His thick golden hair cascaded down, revealing a physique as hard as steel beneath.
Wrapped in bandages, but they didn’t seem to have much effect.
The body of a superhuman had already healed most of its wounds.
The luxurious bed placed at the center of the spacious room was surrounded by a crowd of people.
There were three healers attending to his body, and dozens of attendants and maids assisting him.
Yet, despite the number of people present, the room was quiet.
No one spoke rashly.
Each step was taken with care, cautious not to even brush against fabric noisily.
Sylvia Verden.
The continent’s highest authority and the ruler of the Empire.
The Empress herself had personally come for the Sword Saint.
Besides her, the presence of Guardian Knight Hio Pavlenko, the supreme commander of the war and the influential Roberen Duke, and the Royal Knights under Vitalianus’ command—all were powerful individuals whose very presence demanded careful conduct.
“Take good care of yourself, Sword Saint. Many are worried about you.”
Sylvia’s words carried the dignity befitting an Empress.
Vitalianus answered calmly.
“Worrying about this stubborn old man unnecessarily… I must have been too quiet, huh? Haha.”
“The most needless worry is that for the Sword Saint. But still, you should cherish your body a little more. The Leader of the Black Mist, Atawolf, was no easy opponent.”
“Hahaha. But in the end, the magician solved it. The result was good… so it’s a relief.”
Vitalianus spoke with a peaceful expression that made it hard to believe he had come so close to death.
No one found it strange.
‘Isn’t that a good thing?’
The Sword Saint had survived and defeated the continent’s worst villain, an undeniably heroic feat praised across the land.
An official announcement would be made soon, and a grand celebration would follow.
People would hail the Sword Saint and the Guardian Knights who fought against the worst evil.
Thus, Vitalianus laughed and chatted cheerfully with those gathered around him.
Though badly wounded and still recovering, everyone congratulated him with joyful hearts.
Only Hio Pavlenko remained silent, quietly watching Vitalianus.
“I shall be going now. I’ve kept the patient too long.”
Sylvia was the first to turn and leave the room.
Her crimson cape fluttered as she walked, followed by a dozen maids and a single Death Knight.
“I shall take my leave as well.”
“Leaving, Commander.”
Following them, Roberen Duke and the Royal Knights exited the room in order.
Vitalianus smiled as he saw them off.
Meanwhile, Hio Pavlenko stayed still, seemingly unwilling to leave.
Staring at the door they had left through, Vitalianus slowly spoke.
“So many worry about me. Isn’t this a happy life?”
The faint smile at the corner of his lips had vanished.
“Well then, magician. Do you think the same?”
Instead of answering, Hio looked around and said, “Could you give me a moment of privacy?”
The attendants, maids, and even the healer beside Vitalianus all bowed their heads and left the room swiftly and in perfect order.
In an instant, the spacious room was left with only the two of them.
Vitalianus slowly turned his gaze to meet Hio’s.
His golden eyes, lion-like, seemed strangely empty.
“Yes, magician. How did my friend’s end come to be?”
The only person who stood until the very end in the Gray Fortress Spire was Hio Pavlenko.
He alone knew how the war had finally concluded.
And Hio never told anyone how Atawolf met his end.
Whenever asked, he dismissed it with a casual, “It was nothing.”
The Guardian Knight of the Emperor had the authority and strength to withhold that truth unless the Emperor herself asked.
Sylvia was no one to forcefully pry what Hio did not wish to reveal.
Inside.
Of course, Atawolf’s end was pitiful beyond words.
The villain’s fate was predictable, so perhaps it need not be said.
But at least, Hio had the duty to tell the only friend who tried to save him.
“He stabbed his own heart.”
Neither exaggerating nor diminishing—the fact was stated plainly.
“…I see.”
Vitalianus nodded quietly.
Hio relayed the last words.
“I’m sorry I couldn’t keep my promise.”
“…A promise, huh. Yes, I remember.”
That promise made in their youth, to reach the pinnacle together, to become heroes side by side—he still remembered it.
Vitalianus slowly lay back down on the bed.
His gaze naturally lifted toward the ceiling.
“What is a hero, and what is a Sword Saint? I am but human.”
“You are human, a hero, and at the same time the Sword Saint.”
“My goal has been reached. Those who shared the glory are all dead or destined to die. Even my only friend died by his own hand before me. What remains for me?”
He muttered those words calmly, as if speaking to himself.
“For what purpose should I raise my sword again?”
For Vitalianus, bodily wounds healed quickly as long as he didn’t die.
What was far more dangerous was the illness growing deep in his heart.
A bitter disease named loneliness and emptiness.
“For what goal should I live?”
‘Among the people congratulating him upon waking, what feelings did Vitalianus harbor?’
When, amidst those celebrations, he realized even his final life goal had slipped away, what kind of smile was that?
No one could say. But one thing was certain.
“Listen, Vitalianus.”
Vitalianus Mahel.
The symbol of hope wielding the sword.
The superhuman above all superhumans.
The continent’s strongest knight must never fall here.
“There are many unbelievable things in this world.”
In the game, Atawolf’s death came much later—after the Abyss broke out and spread across the world.
In fact, Vitalianus had died before Atawolf.
No one knew how Vitalianus would change in a world where that was reversed, so Hio quietly murmured toward him.
