“…You don’t have to worry about what happened earlier.”

I said this to Lady Rubia.

Honestly, I knew that giving her some time alone would be best, but given the circumstances, there just wasn’t any other option.

Using the stigma repeatedly, combining it with that final blow to Bajar, had exhausted my divine power.

With all these issues compounding, my recovery efficiency was in the basement, which meant I had to stay in prolonged contact with my patient.

And as a result, there was Lady Rubia, laying on my lap, sniffling like a little kid.

Her face was as red as a tomato from shame.

If left alone, she looked like she might seriously bite her tongue and choose self-destruct mode.

“It’s not shameful to be in pain. No one’s going to laugh at you for that, you know.”

Given how loudly her cries echoed and with Siel’s shadow path still open, all our companions were quite aware of Lady Rubia’s plight.

I spoke gently, determined not to jolt her feelings any further, and even gave her shoulder a reassuring pat.

“No! That’s not what I meant at all!”

But Lady Rubia just sobbed more.

How upset must she have been? I could tell just by how she kept bringing up her invincible mana oath.

She, of all people, wouldn’t be ignorant of the gravity of a mana oath.

So I wondered if that misunderstanding from earlier was indeed genuine.

Yet, there was something about it that didn’t add up.

“Well then, why on earth did you order diapers…?”

If she wasn’t hurting, then why would she purchase those? My natural curiosity must have made her sweat bullets as she avoided my gaze.

“W-well, it’s because my father’s been feeling unwell…”

She threw in that she bought them for her sick father.

Now, since that came straight from Lady Rubia herself, I wanted to believe her completely, but…

‘That’s a bit odd, don’t you think?’

How could I not question it?

The message left by the staff had clearly stated that they were women’s adult-sized.

Why would she order something for her father that was meant for an adult female?

After pondering this for a moment, my face turned stern.

If she bought those products when she wasn’t even sick, there was only one logical thought that came to mind.

‘…that’s a uniquely specific preference.’

Baby play, huh.

I initially judged Lady Rubia to be the most normal one among us. Apparently, it seems I’m the only sane one left!

“I’m really worried about this. I should visit him sometime.”

Her father, having trusted his capable daughter and retired to a remote vacation spot, was once a fine man.

Suddenly, with just a few of her words, he was transformed into a frail, about-to-die old man.

No more could I let Lady Rubia be perceived as a bad daughter.

“Well, I see. I’m sorry for misunderstanding.”

With that, I had no choice but to wrap up this situation.

Did I genuinely communicate well? Her frown lifted from her face. Instead, not long after, she seemed to wear guilt instead.

…What can I say?

I honestly began to worry about which guy would end up taking her away. She’s a handful that someone would need to look after closely.

This line of thought kept spiraling further.

When I think about it, Siel, Lien, and Lucy—all of them have good natures, but they all have their quirks too.

Someday they’d surely meet someone and get married, but I can’t picture the kind of groom who could handle them.

‘Whoever he is, he’s going to have a rough time.’

Unless he’s some kind of superhuman, his physical and mental state is sure to take a hit. I had those thoughts lingering while I continued treating Lady Rubia.

…When suddenly, the sound of footsteps echoed out of nowhere.

I looked up to find a black-haired knight.

“Did you really think I’d go down that easily?”

The chilling voice sliced through the air.

An overwhelming murderous intent emanated from him.

Out of the blue, Bajar came charging at us with his sword drawn.

“You’re the ones who’ve tarnished honor first, so don’t think you can die peacefully.”

His eyes burned with hatred. With a frenzied laugh, Bajar swung his sword.

Thousands of sword lights surged toward us without giving us a second to dodge.

Blood gushed from Lady Rubia. Her life was snuffed out like a candle, rendering our whole rescue attempt meaningless.

Even with all my holy power and the stigma’s might, I couldn’t withstand that attack.

Just like that, everyone died.

…But it didn’t happen like that.

“How do you like this?! It’s got a certain charm, right?”

Bajar—or more accurately, the spirit possessing his body—boasted while laughing heartily.

“The work’s completely finished, my lord. Don’t worry; the original personality is completely obliterated.”

With Lucy’s cheerful words trailing after the fake Bajar, my expression brightened naturally.

Bringing Lucy on board was indeed a wise decision.

The blood-soaked scene from the sanctuary had made me hesitant to recruit a villainous character, but—

If I hadn’t brought her in, I would have regretted it my entire life.

Sure, dealing with souls and curses seemed ominous, but if she’s on our side, who cares?

What was mysterious power on our side would be considered sorcery on someone else’s!

