I stood there in a daze, staring up at the grand mansion towering before me.
"...It’s way too big."
It was located in the suburbs of the Royal Capital.
After being disinherited and kicked out of my family home, I had been provided with this—a spacious, two-story estate.
But… why?
In this country, there was no such thing as a convenient real estate agent. To rent a house, you generally had to negotiate directly with the community you belonged to—be it the Church, a Merchant Guild, or a noble landlord.
As a disinherited man, there shouldn't have been a soul willing to enter negotiations with me.
I had been on the verge of giving up on the capital altogether. Just as I was about to leave the city, a well-dressed elderly woman appeared out of nowhere. She looked at me and my luggage and spoke.
"Oh dear, do you have no place to stay? If that’s the case, I have a villa in the capital that’s just going to waste. Please, use it as you like."
And just like that, I owned a mansion.
I still didn't understand it. Even looking back, the whole encounter made zero sense. Who exactly was that woman?
I had half-expected it to be some sort of haunted or cursed property, but the exterior looked perfectly fine. Chesa produced a key and unlocked the door. I followed her inside, my suspicion only growing as I took in the interior.
It was fully furnished. The kitchen was stocked with high-end ingredients. The beds were plush, and there wasn't a single speck of dust to be found.
Isn't this a little too perfect? It felt less like a home and more like a stay at a luxury hotel.
What was going on? Who was trying to welcome me like this?
"...Well, I suppose it’s convenient, so I’ll take it."
『A wise choice. As they say, sometimes a windfall simply drops into your lap.』
Zest used a proverb from my previous world. This felt like a lot more than a simple windfall, but I couldn't deny that having a base to shield us from the elements was a blessing.
"Lord Claude."
『Hie!』 Zest yelped.
Chesa, who had been helping me unpack, called out from behind me.
"The tea is ready. Please, help yourself."
"...Hmph. I hope it’s actually drinkable."
I said that, but in truth, Chesa’s tea had never once disappointed me. I sat heavily onto the pristine sofa and took a sip.
...It was delicious.
A strange warmth radiated from my core. The fatigue that had built up from the back-to-back battles of the last few days seemed to melt away instantly.
"I will handle the rest of the unpacking."
"Naturally. You are my—"
"—Yes. I am Lord Claude’s tool."
Chesa replied flatly. Her tone was so matter-of-fact that it actually made me feel a bit awkward.
"T-That’s right. Just make sure you work hard enough that I don't have to lift a finger."
"As you wish."
Chesa turned on her heel and went back to work, leaving me to relax. Her absolute obedience was almost unsettling, but at least it served my purposes. If she stayed this submissive, people would draw their own conclusions. If rumors started that Claude was "training" a young maid, it would only help my reputation as a villain.
Still, I didn't have time to lounge around. I finished the tea in one gulp, set the cup down, and stood up.
"Chesa, I’m going out. Do not follow me."
"Understood."
With that brief acknowledgment, I left the estate.
Since we were in the suburbs, I had easy access to the area outside the city walls. I activated Dark Arma and ran for a short distance until I reached a dense, overgrown forest.
From now on, this would be my training ground. I had already begun to feel that my sessions in the basement were too restricted. Moving here might have been for the best after all.
I couldn't afford to rest. During the last battle, Reiji’s growth had been staggering. If he could just solidify his foundation a bit more, he might actually surpass me.
I had to become a higher stepping stone. I had to be a platform worthy of his talent.
"Dark Gate."
A crack split the air, and a pitch-black portal opened. Then another, and another. I opened four in total. I had finally grown accustomed to the Multiple Deployment of the Gate spell.
Alright. Let’s do this.
『Hey, wait! What do you plan to do with those Gates?!』
What else?
"I’m doing this."
I unleashed a torrent of Dark Shots from the four gates, all aimed directly at myself. I used Zest to parry the dark bombardment coming at me from every direction.
I dodged as if my life depended on it, and I swung my blade with everything I had. Since I had no master to teach me, I had to refine my swordsmanship through the crucible of life-or-death combat.
A sword to survive. A single strike meant to keep me alive. I would master it.
I came close to death countless times. Each time I did, I discovered a movement necessary for survival. I repeated those essential strikes over and over, engraving them into my mind and muscle memory. Eventually, only the most efficient, lethal movements remained.
