The streets were quiet by the time I reached the Duke’s estate.

  The tall iron gates loomed over me like a warning, but I walked through without hesitation.

  Duke Alfred Von Laterhum—a name that dripped with power and wealth. The man was both the country’s greatest merchant and the head of its largest merchant guild. In the public eye, he was a genius businessman, a nobleman of refined taste.

  But if there is light, there will be darkness.

  And Alfred’s darkness was deep.

  He was the puppeteer behind the murders of good dukes—men who stood in his way. His greed had no limit. From the blood of monsters, he produced the vile “Red Killing Pills,” weapons in pill form that turned men into mad killers. Worse, I suspected he had ties to one of the Demon Cults—a group so feared that even Demon Kings kept their distance.

  The Demon Cults were eight in number, scattered across the world.

  Each could call upon the God of Silent War, the one capable of summoning Stampedes.

  This last Stampede… it had their scent.

  I briefly thought about my clone, currently moving through the kingdom, handling other matters. I trusted it was doing its job.

  The air around the Duke’s mansion felt heavy. There was no thrill in this mission—not like the battlefield. This was a different game entirely.

  The moment I stepped into the courtyard, movement flashed in the shadows.

  Kael.

  He was fast, and his killing intent was sharp. His blade aimed for my throat.

  It would have been lethal—if it connected.

  But I caught his wrist mid-strike.

  He froze.

  I smiled faintly.

  “Let’s talk for a moment, shall we?”

  His eyes narrowed. He didn’t lower his blade, but his stance eased slightly.

  The night had just begun.

  And the real hunt was still ahead.

  Kael had backed away from me, his eyes never leaving mine. He kept his guard high, every movement sharp and ready, like a cornered wolf.

  I, on the other hand, loosened my shoulders and let out a slow breath. Without a hint of tension, I sat down on the cold stone ledge. From here, we had the perfect view of Alfred Von Laterhum’s estate—our target.

  Alfred was no ordinary prey. He was the last and largest fish in a pond I had been draining for weeks. Alice, Beta, Claire, Ririsa, and Gamma had already removed the other ten evil dukes from the board. Now, only Alfred remained.

  Kael’s hand tightened around the knife he carried. His knuckles whitened with the effort.

  “You cannot harm me with that mere knife,” I said, my voice calm but firm. “I’ll say this once, and I won’t repeat it. So listen carefully.”

  He hesitated before lowering himself to sit, though his posture stayed defensive.

  “I know why you are here,” I continued, locking eyes with him. “And I know you have questions about how I know this. For now, you can think of me as a prophet—one who can say and see the future. If you join me, I will erase your sufferings.”

  His brows knit slightly, but I didn’t pause.

  “My work may seem similar to yours, but I do it for the good of certain people. You might wonder, after finishing off those I target, how I can still speak of righteousness. But I have a promise to fulfill. So… will you help me?”

  Kael’s gaze drifted downward. Silence stretched between us as he sank into thought. His breathing slowed, his expression shifting as if weighing two heavy paths.

  Finally, he sighed and gave a single, firm nod.

  A small smile formed on my lips.

  “Then it’s time to work.”

  The night was far from over.

  I handed Kael a special dagger—its blade thin but sharp enough to cut through armor like cloth.

  “Take this,” I told him. “Clear the guards on the ground level, then bring me a certain book from Alfred’s study. You’ll know it when you see it.”

  Without a word, Kael took off into the shadows.

  From where I waited, I could see the grand balcony of Alfred Von Laterhum’s mansion. He had a habit of stepping out at night, enjoying the Moonlit sky with a glass of fine wine in hand. A picture of luxury.

  In the original design, Alfred was nothing more than the financial pillar of the villain’s circle. But Heron—this round’s leader—was never in my script. Somehow, the story had twisted beyond my plans. I didn’t know how it happened, but one thing was certain: Alfred’s money had to stop flowing to them. And that meant his life would end tonight.

  I conjured a sniper rifle, its weight familiar in my hands. From my position, I had a perfect view of his head. My finger curled around the trigger—

  —but then she appeared. His wife.

  Alfred loved her more than anything. He never lied to her, not once. That kind of love was rare. For a moment, I hesitated. But the story demanded his end, and so did the lives ruined by his hidden crimes.

