Chapter 147

Chapter 147
## Chapter 147

Hero Party (1)

“My name is Heinrich Saint Landguard, the primary blade tasked with executing the Supreme Deity’s decrees. I appreciate you taking the time to join us here, given your demanding commitments.”

“The privilege is entirely mine, Saint. I am Isea Pristine, representing the Azeria Empire. Coming here is only natural when summoned by the savior of our continent, the one chosen by the Supreme Deity.”

A gentleman and a lady sat opposite one another, offering polite pleasantries within a private greeting chamber inside the Roselia Cathedral.

This private, one-on-one consultation between the Saint and the potential candidate had been set up specifically for the assessment process.

“Saint? Before we dive into our primary discussion, there is a particular matter I feel compelled to raise…”

However, the opening subject brought forth by Isea, prior to the actual interview commencing, centered on the volatile aura and discordant presence she had detected emanating from Harley.

‘I believed I had obscured it effectively, but she is clearly highly perceptive.’

Naturally, he had a reply prepared for just such an inquiry.

“There is no need for concern regarding him. The clergy is fully conscious of his situation, and more importantly, he possesses our absolute confidence.”

“I see. Since the faith has deemed him reliable, it appears my apprehensions were entirely uncalled for.”

With her doubts firmly and self-assuredly put to rest, the focus of the meeting shifted back to their core objective.

Because Heinrich, operating in his dual role as Saint and legendary champion, was the designated commander of the elite ‘hero party’ formed to oppose the Immortal King, the entire selection process rested squarely on his shoulders.

Even the revered Saintess functioned merely as a supportive figure in this endeavor, leaving the ultimate determinations entirely to his discretion.

“…Therefore, while I am deeply honored by your exceptional regard for my abilities, various pressing obligations prevent me from providing direct assistance. Please accept my sincerest apologies.”

And with those words,

Heinrich found himself processing his third successive turn-down during this third consecutive consultation.

‘I anticipated a lack of genuine passion. The majority of these candidates were put forward strictly for geopolitical positioning.’

Isea offered her regrets, dipping her head in a graceful gesture of respect.

Her elegant and earnest display of regret possessed enough warmth to soften the resolve of nearly any interrogator.

Furthermore, she maintained the appearance of a youthful, fragile maiden, irrespective of what her true chronological age might be.

It was difficult not to feel a surge of compassion when interacting with her in person.

Heinrich offered a soft, understanding nod accompanied by a welcoming expression, appearing to completely empathize with her position.

Naturally, being an expert at projecting false impressions, his internal monologue was completely different.

‘She is chronologically older than me, yet possesses that youthful countenance? No matter how carefully I scrutinize her, this lady bears all the hallmarks of an individual originally from Earth.’

He maintained a composed mental state, evaluating her characteristics even as he spoke to sway her decision.

Her ageless features, her distinctly East Asian facial structure, and even her designation carried a subtle rhythm reminiscent of a Korean name.

Having only recently crossed paths with Andrew, a confirmed transmigrator from Earth, there were simply too many overlapping anomalies for him to pass this off as mere chance.

‘Which is precisely why I instructed Harley to perform an evaluation during their initial greeting…’

Their physical contact during the handshake lasted only a fleeting moment, yet it provided ample opportunity for Harley’s exceptionally refined perceptions to analyze her physical makeup.

Granted, she was not actively projecting or shaping her internal reserves due to her status as an Archmage, but that presented little obstacle for someone who possessed an почти absolute understanding of anatomy.

The microscopic twitching of her muscle tissue, the biological currents traversing her frame, the rhythmic functioning of her internal systems—including her pulse—and even the minute fluctuations in her circulatory pressure, thermal regulation, and respiration.

The physical form served as a massive repository of data, and Harley possessed the means to decode it utilizing attributes like “Mutation” and “Physical Transformation”.

The ultimate conclusion reached was—.

