The day after the meeting, the royal delegation quietly left the palace without any special requests.
“Official feedback will be sent later.”
The general, who said this, appeared to have lost a lot of energy compared to his initial spirit. After the incident yesterday, he was on his way out of the inner palace after receiving treatment. Since Acella and Heike had no need to come out, I was the one who had to see them off.
“Travel safely, General. Especially when passing through the duchy. There’s bound to be rumors, and they might give you peanuts as a gift.”
“Duke Schwarzweiss. Such a tiresome connection.”
The general clicked his tongue and pressed down his fedora. He must have had frequent clashes in the border region between the empire and the kingdom.
“Originally, as a part of the delegation, I was supposed to maintain my composure until leaving the palace, no, until I left the empire.”
His tone softened as he requested a handshake from me.
“I will remember the favor you’ve given me, Doctor Gothberg.”
“That’s delightful to hear.”
I accepted his handshake without hesitation. It was a rough warrior’s hand.
“Don’t go telling others. This handshake was a personal request, not an official one.”
“Haha, I understand.”
So, the general wasn’t really a ruffian like he appeared at first. He likely had many things he shouldn’t have said since there were things of national interest to consider. Just like how Heike and Acella were acting calm compared to their usual selves.
“Goodness, the princesses don’t even come out to see me. This meeting was a complete failure.”
The general sighed deeply as he took out a cigarette. Just as he was about to cut the end with a cutter and light it, I snatched the cigarette away from him.
“This is a no-smoking area.”
“Goodness, the empire has such rules?”
“No, it’s my personal 20-meter radius. Smoking is a cause of various fatal diseases. If you want to live long, you should refrain.”
“That’s impossible. This is a premium product.”
“Just don’t regret it later.”
The general hesitated, shrugged, and put the cigarette pack back in his pocket.
“Certainly, the empire is different. This is my first time actually visiting. I never imagined healing spells would have advanced this much. It’s a whole world of difference.”
The general crossed his arms.
“Actually, several kingdoms have recently requested to establish diplomatic relations with the empire. Right now, we can only purchase the goods brought in by the Supre Trading Company at a mark-up. And it’s in small quantities. They’re paying taxes twice, and prices have tripled.”
“There seems to be demand then. After all, the kingdom’s confections are quite popular in the empire.”
“There are various things. Social circle attire, seeds of rare flowers, mainly high-end rare items.”
While mass-produced goods from the kingdom have decent quality, they can’t compare to the luxury goods from the empire. Even the pocket watch I received from my family is an expensive item.
“However, there’s one more item that has recently become trendy. Do you know what it is?”
“Well…”
“It’s the Gothberg pharmaceutical factory’s regular medicines.”
“Oh.”
Has it reached the kingdom too? I thought the current production levels could only cover certain imperial nobility territories and some areas.
“So I had heard your name before. I pretended not to know yesterday, though.”
“That’s not exactly good news. Those are distributed under expert supervision, although I did leave some warnings.”
“That’s what I heard. But it’s also true that patients who have actually experienced the effects are spreading the rumor. The kingdom is a free country; they don’t regulate things like that.”
“I think a review is necessary. I wouldn’t want my medicines treated as contraband.”
The general nodded, seemingly understanding my thoughts.
“I believe there will be opportunities soon. I’ll give you a little tip.”
He glanced around and whispered to me.
“If we can’t bring back leadership in forming the allied forces from this meeting, there’s a high possibility that His Majesty will draw other countries into the mix. The Kingdom of Law is already on the move.”
“What do you mean by drawing them in?”
“I suspect there will be a martial arts conference where all the countries of the continent compete.”
The general brought up an interesting term. Since it would be difficult to surpass the empire in terms of national power or resources, they intended to take the lead in international affairs by winning through an elite force.
“You know this, but until before the conquest war, the kingdom and the empire had similar levels of national strength. The kingdom is equipped with skilled adventurers who regularly face strong demons due to its proximity to the Intermediate Realm. It has the advantage in such a conference.”
