it’s located centrally.”

“Hm. May I ask what business we have there?”

“There’s going to be a natural disaster in Tetra. I need to stop it.”

He didn’t yet know what kind of disaster it would be.

As always, the notice would update when they arrived.

After a pause, he added a final note.

“And… this is just a prediction, but… Mide might also head to Tetra.”

“……!”

“It’ll be our first encounter. Everyone, prepare yourselves.”

Everyone nodded solemnly.

Kaeld turned to one woman in particular.

“Especially for this mission, your role will be crucial—Lisel.”

Lisel. Lisel Vint.

Kaeld’s first companion, and naturally the one who had been with him the longest.

Her eyes gleamed as she nodded.

“Whatever it is. I’m ready.”

—

I chose Tetra Territory as my next destination.

And I informed everyone.

Then Neril asked me—

“What’s supposed to happen there this time?”

“Hm-hm. I’m thinking there’ll be a major disaster soon. Then as now, the powerless common folk are always the most vulnerable to natural disasters. If I help them, my fame will skyrocket.”

“I ask you this every time, but how do you even know these things?”

“I asked the celestial god, and that’s what I was told.”

At that, Xenia snapped.

“You can’t just casually invoke the god’s name like that. If the god gets sulky and stops giving you divine revelations, don’t blame me. You have no idea how petty they can be.”

I can tolerate other people saying that, but coming from a delinquent believer like you, I just can’t accept it.

That’s when Adwin raised his hand.

“Yes, Adwin”

“Um, teacher. Isn’t Tetra Territory located to the south from here?”

“That’s right.”

“Then wouldn’t that put it close to the area where that fake hero, Kaeld, operates?”

“Good question. As expected of you—you learn one thing and grasp another right away.”

“Uh, that didn’t sound like a compliment…”

Then Trail interjected.

[Didn’t Adwin just hit the nail on the head? Kaeld is aiming for the Hero’s seat too. No way he’d pass up a natural disaster event like that. Especially when that ‘Path to Becoming a Hero’ of his shows him the way.]

‘No need to worry.’

[Huh?]

‘His next destination is a place called Dronoar Territory.’

This was the period before I joined the party in the previous timeline, but piecing together the information I later heard, I can reconstruct Kaeld’s movements.

Around this time, Kaeld likely headed to Dronor to treat the lord there who was suffering from a rare disease.

That too is a major event.

The Lord of Dronoar hails from a family renowned for their achievements during the descent of the Four Demon Kings. If Kaeld successfully cures him, he’ll receive massive support, both material and otherwise.

Then, it happened.

My communication orb suddenly lit up.

I excused myself from Adwin, who was waiting for an answer, and pulled it out.

–Mide.

“Offense. How’ve you been?”

At the familiar voice, everyone quickly gathered around the orb.

Though in such a cramped carriage, they could probably hear everything anyway.

As we huddled close, Offense’s voice came through.

–Not too well. Kaeld’s really running me ragged.

“Hearing that means you must’ve safely obtained the fake Hero’s Sword.”

–Yeah. And today, Kaeld even had an audience with the Emperor.

A shockwave of information in such a short sentence.

Xenia muttered, slightly pale.

“He’s the first commoner to meet the Emperor since the Second Hero, Lepia…”

–Miss Pheasant, was it? How’ve you been?

“I’ve been meaning to ask since last time, but why ‘Pheasant’…”

–Anyway, the Emperor seems to have taken quite a liking to Kaeld. He gave him rewards bigger than the total of all our quest rewards so far. Just selling those would be enough to feed three generations.

Jealousy.

Ah, no. That’s not the point.

“So? What’s Kaeld’s next destination?”

I asked, fully expecting him to say “Dronor Territory.”

But Offense’s next words caught me off guard.

–He said it was Tetra Territory.

“……!”

–And Kaeld said this: your next destination might be there too. He figured you might cross paths. Told us to be ready. Was he right?

Neril, Xenia, and Adwin all looked at me with wonder.

We had just chosen Tetra as our next stop.

I swallowed hard.

‘He changed course from the original timeline?’

I was sure that back then, Kaeld had gone to Dronor around this time.

Trail spoke.

[Looks like his intuition is sharp. He must’ve sensed it through that “Path to Becoming a Hero.” He realizes he can’t let you keep stealing the spotlight.]

‘Hmm.’

[What’ll you do? If this keeps up, you’ll definitely run into him.]

Instead of answering, I checked the map display.

Half the northern continent was now under my influence, the southern half under Kaeld’s.

Our fame levels:

<Mide Mohan: 30,760>

<Kaeld Wake: 35,540>

I had planned to overtake him after the incident in Raynus Territory.

But it seems the exposure of the fake Hero’s Sword had a bigger impact than expected. Kaeld still holds a solid lead.

‘But it’s not as hopeless a gap as before.’

Kaeld is willing to face me head-on in Tetra.

If I back down here, I may never get another chance to surpass his fame.

I need to strike hard—right here.

I made up my mind and said,

“I’m going to Tetra too. See you there, Offense.”

–Hm. So it begins.

He continued, a hint of excitement in his tone.

–I admit, after what happened, you’re better than Kaeld. But he’s still not someone to take lightly. Be careful.

“Thanks for the warning. When we meet in Tetra, we’re strangers. Got it?”

–No need to even say it.

“Great. See you soon.”

Click.

The communication ended.

Neril crossed her arms with an intrigued expression.

“Looks like I’ll finally get to see the face of that annoying Kaeld guy. You’re going to kill him, right?”

“There it is, your true nature.”

“I’m not saying the Sword master of No Killing should get their hands dirty. If you want, I can take care of him quietly. Won’t affect your reputation.”

“Thanks, but that’d be tough.”

Neril frowned.

“What do you mean?”

“Just what I said. Even for me, I can’t say for sure who’d win.”

“…….”

My words must’ve carried weight. Not just Neril—Xenia and Adwin looked wide-eyed too. Follow current novels on novęlfire.net

I wouldn’t be surprised if they saw me as someone nearly unbeatable.

I shrugged.

“We’re both vying for the title of Hero. It wouldn’t be fun if it were too easy, right?”

“Doesn’t need to be fun though.”

“Anyway, let’s put the Kaeld stuff on hold and focus on what’s actually going on in Tetra first.”

“You said a disaster, but what kind exactly?”

I fell silent for a moment, then answered.

“An earthquake.”

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