Chapter 25

Helt Stanley, the man who became a savior in the future, known as both a hero and a champion.

When facing him again like this, his abnormality becomes all too clear. Despite his gentle gaze, he exudes a presence that seems to burn everything around him. Though he is still young, his eyes seem to see through everything, shining with wisdom.

The sun. Yes, the sun is the appropriate term. He bestows warmth and blessings upon everything around him, yet he also possesses the awe-inspiring power to scorch and lay waste to everything. The son of the sun.

"What's the matter? Is my black hair that rare?"

On the other hand, the woman standing beside him, perhaps she could be called the moon.

Fiara La Borgograd, the Mage. A member of the savior's journey, she will become a turning point in the history of magic in the future and be known as the Reformer.

Her lustrous black hair is tied back, and her strong gaze conveys her sharp wit. Her facial features and deep-set eyes are characteristic of a foreigner, contributing to her unique charm. She is a beauty of a different kind from Karia.

She exudes an aura that pushes people away, much like during the savior's journey. However, this is an exception when it comes to Helt Stanley. Now, she feels a strong repulsion towards him as well. It's likely that they haven't known each other for long. Her demeanor, which seems to create walls in every direction, is like that of a porcupine.

Indeed, they suit each other. I can't help but click my tongue.

Fiara might shine a bit too brightly to be called the moon, but she and Helt Stanley, who is like the sun, make a well-matched pair when seen from the outside.

---

Indeed, this guy makes me feel nauseous.

Poisonous blood rushes through my body, and I can almost hear the voice of the guardian of hell whispering in my ear.

I step forward, stopping Karia, who asks if we know each other. I see the parchment in Fiara's hand and the events in my memory. Whether they are related or not, it doesn't matter.

I force a smile and say mockingly,

"No, I just thought that no one would accept such a request, that's all."

My words must be provocative. They must be easy to bite into, to engage with. This is different from the old Karia Birdnick. For the Mage, strength or weakness doesn't matter. What matters to her is wisdom. Does she know or not? Can she think or not? That's all. I don't have such grand qualities, but I have knowledge here.

Karia and Helt Stanley are taken aback by my sudden words. Of course, it's natural. A stranger, whom they just met, immediately throws out provocative words. In that instant, only one person, with black, pearl-like eyes, shows a different emotion.

"Arrogant, are you? What, are you saying I'm wrong? I came to the guild to submit a request. Is there something wrong with that?"

"Ah, sorry. She, Fiara, tends to argue with people easily. It's fine that she's energetic, of course."

I push aside Helt Stanley, who tries to intervene, and those black eyes fix on me. Yes, on me, not Helt Stanley. Someone he used to ignore, not even glance at.

A sticky, mud-like feeling is growing in my heart.

"Yeah, sorry. Just a fool butting in."

I say this, as if kicking up Helt Stanley's attempt to mediate.

"That parchment. Does anyone use something like that to submit a request? Guild requests are on papyrus or given verbally."

Karia, perhaps trying to stop me, puts her hand on my shoulder. But she tightens her grip, then lets go, and probably on purpose, sighs loudly behind me.

I want her to understand that it's not me, but you, who should be sighing like that.

"Submitting a request on parchment is clearly either the act of someone naive or something particularly troublesome. No one would take it. Probably a naive young lady or a young man on their first request."

If Karia's weapon to defeat her is a sword, then the weapon needed to subdue Fiara La Borgograd is wisdom and words. I know this from a story Helt Stanley told during a meal, about how he failed to submit a request on parchment when he first met Fiara.

I snatch the parchment from Fiara's hand, who grimaces at the word "naive." Taking something from a stunned, non-adventurer is easy.

I quickly scan it—indeed, this is not a fake, but a genuine trouble. Adventurers who checked the content out of curiosity probably backed off quickly.

As I scratch my chin, thinking about the request, my wrist is gripped with a strong force. Not with the intent to crush like Karia, but with a rock-like firmness.

"We were indeed foolish. You are free to mock us. However... that does not give you the right to mock her. I would like the request back."

Helt Stanley's fingers grip my wrist firmly. The sensation is like heavy iron. As long as I don't let go of the parchment, he won't release his grip either.

What a wonderful spirit. Helt Stanley's respect for others, his kindness, and his strong, embracing spirit. Indeed, he has the qualities that attract people. He is undoubtedly a remarkable person. I knew that from the start.

But for me, it's different. It's unpleasant. Very unpleasant.

Fiara La Borgograd is not someone I should be involved with. From my past memories, she is someone I would rather avoid, just like Karia.

Fiara La Borgograd didn't directly abuse me like Karia, but her treatment was cold.

She didn't consider my opinions. She didn't acknowledge my existence. My will was not in her sight. To her, I was probably just a lackey, not a member of the journey. At least, she was warm to the other members.

Of course, it's only natural. I was just a lackey in the savior's journey. I had no power to subdue Karia Birdnick, and no knowledge to manipulate Fiara La Borgograd.

But because of that, I understood the duality of people, the coldness that lies deep in their hearts.

She treated me with such coldness while showering Helt Stanley with warmth. She acted like a wise sage who listens to others, but to me, she was just an alien presence.

Compared to her, Karia's treatment was better. At least Karia recognized my existence.

"I refuse. After all, this is a request, isn't it?"

That's why, knowing all this, a chill runs through my heart.

Fiara La Borgograd will stand beside Helt Stanley again, rebuilding the relationship of the past. It's like reliving the horrors I once experienced. The creation of that terrible person again. Fear and chills pulse through my body.

---

And that's not all. Something even more terrifying is being born.

Is this jealousy? Or is it something deeper and darker, something indescribable?

Oh, gods, if you give me a chance, I wish you had erased Helt Stanley. If that's not possible, erasing me would have been better. Then, my heart would be much more peaceful than it is now.

"I will take this request—on certain conditions."

I shake off Helt Stanley's hand, which trembles with shock, and look sharply at Fiara. As if questioning, as if gauging.

Fiara, for a moment, seems to struggle to understand my intent, but then, proving her intelligence, she rephrases her words.

"Let's hear the conditions."

Ah, yes. This emotion is surely called hatred.

I never want to see Helt Stanley gain anything again. I want to take everything from him. My heart yearns for it.