"I was truly on the verge of being exposed…"

  The thought drifted through Nico Sigmund's mind like a cold whisper as he gazed toward the distant horizon. His expression remained calm, but behind that composed exterior his mind was calculating countless possibilities.

  Maintaining the mask of the Perfect Deputy would not last forever.

  Sooner or later, the strange density of his mana, the abnormal speed of his growth, and the inconsistencies in his past would begin to raise questions. And when the truth eventually surfaced, its consequences would not be pleasant for those around him.

  Still, that moment had not yet arrived.

  For now, the mask remained firmly in place.

  He was waiting for a response from Kaizen, ruler of the Demon Rift Empire. Once that answer arrived, the fragile balance of the world might shift again.

  And Nico knew very well that Kaizen was not the kind of man who made simple decisions.

  But before the storm broke, there was one place he needed to visit.

  A familiar voice interrupted his thoughts.

  "You always look as if you're calculating the fate of the world," said Valerius Akaria, a faint smile appearing on her lips. "What are you thinking about this time, Nico?"

  Nico turned toward her, his eyes calm.

  "I'm considering Kaizen's response to our truce proposal."

  Akaria's expression grew serious immediately.

  "I do not believe he will accept it easily," Nico continued. "From his perspective, we approached him first. That alone places us in a position of perceived weakness."

  Akaria nodded slowly.

  "You're right. By initiating the request, we gave him the advantage. If he rejects the truce outright, the consequences could be severe."

  Nico fastened the clasp of his cloak.

  "Our schedule is already overloaded," he said, "but I must visit a certain place. I will be gone for approximately two days."

  Akaria raised an eyebrow.

  "A personal matter?"

  "You could say that."

  He continued calmly.

  "If a response from the Demon Rift arrives while I'm gone, wait for my return before taking any action. Do not rush negotiations."

  "Of course," Akaria replied without hesitation. "Your presence will be essential for whatever happens next."

  Nico gave a small nod.

  "And take care of Natalia. Her condition must improve before we rely on her in battle again."

  Akaria's expression softened.

  "I will personally oversee her recovery."

  "As for the others," Nico added, "I've already prepared a rigorous training schedule. Make sure they follow it strictly."

  Akaria crossed her arms with a confident smile.

  "Don't worry. I'll make sure none of them slack off."

  Nico allowed himself a faint smile before turning to leave.

  The Journey Beyond Arcadia

  Beyond the fortified borders of Arcadia, Nico walked alone.

  The kingdom's towering walls gradually disappeared behind him as he entered a wide stretch of open countryside. Vast emerald fields rolled across the landscape, swaying gently beneath the afternoon sun.

  It was a peaceful view—almost painfully beautiful.

  A world that seemed completely disconnected from the chaos spreading across the continent.

  Nico inhaled deeply, letting the clean air fill his lungs.

  For the first time in days, the oppressive atmosphere of the war room faded from his mind.

  Finally…

  He closed his eyes briefly.

  Away from that suffocating place.

  Yet another thought followed quickly behind it.

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  Why am I even doing this?

  He continued walking slowly through the fields.

  Why am I planning the defense of this kingdom instead of letting them face their own fate?

  The question lingered.

  My original objective was something entirely different.

  Instead of searching for answers about his existence, he had become tangled in human politics and military strategy.

  I've drowned in their conflicts.

  His gaze drifted toward the distant mountains.

  Humans were fascinating creatures.

  They reproduced, formed societies, created hierarchies, and then endlessly competed for power as if it were written directly into their genetic code.

  A system of endless ambition.

  Strange creatures…

  Despite inhabiting a human body, Nico still observed them from a distance—as if he were studying another species entirely.

  They loved.

  They hated.

  They feared death.

  And above all, they constantly sought control over one another.

  Yet at the same time…

  Their minds were fragile.

  Emotionally unstable.

  Driven by impulses rather than logic.

  Still…

  He had begun to experience those same emotions himself.

  Fragments of them.

  Echoes of them.

  And that alone made this world far more complicated than he had anticipated.

  After nearly eight hours of continuous walking, Nico finally slowed.

  A familiar shape appeared ahead.

  A small cottage surrounded by quiet forest.

  He stopped.

  "I've arrived."

  A long road for such a simple destination.

  But the moment he looked closer, his expression hardened.

  Someone was standing near the entrance.

  A girl.

  She had long hair, elegant horns, and a slender figure.

  It wasn't Shivana.

  And it definitely wasn't Sonari.

  Nico's eyes narrowed instantly.

  His mana surged.

  A faint red glow flickered within his pupils.

  Who is she…?

  His combat instincts activated immediately.

  Did someone discover this place?

  The thought alone caused his aura to sharpen dangerously.

  If she has harmed Shivana or Sonari…

  His mana condensed silently.

  This will be the last moment of her existence.

  The Unexpected Reunion

  As Nico approached the cottage, the mysterious girl suddenly turned toward him.

  Then—

  She ran.

