Dan nodded.
"Yes, I think so too."
"But... my senior is not the kind of person who would quit his position..."
I tilted my head.
He was a person who hung on to dignity and honor more than anyone else. All of this must have originated from the disgust of being 'illegitimate' and 'half-noble'.
It was clearly said that he was 'wandering around the continent, seeking the lowest places.' If any noble was in their right mind, they wouldn't waste their precious manpower on something like that, so this could be interpreted to mean that he didn't belong. In other words, if the person behind the rumor is really Stigma, it means that he has abandoned the title of nobleman.
'That Stigma Primero gave up his title?'
I thought for a moment and shook my head.
"Isn't it just a rumor or a different hero?"
"First of all, this is not a rumor. There were many testimonies from eyewitnesses. The possibility of it being another hero is... not entirely non-existent, but honestly, it's a remote possibility. Green hair isn't that common. It was even said that the rumored hero had an elegance that could not be hidden in his actions..."
"It is my senior."
When I think of 'elegance', I think of Stigma Primero.
This much cannot be denied. Although I admitted it hesitantly, I expressed doubts about the incomprehensible situation.
"Why did he abandon his noble title...?"
"I don't know, but he probably has something in mind. For example... aiming for greater honor so that titles and such don't really matter."
"... Greater honor?"
"Yes, honestly, the Empire is collapsing. If he were to remain in a place like that, he would only be a 'hero of a ruined country'. "Do you think he would be satisfied with just that much?"
"Of course... if it's my senior, he's someone who will move to leave behind an honor that will not be forgotten even after death."
In the past, especially in times of war, ruined countries are not noticed by people and are easily forgotten. Even if it were an emperor, a mere hero would be forgotten without even leaving a trace. If it was Stigma Primero, it might have been because he didn't like this and left the place.
It's credible. I stroked my chin and nodded in understanding.
Dan added with a grin.
"Actually, other than that, I can't think of any reason why he would abandon his status as a nobleman."
"... That's right."
I've thought about it too, but I can't think of a more credible hypothesis than what Dan said.
... Well, that's not important right now. Anyway, let's leave aside the hypotheses that aren't even certain.
'It's true that Stigma Primero is wandering the continent.'
Thanks to this, one method came to mind. It was a thought that came to me without much thought, so I immediately opened my mouth and shared my thoughts, as if I might have forgotten them while I was distracted for a moment.
"... 8th Corps Commander Hell, no matter what happens, it doesn't change the fact that we have to send him to the human world, so how about sending him to the walls of Shanguk, which is said to be sturdy, and sort it out through my senior?"
"It certainly seems like he could kill the Commander of the 8th Corps who has been freed from restrictions, but... will he really do what we want?"
"He's going to move. Would a person who left his position for greater honor miss the opportunity to kill a Corps Commander? If you give him a stage, he will be happy to get on it."
Even if that's not the case, it's enough to make it move.
My tone was filled with confidence. I was certain.
When I say what comes to mind, I feel like my jumbled thoughts are being organized properly. I continued muttering as if I was talking to myself.
"The 8th Corps is a shield unit, so instead of sending support with Hell, it would be better to leave them behind in the Demon King's Castle... Instead, we could just send a general unit along with him. After all, the key is the 8th Corps Commander. You know his whereabouts, right?"
"First of all, I am aware of the village where he is staying. It's difficult to even catch a glimpse, let alone make contact."
"He's a hero, so he'll easily get rid of those clingy eyes. That's enough."
Anyway, the only place to stay is an inn. If the situation is not favorable, he was not the kind of person who would insist on staying on the street when there is an inn.
Especially since he is a 'hero' who can overcome and avoid anyone who comes, there would be no reason for the inn to reject him.
However, if anyone tries to contact him, he will definitely avoid them, and I cannot go there in person, as I am attracting attention in both the demon world and the human world...
"Tell this to all the inn owners in the village where he is staying. If you see an elegant man with a dignified posture and speaking style, please pass on a message. If you give them money, everyone will do it."
"What is the message?"
"Well... I shouldn't be too explicit..."
Tap, tap. My index finger tapped my thigh.
"... A shadow will be cast in front of the lantern that is standing in a place where the wind is blowing, and only you can remove it... I wonder if it is good enough."
"All right. I will tell them that."
"Ah, at the end, let me add that it is a favor and a gift from his junior. You know that you have to move secretly, right?"
"Of course."
Dan grinned.
"I will perform perfectly this time too."
***
It was soon time to leave this village.
He was confident he wouldn't get caught, but avoiding people was quite annoying. Stigma, remembering the eyes that had been watching him not long ago, rummaged through his pockets to pay. At some point, he gave up and the number of eyes looking at him decreased, but it was still annoying. Considering that there were people from the Empire waiting inside the inn, Stigma couldn't ignore the possibility that something worse could happen, so he decided to leave the village before it became even more annoying.
... However.
"What are you doing when you're not taking it?"
Why was the inn owner looking so intently?
The sight of him looking at him without taking any money was quite annoying, so he frowned. When he couldn't wait and tried to withdraw his hand, he snatched it away. Stigma let out a laugh.
"What kind of trick is this?"
Only then did the guy who was quietly looking at him open his mouth.
