The first thing Ren felt when he opened his eyes was a piercing glare.
Next, he registered the sensation of a soft bed. As he tried to move, his face contorted at the sharp stabs of pain that radiated through his entire body.
"Stay down. Your wounds haven't healed yet."
Ren turned his head toward the voice and saw a man standing by the window. Though Ren had never met him before, he immediately recognized the man’s identity from his dignified, noble bearing.
"Baron Clausel...?"
The man responded with a warm smile and took a seat in the chair beside the bed.
"I am Lezard Clausel. Please, call me Lezard. Now then... I honestly don't know how I could ever thank you enough."
"Not at all. But... where am I?"
"The guest wing of my mansion. You’ve been asleep in that bed for a month."
"A—a month!?"
"Indeed. A full month has passed since the day you and Licia arrived in this town."
Ren had a mountain of questions, but one thought loomed larger than the rest. Licia. As if reading his mind, Lezard gave a small chuckle.
"My daughter is safe. Thanks to you."
"...I’m glad."
"Look for yourself. She’s sleeping at your feet, isn't she?"
Ren shifted his head just enough to avoid a fresh surge of pain. There, at the foot of the bed, was Licia. She was perched on a small stool, her upper body slumped against the mattress in a deep sleep. Bathed in the warm afternoon sun, her complexion looked healthy again, and her hair had regained its characteristic silken sheen.
"She’s been here every day. Licia has been nursing you without fail."
"I... I’m sorry to have caused such trouble."
"No, there is no need to apologize. This was her choice, and I believe I owe you a debt that I can never fully repay."
Over the next hour, Ren caught up on everything he had missed. His family would be arriving in Clausel soon. While many villagers had been injured in the attack, there were no fatalities. The village was currently being rebuilt with the full support and resources of House Clausel.
"It’s all thanks to you," Lezard continued. "The fact that I was able to secure aid from a certain high-ranking noble was only possible because you slew the Thief Wolfen."
"I’m sorry... I don't quite understand."
"I believe you’ve heard that Thief Wolfen materials are ingredients for rare medicine, yes?"
(Wait, but...)
Shortly after being taken by Jelkku, Ren had seen a vision—perhaps a dream of a different timeline, the "official" history of the Legend of the Seven Heroes. In that version, the Thief Wolfen had also been defeated. He wondered why the outcome was so different now.
"The medicine requires several specific internal organs, and it's useless if even one is damaged," Lezard explained, answering Ren’s unspoken question. "That’s why the medicine is so rare. However... the organs from the beast you slew were in perfect condition. Not a single scratch on them."
Ren realized the difference. In that other "history," the knights had fought a desperate, bloody battle that cost Roy his life and left the monster mangled. Ren, however, had ended it with a single, precise strike through the head from the inside out. Because of that clean kill, the organs were viable for medicine.
"But why did that medicine secure the help we needed?"
"The master of the man who helped us recently desperately needed that medicine for a family member. I sold the materials to him. In return—aside from the gold—I secured a promise: a guarantee of his cooperation under certain conditions if the need ever arose."
"Then... they must be a very powerful noble."
"Indeed. Faced with a Marquis, Viscount Given couldn't lift a finger."
(A Marquis...)
"That reminds me. I have something for you from that Marquis. Or rather, from his head butler."
Lezard reached into his coat and pulled out a black card, roughly the size of a playing card. He placed it on the small nightstand. Ren stared at the embossed crest on the surface, a nagging sense of recognition pulling at the back of his mind.
(I’ve seen this crest somewhere...)
He tilted his head, unable to place the flashy, intricate design.
"The butler’s name was Edgar," Lezard said. "He claimed this was meant to serve as your invitation to the mansion."
"For... me?"
"Yes. Apparently, the Marquis wants to meet you personally. As he is a prominent figure in the Imperial Faction, I’m hesitant to encourage the connection, but when a Marquis beckons, one does not simply refuse."
"I'm just the son of a country knight. I don't think I'm the sort of person he should be meeting..."
"You cannot ignore him, Ren. The medicine made from your kill saved the life of the Marquis’s daughter."