  I exhaled, steadying my aim. The shot rang out.

  The bullet struck true. Alfred collapsed without a sound, the wine glass shattering against the marble floor. His wife’s scream echoed through the night.

  A shadow moved at the edge of my vision—Kael had returned. He handed me the book I wanted, its leather cover cold and worn.

  I looked at it, then at the mansion below.

  The game had just begun.

  The news of Duke Alfred’s assassination swept through the capital like wildfire. People whispered in the markets, in the taverns, and behind closed doors.

  A shadow had killed the most powerful merchant in the country, and no one knew how. The investigators discovered a strange, tiny hole in his skull—unlike any wound they’d seen before. They speculated about exotic poisons, cursed arrows, or even divine punishment.

  Of course, no one had ever seen a bullet before. And I had no intention of introducing the concept to this world. That ignorance was my shield. No one could trace it back to me.

  By the time the city guard had locked down the mansion, I was already walking through the sunlit streets with Sayo. We had a summons from the Adventurer’s Guild.

  When we entered the guildhall, the room was lively—mercenaries boasting over mugs of ale, clerks scribbling down contracts, and a few wary eyes following us. The receptionist called us forward.

  The guild master himself appeared, a thick-shouldered man with a short beard and the eyes of someone who’d seen too much war. He smiled faintly.

  “Congratulations,” he said. “Two missions completed successfully. Not to mention… the other matter.”

  He didn’t say what that matter was. He didn’t need to.

  On the table, two heavy pouches thudded against the wood.

  “Two hundred thousand gold coins for your completed contracts,” he said. “And another two hundred thousand for the stampede elimination. You saved us—and the region—a great deal of trouble.”

  Sayo’s eyes lit up instantly. We each took ninety thousand gold coins after the split and guild fees. The weight of the gold was satisfying in my hands.

  With the business done, Sayo tugged at my arm. “Shopping,” she said. Her tone was not a request—it was an announcement.

  The afternoon slipped into a slow, golden haze as we wandered through the city’s markets. The streets smelled of fresh bread and roasted meat. Colorful stalls lined the stone roads, selling everything from spices to enchanted trinkets.

  Sayo bought dresses. Many dresses. Every time I thought she had finished, she found another one—silks, velvets, frilled skirts, even a long gown with silver embroidery.

  “For missions?” I asked.

  “For walking around,” she replied, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.

  I bought a few supplies—new travel boots, some sharpening oil for my swords, and a sturdy leather coat. Sayo slipped a scarf around my neck at one point and insisted I keep it.

  “It suits you,” she said with a mischievous smile.

  By sunset, our arms were heavy with bags. We stopped at a street vendor for skewers of grilled meat, eating them as the evening glow lit the rooftops. The city seemed peaceful, almost oblivious to the fact that one of its most powerful men had been struck down just the night before.

  We sat under a old tree leaning over each other’s back.

  Deathes did not appear that day. No messages. No sudden entrances. No lingering stares. For once, the night was quiet.

  Still, I knew peace like this never lasted long.

  The next day, I found myself dragged into yet another shopping trip. This time, it was Angelica and Flora who had plans.

  I was tired—bone-deep tired—but apparently, my role today was not to rest. It was to escort.

  The markets were already bustling when we arrived. Merchants shouted their deals, the smell of fresh pastries drifted in the air, and the sound of clinking coins filled the streets. Angelica immediately drifted toward a stall lined with fine dresses, her eyes scanning through silks, velvets, and flowing fabrics with a smile that told me my coin pouch would soon be lighter.

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  Flora, however, was different. She stopped in front of an armour shop, her eyes sparkling at the sight of polished breastplates and engraved greaves.

  “You like armour?” I asked, raising an eyebrow.

  “I like fighting,” she replied plainly, before picking up a short sword to examine its balance.

  I bought her a set of lightweight armour that wouldn’t slow her down, and a sword that matched her style. As the shopkeeper wrapped them up, I quietly took the sword back for a moment. My fingers brushed the blade, and with a touch of my blacksmithing skill, I strengthened the steel and sharpened the edge beyond normal limits. No one would notice the difference—until it mattered.

  Angelica, meanwhile, was still browsing, but not for clothes. She was standing at a weapons stall, admiring a row of swords.

  “You like swords too?” I asked.

