Book 1 Chapter 943

943.

Perena wore an extremely flustered expression.

Lysinas, watching Perena, let out a small laugh.

"Are you surprised that I realized you came from the future?"

"Ah… well, that… I mean…"

One of the first principles of conquering the Hero's World is to hide the conqueror's identity.

The moment they realize someone came from the future, they see through the conqueror's identity, and at that moment, they realize this place is fake.

At that moment, the minds of those inside the Hero's World collapse.

Knowing that, Perena couldn't help but fall into a panic.

But Lysinas was unperturbed.

There was no sign of her mind collapsing.

Perena, pondering the reason, arrived at a conclusion.

'Ah, perhaps it's because the Hero's World didn't exist during the Age of Calamity?'

If she didn't know about the Hero's World, she might simply think Perena was someone from the future.

Lysinas was silently watching Perena.

She was waiting for her to calm down.

Realizing this, Perena carefully asked.

"How did you know?"

"Because your aura is different."

Lysinas smiled gently.

Perena's aura was quite different from that of someone who had lived through the Age of Calamity.

Of course, that alone wasn't enough for her to see through Perena as a future individual.

"And because you treated me like someone you knew."

Lysinas smiled faintly.

"I wondered if we'd met before, but I couldn't recall. Plus, how should I put it, it felt like you treated me as a historical figure. And subtly, your common sense seemed different too."

Thanks to those subtle attitudes and actions, Lysinas could discern that Perena was not a person of this era.

It was only possible due to Lysinas's insight.

'As expected of Lady Lysinas…'

Perena stared blankly at Lysinas.

Lysinas, chuckling at Perena, asked.

"So, how far into the future did you come from?"

At those words, Perena hesitated.

Even though her origin from the future had been exposed, she wondered if it was okay to reveal detailed information.

Seeing Perena's demeanor, Lysinas didn't ask anything awkward.

"Still, the fact that a child like you came from the future means our victory is certain, doesn't it?"

"Yes, the Great Heroes succeed in subjugating Erebus."

"I see. They really succeed."

Lysinas was surprised.

"Didn't Lady Lysinas have a firm belief in victory?"

"Of course, I never doubted that we would win."

Lysinas smiled faintly.

"That was a lie. To be honest, I'm always anxious. All my words were lies."

Perena was surprised by that answer.

The biggest lie Lysinas told was that there was hope to save the world.

Even Lysinas couldn't fully believe in that hope.

But outwardly, she acted differently.

"As if there was a plan. As if light awaited beyond."

She composed herself and showed the image of an unwavering leader.

"In the end, since that lie became the truth, does that mean it wasn't a lie?"

At her playful smile, with a slight peek of her tongue, Perena found herself laughing unwittingly.

For a long time, people revered the Great Heroes as divine beings.

But when Arion subjugated the fragment of Erebus.

When Luna appeared and fought against the Necromancer King.

When Dweno subjugated the Giant King.

When Lysinas selected the new king to lead the next era.

Those who met the Great Heroes directly said in unison.

That the Great Heroes were also just people, no different from themselves.

'Though some people, upon hearing those words, cursed them, saying it was blasphemy against the Great Heroes…'

Perena, having met Lysinas directly like this, could understand.

That they too were people just like herself.

"So? How am I recorded in the future?"

"You are called the King of Wisdom."

"That suits me."

Lysinas wore a satisfied expression.

She sometimes hid her anxiety when she was anxious and pretended to be strong, putting on a brave front.

She laughed and rejoiced at small things.

Perena felt her heart ease at Lysinas's innocent demeanor.

"What about Luna?"

"She became a guide like a star in the night sky for all elves. The elves call Lady Luna the Ancestor of the Nebula and sincerely revere her."

"Wow. Luna got what she wanted, too? What about Arion?"

"He is called the Brave One who has the courage to turn the impossible into possible."

"That's true… but it's a bit surprising that's how he's recorded. What about Dweno? Did he leave his name as an artist?"

"He is called the God Blacksmith. It was relatively recently that it became known that Lord Dweno was an artist."

"I knew it. An artist, please."

Lysinas snorted.

Then she cautiously asked about the next person.

"What about Kyle?"

"Lord Kyle…"

Perena glanced at Lysinas's face.

Lysinas showed a slightly nervous demeanor.

Seeing that face, Perena involuntarily burst into laughter.

Lysinas's eyes widened, watching Perena.

"Ah, I'm sorry. Hehe."

Perena, having calmed her laughter, looked at Lysinas.

Normally, such an attitude would be close to disrespectful, but Lysinas treated her so casually that she forgot.

"Lady Lysinas, you like Lord Kyle, don't you?"

"What?!"

Lysinas wore a flustered expression.

"How did you know? Ah. Since you came from the future, perhaps you would know?"

Lysinas laughed awkwardly.

"Yes. I know everything. Lady Lysinas and Lady Luna both loved Lord Kyle."

"I see."

Lysinas, who had been nodding at Perena's words, paused.

'Wait. How did it become known in the future that both of us liked that fellow?'

Doubt arose.

'Surely that guy isn't two-timing?'

"Lord Kyle was a forgotten Great Hero until recently."

"Forgotten?"

"Yes. Until recently, almost no records of Lord Kyle remained. So for a long time, it was known that only four people subjugated Erebus. Lord Kyle was considered a fictional hero."

