The first thing Ren registered upon waking was the blinding light.
Next came the sensation of a soft bed beneath him, followed by a dull throb of pain radiating through his body.
"Ugh... ah..."
As he let out a low groan, a voice spoke from nearby.
"Stay down. Your wounds haven't fully healed yet."
Ren turned toward the voice and saw a man standing by the window. Though they had never met, Ren recognized him immediately from his dignified presence.
"Are you... the Baron?"
Baron Clausel offered a warm smile and took a seat in the chair beside the bed.
"I am Lezard Clausel. If you are comfortable with it, you may address me simply as Lezard. Now then... I truly do not know how many times I must thank you."
"Not at all. But... where am I?"
"This is my mansion. You have been asleep in that bed for an entire month."
"A—A month!?"
"Indeed. A month has passed since the day you and Licia arrived in this town."
Despite his sudden awakening, Ren had a mountain of questions. Above all, Licia’s well-being occupied his mind. As if reading his thoughts, Lezard let out a soft chuckle.
"My daughter is safe. All thanks to you."
"...That’s a relief."
"Look. She is sleeping right at your feet."
Ren carefully turned his head, mindful of the pain, and saw Licia at the foot of the bed. She was perched on a stool, her upper body resting against the mattress as she slumbered. Bathed in the warm sunlight streaming through the window, she looked far better than she had during their flight; her complexion was healthy, and her hair had regained its silken luster.
"She’s been here every day," Lezard said. "Licia hasn't left your side."
"I... I am so sorry."
"No, there is no need to apologize. It was her choice, and I personally feel it is the least we can do to repay our debt of gratitude."
From there, Ren listened as Lezard caught him up on the situation. Ren’s family would be arriving in Clausel soon. While many of the village residents had been injured, miraculously, there were no fatalities. The village was currently being rebuilt with the full support of House Clausel.
And then, the conversation turned toward the political fallout.
"It is all thanks to you. The reason I was able to secure aid from a certain Great Noble was because you slew the Thief Wolfen."
"Um... what do you mean?"
"I believe you’ve heard that the materials from a Thief Wolfen are ingredients for a rare medicine."
(Wait, but...)
Ren recalled the vision he’d had shortly after being captured by Jelququ—a dream of a different timeline. In that version of events, the Thief Wolfen had also been defeated. He wondered why the outcome was so different now.
"The medicine requires several internal organs, and it is useless if even one of them is damaged," Lezard explained, answering Ren's unspoken question. "That is why medicine made from such materials is so incredibly rare. However... the organs of the Thief Wolfen you slew were in perfect, pristine condition."
Ren realized the difference. In that other timeline, the knights had killed the beast after a grueling battle that left them heavily wounded and Roy dead. In this reality, Ren had killed the Thief Wolfen instantly by driving a blade through the roof of its mouth into its brain. Because he had killed it from the inside, its internal organs remained untouched.
"And why was that medicine the key to your aid?"
"The master of the man who intervened on my behalf needed that medicine for a family member. I sold the materials to him. In exchange—aside from the gold—I secured a promise for his assistance under certain conditions should an emergency arise."
"...Then he must be a very high-ranking noble."
"Indeed. Against a Marquis, Viscount Given could not lift a finger."
(So he really did have a Great Noble backing him.)
"Oh, right. I have something for you from the Marquis. To be precise, it came from his steward."
Lezard reached into his coat and produced a piece of black paper about the size of a playing card. He placed it on the small table beside the bed. Ren looked at the embossed crest and felt a prickle of familiarity.
(...I've definitely seen that crest before.)
But he couldn't quite place it. He tilted his head at the elaborate design.
"The man's name was Edgar," Lezard continued. "According to him, this serves as an invitation to the Marquis's mansion."
"For... for me?"
"Yes. Apparently, the Marquis wishes to meet you personally. As he is a noble of the Imperial Faction, I am somewhat hesitant to encourage the connection, but one does not simply refuse a Marquis."
"I'm just the son of a rural knight. I hardly think I'm the sort of person a Marquis should be meeting..."
"You can't exactly brush him off, Ren. It seems the medicine made from your Thief Wolfen saved the life of the Marquis's daughter."
He wanted to meet Ren no matter what. He wanted to offer his personal thanks. Ren nodded, finally understanding the full picture. He also understood why the Marquis had agreed to support the retrial.
(He probably used those 'conditions' to avoid making it look like a faction move.)
As a member of the Imperial Faction, the Marquis needed a definitive reason to strike at a member of the Hero Faction like Given. By framing it as a personal debt for his daughter’s life, he could intervene without sparking an all-out faction war.
(So the information Licia and I brought back was the final piece of the puzzle.)
By providing the Marquis with evidence of Given's crimes, Lezard gave the Great Noble the leverage he needed to act with total authority.
