Xenia greeted us at the entrance to the shelter.

“Welcome. It looks like it wasn’t easy.”

It seemed the signs of barely holding back the earthquake still lingered on our faces.

“It was a bit dangerous, but everything turned out fine in the end.”

“You’ve done well.”

“We didn’t really do much this time. Miss Lisel handled everything.”

I turned to look at Lisel. Her eyes were hastily wrapped in bandages.

“Oh? Her eyes—?”

“I’ll explain later. For now, could you treat her?”

Lisel looked surprised at my words.

“No, I… I’m fine—”

“She hasn’t officially joined our party yet, but surely we can at least do this much for a future companion, can’t we?”

“…”

“Xenia. Please.”

Xenia treated Lisel without a word.

The eyes are a complex organ, so it looked like it would take some time.

In the meantime, Neril asked,

“By the way, how are things over here?”

“You know, generally speaking, it’s common sense not to talk to a priest or holy knight while they’re healing someone, right?” The most update n0vels are published on NoveI[F]ire.net

“And yet here you are answering just fine.”

“Haa… Anyway, it’s really good. You’ll understand once you see it yourself.”

Not long after, we got to see for ourselves.

The second earthquake must’ve been big enough to be felt even from the shelter.

When we arrived, the cheers we heard confirmed it.

“It’s Lord Mide!”

“Lord Mide, thank you so much!”

“Sniff… I really thought we were doomed this time.”

“And you even sent the holy knight to protect us from harm!”

People from the territory, eyes brimming with tears, rushed up to us from every direction.

I clasped their hands, one by one, and said,

“I’m glad you’re all safe.”

“Is the earthquake really over for good?”

“Yes. There won’t be any more.”

At least, there hadn’t been any news of earthquakes in the Tetra Territory up to the point in time I’d regressed from.

Relief washed over everyone’s faces.

Then someone asked,

“Hero! How did you know a second quake was coming? And such a massive one at that!”

I quickly licked my lips and replied.

Time to wrap this up nicely.

“I didn’t know.”

“…What?”

“I didn’t stay behind to stop a second earthquake. I was just checking the scale of the damage in residential areas and making sure no one had been left behind.”

The crowd fell silent at those words.

“You did that for us?”

“Yes.”

“B-But that’s not something anyone would really notice or thank you for…”

“That’s not why we do it. Saving lives isn’t something done for recognition.”

That answer was the complete opposite of when Kaeld had asked people to acknowledge his use of Append View to stop the quake.

And it brought tears to everyone’s eyes.

“Sniff…”

“Yes… This is what a true hero looks like.”

“Where is Lord Kaeld anyway? Did he vanish after stopping that little quake of his?”

“Probably. A hero like him must be so busy.”

“Honestly, it never felt like he was doing it for us anyway. It was more like he just showed off and then left.”

Hearing all that, Lisel looked flustered.

From her perspective, both of them had stopped quakes, so the wildly different reactions must have been quite a shock.

“Um… sniff…”

Just as she tried to say something, Neril covered her mouth.

Then she whispered,

“Stay quiet. When Kaeld was reaping all that praise earlier, we held our tongues, didn’t we?”

“Mmmf.”

“So don’t go whining now that the situation is reversed. I’ll let go now.”

“Pwah. But Kaeld didn’t even try to insult Mide back then. You guys are insulting him right now.”

“Well, that’s because Kaeld was so obsessed with bragging, despite the mood. He brought this on himself.”

Lisel looked like she’d just been hit over the head with a hammer.

“…So you predicted this too, and showed Kaeld’s performance through Append View?”

“Hmm? Who knows?”

Neril shrugged, but to Lisel, it probably looked like a definitive yes.

Lisel turned sharply to me.

“…You totally played me.”

“This would be what mercenaries call ‘tripping over your own power,’ wouldn’t it?”

“You tripped me! I was a fool to compare you to Lord Grade.”

“Oh? You compared me to him?”

“I-I mean—just for a second!”

Even if it was brief, knowing how much Grade meant to her, I couldn’t help but smile.

When Lisel saw that, her face puffed into a pout.

And then it happened.

[She compared me to you? That feels… unpleasant.]

‘Trail? Your voice got deeper since last time.’

[Who’s Trail?]

‘Ah. Lord Grade. You’re still here?’

[You keep talking like you want me gone.]

‘Not at all. It’s just… you were giving off such a clear “I’m leaving now” aura earlier.’