"Pfft! If Kyle heard that, he'd be incredibly indignant."

Lysinas burst out laughing.

Kyle wasn't particularly interested in leaving his name in the future.

'Even so, if he went through all that hardship on the journey to defeat Erebus and then was forgotten, he'd be incredibly resentful.'

"Even so, that's fortunate. The fact that you're saying that means they eventually found evidence that he truly existed, right?"

"Yes. He saved the world as the last one, and is called the 'Hero of Beginnings'."

At Perena's words, Lysinas paused.

"Lady Lysinas?"

"I see. The future truly regained peace."

Lysinas naturally changed the subject.

"Yes. It's all thanks to the Great Heroes. Thank you very much."

Perena bowed her head to express her gratitude.

"I'm glad. To be able to receive such thanks."

"But Lady Lysinas. What did you mean earlier when you said I could choose?"

"Hmm? It's nothing much."

Lysinas spread her palm and looked at her hand.

"I don't know what you call it in your era, but I was originally tasked with executing traitors of the world."

"Are you saying Lady Lysinas was the Shadow? Not Lord Kyle?"

"Hmm. So they call it the Shadow in the future."

Lysinas nodded and smiled faintly.

"That task was originally the duty of the dragon race, born as black dragons. Kyle said it was an unsuitable duty for me, who was to lead the world to hope, and took it upon himself."

"I see."

"Yes. But. I don't believe that duty is ever dishonorable."

At those words, Perena's eyes widened.

"Because I was born in darkness, I could long for light and learned how to find it."

"…"

"Of course, black dragons have been forced into that unwanted task for a long time."

Lysinas spoke with sincere eyes.

"I believe those who willingly walk that path are noble."

Perena wore a blank expression.

The selector of heroes looked at Perena with honest eyes.

Her heart inexplicably pounded at that gaze, as if she were looking at a hero.

Just then.

Knock-knock- Bang-

The door opened with a knock.

With that, the door opened and Berquia peeked her face in.

"Lady Lysinas. Where is Master Kyle?"

"Hmm? Why Kyle?"

"If Master Kyle isn't here, I think Lady Lysinas should come instead."

"What happened?"

"Lady Luna caught a suspicious human named Carl."

"Senior Carl?"

Perena asked, startled.

"It seems your companion has been caught by Luna. So, what about that person named Carl? Given Luna's personality, even if he's suspicious, she wouldn't harm him."

"No. She investigated him and is extremely delighted, saying she found magical fascinating aspects."

"That's typical Luna. But why Kyle?"

"She's raving about dissecting him."

"What did that magic-idiot do?"

At the voice from behind, Berquia looked that way.

There was Kyle, standing with Bihal.

"She caught a suspicious person and says she's going to dissect him."

***

"Huuuhuhu! Thank you! Thank you!"

Carl clung to Kyle's trouser leg and sobbed.

"Are you alright?"

"Perena! I thought I was going to die!"

"You didn't die."

Perena said curtly.

At her coldness, Carl made a sorrowful expression.

"Anyway, what a fearless brat. Clinging to me like that."

Kyle looked at Carl with an exasperated expression.

Kyle was famous as the hero who survived.

Even at this time, there were many in Gardslon who feared Kyle.

But Carl clinging to him without hesitation made him feel a little strange.

Meanwhile.

Lysinas was scolding Luna.

"Are you sane? No matter how fascinating, why dissect him? Are you planning to kill someone because of magic?"

"I wasn't going to kill him. I was planning to sew him up nicely afterward. There wouldn't even be a scar, you know?"

Thwack-!

"Agh!"

Lysinas hit Luna on the head without hesitation.

"Why on earth were you trying to dissect him?"

When Lysinas asked in a cold voice, Luna spoke softly, just loud enough for Lysinas to hear.

"Don't be surprised, but that guy. It seems he came from the future. If that's true, wouldn't it be worth catching him and dissecting him?"

"Even if it's true, that's no reason to dissect him."

Thwack-!

"Agh!"

Lysinas hit Luna on the head again.

Luna, unable to resist because she had done wrong, pouted and rubbed her head.

"I'll welcome both of you as honored guests of Gardslon for now."

"Thank you."

"How about staying at my house? I'll take good care of you."

As Luna's eyes gleamed, Carl spoke in a terrified voice.

"Um… Could we stay at Lord Kyle's house instead?"

'What on earth happened?'

Perena looked at Carl with an exasperated expression.

"I don't like noisy things."

"Kyle, you take care of them."

"Tch."

Kyle clicked his tongue at Lysinas's words but didn't protest.

Luna wore a slightly displeased expression.

And then she grumbled and left the room.

Berquia followed her, and Bihal guided Carl and Perena to their room.

As Kyle was scratching his head and about to leave the room.

"Kyle."

"Why?"

"I'm sorry."

"If you're sorry, then you take those kids."

"I'm sorry."

Kyle looked back at Lysinas.

Lysinas was looking at Kyle, tears streaming down her face.

At that, Kyle wore a flustered expression.

"What's wrong with you?"

"I'm sorry."

"I'm fine, so don't cry. Huh? Ah, really, why are you crying?"

Lysinas buried her face in Kyle's chest as he approached her.

In some unknown future.

Lysinas, upon realizing that she, who had broken her promise, would once again make Kyle the hero who survives, could only sob.