"Oh, and do not worry so much about your speech," Lezard added, noticing Ren correcting his pronouns. "I will not scold the savior of my daughter over a lack of formality. Please, speak in whatever way makes you comfortable."
Lezard's expression then turned solemn.
"Lastly, regarding Viscount Given... the man is dead."
Ren’s eyes went wide.
"A retrial was held immediately after you and Licia returned, and I was exonerated. Given was hit with several counter-charges, and a formal trial was scheduled to be held in his own territory. However... he committed suicide using poison that same night."
"...Was it truly suicide?"
"There was likely pressure from his patron noble. Or perhaps he simply realized he was cornered and chose death over a prison cell."
It felt like a classic case of a lizard cutting off its own tail. Ren felt a wave of nausea at the thought of the nobility’s dark underbelly.
"Furthermore, his mansion was set on fire by an unknown party. Most of the documents that could have served as evidence were reduced to ash. We wanted to investigate his true motives, but all we have left is the testimony of his surviving knights."
Ren asked why Given had been so obsessed with the Ashton family. According to the knights, the family was "important" to the Viscount's plans, but the specifics remained a mystery. Ren’s mind was still too foggy from his long sleep to connect the dots.
"Regardless, thanks to the Marquis's protection, no one will be laying a hand on Clausel for the time being. He is keeping both the Imperial and Hero Factions in check."
Lezard stood up to leave.
"Now, I’ve talked your ear off long enough for someone who just woke up. I shall take my leave, but if you are hungry, I’ll have a meal sent up. How does that sound?"
"I... Yes, thank you. I would appreciate that."
"Don't be so stiff. I want you to treat this mansion as your own home. At least until your wounds are healed, let us look after you."
Ren watched him leave and let out a long sigh.
"...To think I'd end up staying in the Clausel mansion like this."
Not long ago, he’d been a fugitive running for his life, and before that, he’d lived in a drafty old house in the woods. This place was the height of luxury. It was almost frightening how easily one could get used to such comfort.
"No. I'll think about that later."
For now, he had to accept the hospitality. He carefully pushed himself up into a sitting position. He looked down at Licia, who was still sleeping soundly, and felt a sense of peace. Then, he reached for the black card on the side table.
"Hmm..."
The crest was definitely familiar.
"I know I saw this somewhere in The Legend of the Seven Heroes... probably in the first game..."
As he whispered to himself, Licia’s eyes slowly fluttered open.
"...Ren?"
She blinked several times, then suddenly scrambled onto the bed. She crawled toward him on all fours, bringing her face so close he could have counted her eyelashes. There was a long, heavy silence.
Just as a bewildered Ren was about to speak, large tears began to spill from Licia’s eyes.
"...I told you to run," she sobbed.
"I'm sorry. I couldn't just leave you behind, Licia-sama."
"...Are you an idiot? I caused so much trouble for you... putting your life on the line like that is just crazy."
"It's not crazy. I was being serious."
"...That's exactly what makes you an idiot! You big idiot!"
They weren't the words most people would use for their savior, but she couldn't help herself. Mindful of his injuries, she leaned forward and buried her face against his chest, her shoulders shaking with sobs.
"I'm sorry. It’s all... all my fault."
"It was just bad luck. Besides, we both made it back alive, so it’s fine, isn't it?"
Ren hesitated, wondering if he should comfort her. He gave a small, wry smile and eventually placed a hand on her back, stroking it gently. Licia leaned further into him, as if needing to confirm with her whole body that he was truly awake.
They stayed like that for several minutes. Finally, Licia wiped her eyes and sat up next to him on the bed. For a girl who usually acted so mature, she looked remarkably young and vulnerable in that moment.
"Are you feeling okay now, Licia-sama?"
"...Yeah."
"I'm glad. You were so exhausted during that fight, I was really worried—"
The fight. That reminded him.
(What was that power at the very end?)
His bracelet was gone. He had been using his rewards to maintain the illusion of the fake bracelet, but it seemed his body had hit its limit and the magic had dissipated on its own. Seeing Ren checking his wrist, Licia misinterpreted the gesture.
"I—I'll give you a new bracelet! A better one!"
"No, really, it's fine..."
"I'm giving you one! End of story!"
The bracelet had only been a fake to begin with, so receiving a real one would be a waste of her money since he wouldn't use it. He’d eventually have to "forge" a new one anyway, but for now, he needed to steer her in a different direction.
"I-In that case, I'd rather have a dagger! Like the one before... it was really useful for starting fires!"
Licia had lost the dagger Ren had lent her during the battle. Having learned how vital fire was during their time in the wilderness, he genuinely wanted a replacement.
"Fine! I'll find the perfect dagger for you!"
As Licia cheered up, Ren couldn't stop thinking about that mysterious magic sword.