“This… is definitely beyond what I expected.”

Bajar’s demise.

When news of that circulates, assuming it does, people will undoubtedly start suspecting Lady Rubia, who he visited last.

In the worst-case scenario, trying to kill one Swordmaster might lead to two others hunting us down like wild game.

This strategy was born out of that concern.

The vitality and spirit were misaligned, so he wouldn’t be nearly as powerful as the original, but besides that, it was just Bajar in the same state as before.

With Lucy’s earlier dramatics added into the mix…

“This will definitely work.”

A smile crept onto my face.

It was time to plant a spy in the Empire’s core.

*

The mansion was a disaster, and within the chaos hid a single unexpected visitor.

A man with yellow hair was holding his breath, desperately staring at the scene unfolding before him. His face was painted with shock.

‘Never thought I’d see something like this…’

When the Third Princess had ordered him to watch Bajar’s movements, he had thought it would be a waste of time, just some idiot messing around.

What kind of lowlife would betray a royal guardian? He figured observing wouldn’t yield any results.

Ranking third in the Empire’s secret intelligence—he was tasked with a laughable command to “keep an eye on things because something’s bothering me!”

But what unfolded before him was so shocking it erased any of those doubts.

‘The true identity of the Black Fangs’ leader, the newly manifested Hero, the death of a Swordmaster, and the spy plan utilizing a fake Bajar.’

Even for a career spy like him, who routinely faced shocking secrets, seeing what just happened was enough to leave him dumbstruck.

The Third Princess’s instincts surpassed all imagination.

Until now, he’d merely regarded her as a whimsical brat, but this was enough to flip that assessment on its head.

‘The Empire is going to crumble.’

The move she’d taken based on her intuition would lead to the Black Fangs’ total annihilation.

His hands trembled with excitement.

After quickly scaling back from the mansion to secure a safe distance, he sent a message to the princess.

Was the sky on his side?

This time the Third Princess received his contact almost instantly, much faster than usual.

The golden-haired girl appeared on the screen.

“I have an important report.”

He declared in a hurried tone.

These incidents he experienced firsthand held the power to change the Empire’s future.

What should he discuss first?

It was all too obvious.

While everything else was also significant, nothing compared to the revelation related to the Hero.

So the man said:

“The leader of the Black Fangs, a guy called Ian, is this generation’s Hero.”

…Or at least he intended to say.

“You seem to have misunderstood something.”

The Emperor’s voice resonated in response.

For a moment, everything in his mind spun.

He knew what this was about.

The restrictions imposed by the Empire’s intelligence department.

When he stumbled across secrets he absolutely shouldn’t touch, it was what followed.

But…

Why?

What exactly got caught up in those parameters?

This was undoubtedly a bullet that could pierce the heart of the Black Fangs.

So why would it be ensnared in those limitations?

“There’s no Hero named Ian.”

Hearing that, shock washed across his face.

This was a restriction imposed directly by the Emperor, meant to erase memories related to the legendary Heroes.

The most powerful, detailed, and intricate limitations set in place.

Alterations to the memories that were executed more thoroughly than on others.

…The Black Fangs’ leader hadn’t simply moved under the radar—he had already been detected.

That guy had known everything from the start and used an alias.

He touched the very restraints using a name identical to one from the legacy, aiming to manipulate things with the Emperor’s power to erase his own memory.

“There was never such a person.”

His thoughts blurred.

He couldn’t even remember what he was supposed to be thinking.

“Everything related to him is insignificant. Just forget about it.”

Ah! So that’s it.

How did I not realize this sooner?

None of this mattered.

The birth of the new Hero, Bajar’s death, the espionage plan— all trivialities.

So he just needed to forget it all.

[…What? Why did you stop talking?]

As he sat there with a dazed expression, he finally came to his senses, catching the Third Princess’s image on the screen.

[So what’s this important report of yours?]

The Third Princess asked with a frustrated expression, but it was him who was truly bemused.

“Important report? What do you mean, all of a sudden?”

How could he ramble on about an important report when he was the one who initiated contact? This absurdity was too ridiculous.

[…You little brat.]

That word marked the start of a series of utterly ear-piercing insults from the Third Princess as she unleashed her fury upon him just as whimsically as ever.

‘She makes me deal with her nonsense! Of course, she’d lash out at me to vent her embarrassment.’

The Third Princess was truly unreliable as always.

Though unable to defy a royal, he put on a performance of apologizing lightly.

But within, he firmly resolved.

He would share with his colleagues in intelligence that she was merely a rotten anchor.

‘In fact, the only one I can trust is the brilliant Second Prince.’