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“Yes, thank you.”

As soon as I opened my eyes, hearing the knock, I sprang from my seat and sent the dormitory instructor away. Even the instructor, who had come to inform me about the entrance ceremony, looked flustered.

After sending the instructor off, Selian took out the communication device she had prepared to contact her family before getting ready to go out for the entrance ceremony.

I didn’t particularly like asking for help from my family or house, so I had hardly used this communication device in my previous life unless it was something special, but this time I needed the assistance of my house.

– What brings you here, young lady?

I heard the voice of the head butler, who took care of all matters of the house. However, no matter how powerful the head butler’s authority was, what I was about to say wasn’t suitable for him.

“Please connect me to my father.”

– The Lord is currently in the midst of the monthly family council meeting…

Judging by the background visible behind the butler and his muted response, it seemed he had secretly slipped out during a meeting to take my call.

“It’s urgent. Bring him here immediately.”

However, for Selian, that family council meeting was of no importance whatsoever.

Thus, her expression and voice were filled with more seriousness than usual.

The head butler sensed that something serious was happening.

He had been working for the family since before Selian was born, witnessing her grow into a fine young lady from when she was just an infant. The kind and gentle Selian had never shown such a firm attitude before, not even once.

Thus, instead of arguing further, the butler realized the urgency of her words and headed straight for the meeting room of the family.

Selian’s father, Lucas, finally appeared on the communication device, and she calmly unraveled the words she had prepared one by one.

The fact that she was being targeted by an assassin group, where their base was located, and so on…

Lucas knew his daughter was not lying, yet the details were hard to believe. Of course, being a high-ranking noble himself, he wasn’t shocked by the mention of assassins.

However, Selian was meant to be a hero. The fact that other humans, not just demonic races, were after her life was something he could not fathom. To betray humanity for her own gain was beyond his imagination.

Even if he considered himself to be somewhat moderate among nobles, this issue had crossed a line.

Thus, as soon as he finished the communication with Selian, he sprang from his seat and issued commands.

He left only the minimum force required to protect the territory during the ambush, summoning the most exceptional knights and soldiers amongst them.

Of course, he did not explain the reason for the gathering to anyone.

The people participating in the family council were those he trusted, so there was no need for discretion. But his subordinates were different.

Though they were reliable citizens of the territory, he could not rule out the possibility that even a slight conversation might leak outside, potentially tipping off the assassins.

Thus, he merely communicated that it was a nighttime operation while keeping the details of the plan secret.

However, the gathered knights and soldiers could only notice that something was amiss with the news that the lord himself would be joining.

*

Without even stopping at the nearby city of Defel, they intentionally took the paths where people rarely wandered and climbed partway up the mountain.

Indeed, as Selian had previously described, the hideout of the Assassin Guild came into view at a distance.

Just a plain, ordinary shack that looked like it belonged to a hunter living in the area. However, the half-damaged chimney and the towering conifer tree next to the shack matched exactly what Selian had described, leaving no doubt that this was indeed the assassin’s hideout.

Yet, Lucas had one question in mind—how did Selian know all of this?

Even amidst the flames of rage, Lucas maintained a cold and composed demeanor in his heart. As such, he began to think through the details.

She might have stumbled upon information concerning an assassination. From that, she could have deduced who the assassin was and where the guild was located.

However, knowing the location of an assassin guild’s hideout, its operating methods, and how to approach it without being detected were intricacies that seemed too far-fetched to have been learned by mere chance.

Even the thickets where he and his subordinates were hiding were the same. It would be hard for the assassin’s hideout to detect them as it was difficult for them to observe this side.

There was no way to find such places without physically searching for them.

Nevertheless, Lucas set aside his questions and refrained from asking Selian. No matter how young she appeared, she was now a proper lady, a noble, and a hero, after all.

Of course, even if he were to ask, Selian would not provide an answer, and she would never imagine she had regressed, leaving the mystery as a lingering curiosity for him.

As the sun began to set and the moon rose, shrouding the mountainside in darkness, Lucas realized the time had come and signaled his subordinates quietly.

