The War Heroes Gather for Idle Chatter

I sat alone, organizing my thoughts while the war heroes chatted among themselves. Amelia’s story is the most tragic, but the other two aren’t far behind. It’s no wonder they’d fall. Faced with that kind of public opinion and those kinds of experiences, even I would develop misanthropy.

Still, just because someone suffers from misanthropy doesn’t mean they’ll go on a killing spree. That kind of thing needs a trigger. It felt like there was still about six months to a year before that trigger went off…

I crossed my arms and mulled over the story’s timeline. Thanks to the detailed spoilers I’d read, I knew exactly when and what events would happen. That made organizing everything easy. The real problem was identifying the final push—the mastermind who tried to use the three heroes to flip the world upside down.

In the original novel, the author had skimmed over it with vague lines like “they were lured into a trap” and “we found their base later and burned it down.” So the culprit had been left unchecked. Rather than waste time hunting for an answer that wasn’t there, I decided to focus on mental care instead. That seemed the wiser choice.

“Young Master? Are you in?”

Knock, knock.

It was late at night when Gauss rapped on the door. His voice was heavy with exhaustion.

“Come in.”

“Yes, sir.”

Gauss opened the door slowly and stepped inside, carrying a gift box in his arms.

“Is that it?”

“Yes. I prepared everything exactly as you ordered. I’ve preserved them perfectly, so no need to worry.”

Gauss set the box down on the table. It was a plain wooden crate meant for cargo. Since the contents mattered more than the packaging, the box itself didn’t really matter.

“Thanks for going through the trouble. How are things at the resort?”

“Since we’re only running test operations for now, nothing major has come up. We just need to make sure the food supplies arrive ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠in time for the official opening. For the moment, anyway.”

Gauss muttered with a sigh. It was a silent protest that basically said, Please stop giving me more work.

“Maybe I should hire another mage or two.”

“That would be wonderful.”

The moment I mumbled it, Gauss jumped on the offer. He’d taken the bait completely.

“Don’t you know anyone? Preferably someone with a criminal record like you. That’d be even better.”

“So you can put a collar on them too?”

“It’s easier when I can treat them like lifelong slaves. Normal mages don’t want to do this kind of work, right?”

Mages were high-class labor. They wouldn’t even glance at something as lowly as facility management. At best, they’d sell expensive goods or take commissions when they needed research funds or living expenses. That’s why turning them into slaves was convenient—like Gauss, who never stopped sighing.

“…In that case, why not use those impressive war heroes? They seemed rather eager to work.”

“Heroes aren’t criminals.”

“But aren’t they being treated almost like criminals? They’re basically at the level of hired blades.”

I frowned without meaning to. Comparing criminals to heroes was offensive, but it was also the cold reality. He really knew how to leave me speechless.

“The people who fear them are the ones in the wrong. They only look at the surface and can’t judge a person’s true character.”

“You’re the same as ever. Then what about my character?”

“Your character was already ambiguously trash from the start, so I put a collar on you. You’ve improved a bit since then.”

“Well… calling me ambiguously trash makes it hard to even get angry. I’ll be going now.”

Gauss scratched his head roughly and left. Only the box and silence remained.

I stood up and opened the wooden crate. Everything I’d requested was there, neatly arranged without a single item missing. Black silk to use as wrapping, and high-quality gifts tailored to each person’s tastes. No scratches, perfect condition.

I wrapped the gifts in the black silk. Having done this a few times before, my hands moved smoothly. They turned out quite presentable. Even if they didn’t like the gifts, the fact that I’d wrapped them myself would add sincerity points. There was room for leniency.

With this much effort, they should look at me favorably.

I placed the wrapped gifts on the table, set the empty crate on the floor, and stood up. Gifts were the foundation of raising favorability. As long as the recipient wasn’t extremely repulsive, their affection would rise at least a little. Plus, the timing was good. When someone suffering from severe misanthropy receives a gift? Even I would feel favorable toward the giver. Just like Amelia—when someone extends a hand during a crisis, it becomes something special.

Still, the effect will probably be weaker than with her.

Amelia’s situation had been dramatic, which made the favorability gain stronger. These two were different. I’d have to build it up slowly and steadily.

Anyway, the wrapping was done and it was late, so I headed straight to bed. There wasn’t anything fun to do at this hour, and even if there was, I didn’t feel like it. I just wanted to sleep.

Who is it now?

But the moment I closed my eyes, another knock forced me to sit up. Who could it be at this hour? There shouldn’t be anyone.

“Haa…”

I sighed, suppressing my irritation. I’d just lain down to sleep; of course my mood would sour.

“Who is it?”

Before I could get up, Aaron—who had been resting in the room closest to the front door—stepped out first. Makes sense; he was my escort.

“Oh? Excuse me. I was told that Young Master Meyer was resting here. Is that correct? Your voice sounds a bit different…?”

A bright, lively voice came from outside. I remembered it clearly. It was Reina’s voice—the one that had sounded so delighted when she saw Amelia that morning.