“That makes sense. The enemies are demons and demonic races from the demon realm. The conference’s content will likely be tailored to that.”
“Only you should know this. It’s information I’m sharing as a thank you for saving my life. I trust you to keep this a secret from the princesses.”
“Hmmm.”
I tilted my head, responding to the general.
“You know that I am the betrothed of the third princess, right?”
Upon hearing my words, the general looked dumbfounded for a moment before finally replying.
“…Is that so?”
“Yes, it’s been a few years.”
“Damn.”
The general realized he had made a huge slip of the tongue and clicked his tongue.
After a moment, his eyes widened.
“Are you saying you’re the betrothed of the third princess?”
“Yes.”
“How in the world did you capture the heart of such a beauty… No, forget it. It was a slip of the tongue.”
The general shook his head, possibly realizing he shouldn’t say more and turned away from me.
What a rather careless, goofy guy he was.
*
“Ha!”
With a swift slash, the hellhound’s head was cleanly severed. Thud! The demon fell, and Lishe wiped the sweat from her forehead, relaxing.
“Perfect. There’s nothing more to say when it comes to mid-level demons.”
“Really? Ahaha, it’s all thanks to my master and the knights.”
After about ten days since embarking on the mid-level dungeon raid, Lishe was showing proficient skills.
“Only the final layer remains. The demon that owns the dungeon will appear. Be cautious.”
“Yes!”
If she can get through this, she can return to the palace. Lishe felt buoyed with hope.
‘I’ll finally be able to meet him.’
Although she was thankful to Tanya, who had taught her how to use her sword and staunchly stayed by her side during the dungeon raid, Lishe wanted to see Lars more than anyone.
A single word of praise from Lars was worth more than hundreds of compliments from Tanya or the knights.
Perhaps it was because he had been a figure she had long admired. Teacher Gothberg meant a lot to Lishe.
When he said he wouldn’t come along, she felt a little, no, quite a bit disappointed, but upon reflection, it was natural.
He is the attending physician and betrothed of the princess, so it made sense for him to pay less attention to her.
‘I promised the teacher.’
To become a true hero, fighting for the people of the continent. Just as Lars healed people from her hometown, she wanted to be someone who could positively impact others.
To do that, she needed to master the holy sword as if it were a part of her body. Lars was also continuing his research to help.
Lishe wanted to meet expectations.
“Hmm…”
However, looking at the brilliantly shining blade of the holy sword, which was completely clean despite just slaying a demon, made her feel a bit uneasy.
She shook off her mixed thoughts and pressed forward.
She moved smoothly to the next layer, understanding the intentions of the knights with subtle signals and gestures they had practiced together.
“Spotted.”
“Boss, cursed flame hound, advanced!”
A demon dog spewed living flames from its body and approached Lishe. The knights, forming a tactical formation, surrounded the dungeon’s master, preventing it from escaping.
“Ugh!”
“Wendel!”
A scream rang from behind. Lishe turned in surprise.
“There are two!”
There was another demon dog that attacked the knight. At the same time, the one they had been enclosing began to thrash around as well. Tanya, leading the charge, took on that one.
Lishe understood her role. She sprinted to help the knight who was in a perilous situation.
As the knight’s armor began to melt in the intense flames, and the sharp teeth were about to pierce his heart,
the distance was still a bit far. A desperate instinct urged Lishe to swing her sword faster.
“Haah―!”
The moment unfolded so quickly in the midst of combat that there were no witnesses.
The mark on Lishe’s left hand gleamed brightly.
The holy sword’s blade glimmered particularly in the darkness.
At that very moment, something hit Lishe’s mind.
—Bam!!
The hero, as if suspended in the air, closed the distance in an instant.
In the next moment, the holy sword she swung knocked the demon dog away from the knight.
“Gasp, Hero!”
The knight, who barely saved his life, exhaled in relief.
Then, the hero swiftly subdued the demon dog in a series of movements. Witnessing her capable combat prowess, hope ignited in the hearts of the knights.
