The Hero Who Returned From Death Quits

80 – EP5. Wind Memory

Angel clenched his fist so tightly that his nails dug into his palm.

Blood trickled from the fist.

Angel noticed it belatedly and wiped his hand, dismissing the minor injury. It wasn’t worth the concern.

He opened the door and entered Ricardo’s room.

“…I don’t know why the champion and Ibercas have come to my room, but please, have a seat. I’ll prepare some tea.”

Despite pre-informing the maid, Ricardo wore an expression of puzzlement, perhaps due to their abrupt visit.

After serving herbal tea, Ricardo inquired, “So, what is the reason for both of you seeking me out? As equals, it’s not a usual matter, I presume.”

Ibercas grimaced as he spoke, “We came to request the action you’re planning… in other words, to halt the rebellion.”

Angel retorted indifferently, while Ricardo’s gaze turned cold. “Where did you hear that?”

There was no agitation or visible surprise. Angel simply spoke calmly. It was his way.

“It wasn’t heard from anywhere. I… observed what you’re up to.”

As Ibercas spoke, Ricardo, in a composed manner, responded, “Hmm, so the unease I felt back then was from you… I see.”

Angel, bewildered by Ricardo’s unnervingly composed demeanor, said, “I don’t understand why you’re so composed.”

Without thinking, Angel blurted out, “I was taken aback. But I’m considering this rationally. Coming to me must mean you have a proposition, doesn’t it?”

“Yes. As I mentioned earlier, I came to ask you to cease this rebellion.”

Ricardo furrowed his brow, made a noise of contemplation, and continued, “Why?”

Angel looked at him incredulously, “Naturally, if a rebellion occurs and disrupts this country, I’d be in danger too, wouldn’t I…?”

Angel spoke initially with the thought that asserting his will here would be futile, so he merely needed to sound plausible.

“That’s why I don’t understand why. Even if the rebellion succeeds, I had no intention of harming the champion, but… oh, you weren’t aware. Don’t worry. I have no intentions of harming the champion.”

“…Pardon?”

Angel gazed at him with a vacant expression. He couldn’t comprehend what the otherworldly being in front of him was saying.

“For someone who helped defeat the Titan, it would be inappropriate for us, akin to benefactors, to kill or harm you. We were only planning to detain you temporarily and let you escape secretly…”

Angel, at a loss for words, exchanged glances with Ibercas.

“…Did the hero really intend to spare your father’s life?”

“Yes? Why would a child kill their father?”

Ricardo looked at Ivercas with a gaze that genuinely couldn’t comprehend.

“…Even though we’ve already uncovered what you were up to, are you trying to feign hypocrisy now?”

As Ivercas spoke, Ricardo shook his head and said,

“No, I mean it literally. Killing one’s own father doesn’t make sense, so I was planning to depose him and detain him, albeit that too would be considered rebellion. But at least it’s better than personally killing my parents…”

Angel finally understood upon hearing this.

It wasn’t a thought about rebellion or revolt, not even a hint of it. To be precise, it was a gaze that, even if plagued by a sense of guilt, was overshadowed by something else.

Ricardo simply wanted a perfect justification.

He hoped for his actions to be a revolution rather than rebellion or upheaval, where no one could blame him. His determination to leave no room for criticism was apparent.

…It was because of being such a genius, such a being that he could captivate the fairies literally.

Then why did he die? Why did Magnus die?

Surely, it wasn’t what Ricardo desired, and it was probably a decision made unilaterally by the captain and the members of the elite guard. Ricardo had unknowingly sown the seeds of madness, but he couldn’t have anticipated its growth.

“…It doesn’t matter now.”

Angel said. It held no significance for him at this moment.

“Well, you did ask me to stop what I’m doing. I’ll consider it as you having a reasonable proposal.”

“First of all, are you doing this for the fairies?”

When Angel asked, Ricardo nodded earnestly and said,

“Of course.”

“Then, if I make a request to the Empire to restore the fairies’ dignity, will you stop your actions?”

“Hmm… The Empire will look out for us?”

“Yes. I can’t go into details, but I can definitely make it happen.”

“Isn’t that arrogant?”

“No, it’s a certainty.”

Ricardo looked carefully into Angel’s eyes, then sighed and said,

“Alright. I’ll examine the situation and delay the plan for now. But if I see any signs of the Empire ignoring us, then I’ll carry out the plan. After all, the support is with me, and implementing the delayed plan won’t be difficult. It’s a good thing for me if I can resolve everything without violence.”

Ricardo’s words hung in the air.

Angel had subtly used a veiled threat in his request to the Empire.

At least, he wished for an apology that the fairies could perceive. No matter how much material wealth they were given, what the fairies valued most at the moment was their dignity. Magnus, as a leader, had missed that point.

To be honest, if the Empire bent even a little, it would benefit them greatly. They could receive some fairy military support with fewer objections, and they could avoid the potential losses if the fairies ever initiated a war against the Empire. Angel believed it was a wise and right path.

Angel cast a spell that would alert her if her message was confirmed through magic. A few days later, the signal arrived, and Angel breathed a sigh of relief, knowing her message had been delivered.

Then, a few days later, the envoy arrived. Outwardly, there was nothing significantly different about them, but Angel sensed something unusual.

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The composition was different, primarily the people. Angel suspected why the envoy’s list had been altered, but she decided to accept it for now. Since the envoy’s role was to deliver a message, there was no need to feel anxious just because the outward appearance had changed.

However, as the celebration continued, Angel grew increasingly uneasy.

Why was the Empire not showing any gesture that would boost the elves’ self-esteem? As time passed, Angel felt a chilling sensation down her spine.

And in the end, until the celebration ended, the Empire’s envoy did not make such a concession, and Angel, despite her anxiety, thought, “Well, true diplomacy starts tomorrow, so I can make such gestures then, can’t I?”

And on a fateful night, Angel sensed a presence in her chambers.

And at that moment, she realized that the Emperor had no intention of listening to her.

It was an assassination. The Emperor had sent an assassin to kill her in a place where nobody would know.

“…Damn.”

“Seeing your reaction, it seems you know why you’re in this situation. You should have been more careful.”

Angel bit her lip. She had been mistaken. She had underestimated the predator. She had relaxed, thinking that she had a leash on the beast. She knew that at any moment, if that leash loosened even slightly, it could turn and tear her apart.

It was only now that Angel realized why the envoy’s list had been changed. The Empire had simply chosen to wage war with Tyrantus. Perhaps after killing her, they would claim that the elves had done it and use it to the end. After all, the Emperor was that kind of human.

She couldn’t just die willingly. Angel drew her Holy Sword and clashed with it several times before turning and beginning to escape.

And there, she saw other assassins. Each of them was at least a Sword Expert, and the one she had just clashed swords with seemed to be a High Expert.

“…Damn.”

He felt the cold metal piercing his throat.

He was dead.