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“Ah.”

After getting past a dangerous moment, a sigh of relief escaped me. My friends looked bewildered, each wearing different expressions.

Some frowned, while others stared with their mouths agape; some had wide, surprised eyes, and others chewed their lips, filled with unspoken words.

It was clear that a tricky problem had been solved, yet I couldn’t understand why they wore such serious faces.

I didn’t expect them to praise me for getting through this safely, but couldn’t we at least share a relieved sigh together?

I felt a little sad, as if I had become the villain of the piece…

Ah.

I realized why my friends looked like that. Some of them knew my other side—my identity as an Assassin—but the rest had only heard about it and never seen it in action.

Especially when they witnessed me threatening someone just a moment ago; it was behavior they never associated with my usual demeanor. They were surely shocked by my cruel and cold side.

No, if it was simply shock, I at least could be relieved. Underneath their frowns, there might be a budding contempt for me, or perhaps disappointment.

For my kind-hearted friends, this must have been a rather unpleasant sight.

Of course, my actions had been for the good of everyone, but that didn’t grant me the right to blame any friend who might be disappointed in me. After all, I didn’t even try to think of a better way; I just took the easiest and most familiar route.

If it had been any of the other friends, they would have resolved the issue in a more gentle, effective, and ‘heroic’ manner.

Look at Selian’s face. She knew me better than anyone, thanks to the four lives I lived before.

Yet, in this fifth life, she wore a displeased expression at my unchanged self.

Especially since she had already been a Hero four times, she likely held more resentment towards my actions.

“I’m sorry, guys.”

I immediately offered my sincere apology to my friends. When a person makes a mistake, they should at least show some remorse.

I didn’t think something like this would ruin our friendship, but isn’t human psychology unpredictable? Even couples who promise to be together for life can end up worse than strangers because of a small misunderstanding.

“This time, I acted without thinking. I didn’t even consider how you’d feel.”

Small, seemingly insignificant things can accumulate and eventually may drive a wedge between us. The fact that I acted like a villain isn’t even up for debate—it’s a clear truth.

“I’ll make sure this doesn’t happen again.”

So, I promise. I won’t disappoint my friends again with thoughtless actions like this.

As I showed some remorse, my friends began to relax their expressions one by one, though they still looked skeptical.

“If I happen to act thoughtlessly like this again… just ignore my opinions and do as you please.”

Now that I recognized my mistake, I wouldn’t repeat it. However, we all know how unpredictable life can be.

So I vow that if I end up acting in a way unbefitting a ‘Hero’ again, causing my friends disappointment, I will follow their lead.

How could a worthless Hero like me take the lead in a party? Rather, if it were about qualifications, Selian, who despite giving up the Hero title now, has much more capability than a former Assassin like me.

If I hadn’t stepped in, Selian, without a doubt, would have thought of a much more ‘heroic’ solution.

“Regardless of El’s opinion, we’ll act as we please…?”

“Yep. You all will definitely be right.”

“Are you serious?”

“Yep. Of course, I’m serious.”

Feeling the sincerity in my resolve, my friends finally dropped their suspicions and smiled at me.

The gleam of expectation in their eyes was undoubtedly a hope for my transformation. With them expecting so much, I couldn’t betray their trust.

I too faced them with a smile, determined to live up to their hopes.

*

We passed through the first city without incident. After that, we progressed without any major issues.

However, unlike that first city which we had to cross, we ended up avoiding cities entirely, spending every night camping out.

It was only natural. If we were caught in a city, it would spell disaster for us; the first city had been an exception.

Sleeping outdoors may have been okay for a day or two, but as it went on, the days turned into weeks, and our essential supplies began to dwindle.

During those times, Lilith was a tremendous help. As the only member of the Demonic Race in our party, she could roam the city freely as long as she was cautious of being recognized, and she helped us gather the scarce supplies we needed.

“I’m sorry for always asking favors. I’ll need your help again, Lilith.”

I handed her a note listing the supplies we needed and lightly patted her shoulder.

“Oh, it’s nothing. But if you think you should reward me next time… eeek!”

Lilith suddenly shrieked and jumped back as if startled by something. I turned around to see what had scared her, but all I saw was Selian standing there with a new note—perhaps I had missed something.

“Haha… Ah, it’s nothing.”

There were plenty of questions about her sudden change in demeanor, but I didn’t pry.

“Then, be careful out there.”

“Yep! I’ll be back before sunset!”

With the extra note secured, Lilith waved and disappeared toward the city. Now we just had to wait in our hidden space until she returned.