  She nodded, her eyes fixed on one in particular—a midsize blade with an unusual curve and a deep, unique color in the steel.

  “That one,” she said softly.

  I bought it for her without hesitation. Before handing it over, I quietly enhanced the sword’s durability and attack power, making it both lighter and deadlier. She didn’t notice the change, but I caught the way her grip tightened around the hilt as if it felt right in her hands.

  Flora left soon after, hurrying back to the inn with her new gear, clearly eager to test it out. Angelica and I saw her off, standing on the cobblestone street as she vanished into the crowd.

  When I turned back, Angelica was looking at me with a small smile.

  “I still have some places to visit,” she said.

  It was clear she had her own plans.

  So, I stayed with her.

  Angelica and I found ourselves alone after Flora left. At first, I didn’t think much of it, but as we wandered through the lively streets, an odd feeling crept up on me—it almost felt like a date.

  We tried all sorts of things. Tasting street food from different stalls—spicy skewers, sweet candied fruits, freshly baked bread. We strolled past countless shops, laughing when we found strange trinkets, pausing to watch street performers, and sharing small comments about the things we saw.

  At one jewelry stall, I noticed her eyes linger on a delicate earring set. She didn’t say anything, but the way she looked at it told me enough. I bought it for her without a word.

  The mistress of the stall smiled knowingly and asked,

  “Is she your wife?”

  Heat rushed to my face. “No… we’re just companions,” I replied quickly.

  Later, we ended up at a riverside bench. The evening sky was painted in soft orange and purple, the water shimmering with the reflection of the fading sun. Angelica sat close, leaning against me, letting her head rest gently on my arm.

  “Amahiko,” she said quietly, “the first time I saw you… I got this strange feeling. Back then, I didn’t understand it. But now… I think I do. I think I’ve fallen for you.”

  She paused, her voice trembling slightly.

  “I don’t need your answer now. My heart isn’t ready yet. So… please take your time.”

  I couldn’t speak right away. A shadow from my past—regret for love once lost—kept my words trapped inside. Instead, I took out the earring set and placed it in her hand.

  Her eyes widened in surprise. “You… remembered?”

  She immediately put them on and turned to me.

  “How is it?”

  “It looks good on you,” I said simply.

  She smiled warmly. “Thank you, Amahiko.”

  Before I could say anything else, she leaned in and kissed me—firmly, deeply. Her arms wrapped around my neck as our tongues met, the warmth of her breath mixing with mine. The world around us faded until there was only the sound of the river and the quiet beat of our hearts.

  The day ended there, and a new night quietly began.

  The previous day felt strangely familiar—almost like fate was repeating itself. This time, it was Sayo with me.

  We found ourselves resting under a large, old tree at the edge of the fields. The air was warm, the breeze gentle. She sat close, her back leaning against mine, and for a while, we simply enjoyed the silence. But I noticed something—her breathing, her stillness—it felt… different.

  Then she spoke.

  “You know, Amahiko… we’ve been friends since childhood. Lucas left us behind long ago. Now… it’s just the two of us.”

  Her tone softened, yet there was an intensity in her words.

  “At first, I thought it was just normal. But… the more time I spend with you, the deeper I fall. I owe you a lot—but that’s not why. I think I’m truly in love with you.”

  She hesitated, then added in a lower voice, “I think Angelica feels the same. I’ve seen it in her eyes for a long time. But I’m not going to give up. So…”

  I turned my head slightly to face her, but before I could speak, she moved. Her lips pressed against mine, her kiss hot and urgent. Our tongues tangled, the taste of her breath sharp and sweet.

  She clung to me—arms wrapped tightly around my shoulders, legs locking around my waist as if she didn’t want to let go. Her body trembled slightly, but her grip was firm, almost desperate. She felt like a spoiled girl demanding attention she’d been denied for too long.

  It was hard to resist. My mind knew I should pull away, but my heart… my heart was weighed down by the old regret of a love I once lost.

  Regret had been my curse. But in that moment, I thought—maybe, just maybe—I could turn it into a blessing.

  The morning began with an unexpected delivery—an official letter bearing Deathes’ seal. The Cold Ice Queen herself was summoning me.

  I went alone.

