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Selian, who was starting over once again, fell into deep contemplation this time.

She couldn’t just overlook those in trouble, and even risked her own life to protect her friends.

Being kind isn’t a bad thing. However, for Selian, Elysia’s willingness to risk her life was something she could never allow.

How much had Selian been saved by her? How hard had she worked to rescue her?

At the very least, in the world where Selian was alive, Elysia had to be alive too. That was Selian’s happiness, the life that held the most value.

Thus, Selian made one firm resolution first: no matter what, she would not let Elysia go on the path to defeat the Demon King.

Of course, since it was a path she had already walked once, it would likely be smoother this time. The dangers to her life would also be significantly reduced.

But still, it was dangerous. Even a slight change from her previous life would mean the sly demonic races would unleash traps and attacks she had never encountered before.

Therefore, Elysia would be excluded. She should stay in the safest place on the continent and wait for the war to end.

Wasn’t the capital of the Empire a good place? As the residence of the Emperor, it could be considered the safest city on the continent.

Of course, there was the possibility that the perceptive Emperor might recognize Elysia’s identity and take an interest in her, but even so, that would be too much of a leap. Elysia’s identity was nothing more than a former assassin. Nothing special about that. Even if he became interested, it would likely be just for a moment, and he wouldn’t truly bother.

Additionally, to prepare for any unforeseen circumstances, Selian decided to keep the Master-Servant Mark scroll, which she had burned in her previous life, with her.

If Elysia ever tried to sacrifice herself again, she would use the Master-Servant Mark scroll, even if it meant incurring her resentment, to forcibly save her life.

Thus, Selian carefully hid the perfectly good Master-Servant Mark scroll in her room.

Lastly, she planned Elysia’s academy life.

In her previous life, Elysia was able to live comfortably thanks to Selian secretly supporting her through her family. It wasn’t something to be dissatisfied about. On the contrary, Selian felt happiness just seeing her live without discomfort.

However, Elysia could act impulsively at any moment. Who knows when a demonic race might suddenly drop from the sky, putting Elysia’s life in danger?

Though Selian would try to stay with Elysia as much as possible, both of them had their own lives and responsibilities, so there would inevitably be times they had to act separately.

Thus, Selian resolved to minimize the time they spent apart. Even if it meant Elysia might suffer financially, it was a necessary choice for her safety.

Therefore, unlike in her previous life, she did not offer her support, but instead took Elysia with her to increase the amount of money she spent.

With the support from the Assassin Guild cut and no sponsorship available as there had been in her past life, Selian created a situation where Elysia would have to share a room with her instead of getting a private one.

In doing so, even if they had to act separately for personal matters, she could still spend all other time with Elysia.

However, it seems life doesn’t always go as planned.

Elysia suddenly started some part-time work. Apparently, she even referred to someone as “Master.”

“I’ve never heard that term before! No, more so, what kind of pervert…!”

Such thoughts would never cross Selian’s mind. Probably.

Well… Regardless of Selian’s true feelings, this put a hitch in her plan.

So, Selian worked harder to tighten Elysia’s purse strings.

Fortuitously, the term “Master” was only something that slipped out of surprise, and in reality, she was simply referring to the owner. And that owner turned out to be just a 16-year-old kid.

Frecia Gatina.

Now that she thought about it, Selian didn’t completely not know that name. She had heard it a few times in her previous lives.

At the academy, she was busy slacking off and not doing her assigned work, eventually being treated like a non-existent person by the professors in the Magic Department.

Later, when the war with the demonic races fully broke out, she was a Great Wizard who, at a tender age, stopped the demonic invasions.

A magician whose evaluations swung to extremes, but ultimately Selian had no connection with her.

So why was this lazy professor, who was busy slacking off, suddenly hiring a part-timer?

It was definitely Elysia who had changed her. Selian didn’t know what kind of connection they had, but she could tell that cutting off Elysia’s funding had been a decisive factor.

Finally, Selian wondered if she was supposed to be allowing Elysia to live comfortably as she had in her previous life, and whether she was doing something she shouldn’t be to Elysia, but her thoughts were reassured when she saw Elysia hospitalized after an unexpected demonic attack one day.

Indeed, the demonic race was a dangerous presence, and Elysia needed her protection.

With this unexpected situation arising, Selian proceeded to work even more secretly to lay the groundwork for Elysia’s safety.

And thus came the summer vacation.

Though it was disappointing that Elysia visited her friends’ houses first, Selian was relieved hers came last.

After all, recalling the memories from her previous life, Elysia had no particular schedule during summer vacation.

