With an explosion, smoke and dust billowed up thickly.
“Good, just as planned. This is the moment I’ve been waiting for.”
Holy power, magic, spirit power, and aura clashing. An explosion of four powers colliding. I was already running.
‘Status window.’
As I muttered to myself while running, a translucent window appeared in front of my eyes.
Name: Shin Haru
Class: Hero
Titles: ‘Master of the Holy Sword,’ ‘Savior,’ ‘Otherworlder’
Attributes
Strength: A
Agility: A
Endurance: SSS
Mana: A
Mental Strength: S
Luck: SS
Equipment: Holy Sword ‘Dawn’
“Inventory.”
A new window opened. Numerous items were neatly arranged.
In the game, it was just an inventory menu, but here in this otherworld, it had manifested into a real pocket dimension.
“Shadow Cloak, here it is.”
I took out a bundle of black cloth from the pocket dimension. An S-rank artifact obtained from a past dungeon, the [Shadow Cloak]. A powerful item that erases the wearer’s presence.
As I donned the cloak, my body turned translucent. It wasn’t perfect invisibility, but it was enough to avoid attention.
‘Stole the dragon’s treasure,’ ‘Seduced the saint’s match,’ ‘Will take the forest king’s throne,’ ‘Trying to steal the master’…
The battle between party members continued. It seemed they hadn’t stopped attacking each other.
Just as I had expected, they were too focused on watching each other to commit fully to the chase.
The dragon’s mana suppressed the saint’s divine power, and the elf’s spirits interfered with the cat’s pursuit. It was as if they were all tripping over each other.
How long had it been since I escaped? I hid behind a large rock and caught my breath.
“Finally, I can breathe a little.”
From my experience, at this distance, the dragon’s mana detection shouldn’t reach here. Carefully, I lifted the Shadow Cloak and surveyed the sky.
Neither Aris’s golden silhouette nor Sylvia’s spirits were in sight.
The explosion at the last moment had been fortunate.
The jealousy and wariness between party members had created chaos. Thanks to that confusion, I was able to slip away unnoticed.
“Well then… should I head to the Empire?”
The Empire’s capital, Chronicle. A bustling metropolis where countless adventurers pass through. The heart of the Empire. A city surrounded by a massive magical barrier. A place entangled with the interests of countless nobles and merchants.
It might be safer there for the time being. In the Empire, my party members wouldn’t be able to act recklessly. If we were still a complete hero party, maybe, but now that we’ve become individuals…
“Aris can’t act recklessly either.”
Even if she’s a dragon, she wouldn’t dare commit violence in the Empire’s capital. The Empire wouldn’t stay quiet about it.
She wouldn’t want to break the treaty between the dragonkin and humanity.
“Sylvia is the same.”
If the elven queen releases her spirits, it would be tantamount to declaring war. The fragile peace treaty between the elves and the Empire would shatter immediately.
“Seraphine would be held back by the Church.”
The saintess of the Goddess Church stirring up the capital for one man? And without a holy wedding? The Church wouldn’t stay silent. In fact, the current imperial family is already keeping an eye on the increasingly powerful Church.
“Nia… well, she’s a cat.”
Nia’s a thief cat, so I should be more concerned about her getting caught by the guards.
“Most of all… we can’t help but be wary of each other.”
All four of them are desperate to claim me for themselves. If one of them makes a move, the others won’t stay still.
They’ll think that each other is the biggest obstacle. They’ll focus more on doubting and keeping each other in check.
“Alright. Let’s hide in the capital and organize my thoughts.”
It’s a three-day journey to the capital, Chronicle. There are several villages along the way, but I must avoid them. If I leave any traces, Nia will catch up.
There are three main routes to the capital. The northern highway, the western mountain path, and the eastern forest trail.
The paved northern road is the fastest, but…
“I can’t take the main road.”
Aris’s mana detection range is terrifyingly wide. The title of ‘Sage of the Dragonkin’ is no empty boast.
