"Everyone's here."

The meeting room was filled solely with the members of the warrior party.

The saint, Arsil, with her robes tattered and scorched.

The magician, Tigria, whose robe's hem was similarly shredded.

In contrast, the archer Naidrian was impeccably dressed.

And finally, the Shield Knight, Reinhold, clad in his gleaming golden armor.

The warrior party had gathered without its warrior.

More accurately, the warrior and the porter were absent.

"This seems to be a classified matter, yet the messenger seemed to know quite a bit about it."

"That's because the information was uncontrollable."

Naidrian, who was typically more vocal when only the warrior party was present, was the first to speak. Reinhold, running a hand through his magnificent blond hair, responded, though the furrowed brows indicated his irritation. Even so, Naidrian didn't appreciate his natural tendency to speak down to her. Since the defeat of the Demon King, there had been no trace of the gentleness Reinhold once showed.

"A demon attack on Waltercrua, so publicly—word spreading is inevitable."

"You said Arsil and Tigria encountered demons as well?"

Emboldened by the elder's support, Naidrian was surprisingly assertive. Reinhold glanced at her, somewhat impressed, but said nothing. Meanwhile, Arsil felt a pang of disappointment. Not a single word of concern was directed at her or Tigria, despite the visible evidence of their struggles. If it had been Luciena, she would have asked immediately if they were okay.

But Arsil knew she had no right to expect such concern. Even if they had valid reasons, they had excluded a comrade, and it was hypocritical of her to expect any kindness now.

"I'd like a detailed explanation. Quickly and concisely."

"Understood."

Tigria, following Reinhold's request, recounted the events in order. They had encountered the blue-skinned demon, the Spearman Salome, who claimed to be part of the Demon King's Party, on their way from Epheltre to Waltercrua. After being soundly defeated, they arrived at Waltercrua only to find it under attack by the illusionist. Tigria then shared Arsil's conversation with Ravin.

However, Tigria deliberately omitted any mention of the porter, who seemed to be unexpectedly central to the events. She carefully avoided mentioning Salome's comments about Lin or her own suspicions that Lin had deep ties with both Arsil and Ravin.

"The warrior has gone to the Zramun Archipelago..."

"Given the circumstances, it's likely that Luciena was indeed in Waltercrua, and the illusionist from the Demon King's Party attacked to target her, don't you think?"

Although it wasn't entirely accurate, Naidrian's theory was the most plausible explanation the warrior party could come up with.

"Luciena and the Waltercrua guilds must have fought the demons together. After the illusionist retreated, Luciena probably made sure her destination would be known."

"Ha, what the hell is that kid thinking?"

Arsil cracked her knuckles in frustration but couldn't think of anything. She wasn't used to this kind of strategic thinking.

"Isn't it obvious? She's luring us in. Probably wants to settle a score."

"A grudge...?"

"Why are you pretending to be troubled? Luciena Estelle has always shown extremely dangerous behavior. She had to be dealt with. Everyone agreed on that."

As if a flimsy rationalization could cover the truth.

Arsil was annoyed with Reinhold but also felt anxious. She couldn't shake the image of Ravin laughing when she asked about Lin.

"But why the Zramun Archipelago?"

"If she wants to fight us, it makes sense to do it somewhere that won't cause massive collateral damage. She's probably waiting on an uninhabited island in the archipelago."

Once again, it was a reasonable guess. Despite her rough edges, Luciena was someone who cared about her surroundings—except when it came to the porter.

Had she always been this sharp? Reinhold was quietly impressed with Naidrian. Although he would never admit it, as a scholar, Naidrian had a mind far superior to his when it came to pure academic knowledge. But Tigria stepped in to refute the theory.

"That's not it."

"You sound certain. What's your reasoning?"

Reinhold's question made Tigria hesitate briefly. It wasn't something she wanted to bring up, but there was no choice.

"The Zramun Archipelago is where the Demon Sword is sealed."

"The Demon Sword?!"

The mention of such an evil item made Arsil react sharply.

"This is the first I've heard of a Demon Sword being sealed in the Zramun Archipelago."

"Unless you're well-versed in history and scripture, you wouldn't know."

"Explain in detail."

"..."

"Tigria, I'm asking for an explanation."

Reinhold's authoritative tone was intended to pressure her, but Tigria wasn't someone who would tremble at such shallow intimidation. Her silence stretched on longer than usual.

'If only Lin were here...'

Perhaps if Lin, who knew her secrets, were by her side, she wouldn't feel this strange fear. Suddenly, she missed Lin.

Clinging to that longing, Tigria finally spoke with difficulty.

"The greatest achievement of the second warrior. They took the Demon Sword from the Demon King and sealed it in the Zramun Archipelago, which was celebrated by all. But a jealous thief in the party spread a rumor that the second warrior intended to use the Demon Sword to rule humanity. The other party members sided with the thief, and the second warrior was captured and executed."

"..."