Ren nodded slowly. He understood now. The Marquis wanted to offer his gratitude. He also understood why the man had offered his full cooperation during the trial—it wasn't just out of the goodness of his heart; it was a transaction.
(Maybe the roundabout way they handled it was because of the factions.)
The Marquis needed a pretext. As a leader of the Imperial Faction, he couldn't openly intervene in a dispute involving a Neutral Baron and a Hero Faction Viscount without a solid, undeniable reason. Saving his daughter was that reason.
Even so, it seemed the Marquis had intended to help House Clausel from the shadows regardless. Edgar had left a final message: "The fact that the young ones' actions produced a better result remains unchanged."
"You’ve been communicating with him a lot," Ren noted. "Is his territory nearby?"
"No, it’s quite far. This transaction was only possible because he used every resource at his disposal, including magic ships, to facilitate the trade."
Ren let out a long breath. "I see."
"Ah, and don't worry so much about your speech," Lezard added, noticing Ren had been forcing a more formal tone. "I’m not going to scold my daughter’s savior for a lack of etiquette. Speak however you find most comfortable."
Ren relaxed slightly. "Thanks. I appreciate it."
"Lastly... regarding Viscount Given. He is dead."
Ren’s eyes widened. "What?"
"After you and Licia arrived, a retrial was held immediately. I was exonerated, and Given was placed under investigation. He was to be tried in his own territory, but that night, he took his own life using a hidden poison."
"...Was it really suicide?"
"He likely felt pressure from his patrons. Or perhaps he simply realized he was trapped and chose death over a dungeon."
It felt like a classic case of cutting off the lizard's tail. Ren felt a wave of nausea at the thought of the dark underside of nobility.
"Furthermore, his mansion was burned to the ground by an unknown party. Most of the evidence we hoped to recover was lost to the flames. The only information we have left is the testimony of his personal knight."
Ren asked about Given’s obsession with the Ashton family. The knight had claimed House Ashton was "essential" to the Viscount’s plans, but the details remained a mystery. Between his exhaustion and the lack of clues, Ren couldn't find an answer.
"Regardless, thanks to the Marquis, no one will dare touch Clausel for the foreseeable future. He’s keeping both the Imperial and Hero Factions at bay," Lezard said, standing up to leave. "I’ll stop bothering you now. You must be hungry. Shall I have a meal sent up?"
"I—yes, please. If it's not too much trouble."
"Haha, don't be so formal. I want you to treat this mansion as your own home. Rest here until your wounds are fully healed."
Once Lezard had left, Ren let out a tired sigh.
"I can't believe I ended up staying at the Clausel estate like this."
Just a short while ago, he had been a fugitive in the woods; before that, he lived in a drafty, humble house. This place was opulent beyond anything he had ever known. He felt a strange fear that he might actually get used to it.
"Whatever. I'll think about that later."
He forced himself into a sitting position despite the pain. He needed a change of scenery, even if it was just looking around the room. Seeing Licia’s peaceful sleeping face eased the tightness in his chest. He reached for the black card on the table.
"Seriously, where have I seen this...?"
He muttered to himself, trying to recall his knowledge of the game. Legend of the Seven Heroes I...
Licia’s eyes fluttered open. "Ren...?"
She blinked several times, then sat up and climbed onto the bed. She crawled toward him on all fours, leaning in so close that he could have counted her eyelashes. As Ren opened his mouth to speak, large tears began to roll down her cheeks.
"...I told you to run," she whispered.
"I couldn't just leave you behind," Ren replied.
"Are you an idiot? I caused so much trouble... risking your life for me was crazy."
"It wasn't crazy. I was serious."
"That’s why I'm calling you an idiot! You idiot!"
Her words were harsh, but her voice was trembling. Eventually, mindful of his injuries, she leaned forward and rested her forehead against his chest. Her shoulders shook as she let out a muffled sob.
"I’m sorry... It’s all my fault. Everything."
"It was just bad luck. Besides, we both made it back. That’s what matters."