If I take the main road, I’ll be detected in no time.
“The forest path is dangerous too.”
Sylvia’s spirits have probably already taken control of the entire forest. Every leaf and blade of grass would become her eyes.
“Then it’s the mountain path.”
The rough mountain path. But for now, it’s the best option.
I used all my knowledge to calculate the route.
I took out some high-quality jerky from my inventory. Three days’ worth should be enough. I packed some water as well.
Now, I’ve become a fugitive. Chased by those scarier than the Demon King—my own party members, the ones I raised.
I took out a small notebook from my pocket.
It’s the notebook where I’ve written down my longing for modern life over the past five years.
‘Air conditioning, web novels, chicken, Pepsi Zero…’
On the last line, I wrote a new word.
‘Freedom.’
I put the notebook back and got to my feet. It’s time to start.
I turned around. In the distance, I could see a village. There’s no turning back now.
“I’m sorry.”
I muttered quietly.
“But I… I have to go back.”
I turned my back and headed for the mountain path. This is where the real journey begins.
But for now, it’s the best I can do. To go back to the modern world, I need to survive first.
For the next few days, as I climbed the mountain path, I refined my plans in my head. But I couldn’t just run away or hide forever.
I needed to think things through. A way to survive against them.
‘Be trapped in the dragon’s nest.’
‘Be sealed within the World Tree.’
‘Marry the saintess.’
‘Become the cat’s butler…’
If I don’t want to be kidnapped, imprisoned, or bound… I have to become stronger.
I opened my inventory and took out a map. I traced over the locations from my memories of the original work and marked them one by one.
Powerful artifacts, hidden dungeons, unrecruited allies…
The many hidden elements and hidden pieces of the original story passed through my mind.
Until now, my goal had been to defeat the Demon King, so I had only followed the optimal route.
Our party was so strong that we never bothered searching for these things.
But now, the situation is different. I need them all.
“I have to prepare my own strength.”
To return to the modern world, I have to get stronger. Strong enough to face my party members alone if I have to.
‘And lastly…’
I stopped walking, thinking of the final plan.
The most important goal—returning to the modern world.
Originally, they said that once I defeat the Demon King, the Goddess Church would send me back.
But will the Goddess Church really keep that promise?
I shook my head.
Seraphine’s purple eyes came to mind. The gaze she had when she pleaded, teary-eyed.
Looking at the Saintess now… I don’t think she would let me go.
Originally, if a hero party that defeated the Demon King made a request, they’d grant it, but… now that the party is effectively disbanded, it’s clear who the Church will listen to.
“I need to find another way.”
Maybe the Demon King knows something. The secret of the world transfer… or a way to return.
A flash of golden light gleamed far off in the sky. It was Aris.
With the sound of the wind, Sylvia’s spirits began murmuring. The surrounding leaves started to rustle.
A holy aura could be felt. Seraphine’s divine power was spreading here.
The shadow beneath my feet wiggled. Nia’s troops…
“The plan is good, but… first, I need to survive.”
I tightly fastened my cloak and began running.
The first plan—’survival’—needed to be put into action. It’s been a while since I’ve had an adventure like this.
I let out a bitter smile. It’s a storyline I’d never seen in the game.
The hero being chased by his party members… I’ve never seen such an ending in any of the original game’s clear videos.
As I passed through the streets of the capital, Chronicle, I caught a glimpse of my reflection in a mirror. After three days of fleeing, I looked a mess.
The massive city walls stood tall under the moonlight. The heart of the Baltaria Empire, Chronicle.
Patrolling soldiers passed by, holding torches. Their armored figures exuded military might.
“Still as vigilant as ever.”
True to an empire that grew on the foundation of militarism. After decades of war with the demon races, their military strength had only increased.
Magic-engineered cannons were mounted atop the city walls. The latest weaponry in preparation for a demon attack.