“Young Master?”

Aaron ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠slowly turned his head toward me. His eyes and voice were filled with a desperate plea for rescue. Why is he so scared of her?

“Step aside.”

Though I was bewildered, I went to the front door and opened it. As expected, Reina’s face greeted me.

“Ah, you were here after all?”

Reina looked up at me, her eyes sparkling. The fifteen-centimeter height difference made my heart flutter for a moment.

“Yes. I’m staying with my escort. But… what brings you here at this hour?”

“I’m sorry for coming so late. There are just so many things I wanted to ask you. I couldn’t hold back?”

Couldn’t hold back? From what?

For a brief second, all sorts of wild fantasies flashed through my mind and vanished. Do you want to do naughty things with your sister? But I liked you first— The genre variety left me dizzy. This is seriously disorienting.

“Ah… I see?”

“Yes. So, could you spare me a little time? If you’re tired, we can do it tomorrow.”

Reina was a straightforward character. She didn’t have that sly way of pretending to be considerate while actually forcing her own way. So I could refuse if I wanted, but something about it felt off.

“Let’s go up to the rooftop. It’s a good place for a quiet conversation.”

“Oh my? Thank you.”

Reina smiled with her eyes, clearly delighted. Her appearance really helped—her smiling face was even more beautiful. Just like Amelia’s.

‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠

“Not at all. Shall we?”

I led Reina up to the rooftop terrace. I was curious, so I might as well hear what she had to say.

The night was bright with a full moon. Yohan sat with his back to the dark, quiet sea below. Reina sat across from him.

“Would you like some tea?”

“It’s fine. It feels a bit much to make someone prepare tea at this hour…”

Reina trailed off with a small chuckle. Normally, the sight of fearful eyes filled her with irritation. Or rather, she found them so repulsive she didn’t even want to look. But here, things were a little different. She could see the effort. The attempt not to fear her. The sincere desire to show respect and gratitude.

That’s why she had asked a fisherman earlier why he acted that way, and the answer had surprised her.

“It was fascinating. Both the fact that you spoke so much about us and the content itself.”

“I only said what was obvious. It’s embarrassing.”

“Obvious? If it were truly obvious, we wouldn’t have been called monsters our whole lives.”

Reina laughed cheerfully. Even while talking about something bitter, she seemed uplifted, as if she had returned to the days before the war when she was simply a young noblewoman.

“I don’t know if I have the right to say this, but… please rest easy. You have more than earned that right, my lady.”

Yohan offered comfort in a voice laced with a sigh, just as he had with Amelia.

Wow… This guy is the real deal.

Reina looked at Yohan with sparkling eyes, genuinely impressed. Everything Amelia had told her earlier in an excited voice had been true. There hadn’t been the slightest exaggeration. She’d thought Amelia was only speaking well of him because he’d paid off her debts and treated her kindly, but that wasn’t it. There wasn’t even a hint of calculation. Only pure goodwill, mixed with a touch of genuine concern.

“By the way, what brings you here so late? Is there something you’re unhappy with?”

“Ah, it’s nothing serious. Amelia kept talking about you, and I just couldn’t stand it anymore. I wanted to see your face and talk to you right away.”

She had simply wanted to talk. That single reason had been enough for her to sneak out of the room while her two friends were asleep.

That’s all? Nothing big.

Yohan nodded at her words. It was absurd, but since the purpose itself was harmless, he felt relieved.

“I see. So, what do you think of me, my lady?”

“I like you. I’d like us to get along well from now on. Is that okay?”

“It would be an honor.”

Yohan answered with a gentle smile. This was exactly what he had hoped for.

“It’s late tonight, so let’s stop here. We can talk properly tomorrow. It was short, but I enjoyed it.”

Reina smiled as she stood. She had learned enough about Yohan’s character for one night.

“Yes. You must be tired from coming all this way, so please rest well.”

Yohan nodded and rose as well. The cool sea breeze brushing his skin felt refreshing.

“Oh, right. I should introduce myself properly. I’m Reina Royce.”

“I’m Yohan Meyer.”

After they had properly greeted each other, Yohan sent Reina off first. He planned to enjoy the sea breeze for a moment before going back inside, where Aaron was probably still hiding in the corner. The moon was beautiful tonight, after all.

“Young Master? Are you there?”

But in that brief moment, Amelia poked her head out. She hadn’t run into Reina.

This time it’s Amelia?

Yohan stood up with a dazed expression. His head was actually throbbing.

“I woke up and Reina was gone. I felt a presence up here, so I came to check… but she’s not here.”

“Ah, I see. Lady Royce just left a moment ago.”

She can sense presences? From Yohan’s perspective, it was both surprising and absurd.

“Yes. Um… but…”

Amelia trailed off as she approached, step by step. Slowly. Until she was close enough to feel his breath.

“What kind of conversation… did you have with Reina?”

Finally, Amelia asked in a trembling voice, like someone anxious and restless with unease.