Hestia’s past is barely mentioned in the original work.
What is known is simply that she is from the Dragona Empire and is being chased there.
Otto, her lover, was curious about this, but Hestia never revealed the details.
However, through her actions in the story, people could faintly understand why she was here.
It was to end this insane war as quickly as possible by any means necessary.
That was her ultimate purpose for coming here, and for that, Hestia dedicated herself to helping General Valenshtein, the key person holding that possibility.
In every battlefield, based on her immense magic power, she fought more actively than anyone else and worked hard to solidify Valenshtein’s position through insightful advice.
And decisively… after Valenshtein’s position stabilized, Hestia often encouraged him with her dangerous actions.
That incompetent being who doesn’t even grasp reality, essentially the source of all the ills that are causing the endless continuation of this war.
She suggested eliminating Emperor Sijip and having Valenshtein take real power to end the war.
A rebellious and dangerously disloyal statement.
Just uttering this could lead to her being branded a traitor and killed, yet Hestia consistently pinpointed the facts and actively advocated for it.
However, Valenshtein, whether due to his loyalty to the Empire or realistic risks, ultimately refused to accept this in the original work.
As a result, his choice only prolonged the tragedy of war and led Valenshtein himself, Hestia, and even the protagonist Otto to destruction.
Hestia, who foresaw reality faster than anyone else and did her best to prevent the impending tragedy, ultimately faced failure in the original work.
However, that was just the story within the original novel.
In the current reality where I am alive, her painstaking efforts finally bore fruit.
Valenshtein, undoubtedly encouraged by her, made the simplest choice to end the war…
Not sacrificing thousands of innocent lives, but taking down Emperor Sijip alone, naturally leading to a meeting at a time when the flames of war were not yet seriously spreading.
The effort of one woman who sought to minimize innocent suffering and end the tragedy was finally rewarded.
*
“To put it simply, this much will suffice.”
I explained, in a way that wouldn’t reveal my identity, what Hestia and the protagonist party had shown over time…
Specifically, I simplified the past actions of Hestia, Otto, and Valenshtein in the original work.
In response, Polena’s face began to display a rather complicated expression.
“…So, Mr. Santana values their efforts to end the war, is that what you mean?”
“Yeah, honestly, before Valenshtein rebelled, I thought I’d have to fight a major war too. I mean, who would actually like it if the war breaks out and people are sacrificed? Not just a few, but thousands and tens of thousands dying.”
“…That’s true…”
Polena nodded slowly, her face dark as she listened to me.
In that moment, I instinctively recognized what she was thinking through this rare expression I had seen just once before.
‘This face… It’s been a long time. She had that same look when we first met in Münhel, didn’t she?’
Back then, the citizens of Münhel had killed each other simply because of different religions.
Polena’s expression as she watched that scene was exactly the same as it was now.
Aside from all other reasons, it was the face of someone who couldn’t bear to witness a gruesome tragedy with their own eyes.
At this moment, Polena’s mind was likely occupied with thoughts of the current war, merely wearing a different guise, but in reality, perhaps even a greater tragedy than before, along with Hestia and her party’s efforts to prevent it.
Seeing her like that, I lightly patted her shoulder with a smile as usual.
“Anyway, for that reason, I hope nothing happens over there. That’s why I’m willing to actively help with this escort.”
“…I see…”
Polena replied with a slightly stiff voice.
Although I didn’t fully understand why she was reacting this way, I thought little of it.
‘I guess she’s probably a bit tired today… After all, she was in front of those powerful figures, so it must be expected…’
Thinking that, I smiled at Polena as she quietly stepped back, perhaps to rest after bowing to me.
*
In the room where Valenshtein and his party were staying, a heavy air of concern lingered regarding Santana’s story about the assassin who had come to deal with Hestia.
“Dammit… of all times…”
“Wouldn’t it be better to formally announce this? No matter how much of an assassin they are, this is the place where the continent’s power players have gathered. If everyone stays alert…”
“No, that’s not a good idea. Until we have a clear grasp of the situation, discussing that will only make things uncomfortable… It’s better to maintain minimal security as it is now.”
“Ugh…”
“Haah…”
The two expressed deep frustration in response to Hestia’s words.
To them, Hestia, whom they had been together with for over ten years, was not just a colleague but family.
The fact that she was in danger while they could do almost nothing was frustrating enough.
Just then, as they were feeling stuck and anxious…
-Knock, knock
“Who is it?”
A sudden knock interrupted.
Then, a soldier standing guard outside spoke cautiously.
“General Valenshtein, Mr. Santana has sent someone.”
“Mr. Santana? Let them in!”
He was one of the few people they could trust in the current situation.
Valenshtein ordered without much hesitation to open the door, but at the same time, a sense of unease began to flicker across Hestia’s face.
‘…Please don’t let it be…’
An image she didn’t want to think of in this situation.
However, the next moment, as the door opened, that anxiety became reality.
“Excuse me. I’m Polena, Mr. Santana’s maid and secretary. I’m here to escort Hestia for a moment, is that alright?”
“Hmm… About the escort?”
At those words, Valenshtein looked to Hestia as if to ask for her opinion.
However, Hestia concealed her tense expression as best as she could and nodded as if it was nothing.
“Then… I’ll be going.”
“Uh… Okay, do that.”
“Be careful.”
So, without any further words, Hestia went outside with Polena.
But this wasn’t because she had some comfortable feeling of trust.
‘Just now… If I had shown even a hint of suspicion, my head might have been taken off.’
The chilling murderous intent only Hestia could sense among the three.
She had no choice but to go outside, but at the same time, she couldn’t help but feel a sense of unease.
‘…But why is she dragging this out? If she wanted to kill me, she could have done it already, right?’
Honestly, this woman could have easily knocked out the soldiers and killed Hestia without opening the door.
Yet, the fact that she was going through this troublesome process made Hestia question it.
And a little later…
The place they finally arrived at was a small garden located on the outskirts of Westphalia Lord’s Castle.
There, Polena…
No, the Princess of Dragona Empire, Senel, spoke to Hestia in a calm voice.
“Let’s talk.”
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