“It’s changed a lot.”
It looks different from when I first came five years ago. The empire has developed more since the war began to turn in our favor, thanks to the hero party’s exploits.
“Back then…”
I recalled my first meeting with the Emperor. He had recognized our worth. To cultivate such a powerful hero party, he provided us with unfailing support.
As a result, I naturally became involved in the politics of the empire.
“Here.”
I stood before the secret passage on the outer wall of the palace. I felt along the stone wall and pressed a specific point.
Clank.
The sound of a mechanism activating echoed as the stone wall creaked open slightly.
“It still opens.”
I slipped through the narrow passage and advanced, retracing my steps in the pitch-black darkness.
“There were stairs here…”
I carefully placed my foot. The floor creaked loudly.
“Now to the left…”
I moved according to my memory. This was a path I had memorized five years ago by studying the palace’s blueprints.
When I reached the end of the passage, faint light filtered through the gap. I peered into the room through the crack.
An emerald and ruby chandelier hung from the ceiling, and a tapestry with the imperial crest was draped on the walls.
A bed was positioned in the center of the room. White curtains hung from all sides, creating a mysterious atmosphere. On the bed with rose-red embroidery…
The Imperial Princess, Iris, lay there.
Her red hair, bathed in moonlight, cascaded over the pillow like a rose, and her white nightgown highlighted her graceful silhouette.
Noticing my presence, her eyes widened in surprise. Fearing she might scream, I quickly pressed my hand to her mouth.
“Shh, be quiet.”
She slowly nodded in response.
“I need your help, Iris.”
The memory of when I first met her flashed through my mind.
She had been the third princess sent to the front lines as a commander. In fact, it was almost a death sentence.
But it was there that we met our hero party, and her military talents began to shine. Her abilities as a strategist and charisma as a commander led to our continued victories.
Afterward, she changed. Using our force cleverly, she rose to become one of the true powers in the empire. She eliminated her competitors one by one.
The first prince was executed for ‘treason.’ Of course, the evidence was fabricated, but no one doubted it when the hero himself went to arrest him.
The second prince died in a ‘navigation accident.’ That was Nia’s handiwork. For a cat, sinking a ship was child’s play.
The first princess supposedly fell victim to the ‘wrath of the spirits.’ She went into the forest and never returned. It seems Sylvia’s spirits didn’t welcome her.
The second princess, by ‘her own will,’ went to a convent. She vowed to live her life in repentance, no doubt fearful of the Saintess’ judgment.
Now, Iris had become the true ruler of the empire, leading in place of the ailing emperor, who awaited his death.
Of course, I had my own value in this.
Thanks to the empire’s full support, our hero party was able to grow rapidly. And there was no one else with her level of talent. If it weren’t for Iris, the war against the demon race wouldn’t have turned in our favor.
I saw the wariness fade from her eyes. Yes, we knew each other too well.
A relationship where we used each other. And now, I needed Iris’ help once again.
When Iris nodded, I carefully removed my hand. Her crimson eyes gleamed in the moonlight.
“How dare you enter the Princess’s bedroom. How did you get in here? Where are the guards?”
“No, it’s the secret passage you showed me.”
“And? What’s your purpose for coming all the way to my bedroom at this late hour? Do you think if you possess the princess, you’ll take the empire too… is that your calculation?”
She adjusted the collar of her white nightgown to cover herself.
“Then you are gravely mistaken. The blood of the Leonhardt family does not bow easily.”
“…Is this really the time for jokes?”
“In this moonlit night, you’ve come into the bedroom of an innocent maiden… Hero, you’ll take responsibility, won’t you?”
“Innocent maiden? Please.”
“Why? Would you like to check for yourself?”
At my dumbfounded reaction, Iris chuckled. The regal demeanor she normally held was gone, and she had returned to the mischievous princess I met at the front lines.
But in that smile, the sharp gaze of a politician glimmered.
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