"And the rest is history, as everyone knows."

What she revealed was lost history.

A story of a warrior party's betrayal, even Reinhold was left speechless. Only Naidrian, freshly scolded by the elder, had the courage to speak.

"I understand that the Demon Sword is there. But how is that connected to Luciena?"

"Demons are a species born from humans who are consumed by negative emotions and extreme pressure."

The world calls that process "corruption."

"The same goes for the Demon Sword."

The revelation was so shocking that everyone except the magician felt chills down their spines.

"The Demon Sword was originally the Holy Sword."

"When? What you're saying doesn't make sense. The second warrior sealed the Demon Sword. So when did the Holy Sword become corrupted, and what about the Holy Sword Luciena has been using? None of this adds up!"

"The first warrior."

What she said was like a punch to the gut.

Reinhold tried to argue but was only met with more shocking truths.

"The first warrior is the one I respect the most. She was the one who first alerted humanity to the existence of demons and charged alone at the advancing demon army, stopping them at the cost of her life. She was the solitary warrior."

"The first warrior didn't die. Or rather, she didn't die then."

"What?"

"She stopped the demon army, but the demons took her, mortally wounded, and retreated. The Demon God personally tortured and corrupted her."

"A warrior, corrupted?!"

"Why are you so surprised? Even you suggested in a previous meeting that Luciena Estelle might be corrupted."

But that was all political theater.

Reinhold, now forced to confront his past arguments, struggled to conceal his discomfort.

"Fine, so the Holy Sword became the Demon Sword when the warrior was corrupted?"

"Yes, but because the Demon God personally corrupted a human warrior, the Goddess reforged the Holy Sword and bestowed it upon the second warrior."

"If what you're saying is true history, then where is this corrupted first warrior now? What has she been doing?"

"She's dead."

"When, where, how?"

Tigria counted on her fingers.

"Two months and one week ago. In the Demon Realm."

Arsil wanted to silence her. Naidrian covered her mouth in shock, and Reinhold bit his lip hard enough to draw blood.

Why is it always the magician who delivers the unpleasant truths?

"She was killed by us—by our warrior party, led by Luciena Estelle."

The Demon King was the first warrior.

"And to get back to the point, because the Demon Sword was originally the Holy Sword, it might be used to enhance the current Holy Sword. This is just speculation. I haven't tested it."

With that final, devastating blow, everyone except Tigria held their heads in their hands.

Naidrian gathered her armor and bow.

She packed specialized arrows into her quiver and, true to her nature as a plant scholar, placed several small vials into her inventory.

"You're going?"

"Yes, Elder."

"This time, you must erase the demons from this world and prevent the extinction of our elves."

"I will succeed."

"Did you remind the Crown Princess and the Shield Knight of our contract?"

"Yes."

Naidrian nodded and repeated what she had said to Reinhold in the meeting.

"If we secure the warrior, Luciena Estelle, and eliminate the threats to the world, including the demons, they will provide us with a vast forest to replace the shrinking Elven forest."

"That's right. If things continue as they are, our extinction is inevitable."

"I understand."

"The survival of our race rests on your shoulders, Naidrian!"

Once again, the heavy burden pressed down on her.

But Naidrian had to endure.

The fate of the elves depended on her.

"I'll be back."

"Make sure you complete the mission and return alive."

The elder's wish for her safe return was likely due to her political value.

Pushing aside her bitterness, Naidrian made her way to the square in front of the palace.

"Saintess, this journey is crucial to the honor of the Goddess and the Church."

"I get it, so stop babbling! You’d better keep your end of the deal with the Empire."

"We're always mindful of that contract."

"Then go ahead and recite it to me. The terms of our contract."

What kind of saintess is so selfish?

But the cardinal, recognizing his own political ambitions, maintained a facade of calm.

"The Empire and the Church agreed that if you secure the warrior and eliminate the threats to the world, including the demons, we would establish an academy in your birthplace, the Gutter District, and appoint you as its headmaster."

"You forgot the details. The Empire would provide all the funding for the academy, and the Church would bless and baptize everyone in the Gutter District. And then, I would step down as Saintess."

Without that last condition, this absurd contract would never have been made.

She agreed to step down once it was all over, so there was no reason to refuse.

Of course, whether the contract would actually be fulfilled was another matter.

"Hey, Cardinal. How's the Gutter District doing? You've been keeping an eye on it, right? Making sure no one’s spreading rumors that I’m from there?"

She slyly tried to confirm Lin's presence, but the Cardinal feigned ignorance.

"There’s been no such blasphemy."

"...I see."

Since the district was essentially wiped out, there was no one left to spread any rumors.

Smirking at the clueless Saintess, the Cardinal sent her off.

"May the Goddess's blessing be with you."

"That's rich coming from me, the one who grants it."

After packing her things into her inventory, Arsil headed for the square.

Did she know?

That the power to bestow that blessing was forcibly obtained at the cost of her entire past?

