Dawn arrived cold in Dreisburg.
Kaito woke early, as always.
The shop that now served as his headquarters was silent. Outside, he could hear the footsteps of guards rotating shifts.
He dressed quietly and stepped out.
Adelheid was already there, waiting.
"Good morning, Commander."
"Good morning."
Kaito looked toward the central plaza.
Empty.
The soldiers of Avernor who had fallen under Lilith's power had been… released. Let go during the night.
Like sheep without a shepherd.
"Any reports?" he asked.
Adelheid nodded, extending a scroll.
"The scouts returned an hour ago. The enemy's temporary camp… is empty."
Kaito frowned.
"Empty?"
"They left during the night. No organization. No formation. They just… ran."
Kaito took the scroll and read it.
Approximately fifty soldiers. Direction: northeast, toward the capital.
No banners.
No marching.
They were running.
Kaito lowered the scroll.
"And the hero?"
Adelheid hesitated.
"That's the… strange part."
"Strange?"
"The scouts say they saw him. Walking among the fleeing soldiers. But…"
She paused.
"He didn't seem like the same person."
Kaito narrowed his eyes.
"Explain."
Adelheid crossed her arms.
"According to the report, the hero… Eldric… was walking upright. Sword on his back. No visible wounds."
"Then he recovered his memory?"
"We don't know," Adelheid replied. "But if he did… he must have fought all night to achieve it."
Kaito fell silent.
A hero blessed by the gods…
Perhaps his will is strong enough to resist Lilith's poison.
Or perhaps…
"Commander?" Adelheid called.
Kaito looked up.
"Maintain surveillance on the northern border. If Eldric recovered his memory, he may return."
"And if he didn't?"
Kaito smiled faintly.
"Then the kingdom has a broken hero. And that… also works for us."
Adelheid nodded.
"Understood."
---
Meanwhile — Road to the Capital of Avernor
The group of soldiers advanced in disarray.
There was no formation.
No commander.
Only men walking with empty stares.
Some murmured to each other.
Others simply… walked.
At the front, Eldric marched alone.
His white armor was stained with dirt. His hair was disheveled. Deep dark circles marked his eyes.
But he was awake.
And he remembered.
Every damn second.
---
[Flashback — The Previous Night]
Eldric had remained kneeling in the plaza for hours.
His mind… was a void.
He didn't remember his name.
He didn't remember why he was there.
He didn't remember… anything.
Only one question echoed in his head.
Who am I?
But then…
Something changed.
Deep within him, in a place Lilith's fog had not reached, something awakened.
A light.
Small. Faint.
But persistent.
No.
I will not forget.
I can't.
Eldric clenched his fists.
I have a name.
I have a reason.
I have…
The light grew.
…a mission.
And with that thought, something broke.
The fog in his mind began to dissipate.
Slowly.
Painfully.
Like pulling thorns embedded in raw flesh.
"Eldric," he whispered to himself.
The fog retreated.
"My name… is Eldric."
More memories returned.
The king's face.
The priest's words.
The promise he had made.
"I will save this world. I will protect the innocent. I will destroy the darkness."
Eldric opened his eyes.
They were wet.
Not with sadness.
With fury.
"No…" he growled, struggling to stand. "I won't forget."
His sword shone.
Holy light erupted from his body.
And the remaining fog… vanished.
Eldric breathed heavily.
It had taken him the entire night.
But he had done it.
He remembered.
Everything.
He looked toward where Lilith had disappeared.
"You won't do that to me again," he swore quietly.
Then he looked at the scattered soldiers.
Some were still lost.
Others… would never be the same again.
Eldric clenched his teeth.
This wasn't a battle.
It was psychological slaughter.
He turned north.
Toward the capital.
"I have to warn them," he murmured. "This isn't a simple rebellion."
He began to walk.
The soldiers who could still move followed him.
Without asking.
Without speaking.
Just… following.
---
[End of Flashback]
Now, under the light of dawn, Eldric continued marching.
But something had changed in him.
He no longer walked with the arrogance of a god-blessed hero.
He walked with the caution of someone who had seen something that should not exist.
Kaito Yukimura.
The name echoed in his mind.
A failed summoning.
That's what they said.
Eldric closed his eyes.
But failures don't summon monsters like her.
He remembered Lilith's golden eyes.
Her voice.
"Do you remember why you agreed to come to this world?"
Eldric clenched his fists.
Because I wanted to be a hero.
Because I wanted to save lives.
Because…
He stopped.
…because I was bored in my world.
The truth hit him like a punch.
I didn't come out of nobility.
I came because they offered adventure.
He swallowed.
And how many soldiers died because of my "adventure"?
He looked back.
The men following him had hollow eyes.
Some would never be the same again.
Because of me.
Because I obeyed without questioning.
Eldric closed his eyes.
"Not again," he whispered. "I won't be a blind weapon again."
He opened his eyes.
And kept walking.
But this time…
With a different determination.
---
Back in Dreisburg
Kaito was inside the shop, reviewing maps, when Lilith entered without announcing herself.
"Good morning, Commander."
Kaito looked up.
Lilith was… different.
More relaxed.
Less theatrical.
Almost… human.
"Lilith."
She smiled.
"I have news."
"What is it?"
"The hero… recovered his memory."
Kaito frowned.
"How do you know?"
Lilith sat down gracefully, crossing her legs.
"Because my fog has… echoes. I can feel when someone breaks free of its influence."
She tapped a finger against her lips.
"And he broke it. It took him all night, but he did."
Kaito leaned back in his chair.
"Then he's stronger than I thought."
"Oh, yes," Lilith replied. "Much stronger."
She paused.
"But also… more dangerous."
Kaito looked at her.
"Why?"
Lilith smiled.
"Because now he knows the truth."
"What truth?"
Lilith leaned forward.
"That he isn't a hero. He's a tool."
Her golden eyes gleamed.
"And tools… eventually break."
Kaito remained silent.
"Do you think he'll return?"
Lilith shrugged.
"Maybe. Maybe not. But if he does…"
She smiled.
"He won't be the same hero we let go."
Kaito nodded slowly.
"Good."
He stood up.
"Prepare the scouts. I want to know what the kingdom does when it receives its soldiers."
Lilith stood as well, offering an elegant bow.
"As you command, Commander."
She turned to leave, but stopped at the entrance.
"Oh, one more thing."
"What?"
Lilith looked back over her shoulder.
"Adelheid hates me."
Kaito blinked.
"And?"
Lilith laughed.
"Nothing. I just thought you should know."
And she disappeared.
Kaito was left alone.
He looked out the window.
The sun shone over Dreisburg.
But in his mind…
He was already planning the next move.
Eldric will return.
And when he does…
I need to be ready.