In Kataroff Village, it was custom to bury the deceased in the clothes they favored most during their lifetime. Usually, their finest attire—a suit or a dress—was chosen for the occasion.
Because of this tradition, Namia, who had been resting in her grave until moments ago, was still wearing a dress. Walking around outside in such an outfit would draw far too much attention, so I needed to get her home quickly without being seen.
Once we were safe, I asked Ageha to head into town and purchase some everyday clothes for Namia.
"Using me as your personal errand girl is just the absolute worst," she grumbled, but she seemed willing enough to listen and eventually headed out.
"So, Namia... how are you feeling?"
"I'm fine. Nothing feels wrong," Namia replied, nodding as she sat in a chair.
There were so many things I wanted to ask her, but I had no idea where to start.
"Hey, Kiska. That girl who was with you... who is she?"
I knew immediately she was asking about Ageha.
"Um..."
How was I supposed to answer that?
Ageha was my girlfriend, but Namia was my fiancée. Did this count as cheating? No, Ageha became my girlfriend while Namia was dead, so it shouldn't be considered cheating... logically.
Even so, I felt a heavy weight of hesitation at the thought of introducing Ageha to Namia as my lover.
"Ageha is... someone who helped me out in various ways. She’s still supporting me now."
"I see."
My chest ached with guilt, but for the moment, that explanation had to suffice.
"Hey, Kiska. I was dead, wasn't I? And I came back because of you."
"Yeah. That's right."
I watched her as I confirmed it.
Immediately after her resurrection, Namia had admitted she was confused, and she likely still was. I felt like I should explain everything properly, but her end had been so horrific that I was terrified of saying the wrong thing. If I triggered those memories and forced her to confront the reality of what happened, she might fall into a pit of despair.
"Do you... not have any recollection of being dead?" I asked, testing the waters.
If Namia didn't remember the moment of her death, I felt that would be the kindest outcome for her.
"No, I remember dying," she said, her voice steady. "I remember it vividly."
My hopes were dashed instantly.
"I’m sorry. I shouldn't have made you remember something so awful."
"Kiska, don't apologize. It's thanks to you that I'm here, talking like this. Truly, thank you."
"I see... You really are strong, Namia. I've always thought that about you."
"I don't think that's necessarily true," she replied, smiling bashfully.
Seeing her expression made me feel, once again, that using the ring had been the right choice.
"Hey, Kiska. Tell me what happened after I died."
Namia’s gaze turned serious. I had worried that the truth might break her, but seeing her like this, I realized just how resilient her heart was.
So, I told her everything.
I told her how the crime of her murder was pinned on me, and how I was exiled to the Dungeon Depths. I told her about the hardships I faced, meeting Ageha, and eventually conquering the Dungeon. I explained that I had found the ring during that journey.
I omitted the details about Save & Reset, my trip to the past, Vampire Eudite, and the Parasitic Sword: Puppeteer. Telling her everything at once would be overwhelming, and explaining Return by Death sounded so far-fetched she might think I'd lost my mind.
"I'm so sorry, Kiska. I'm sorry you had to suffer like that."
The moment I finished, Namia offered me her apologies. For a second, I was confused as to why she was the one saying sorry.
"If I hadn't said those things to you... none of this would have happened."
By "those things," she meant the night she asked me to run away with her—and the moment she told me she loved me.
Namia began to cry quietly.
"I was happy you said them," I insisted, reflexively taking her hand. "So please, don't blame yourself."
Namia gave a small, fragile smile. "Thank you."
"Hey, Kiska... I know it might be selfish of me, but I have a favor to ask. Will you listen?"
"Anything. Whatever you want, I'll make it happen."
"Thank you," she said, her smile widening slightly.
"So, what is it?"
I wondered what she was about to ask. Perhaps she wanted to fulfill the promise we made that day? The promise to leave the village and elope? That promise had been broken, but now, we had a second chance.
But just as I started thinking such optimistic thoughts, reality came crashing back. I remembered that I had Ageha now.
"I want you to help me with my revenge."
Her voice was flat, devoid of its usual warmth.
"Revenge...?"
I hadn't expected those words to come from her.
"Yes. Because... because of what that man did...!"
Namia suddenly crouched down, a low, hateful sound escaping her throat.