No matter how stealthily they tried to move, with so many soldiers on the move, they couldn’t help but make noise.

Thus, the soldiers surrounded the area, taking only the finest knights with Lucas as they headed toward the hideout.

After all, the opponents were mere assassins.

They were terrifying only while hiding in the darkness; now that their position was uncovered, they were inferior beings too pathetic to even brandish a weapon.

Of course, there might be a few among them who would be somewhat capable of putting up a fight and might even inflict some wounds.

But that was no concern. Lucas was prepared to accept any sort of injury.

He needed to show these traitors, who aimed to harm heroes, what true fear was. He had to wield his sword with the mindset of confronting demonic races rather than just humans.

No, in truth, Lucas knew that the hero and humanity were merely excuses.

Yes. This was simply a way to vent his anger over the fact that an assassin dared to target his daughter.

Because that’s what fathers do.

*

“Thank you, father.”

The next day, welcoming the father who had come directly to the academy, I received the item I had emphasized so much. While it could have been delivered by an underling since it was merely a piece of paper, Selian insisted that her father hand it over herself.

This was because this paper was far more important than anything else.

“No. Although it has only been a short time since you sent me to the academy, I am delighted to see your healthy face again.”

In fact, it had been quite a while since Selian had seen her father’s face.

In her first life, he had set out on a journey to defeat the Demon King, and in the subsequent second and third lives, she hadn’t even returned home during breaks while pursuing the assassin guild that had targeted her, only keeping in contact through the communication device.

Thus, it had truly been a long time since they last faced each other.

Yet, rather than her father appearing older upon their reunion, he looked even younger than the last time she had seen him, causing her to chuckle softly.

The relief from finally resolving all worries returned a smile to her daily life.

“Hoho. If you have anything to ask of me, do not hesitate to contact me, and be sure to show your face during breaks.”

Unaware of what thoughts were making her smile, Lucas, delighted that his daughter was smiling at him, spoke in a loud voice before promptly turning to get back on the carriage.

Lucas thought this was the appropriate time to show the image of a reliable father to his innocent daughter. He believed this would ensure she would respect him in the future.

Of course, for Selian, who had already experienced both the bitter and sweet aspects of life, it was a rather absurd notion.

After welcoming Lucas back as he returned to the carriage, Selian closely embraced the scroll she had received, not wanting to drop it as she returned to her room.

Confirming that the door was locked and the curtains of the window were drawn, Selian slowly unfolded the scroll.

This was the Master-Servant Mark contract scroll binding Elysia. The Assassin Guild had used it to force Elysia to act. Such an item should never exist.

Thus, holding the scroll in one hand, Selian slowly lifted a candle with her other, lighting it.

Though the scroll was designed to resist some level of fire, it still had its limits. Beginning to burn from the edge, the scroll gradually caught fire and blazed up.

Even while it burned down to nothing but a pile of char, it still retained its shape, resembling the charred scroll she had seen in her first life.

With this, the binding over Elysia had vanished. In the morning, she had casually checked up on Elysia and discovered that she had indeed gone to the hideout after the attack last night.

She would likely also be aware that the Assassin Guild, which had been controlling her, was no more. The Master-Servant Mark that had once been etched on her body would have disappeared as well.

No longer was there anyone binding her, and the assassins targeting her life no longer existed.

Now, she could once again approach Elysia.

*

Selian had done everything for her. From food to clothing, sleep, everything was arranged so that it could be the best for her.

Of course, to prevent her from feeling burdened, everything was done under the name of the family as she presented herself as her sponsor through the academy. Although she had considered other options in case Elysia refused the sponsorship, fortunately, such needs did not arise.

The regained daily life was filled with happiness day after day, and she was able to reconnect with friends other than Elysia again.

Anne and Yuli.

In her second and third lives, she had kept her distance from these two friends, so they were truly refreshing faces after such a long time.

As these joyful times flowed on, she again set off on the promised journey to defeat the Demon King.