  The knight who met me at the entrance was silent, his footsteps echoing down the long corridor. When the heavy door to the meeting hall opened, the atmosphere shifted immediately. The air inside was sharp, heavy, like standing before a winter storm.

  Seven figures stood waiting.

  First was Akira, the swordsman whose stance alone screamed discipline.

  Beside him, the spear boy Kei, eyes brimming with energy.

  Mayuka, the bow heroine, regarded me with quiet curiosity.

  The ninja-type assassin, Tifa, twirled a dagger between her fingers as if the room’s tension didn’t affect her.

  Rion, the wand user, had a scholarly air, her gaze studying me like I was some rare artifact.

  Then there was Taiga, the tank hero, towering and broad, radiating an immovable calm.

  And finally—her.

  Deathes, the Cold Ice Queen. The leader. Superior to all others present. Her eyes were colder than the frost her name promised, yet behind them, I thought I saw something warmer.

  They each introduced themselves, and I returned the courtesy. But I still didn’t understand why I’d been called here. I had no desire to be caught in her schemes. Yet, somehow, she had already drawn me in.

  Then, without warning, Deathes stepped forward.

  Her gaze locked on mine, and in a clear, unwavering voice, she said—

  “Amahiko, please marry me and take me as your bride.”

  For a heartbeat, the world froze.

  My honest reply slipped out before I could stop it.

  “…Huh?”

  The hall was still ringing with the echo of Deathes’ sudden, bold proposal. My mind was blank—utterly blank. In this world, there were no rules limiting the number of brides a man could have. As long as each bride agreed, it was acceptable. But this was different. Two women had already confessed to me, and now the Cold Ice Queen wanted to join them… without warning, without hesitation.

  I steadied myself and asked, “May I ask why?”

  She smiled—slowly, confidently, almost like a predator that had already caught its prey.

  “You are the finest man I have ever seen. Worthy of marrying me. No one else has ever compared. The fools who came before were unworthy… garbage. But you—” her eyes glimmered, “—you are different. I love you. I love your sword style. So beautiful it ignites heat inside me. I love how you are. I have no problem with your desires. If you have sexual desires, I will allow it. No problem. You can have as much sex as you want with me.” At that time she was hugging herself with a very stubborn desire of lust, “I will grant you infinite possibilities of having sex in any type posture that will satisfy you. Just please marry me. I have an extremely lustrous body. Perhaps I am not beautiful enough for you yet?”

  Every cardinal heroes standing in the room immediately had a nosebleed—except me.

  The female heroes fumbled to stop her, whispering frantically for Deathes to control her words. But she continued, completely unbothered. My ears burned—not from embarrassment, but because her choice of words made me sound like some shameless woman hunter.

  The others complained loudly.

  “You can’t just propose to someone you don’t even know!”

  “This is outrageous!”

  But Deathes only fixed her gaze on me, her cold, royal eyes now carrying something molten.

  “So,” she said, her tone shifting, “I have to prove my worth to you. I get it. Fine. Let’s have a duel. If I win, I will marry you without complaint. If I lose… I will sell my body to you as a slave.”

  I snapped, “Am I a woman hunter that you have to sell your body to me? Don’t make me a shameless person.”

  Her lips curved upward in a faint smirk, but I didn’t give her the satisfaction of hesitating.

  “Okay,” I said firmly. “I accept your duel request.”

  The hall went silent.

  The game between the Ice Queen and me had just begun.

  The arena was crowded, the air heavy with tension. On one side stood Deathes, leader of the Cardinal Heroes, her icy presence dominating the field. On the other side was me, gripping my sword, ready for what had to be done.

  Around the edges of the arena, the rest of the Cardinal Heroes watched in silence. My own companions—Angelica, Sayo, and Flora—were also there. But Angelica and Sayo’s eyes were fixed on Deathes, burning with a sharp, almost murderous anger. Their vibe screamed “How dare she.” If looks could kill, Deathes would’ve already been buried.

  The signal was given.

  Our duel began.

  Deathes wasted no time—her first strike came down like a storm, heavy and unrelenting. She wasn’t testing me. She was aiming to win right from the start. Her sword style was aggressive yet precise, forcing me to stay on the defensive at first.

  I focused on reading her movements, looking for patterns. Every clash of our blades sent shockwaves through the arena floor. Steel rang against steel, echoing like a war drum.