*

“Hmm…”

Sitting on a rock in front of the crackling campfire, I gazed cautiously at the sky. The sun was completely below the horizon, and the moon was high in the sky.

She had said she would return before sunset, but Lilith still hadn’t shown up. With this being a first, it was only natural for me to worry.

Though she was once one of the Four Heavenly Kings of the Demon King’s Army, her actual combat power wasn’t particularly strong. Not that she was weak like regular demons, but she simply wasn’t as formidable compared to the other kings.

She had reached that high status not necessarily due to brute strength, but rather from the support she garnered, which she probably had reluctantly accepted due to her socially awkward nature.

In the end, she had been fleeing from her fan club masquerading as the Demon King’s Army when she ran into me.

“Why is she taking so long…?”

I briefly considered whether purchasing items might be taking longer than expected, but the supplies listed were all ordinary items, so there was no reason for such a delay.

“Could it be that she got caught?”

From beside me, Lindy casually chimed in, and her comment made my heart sink as if a heavy stone had dropped there.

“Oh, come on. She’s quick-witted.”

“But she’s not exactly smart.”

“She probably got sluggish from lounging around and gaining weight.”

Soon after, Mariel tried to reassure us, but she was quickly silenced by their banter.

As I contemplated whether to trust Lilith and wait or go searching for her, Frecia, who had been sitting blankly, suddenly stood up and dusted off her backside. I thought she was going to pick some flowers, but her steps were heading directly towards the city.

“Boss?”

“It’s already dark, so I’ll be right back…”

Frecia spoke casually, as if she was just going out for a stroll, rather than inviting anyone to join her.

“I have to watch over my own stuff.”

Since Lilith called her “Big Boss,” it seemed like Frecia had formed some sort of attachment to her. Given Frecia’s personality, she probably would have pushed Lilith away if she didn’t want her around, but she had always tolerated her.

“You can’t go alone. We all should go together.”

In response, Frecia sparkled and transformed into a familiar black cat. Then she looked at me with her trademark sleepy eyes, and it dawned on me that cats could have sleepy eyes too.

Frecia’s eyes seemed to ask if I could transform like her.

Indeed, none of our party, myself included, could use transformation magic. But I also couldn’t just offload everything onto Frecia. There were other ways to sneak into a city without transforming.

“Then I’ll go with you. If it were anyone else, it might be risky, but I can easily sneak in alone.”

With my stealth skills, it wouldn’t be hard to slip into the city without anyone noticing. Going in pairs would increase our chances of finding Lilith and decrease any risk.

As long as we weren’t all storming into the city like crazy people, this was the best option.

Moreover, it wasn’t just Frecia whom Lilith referred to as her “Master.” Though it wasn’t a title I asked for, I too had to bear some responsibility as one of Lilith’s other masters.

“Senpai! What about me? Take me with you!”

Luna exclaimed, raising her hand high, not one to lose out on opportunities, despite her stealth skills being a bit inferior to mine. I patted her head and sat her back down.

“Luna, you should stay here just in case. An Assassin at your level is a valuable asset.”

Of course, I didn’t voice the real reason that her combat skills were slightly lacking compared to the other friends. Fortunately, the fact that she was acknowledged by me made her beam with joy as she accepted my words.

“If you were alone, I’d be worried, but… if Frecia is by your side, I guess it’ll be fine.”

“I’ll wait with full trust. But only until dawn. If you haven’t returned by then, I will come storming in, even if it means taking terrible measures.”

“…I’ll make sure to return before then.”

It felt like a parent sending their child off on an errand, with Lindy having those worried parent vibes, while Selian spoke such intimidating words as if it were nothing.

If it was Selian or the friends, I genuinely needed to be careful, as I could see them truly acting on those words.

After all, Frecia’s time to use her full strength was limited to the night, so we needed to ensure we wouldn’t be late.

“Whoa! Tokki, where are you going!”

In the meantime, Tokki, who had been helplessly caught in Anne’s embrace, struggled to break free and jumped straight into my arms, quickly diving into my clothes and poking only its head out.

In contrast, Gomtaengi, who had been in Luna’s arms, stepped forward, pointing at Tokki with one hand while patting its chest with the other.

“Apparently, if they’re not too far apart, Tokki and Gomtaengi can communicate with each other.”

Gomtaengi translated for the sleepy Frecia as she could only meow in her cat form. Thanks to the contract magic with Frecia, I could read the thoughts of her creations—Gomtaengi and Tokki—pretty well.

With that reassurance, the friends’ worried expressions began to ease.

“I think this should be enough of a safety measure… Well, we’ll be off then.”

Together with Frecia and Tokki, I headed towards the city in search of Lilith, who had yet to return.

 

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