Legion Academy had become a complete mess. Min Jiyu was trying to figure out what was happening when she discovered Sanji, just before he disintegrated into light.

"Gasp, how?!"

Sanji, who had been so tyrannical and unyielding like a mountain, was helplessly disappearing.

At that sight, she couldn’t feel even a speck of sadness. However, she couldn’t feel joy either.

It was because she had killed Sanji dozens, hundreds of times in her mind. 𝕗𝚛𝚎𝚎𝐰𝗲𝗯𝗻𝚘𝚟𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝕞

If only she had done it herself with her own hands.

"Haa, no. Hero made it happen. Now I just need to forget."

Could she truly forget? Those nightmarish days.

She had no confidence she could forget. Sanji, the greatest adversary of her life, was dead and gone. But at the same time, it was as if everything she had was also gone.

"How should I live now?"

She looked down at Lucian, who was holding her hand. She struggled to pull him up and hold him in her arms, then she was flustered.

"Why did the Hero come here? Did he come knowing everything?"

To think a man with such a physique was a Hero. To think he defeated that monstrous Sanji.

She couldn’t believe it. It was a sight she couldn’t even dream of.

Recalling the memory of him helping her at the cafe, she hugged Lucian tightly. As if hugging a lover.

"Who exactly are you? Who are you to... haa."

Min Jiyu lowered her head and closed her eyes. First, she had to get out of here. With this single thought, she stood up.

＊＊＊

I opened my eyes. Looking around, I was lying on a bench overlooking a hill.

And it was a lap pillow.

"Uh...?"

Min Jiyu was dozing off, her head bowed, while cradling my face. The moment I saw her, my heart pounded.

She must have been tired herself, but she brought me all the way here?

"What is this? Where am I?"

Soon, smoke rose from not far away. I immediately realized that was the Academy.

"We came quite far. Min Jiyu brought even me. That’s surprising."

If it were common women, they would have abandoned the man who helped them and run away. Min Jiyu instinctively showed that she truly had the qualifications of a heroine.

I stirred to get up. Because of that, Min Jiyu woke up.

"Eum, you’re awake?"

"Manager, this is...?"

"Acha. This is Destiny Hill Road, one of the capital’s famous spots. They say couples usually come here to hang out."

Min Jiyu smiled as she finished speaking. She looked more relieved than when I saw her last time.

I wondered if she felt a little better.

I scratched my head.

"Um, first, please listen to my story."

"Yes, I will."

I first told Min Jiyu my story. Because understanding the situation would be important.

Listening to my story, Min Jiyu was shocked beyond belief.

"Sanji was that kind of person?"

"You probably felt it subconsciously. How evil that man was."

"Yes... but I thought he was only like that to me. Haa, as for me... I had no choice but to bow my head to that man."

Min Jiyu smiled bitterly and shook her head. I subtly asked.

"Why? A capable and beautiful woman like you, why should you bow your head to such human trash?"

Min Jiyu looked at me as if surprised. Then she smiled weakly.

"You said... Hero?"

"Yes."

"Is that why? Every time I see you, I feel energized. Like meeting something I lost when I was young? Huhu."

Seeing Min Jiyu smile awkwardly, I also let out a chuckle.

It was hard to describe, but that feeling that made my heart flutter. I knew it well too. Because I felt it every time I met and saved heroines.

"Is this the time for jokes...."

"It’s not a joke. Thank you so much, Hero."

She looked at me, trying to gauge my reaction. I tilted my head and looked at her.

Seeing her this close, she was even prettier. Was it because the location was different?

When I saw her at the cafe, she seemed like a capable career woman. With a bold and lively image.

But now, she seemed like a woman who had finally put down her burdens.

Especially her slender, cat-like face, and her two eyes were truly clear.

"Hero, will you listen to my story?"

"Gladly."

As if making a confession, Min Jiyu slowly began to tell her story.

"I was born into a truly poor family. My parents also passed away early, and they left a message when they died. That at least I should live a life that others wouldn’t envy. Even if it meant enduring humiliation, I should live that way. Only then could they watch over me peacefully."

The beginning wasn’t good from the start. That didn’t just apply to human lives.

If the very beginning was bad, it was hard to resolve things.

I sighed. As expected, there was a story behind it. Min Jiyu shed tears.

"I didn’t know living life doing what you want was this difficult. Eueuk, he rapes me."

"It’s okay, it’s fine. Because that demon is gone now."

"I know, I’m evaluated as good at my job and all. But in the end, I was just a helpless woman in front of him. But what can I do? My parents’ dying wish was that, eueuk."

"Manager...."

"All the pain I suffered in life, they should be resting peacefully in heaven! I miss my parents so much...!"

Min Jiyu, shedding tears and venting her resentment. Every time I saw her, my heart ached. What wrong did this woman do to have to live like this?

I stroked her back as if to comfort her. Min Jiyu pressed close to me.