『You… you really are something else. I can’t approve of this recklessness… but you are a genius of training.』
It wasn't that I wanted to do it this way; I simply had no one else to turn to. But a "genius of training," huh? For a stepping stone forced into a solitary struggle, that was a useful talent to have.
...Are you watching, Fate?
Don't worry. I’ll show you that I can be the proudest stepping stone this world has ever seen.
After her master left the mansion, Chesa let out a small sigh.
"...He was covered in wounds again."
On the day the mysterious monsters had attacked the capital, Claude had returned with his body battered and bruised. He had clearly been fighting in some place where no one would ever see him. Looking at the scars etched into his skin made her want to weep.
His body was covered in countless old marks. Chesa knew that every single one of them was a badge of honor, earned while protecting others in secret.
She began to clear away the teapot. The leaves were high-quality, the specific brand favored by the House of Einhart. They were Claude’s favorite. Chesa knew his tastes intimately; she could recite his top fifty preferences by heart and was currently aiming to memorize a hundred.
But this time, she had mixed something else into the tea.
A single drop of liquid fell from Chesa’s fingertip. It was a concentrated form of Cure, the water-attribute healing magic.
It had worked. The moment he drank the tea, Claude’s vitality had visibly returned. And her master hadn't even noticed what she had done.
Good. This was how she would support him.
From now on, she would mix her healing magic into everything he consumed. Every meal and every drink would be laced with the essence dripping from her fingers. Secretly, without anyone ever knowing, she would continue to heal his body from the shadows.
A strange, thrilling shiver ran through her. She didn't know what this sensation was, but it was becoming addictive.
"...Because I am the only one who truly understands Lord Claude’s mission."
A tingling sensation crawled up her spine. She didn't yet realize that what she was feeling was a sense of superiority.
I have to be the one to support him—the world's kindest liar.
As she stared at the essence on her fingertip, that was all Chesa could think about.
At the Rosemilian Duchy estate, Celestia and Irene sat together in the afternoon sun.
"We managed to make it in time."
"Yes. We successfully got the royal villa to Claude."
The two girls sat across from each other, letting out synchronized sighs of relief. Once they had realized the depth of the pain they had caused Claude, they were desperate to make amends. Irene, who felt responsible for his disinheritance, was particularly driven.
Their first priority had been providing him with a home. They had moved quickly to prepare a comfortable residence and had a trusted servant pose as a stranger to hand it over. They had even finished the cover-up to ensure the original owner’s identity remained hidden.
"We’ll keep supporting him like this, from the shadows."
"I agree," Celestia said with a firm nod. "After all, we’re the only ones who know the truth about Lord Claude’s mission."
"Exactly. We are his only true confidants."
A chill of excitement ran through both of them. Their cheeks flushed, and their lips curved into slight, involuntary smiles. There was a dark, sinful sense of superiority in knowing they were the only ones who understood his secret. That feeling acted as a balm for their wounded hearts.
"I wish he didn't have to fight such reckless battles anymore, but..."
"...Given Claude’s personality, he won't stop."
"It would be so much safer if we could just keep him confined somewhere."
"That would be ideal. If he stayed in that mansion, he would never have to get hurt again."
They both nodded solemnly. Outside the window, birds were chirping peacefully. The world continued to turn.
"But if we did that, Reiji wouldn't get any stronger."
"True. Claude’s position is tragic, but his actions are for the sake of the world. We can't get in his way."
Claude’s wish was simple: he wanted to protect the world. They couldn't bring themselves to deny his noble conviction.
Irene sighed just as a servant knocked and entered. Celestia stood up immediately.
"I’ll be right back. It looks like the list of supplies for Lord Claude’s estate is ready. I need to check it."
"I’ll wait here."
Claude had to want for nothing. They planned to send the finest food, clothes, and daily necessities next—all anonymously, of course.
Once Celestia left, Irene sat alone and rubbed her own stomach.
He has no place left to go. That’s why we have to build one for him. A perfect stage where he can play his role as a stepping stone with peace of mind.
"—Urgh!?"
Irene suddenly punched her own stomach, letting out a sharp groan. Gastric acid surged in her throat, but it wasn't enough. A pain like this wasn't nearly enough to match what he felt.