This time, it was an adventure where everyone would be together, unlike her first life.

Anne agreed without hesitation, leaving all family matters to her mother and younger brother, and Yuli, who had closely helped her, even though there were some concerns, had a skill level that was somewhat acceptable.

Saint Mariel, unlike in her first life, had a bright expression on her face. Thinking back to her first life, Selian felt she had done something terrible to Mariel.

Her own abilities had become significantly stronger compared to before, and the overall power of the party was incomparable to what it used to be.

Even Elysia, shaking off the shackles of the assassin’s grip, began to spread her wings. Seeing her talent shined so brightly that attracted attention, Selian, being a Sword Master herself, began to help her, and in just a couple of years, she too reached the level of Sword Master.

Now, there was nothing to hold her back. Even if it was Glen, the Four Heavenly King who had once killed her, she felt confident she could overcome him with her current strength.

In fact, Selian’s party had defeated Glen, and one by one, they took down the other Four Heavenly Kings, leaving only the final Demon King.

“Now there’s only the Demon King left.”

Just moments earlier, after the battle, Anne was sprawled out, gasping for breath, and Yuli, with her lesser skills, was handing her a water bottle, while Mariel, always playing the role of the eldest sister and mother, was checking if both of them were unhurt and casting a healing spell unnecessarily.

“Indeed. This has truly been a long… a very long adventure.”

For Elysia, it was an unknown journey that only she comprehended, and it felt incredibly extensive.

Once they defeated the Demon King, peace would finally arrive on the continent. After all the hardship, she could cast it all aside and spend joyful days with her friends.

However…. that was still too early an assumption.

“Damn…. I can’t believe I fell into a trap…”

It was a trap set by the demonic race. Even when acting cautiously, if one doesn’t know, they will inevitably fall for it, as it was designed that way.

The chase had already closed in on them. The party was exhausted, and if they continued like this, they would surely face annihilation.

Surely, before long, even the place where they were hiding would be discovered. While they might manage to take down a few of the rushing demons, in the end, they would be the ones collapsing.

But… they could not allow that to happen. If the hero and the saint fell, there would be no future for the continent.

Thus, Elysia slowly rose from among the resting party.

“E…?”

Seeing Elysia suddenly act alone, Selian called out to her. However, upon seeing Elysia’s silence, Selian felt an inexplicable sense of worry. Somehow, her figure reminded her of the girl from long ago…

“Could it be… No, right…?”

“If we stay like this, everyone will die.”

But the reply that came back from Elysia shattered Selian’s hopes. Her eyes held a determination that indicated she was prepared for something.

“Such…!”

Trying to stop Elysia, Selian attempted to stand but stumbled and collapsed to the floor.

Her vision blurred, and her body refused to respond.

Looking around, she saw that Anne, Yuli, and Mariel were all collapsed on the ground. Breathing deeply, they appeared as if they were merely sleeping.

“Of course, it’s Selian. Is it because she’s a hero, or because she’s a Sword Master… one of the most potent sleeping drafts from what I learned back then, and she’s still conscious.”

“How… can… this…”

“Don’t worry about being found where we are now. This is a temporary hideout that I’ve recalled from memory and enhanced to make it more secure.”

Of course, it was just a stopgap solution that would probably be quickly discovered if someone tried to search for it.

That’s why she would sacrifice herself. She would divert the demons’ attention away from this spot.

Later, even if Selian and the others noticed their absence and began searching, by then, they would be long gone, having awakened from their slumber and fled.

“Don’t… go…”

Naturally, Selian realized Elysia’s plan. However, as she tried to stop her, her words were caught in a wave of drowsiness, preventing her from forming complete sentences.

“…Goodbye.”

Thinking a lengthy farewell would make it even harder to leave, Elysia bid a brief farewell and turned her back. She couldn’t bear to look at Selian’s face any longer.

“Ely…!”

The last strength Selian squeezed out was spent calling after Elysia, catching a glimpse of Elysia’s back as she dashed away.

That was the last time Selian saw her alive in her fourth life.

 

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