1.
Vulcan Gardner.
The Guardian of the <Hero Party>, the Tank of the group, and the eldest son of the Gardner Count family.
A man of kind nature, he became strong enough to join the <Hero Party> despite never awakening his family’s power through sheer effort.
A saint wielding a shield.
Protector of peace.
Hero Vulcan.
The titles he carried never seemed excessive—Vulcan Gardner was a man of unwavering righteousness.
But as the saying goes.
Steel, no matter how strong, remains unbroken when struck repeatedly… but if it ever breaks even once, it is over.
『…<Black Wolf>. I will capture you alive, no matter what. From your toes to the top of your head. I will tear you apart slowly, piece by piece, and comfort Hestia with your suffering.』
After losing Hestia, Vulcan abandoned his shield and instead took up its broken, jagged remains—becoming one of the most formidable opponents within the <Hero Party>.
So.
“Haa… Putting that aside, what exactly do you think you’re doing, breaking through my window?”
“You misunderstand. I did not break through your window. I entered and found it already broken.”
I should try to resolve this as smoothly as possible.
“What…?”
Following the voice filled with confusion, my gaze landed on a woman dressed in pure white nightgown.
Light brown hair, resembling withered autumn leaves.
Eyes of deep, dark brown.
Skin so pale it seemed almost translucent.
If the members of the <Black Wolf> were idol-like beauties, then Hestia was the kind of woman one might pass by on the street—a refined, graceful beauty.
As I stared at her, almost entranced, she finally collected her thoughts and spoke.
“…I apologize. It’s been a while since I’ve met someone even dumber than my brother, so I was momentarily speechless.”
“The night is long, so it’s fine. Feel free to make yourself at home, as if this were your own house.”
“…This is my house.”
“Then all the more reason to feel at ease.”
With no other members present, I acted in my usual manner, speaking casually. Hestia pressed her fingers to her temple and sighed before lifting her head.
“So, who are you?”
“Suddenly asking ‘who’ I am… I’m not quite sure what you mean.”
“I’m asking—who was it that handed you that ‘information’?”
“…I have no idea. Perhaps if you elaborate?”
Click.
Hestia picked up her glasses and then grabbed a pen from the table beside her chair.
“The Gardner family is known for having strong bodies but slow minds. Unfortunately, I am the opposite type. My body is frail, but my mind compensates by working tirelessly. Ah, and don’t misunderstand—my inability to walk is due to an accident.”
Scribble, Scribble.
What was she writing?
On the blank sheet of paper, neatly organized words began to pile up.
“A white mask engraved with the symbol of a wolf on black clothing. A robust physique and tall stature. Matches perfectly with the records from the attack of Her Majesty the Empress. And most of all, the commotion outside.”
Following her words, I listened closely toward the broken window. The sound of soldiers shouting echoed through the night—“It’s a <Black Wolf> attack! Don’t panic!”
“The plan to eliminate <Black Wolf> using the 1st Imperial Legion and Yellow Dragon was devised immediately after the incident in the <Central Plaza> this morning. Before the night even passed, you—the infamous ‘strategist’—came directly to me. Do I need to explain any further?”
Tap.
She set her pen down and looked at me through her glasses.
“I will ask again. Who was it that leaked that information to you?”
The information she referred to was likely what Amela had mentioned earlier—that the 1st Imperial Legion and Yellow Dragon had been mobilized to wipe out <Black Wolf>.
Since I had come straight to the strategist upon hearing the plan, she was convinced there must be a traitor involved—and she wanted to know who it was.
It was an utterly flawless deduction, based on my intrusion and the current situation.
“There is always only one truth.”
“…What?”
“It’s something like that.”
Acknowledging her sharp reasoning, I casually took a seat across from her.
“In any case, you are quite impressive. As expected from the brain of the 1st Legion—your reasoning is impeccable.”
“No. It wasn’t perfect just a moment ago. But the moment you acknowledged it, it became perfect.”
“…Well, damn. I got caught.”
With a dry chuckle, I glanced at the paper she had been writing on the entire time.
It was her will.
“Well, I got caught too, so let’s call it a draw.”
“…”
As I naturally averted my gaze, Hestia folded the paper and tucked it away.
“You could have finished reading it.”
“I don’t have a habit of peeking into other people’s secrets.”
“So, you do have some manners.”
Hestia smirked slightly, leaning back against the chair with her eyes closed.
“In any case, killing me won’t change anything. The Legion will proceed as planned, and you and your subordinates will all die. Just like knowing the path of a storm doesn’t mean you can alter its course.”