‘It remains inconclusive. She lacks any glaring anatomical anomalies like those found in Andrew, which is likely a byproduct of her magical discipline. Furthermore, if she chose to invest her accumulated Karma into expanding her intellect or arcane reserves, Harley would possess no method of detecting it.’

The hard proof was simply lacking.

It would have been highly logical for her to bolster her physical attributes to ensure survival in such a perilous environment, yet her body registered merely as that of a reasonably fit, ordinary civilian.

To be sure, she was capable of channeling her internal reserves and reinforcement spells to manifest physical feats outstripping standard combatants, but she certainly wouldn’t have possessed such advanced magical techniques when she first arrived in this alien realm.

‘The documentation concerning her background is similarly vague, likely due to the political shielding of the Fifth Princess. And unlike the systems on Earth, tracking personal data is not methodically executed in this realm unless one occupies a high-tier bureaucratic position…’

A mere three years had passed since she was granted her aristocratic standing.

The solitary piece of historical data he managed to unearth prior to that period originated roughly eight years back, noting that ‘a youthful royal princess took an exceptionally gifted commoner practitioner under her wing and provided financial backing’.

‘It is undeniably spectacular that she advanced rapidly enough to secure a noble title within the Empire a mere five years after obtaining royal patronage.’

She represented a flawless model of a self-driven prodigy.

And that meteoric rise was precisely the reason his skepticism grew.

All the while, their dialogue pressed forward.

“…As you are likely aware, Saint, my current political standing is somewhat precarious. It appears that a unified front for the greater good is not universally supported by everyone in power.”

She laid out her operational hurdles with total candor.

She made no attempt to obscure the facts, presumably operating under the assumption that the clergy was already well-informed, given that the Supreme Deity’s faith maintained a vast and effective intelligence gathering apparatus.

‘This traces back to the heir to the throne.’

The cunning expression of Crown Prince Simon instantly surfaced in his thoughts as he processed her explanation.

The heir’s behavior during the grand conclave, his subtle deployment of political leverage, and the various misdeeds uncovered through clandestine investigations all pointed to a single narrative.

‘The ongoing domestic rivalry between the Crown Prince and the Fifth Princess. And the heir currently holds a vastly superior position…?’

An treacherous… no, a highly righteous strategy suddenly took root in his mind.

Though it remained a preliminary concept, he resolved to store the idea away for future exploitation.

“I comprehend your predicament. The faith never mandates individual martyrdom. Do not hesitate to contact our order should your perspective shift at a later date.”

“Indeed, I am deeply apologetic. I would have gladly aligned with your cause if my duties permitted. As a practitioner dedicated to the arcane arts, I harbor an intense loathing for malevolent sorcerers who desecrate magic.”

As their consultation drew to a close, he was listening to her courteous parting remarks when…

An inspired notion suddenly struck his consciousness.

“Ah! Viscount Pristine? Now that I think about it, there is a particular matter where I would highly value your professional insights. It centers on an enigma that the clergy’s scholars cannot seem to resolve, and I would be fascinated to learn how an Archmage views the situation.”

“If it is a matter of such complexity, I doubt my perspectives would offer much enlightenment… furthermore, the director of the Magic Tower Alliance is currently present in the city. Would it not be far more prudent to consult him on matters of sorcery?”

“Hahaha, naturally, his counsel has already been sought. I merely desire to gather viewpoints from as wide a variety of experts as possible.”

Heinrich offered a smooth, casual rationale while retrieving a writing implement and a blank pad from the folds of his vestments.

As he began to deliberately sketch an image, steadying the pad with one hand, he continued to converse with her in an entirely relaxed, conversational cadence.

“It is a puzzle that is currently splitting opinions even within our own ranks, leaving us entirely deadlocked. Neither our master theologians nor the various sorcerers and spiritualists we interviewed could offer a definitive interpretation.”