Ren reached out and gently stroked her back. She leaned into him, her weight heavy with a month's worth of built-up grief and relief.
They stayed like that for several minutes. When she finally looked up, her eyes were red and puffy. She sat back on her heels, looking more like a girl her age than the poised Saintess she usually portrayed.
"Are you feeling okay now, Lady Licia?"
"Mm-hmm."
"That’s a relief. You were so exhausted after that fight, I was really worried..."
Ren trailed off as his mind flashed back to the final moments of the battle with Jelkku.
(That power at the end... It came from near her chest...)
His bracelet had reacted as if it were absorbing a Magic Stone.
"What?" Licia asked, noticing his intense stare. "Why are you looking at me like that?"
"Sorry. It's nothing."
"Really? That was a very... passionate look. Did I do something?"
"It’s not a big deal, but... I was wondering. Lady Licia, do you have a Magic Stone inside your body?"
He expected her to laugh it off or look at him with confusion. Instead, her reaction was anything but casual.
"Wh—wha... h-how do you know that!?"
She immediately crossed her arms over her chest in a protective, embarrassed gesture. Her face turned crimson, her eyes filled with a mix of shame and wariness.
"Wait, so you actually do?"
"Yes! I just said I did!"
It had to be right there, between her breasts.
"Tell me! Who told you!?"
"I... I’m sorry. I was actually just making a guess. I didn't think it was true."
Licia slumped, her panic subsiding. "Oh... Honestly, you nearly gave me a heart attack."
"It seems like a very important secret. Are you sure you should be telling me so easily?"
"It’s fine. I know you won't tell anyone."
Her absolute trust was humbling. After everything they had been through, she was ready to entrust him with her life’s secrets without a second thought.
"I had no idea," Ren admitted. "I didn't know a Saintess carried a Magic Stone."
"It's not all of us. Only those born with great power carry a Stone inside them. But you have to keep it a secret, okay? Only my family and the high priests know."
She explained that the secret was for her protection. Magic Stones were typically found only in monsters. If the public knew a Saintess carried one, many would inevitably view her as an omen of evil or a monster herself.
(So that nameless Magic Sword...)
It must have manifested by drawing power from her Stone. It made sense. But why was its name a question mark? And why was it so devastatingly powerful? The mysteries were piling up, but for now, he had the most important piece of the puzzle.
"I promise. I won't tell a soul."
Licia nodded, satisfied, and stood up from the bed.
"I'm going to the storehouse! Since I lost your bracelet and dagger, I'm going to find something that suits you!"
Ren realized he wasn't wearing his bracelet. He had lent the dagger to her during the fight, and it had presumably been lost in the chaos. But the bracelet was a different story—the Magic Sword Summoning Bracelet couldn't be "lost."
"Don't worry about it. I'll replace them myself."
"No! It was my fault. I’m getting you new ones."
Ren had to think fast. He needed a way to keep wearing his "original" bracelet without raising suspicion.
"The bracelet is actually fine. I have an identical one back at the village. I'll just have my parents bring it."
It was a total lie, but he figured he could claim the Thief Wolfen had a hoard of them. Licia looked skeptical but eventually nodded.
"Well... will you at least accept a new dagger?"
"I would be honored."
She beamed at him and turned to head for the storehouse, but Ren called out to her one last time.
"Lady Licia! One more thing!"
"Yes?"
"The crest on that card... I still can't place the family name."
Licia’s expression clouded slightly. As someone who had nearly been ruined by factional politics, dealing with a pillar of the Imperial Faction clearly weighed on her.
"That," she said with a sigh, "is the crest of House Ignat. The most powerful Marquis in the Imperial Faction."
With a final wave, she left the room.
Ren sat in stunned silence. Ignat. He repeated the name over and over in his head.
"That's right... Ignat...!"
It wasn't just a familiar name. Marquis Ignat was the final boss of Legend of the Seven Heroes I.
"Oh, you have got to be kidding me..."
He groaned, burying his face in his hands.