If so, then since it was Selian’s last turn, she should simply increase Elysia’s stay at the mansion. That way, they could be alone together for longer.

In hopes of reminiscing about their adventures together, Selian even allowed herself to indulge.

Yuli’s unexpected surprise attack was shocking, but since it was already Yuli’s turn, it didn’t matter.

If everything went according to her plan, summer vacation with Elysia would have been truly perfect.

If only the Emperor hadn’t called.

The two were suddenly summoned.

Of course, when Selian and Elysia had gone out in disguise to the city before, they had run into the Emperor, but while Elysia had not sensed anything, Selian, who had repeated several lives, couldn’t help but recognize him.

However, she hadn’t worried too much either, as Elysia didn’t seem to have elements that would catch the Emperor’s interest. But unexpectedly, here was a summon from the Emperor.

The Emperor, upon meeting them, had once again noticed Selian’s regression. It was the power of insight that saw through everything.

The Emperor’s perception even understood the hidden feelings Selian had deep within, realizing that her goal was Elysia’s safety rather than defeating the Demon King.

So when the Emperor made a wager, Selian couldn’t help but wonder.

Why would the Emperor, who saw right through her heart, be so confident that she would accompany Elysia to defeat the Demon King?

But her doubts were only fleeting. Selian declared with conviction it wouldn’t happen.

*

Time flowed into the second semester, and although she had failed to live alone in a shared room with Elysia, they ended up living in the same space nonetheless.

Several unexpected situations had occurred during that time, but at least there hadn’t been any significant changes threatening Elysia’s life, aside from the demonic attack in the first semester.

So just as Selian was starting to feel relieved, a whole new change came upon her, unlike in her previous life.

The Saint suddenly set out for the capital. Selian had no idea why.

However, what mattered was that Selian and Elysia were asked to provide protection along the way.

In any case, Selian felt compelled to help due to the debt of her heart towards Mariel, but having Elysia join her made her rather uneasy for various reasons.

There was a question about Elysia’s safety, along with the fact that they already had some sort of acquaintance, regardless of when or where they’d met.

Elysia kept attracting girls around her. Of course, if they were ordinary girls, it wouldn’t be concerning because they were the same gender, but for some reason, those girls around Elysia were all head over heels for her. Not just liking, but loving.

Even Yuli could be forgiven, but hadn’t Anne picked up some weird things during the vacation?

There was no sign of that with Mariel yet, but those eyes greedy for money could fire hearts at Elysia at any moment.

So she felt somewhat guilty towards Mariel, but naturally began to behave a bit coldly towards her.

But before she could feel guilty for long, without any time to spare, the demons and demonic beings attacked the carriage.

Originally, they were nothing to worry about if Selian could raise her strength, but she still hadn’t been chosen again as a Hero and couldn’t receive the aid of the Holy Sword, so she found it tough to deal with them.

However, if she forced herself to raise her strength again, there might be some side effects she had no way of predicting.

Thus, the situation got increasingly urgent, and when the attack from the demons fell upon her, she wondered if she’d have to forcefully gather her strength.

But at that moment, a situation unfolded that Selian had never once imagined during her five lifetimes, even after experiencing countless unexpected situations.

The Holy Sword appeared in the sky, descending slowly, aimed not at Selian but at Elysia.

She stretched out her hand, desperately denying the possibility, but the Holy Sword merely evaded her touch. And finally, it was grasped in Elysia’s hand.

This life’s Hero was Elysia, not Selian.

*

And thus, the story comes to the present.

The Demon King’s army suddenly invaded Felches. The emergence of a formidable foe named Eden, whom Selian had never seen in her previous lives.

She had hoped it wouldn’t happen, but Elysia awakened as a true hero and recalled all her memories.

In truth, it was only a matter of time, given that Elysia was chosen as a hero. Even if Selian tried to avoid her using the Holy Sword, it was an inevitable situation that would arise.

Selian had worried continuously. Would Elysia feel guilt for stabbing her in previous lives?

Would sweet-hearted Elysia do something absurd out of guilt?

But alongside that, Selian had a justification to persuade Elysia. She shouted toward Elysia with that justification.

Even if Elysia felt guilt for stabbing her, Selian held no resentment whatsoever.

Rather, didn’t Elysia risk her own life to save her?

Could Selian’s heartfelt voice reach her?

Indeed, Elysia stood silently for a moment, not shoving Selian away.

However, in the moment Selian thought she had succeeded in persuading Elysia, words she never wanted to hear slipped from Elysia’s mouth.

“I’m really… sorry…”

Elysia’s voice held a heavy guilt that Selian couldn’t understand, something too profound for Selian to ever know.

 

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