"I’ve lost everything. Because that nightmarish man always supported my everything."

"He didn’t support you. He bound you."

"...Yes, I’m grateful to you Hero."

"You gained freedom, Manager. No, Min Jiyu. Listen."

"Yes...?"

I should tell her my story. Not as Lucian, but as the person I was.

"I liked a game called Asgard Chronicle. Although it wasn’t a popular game, its setting was solid, the characters were realistic, there were no abandoned heroines, and most of all, I really liked the subtle addictiveness that grew the more I played it."

"A game...?"

Min Jiyu tilted her head. I continued my story.

"Although others didn’t recognize its true value and it became a game only I liked, I don’t regret playing that game."

"Why?"

"While playing that game, I realized that I could also achieve things. I was also a truly helpless and pathetic guy."

The past briefly flashed in my mind. I shook my head and continued speaking.

"I ran away from the past and always lost to my helpless self. But, once I jumped in, I realized that I was a better person than I thought. Isn’t that funny?"

I chuckled and sighed. When it came to playing games, I was always serious. Perhaps even more so than when dealing with people.

I liked the atmosphere where I could concentrate on something.

"You still have something you like, don’t you? Your cafe! Your cafe is still there, isn’t it? It doesn’t matter as long as you have the resolve to bet everything on it."

"The resolve... to bet everything."

"Yes, that kind of resolve. What’s important is an unyielding heart."

"Can I do well?"

Like a pilgrim seeking an answer, Min Jiyu looked at me. I couldn’t become her god. A grand savior? That was impossible too.

But if it was about instilling confidence, that was possible.

"It’s possible. If you want, I’ll help you. Because I, well, I like you, Min Jiyu."

"All the things you want to do..."

"Yes! I have more money than you think, you know? And I’m strong because I’m a Hero! Hahaha!"

I even added some self-praise. Originally, a man has to act like a fool to cheer a woman up.

More friendly, more sweet.

"Ehh...."

Min Jiyu stared blankly at me, her ears red. Then she flinched in surprise and lowered her head.

What is this, how cute.

"Huhu, come on, stop joking. They said Heroes are mischievous, and it, it was true."

"But I’m serious?"

"Lies... What’s so good about an old woman like me? I’m a dirty old woman."

I raised my arm and put it around her shoulder. When she flinched in surprise, I pressed my body even closer and shook my head.

"No, Min Jiyu. You are pretty. You are beautiful."

"That can’t be...."

"Anyone can see that you do your cafe work well, you hire staff without discrimination, and you’re a wonderful woman who treats everyone equally."

I couldn’t forget Min Jiyu at the cafe. Her calm demeanor even when an illogical drunk picked a fight.

I probably wouldn’t see that in reality.

"A person like that, in this wide world, Min Jiyu, you are the only one. So, have pride."

"Haa...!"

Min Jiyu, who was about to say something, let out a hot breath. I could see her eyes blurring even more with tears.

"The person who said such words to me... You are the first, Hero."

"You can call me Lucian comfortably. Anyway, since you made me fall for you at first sight, I also want to show you my heart. The heart that is sincere."

I smiled lightly as I finished speaking. No matter what she thought, the fact that I was sincere wouldn’t change.

Min Jiyu, who had been smiling weakly, finally burst into tears.

"Waaah!"

She must have had a lot bottled up until now. It must have been really hard.

Going home meant Sanji would be waiting, so it must have been hell. At least her workplace, the cafe, must have been heaven.

Since the home, which should be the most comfortable place in the world, was like that, how could her heart be at peace?

I knew it well. I didn’t particularly like my home either. Home was just a damned place that made me realize I was alone.

I patted her back. She had every right to cry.

"Cry until you feel relieved. After that, even if you look like a fool, will you keep smiling? Because I’ll make you smile."

"Ahh!"

I made a promise. That I would make her smile.

No one would want such a pretty woman to cry. Except for a few with peculiar tastes.

A pretty woman should indeed smile. Once she smiled, she was beautiful enough to make even her surroundings seem brighter.

A ’sun-like smile’ must be a phrase used for this.

Min Jiyu clung to me, hugging me. I hugged her, smelling her natural, flower-like scent.

"Thank you, Lucian, thank you!"

"I’m more grateful. For recognizing my sincerity."

My chest became wet with her tears, but I didn’t mind. Rather, I felt a pang of regret, as if it were a medal that would soon disappear.

The feeling of saving someone, it was still good. This must be why people become Heroes. Even if it’s a debauched Hero like me.

Letting out a sigh, I looked towards the Academy. Although I couldn’t see clearly, it seemed many people had gathered.

Perhaps among them were those related to Those Who Recite Sins Cult.

Sanji is dead. Well, James. You lost your right arm, what will you do now?

This isn’t the end. Soon, Limani will cause a huge disturbance.

And then, I will come. Like lightning strikes after thunder!