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My heart pounded. A strange sensation that could not be described in words.

The Holy Sword?

The only existence in this world that could be called a god.

Certainly, the presence before my eyes was not an ordinary being.

I had never felt this way, even when encountering the hero or the Overlord for the first time.

Rather than that, what did it mean by wanting to talk for a moment?

And where was this place? Was it not reality but some kind of mental space?

The being who referred to themselves as the Holy Sword seemed to be waiting for me to settle down my confusion.

I regained my composure and asked them immediately.

“Where am I?”

[It is my mental world. You are unconscious in reality.]

“Why have you summoned me here?”

[As I said, I wanted to have a brief conversation with you.]

“What kind of conversation…?”

[You must have many questions for me.]

Questions… Well, there were indeed many.

If I ask right now, would they tell me everything? Just like that?

[There isn’t much time for conversation.]

Upon hearing those words, I quickly collected myself and turned my head.

Whatever the case, the opportunity is here, and I need to get as many questions answered as possible now.

And the first question, of course, was.

“How much do you know about me?”

I’d been thinking about it for a while.

The Holy Sword, if they were indeed a god, they might be the only existence that knew the reason why I transmigrated in this world.

The Holy Sword replied.

[I know most of it. That you are an existence from a different world, the abilities you possess, and even your true nature.]

“…….!”

Was this real…

For the first time since I possessed this body, I met someone who knew my circumstances.

I calmed my mind and continued with the questions.

“In the world where I originally lived, this world, I mean…”

Did you know that this world was not reality, but a game?

I hesitated for a moment before asking.

If I say it’s a game, would they understand? How should I explain this?

[I have heard of the concept of a game. I haven’t seen it first hand, but I have a rough understanding of what it is.]

But it seemed like the Holy Sword already knew what I was trying to say, as it responded first.

They understood the concept of a game?

It was a strange response, but I let it pass for now. At least it meant they knew what I was trying to say.

“Then, this world is not a game but an existing reality. Is that correct?”

Unknowingly, I became anxious.

“If that’s the case, why was it a game in my world, and why did I get reincarnated into the body of a character in the game?”

This time, the Holy Sword paused before responding.

[That is a question for which there is no answer, and it is meaningless to answer.]

“What do you mean? You told me to ask if I had any questions…”

[I will answer, excluding anything related to your home world.]

If they’re not going to tell me the most important part, what’s the point?

In that instant, a sense of absurdity and annoyance surged within me, but I recalled the Holy Sword’s statement that there wasn’t much time for conversation.

“…Then when exactly will the Demon King be revived?” I asked.

[It could be as soon as tomorrow, as Aindel mentioned, or it could be years later.]

“I’m asking for the precise time.”

[That cannot be determined with certainty. However, it is a definite fact that it will be in the very near future.]

What good was this conversation if they couldn’t even answer that?

Feeling slightly disappointed, I pressed on with the next question.

Fine, if I had to ask anything other than Earth-related questions, the one I was most curious about was…

“Can my instant-kill ability also kill the Demon King?”

A question that had intrigued me since the very beginning, when I set the goal of stopping the Demon King.

Because I couldn’t be certain about it, I had been desperate to search for the hero and the Holy Sword.

[Yes.]

The answer came immediately.

[The power you possess can reach the Demon King. That much I can say for sure.]

“…”

I see.

So, even if Kaen failed in inheriting the Holy Sword, it wasn’t as if I would be left with no option at all.

I felt a strange sense of relief and a heavy weight on my heart at the same time.

What else should I ask…?

I lowered my head, lost in thought, and then turned to the Holy Sword and asked again.

“I want to know clearly what your purpose is.”

[The extermination of the demons, the stability and peace of this world. Aindel’s will is my will.]

“Then why don’t you stop the Demon King yourself? You’re such an incredible being, worthy of being hailed as a god…”

Perhaps it was a question that didn’t even need to be asked.

[Because this is the best course of action. I am not as omnipotent as you think.]

“Can you explain in more detail?”