No wonder Adwin had gone silent—he was still maintaining the necromancy.

‘Anyway, what’s there to be upset about? You said you and Lisel were over.’

[…]

‘So you do still have feelings for her.’

[Silence.]

Grade sighed lightly and changed the topic.

[Did you say Lisel’s traveling with a man named Kaeld now?]

‘Yes. Kaeld, the so-called Hero of the South, is currently in Lisel’s party. I’m pretty sure she saw some resemblance to you in him.’

Hmph. He clicked his tongue, clearly unimpressed.

[Her taste in people has gone downhill. She wasn’t like this 1,500 years ago.]

‘That’s rich, considering you haven’t even met Kaeld.’

[Everyone in this world is an idiot except me. If someone doesn’t choose me, it just proves they lack judgment.]

I was at a loss for words.

So I decided to defend Lisel a bit.

‘Can you blame her? You’re not around anymore. All she can do is find someone who reminds her of you.’

[Heh. Not bad with flattery. Alright, I’ll give you a tip.]

‘…A tip?’

[You’re still better than this Kaeld guy I haven’t even seen.]

He continued slowly.

[Go say this to the townsfolk: “Tonight, let’s eat and drink together! Let’s celebrate surviving this great disaster, and bless the future ahead!”]

‘…’

[That was one of my favourite lines when I was the hero. Lisel will love it.]

Ohhh.

I quickly turned to the townspeople and called out boldly.

“I’m truly glad you’re all safe!”

“It’s all thanks to you, Hero!”

“Tonight, let’s eat and drink together! To celebrate overcoming this great disaster! And to bless the future ahead!”

“Woooo! Long live the Hero!”

In that moment, Lisel’s gaze changed.

I quickly crossed my arms and struck the best pose I could.

Perfect. That should’ve sealed it.

After a brief pause, Lisel spoke up.

“That was so obviously a line from Lord Grade.”

“…”

“You really thought I wouldn’t notice? The necromancer’s spell is still glowing, you know.”

Normally, Lisel seemed airheaded, but even before the regression, she’d occasionally become sharp like this.

“…”

I glanced up at the sky, desperate for a response.

‘What do I do now?’

[Well then, I’ll be off.]

‘Wait! No!’

[Take good care of Lisel.]

‘…’

[See you again, my vassal.]

I raised my fist to the sky.

Vassal, my foot.

Then Trail’s voice piped up.

[Is he gone? He’s gone, right?]

‘Why do you vanish every time a hero shows up? What did you do?’

[Anyway, now that he’s gone, look at this.]

<Ding! You’ve gained 10,000 Fame Points.>

<Fame needed for next level: 40,760 / 100,000>

<Your name will now echo across the Tetra Territory.>

<Total Fame Points to be gained from this event: 15,000>

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

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

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

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

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

<Neril Slane sees you as “the greatest stroke of luck in her life.”>

<Xenia Side sees you as “a person with the warmest heart.”>

<Adwin Ayn sees you as “a brother-like figure.”>

<Offense Dake sees you as “a guy with hero-level cunning.”>

<Lisel Vint sees you as “a man very similar to Grade.”>

Ohho.

‘She sees me… as someone very similar to Grade, huh.’

“You said you briefly compared me to Grade earlier.”

That must have been the highest possible evaluation Lisel could give.

This was a huge development.

‘If things go well, we might be able to recruit her into our party this time. If not, at least get her to withdraw from Kaeld’s party.’

Shall I check right away?

I made my way through the noisy crowd and approached Lisel.

She had a sulky look on her face, but was startled when she noticed me standing right in front of her.

“Is something wrong?”

“On a day as good as this, you shouldn’t be making that kind of face.”

“Good for who?”

“For all of us, of course.”

“Not particularly for me……”

“Hmm.”

I shrugged.

“Wouldn’t you say it’s a good day for you too, Miss Lisel? After all, now there are two people who’ve offered to make you human. I’m sure Kaeld told you the same thing, didn’t he?”

“……”

“Think of it as your chances having increased. Staying positive is the key to a long life.”

Neril let out a soft chuckle.

“And just how much longer do you plan to live?”

“Wow.”

“What’s that supposed to mean? Xenia.”

“Just an exclamation.”

Then Lisel finally spoke.

“But in the end, there’s only one Hero, isn’t there?”

“Yes. Meaning either Kaeld or I lied. Who do you think it was, Miss Lisel?”

