? Retry ?

    “W-What just happened?”

    “Did we get attacked? But I don’t see any injuries.”

    As the ‘self-proclaimed hero’ who had been effortlessly pushing back the Demon King’s executive suddenly had their helmet shattered into pieces, a wave of murmurs swept through the crowd.

    “...Huh? Something’s strange.”

    “I can’t see clearly... it’s dim.”

    But that confusion was only for a moment before people started bombarding each other with questions.

    The Hero’s face which had been previously concealed by the helmet, appeared blurred to their eyes for some unknown reason.

    “...Damn.”

    As the atmosphere around them became chaotic, Ruby suddenly covered her face with her hands and dashed off somewhere.

    “He-Hero? Where are you going... Eek!?”

    “W-Wait a moment! That monster is...”

    Ignoring the confused cries of the people, Ruby swiftly reached the exit of the slave market.

    Kugwagwang!!

    Amidst the chaos, she destroyed the collapsed pillars blocking the exit with a single strike and swiftly escaped outside.

    “”..........””

    “Krrr...”

    In the market, the quiet wailing of Miho, who had transformed into a monster, echoed for a while.

    “Uhah, uhahaha! Uhahahahahaha!!”

    Dmir Khan, who had been gasping for breath with one of his arms missing, suddenly burst into loud laughter.

    “Indeed, it’s you... I couldn’t believe you orchestrated such a scheme...”

    His expression was indifferent despite all the eyes fixed on him.

    “I never imagined that you would be able to pinpoint the Hero’s true identity like this. You truly are amazing.”

    “D-Dmir Khan. We should leave this place quickly...”

    “Lemerno, you must admit it now.”

    Lemerno tried to lift him up, frowning at Dmir Khan’s words, as the latter smiled as if losing an arm meant nothing.

    “The Hero was really a woman, just as he claimed.”

    “...D-Did you see? The face?”

    “It was for a split second, but I was focused enough to roughly make out... It was indeed a woman.”

    “No, wait a minute. Even if that’s true, just because she’s a woman...”

    Lemerno began to argue, but Dmir Khan slyly laughed, cutting him off.

    “Of course, that’s not all. She overwhelmed me to this extent and even had the Hero’s weapon, right? So, she is definitely the Hero.”

    “Then...”

    “Yes, now we have to search for an orphan girl with ruby eyes. I can guess her body shape to some extent, and I’ve seen her facial features, so we might be able to identify her quickly.”

    As Dmir Khan spoke excitedly, Lemerno sighed and said,

    “Sorry to ruin your good mood... but something still seems amiss.”

    “Huh?”

    “Well, it’s strange that he didn’t tell us if this was part of the plan from the beginning... The Hero’s armament suddenly breaking is suspicious as well, and......”

    “S-Stop right there!!”

    As Lemerno hesitantly shared his opinion, looking at Dmir Khan’s distorted expression, he quietly sighed as he heard a sudden shout in front of him.

    “Let’s get out of here first and then discuss it.”

    “...Understood. All troops, retreat.”

    At those words, Dmir Khan nodded and issued a retreat order to the Demon King’s army.

    “Ha, if you don’t surrender, we’ll attack... Whoa!”

    In an instant, Lemereno disappeared into thin air along with Dmir Khan.

    “...What, what just happened?”

    “Goodness, we see all sorts of things.”

    “At least they retreated. I don’t know what we would have done if they had attacked.”

    With that, the tense Imperial Knights advanced slowly and let out a sigh.

    “Don’t let your guard down yet. The enemy is still out there.”

    Until then, Clana, who had been glaring at Miho, spoke to them in a fierce voice.

    “Yes, yes, sir!”

    “...Sigh.”

    Clana then turned her gaze away from the armed Imperial Knights and spoke to Irina, who stood by her side.

    “Have all the slaves managed to escape?”

    “Yeah, even the young slaves who were left behind during the battle have entered the cabinets in each area.”

    “Phew... We’ve survived the crisis for now. But the real problem lies ahead.”

    “Yeah, we need to figure out what to do with the escaped slaves and...”

    As Irina was answering Clana’s question, her voice trailed off as she noticed Miho, who had been drooling uncontrollably.

    “...How to deal with that thing.”