Surprisingly, the magician was with the Shield Knight.

"Are you really going to watch?"

"That's the terms of our contract."

"Hmm."

Despite his experience, Reinhold still found Tigria unsettling.

"If you want to study true love, why does it have to be me?"

"Because the affection you show the Crown Princess feels genuine. All the love I've seen so far has been fake, driven by political, material gain, or sexual desire. So you and the Crown Princess are the ideal model for my research."

Tigria was frustrated because Reinhold had agreed to the research but had hardly shown her any interaction between him and the Crown Princess.

They always met in private, making it difficult for Tigria to study true love.

"I'm not the one to say this, but is your research really worth betraying the warrior?"

"That's a foolish question. The collapse of the second warrior's party and kingdom was due to betrayal driven by lust, not true love. As a magician who seeks truth, I cannot pass up this research topic."

"Is there another motive?"

"No. However, if my research doesn't progress, I might have to find another model. You still need my assistance, so I suggest you cooperate."

"I’ll keep that in mind."

Reinhold, shuddering, distanced himself from the magician.

He went directly to Linacien, who was waiting for him.

"Be careful, Morgan."

"To protect the peace of this world, I absolutely cannot die."

There wasn't a trace of falsehood in his conviction.

His wish to be the protector of the world was pure and unwavering.

As he embraced him, the Crown Princess whispered.

"I'm afraid."

"Of what?"

"That this ordeal we’re facing is a punishment from the Goddess for harming the warrior."

Like the incident with the second warrior.

She bit back the words, but Reinhold understood.

He smiled gently and cupped her chin.

"There's no need to worry. The warrior, in her ignorance, acted recklessly and became a potential threat to the world. The Goddess was angered by her injustice and corruption, not by her personal situation."

No one knew.

What deal he made to become the world's protector.

Even if the Goddess condemned him, he was confident in defending his sense of justice. And if she tried to destroy it, he had the power to resist.

That person made it possible.

Linacien, oblivious to it all, smiled back at him.

"That's one way to look at it. I'm sorry. I guess I'm still not fully prepared... Mmph!"

He couldn't resist.

He couldn't hold back from kissing this noblewoman, who somehow felt out of place but was still so alluring.

Now, this is a woman.

So much better than someone like Luciena Estelle, who was only good for batting her eyelashes.

As they shared a respectful yet greedy kiss, Reinhold felt his heart race.

But nearby, observing them, the magician tilted her head in confusion.

"It’s true love. Yet, the air around them feels distorted."

Even though she was finally able to conduct the research she wanted, she wasn’t satisfied.

There were only more questions.

"I need to see Lin soon."

That was the conclusion Tigria reached.

"Wooooaaaahhh!!!!"

The people cheered.

"What a spectacle."

"Let’s hope we can see this again after we rid the world of evil."

The nobles acted refined.

"The Healer of the Warrior Party! Saintess Arsil!"

The massive gates of the palace opened, and the Saintess emerged.

Dressed in a rough, simple robe, her brown bobbed hair shining with confidence.

"The Archer of the Warrior Party! The Elf, Naidrian!"

The green-haired archer strode forward without hesitation.

Her neatly braided hair swayed with each step.

"The Magician of the Warrior Party! The Arcane Scholar, Tigria!"

The magician in a black robe.

Holding an ordinary staff, but people were fascinated by her violet hair that floated slightly in the air.

"The Shield Knight of the Warrior Party! Sir Morgan Reinhold!"

Finally, the golden-haired young man.

The Shield Knight, with his gentle expression and solid build, appeared in full armor, carrying a large shield.

The warrior party advanced without looking at each other or glancing back.

"Wooooaaaahhh!!!!"

The cheers grew louder as the warrior party assembled.

While the other members remained tense, Reinhold alone enjoyed the applause.

The central nobles, along with the Crown Princess and other royals, followed them out to the square but remained silent.

Today, the warrior party was the focus.

In the face of their noble duty, there was no room for social status or authority.

However, they couldn’t pass up this golden opportunity to capture the public’s attention.

When Reinhold thought they had walked far enough, he suddenly stopped.

As their de facto leader halted, the rest of the party naturally did the same.

Reinhold gazed at the sky with a melancholic expression before slowly turning to look at the Crown Princess.

Her eyes met his, and they were already brimming with tears.

"Morgan... May fortune be with you."

The Crown Princess's voice echoed through the now-silent square.

Though small, her heartfelt words reached the ears of all and moved many to tears.

Only then did Reinhold smile and nod in acknowledgment.

"Let’s go."

With a determined look, he led the way once more.

The warrior party, led by Reinhold.

But a warrior party without its warrior.

They embarked on their journey to eradicate the threats to the world.

And their first objective was to secure the warrior, Luciena Estelle.

Everyone, from royalty to nobles to commoners, wished with all their hearts that they would find and rescue the warrior.

No one noticed that the porter had disappeared from the warrior party as well.