“…Huh?”
“It’s a title that comes with honor and pride, sure—but that alone doesn’t make it as good a job as it sounds.”
Of course, the choice is yours.
Elsez stared blankly at Cassian as he said that.
He was talking about the weight of the title hero. Something no one had ever talked to her about.
People spoke of a hero’s courage and greatness—but no one talked about a hero’s fear and despair.
Yet no matter how strong, a hero was still human.
They sometimes made unwise choices that worsened situations, crumbled before insurmountable obstacles, and trembled in the face of death.
But even in those moments, a hero had to stay strong. They had to shoulder that responsibility and solitude.
Elsez knew this, too—because she had once lived as a hero when she was Ruel.
Back then, Ruel had been an ordinary person who just wanted to go home to her original world, and that’s why she became a hero—and made those four into heroes too.
Unaware of what being a hero really meant.
‘Cassian’s only saying this now because he became a hero and came to understand that hidden side.’
Elsez could feel that Cassian was truly worried about her, shown in how he was sharing something no one else ever had.
She appreciated it.
“Thank you for worrying about me. I’ll seriously think it over.”
And at the same time, she felt sorry.
“Then… do you regret it? Becoming a hero?”
For placing such a heavy burden on you, without knowing anything.
Cassian looked at Elsez quietly, then opened his mouth with a playful expression, back to his usual self.
“Well… sometimes.”
Then he turned his gaze out the window and added,
“But even if I could go back, I think I’d still become a hero. Over and over again.”
“…”
“It kind of feels like it’s my fate now.”
He said it with a calm smile, but to Elsez, Cassian looked kind of cool as he said that.
Especially because she knew he’d once sworn he’d never become a hero, not wanting to live like his father.
“Model student’s here. Let’s go in.”
Cassian gave a light tap on the back of Elsez’s head as he looked down the hall, then headed into the meeting room.
Elsez turned and saw Rashiel walking toward them.
Exactly five minutes before the meeting.
From his expression, it seemed he hadn’t expected to see Elsez there.
She mouthed a silent “Good morning” to him with a small wave, then followed Cassian into the room.
Naturally, Rashiel sat right beside her.
At the stroke of the hour, Dike arrived.
Astaire and Tezette still hadn’t shown up.
The three stood and bowed their heads.
“We greet the Saintess.”
“Oh dear, I must’ve forgotten about travel fatigue. I shouldn’t have scheduled the meeting this early.”
Dike looked slightly apologetic as she noticed the two missing seats.
‘Tezette, maybe… but Astaire’s not the type to keep people waiting…’
Just as Elsez was growing worried that something really was wrong with Astaire, the door to the meeting room opened.
As expected, it was Astaire who entered.
“My apologies for being late.”
He bowed his head to Dike in apology. His expression and voice were noticeably more subdued than usual.
Dike, looking more sorry than upset, gently reassured him.
“It’s alright, Astaire. I’m the one who should apologize. You must be exhausted from everything going on and the long journey. I shouldn’t have called you out so late at night.”
“It’s fine.”
Astaire took a seat across from them.
But even after waiting a little longer, Tezette didn’t come.
Cassian clenched his teeth and muttered under his breath,
“That guy… still hasn’t kicked that old habit.”
Elsez silently agreed, letting out a small sigh.
‘Figures. My bad feeling was spot on.’
Tezette had never been great with being on time.
Even if he was told exactly when and where to train, if he wasn’t feeling it, he just wouldn’t show up. Back then, it had been almost always Ruel’s job to drag him in.
Once he became a duke and got an aide, he started keeping appointments—somewhat. But since his aide stayed back in the Empire, it looked like he was back to his old self.
After a moment, Cassian stood up.
“I’ll go bring him.”
But Dike, ever gentle and composed, stopped him with a soft smile.
“It’s alright, Cassian. Let’s begin without him. Today’s discussion isn’t anything urgent, and we’ll have plenty more meetings going forward.”
