1.
Asha Mirabelle.
The protagonist of the dark fantasy novel <Babylonia>, and the other person assigned the quest to bring salvation alongside the ‘Empress’—the Hero.
If one were to define her in a single phrase,
【Warning.】
【<Hero of Light – Asha Mirabelle (SSS)> has appeared before <you>.】
She is strong.
Terrifyingly strong.
While reading through the novel, her strength was somewhat obscured by the description of her being ‘around S-rank’. However, upon reviewing the setting materials.
【Name: Asha Mirabelle】
– Alias: Hero of Light.
– Rank: SSS-rank.
– Information: Originally a commoner from the remote village of ‘Mirabelle,’ she was chosen by the Goddess of Light Aria to become a Hero. Due to a certain incident, the status effect – <Distrust> is permanently active, and she rarely expresses emotion.
She was not merely ‘around S-rank’—she was a being who vastly exceeded S-rank, standing at SSS-rank.
‘Right now, based on my standards, the strongest group I know—the average member of <Black Wolf>—is at S-rank.’
The difference between ranks is akin to the weight classes in martial arts. If Asha were a heavyweight champion (120kg), then the members of <Black Wolf> would be middleweight champions (84kg)—two classes below.
Of course, the Captain of Black Wolf, Nahan, is described as an EX-rank—the peak of the world.
But that applies only to the original Nahan from the novel.
As I am now, it’s as if I’m sitting inside a tank without knowing how to operate it.
Until I fully understand how to use it, I cannot be a match for Asha.
Which means… if she discovers that I am Black Wolf’s Captain, ‘Black Wolf’, my head will roll before I have a chance to resist.
Now, here’s the problem.
“Are you listening? A prayer and confession for the departed—is that possible?”
I am facing the greatest enemy of <Black Wolf> from the original novel.
What is the most appropriate attitude for me to display right now?
The answer is—
“I shall pray.”
‘Do whatever she asks, as quickly as possible, and kick her out of my base.’
‘Fortunately, I have fully absorbed the contents of both the <Babylonia Full Content> and the <Encyclopedia>.’
To act the part of a priest, I recalled a scene involving Black Wolf’s No.1, the fanatic—Peter.
『“Let us pray for the departed.”
The young acolytes of Aria turned their gazes toward him.
Because they found it absurd.
Because they were furious.
Because they were resentful.
The one who had turned the living into the dead.
The one who was now trying to kill them.
It was all his doing.
And yet—
“May light shine upon all those who have left this world, and grant them rest, free of darkness.”
The man before them prayed as if he were truly grieving, even shedding tears.
Before long, the children’s anger vanished entirely.
“I shall embrace you all.”
The man murmured as he spread his shadows, embracing hundreds.
“Aah…!! Please forgive their sins!!”
For by then, there were no living left.
The lone-standing fanatic.
“All things are for Him alone.”
The only one he believed in—was none other than Black Wolf. 』
The moment I recalled the scene, I was certain.
‘This bastard is a cultist.’
No wonder the title Fanatic was attached next to his name.
I had hoped to find useful references, but I nearly got myself burned at the stake for heresy.
“…?”
After kneeling in silence for about thirty seconds, Asha began to look suspicious.
– Bro. I’ll pray for you.
– …I don’t believe in gods.
– Me neither. But I still pray.
– Fine, do whatever you want.
Recalling a more suitable memory, I assumed the role of a priest and spoke.
“Our mother who art in heaven, today…”
“Oh my, has your mother passed away?”
“…I was referring to the Goddess. Please be silent and focus on prayer.”
“My apologies.”
Although my opening line had been interrupted, once I started speaking, the words flowed naturally.
“Hestia Gardner. May that young soul be blessed with eternal light, and find rest free of darkness.”
While praying, I slightly opened my eyes to check.
“…”
Kneeling in silence was a woman—calm and clear as a frozen blue crystal.
At first, she seemed slightly skeptical. But now, she was fully immersed in prayer.
Even so, she is still the Hero—
Black Wolf’s greatest nemesis.
I don’t know why she returned three days earlier than in the original novel, but what’s done is done. I need to do my best to conceal my identity.
‘Ian Red, was it?’