“If the issue is truly that profound, I highly doubt I can offer any unique insights…”

“Think nothing of it. Merely share your initial impressions.”

Bringing his sketching to a finish, he directed a focused, intense gaze toward Isea.

“Are you familiar with the specific facial covering utilized by the Immortal King, Hannibal Strauss?”

“Yes, I understand it takes the form of a sculpted wooden visage depicting a wide grin. For an individual intent on bringing about global annihilation to don a joyful expression is truly a display of corrupted psychology. It is clearly the behavior of a lunatic, designed to mock the rest of civilization.”

“…Ahem, quite so. And what you see here is a basic depiction of that very item.”

Heinrich cleared his throat softly, turning the pad toward her direction.

“My artistic talents are somewhat rudimentary, so specific elements may lack precision, but the general aesthetic is captured accurately. Based purely on this rendering, please tell me what mystical significance you discern from it.”

“Very well. Historically, facial coverings frequently serve as focal points during ritualistic practices…”

And then, her physical form…

Became utterly rigid, as though the passage of time had ground to a halt the exact instant her gaze landed on the sketch within the pad.

“…! T-this… cannot be…!”

A strained, high-pitched utterance escaped her lips, which had parted completely involuntarily.

Isea’s demeanor, which had remained perfectly controlled throughout their entire meeting, fractured violently in a matter of moments.

The drawing itself was rudimentary due to the speed at which it was produced, yet the defining traits were unmistakably apparent.

The tilted, narrow eyes, the pronounced brow line, the distinct facial creases, and the large, rounded nasal structure.

It was a traditional cultural symbol that any individual from Korea would instantly identify.

“Is something amiss? Have you encountered this design previously?”

“Ah, n-no…? Not at all. It was merely a momentary confusion on my part. It… simply bore a passing resemblance to an item from the provincial area where I spent my youth…”

“Fascinating, so you are suggesting a matching artifact existed in that region? Could you specify the location of that settlement? It is entirely possible the Immortal King’s origins trace back to that exact territory…”

“No, that is incorrect! It was merely something a local youth crafted out of boredom as a joke! Yes, it was nothing more than a plaything. He lost interest almost immediately and destroyed it. I merely had an exaggerated response because it triggered a sudden wave of nostalgia. Haha…”

He had pushed the matter a bit far, taking quiet amusement in her visible panic, given that she hadn’t displayed a single crack in her armor during the entire consultation—.

‘Caught you.’

Absolute certainty was now his.

‘As I suspected, this woman is undeniably another transmigrator originating from Earth.’

Nevertheless, Heinrich kept his expression completely neutral, offering nothing more than a disappointed nod.

“That is unfortunate. I was optimistic that we had uncovered a meaningful lead.”

“…Indeed, I… remain uncertain if it holds any particular mystical relevance whatsoever. I apologize for failing to provide more useful information.”

Her visible panic subsided with impressive speed.

Though she had momentarily surrendered her composure when confronted with such jarring, unanticipated information, she remained an Archmage who had scaled the absolute peak of arcane mastery.

Reclaiming her emotional balance, her facial expression smoothed back into a mask of professional calm in a heartbeat.

‘In fairness, a severe shock is entirely justified when you have been severed from Earth’s modern society for over eight years, only to suddenly be confronted with a Hahoe mask out of nowhere.’

And this wasn’t just any ordinary cultural artifact; it was the chosen symbol of the Immortal King, the supreme manifestation of malice who sought global ruin and stood as the literal avatar of demise.

For a native of Korea, such a response was completely natural.

‘Indeed, a fellow countryman.’

Andrew, the initial earth-born individual he had encountered, claimed American heritage.

Yet to discover that the second transmigrator he crossed paths with shared his exact nation of origin was a remarkable twist of fate.

‘Regardless, data regarding the visage of Hans will inevitably circulate far and wide. It isn’t as though the image was witnessed by only a handful of individuals.’