Of course. After what she had been put through, there was no way she could just let it go. Even I still felt the embers of a desire for vengeance burning within me.
"I understand," I said, stroking her back to comfort her. "I'll help you. Of course I will."
"Thank you," she sobbed, breaking down into tears once again.
"So, I realized I haven't actually introduced myself yet," Ageha said, cutting through the heavy atmosphere.
Namia had already changed into the everyday clothes Ageha had brought back for her.
"My name is Ageha Tsubaki. Ageha is the name, Tsubaki is the surname—though it seems this country doesn't really do surnames. My title is the Fourth Hero. As for where I'm from, it's a world different from this one. I was reincarnated here from a country called Japan, on the planet Earth."
Ageha rattled off her credentials with practiced ease. Looking at her again, her titles were almost impossible to believe. I only believed her because I’d seen her superhuman strength with my own eyes; anyone else would have assumed she was a compulsive liar.
"I met Ageha in the Dungeon," I added. "I know it's hard to believe she's a Hero out of nowhere, but I've watched her take down any Monster in a single strike. I can personally guarantee that she's the real deal."
"I see... that’s incredible," Namia said, her eyes wide with wonder.
"Um, my name is Namia. I was born in Kataroff Village. My father was a merchant, so I used to help out at the shop. I'm fairly good at math and keeping accounts. Compared to Lady Hero Ageha... I’m just an ordinary person."
Namia looked down, lacking confidence, which only made Ageha puff out her chest with pride.
"Also, just so we're clear—Kiska and I are lovers. I don't know what kind of history you two have, but don't forget that part."
I wanted to scream. What the hell are you saying?!
Ageha, having marked her territory, looked at me with a smug, triumphant expression. I was worried Namia would be crushed by the revelation. It was typical of Ageha to assert her dominance like this, and I didn't exactly have the standing to tell her she couldn't call herself my lover.
"Namia..." I said tentatively, checking her reaction. I was afraid to even imagine what she was thinking.
"I thought as much," Namia murmured, her expression surprisingly calm.
"You... you knew?"
"Well, yeah. The way you two act together... you definitely have the air of a couple. I’m happy for you, Kiska. You found such a cute girlfriend. You're a perfect match."
"Thanks..." I muttered, my response awkward and noncommittal.
I couldn't tell if she was just being brave or if she truly didn't mind. Ageha, meanwhile, seemed quite pleased with being called "cute" and a "perfect match," as the corners of her mouth were twitching into a smug grin.
"Um, Lady Hero Ageha?"
"Just Ageha is fine, Namia. Kiska doesn't use titles with me either."
"All right, Ageha. I’d like to ask you for the same favor I asked Kiska."
"A favor? What is it?"
"I want you to help me with my revenge."
Ageha didn't even hesitate. "Sure. Why not?"
Namia then proceeded to explain her motives to Ageha. Since I had already given Ageha a summary of my past, it was mostly a refresher.
She talked about the bullying I suffered in Kataroff Village. How we tried to escape together, only to fail. How a man named Dalga and his lackeys had murdered her.
Naturally, I made sure she didn't mention the part about us confessing our love to each other in front of Ageha.
She finished by explaining how the village chief and the rest of the villagers framed me, leading to my exile into the Dungeon Depths.
"Anyway, Kiska survived because of you, Ageha. I wanted to thank you for that. Thank you."
"Hmph. That’s right. Kiska wouldn't even be here if it weren't for me." Ageha’s ego was clearly enjoying the praise.
"So," I interrupted, "what exactly is this revenge you're planning?"
"Well, I don't have the fine details yet," Namia said, "but there's a major festival coming up in this town soon, isn't there?"
A major festival? I tried to recall if I knew anything about that.
"Don't tell me you forgot? The Demon King Subjugation Commemorative Festival is held in the village every year."
"Oh, right. I think I remember something like that."
Because of my silver hair, the villagers used to scream at me if I even showed my face on festival days, so I was usually forced to hide inside. I didn't have a single fond memory of the event.
"This year is the 100th anniversary, so they're planning it on a massive scale. Lots of dignitaries are being invited. I even heard members of the Royalty are attending."
"That's a huge deal," I noted. It was unheard of for royalty to visit a backwater village like this.
"And what do you want to do to this ceremony?"
"I want to tear the whole thing down," she said, a cold, predatory smile spreading across her face.