    At the end of her words, a brief silence hung between them.

    “...Is that thing a monster?”

    “Yeah, it’s in a state of both berserkness and demonification. Plus, according to Frey, it possesses the ability to drain people’s life force... If we’re not careful, everyone here could be in danger.”

    Upon hearing that, Clana clenched her fists, preparing to speak, but Irina interrupted.

    “Wait here until you fully recover your mana. I’ll take care of it...”

    – Don’t worry, everyone.

    “”.......!!!””

    Frey’s voice rang in their minds, causing them to widen their eyes and shout internally.

    – Frey! We were so worried!

    – Where are you? Why haven’t you contacted us until now?

    “...Heh.”

    Around the time the third main quest was being resolved,

    “Hehe, hehehe...”

    Ferloche Astellade,

    “Uhuhuhuhuhuhu...”

    Was sitting alone in the dark cellar of the slave market, emitting a bone-chilling laugh.

    “Success? Is it a success? Have I finally succeeded?”

    The laughter alone could send shivers down most people’s spines.

    “Finally, finally, can I save him...?”

    But due to the tears streaming down her face, her laughter appeared not only chilling but also bizarre.

    “Who is he? Whom must I protect? Why can’t I remember? Do I have to remember? Is that it?”

    As Ferloche spent a long time tearing at her hair, alternating between laughter and tears,

    Squeak...

    “Hello! Frey!!”

    Upon hearing the sound of the cellar door opening, she exclaimed with a wide smile.

    “...It’s me, Serena.”

    “Huh?”

    However, the person entering the basement wasn’t Frey, as Ferloche had anticipated, but Serena for some unknown reason.

    “I arrived as fast as possible and quickly assessed the situation, but it was already over. So, I came to the place where you might be...”

    “Who are you?”

    Serena, who was speaking calmly, froze as Ferloche spoke with a puzzled expression.

    “...I’m Serena. Serena Lunar Moonlight.”

    “Ah~!”

    As Serena, who had remained still for a while, spoke in a low voice, Ferloche clapped her hands and said,

    “I’m sorry! I forgot!”

    Her tone was as silly as usual, but Serena couldn’t laugh at all.

    “You...”

    “Huh?”

    “...How many times has this occurred?”

    Upon hearing the incomprehensible sound escaping Serena’s mouth, Ferloche began to tilt her head.

    “What do you mean?”

    “How many times have you repeatedly created a situation like this?”

    As she said this, Serena unfolded the last three pages of the diary she had been holding.

    – Flip.

    July 12, Year ○○

    No MAtter if I have to give up my legs or arms.

    Someday, I’ll definitely heal all the sick people sitting on the streets! Absolutely! In order to create a world where everyone is happy, I will give it my all!

    – Flip

    July 13, Year ○○

    I Never thought this daY would come.

    I’m truly overwhelmed!

    We had a meeting!

    With Clana, we discussed how to scold Frey! But it’s strange! Clana’s attitude isn’t as poisonous as it used to be! This is really... a big deal!

    Oh, by the way, I declared myself Frey’s partner today!

    Flip.

    July 14, Year ○○

    I’ll think About it in due TIME.

    What I should write next...

    Because...

    – Snap!

    “With these conditions, I’ve never made it this far.”

    As she read the last part of the diary and closed it, Serena spoke softly to Ferloche, who had now reverted to a desolate gaze.

    “No MAtter if I have to give up my legs or arms, I Never thought this daY would come, I’ll think About it in due TIME.”

    “...Ha.”

    “MA-N-Y A TIME.”

    “Hahahahaha, hahahahahahahaha.”

    Upon hearing that, Ferloche suddenly burst into laughter, and Serena asked with a trembling voice.

    “...So, how many times is this?”

    “I forgot.”

    Ferloche replied to her with an empty laugh.

    “How can I remember all that?”

    “.......”

    “That’s why I’m going to count again from now on.”

    “.....!”

    “I forgot to bring the diary, so I have no other choice.”

    As Ferloche muttered in a low voice, looking at Serena, who was wide-eyed and about to speak,

    “...Retry.”

    And then the world turned upside down.

    “Will I be able to atone for my sins in this round...?”

    Along with her real voice, filled with sorrow and regret, which was unlike the usual foolish one.