This concluded as a highly advantageous outcome, proving he had deployed that particular piece of intelligence with maximum efficiency.

At this point, he could map out the ideal strategy for utilizing her presence.

—

This particular realm lacked access to electronic information networks or global broadcasting systems, yet because metaphysical talents had progressed to an advanced state in place of industrial science, the velocity at which intelligence traveled to disparate territories was by no means sluggish.

Granted, under normal circumstances, factions highly attuned to data collection—such as the major merchant syndicates and provincial rulers—would actively suppress information to safeguard their fiscal interests, controlling the rate at which public gossip reached the common folk…

However, the intelligence detailing the revival of the Immortal King defied such containment protocols.

The data, which governing bodies initially throttled to preserve public order, eventually swelled beyond their capacity to obscure, forcing a grand public disclosure in the wake of widespread necromantic uprisings and localized beast frenzies.

Even the ruling elite ultimately concluded that it was far more strategically viable to harvest the terror permeating the populace, redirecting societal outrage toward a singular, clearly defined ‘common adversary’ to preserve the stability of the reigning hierarchy.

Consequently, the legend of the Immortal King Hans, branded as the foundational origin of all suffering in this domain, began to circulate with incredible velocity among the lower classes.

“Tell me, have you caught the latest rumors? Word is that the Rohan Duchy situated along the northern frontier of the Empire has completely fallen.”

“What— an entire sovereign territory wiped out? Do not tell me that disaster was caused by…”

“Precisely, it was the handiwork of that monstrous ‘Immortal King Hans’. Reports state he personally commanded legions of abominations during the siege, reducing the entire region to ash. The casualties number in the hundreds of thousands!”

“…Sigh, our world has grown far too hazardous for common folk. I can only pray our own province remains secure.”

The rumors gained even greater momentum following the sudden annihilation of the Rohan Duchy, and before long—.

“Listen here, Jesse’s mother, have you heard the news? They are saying the local reservoir barrier gave way because of saboteurs aligned with the Immortal King, not due to substandard engineering!”

“Good heavens, those wretched fiends. Think of the misery they have inflicted upon our people!… Hold on a moment? Reflecting on it now, the collapse of last season’s crops seems highly unnatural, could those zealots have introduce toxins into our soil?!”

“Mercy me! Do you truly think so?!”

Certain segments of the populace went so far as to attribute every localized misfortune directly to his machinations.

“Ugh~ is there no way for me to legally alter my designation? The local youths refuse to stop mocking me simply because my given name happens to be Hans…”

“Ahem, but altering a family-given name is no small matter…”

“He speaks the truth! That is an excellent course of action. Cease your stubbornness! It is merely a generic moniker anyway. You are going to drive our boy to madness!”

“…If it cannot be avoided, so be it. Hmm, what thoughts do you have on Heinz as a replacement designation?”

The phenomenon spared no specific demographic, cutting across generations, to the point where even highly traditional guardians were sprinting to modify their offspring’s naming conventions.

His dark reputation was being magnified to an almost mythical scale, carving itself deeply into the collective consciousness of the public.

This held true not merely within the grand metropolises, but similarly permeated mid-sized settlements, minor hamlets, and even isolated agrarian homesteads nestled deep within mountainous terrain.

Ultimately, the vast expanses of the Enamel Continent were fully subjected to this wave of terror, even if the severity fluctuated by region.

And precisely at that moment,

《Milestone reached! You have unlocked the title ‘Enemy of the World’, drawing down the collective malice and antipathy of all living things.》

《Greater than fifty percent of all sentient lifeforms native to the Auterica Dimension now categorize you as an adversary. You are awarded the passive trait “Extra Life” as compensation.》

《You have accomplished a monumental deed that has profoundly reshaped the global landscape. Accumulated Karma experiences a substantial upgrade.》

The malevolent renown of Hans, which had been steadily radiating across the territories since the official ecclesiastical proclamation, finally breached a critical threshold.