[If I had the leisure, I would, but time is running out. This conversation ends here.]

Already? It felt like only a few minutes had passed.

“Just a moment, then the voice I heard when I was first arrived in this world…”

I tried to ask at least one more question in haste, but the form of the Holy Sword gradually blurred.

[The doubts you hold, the short exchange we had, they hold no meaning. However, the reason I called you here is that I sensed your destiny is undergoing a change for the first time.]

Slowly, my consciousness faded.

Like an echo, I heard the last words of the Holy Sword.

[There is no need to doubt whether you are walking the right path. You have not been wrong. Keep moving forward.]

***

When I came back to my senses, the space had reverted to the original inn room.

I blinked dazedly and was startled by the sight before me.

“…What are you two doing?”

Asher was exhaling aura as she drew her sword and aimed it at the hero, who appeared bewildered.

“Sir Ron!”

Asher turned to me and finally collected her energy, shouting.

The hero also looked at me, wearing a relieved expression for some reason.

“What’s going on, Asher?”

“Are you alright? You suddenly lost consciousness! And then the hero summoned the Holy Sword…”

The hero let out a sigh and asked, “Are you alright, Seventh Lord?”

“I’m fine. How long was I unconscious?”

“Less than a minute. What happened? Could it be… related to the Holy Sword?”

I nodded my head.

Finally, understanding the general situation, I gestured to Asher.

“Put away your sword, Asher. I didn’t lose consciousness because of the hero. I’m fine.”

Asher glanced at the hero briefly and obediently sheathed the sword.

Taking a deep breath, I massaged my forehead and organized my thoughts.

The hero seemed to be waiting for me to speak. I addressed her.

“…I had a conversation with the Holy Sword. That’s all. I don’t even know why the Holy Sword called me.”

“Can you tell me what you talked about?”

“Sorry, but it was somewhat personal. It’s difficult to explain in detail.”

It was a story that couldn’t be told to others, and even if I did, it would be incomprehensible.

I felt awkward about the possibility of the hero insisting on an answer, but fortunately, she didn’t inquire further.

“If the Holy Sword called only you, there must be a reason. I understand.”

I was about to say something more, but I gave up.

Originally, when I met the hero today, I intended to discuss new plans as well. However…

I shouldn’t have to question whether I’m on the right path…

What could that possibly mean?

The Demon King’s resurrection was imminent. Did that mean what we’re doing now isn’t a waste of time?

Ah, I don’t know…

In any case, the conversation ended vaguely like that afterward.

We have been in contact all this time, but the hero never asked me about the heir.

I could sense her thoughts. Was she still unwilling to talk about the succession of the Holy Sword?

I stood up and asked the hero next to me, “Are you going to meet the heir now?”

“Yes.”

The hero turned his gaze towards Asher, who was standing beside me.

She offered an apology once again to Asher, who still showed faint hostility, and took something out.

“I will give this item to her, Seventh Lord.”

It was a magical tool that we had been using to communicate all this time.

“It’s something I don’t need once I enter the Holy City.” (T/N: This is the ‘Eastern Castle’ from the last chapter. I think it’s more apt to use ‘Holy City’ based on the context of the story. (⌒_⌒;))

“Why? Shouldn’t we at least maintain minimal contact?”

“The barrier of the Holy City blocks all external energies, so this magical tool won’t work, either.”

I see.

The atmosphere was already uneasy as we were parting ways, and now the contact with the hero was completely severed. It left me feeling uneasy.

“Well then, I’ll go. I don’t know when, but I’ll recover as quickly as possible and find you first.”

“Alright…”

As the hero left, only Asher, and I remained in the room.

I absentmindedly stared at the table, and Asher spoke up.

“I will also return to the Lord’s castle immediately. Please don’t burden yourself, Sir Ron.”

I looked at her. I could sense her concern and worry in her eyes.

Feeling a momentary comfort amidst the complexity of my emotions, I smiled faintly.

“Before you leave, let’s have a meal together after a long time. I know a good restaurant in the city.”

“Yes? Oh, yes. Understood.”