"Ngh… ah…!"
She struck herself again and again until a dull, throbbing pain set in. She found the sensation lovely. Every time it hurt, she was reminded of his kindness. She felt a twisted sense of happiness in being able to remember.
"............I wish he would hit me again."
Next time, she wanted him to hit her so hard she could never forget it for as long as she lived. Irene whispered to herself as she hugged her own aching stomach.
Reiji woke up in the Academy Infirmary. He had been a frequent guest here lately. Because the academy was home to many master mages, the treatment here was better than almost any clinic in the kingdom.
The Academy Director was standing by his bed. He waited for Reiji to wake before explaining everything that had happened.
He told him that thanks to Reiji’s efforts, the damage to the capital was minimal. He explained that Prime Minister Logen had been the mastermind.
And then…
"I-Is that true!?" Reiji’s voice rang through the room.
"Indeed. Princess Irene is safe. She was the one who personally exposed the Prime Minister’s crimes."
The tension left Reiji’s body all at once, and he slumped back into the bed. A long breath escaped him. It felt as if a heavy weight had finally dissolved into the air.
"I see… Thank god. She’s safe."
The moment he had opened his eyes, the memory of Claude plunging a sword into Irene’s chest had flashed through his mind. In that moment, he had been consumed by a dark, boiling murderous intent. But now, that was gone.
The Princess was alive. That fact alone made the world seem bright again.
"Why would Claude… do such a thing?"
Now that he was calm, Reiji could think about it clearly. Why had Claude stabbed her?
『Who cares about that!』 Maria’s voice shrieked hysterically in his mind. 『Listen to me! You have to beat Claude next time! And then you have to tear that black-hearted, piece-of-trash Zest limb from limb!』
Reiji was taken aback by Maria’s instability. Who was Zest?
『C-Claude! She meant Claude! Right, Sister?』
『Huh?! I didn't make a mistake! That stupid, moronic, useless, shitty, shitty, shitty piece of garbage, garbage, garbage, garbage, die, die, die, die—』
『R-Reiji! My sister is just a little overwhelmed, please don't mind her!』
"Uh… okay," Reiji replied mentally. Even Holy Swords had their bad days, apparently. Then, Maria’s voice cut through his thoughts again.
『Reiji! We are the Saviors!』
He didn't know what she was feeling, but the words struck a chord in his chest. That’s right—he was the Savior. He wouldn't let go of these Holy Swords. Since he had been given this power, he would use it to protect as many people as possible.
But there was an evil he couldn't defeat.
Claude von Einhart. Or just Claude, now.
During their fight, Reiji had felt the immense gap between them. It wasn't just a difference in skill; it was something fundamental. A difference in resolve. Claude’s sword felt like it was forged from conviction. That was exactly what Reiji was lacking.
What do I want to be strong for?
He wanted to be a hero. But that feeling alone wasn't enough. Even when fueled by hatred, he couldn't reach that man.
"...Reiji-kun," the Director said softly. "I’m sorry. I put you in danger by forcing that First Rank Magic on you."
"No, that was my own choice." Reiji shook his head. "I think there was a reason for this defeat. I was… in too much of a hurry."
He had been so obsessed with defeating Claude that he had lost sight of everything else. Strength without a foundation was fragile. Claude had taught him that.
"Perhaps a change of scenery is in order," the Director suggested, stroking his beard. "I’ve received an offer for an exchange program. The destination is the Empire… a nation where the state religion is the 'Eternal' of the second myth."
A different country meant different customs. For Reiji, who was searching for a way to change, it was the perfect offer.
"Please, let me go."
"...Are you sure? There are many here who consider you a hero."
"That’s exactly why I have to go," Reiji said firmly. "Right now, I want to be around people who don't see me as a hero."
"...I see. I’ll handle the paperwork."
Hero.
He wanted to discover what that title he had chased for so long actually meant. He wanted to find that answer within himself.
...Claude.
Reiji clenched his fist on top of the bedsheets. He was certain of one thing: to become a true hero, he had to surpass that man.
"One day, I will defeat you."
Not out of revenge, but to prove himself a hero. With the image of the enemy he had to overcome burned into his heart, Reiji took his first step toward a new future.