---

“If the Emperor I know is anything to go by, he wouldn’t make such a ridiculous mistake. Would he, Your Majesty?”

I sat down next to the Emperor and addressed her. A barrier magic had been cast to prevent the Imperial Knights from approaching, but those recognized as allies could simply pass through without any resistance.

In the meantime, a trivial argument, if you could even call it that, occurred between the Emperor and Isis, but from my position a step away, I could clearly see that Isis was a hundred percent right.

“Elysia….”

“Yes, Your Majesty. I mentioned it once before. I am both the blade of Goddess Serena and Your Majesty’s sword. I’m here to save you.”

“…You came at just the right time. Quickly, take Isis and get out of here.”

Yet the Emperor, seemingly still dazed, told me to abandon her. Naturally, I had no intention of complying with such a nonsensical request. I had thought simply saving the Emperor would be enough, but it seemed I needed to correct her absurd thoughts as well.

“Your Majesty, the Hero and the Empire’s greatest Great Wizard are in the same place. What on earth are you afraid of?”

Of course, the powers of Isis and I were limited, but surely we could manage to help her escape.

“…I can see quite a bit. I can see that you are sincere, and I also see your true identity, Zeno Frentz.”

At that moment, someone I never expected called out my name in a way I never could have anticipated. It would be a lie to say I wasn’t startled.

In fact, pondering it for just a moment, it wasn’t strange for the Emperor to know my identity. Even Lindy, just an informant, had recognized who I was, so with the Emperor’s information network, knowing my identity wasn’t too surprising.

“No, that’s not it, Frentz. I don’t even need the Empire’s intelligence to figure out your true identity.”

However, as I was lost in thought, the Emperor’s voice suddenly interrupted. It seemed as if she knew what I was thinking about.

“Didn’t I say it earlier? I can see it in my eyes. I can see what you’re thinking and what your true identity is.”

“Then really…?”

“Yes. Now you’re finally showing a face I can believe. What an interesting expression. So hurry and get the two of them out of here.”

The Emperor appeared flustered by Isis’s confession and my sudden appearance, but soon regained her composure and spoke.

“Still, shouldn’t we at least try one last desperate act?”

“Stop. This is just a meaningless repetition of arguments.”

Her voice, calm as if death was not right at her doorstep, only made me angrier.

“If you decide to leave here, something is bound to happen. In fact, it might even lead to greater harm. Whatever I’ve arranged could become useless. This is simply the end of your fate; try not to be too angry about it.”

“…Don’t make me laugh.”

It was only natural to get angry when one is angry. Even if the woman before me was the Emperor, I couldn’t hold back anymore. If she wouldn’t get angry, then I would have to express my anger from now on.

“Destiny, you say? Do you think it’s acceptable to accept the end of your lifespan as if it’s fate, just because of some foresight?”

I seized the Emperor by the collar and pulled her face close to mine, my voice roaring like a beast.

“I don’t know what kind of ‘fate’ you’re talking about, Your Majesty. But if you’re going to act like this, then I suppose I have no choice. You’ve made it quite clear that it’s your destiny to end here.”

Even at what I felt was the very end, she appeared remarkably calm in response to my rudeness.

“Yes. You’ve understood well. Then hurry….”

“Then that ‘fate’ you’re giving up, I shall take it for myself.”

Thus, I declared that I, despite my audacity, would steal from the Emperor of the Empire.

“Leave… What?”

“I’m saying that, under normal circumstances, I would have met my end as just an assassin. But because there was someone who held my hand until the very end, I’m now able to act like a Hero.”

It was Selian, who had held my hand time and time again through countless lives. If it weren’t for her, I would have faced a miserable end as a being who was not quite human. I may not have foresight like the Emperor, but I know very well that it was my original destiny.

“I suppose there’s no need to say any more since you know my identity. The greatest assassin on the continent, now becoming the greatest Great Hero—what reason do I have to hesitate? If you, Your Majesty, decide to give up your fate, then I shall steal it from you.”

I released my grip on her collar and instead raised the sword I held, stepping back from her.

“If you intend to discuss your end from now on, then my neck should be included in that conversation.”

Slowly, I moved away from the Emperor and approached the edge of the barrier, looking outside. The Imperial Knights were still swinging their swords, and the barrier magic seemed ready to give way, with cracks forming everywhere. It appeared that the infected ones here were the elite among the Imperial Knights, including the first, second, and third squad leaders, alongside several high-ranking knights whose faces I recognized.

Even if I couldn’t reach the level of a Sword Master, there were those who had at least stepped on the threshold. Given that many were present, it would be foolish for me to confront them head-on, even if I were to face them. I also had no intention of killing those under Glen’s control. Naturally, it was more difficult to subdue them than to kill them.

But because of that, I started to step outside the barrier and spoke to her.

“Your fate doesn’t end here.”

“From now on, I will be your fate.”

So I told her to sit there quietly and watch, as usual.

*

I had charged out with high spirits, but as expected, it was not an easy match. Perhaps because they were from the same squad, they had collaborated perfectly to become incredibly tricky opponents.

Unlike the other infected individuals I had met before, these ones seemed to have been particularly enhanced by Glen, as their strength and reaction times exceeded normal human limits. They kept their mouths shut but seemed to think in their own way.

If only they had decided to preserve the lives of the infected knights, the situation would have been far better than it was now, but with their obscure control over their powers, things were all the more difficult.

As I barely dodged blades being swung at me from both sides, I couldn’t help but ask myself once again.

Is it justifiable to strike them down?

But my answer remained the same.

No, it isn’t.

I couldn’t guarantee whether the infected could regain their original consciousness. Yet, if I showed half-hearted mercy, I might find myself in danger in this urgent situation. My life wasn’t the only one at stake, and if I thought rationally, then striking them down would be the right choice.

Rational.

What a convenient term to apply. In the past, as an assassin, I would have wielded my blade without hesitation based on rationality. After all, it was rational to avoid loss.

There was no need to feel guilty, nor could I be blamed for surviving as I promised my friends. I’d not only protect the Emperor, but even if I killed the knights under Glen’s control, no one would fault me for it.

But I declared.

That I would become a Hero in your stead.

This wasn’t a declaration towards the Goddess who bestowed the name of Hero upon me, nor was it towards the Holy Sword in my hand, nor was it meant for the people of the continent who placed their hopes on the Hero; it wasn’t a declaration for myself either.

It was for you.

For Selian, who had forsaken all rationality and pursued only the irrational for my sake.

Even if everyone in the world pursued rationality, the very being that would pursue the irrational is the Hero.

That is how I was saved by you.

Puhak!

One knight struck by my sword flew away weakly. Instead of getting up and charging again as before, he now fell limp as if all strength had left him.

Immediately, as if closing that gap, sharp swords lunged from three directions, but I simply twisted away with ease, sending them flying once more. This time, the knight I sent flying was someone I had seen before, the third squad leader of the Imperial Knights.

However, despite his clearly remarkable prowess and even enhanced physical abilities from Glen, he was taken down so feebly and fainted.

Today, I raised the Holy Sword once more, shining it brightly, and made a vow.

No matter how unreasonable or unavoidable my fate may be, I would never yield. That’s what it means to be a Hero.

Indeed. What I wish to show the Emperor isn’t just that I have the strength to protect her.

It is to prove that just as Selian saved my fate, I intend to save hers.

 

---