Chapter 90

As Ihan made his way out, he couldn’t help but realize he was stepping into something significant. In the midst of his sudden clarity, he felt the weight of a resolved determination settling in, driving each of his steps with unwavering purpose.

While in a meeting with the planning team, a female planner had commented, “Don’t you think this character’s story is just… too pitiful?”

In a room where profitability and popularity reigned supreme, few sympathized. Instead, the responses she received were:

“What’s pitiful about it?”

“The character’s tragic background will be well-received by the players. This is exactly the kind of thing they resonate with.”

“True, stories are crucial for character appeal these days.”

“Kudos to the creator for coming up with this. They did a good job.”

Most developers were simply satisfied that the character had a backstory. The woman sighed, feeling more exasperated by their responses than understood.

Among them, however, was one person who agreed with her perspective—though he kept it to himself. At that time, and even now, he was reserved, hesitant to voice his thoughts in front of others. Instead, he found himself glancing over the concise description of one specific female character’s story in the setting notes.

Levi Folt, Part 1 – “The Beginning of Despair”

[Married at 19. Sold off, she was neglected, scorned, and abused by the marquis’s servants.]

[Her maid, who led the bullying, was secretly one of the marquis’s mistresses.]

[She endured a torturous existence. Her father, Raynol Folt, continuously failed in business, forcing him to borrow money from the marquis family, worsening her treatment and intensifying the abuse.]

[The marquis continued his affairs even after marriage, with his retainers viewing her as nothing more than a financial drain.]

[In the second year of her marriage, the retainers pressured her to bear an heir. On the night they were to consummate the marriage, the marquis’s jealous mistress poisoned him. However, the poison did not kill him but left him in a near-death state.]

[Levi, who was present, was accused of the crime.]

[She was imprisoned and tortured. Fortunately, the marquis recovered and the real culprit was exposed. It was suspected that he survived due to his aura training.]

[The maid was executed, along with all those complicit.]

[Weakened physically and mentally, Levi was sent to a convent under the pretense of rehabilitation but without any compensation.]

[Not long after, her family was killed, allegedly due to Raynol Folt’s enemies.]

Part 1 was filled with nothing but despair and hardship.

It was a tragically powerful story, one that would fit any heroic character driven by relentless suffering.

Levi, Part 2 – “Hero’s Growth”

[Eight years later, a revolutionary war begins.]

[Soldiers set the convent ablaze, and while rescuing the nuns, Levi is engulfed in flames, slipping into a coma.]

[She survives for a month, covered in burns, before her heart stops and she’s pronounced dead.]

[Upon “awakening her divine powers,” she is miraculously resurrected, becoming a beacon of hope for the priests.]

[Although her wounds remain unhealed, her voice partially gone, and her hair turned white, she is trained by an elderly monk. Shortly after, inquisitors attack, refusing to acknowledge a new saint.]

[Her master and the nuns sacrifice themselves to help her escape.]

[Vowing vengeance, she joins a mercenary guild and quickly rises through the ranks.]

[Five years later, she becomes the commander of the Mercenary Alliance.]

Part 2 served to portray her as a hero who, having overcome intense trials, was poised to face even greater ones, all for the purpose of fulfilling the ultimate hero’s journey.

Levi Jean d’Arc, Part 3 – “The Birth of a Saint”

[Purges corrupt nobles and churches.]

[Allies with the Northern Duke’s army, the largest revolutionary force.]

[After seven years of battle, they begin to gain ground.]

[The people betray Levi Folt, swayed by the church’s propaganda, leading to the loss of her most trusted comrades.]

[Her sorrow triggers a divine power, confirming her role as a saint.]

[She faces trial as a witch.]

[In her final moments, she sacrifices herself to save a child. She is later canonized as a hero.]

Part 3 wasn’t merely about a hero but the creation of an icon.

She was a beautifully tragic character, one crafted so that players would become invested in her struggle, pouring hours into unlocking hidden elements to save her if they could.

When Derek finished his story, he sighed, “That’s all I know. I think there were more details, but I didn’t delve too deep… Sorry, it doesn’t exactly help you solve anything.”

Though Derek had shared a lot, he couldn’t offer a solution. In retrospect, he regretted not knowing more. If only he’d paid closer attention to the plot and its secrets, perhaps he’d have a way to help Levi now.

Lost in his thoughts, Derek was startled by Ihan’s sudden gratitude.

"Thank you," Ihan said.

“Huh?”

“Thanks. You’ve made it easier for me to make a decision.”

"…?"

Ihan’s face held a look of resolution, almost as if he’d found clarity. Seeing Derek’s bewilderment, he added, “Time to get going.”

"Where… are you going?"

“Oh?” Ihan stretched, a hint of excitement in his voice. “To settle something.”

“Excuse me?”

"Just so you know, pass my resignation along to the principal, will you? I’ve got business that won’t end with just a resignation."

"…Oh."

Realization dawned on Derek, and his eyes widened.

“Sir, are you…?”

But by the time he called out to Ihan, a gust of wind had already carried him far ahead, leaving no room for hesitation.

Rather than heading home, Ihan changed course, a clear destination in mind.

Suddenly, he stopped.

"…?"

“Oh, Sir Knight!”

Leaning against a nearby tree, Reira greeted him with a beaming smile as if she’d been expecting him.

She rubbed her tired eyes and stood up, stretching.

“Hehe, glad I didn’t miss you. I was worried we’d end up passing each other.”

“What are you doing here?”

“Oh, don’t worry about Miss Revi. After a lullaby, she fell right asleep.”

“That’s… Wait, was your lullaby a headbutt or something?”

“Huh?”

“Never mind. But how did you know I’d come this way—?”

"Here you go!"

"…?"

Before he could ask, Reira handed him his gear.

Polished armor, a glistening sword, a shield, and a hand axe—everything freshly prepared and gleaming, his usual equipment.

As Ihan looked at his weapons, still processing, Reira straightened, her expression growing serious.

“Her Highness said to tell you, ‘My dear brother-in-arms has a simple approach. If a knot needs untying, he’ll cut it, even if that knot is a priceless treasure.’”

"…"

“‘And if he causes trouble, I hope it’s not just scolding a few commoners. If he’s going to cause a commotion, let it be one that shakes the nation. Anything less, and it wouldn’t be my brother.’”

"…Ridiculous. What is she, a stalker?"

So, she had seen through him completely.

Ihan scratched the back of his head, feeling both embarrassed and oddly reassured. He’d intended to leave without anyone knowing, yet here she was, always two steps ahead.

Still…

“Thank you, Reira. I’ll put this to good use.”

“Hehe, take care!”

“…Yeah.”

Knowing someone was waiting for him filled him with strength he hadn’t expected.

And so, he made a promise.

“It won’t take long.”

“Alright!”

He’d be back quickly, not wanting to keep her waiting.

And Ihan, who had never broken a promise to her before…

…had no intention of starting now.