A distant relative of Ruby Red, the branch manager of the Mercenary Alliance. A noble who fled from his family at a young age, survived, and later became a free priest.
Unlike the roles I’m already playing—Black Wolf and Yellow Dragon—Ian Red is different.
He is a character with only a loose framework, lacking specific details.
In other words, instead of acting as an existing character, I must build and perform the role from scratch.
‘If I think about it that way, running into the Hero is actually a good thing.’
If I create and act out a character that earns the Hero’s favor, I can establish a connection with her and occasionally meet to gather information.
‘So, let’s think about it.’
So, I need to think.
People are drawn to others for many reasons—love, friendship, wealth, fame, knowledge, guidance, and more.
But I have never possessed any of those things.
– Brother! If you say that, I’ll be sad!
…Right.
Maybe I did have one thing, without realizing it.
Regardless—after wandering through orphanages, shelters, factory dormitories, demolition sites, gang hideouts, security quarters, and even the military…
One truth became clear.
Humans are naturally drawn to those who can fill their voids.
And that truth…
‘Applies to Heroes just as much.’
I recall the details from Babylonia Full Content and the Encyclopedia.
Hero of Light – Asha Mirabelle.
A commoner born in the remote and impoverished village of ‘Mirabelle,’ chosen by the Goddess <Aria> to become a Hero. Due to a certain incident, the status effect <Distrust> is permanently active, and she barely expresses emotions.
And I am—
The only person in this world who knows what incident Asha Mirabelle went through.
That’s why I could predict it.
‘Asha will surely cancel the confession and leave as soon as the prayer is over.’
If you understand someone’s void, you can gain their favor by filling it.
I closed my eyes and assigned a deeper setting to the character.
【Notification – <Creative Acting> begins!】
【Stage 1 – <Setting> is complete.】
【The character <Ian Red> gains exponential depth!】
Just like when I was the most obedient under the domineering orphanage director.
Like the time I took the knife for the big brother of Seoul’s most feared syndicate—because he couldn’t bring himself to trust people.
【Stage 2 – <Immersion> is complete.】
【You will now embody <Ian Red> without the slightest deviation.】
I only needed to act exactly as the kind of person Asha longed for, slowly filling the void in her heart that even she wasn’t aware of.
“I conclude this prayer.”
Since no one had actually died, I hurriedly wrapped up the prayer and raised my head.
Asha did the same, lifting her gaze.
There were no tears, no sorrow—just a cold, mechanical movement, as if she had only followed along because others were doing it.
She stood up without so much as a sigh, her blue eyes locking onto mine as she spoke.
“The confession will be postponed.”
As expected.
And because I had anticipated it, I was able to establish a new hypothesis.
The Hero of Light.
The Cold Empress.
The Doll of Destruction.
Her ‘emotionless’ nature was famous across the entire continent.
But the truth was, Asha Mirabelle was not emotionless.
‘If anything, she might be more emotional than anyone else in <Babylonia>.’
Her perpetual lack of expression wasn’t due to an inherent defect, nor was it caused by magic or a curse.
It was a thick layer of self-imposed defense—a shield she had built for herself.
‘A kind, reticent, steadfast man. One who is strong against the strong, yet endlessly gentle to the weak. A man who treats everyone equally. One who is boundlessly compassionate.’
Recalling both <Babylonia Full Content> and <Encyclopedia>, I finalized the complete profile of Ian Red as a character.
【Stage 3 – <Method Acting> activated.】
【You are now <Ian Red>.】
Stage 3 manifested at the same time.
Before I could even recognize what had changed, my body moved on its own.
“Pardon me for a moment.”
A question that did not seek an answer.
“No, allow me to intrude for a moment.”
For some reason, my chest ached slightly.
Acting on impulse, I hurriedly added those words and stepped closer to Asha.
Then, I embraced her.
I wrapped my arms gently around the girl who had endured everything alone, barely holding back tears that threatened to spill at any moment.
“What do you think you’re doing?”
Good question.
I don’t really know either.
But one thing is certain—
“…Don’t cry.”
I don’t want you to cry anymore.
The Hero of Light.
Asha Mirabelle.
And after a brief moment—
“…Aren’t you the one crying?”
The girl in my arms slowly buried her face into my shoulder.
