Sebastian walked behind Yuta while Pluto led the way. They had already left the city walls. The green plains stretched endlessly before them, a peaceful and beautiful sight.
There were few houses scattered around—this was not a safe place. Only the strong lived here, or adventurers seeking a cheap life.
But a hero coming from here?
That meant only one thing.
And then he remembered—
Back in the market, the girl had suddenly grabbed the boy's face and said:
"I smell something familiar on you… something recent. Did you meet an orc and a beautiful half-orc girl not long ago?"
Then she raised a necklace.
"I couldn't return this to her… and I didn't thank them either."
Sebastian returned to the present.
"It's kind of you to guide us," his mistress said, "but do they really live outside?"
"Ah, of course—they live outside like idiots. The beautiful Angie and her fa—"
A voice interrupted.
Sebastian flinched, instantly looking around. The girl reacted even faster, as if tracking someone.
"Your reaction is impressive. You're quick."
A tall young man stepped forward—black hair, yellow eyes, around seventeen years old. He wore a loose black outfit, his face bearing East Asian features. Japanese? Korean? Chinese? It was hard to tell. His eyes were sharp, cat-like.
Behind him stood the orc and the half-breed girl.
"Oh… so this is her. Not hiding your face so excessively this time, I see. My apologies."
He bowed like a nobleman, a hat appearing in his hand out of nowhere.
With a snap of his fingers, a wooden table and chairs appeared. Another snap—tea utensils materialized.
"Would you prefer tea or milk? Milk has decent calcium. Now then—"
He pointed toward the necklace.
Sebastian narrowed his eyes.
The orc and the half-breed stood stiffly. He could smell fear. He saw hesitation in the orc's face.
This calm conversation could turn into a fight at any moment.
The girl simply sat down and handed the necklace to the half-breed, who took it with trembling hands. Her father nudged her slightly, while the young man gave her a sharp glance before returning to his smile.
"Shall I speak?" Sebastian whispered.
The tension was thick.
Weapons were on the table—not literally.
But the one before them… was likely a hero.
A dangerous one.
"I'd say the atmosphere is unnecessarily tense," Sebastian said. "At the very least, could you tell us why a summoned hero wishes to meet us?"
The young man raised a finger… then slowly pointed it toward Yuta.
He didn't even acknowledge Sebastian.
That alone made Sebastian's blood boil.
"Oh, how cute. Are these your friends?" the young man said softly, gesturing toward Mr. Frog and Zarameel, who were trembling.
He reached out and gently stroked the bird.
"Shall we begin? Conversation? Negotiation? Interrogation? Whatever it is you're attempting," the masked girl said coldly.
Then her tone softened unnaturally.
"I don't understand why we're here—or this dry approach. We're sitting in the middle of the plains, on chairs, while I can clearly sense soldiers hiding nearby. What exactly is going on?"
Sebastian had already noticed them.
Hidden soldiers.
Some using invisibility magic.
To him, they were nothing more than insects.
"Pluto," she said calmly, tossing the boy a small pouch, "leave. Go get what I asked for."
The child nodded and dashed off.
Sebastian chuckled quietly.
Does he even realize who he's sitting in front of?
Her presence… her physical power… her behavior… her intelligence… her twisted spirit…
The probability that she was a summoned hero was rising rapidly.
And if that were true—
Then this young man had been sent to kill her.
"Are you even aware of my existence?" the young man said with a smile. "I understand many things about this world. It's been six years since I arrived, after all."
He lit a pipe.
"I understand that heroes here are above kings. I'm one of the most active among them. I've fought in six major battles—most notably the Tower Battle three years ago. I also killed the Desert Beast to open trade routes between the eastern and western kingdoms."
He exhaled slowly.
"But I don't like fame. People give me strange titles—Desert Warrior, Dragon Slayer…"
He smirked.
"I prefer Hans Zoller… the Glorious Bastard."
"That is the strangest introduction I've ever heard," the girl replied calmly. "From your words, I assume you believe I am someone summoned from another world."
"Bingo," Hans said, raising his thumb and index finger like a gun.
Sebastian recognized the gesture.
A firearm.
A threat?
"You're wrong. I'm not a hero," she said, folding her hands on the table. "I'm just a girl from a southern village. Raised in a family of priests. Trained well. My face is disfigured—that's why I wear a mask."
"Being a hero in this world," Hans said arrogantly, "is more dangerous than any demon lord… or what we call a nuclear bomb in my previous world."
He took another puff.
"Humans aren't black or white. We're gray. Some of us have dark thoughts but never act on them. Others have noble values—but bend them when it benefits them."
He looked straight at her.
"So in the end, we're just humans. But someone with power like ours… is dangerous. And in a foreign world, fear turns into hostility."
A pause.
"I'm only here for a friend. But that doesn't mean I won't kill you if you become a threat."
His voice sharpened.
"So I'll ask again. Who are you? Where are you from? Your age. Your name."
"That's the stupidest thing I've heard," she replied coldly. "What supports your theory? I'm not the first person to destroy a group of weak humans—especially ones who were already injured."
Hans stopped smoking.
Then smiled.
"Everyone in this world felt it."
"A magical explosion. Something that seeped into their souls."
His eyes narrowed.
"I felt it too. Something that tore through space itself… and then you appeared. A being with power comparable to the heroes."
He suddenly began speaking in a strange language.
Sebastian didn't recognize it.
A language from Earth?
Hans spoke for nearly five minutes, switching between addressing himself and others.
Sebastian smiled faintly as he saw his mistress gesture for him to step back. The orc and the half-breed did the same.
The hidden soldiers began retreating—using flight magic.
Then—
She spoke.
In the same language.
Sebastian watched Hans's expression shift.
A sly smile…
Then shock…
Then embarrassment…
Then a grin.
They began talking.
Hans removed his pipe and laughed.
"Well, well… you've caught my interest."
He stood up.
"Everyone, leave!"
He leapt away.
The orc and the half-breed vanished.
The ground trembled violently.
Pluto shot forward at the speed of sound, escaping the area.
The earth exploded.
From beneath it—
A massive creature emerged.
Larger than the entire city.
A serpent-like beast, with rows of sharp teeth like a shark's.
Sebastian leapt into the air.
The creature had no arms, its body covered in thick blue scales. Screams echoed from the city as people fled in terror, trampling one another.
How delightful.
Sebastian floated above the city, watching from a distance—over two hundred feet away.
Killing it wouldn't be difficult.
But it wasn't his role.
Soldiers formed ranks, preparing spells. Cannons were pushed forward despite their known ineffectiveness—the creature's hide absorbed weak impacts easily.
It was enormous.
Nearly 120 meters long… and 30 meters wide.
Beautiful.
Fascinating.
His favorite type of creature.
And he knew why it was here.
The beast lunged toward the city—
And then—
Its head was severed instantly.
It crashed against the city walls, its blood painting them crimson.
…Still beautiful.
Sebastian froze.
His mistress stood atop the monster's head… lifting it.
Bathed in red.
He moved closer.
He wanted to see her face.
To hear her true voice.
Then he saw the hero—
And heard him say:
"Well done… Brumhilda."
So that was her name.
At last.
…Then why did that leave such a bitter feeling in his chest?