Chapter 162: Chapter 161: The Mystery Revealed

The hunt in the canyon, which took about fifteen days, was completed surprisingly easily, contrary to initial concerns.

At the beginning, there were many orcs who fought to the death, but even they quickly reverted to their original orc form once their leader was killed.

When they degenerated into mere brutish orcs, they could be easily handled by the trained soldiers alone.

“Everyone, cheers~!”

After successfully completing the hunt, the expedition team arrived at the gate and rented an entire tavern in the neighboring village to celebrate.

Though it was a celebration, it was a modest banquet where they drank in front of a single roast.

Though we wanted to hold a grander celebration, we needed to save money until we could find a sponsor after announcing the results of this hunt.

“I’m sorry, everyone. You’ve worked hard, but all we have is cheap beer.”

“Haha! Even this much is a great treat for us!”

Despite feeling sorry, the expedition members started exchanging cheers and responses happily.

In reality, drinking during an expedition was something only the hero and their close aides did, and large-scale banquets like this were extremely rare.

No, it wasn’t just rare; it might even be nonexistent. On the contrary, there were many cases where strict discipline led to poor treatment.

“Indeed, drinking comfortably after a hunting mission is something we couldn’t even dream of, right?”

“Well, if it weren’t for Hero Woo Hyo-sung, it wouldn’t have ended so smoothly.”

But since the hunt ended earlier than planned, there would be some free time for a while.

A significant portion of the stories told at the drinking party were about my exploits.

“Not only did you fight directly, but you also detailed the strategies for us to deal with the orcs.”

“Thanks to you, we were able to wipe out the orcs without significant damage… I’d even like to propose it as an official strategy to the army after this.”

Indeed, there were no casualties during the hunt, thanks to the strategy I taught them.

In reality, I had just relayed what Cheska had taught me to them.

“Is it just that the strategies were great? You seemed to know all about the orcs’ habits, where they gather, and where they flee to.”

“Thanks to that, we could easily mop up the remnants without having to search for them.”

As they said, it was more efficient to handle things based on solid information rather than moving around physically.

Again, it was all thanks to what Cheska taught me.

“Is that all? What about when that mutant orc appeared, the one you beheaded…”

“Yes, yes, I remember. We all thought we were dead, but then you stabbed it with your flaming sword and pulled out its heart…!”

The soldiers continued to chatter happily, praising me as they went.

Despite being experienced soldiers, my achievements seemed significant even by their standards.

They didn’t know that all those achievements were actually Cheska’s doing, not mine.

‘…I don’t like it.’

Yeah, it was bound to feel unsettling.

Cheska only gave me appropriate strategies and let me take all the credit as the leader of the expedition.

Relying on someone else’s efforts to raise my status wouldn’t lead to my growth, as the ‘savior’ Airi mentioned.

“Hero, what’s wrong? You don’t look well…”

“Haha, it’s just… it’s been a while since I drank, so I’m feeling a bit dizzy. I think I need to rest in my room for a bit.”

“Oh, yes. If you’re feeling tipsy… then there’s no choice.”

The expedition members all looked regretful as they watched me get up in a hurry.

Their regret meant that our bonds were that strong, but unfortunately, I still had things to do for the future.

“By the way, I don’t see Cheska around. Do you know where he is?”

“He went to the granary and stables to order supplies.”

“He declined to drink with us, saying he’s too humble and frugal for such things…”

So he’s not in his room. Alright.

After roughly saying goodbye to the expedition members, I prepared to leave a note in Cheska’s room.

The content was exactly what Airi had written in the letter she gave me.

Though I didn’t understand the meaning, I decided to trust Airi and follow her prophecy.

[I know your true identity, Francheska.]

Whatever the reason, if this note could secure a chance for me to become stronger, then it would be a good thing.

So, after leaving the note in Cheska’s room, late at night…

I didn’t go to bed and instead lay on my bed, rereading the first note Airi had left for me.

[After finishing the orc hunt in the canyon, please write the phrase I have written on a note and leave it in the room of the noble who participated in the expedition with you.]

[If he then comes to your room to negotiate, you will have the opportunity to become even stronger.]

The first sentence already predicted that I would be in the canyon and that there would be an orc hunt.

Of course, it was hard to believe that an arrogant and calculating noble could be my teacher, but my doubts stopped at that initial thought.

The reason there were no casualties during the hunt in the canyon was because the strategy he taught was that effective against the orcs.

“Even if he wasn’t good in battle, his analytical skills were amazing.”

