1.
To be honest, I thought Lactea would be the one to fall, not <Heroes of Light>.
‘Makes sense, considering Lactea’s rank is S+.’
Unlike the other members, she wasn’t bound by any Restrictions, and even if she was, I figured she still couldn’t take on the average SS+ rank <Heroes of Light> alone.
But I was completely wrong.
【Vice-Captain of <Black Wolf> – <Lactea Babylonia> releases the <Restriction> of <Black Wolf>.】
【<Lactea Babylonia (S+)>’s rank rises to <Lactea Babylonia (EX-)>.】
As known by the other members, there was no <Black Wolf> Restriction, but due to the <Black Wolf>’s own contract, even greater power had been sealed.
I don’t know what that <Black Wolf> contract is exactly, but Lactea was someone on par with the Black Wolf himself.
So I intervened immediately.
No time to think. I threw myself in front of Asha just as her heart was about to be pierced.
Of course, even that was all part of the plan.
The idea was: with Ian Red’s “sacrifice”, <Heroes of Light> would escape, and then, when I returned miraculously from the dead later, I’d earn even greater trust.
But Nahan had overlooked some things. First was the closeness with the <Hero Party>.
‘Asha, Selena… even Gardner and Marin cared for me far more than I expected.’
So a disaster ensued—where they desperately tried to save me as I sacrificed myself.
Thanks to Vulcan’s carry, Asha, Selena, and Marin were safely sent back, but—
“Get… the hell out… grghk, get lost already…”
“For the sin of laying hands on the Gardner family’s future son-in-law, you shall pay with your life!!!!”
“You… son of a… grk, dumbass….”
The worst miscalculation among everything Nahan forgot—was Vulcan’s stupidity.
‘I assumed a human level of stupidity. Didn’t think it’d be worse than an animal…’
He must’ve thought he was being loyal, charging in like that, but at least look at the situation first!
If I really was Ian Red, we’d both just end up dying pointlessly.
Regardless…
“Live together or die together!!!”
BOOOOM!
Vulcan slammed his broken shield and charged at Lactea with fierce momentum.
But Nahan could see it.
‘He’ll die.’
Even if Vulcan was strong, facing someone of Ex- rank head-on was hopeless.
Still, he charged.
“Give me back Ian, you villain!!!”
“…So annoying.”
CLANG!!
SPLATTER!
Even though all his attacks were deflected easily, and only left deeper wounds—
“Gardner’s Shield… is the greatest in the world!!!”
THUD!
“…!”
Vulcan threw himself forward nonetheless.
He had to know too.
That in his current state, he stood no chance against the monster before him.
And yet Vulcan didn’t give up—because he was a Hero.
Hero.
I don’t know about wisdom, but a person who succeeds in difficult tasks with great talent and bravery.
“Don’t give up! Run toward life!! I’ll hold her off!!!”
That determination to save Ian with all he had, even when he knew it was futile—that was the figure of an honorable Hero found in every fairy tale.
So Nahan hoped.
‘I hope everyone can be happy.’
If we’re going to reach a happy ending anyway, I want to reach it with as many people as possible.
That’s why—
“Listen closely, Lactea.”
“…Captain!?”
“Shh. Make it look like I’m truly dead, then throw me toward the Guardian.”
“…Yes, Captain.”
We have no choice but to try our best.
The moment Nahan revealed that Ian Red and the Black Wolf were one and the same, Lactea’s longsword, which had been lodged in him all along, was yanked free in an instant.
SPLURT!
Blood sprayed in all directions.
“Ian!!!!”
Locking eyes with Lactea, Nahan threw himself toward Vulcan.
SPLAT!
Their bloodied bodies collided.
Just as Vulcan managed to catch Nahan and stop his charge—about to shout again—
…CRACK.
Nahan, clutching Vulcan’s collar, forced a smile as he whispered.
“I’m glad… that the final journey of my life could be with all of you.”
The moment he finished speaking, he summoned his Aura.
A golden Aura, most similar to divine power—belonging to the Yellow Dragon, one of the Great Ten.
Seeing Nahan’s determined act, Vulcan stumbled, desperately trying to hold onto him.
“Aah…!! Please, please don’t die!!!”
Nahan brushed away Vulcan’s hands trying to stem the bleeding, and with a single tear, made his request:
“Thank you for everything. I entrust the Empire to you.”
The next moment—
BOOM!
The golden Aura gathered in both his hands exploded as it struck Vulcan’s chestplate.
Vulcan was sent flying far into the distance.
“IAAAAAAAAAAN…!!!!”
Only after confirming Vulcan had been flung far out of sight did Nahan collapse like a corpse.
Ian Red, the free priest—
A new hero candidate who had awakened the third divine authority, qualifying him for the Popehood, after saving countless lives with <Heroes of Light>—
“…Lactea. He’s out of sight now, right?”
