The Hero's Shadow
Gazing at the protagonist Elion's dazzling golden hair, I felt a wave of relief. Not because I particularly liked the character Elion, or for any sentimental reason. Simply because I needed him. As I'd thought before, this world was destined to descend into chaos before long. If left unchecked, humanity would decline at best, and face extinction at worst. Someone had to stop that from happening. And that "someone" was none other than Elion. Since preventing the catastrophe was one of my own goals, his existence was essential. I couldn't help but feel reassured. If, by some chance, he hadn't existed in this world as he did in the game, I would have been forced to take on that role myself.
Thank goodness.
It felt as though a great weight had been lifted from my shoulders.
"...Haa."
I let out a small sigh. At least my primary objective on this train had been accomplished. With a lighter heart, I turned my gaze to the chaos unfolding before me. As long as I stayed put, I wouldn't be dragged into that mess. That was true for me, at least. Elion was a different story.
Elion, who had just stepped through the door, looked visibly flustered by the sudden situation. Before he could even collect his thoughts, the attackers began targeting him as well. Were they trying to leave no witnesses? Or simply unwilling to allow any unforeseen variables? Either way, they couldn't afford to let him go peacefully. If a witness escaped and alerted the staff, their entire plan would collapse. It was a reflexive move, but not a bad judgment on their part.
The problem was—
Clang!
—that their opponent was no pushover.
Elion reacted to the unexpected ambush. In an instant, he had drawn his sword and parried the attacker's blade. From that point on, the flow of events was exactly as I remembered. Having realized that the hooded figures were not here for any noble purpose, Elion joined the fray. At this point in time, Elion hadn't even officially enrolled in the Academy yet—he was merely a prospective first-year. One might think that a single newly adult student joining the fight wouldn't change much, but that wasn't the case. Academy students were already of a high caliber, and Elion was exceptional even among them. After all, he was the protagonist. How could he be ordinary?
As expected, the tide of battle shifted in line with my predictions. With Elion's participation, the defenders—who had been steadily pushed back—launched a counterattack. Hidden in a corner, I observed Elion's fight with keen interest. The way he moved his body, the way he swung his sword, the way he handled his mana.
Not bad.
It was good. Better than expected. If I'd anticipated a ten, he was showing me a twelve. That was a welcome development. The stronger Elion was, the more talented he proved to be, the easier things would be for me.
As I watched the battle unfold, a thought suddenly crossed my mind.
...Should I intervene?
Joining Elion's side wouldn't be a bad idea. Even without my help, the battle would end in victory for his side. It wasn't because I knew the future—I could simply tell from watching. Elion's side was gradually gaining the upper hand. The attackers might have had some trump cards prepared, but even accounting for that, Elion's side would win. There was no need to intervene.
However, there were benefits to stepping in. It would allow me to make an acquaintance with Elion—and with "that person." The latter aside, building a connection with Elion was something I'd have to do eventually, considering what lay ahead. This situation was an opportunity. Elion would realize they were gaining the advantage, but if I helped anyway, it would likely start things off on a positive note.
...Yeah. That's better.
I made up my mind. I would join Elion's side.
"...Nngh."
Letting out a pained groan, I forced my body to move. The reason I'd hesitated was this body's condition. If it had been even somewhat decent, I wouldn't have needed to think twice about helping Elion. But the state of this body was unimaginably poor. It was almost miraculous that it could move at all—something a doctor or priest might foam at the mouth over, calling it a medical mystery. In short, this body wasn't meant to move.
Still, I couldn't afford to miss this chance.
Shring—
Sword drawn, I stepped forward.
"......!"
One of the attackers noticed me. Suspicion and hesitation flickered in the eyes beneath the hood. But the hesitation was brief.
Thud!
The figure kicked off the ground and charged. The speed was impressive, the movements clean. An ordinary person would have struggled to respond. Someone in my condition—a patient whose body was barely holding together—should have been decapitated before they could even flinch.
But that was only true for ordinary people.
Watching the sword swing toward me, I took a single step back.
Whoosh!
The blade aimed at my neck passed just in front of it—literally a sheet of paper's width away.
"What the—!"
The attacker cried out, as if witnessing a miracle. It wasn't an easy feat. It required perfectly reading the trajectory of the incoming strike, and it demanded a level of courage most people lacked. A single mistake would mean instant death. It was a dangerous display of skill that required both technique and nerve.
But I hadn't done it to show off. It had been a half-unavoidable choice. My body was in too poor a state for anything more. Violent movements were difficult—dangerous, even. In this condition, even one or two intense motions could send me straight to the afterlife. So I'd dodged by the narrowest of margins. Not because I wanted to, but because I had no other option.
...Anyway.
Shaking off the thought, I moved again. The fact that the attack had missed completely meant an opening had been created. I thrust my sword toward the man's neck.
Thud!
Before he could react, the blade pierced through. With shock still etched in his fading eyes, the man collapsed. I calmly withdrew my sword.
"......"