He knew the orcs’ habits and had strategies and tactics to deal with them.

He even analyzed each expedition member’s combat abilities and adjusted the strategies according to the climate and terrain before giving them to me.

He even realized that the beheaded orc was undergoing ‘vampirization’…

These were things that couldn’t be done with ordinary information or experience.

It was probably not just orcs. The information he had…

Even if I didn’t know the details, since Airi connected us, it must be something significant.

But still, just leaving a note made me feel uneasy.

[I know your true identity, Francheska.]

I know your true identity. Could just this one thing really set up a negotiation with him?

All I knew was that he was the young head of a poor noble family and the illegitimate child of the current emperor…

Could it be that the name shouldn’t be revealed? That his real name was Orion Francheska because he was a royal?

No, it couldn’t be just that.

Airi’s note clearly targeted someone with a secret, something more substantial than what appeared on the surface.

Something that would be most fatal given his current position…

“…That he’s not a man but a woman?”

Yes, in the empire, the head of a noble family is usually a man, and if it turns out he’s a woman, he might have to step down.

This guess seemed plausible not just because of his appearance but also because he avoided bathing or changing clothes with others.

Other soldiers thought it was just because he was a noble despite being poor, but after reading Airi’s note, I couldn’t take his actions lightly.

Maybe he’s really a woman…

Knock, knock.

Just as I had that thought, there was a knock on the door, followed by a familiar voice.

“Hero Woo Hyo-sung. Can you open the door?”

“Oh, uh, sure.”

Finally, what I had been waiting for arrived. As expected, it was Cheska.

But his expression wasn’t the usual calm one.

His gaze was slightly fierce, and his face was flushed, unlike his usual impassive expression.

“…Did you leave this note in my room, Hero Woo Hyo-sung?”

“Oh, uh, yeah. I didn’t even write my name, but you found me.”

“I already checked the handwriting.”

Handwriting… So that’s why Airi insisted I write it by hand.

Of course, he identified the handwriting, so he didn’t have to ask other expedition members or people.

“…Leaving the note secretly means you want something from me but don’t want to tell others, right?”

“Well, yeah. The fewer people who know, the better.”

It’s better to keep it secret since we don’t know what will happen next.

Sensing that things were going favorably, I let him in and closed the door, taking a moment to prepare myself.

Even though I had no idea about his true identity, I thought that if I handled the negotiation well, things would go as Airi said.

Rustle, rustle.

But right after closing the entrance, I heard the sound of fabric rustling.

By the time I realized it was the sound of someone changing clothes, Cheska had already taken off all his clothes.

All that was left was his slender body, barely covered by black underwear.

“Wh-what are you doing?! Why are you suddenly taking off your clothes?!”

“Rather than denying and causing a commotion, I thought it would be faster to reveal my true identity clearly.”

Saying that, Cheska hurriedly adjusted her fallen underwear.

Her small but clearly feminine chest was exposed.

But more noteworthy than her chest were her joints.

Her joints, which should have been covered by skin if she were human, stood out, making her look like a doll.

“Yes, as you know, my name is Francheska…”

Before I could question her unusual body, she introduced herself.

No, it was more like a confession revealing a long-hidden secret.

“I am a tool with a self created through an ancient vision, known as a specialized hunting doll and guardian of the Orion Empire.”

“…Wh-what? A doll?”

“Are you questioning if I came all the way here just to reveal that?”

“No, I really don’t understand…”

“Of course, for someone like you, it wouldn’t be surprising to know more about my identity. That I am a guardian-like entity that has protected the empire, that I have hidden my identity through the Plandor family due to the Emperor’s indulgent nature, and that I am secretly investigating the current state of the empire…”

“Wait. Wait, calm down, Cheska, no, Francheska!”

Francheska was revealing her entire identity without even being asked.

It was only after I stopped her that she finally closed her mouth, and I quietly told her the one thing I had guessed.

“The only thing I guessed was that you’re a woman…”

“…What?”

“No, I didn’t know anything about you being a doll, a guardian, or investigating the empire…”

I never expected so much to be revealed just from the name Francheska.

I tried to explain that, but Cheska just stood there, staring blankly at me.

“…Huh.”

She finally spoke after quite some time.

After coming to her senses, Cheska hurriedly put on her clothes and ran away.

“Forget what just happened. Goodbye.”

“Hey, wait! What do you mean, forget everything?! Don’t go…”

Crash!

The window shattered violently as she escaped.

It was an action I never expected from the dignified head of a noble family.