  Not cautiously.

  Not aggressively.

  But with pure excitement.

  Before Nico could react, she leapt forward and wrapped her arms tightly around his neck.

  "Welcome back, my dear Master!"

  Nico froze.

  For a brief moment, his brain simply refused to process what had just happened.

  The girl was hugging him enthusiastically.

  He slowly looked down at her.

  "Excuse me…"

  His voice was calm but confused.

  "Who are you?"

  The girl immediately pulled back with an exaggerated pout.

  "What?!"

  Her cheeks puffed out in protest.

  "You forgot me already, Master?"

  She placed her hands on her hips dramatically.

  "It's me! Sonari!"

  Nico blinked.

  Once.

  Twice.

  "…Sonari?"

  His eyes widened slightly.

  It had never occurred to him that dragons possessed the ability to transform into a completely humanoid form.

  Yet there she stood.

  Her long ears resembled those of an elf, while her elegant horns curved gracefully from her head.

  A rare hybrid form.

  "Is this truly you?" Nico asked carefully.

  Sonari nodded proudly.

  "Of course!"

  She spun around once, showing off.

  "This is our true secondary form."

  She pointed proudly at herself.

  "The dragon race has several bloodlines. Most are hybrids between humans and dragons."

  Then she raised one finger dramatically.

  "But a very rare lineage descends from High Elves and Dragons."

  She grinned.

  "That's the one I belong to!"

  Nico studied her quietly.

  "I see."

  A faint smile appeared.

  "My records regarding your race were incomplete."

  Sonari crossed her arms smugly.

  "So you admit I've grown, right?"

  Nico nodded.

  "You certainly have."

  Her eyes sparkled.

  "Then let me hug you again!"

  "Absolutely not."

  Nico's tone returned to its usual cold calm.

  "You're a grown girl now. Behave with dignity."

  Sonari's face immediately twisted into exaggerated despair.

  "Please, Lord Nico!"

  She grabbed his arm dramatically.

  "Just let me ride on your back like before! I missed it so much!"

  Nico sighed.

  A long, defeated sigh.

  "…Fine."

  Sonari's eyes lit up instantly.

  "But lower your voice."

  The Only Home

  They entered the cottage together.

  Sonari was already clinging to Nico's back like a triumphant child.

  Inside, the warm scent of cooking filled the air.

  Shivana stood near the hearth, preparing a meal.

  The moment she saw Nico, she immediately bowed deeply.

  "Welcome back, Lord Nico."

  Nico smiled gently.

  It was a rare expression—one that never appeared within the walls of the Black Spear.

  "It's good to see you, Shivana."

  He glanced around the cozy interior.

  "You look well. More mature than before."

  Shivana's face flushed instantly.

  "I do not deserve such praise, my Lord."

  "You're wrong," Nico replied calmly.

  He sat at the table.

  "This place feels like home because of you."

  Shivana looked surprised.

  "I appreciate people who are genuinely useful," Nico continued. "People who work sincerely rather than out of obligation."

  He looked at her.

  "You've proven yourself to be one of those people."

  Then he glanced at Sonari.

  "And thank you for managing this troublemaker."

  "I am NOT a troublemaker!" Sonari shouted.

  Nico smirked slightly.

  "Yes. I know that very well."

  "Now get off my head."

  The Golden Sunset

  Later that evening, the atmosphere inside the cottage was peaceful.

  The food Shivana prepared was excellent.

  For a brief moment, Nico allowed himself to forget the chaos spreading across the world.

  Eventually, Sonari fell asleep near the fire.

  Nico stepped outside.

  The sky was painted with shades of gold and crimson.

  A perfect sunset.

  Shivana joined him quietly.

  Their conversation slowly drifted toward darker memories.

  The massacre of the Crimson Elves.

  And the cruelty of Jakar.

  Tears formed in Shivana's eyes.

  Without thinking, Nico placed an arm around her shoulders.

  He wasn't certain if the gesture would help.

  But humans often comforted one another this way.

  Shivana leaned against him.

  "Thank you… Lord Nico."

  Nico spoke softly.

  "You endured something beyond what most beings could survive."

  He looked toward the fading sun.

  "But remember this."

  "The souls of your people have already left this world."

  "This life is only a short trial."

  Shivana wiped her tears slowly.

  "You are under my guidance now," Nico continued.

  "You must rise beyond the suffering of your past."

  "I believe you will."

  She nodded firmly.

  "Yes, Lord Nico."

  Nico then spoke again.

  "I have news for you."

  Shivana looked up.

  "The butcher… Jakar."

  "He's dead."

  Her eyes widened.

  "A powerful red entity killed him during the destruction of the Elven Kingdom."

  Silence followed.

  Then Shivana spoke quietly.

  "Whoever that was… they did the right thing."

  Nico gazed at the last rays of sunlight disappearing below the horizon.

  "Yes."

  "They did."

  The sky darkened slowly.

  And the golden sunset faded into night.

  [End of Chapter 42]