"... I was wondering how to tell the difference since he was said to be an elegant man, but... I can definitely tell when I see him in person..."
"..."
Although he was talking to himself, it was clearly aimed at him.
Stigma closed his mouth.
It appears that someone had asked the innkeeper to deliver words or goods. Well, if he'd been avoiding him that much, it's normal to know that he won't meet him in person.
It seems that the other side also compromised by taking a step back. The sharp boundaries have softened slightly. Whether he knew it or not, the inn owner spoke to him to fulfill his request.
"Someone asked me to tell you something. 'There will be a shadow cast in front of the lantern that is standing in a place where the wind is blowing, and only you can remove it.'"
"..."
"They also added that it was a favor and a gift from your junior."
"... Ah."
The catch was quick.
That cheeky junior. A smile appeared on Stigma's lips.
"Thank you for telling me."
Detailed analysis can be done later.
Stigma had no reason to stay any longer, saying he would give them money, so he just walked out the door to get away from the persistent and annoying gaze.
He walked, avoiding the eyes that were looking for him, and when he arrived at a deserted place, he finally stopped and began to think over the message.
'... A lamp that holds on in a place where the wind blows.'
Since it was not a face-to-face conversation, there was a close to 100% chance that the words would leak out, so he thought his junior conveyed it in a slightly twisted way. It was not difficult to interpret whether it was unfortunate or fortunate.
Usually, 'a light before the wind' means a situation in which one is placed in a very precarious position.
It's not just a wind, it's a 'blowing' wind, so it must be a very dangerous or violent situation. Stigma easily recalled Shanguk, which was being targeted intensively by the demon world.
'There's a shadow in front of it...'
Have reinforcements departed from the demon world?
They pointed at him and said, 'Only you can get rid of it,' so it seems like there was a Corps Commander among them.
And not just an average guy, but a particularly strong guy.
Stigma was the strongest among heroes. This level of confidence was natural.
'In that case, the candidate would be the 1st or 3rd Corps Commander, or a Corps Commander who made a contract with a human.'
The words added at the end, "a request and a gift from your junior," convey the confirmation that the person who passed along this message was Deon Hardt and that it will be listened to and not ignored.
He read the meaning without difficulty and smiled softly, as if he were arrogant. A warm breeze passed over his always cold and aristocratic face.
"Yes... It means that he wants me to make a move to the point where he even brought up our senior/junior relationship."
It was difficult to view Deon Hardt's message as a complete gift.
It was true that he moved for the sake of honor, but in the current situation, he wanted to avoid being tied down by those in power. That's why he didn't go to crucial places where his name could be widely known.
His junior, he supposed he included the word 'please' with this in mind. It's so quirky and cute that he can't help but consider it.
"Okay, junior. I will especially listen to you."
Anyway, at the end, when they meet again, he'll end up doing something he''ll be sorry for, so if he thought about that, there's nothing he can do.
No, on the contrary, this alone was not enough to replace it.
Stigma began to move again, vowing to find something to replace the apple until the day they met again.
'... For greater honor.'
There was a common misunderstanding among those who have a vague understanding of Stigma Primero.
Stigma was not obsessed with 'noble titles.' It may have been like that at first, but as time went by and he started to look further, he only held it in his hand because it was proof of his 'honor'. The name 'Stigma', a title that was a stain on his family, along with his origins as an 'illegitimate child', made him obsessed with 'honor' that would exalt his name.
In other words, for him, who designed a way to leave his name and honor even after death, his current title of nobility may be a bit of a waste, but it was something he could throw away at any time when necessary.
'If only to stamp my name in the history of this continent.'
Once you get to where the battle is going on, you'll know what to do.
For the sake of his unfortunate, lovely, and sorry junior, he chose an unwilling location as his destination.
***
"It will be over in an instant..."
8th Corps Commander Hell muttered despondently. I, who had been listening quietly, tilted his head.
What?
"... Of course..."
What should I do if he behaves like this even on the day he goes out to battle? His adjutant seemed to think the same thing and hurriedly patted his back.
"Hell, you will do well."
"I'm not confident I'll do well..."
"Why would you sat that when you're so talented?"
"I don't know... Is it okay for someone like me to take on such an important mission...?"
His self-esteem was sinking into the ground. Hell's adjutant, Nine, sighed carefully so as not to be noticed by his delicate superior.
I was also seeing this situation, and it was particularly severe today. Is it because this is the most important mission he has ever received?
What should I do with this? I sighed and looked up, and saw the adjutant of the 12th Corps Commander passing by, scolding his superior.
"Didn't I tell him to please think twice before you speak! If that doesn't work, I advised you to just keep your mouth shut. But what if you do that in front of another Corps Commander? They took it as an argument and you almost got into a fight!"
"..."
"Oh my, you're not even answering anymore! I'm going to quit as an adjutant..."
"I'm sorry..."
"I can't hear you."
"Sorry!"
Dahar, the adjutant of the 12th Corps Commander who was pounding his chest, suddenly turned his eyes to the gaze he felt. He made eye contact with the adjutant of the 8th Corps Commander who was comforting his superior.
It was easy to understand each other's situation.
Sympathetic eye contact was exchanged.
'... You've been through a lot.'
'You, too...'