A little over a week later, Roy and Mireille arrived in Clausel.
When the three of them were finally reunited, his parents pulled him into a tight embrace, weeping for a long time as they basked in the relief of seeing him alive. They stayed at Lezard’s mansion for several days, giving Ren a chance to catch up on the state of their home.
First, as Lezard had mentioned, there were no casualties among the villagers.
However, the fact that several knights had lost their lives weighed heavily on Ren, preventing him from feeling any true sense of celebration. Many houses had been destroyed by the Little Boars and other monsters, leaving a large number of villagers homeless, including the Ashton family.
Still, reconstruction was proceeding smoothly thanks to the Clausel family's full cooperation. Roy and Mireille were pouring their efforts into the village’s recovery every day, which meant they couldn't stay away for long.
Ren understood the necessity of their return, but he couldn't help feeling a pang of loneliness.
"Anyway, I brought whatever belongings we could salvage from the fire. If you’re missing anything, just write to us," Mireille said.
On the day they were set to depart, Ren was still unable to stand properly, so he saw them off from his bed.
"Thank you. But was there actually anything left?"
"Quite a bit," Roy answered. "We brought what didn't burn in your room. I also bought you a few changes of clothes. They're all in that wooden crate in the corner; take a look when you're feeling stronger."
The crate Roy pointed to sat in the corner of Ren's guest room.
"Oh, and I brought this blank book from old Granny Rigu."
"A blank book?"
"Yeah. Want to see it?"
"Um... sure, why not?"
Ren didn't see much use for a blank book, but he nodded along anyway. Roy opened the crate and pulled out a volume bound in jet-black leather. As promised, the pages inside were entirely empty. He placed it on the bedside table.
"Apparently, it’s a spare ledger she used for her alchemy formulas. She suggested you might want to use it as a diary."
"I see... that might be a good idea. I have plenty of free time while I'm stuck in bed."
"Well, if you ask me, I think an autobiography would be more fitting," Roy added with a grin.
Ren blinked at the word "autobiography." In this world, the life stories of the Seven Heroes were popular reading material, and the term immediately brought those legends to mind.
"I haven't lived the kind of life that warrants an autobiography."
"Hah! From where I’m standing, you’re already a hero, Ren!"
Licia, Lezard, and Weiss had all said much the same, but Ren could only scratch his cheek in embarrassment.
"Oh my, look at him blushing."
"Hold your head high, Ren. You’re our pride and joy," Roy said, stroking Ren's hair.
The warmth of the family moment eventually drew to a close. They had to leave before sunset to stay on schedule for their return journey.
"Well then—Mireille."
"Yes. It’s hard to leave, but we really must go."
A shadow of sadness crossed both their faces.
"Father, Mother... thank you so much for coming all this way when things are so busy at home."
Ren’s voice was thick with emotion, but his parents answered him with bright smiles.
"Don't be silly. You're our son; of course we came."
"Exactly. And the Baron provided us with horses and a guard detail, so the trip wasn't a hardship at all."
"I... I'll come home as soon as I'm better!"
The two laughed one last time.
"That would be wonderful, but don't rush. You should take this chance to see more of the world here in Clausel."
After one final hug, they left the mansion, their eyes shimmering with unshed tears.
Ren forced himself upright, watching from the window until their horses disappeared from view. Eventually, the sudden surge of exhaustion and pain forced him back onto the pillows. He lay there, glancing sideways at the black book on the table.
"An autobiography, huh..." he murmured.
Just then, a knock sounded at the door.
"Can I come in?" Licia’s voice asked.
After he gave his permission, she stepped inside. "Were you able to say a proper goodbye to your parents?"
"Yes. And thank you again for everything. I heard you and the Baron even arranged their escort..."
"Please, don't mention it. My father and I owe you a debt we can never truly repay."
Licia had already offered her own apologies and thanks to Ren's parents earlier. Even though Roy and Mireille had been flustered and tried to stop her, she had remained bowed until they accepted her gratitude. She clearly felt she had to do it—after all, Ren had saved the entire House of Clausel.
"So, how are you feeling today?"
"Much better, I think."
"I’m glad."
Silence settled between them. Licia sat on the edge of the bed, her back to Ren as her hair swayed gently in the breeze.
Ren found his thoughts drifting back to the Magic Sword and the Mana Stone hidden within Licia's chest. That sword had been powerful—far too powerful. Perhaps that was why the "Ren Ashton" from the original game had eventually killed her. He might have sought that power for himself... or perhaps there were other, more desperate circumstances.
A specific scene from The Legend of the Seven Heroes flashed through his mind.
It was an illustration from the climax of a chapter set at the Imperial Academy. The protagonist had rushed into the grand auditorium only to stand frozen in horror. On the stage stood Ren Ashton, cradling the limp body of Licia Clausel. Blood pooled from a wound in her chest, making it clear she was already gone.
"Can’t you tell by looking? I just killed her," the game's Ren had said in a voice devoid of emotion.
(I think he disappeared with her body right after that...)
While Ren was lost in these dark reflections, Licia noticed the black book on the table.