Several nearby attackers turned their gazes toward me. Wariness filled their eyes—they had judged me a threat. A quick glance confirmed that Elion's side still had no room to spare. I wouldn't be getting any help. Clicking my tongue at the thought of my body screaming in protest later, I adjusted my stance.
***
Slash!
"Kuhk...!"
With a scream, the last hooded figure fell. I sheathed my sword. That had been the final one. Grimacing at the pain coursing through my entire body, I noticed movement ahead. Someone emerged from the room the attackers had been targeting.
It was an elderly man in a black uniform. Though his hair was completely white, he didn't give off a frail impression—likely due to his imposing physique, which belied his age. The old man surveyed his surroundings. First, his eyes fell on the fallen attackers, then on Elion, and finally, they settled on me. Upon confirming that the attackers had been completely repelled, a hint of relief crossed his stern face, though his expression didn't fully relax. His gaze, still tense, alternated between Elion and me.
"...I don't know who you are, but I offer my thanks. Thanks to you, we were able to minimize the damage."
The old man expressed his gratitude, though the sentiment behind it was measured. He was thankful, but not to the point of making a fuss. He seemed like the type who didn't show emotion easily, but that wasn't the only reason. Given the circumstances, his wariness was understandable. Even though we'd helped, both Elion and I were complete outsiders with no prior connection. From the perspective of someone who'd risked their life to assist, it was natural to feel displeased, but I understood. Considering what they were dealing with, such caution was only to be expected.
Of course, Elion, unaware of the situation, might feel offended, but knowing his personality, he'd probably be fine.
"I'd like to offer proper compensation, but given the circumstances, that may be difficult right now. I'll send someone later, so for the time being—"
The old man was about to issue a polite dismissal when a voice called out from inside the room.
"Wait a moment."
It was a beautiful voice that captivated the listener. Soon after, a woman matching that voice appeared. She was a striking beauty, still carrying a hint of youthfulness. With light blonde hair reaching her waist and sparkling green eyes, she was someone I recognized.
Her name was Charlotte Everwin. Princess of the Everwin Kingdom, and one of the heroines of Elion.
"We can't simply send away those who have shown us such kindness."
Charlotte spoke, stopping the old man from dismissing us. It was the expected development. The prologue had played out the same way. I glanced at her face.
She's beautiful.
Just like in the game. As with most characters bearing the "heroine" label, she was stunning enough to draw admiration. Still, I didn't linger on her for long. While Charlotte was a character of considerable importance, she wasn't particularly significant to me.
***
The situation was quickly resolved. Charlotte sent someone ahead to inform the train staff of what had happened. Once things had settled somewhat, she offered both Elion and me words of gratitude and apology, saying we'd been caught up in the incident because of them. Naturally, this led to a conversation between us.
"So both of you are Academy students, then."
"Yes, that's correct."
"...Well, that's right."
We also learned each other's identities—at least, our names and the fact that we were Academy students. Elion confirmed it, and I nodded readily.
"You may speak casually with me, Senior."
Charlotte, having learned that I (or rather, Kyle) was a second-year, said this, but I shook my head lightly.
"Let's do that after you've officially enrolled."
Within the Academy, year level was officially prioritized over social status. Juniors used formal speech with seniors, while seniors spoke casually to juniors. That was the official rule, though reality was a bit different. This world wasn't as rigidly stratified as medieval or early modern Earth, but social hierarchies still existed. Speaking informally to royalty from another kingdom right after meeting them would be awkward in various ways—even if the other person was a junior, and even if this body belonged to the Berwen family. Besides, if I'd casually said, "Sure, why not?" the old man's glare from over there would have grown even fiercer.
"Once again, I apologize for the trouble we've caused. I'll make sure to properly repay this debt in the future."
With those words, Charlotte bowed her head.
"Your Highness!"
The old man exclaimed in shock, but Charlotte paid him no mind. She acted as though this was only proper.
"No, there's no need for that..."
Elion looked flustered by the sight. It was a natural reaction. For royalty of an entire kingdom to bow their head like this was unthinkable by any standard. But that was the kind of person Charlotte Everwin was. Born into a noble royal family, she didn't look down on others. She believed that status alone couldn't determine a person's worth. A virtuous and wise royal—that was Charlotte Everwin. Personally, she was a character I liked as well. Not to the point of being infatuated, of course, but I held a favorable impression of her as a character.
However, her performance didn't quite match her excellent personality. She was versatile but lacked standout traits, and there were clearly superior alternatives for filling multiple roles. That was Charlotte Everwin in the game. Still, I thought well of her on a personal level. Her character was admirable, and she was somewhat pitiable as well. One might wonder what could be pitiable about a kingdom's princess, but her position wasn't as comfortable as it seemed. The current situation was proof enough. Even as royalty, being attacked like this wasn't a common occurrence. In fact, it was usually unthinkable. Yet she'd been targeted because of the circumstances surrounding her kingdom, Everwin, combined with her personal situation. To put it briefly, she might be a princess, but her position wasn't an easy one.
...Well, that's beside the point.
