The Secret That Could Not Be Told

"You should become my hero instead."

Natalia’s smile twitched.

Ruby smiled back.

Neither smile looked particularly friendly.

Videl immediately felt a headache coming.

"Why does everything come back to that?"

"Because recruitment never ends."

Natalia answered shamelessly.

Ruby nodded seriously.

"Never."

Brinda burst out laughing.

Even Eon couldn’t hide a small smile.

The conversation continued for quite some time.

No matter how many different questions Videl asked, both holy maidens skillfully avoided revealing anything important regarding the fate of Anos’s son.

Eventually, even she realized she wasn’t getting any answers.

Still...

The story continued lingering in her mind.

A mighty emperor.

A son.

A betrayal.

A forgotten ending.

Something about it felt strangely incomplete.

As though a missing piece existed somewhere just beyond reach.

Videl had no way of knowing that the person whose history she desperately wanted to uncover was connected to the man she cherished most.

Victor.

The handsome black-haired man with golden eyes who always seemed to carry countless secrets behind his calm smile.

At this moment, she merely viewed the tale as a fascinating piece of forgotten history.

The future, however, was unpredictable.

When the day eventually came that the entire truth was revealed...

When the names, events, and hidden connections finally aligned...

Nobody knew what expression would appear on Videl’s face.

Shock.

Disbelief.

Pain.

Understanding.

Perhaps all of them.

Or perhaps something else entirely.

For now, fate remained silent.

Far away from the room where forgotten legends were being discussed, Clara had already finished reporting the recent events to the Vice Guild Master.

The older man sat behind a mountain of paperwork.

Dark circles rested beneath his eyes.

Several reports lay scattered across his desk.

Maps of Fantom City covered the nearby wall.

Red markings indicated possible routes the undead army could use.

The situation looked grim.

After listening to Clara’s complete report, the Vice Guild Master rubbed his temples.

"I was hoping the rumors were exaggerated."

"They weren’t."

Clara answered honestly.

The room became quiet.

The Vice Guild Master looked toward the map.

"The undead dragon."

"The necromancer."

"The approaching army."

"And now Guild Master Isabella is unconscious."

His expression darkened.

"This couldn’t have happened at a worse time."

Clara folded her arms.

"Tell me about it."

The man released a tired sigh.

"How long will she be asleep?"

"No idea."

"Wonderful."

His tone sounded anything but wonderful.

For several moments neither spoke.

Eventually the Vice Guild Master stood up.

His gaze became firm.

"We don’t have enough time."

"What do you mean?"

Clara already had a bad feeling.

"The front lines need leadership."

She immediately understood.

"No."

The Vice Guild Master ignored her.

"The Guild Master is unavailable."

"I said no."

"The city’s strongest active adventurer is currently you."

Clara stared at him.

He stared back.

Several seconds passed.

Neither backed down.

Finally Clara groaned.

"You’re serious."

"Very."

"I hate you."

"I know."

"Can I refuse?"

"No."

"Can I pretend to be sick?"

"No."

"Can I run away?"

The Vice Guild Master actually thought about it.

"For approximately ten minutes."

Clara buried her face in her hands.

"Why me?"

"Because everyone else is either injured, dead, unavailable, or less qualified."

"That’s not reassuring."

"It’s reality."

The Vice Guild Master stepped around his desk.

His usually exhausted expression became surprisingly serious.

"Listen carefully."

"The city will need someone capable of keeping adventurers organized."

"Someone experienced."

"Someone strong."

"Someone people trust."

His eyes met hers.

"That person is you."

Clara remained silent.

Compliments rarely worked on her.

Unfortunately...

This time she knew he was right.

The city genuinely needed someone.

And there weren’t many candidates left.

After a long moment, she released a defeated sigh.

"Fine."

The Vice Guild Master visibly relaxed.

"Thank you."

"Don’t thank me."

"I’m still regretting it."

A faint smile appeared on the man’s face.

"I’ll take what I can get."

The two spent another half hour discussing preparations.

Emergency supply routes.

Defensive formations.

Evacuation plans.

Adventurer deployment.

Medical stations.

Everything that could possibly help when the undead army finally arrived.

By the time the meeting ended, Clara already felt exhausted.

And the battle hadn’t even started yet.

As she stepped outside the office, the sounds of the guild filled the hallway.

Adventurers hurried back and forth.

Messengers carried reports.

Workers reinforced defenses.

The entire city was preparing for war.

Clara slowly made her way toward the room where Videl and the others were gathered.

When she entered, she found the conversation regarding Demon Emperor Anos finally coming to an end.

Everyone looked surprisingly invested in the discussion.

"Done with your meeting?"

Videl asked.

Clara nodded.

"Unfortunately."

Brinda tilted her head.

"Why unfortunately?"

Clara pointed at herself.

"Because apparently I’m leading the adventurers once the undead army arrives."

The room immediately became quiet.

Even Natalia looked surprised.

"They gave you command?"

"They didn’t exactly ask."

Ruby laughed.

"They forced you."

"Exactly."

Eon nodded.

"A fitting decision."

"I hate how reasonable everyone is being."

Clara complained.

Videl smiled faintly.

"You’ll do fine."

Clara stared at her.

"You sound way too confident."

"Because it’s true."

For a brief moment, Clara didn’t know how to respond.

Eventually she simply shook her head.

"Whatever."

She turned toward the group.

"I’m heading home."

Brinda blinked.

"Already?"

"Unlike certain people, I actually need preparation."

Natalia laughed.

"A fair point."

Clara’s gaze swept across everyone present.

Then her expression softened slightly.

"Get some rest."

The joking atmosphere disappeared.

Everyone understood the meaning behind those words.

The undead army was coming.

Nobody knew exactly when.

Nobody knew how long the battle would last.

Nobody knew who would still be standing afterward.

"Rest while you can."

Clara continued quietly.

"Because when this war starts..."

She glanced toward the sleeping Lane and the unconscious Isabella in the adjoining room.

"...who knows when any of us will get the chance to relax again."

The room fell silent.

Outside, the afternoon wind drifted through Fantom City.

The calm before the storm continued.

But everyone could already feel it.

War was approaching.