(It was right near Licia-sama's chest...)
When he had reached out while she was unconscious, his bracelet had reacted. It was the same feeling as when it absorbed a mana stone.
"...What? Why are you staring at me like that?"
Ren realized he had been gawking and looked away awkwardly.
"Sorry. It's nothing."
"Is it? That was a very... intense look. Is something wrong with me?"
Ren decided to test a theory, figuring she'd just laugh it off as a joke.
"It's nothing serious, but... I was just wondering if you might have a mana stone inside your body, Licia-sama."
He expected her to be exasperated or confused. Instead...
"Wh—Huh!?"
Her reaction was the complete opposite. Licia pulled back, crossing her arms over her chest in a surprisingly suggestive defensive posture. Her face turned bright red, and she looked at him with a mix of shame and sudden wariness.
"Wait, really?"
"Don't 'really' me! How on earth do you know about the mana stone in my body!? Did Father tell you!?"
"No, I don't really understand how I know either."
"Well... yeah, I suppose Father wouldn't tell anyone about a Saint's body."
"So you actually do have one?"
"Ugh! Yes! I'm telling you I have one!"
It was exactly as he thought. It was centered right in her chest.
"Tell me! Who told you!?"
"I'm serious, I was just guessing. It was meant to be a joke."
Licia took a breath, calming down slightly. "Oh... phew. You scared me for a second."
"It seems like a pretty major secret. Are you sure it's okay for me to know?"
"It's fine. I know you won't tell anyone, Ren."
The sheer amount of trust in her voice was staggering. After everything they had been through, she trusted him with her life—a secret was nothing by comparison.
"I had no idea. I didn't know Saints carried mana stones."
"Most don't. Only the most powerful Saints are born with a mana stone inside them. But you have to keep it a secret, okay? Only my family and the High-ranking Priests of the Temple are supposed to know."
She explained that the secret was for her protection. Mana stones were typically only found inside monsters. If the public knew a Saint carried one, people might start viewing her as a monster herself.
(So that unnamed magic sword...)
It must have manifested by drawing power from Licia's mana stone. It made sense, but it still left so many questions. Why did it draw power from her? Why was its name just a question mark? And why was it so devastatingly powerful?
For now, he had to focus on the immediate reality.
"I promise. I won't tell a soul."
Licia nodded, satisfied. She hopped off the bed. "I'm going to the storehouse! I'm going to find you the best dagger they have!"
As she turned to leave, Ren called out to her.
"Licia-sama! One more thing!"
"Hmm? What is it?"
"This crest on the paper... I can't remember the name of the house."
Licia gave a small, troubled smile. The Marquis was a powerful noble of the Imperial Faction, and as someone who had suffered because of factional infighting, she had complicated feelings about him.
"That," she said with a sigh, "is the crest of House Ignat. One of the greatest families of the Imperial Faction."
With a final "I'll be back soon," she left the room.
Ren sat there, stunned. He repeated the name over and over in his mind.
"That's right... Ignat...!"
It wasn't just a name he recognized. Marquis Ignat was the final boss of Seven Heroes I.
"Ugh... how did it come to this?"
He groaned, clutching his head despite the pain.
Marquis Ignat was a titan of the Empire who controlled the nation's shipping industry. He was a man of peerless intellect and martial prowess. In the original game, he eventually rebelled against the Emperor and joined forces with those seeking to resurrect the Demon King. For years, he worked to tear the Leomel Empire apart from the inside.
(I remember now. He assassinated any noble who got in his way, regardless of faction. He even killed the Third Prince, the genius who was supposed to be the next Emperor.)
The more Ren remembered, the more he realized he had just attracted the attention of the most dangerous man in the world.
However, there was one detail that gave him pause. In the game, the Marquis’s motive for betrayal was revealed just before his death.
"...Because they wouldn't save his daughter."
The Marquis’s daughter had been dying of a rare illness. She needed a medicine made from several rare materials, one of which was the Thief Wolfen. The Marquis had searched everywhere but couldn't find it. The Imperial Family had the materials in their private stores but refused to provide them, claiming they were for the Emperor's personal use.
The girl died, and the Marquis’s grief turned into a burning hatred for the Emperor. That was the spark that led him to sell his soul to the darkness.
"I remember checking the guild on my second playthrough to see if I could save her," Ren muttered.
Many players had tried to find a way to intervene, but the daughter’s death was a fixed point in the backstory. She always died before the game even began.
...And yet, here she was, alive.
And her savior was Ren.
"Even if I'm his hero... I really, really don't want to get involved with him."
He had inadvertently saved the world from its greatest villain, but in doing so, he had walked right into the villain’s sights. Ren fell back onto the pillows, overwhelmed. He summoned his bracelet one more time, but the magic sword labeled "?" remained gone.