While I felt sorry for Charlotte, it wasn't something I needed to concern myself with. I didn't have the capacity to worry about that far, and besides, someone else was meant to support her. Elion, who was now looking at Charlotte with a slightly bewildered expression. It was his role to encourage and support her. That was how the game's story went, and while I didn't know how things would actually play out, given Elion's personality, he probably wouldn't abandon her entirely.
...That aside.
That guy really is handsome, though.
Looking at Elion's face, I had that thought. His golden hair shone brilliantly, reflecting the sunlight. His eyes sparkled like sapphires. His features were each crafted with artistic precision. This must be what the ideal prince from fairy tales—the one girls dreamed of—looked like. I'd seen him countless times in the game, so I was familiar with his appearance, but seeing him in person brought a fresh sense of awe. Was this what it felt like to see a celebrity in real life? No, it would be even more striking than that. His looks far surpassed those of any celebrity.
But—
Hmm...?
Something about him felt subtly different from what I remembered. Overall, he was almost the same, but there was a faint androgynous quality to his impression. Truly handsome people often carried that trait, but in person, the androgynous feel was even more pronounced. Come to think of it, his voice was the same. In the game, Elion's voice never appeared. Whether it was for immersion or some other reason, his dialogue was always displayed as text only. Yet his voice was slightly higher than I'd imagined—a neutral tone closer to a boy's than a young man's.
...Well, it doesn't matter.
I wasn't Elion himself, and even taking all that into account, he was still an unparalleled beauty in a world filled with attractive men and women. His talents were exceptional, and his personality was as perfect as a fairy-tale prince. Even without me doing anything, he'd inevitably plant flags everywhere, just like in the game. By looks and ability alone, he was someone who naturally drew jealousy and envy from other men. But I felt none of that toward him.
Because I know the hardships ahead of him.
As I'd said, this world was destined for chaos. And as the protagonist, Elion was fated to bear the burden of restoring that chaotic world to normal. Knowing that future, there was no way I could envy him. He would suffer so much in the days to come that "hardship" would be an understatement—truly to the point of coughing up blood. Because I knew that, I harbored not a shred of jealousy toward Elion. All I felt was sympathy and pity.
Good luck, you bastard. It'll be tough, but don't give up. I'll do my best to help you.
As I muttered those words inwardly while looking at Elion—
"......?"
Suddenly, our eyes met. He regarded me with a puzzled look for a moment before smiling. It was a gentle smile, as if drawn from a painting—a smile with the terrifying power to pierce the hearts of most women even without context. I looked away from him. I'd intervened to build a connection with Elion, but I had no intention of becoming close to him. I didn't plan on joining his group. To intervene in future events without drawing his attention, I needed to stay out of Elion's line of sight. If we grew too close, no matter how carefully I hid things, he might sense something was off. Maintaining an appropriate distance would be best.
With that thought, I completely averted my gaze from Elion.
***
"So this is..."
Charlotte murmured in an awed voice as she took in the scene before her. Even for someone born a princess, accustomed to all manner of magnificent sights, this view must have been remarkable. Well, this time, I wasn't so different from her. The city had a way of stirring up all sorts of emotions.
This was the train's final destination—the city where the Academy, the setting of the early parts of Elion, was located. Ardentis. One might think all cities were more or less the same, but that wasn't the case. Ardentis itself had a distinctly unique atmosphere. Even the train we'd ridden was proof of that. Though this was an era of advanced magic engineering, trains of this size were rare on the continent. In fact, aside from this place and the capital, they didn't exist at all. This city had been meticulously crafted by the Empire, built upon that advanced magic engineering. That was Ardentis. While its scenery lacked the grandeur of the capital, it possessed a unique vitality and atmosphere found nowhere else on the continent—at least enough to impress a kingdom's princess.
"It's fascinating."
Elion seemed to feel the same. The way his eyes sparkled as he continuously looked around was proof enough. Seeing it in person, I found it quite fascinating myself, but I didn't openly gawk like the two of them. It would be strange for a second-year Academy student to behave that way.
Anyway.
"Well then, I'll be on my way."
Turning around, I spoke to Charlotte, who was still taking in the sights of Ardentis. She looked at me for a moment before nodding.
"I'll see you again at the Academy."
Both she and I had the Academy as our destination. Normally, traveling together would make sense, but that wasn't an option. Even as a kingdom's princess, after an incident like this, she couldn't simply leave. People from Ardentis would come to investigate, and she'd need to provide testimony as someone directly involved. Though she'd been attacked, she was still a key party. And I had no intention of waiting around. My body was already at its limit. It was only because we were in public that I was holding on—I felt like collapsing right then and there. Originally, as someone involved in the incident, even as a helper, I should have undergone at least a brief investigation, but Charlotte's side would likely handle that. She knew that too, which was why she'd spoken as she did.
I gave Charlotte a brief farewell and left immediately.
***
Elion's gaze, which had been surveying the surroundings, shifted. It moved toward the retreating back of the man.
Kyle Berwen.
Elion's eyes, fixed on the man's back, were filled with deep curiosity.