“Pfft. Why would I kill you, Strategist?”
“…Giving me hope is pointless. I won’t waver, no matter what.”
“What are you talking about? I really don’t plan on killing you.”
If you die, Vulcan will completely lose it.
And Vulcan’s darkening would mean an increase in difficulty—something I absolutely had to avoid, considering how hard things already were.
‘My goal is kidnapping. Nothing more.’
Of course, I’d have to fake her death until the <Hero Party> withdrew, but before Vulcan could spiral into madness, I’d clear up the misunderstanding and return her.
“So, shall we get going?”
I even spent a fortune on a new hideout for Yellow Dragon, just to keep you safe.
Just as I reached out to lift Hestia from her seat—
Grab!
Her eyes snapped open as she pulled me toward her, gripping my wrist tightly.
“Yes, let’s go.”
Only when I got close enough to catch a faint whiff of lavender did I realize—
The pen that had been resting on the table was now clenched in her right hand, held like a dagger.
My body tilting forward,
The sharp tip of the pen rushing toward my throat,
And—
“But I refuse to go alone.”
Her face, breathtakingly beautiful, was now mere inches away, her expression one of firm resolution—drawing closer to death itself.
Like many before me, I almost lost myself in that fleeting moment of beauty.
But—
– You’ll fulfill my dream in my place, right?
There was something far more precious that I always kept deep in my heart.
At the last possible moment, I twisted my neck, narrowly avoiding the pen, and whispered into her ear.
“Then let’s go together.”
“…H-Hyack!!”
Without hesitation, I lifted her delicate frame in one swift motion, tossing her over my shoulder like a sack.
Thud! Thud!
Perhaps realizing she was out of options, Hestia began flailing her arms and shouting.
“You wicked man! You cruel, despicable bastard!! Are you planning to murder me in front of my family?! To throw my corpse at my parents’ feet?!”
…Wow.
Your words are way more wicked and despicable.
“Mmmpfh…!! Is anyone out there?! Damn it, if only my legs worked—!!”
“…Even if they did, I still would’ve caught you easily.”
“Y-You garbage! How dare you—?!”
She seemed to realize I wasn’t bluffing.
Though her voice grew louder, her movements gradually calmed.
Taking advantage of the moment, I turned toward the window and started walking.
“…Ugh. Feeling dizzy.”
“…?”
“I have a fear of heights.”
“…And yet you climbed in just fine?”
“The others helped me get in.”
Coming in was easy. Getting out? Not so much.
Might as well take the direct approach.
“That over there is the main gate, right?”
“…”
“Ah, so it is.”
Silence usually meant confirmation.
‘With Ruby and Dalan causing a distraction, there should be fewer guards stationed here.’
The moment I opened the door, using Hestia as a hostage—
“There! I knew this was the young lady’s room!!”
“What are you waiting for?! Call in everyone! Now!!”
“A-rank knights, form up! The rest, move to support! Do whatever it takes to take that bastard down!!”
…And found myself face-to-face with a swarm of reinforcements.
“Goodbye.”
Calmly, I closed the door again and turned to Hestia, still slung over my shoulder.
“…What now?”
“Why are you asking me?”
“Good question.”
I had my doubts, but of course—
“I’d prefer to avoid injuring anyone.”
“…?”
I had no choice but to break in, but I wanted to avoid causing any injuries if possible.
The problem was, the only skills I had were <Veil of Shadows>, which instilled mind-breaking terror, and <Solar Annihilation>, which… well, actually killed people.
“Would you rather be scared to death, or just die outright?”
“…Obviously, the first option.”
“Knew you’d say that.”
I had hoped to refrain from using it until I mastered more precise control, but—
‘Better than killing or being killed.’
The decision was made in an instant.
Without hesitation, I reopened the door.
“He’s out! Now!!”
“Rescue the young lady!!”
“Kill <Black Wolf>!!”
At least fifty soldiers filled the narrow hallway in a perfectly tactical formation.
“Excuse me.”
“E-Eh?!”
“B-Be careful! He’s using the young lady as a shield!!”
“Good.”
Using “Friend Shield”, I bought myself a brief window of time. Closing my eyes, I focused on an image.
A box filled with smoke.
A tiny hole forming in its side, allowing only a thin wisp of smoke to escape.
A box so unsettling that no one dared to approach it.
【Detected target(s)’ fear response.】
【<Veil of Shadows (Ex)> has been activated.】
That still, eerie image solidified in my mind.
And when I finally opened my eyes again—
…
Not a single person was able to move.
