.....
Rei and Ellen could be seen playing chess.
Ellen held the black pieces, and she clearly dominated the game.
"To be honest, I don't entirely agree with the procedure left behind by Ou-sama. But I suppose… it's not entirely a bad thing either."
Rei raised an eyebrow, then gave a faint smile.
"Well, it's only natural for you to feel uneasy. But don't overthink it, Ellen. Anxiety doesn't suit that sly face of yours."
He leaned forward slightly, studying the chessboard more seriously.
"Eh… since when did you have a bishop there?"
Ellen let out a soft sigh.
"Hhhh…
The procedure left by Ou-sama is to let him become a Hero, to observe how his behavior changes after gaining a bit of power."
She moved a piece calmly.
"By the way… that's check."
Rei smiled faintly.
"Ooh, you're right."
He rested his chin on his hand.
"If he's deemed worthy, then he'll become a true Hero. But if he turns into a villain… then we'll be the ones who have to kill him. Right?"
"And… checkmate," Ellen cut in flatly.
Rei fell silent for a moment, then chuckled.
"Whatever happens, I trust the one chosen by the earth, Siy. She's a very meticulous woman."
Ellen narrowed her eyes, then smirked.
"Oohh… so Siy is your type of woman, huh? Hmmpph~"
"T-that's not it, Ellen!" Rei panicked immediately. "I'm just praising her judgment, that's all!"
"Liar!!"
"I told you, that's not it, Ellen..."
Their argument went on for two straight hours, until it was finally mediated by Shin.
...…
...…
(Meanwhile, from Aldric's perspective)
...
Aldric's body felt heavy, as if every bone had been shattered and forcibly held together. His breathing was short, caught in his throat.
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"If you die, Ou-sama will be angry."
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The voice appeared out of nowhere. Not loud, not soft, yet unmistakably clear. As if it spoke directly inside his head.
Aldric flinched slightly. His instinct was to get up, but his body refused.
"W-what… who's there…?"
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[Candidate Safety Compromised]
[Activating Skill]
>Earth Dome<
[Borrowing Skill: Seina Mizuria]
>Healing Water<
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Grains of sand trembled… then gathered. Slowly, curved walls rose from the ground, forming a half-dome that sealed him off from the outside world.
Aldric's eyes widened.
"Magic…?"
Before he could process it, something else happened.
Water.
Droplets formed out of thin air, floating like faintly glowing dew in the dim light. They gathered, then gently fell onto Aldric's body.
The moment they touched his skin.....
warmth.
The pain that once throbbed began to fade.
The burning sensation vanished, replaced by a soft warmth spreading through his entire body.
"This… healing…?"
His breathing steadied.
His strength began to return, little by little.
Yet that only made him more cautious.
Aldric forced himself to sit up, though his body still trembled. His eyes scanned the earthen chamber sharply.
"Allow me to ask… who are you?"
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I am Siy Daichiya, a user of earth-based power granted by Ou-sama.
At the same time, I serve as the assistant to The Hero.
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"Then… why are you speaking to me?" Aldric asked.
"I'm grateful, but my village is in danger. I need to go now."
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What can you possibly do without your sword?
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Aldric's face wavered with hesitation.
"I-It's…"
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You meet the requirements to become The Hero. You can obtain infinite amount of power.
So I ask you once more....
are you willing to become the "MC"?
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