“……”

“You mentioned earlier that you compared me and Sir Grade. Have you ever compared Kaeld and Sir Grade?”

Lisel didn’t answer, but that silence was more decisive than any words.

“Join our party. You’ve been watching Kaeld so far—now it’s time you start watching me.”

Lisel hesitated for a while.

I waited patiently.

And that patience was rewarded.

“But then, Serein would be left alone.”

I was thoroughly pleased with her answer.

If she was worried about Serein being left alone, then unconsciously, she had already accepted my offer.

“If I leave the party too, Serein will be stuck with Kaeld alone. And I don’t think she particularly likes him.”

I widened my eyes.

“You noticed that?”

“Huh? You noticed too?”

From Lisel’s perspective, I must have been the more surprising one.

But she was right.

Even before and after regression, Serein had never openly gone against Kaeld.

But at times, I had sensed sharp edges hidden in her expressions and tone.

I took a moment to think.

‘Wait!’

A very good idea occurred to me.

‘Ah… but no, that won’t work.’

[Why? What is it?]

‘I was going to ask Lisel to persuade Serein and bring her over. But it’s too dangerous.’

I had a gut feeling—keeping Offense in Kaeld’s party any longer was dangerous.

And sending Lisel back there now might be just as risky.

Lisel’s heart had already tilted clearly in my direction.

‘The “Path to Becoming a Hero” could be a warning in itself.’

[It’ll be fine.]

‘No, it won’t. Can’t you tell?’

In my hand right now was the false Hero’s sword.

Kaeld had realized it was fake through the “Path to Becoming a Hero.”

And that sword didn’t contain Idria’s authority over space like the real one did.

Which meant—

‘That “Path to Becoming a Hero” might be something Idria shows people. Kaeld is probably being supported by the Demon King. That’s why sending Lisel back is dangerous.’

[It’ll be fine, I said.]

‘Huh?’

[Lisel can spirit-transform, remember? If she does that, even the Demon King wouldn’t be able to find her.]

I tilted my head.

‘And how do you know that?’

[You must’ve forgotten—I’ve devoted my life to killing Idria. You think I haven’t researched her?]

Now that I thought about it, that made sense.

If my theory is right, Trail’s true identity is that man.

[What man?]

Ignoring him, I turned to Lisel.

“In that case, how about you persuade Serein to join our party with you?”

“Huh?”

“You two seem close enough that Serein might listen if it’s you talking. I’m counting on you.”

“Wait, I haven’t agreed to anything yet.”

“There’s just one condition. Don’t go back to Kaeld.”

I said firmly.

“Don’t go back to Kaeld. Instead, spirit-transform and hide. In that state, neither Kaeld nor I can find you.”

“……”

“In the meantime, assign a spirit to Serein. You can share your senses through them, can’t you? Even if you’re far away.”

“How do you know that……”

“Because Magna Neros did the same. Anyway, with that ability, you can wait for a moment when Serein and Kaeld are separated and approach her then. I’m counting on you.”

“I keep telling you, I haven’t said I’d do it yet.”

“Sir Grade turned down the chance to meet you again.”

At my sudden remark, Lisel’s expression faltered.

I kept going.

“But I’m sure of it. He still hasn’t forgotten you. And I bet it’s the same for you, Miss Lisel.”

“…What are you even talking about? This conversation’s gone completely off track.”

“If you can persuade Serein to join our party within a month, I’ll try to persuade Sir Grade for you.”

“…!”

“Of course, as one of the living and one of the dead, being together forever is impossible—but if it’s Adwin, at least you two might be able to talk.”

Lisel stayed silent.

Then after a moment, she spoke.

“I’ll think about it.”

“Yes. That’s good enough for now.”

“Um, but…”

“Go ahead.”

Lisel hesitated before speaking.

“A month is too short. Give me five.”

I had to suppress a grin.

If she were going to turn me down, she wouldn’t be trying to negotiate the time limit.

“Hmm. How about two months?”

“Four.”

“Three.”

“…Fine. Three.”

Xenia whispered to Neril.

“Doesn’t this feel familiar somehow?”

“You shouldn’t be the one saying that.”

“Huh?”

“This is the same pattern from when you gave in to pheasant meat back in the Avis territory, you little pheasant brat.”

“That damn pheasant…”

And just like that, I managed to bring even Lisel into our party.

And if she really could convince Serein as well…

‘Then it won’t be long now.’

The day that guy ends up completely alone.

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