“This isn’t my first time in this world.”
Though sorry to say, the Sword Saint must not collapse here.
He must once again lift the heavy sword for the sake of the world.
“You will have to raise your sword whether you want to or not.”
What Vitalianus needed was a definite goal.
The reason he must keep wielding the sword.
“Otherwise, the world will perish.”
To rekindle the dying star of the sword once more.
“The Gray Fortress burned, kingdoms crumbled, neither you nor I nor the Ruler of the Western Sea could stop destruction.”
Vitalianus, who had been staring indifferently at the ceiling, now looked toward Hio.
“…So, magician, are you saying you’ve time traveled?”
“Well, something like that. Do you think I wouldn’t know what happened between you and Atawolf? I heard it all from your own mouth.”
Suspicion and confusion filled Vitalianus’ golden eyes.
He stared into Hio’s eyes to discern the truth, but those eyes held only solemnity.
There was no sign of deception.
“You say you don’t know why you must wield the sword? The day will come when you realize how selfish that is.”
“What… will be destroyed?”
The confusion and questions grew, matched only by a strong curiosity—or perhaps pride.
“The Abyss.”
“Is it really that powerful?”
Vitalianus slowly raised his body.
“Beings that defy the laws of the world.”
A golden light flashed deep in his eyes.
“Explain in detail, magician.”
The extinguished star of the sword was ignited once again.
***
After finishing his conversation with Vitalianus, Hio met with Sylvia without rest.
Sylvia had shed her heavy garments and myriad accessories, sitting comfortably before him.
“This world is such a fuss. They bring it up several times a day.”
The dignified tone from earlier was gone, replaced by a rapid-fire outpouring of words.
“They keep insisting the national marriage must be expedited. They say it’s already too late and the succession must be prepared quickly… it’s absurd, isn’t it?”
It was about marriage.
From the perspective of loyal subjects who cared only for Sylvia and the Empire’s future, it was natural to marry and have heirs.
At Sylvia’s age, it was the best and healthiest time to do so.
“Marriage… I’ve never thought about it even once. Hmm? What do you think?”
Sylvia’s expression was somehow flushed as she spoke, while Hio, still dazed, blinked in confusion and asked,
“Hm? About what?”
“About marriage. Have you ever thought about it, Hio?”
The unexpected question drained the mood, and Hio leaned back on the sofa, shaking his head.
“Never gave it a thought. I don’t have time for dating, let alone marriage.”
“Ahahaha! Yeah, that’s what I thought. I think so too. Ahahaha…”
Sylvia waved her hands hastily, her cheeks red.
‘It was hot?’
The Death Knight standing behind her glared at Hio with obvious disdain, but since it wasn’t the first time, he ignored it.
“By the way, what happened to what we talked about earlier?”
Sylvia snapped out of her laughter and sat upright.
“Well, as you said, Hio, I sent a formal letter to the Adventurer’s Guild. We requested cooperation regarding the Abyss.”
Her demeanor changed suddenly.
Watching the silver-haired Empress lift her teacup, there was no trace of the innocent girl from moments ago.
“What did they say? That they’ll cooperate willingly?”
Hio leisurely set down his oversized hat beside him and raised his teacup.
The Empire was now going to tackle the Abyss officially.
When he visited the palace for the coronation, he and Sylvia had discussed it. It only needed to be carried out.
“At first, they denied understanding and tried to back out, but the moment I mentioned your name, they agreed to cooperate immediately.”
Currently, the Abyss was managed by the possessed, and the Guild Master was one of them.
She was even ranked higher than Sirbert, as the fourth-ranked Raenka.
So she was more than capable of managing the crucial Abyss Gate.
“They even asked if you could come as soon as possible.”
“Asked to come quickly? Why?”
‘What reason was there to rush?’
The Abyss was only about the 10th floor in difficulty now.
The Black Mist’s forces had collapsed, and the opposition to the raid had significantly weakened.
“A labyrinth has appeared.”
“…A labyrinth?”
“Yes. An unexpected variable. Wait a moment.”
Sylvia took a document from the desk and began reading.
“The labyrinth form has appeared. Since we had no preparations, the number of related kills is absolutely insufficient, and the time left to clear it is minimal. They’ve contacted Hio Pavlenko to request support as soon as possible. Something like that, very politely.”
Hio’s expression darkened seriously.
“A labyrinth… has appeared.”
The Abyss’ forms vary more as you descend.
Among them, the labyrinth form is one of the most difficult.
Unlike other floors, you cannot retreat outside once you enter.
One of two endings must come—death or conquest.
You must find your way, contend with various Abyss Monsters and traps, and constantly face disorientation and reduced visibility.
And now, there was barely any time left.
Regardless of why this variable appeared, clearing it quickly was the top priority.
If not, Abyss Gates would appear everywhere in the world.
“I must go immediately.”
There was no time to hesitate.
“I’ll borrow Eos.”
As he sprang to his feet, Sylvia’s eyes widened as she rose as well.
“Already leaving? Have some tea first.”
“Next time.”
Without looking back, Hio dashed out.
In the vast imperial bedroom, “…Sigh.”
Sylvia let out a small sigh.
Only Theo Rdomann remained, looking at the door Hio had stormed out of with a wry expression.
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