***

After parting ways with the Seventh Lord, Aindel immediately went to find Kaen.

“Del! I was really sad, you know. You said you would come to see me as soon as I enrolled, but why haven’t you visited me even once?”

“I’m sorry. I’ve been busy during that time.”

“Well, if that’s the case, it can’t be helped. But why is Father still not here? I’m starving to death.”

Ben went grocery shopping so he could feed their guest in their new home in this city

Aindel smiled as she watched Kaen, who was tapping the table with an excited expression after their long-awaited reunion.

“How’s life at the academy? Did you make a lot of friends?”

“Haha, I already have four friends. We eat and train together every day.”

Aindel already knew how Kaen was doing, thanks to the information she received from the Seventh Lord, but she quietly listened to her story.

“Thank you so much for bringing me to the outside. These days are so much more enjoyable than when I lived in the mountains with my father.”

Aindel fell silent for a moment and softly asked Kaen.

“Kaen, what do you want to do after you finish studying at the academy?”

“Well, I don’t really have anything I particularly want to do. I have many friends, and I’m satisfied with the present.”

Kaen flicked her finger.

“Oh, Del, you want to pass down your sword to me, don’t you? Is that right?”

“……”

“Don’t worry. Thanks to you, I’m having a great time. Whatever Del desires, I’ll grant it.”

Aindel opened her mouth.

“Kaen, there’s something I haven’t told you.”

“Yes?”

“The act of inheriting my sword is not merely a simple gesture. It means that you will bear all the responsibilities and obligations I possess, including protecting and safeguarding others.”

“Responsibilities and obligations? What are those?”

“That means… protecting and guarding other people.”

Kaen tilted his head in confusion.

“That doesn’t seem too difficult, does it? Helping others is a natural thing to do.”

“It’s not that simple. If necessary, you must fulfill your responsibilities even if it means sacrificing everything you have. Kaen, it’s not just about the people who are precious to you, but also the ones you dislike or resent. It’s for the sake of everyone. Can you do that?”

“Hmm? Well…”

Caught in the suddenly serious atmosphere, Kaen hesitated, and then lowered her head.

“I don’t really know. How does Del handle such difficult tasks?”

A faint smile appeared on Aindel’s lips.

“That’s not something I can teach you. It’s a question you must find the answer to on your own.”

Creak.

The gazes of the two people sitting at the table simultaneously turned towards the entrance.

As the front door opened, Ben entered. The basket in his hands was filled with ingredients.

“I’m quite late. Sorry for keeping the guest waiting.”

“It’s not just a little late, Father. It’s incredibly late.”

“Enough. I’ll quickly show off my skills and serve the meal, so please keep our guest entertained a little longer.”

Chuckling, Ben disappeared into the kitchen.

Kaen stuck out her tongue at his retreating figure.

“Oh, so Del, about the conversation we just had…”

Aindel chuckled and shook her head.

“No, forget about that. Let’s eat when the meal is ready.”

***

In a dark, cold room, an old man stood silently, visibly worried about something.

Grandios, Emperor of the Santea Empire.

He was recalling a conversation from the past, not too long ago.

‘The movement of demons is unsettling. It wouldn’t be surprising if the world is soon engulfed in chaos.’

‘Your Majesty is not unaware of my physical condition. I have grown weak, and the resurrected Demon King will be even stronger than before. Yet, you don’t seem to know what should be prioritized.’

‘Do not test my patience any further. I have neither time nor peace of mind remaining.’

The warning of the hero who emerged from seclusion six months ago.

During that time, the emperor managed to evade the hero’s watchful eyes and attention to carry out many deeds.

But now, it had reached its limit.

If the hero had said so, then the calamity must not be far off.

Ironically, the emperor trusted and believed in a being that scorned and despised him more than anyone else.

“What should be prioritized…”

Though the preparations were not complete, it was time to witness the culmination of decades of work before it was too late.

“I have always had my eyes in one place, Hero. Only for us humans…”

The murmurs of the emperor dissipated into the darkness.