“But still…”
“I’m sure Tezette just has other important things to do.”
Elsez watched Dike speak so innocently and kindly on Tezette’s behalf, but she could already picture exactly what he was doing.
‘No, seriously. He’s probably off somewhere eating cookies.’
That guy just does whatever he wants…
In the end, the meeting started without Tezette.
Before diving into the main discussion, Dike said she had something to announce to everyone.
“After discussing it with Astaire last night, we’ve decided to appoint Miss Elsez as a hero.”
It was expected, but Rashiel’s expression subtly stiffened at those words.
“Without the agreement of the cardinals from each nation?”
“It’s a bit sudden, yes, but Miss Elsez has already demonstrated more than enough heroic potential. So, I intend to appoint her under the authority of the Saintess. In chaotic times, heroes are what the world needs.”
“Elsez is certainly strong, but I still believe it’s too early for her to become a hero. Her combat score from yesterday was significantly lower than the other heroes’, too.”
Hearing Rashiel’s objections beside her, Elsez narrowed her eyes.
‘He’s not wrong… I know you’re saying this because you’re worried about me, but…’
Hearing him call her out for being weak stung a little. Still, there wasn’t much she could say in return—it was true.
“And the reason we get the approval of each nation’s cardinals is—”
Rashiel continued.
His tone was the same relaxed, lazy drawl as always, but the look in his eyes as he faced Dike was razor sharp.
“Not just to have more eyes verify a candidate—but to give them time to reflect on the responsibilities and duties that come with being a hero. That’s what I understand the process is for.”
“……”
“You’re assigning a heavy burden of responsibility and duty for the power they possess, yet you don’t even give the one who must bear that weight time to think it over, or a choice in the matter.”
It was a sharp rebuke of Dike’s approach—pressing forward with the cause in mind while neglecting to consider Elsez’s own will.
“Hey.”
Cassian grabbed Rashiel’s arm, trying to stop his blunt words—but couldn’t say anything more.
Because Rashiel was right. The only difference was that Cassian was trying to be more diplomatic about it, even though he agreed.
Dike blinked as if surprised by Rashiel’s piercing criticism, then gave a faint smile and nodded.
“Rashiel is right. I acted too hastily.”
She accepted his words without a hint of displeasure, then turned her gaze to Elsez, who sat beside him.
“Miss Elsez. It’s a bit late, but I’d like to ask for your thoughts. As Rashiel said, your decision matters the most.”
Elsez found herself impressed once again by Rashiel’s eloquence.
With just a few words, he had shifted the initiative from Dike to Elsez.
Dike then began explaining what it meant to be a hero.
“While the word ‘hero’ is generally used to mean a just and righteous person, the kind of ‘hero’ appointed by the Holy Nation is a bit different. It’s an official title, publicly recognized.”
“……”
“With it comes great responsibility and duty. As someone with great power, you must stand at the front to protect the weak and fight against evil. There will be dangerous incidents, and moments when you’ll want to run away.”
“……”
“Even so, if you choose to walk the path of a hero, the Holy Nation will fully support you.”
“……”
“So, will you become a hero?”
Dike looked at Elsez with eyes filled with sincerity.
And in that gaze, Elsez felt something oddly familiar.
‘When I was Ruel, the system window popped up when Dike asked me to become a hero.’
But now, nothing appeared.
Ruel had been a player who followed justice, but Elsez… she was the final boss of the game.
It hit her all over again how different things were now compared to when she was Ruel.
‘Me, the Demon Lord, becoming a hero.’
She had predicted this development ever since heading to the Holy Nation.
But now that it was actually happening, she felt conflicted.
‘Is it really okay for me to become a hero?’
This wasn’t like before—it was a clear fork in the road, one that went against the main storyline of the game.
After a moment of silence, Elsez made her decision.
“I will become a hero.”
No matter what this damned game’s scenario said—
I will walk the path I choose.
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