Two days after my encounter with the Iron-Blood Alliance—
A clerk approached me just as I was finishing up classes for the day.
"A guest in the Third Guest Room is requesting an audience with you, Lord Albert."
"Who is it?"
"A religious figure who introduced himself as Lord Maximilian."
The name rang a bell. In the original game, he was a member of the 'Dual-Eye Faction.' In other words, he represented one of the three groups currently beckoning me toward my grave.
I hadn't expected him to walk right through the front door and ask for me by name. I couldn't decide if he was exceptionally brave or just a complete moron.
My first instinct was to tell the clerk to kick him out, but I figured it would be better to decline the man in person.
Luna and Kaname, who had been in the same lecture, walked over to join me.
"Is something the matter, Lord Albert?" Luna asked.
"I have a guest—it’s regarding that matter we discussed."
With those few words, the two of them instantly understood the situation, their expressions hardening with a sense of urgency.
"Since you're here, you might as well see his face."
With that, I led the two of them toward the designated guest room.
Inside, a man in his forties dressed in monastic robes was waiting for us. The moment he spotted me, he threw his arms wide and cried out.
"Ah, Lord Albert von Kronstadt! It is a true honor to finally meet you! I am Maximilian!"
His voice was uncomfortably fervent, and his eyes practically sparkled as he looked at me. I could tell immediately—this guy was going to be a massive headache.
I didn't bother waiting for him to offer us seats; we simply sat down across from him.
"And who might these ladies be?" he asked, glancing at Luna and Kaname.
"People I trust. If you have a problem with them being here, I'm leaving too."
"No, no, not at all! If they are individuals trusted by Lord Albert, then there is no issue whatsoever!"
Maximilian straightened his posture, looking far too eager.
"Right. Then let's get to it... what do you want with me?"
"Lord Albert, tell me—have you ever read the Scripture?"
"Not particularly."
"The Scripture contains the words that Absolute God Zenos delivered to the lower world. It is the foundation of our entire doctrine."
"Is this a sales pitch? Sorry, but I've been non-religious since my previous life. You can show yourself out."
"No, this isn't a simple recruitment drive. Please, listen to the end. This is a matter of grave importance to you, Lord Albert."
Maximilian ignored my sarcasm, maintaining a persistent smile as he continued.
"Our doctrine is singular, but how one interprets the text and translates those teachings into language varies from person to person. Consequently, the Church is not a monolith; it is comprised of many sects. I belong to the 'Dual-Eye Faction,' a group distinct from the mainstream leadership."
"The Dual-Eye Faction? That's a strange name."
I remembered the name from the game, but it had just been a label for an enemy group back then. I had no idea where the name actually came from.
"It refers to heterochromia."
Maximilian’s uncomfortably warm gaze locked onto my eyes—my blue and black dual eyes.
...What?
"Our faction interprets the texts to mean that Absolute God Zenos possessed one blue eye and one black eye, exactly like you, Lord Albert."
"...Huh?"
"It is only natural that you are shocked! Those short-sighted fools in the Mainstream Faction claim the descriptions of the blue eye were merely a metaphor for sunlight reflecting off the pupil, but they are dead wrong! The eyes of God are heterochromatic! Those idiots! Honestly!"
His smiling face vanished, replaced by an expression of sudden, manic rage. This guy was genuinely terrifying.
"In the very near future, we intend to overthrow the Mainstream Faction and proclaim our teachings as the one true justice."
He leaned in, his eyes boring into mine.
"As a man who possesses the eyes of heterochromia, you, Lord Albert, are the only one fit to be our figurehead! You are the physical embodiment of God’s form! Please, stand at our vanguard and lead us!"
"I refuse."
I shut down his passionate plea with the shortest possible answer. No, absolutely not. I couldn't care less whether some god had heterochromia or not. Why did these people keep trying to drag me into their messes? And more importantly, why the hell did the original Albert actually agree to this?
"But why?! I am telling you that we will treat you as the living embodiment of God!"
That sounds like a lot of work, actually. Besides, I already told him I don't care about religion. Being put on a pedestal by a bunch of fanatics didn't exactly sound like a dream come true.