"What’s this?"
"A gift from the village apothecary. My father suggested I use it for a diary or an autobiography."
"An autobiography? I like that idea," Licia said, turning to him with a brilliant smile. "So, what’s the title going to be?"
"Do I really need one?"
"Of course! Otherwise, it’s just a plain old diary."
"I don't have much of a way with words. I wouldn't even know where to start."
"No excuses! You have to think of it yourself."
She had a point, though that didn't make the task any easier.
"Then I'll just stick with calling it a diary."
"Fine. But some people give their diaries titles too, you know. You should pick something that fits you."
Seeing how much fun she was having with the idea, Ren decided to stop being stubborn. He figured he would treat it as half-diary, half-autobiography to settle his own embarrassment.
"A title, huh..."
"People often use their own names," she suggested.
"That’s too embarrassing."
"Then maybe something about your life? I once read a book called Living to Become the Sword King: Everything for the Holy Sword Arts."
"A way of life..."
Ren’s goal was simply to live a peaceful life in this world, though he had already learned that peace was hard-won.
"I’ve got it."
It was a sudden flash of inspiration. He looked at Licia and smiled, knowing the title he had chosen was strange, yet perfect.
"You decided?" she asked.
"Yeah. It's a bit of an odd one, though."
Eight years had passed since he was born into this world as Ren. He could finally say with certainty that he was Ren Ashton—an individual separate from the character in the game. And Licia, sitting right beside him, was equally her own person.
He wanted the title to reflect his resolve. The fate of this world—the "scenario"—had already been fundamentally altered by his existence as an irregular.
He had encountered Jelququ when he shouldn't have. The daughter of Marquis Ignat was alive when she shouldn't be. The final boss of the first game was effectively gone, and a mid-game boss was already dead.
The word "Mastermind" echoed in his mind.
(I've changed so many fates, for better or worse. I'll likely have to face new challenges because of it. If I'm destined to be a Mastermind, then I'll be one who protects my life and those around me. I'll be a Mastermind who defies the original story.)
He needed a title that encompassed his respect for this world and his determination to keep its tragedies in check.
(Reincarnated as the Story's Mastermind... something like that.)
But he didn't say it out loud. The true meaning was something only he needed to know. Instead, he gave Licia a playful smile.
"Actually, on second thought, let me sleep on it."
Licia blinked in surprise. "Oh, come on! What’s with that?"
Bathed in the afternoon light, she laughed, her profile looking elegant and bright. A warm breeze ruffled Ren’s hair, and in that moment, both children looked far more grown-up than they had only a month before.
In the Principal’s office of the prestigious Imperial Academy...
A captivating woman stood by the window, watching the gentle spring breeze drift inside. Her beauty was ethereal, possessing a maturity that set her apart from the students walking the grounds below.
She had porcelain skin, features as delicate as a doll’s, and a graceful figure accentuated by her simple white shirt. Her golden hair fluttered in the wind as she hummed a cheerful tune to herself.
A knock sounded at the door. "Principal, excuse me."
A staff member entered the room, catching a glimpse of the Principal’s amethyst eyes and momentarily losing her breath at the woman’s beauty.
"Hmm? Is something wrong?"
"There is a problem with the schedule, ma'am."
"Ehh? But I thought I was actually doing my work for once."
The blonde woman stepped away from the window and took the documents from her subordinate.
"Whoa, is this for real?"
"Yes. The report is accurate."
"Ugh... well, I guess we’ll need to find a substitute site for the training exercise."
"Exactly. What do you suggest?"
The Principal crossed her arms, letting out a groan that was somehow still charming. After a few minutes of deliberation, her eyes lit up.
"I’ve got just the place."
She walked over to a floor-to-ceiling bookshelf and pulled out a heavy volume, causing several other books to tumble to the floor in the process.
"Wagh! S-Sorry! Help me pick those up!"
The staff member let out a weary sigh but knelt to help anyway. "What were you looking for, exactly?"
"A map! Look, don't you think this area would be perfect for the exercise?"
"The Baldur Mountains? The monsters there are only Rank E, so that’s fine, but... hasn't that region been known for mana fluctuations that cause monster activity in the past?"
"I’ll go do a preliminary inspection myself, obviously!"
The staff member nodded. If the Principal was going personally, then it should be fine. Once the last book was returned to the shelf, the woman cleared her throat.
"I will go and consult with the Board of Directors and the nobility, then."
"Great, thanks!"
Left alone, the Principal sat at her desk. She knew she’d have to sign the formal request anyway, so she picked up her pen with a sigh of resignation.
"There. That should do it."
She signed the bottom of the page with a practiced flourish: Chronoa Highland.
She was a half-elf, a mix of human and elven blood. She was lauded as the world's greatest mage and served as the Principal of the Imperial Academy.
In the original timeline of The Legend of the Seven Heroes II, she was destined to be murdered by Ren Ashton, just like the Saint, Licia.
Chronoa looked out at the vast blue sky and whispered to herself.
"I really hope there’s someone out there in this world who can finally cure my boredom."