She undoubtedly possessed amazing abilities, and they were certain that she was the one to save the continent.
—Boom!
The demon dog collapsed. On the other side, Tanya subdued another one.
“Deployment complete. Report any injuries to the doctor.”
The knights relaxed after the battle ended.
In the midst of it all, the hero stood as if she had reached a form of maturity.
The knights moved busily while gazing upon her in awe.
But her thoughts were.
Far elsewhere.
‘…Something feels different this time.’
The hero gripped the holy sword tighter, clenching her teeth.
‘It’s not the next cycle yet. It’s the timeframe when I met Lars who was with that wicked woman…’
The hero.
The “she” stored within the holy sword slowly surveyed her surroundings.
‘Tanya is here too. Her eyes look fine, and she’s young. Looks like the Demon King’s army isn’t here yet. Everything is different. Why? Where did it change?’
She pressed her temples, trying to organize her memories.
This always happens.
When she awakens in a new timeline, she feels confused.
She can only awaken when Lishe resonates with the holy sword.
But in every timeline, her experiences are stored within the holy sword.
The holy sword is a mystery that exists beyond time.
That’s why she has been repeating hellish battlefields, scenes of the world’s destruction hundreds of times.
Sometimes it hasn’t reached the point of destruction. She may have ended up without resonating with Lishe, or even in timelines where she didn’t get summoned at all.
Her mind was a jumble of fragmented memories. It was a mess.
Even so, she couldn’t choose not to fight each time she awakens.
If she—the hero—doesn’t fight, the world will perish.
Sometimes, it wasn’t during battle, like now.
‘…Lars.’
And every time, the only person who would talk to her, understanding her, was that healer.
“Hero, the raid is complete. Let’s return to the palace.”
Tanya spoke to the hero.
The hero paused for a moment, showing no response.
“Hero?”
She slowly lifted the corners of her mouth.
Desperately trying to pull out the memories of when she was Lishe long ago.
“Yes, I guess I let my guard down for a moment. Great job. Is there anything I can assist with?”
“Heh, just having your enthusiasm like this is enough. Let’s go.”
Tanya nodded.
‘This is my chance.’
Last time she woke up, she panicked at the sudden situation.
Looking at Tanya’s appearance, it seemed to be about five years before the invasion by the Demon King’s army.
‘If I can eliminate factors that will cause destruction ahead of time from now on…’
I can change the future, the hero thought.
‘First, that wicked woman.’
And.
‘Lars, I’d like to…’
Get closer to you…
The hero took a slow, deliberate step in her heavy boots, gradually lightening her step to bounce along as she followed behind Tanya.
*
“The dungeon raid team has returned.”
Bruno reported. It was the day Tanya and Lishe would come back.
I asked Acella not to come out of the main palace. Lishe insisted on checking on me first.
“Ah, Teacher! It’s been a while.”
Seeing me, Lishe greeted me cheerfully with a smile.
Gripping the sheath of the holy sword tightly, she appeared much more mature as a warrior.
“You look well. I heard about your exploits beforehand through the written reports.”
“Hehe, the knights worked hard.”
“Right now, I’ll be performing a check-up and a diagnosis, so I hope you’re okay with that.”
“Ah, yes.”
“But first, one thing.”
I gestured, and the waiting Moonlight Palace knights approached, putting handcuffs on Lishe.
Lishe looked up at me, startled by the sudden situation.
“T-Teacher?”
“If you sign a statement promising not to cause trouble, I will release you. I trust you will understand.”
“What trouble could I possibly cause…?”
“Hmm, should we reintroduce ourselves?”
I said to Lishe, no, to the hero of the holy sword.
“Pleased to meet you, Hero.”
The hero completely changed her demeanor and looked at me with a resentful expression.
“…How?”
―――――――――――
No. 010: Holy Sword Destruction 72% → 99%
No. 014: Unbinding 66% → 2%
―――――――――――
I’m sorry, but I couldn’t overlook that Lishe’s personality had changed.
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