Marquis Ignat was a titan of the Empire—a man who controlled the shipping lanes and possessed a strategic mind that was feared across the continent. He was a master of both the sword and the quill. In the game, he eventually rebelled against the Emperor and joined forces with those seeking to resurrect the Demon King. He was the man who had brought the Leomel Empire to the brink of collapse.
Ren remembered the vision of the battle in the Baldur Mountains. Ignat was there.
(He assassinated any noble who opposed him, and he even killed the Third Prince—the genius heir everyone expected to be the next Emperor.)
The more he remembered, the more he wanted to run in the opposite direction. But then, he remembered why the Marquis had turned traitor in the game.
Before he died in the "official" timeline, the Marquis revealed his motive.
"...Because the Emperor wouldn't save his daughter."
The Marquis’s daughter had been dying of a rare illness. The medicine required several rare materials, but the final ingredient—the Thief Wolfen—couldn't be found in time. The Imperial Family had the material in their private reserves, but the Emperor had refused to part with it, claiming it was for emergencies only.
Lady Ignat died, and the Marquis’s grief turned into a burning hatred for the throne. That was the spark that led him to sell his soul to the shadows.
(I remember players tried to save her in second playthroughs, but there was never a quest. She was always dead by the time the story started.)
But now, she was alive. And Ren was the one who had saved her.
"I might be his benefactor, but I really don't want to be on his radar..."
He collapsed back onto the mattress, overwhelmed. He summoned his bracelet just to check, but the sword marked with "?" was gone.
A week and a half later, Roy and Mireille arrived in Clausel. The reunion was tearful and emotional, with his parents holding him tight as if they were afraid he might disappear again. They stayed at the mansion for several days, giving Ren a chance to learn about the state of the village.
As Lezard had said, no villagers had died. However, the loss of several knights weighed heavily on everyone. Many homes, including the Ashton house, had been trampled or destroyed by the Little Boars. But with House Clausel’s funding and labor, the reconstruction was moving fast. Roy and Mireille explained that they had to return soon to lead the efforts, which made Ren feel a pang of loneliness.
"Listen, dear. We brought whatever wasn't burned. If you need anything else, just send word," Mireille said.
"Thanks. But did I really have anything left?"
"A few things from your room survived. Oh, and that pretty blue gem was safe too!"
Ren realized she meant Selakia’s Azure Orb. He had almost forgotten about it entirely.
"I also bought you a few changes of clothes. They're all in that wooden crate. Take a look when you feel stronger," Roy added.
"Well... Mireille."
"I know. We have to go."
The family time was over. They had to get back to the village before sunset. Ren felt a lump in his throat as he watched them prepare to leave. His parents stroked his hair, noticing his dejected expression.
"Hey, what's with that face?" Roy teased.
"I'm just... I'll miss you guys."
"Haha! A hero shouldn't make a face like that. Don't worry, we'll see you again soon."
Despite their brave words, Ren could see the sadness in their eyes as well.
"Thank you both for coming. I'll be back as soon as I can walk!"
His parents shared a knowing smile.
"Take your time," Roy said. "Do some sightseeing in the city while you're here."
"Yes, you've earned a rest, Ren," Mireille added.
After one last hug, they departed. Ren forced himself out of bed and hobbled to the window, watching their carriage until it disappeared from view. He eventually collapsed back onto the bed, exhausted and lonely. To distract himself, he reached for the crate Roy had left.
Inside were his familiar belongings. They felt strangely nostalgic, even though it had only been a month. He rummaged through the crate until his hand brushed against a smooth, cold surface.
Selakia’s Azure Orb.
As soon as he picked it up, the blue mist inside began to swirl violently. He felt a sudden drain on his energy, as if the orb were drinking from him.
"Wait... it's absorbing my mana?"
Flashes of blue light, like miniature lightning, crackled within the sphere. He remembered the game lore: this item required massive amounts of mana and a dragon's horn to hatch. It made sense that it would hunger for power.
Ren started to pull his hand away, but then he felt it.
Thump... Thump...
A steady, rhythmic pulse traveled from the orb into his palms. It felt like a heartbeat—warm and oddly affectionate.