“…Yes, Captain.”
Disappeared from the world after his “sacrifice” for <Heroes of Light>.
2.
Immediately after leaving Vulcan’s line of sight, Nahan stood up.
“Captain!! Your blood…!!”
“…It’s fine.”
Nahan deactivated the disguise magic stone Ruby had given him and examined his wound.
It was a massive piercing wound—so deep, the chill of the night wind could be felt flowing through it.
‘No wonder it hurt like hell.’
After inspecting the wound, Nahan quietly reached for Iaso’s Ring.
The enhanced Iaso’s Ring.
Originally a <Transcendent> artifact, it had been upgraded alongside the <Celestial Barrier>, and now functioned at <EX> grade—unleashing its full potential.
【<Death Prevention (EX)> is currently active.】
Death Prevention.
A passive ability of Iaso’s Ring that heals even mortal wounds that would normally kill the wearer.
‘The <Hero Party> is completely driven off, and Vulcan seems unconscious—this should be fine.’
With that judgment, Nahan unleashed the ring he had been suppressing for the sake of his “sacrifice” performance.
【<Transcendent Artifact> – <Iaso’s Ring (EX)> activates!】
【<Ultimate Recovery (EX)> is triggered.】
KWRRRRK!
As a portion of Aura was consumed, the gaping wound was closed in an instant.
‘…Only about 5% of my Aura?’
To think it could regenerate a heart-piercing injury with just 5% of his Aura…
While wondering whether it was because his Aura pool was too large or the ring was just that powerful, Lactea approached him and grabbed his collar.
“…I’m sorry.”
Was it because she failed to carry out her order? Or because she was the one who pierced his heart?
Clack.
Removing her mask as well, Lactea looked up at him, flinching—with the darkest expression Nahan had ever seen on her face.
It was only natural.
Not only had she failed the mission her Captain gave her, she had also failed to recognize him in disguise and stabbed him. And on top of that—what she had done on the very first day they met.
“…I’m sorry for breaking the Restriction without permission.”
Even that—releasing the <Black Wolf>’s Restriction without consent.
That Restriction was the very first and oldest promise made between Lactea and the Black Wolf.
— Please, don’t lift the Black Wolf’s Restriction carelessly, Lactea.
Just as a golden tinge of sorrow began to rise on her face, which had always remained cold and indifferent, Nahan, having finished healing his wound, asked in a calm tone.
“Are you hurt anywhere?”
“…No.”
“Then that’s all that matters.”
A cold, yet gentle question.
“But…!”
“If you’re alright, that’s enough.”
As if to say he would accept no further arguments, Nahan gently patted Lactea on the head and turned away.
That too, was only natural.
“More importantly, Dalan chased after Ruby saying he’d find her. You need to bring her back safely.”
That was all that mattered now to Nahan—who had once again steeled his heart.
“I ordered Kassler to assassinate Count Valentine. Lay low somewhere for now, then return to the hideout as soon as Kassler gets back.”
“Yes, Captain.”
With that, Nahan turned and began following the traces left by Dalan and Ruby.
It wasn’t difficult.
Ever since acquiring everything from the <Black Wolf>—excluding the ultimate skill—he could feel an even stronger bond with the <Black Wolf> members.
‘…Underground?’
He hesitated for a moment, feeling the bond coming from an unexpected direction, and considered bringing the others with him—
‘No. I have to do this alone. Otherwise, <Eclipse> will just go into hiding.’
Regaining his composure, Nahan moved out.
Lactea stood there in a daze, watching his back as he left.
“…”
From the moment he first saved her, and even now as he charges toward his ideals—
— If you’re alright, that’s enough.
The Black Wolf had always put Lactea’s safety above all else.
Even though he was someone who threw himself into battle to pursue his ideals, he never failed to care for every person he saved along the way.
So of course—
The imperial princess Lactea, who had once shut her heart after being betrayed by someone she trusted…
She, who had waited for death without ever opening her heart to anyone again…
“…Captain.”
It was only natural she changed her mind—and came to love the man who saved her.
It was only natural.
.
.
.
This is a memory from some time later.
Did Lactea come to love the Black Wolf out of her own will, or…
─『Subquest Completed!』─
◆ For the Worst
: Aggravate the Empress of Babylonia, <Reina Babylonia (S+)>!
◆ Conditions
- Mention <Black Wolf>.
- Receive an elite wanted notice.
- Kill three imperial guards. (3/3)
◆ Reward
: <Lactea Babylonia (S+)>’s love.
◆ Failure or Refusal
: <Lactea Babylonia (S+)>’s death.
Was it the world playing a prank?
【…Who knows.】
It was something yet to be known.
3.
Meanwhile, Nahan had reached the underground.
“Hah… So, you’re from the <Black Wolf> too?”
“…Probably?”
He had encountered the Calamity of Blooming Blood.