I was about to tell him exactly where he could shove his proposal when someone else spoke up.
"It is only natural that Lord Albert would refuse," Luna said, her face completely expressionless. "In fact, your proposal is nothing short of insolent. 'Embodying the form of God'? You are a fool who sees only the surface. Lord Albert is God."
...Wait, what?
"His strength, the depth of his knowledge, and the way he granted power to a helpless girl like me while bringing peace to my heart... He is truly a god. No, even that shallow word cannot describe his magnitude. He is the unparalleled Supreme Only One."
Luna, what are you saying? Have you lost your mind?
Kaname spoke up next.
"Luna-dono, I understand your devotion to Lord Albert, but you’re being a bit too intense de gozaru. You’re frightening Lord Maximilian. Allow me to explain."
I breathed a sigh of relief. Thank goodness Kaname was stepping in to talk some sense into her. I was worried things were about to spiral out of control.
"Lord Albert is neither a god nor a mere vessel for one," Kaname declared. "He is the reincarnation of Lord Shiunin de gozaru!"
The chaos just doubled!
"Shiu... who?" Maximilian asked, looking utterly bewildered.
"This man is Lord Shiunin returned! His Lightning Bolt is peerless! Every time he strikes me with his bolts, my entire body trembles with ecstatic joy! Oh, what a glorious sensation it is!"
"What is wrong with you people?!" Maximilian shrieked.
"I am telling you that Lord Albert is Lord Shiunin de gozaru!"
It was hopeless. The conversation had completely broken down.
"You... you people are blasphemers! To spout such idiotic delusions in the face of the divine...!"
Maximilian looked at them as if they were raving lunatics—which, in fairness, they were currently acting like. He turned back to me, looking desperate.
"A-Albert-sama! Forget them! What about my proposal?! If you cooperate with us—"
"I told you, I’m not interested."
"Guh...!"
Fine, if they were going to be weird, I’d just lean into it.
"I am Albert, I am the Supreme Only One who transcends your concept of God, and I am Lord Shiunin. I have no room in my life for your little rebellion. Now, get out."
"You... curse you!"
"Drop your pathetic ambitions," I added. "If you're a religious man, go do some actual charity work and preach your word the hard way to find followers."
"Shut up! Just shut up!"
Maximilian turned bright red and stormed out of the room. The door slammed shut with a heavy thud, leaving us in silence.
I looked at Kaname and Luna. Both of them looked incredibly proud of themselves.
"Lord Albert, were we of assistance?" Luna asked.
"Ah... yeah. Sure."
Well, the guy was gone, at least. It wasn't exactly how I’d planned to handle the rejection, but a win was a win.
"Should we have let that man leave alive de gozaru?" Kaname asked.
"For today, yes."
This was the same strategy I had for the Iron-Blood Alliance. I wanted them to gather all their forces so I could wipe them out in one fell swoop. The girls' performance had been... eccentric, but it certainly served as a great provocation.
Though, truthfully, I might not even have to do anything.
Their ultimate target was Saint Seraphina. But the Saint was protected by Hero Leon—the man who now carried that transcendent, inhuman atmosphere. With the way Leon was now, he would probably crush any threat before I even needed to lift a finger.
The following day, I was walking through the Royal Capital alone.
Two large men approached me, flanking me as I walked.
"Are you Albert von Kronstadt?"
"I am. Who's asking?"
"We need to talk. Come with us. If you don't... well, you're a smart guy. You know how this works."
This kind of forceful recruitment could only belong to the final group: 'Black Dawn.' I could have easily dismantled them right then and there, but...
Actually, I had every intention of hearing what Black Dawn had to say.
One thing had been bothering me for a long time. In the original game, when the Hero defeated the Demon King, she had screamed:
—"Curse you! Curse you all! If only I had obtained Albert von Kronstadt, I never would have lost!"
What did I have to do with her plans?
In the original timeline, Albert was executed during the Kingdom Festival, so he never fell into the hands of the demons. If these people were connected to the Demon Race, they might actually know something about my hidden significance. It was a secret I couldn't afford to ignore.
Nothing ventured, nothing gained.
"Fine," I said. "I'll hear what you have to say."