Upon its birth, it shall swear absolute loyalty to its master.
Ren sighed, staring at the pulsating sphere. "Just... don't cause any trouble, okay?"
The orb pulsed again as if in response.
"Can I come in?"
There was a knock at the door, followed by Licia’s voice. Ren quickly tucked the orb back into the crate. "Come in!"
Licia entered and sat on the edge of the bed. "Did you have a good talk with your parents?"
"I did. And thank you again... for the horses and the guards."
"Please, don't mention it. My father and I can never truly repay you."
She had apparently apologized to Ren’s parents as well, bowing so low that they had become flustered. She clearly felt the weight of what Ren had sacrificed for her family.
"So, how are you feeling today?"
"Much better."
"I’m glad."
Silence fell between them. Licia stared out the window, her hair catching the light. Ren watched her, his mind wandering back to the secret she had shared.
(The Magic Stone...)
He thought about the "Ren Ashton" from the game. That version of Ren had been a villain. Had he killed Licia to steal the Magic Stone for himself? Or were there other, more tragic reasons?
A specific image from the game flashed in his mind.
An illustration of the Academy’s Great Hall. The protagonist standing in shock as he looked at the stage. There, Ren Ashton stood, holding the lifeless body of Licia Clausel. Her chest was stained with blood.
"You can see for yourself, can't you? I’ve just killed her."
The game-Ren’s voice had been cold and hollow.
(He disappeared with her body after that, didn't he?)
Ren had spent his whole life trying to avoid that future. He just wanted to live a quiet life in the country. And yet, looking at Licia now, he didn't regret anything. He was glad he had fought for her.
(Who am I, really?)
He wondered about the difference between the "Ren" in his memories and the "Ren" he was now. The lines felt blurred.
"Ren? What is it?"
Licia was looking at him with a curious expression. "You had such a... mature look on your face just now. I wondered what you were thinking."
Ren hesitated. "I was just wondering... who I am."
It was a question about his identity—about the path he was taking versus the one he was "supposed" to follow.
"—You are my hero."
Licia was smiling. It wasn't a mocking smile; it was gentle, warm, and utterly sincere.
"Nobody else. The you who is here, right now, by my side... you are my irreplaceable hero."
She reached out and cradled his cheeks with her hands.
"You’re also the mean person who beat me in our first duel, and the sneaky person who says nice things when I least expect it."
Her words sank deep into his heart. Her voice carried more weight than any letter ever could.
(I see...)
He wasn't that Ren Ashton. The person standing here was someone else entirely. He had lived ten years in this world. He had made his own memories, felt his own pain, and made his own choices. Those things didn't belong to a game character. They belonged to him.
The same was true for Licia. The warmth of her hands proved she wasn't just a collection of pixels or a plot point. She was a real, living person.
"This is... a little embarrassing," Ren admitted, blushing.
Licia laughed and pulled her hands away, her own cheeks turning pink. "Don't be shy."
"Do I look better now?"
"A little. You look like the usual Ren again. I guess I was actually helpful for once."
She walked over to the window and opened it. A warm breeze filled the room, carrying the scent of flowers. Ren watched her silhouette against the light.
(The 'destiny' of this world... or the 'scenario'...)
It had already changed. It had been derailed by his presence and his choices. The encounter with Jelkku, the survival of the Marquis’s daughter—these were all things that shouldn't have happened. The final boss of the first game was effectively gone. The mid-game boss, Jelkku, was dead.
(As long as I'm here, I’m going to keep changing things. For better or worse.)
It was a daunting thought. New hardships would surely come. But as he looked at Licia, he felt like he could handle whatever the world threw at him. If she called him a hero, he would be one.
"Lady Licia."
"Yes?" she asked, turning back to him. The light behind her made her look almost angelic.
"My name... is Ren Ashton."
Licia tilted her head and gave a bright, cheerful laugh.
"I know. I've known that for a long time."
Their laughter echoed through the quiet room.
Reincarnated as the story’s secret villain, the boy faced a strange and winding fate. And this moment was where his true story began.