  The fight grew more and more intense. Strikes came faster, each heavier than the last. My arm ached from the force, but I couldn’t lose—not here, not now. If I lost, I wouldn’t be able to change the course of this story.

  Then, I decided to shift the momentum.

  I activated Silent Walk—my movement skill that made my steps vanish into nothing. My speed shot up instantly. One moment I was in front of her, the next I was behind her. She spun around, but I had already moved again.

  She had good reflexes, no doubt about it. Each time I appeared, her sword was already swinging to block. Still, the strain on her defense was beginning to show.

  Finally, I saw my chance.

  The game was over.

  I had memorized every one of her cardinal techniques through our exchanges. I knew her timings, her habits, her tells. With a burst of speed, I appeared right at her side, my sword swinging in a flash too quick for the eye to follow.

  The blade stopped just at her neck.

  Cold steel touched her skin.

  The arena went silent.

  Deathes’ eyes widened slightly before she let out a small exhale.

  She had lost the duel. No one believed at first that the strongest cardinal hero has lost to a mere adventurer.

  The clash with Deathes had ended. My sword had stopped at her neck, sealing her defeat. I thought that was it—I’d leave quietly and be done with this mess.

  I turned to go, but before I could take three steps, Deathes grabbed me by the collar, her eyes blazing—not with anger, but… excitement. Before I could even process it, she pulled me in and kissed me.

  It wasn’t a gentle kiss either—it was sudden, firm, and entirely out of nowhere.

  When she pulled away, her voice was filled with stubborn determination.

  ? “I may have lost today’s duel, but next time I will win… and marry you for sure.”

  The arena’s audience was probably still recovering from the fight, but now I was the one stunned. Great. Just great. I might officially be turning into some kind of womaniser without even trying.

  I didn’t linger. I left the arena, needing some air. The streets were quieter than usual, the setting sun casting long shadows over the cobblestones. That’s when I noticed her.

  A girl sat slouched against a wall, her clothes dusty, her expression dull with hunger. She looked like she hadn’t eaten in days. Without thinking, I walked over and offered to get her food.

  She didn’t resist—just followed quietly until we reached a restaurant.

  And then… she started eating. And eating. And eating. Plates piled up like a fortress around her. Every bite she took seemed to breathe life back into her pale face.

  By the time she finally stopped, she leaned back with a small, satisfied sigh.

  That’s when she finally spoke.

  She introduced herself as Rhea Solstice, twenty years old.

  Apparently, she was once an imperial mage in service to the royal family—but they had thrown her out. No warning, no explanation.

  Something about her story caught my attention. In the original flow of things, she was supposed to become the protagonist’s companion. But here she was, in front of me.

  Her knowledge could be incredibly useful. She knew magic on an advanced level, and the way she carried herself told me she had discipline, even after whatever she’d been through.

  So I made a decision on the spot.

  I asked her to join me.

  She thought for a moment, then nodded.

  And just like that, I had a new ally—one who wasn’t supposed to be mine in the original tale.

  Back at the inn, I gathered everyone together.

  It was time to introduce my new recruits—Kael and Rhea—to my current companions.

  Angelica, Sayo, and Flora stood in a neat row, their expressions polite… at first.

  “Angelica, Sayo, Flora—this is Kael, and this is Rhea,” I said.

  Kael gave a crisp nod. “Pleasure to meet you.”

  Rhea bowed lightly. “I look forward to working with you all.”

  The greetings were polite enough on the surface, but I could feel it.

  Like the air was heating up around me.

  Angelica and Sayo’s smiles were… tight. Their eyes flicked toward Rhea, and it wasn’t exactly friendly curiosity.

  If jealousy had a smell, the room would’ve been choking on it.

  I decided it was safer to pretend I didn’t notice.

  To shift the focus, I decided to test Rhea’s abilities.

  I pulled out a small pile of materials—some moonstones and a few broken swords.

  “Alright,” I said, “show me what you can do with these.”

  Her eyes lit up instantly.

  She didn’t waste time with questions—just set to work.

  For the next two hours, the sound of tools, magic hums, and faint sparks filled the room. She moved with precision, her fingers tracing rune lines into the metal, the moonstones pulsing with faint silver light.

  When she finally stepped back, there were three new swords on the table.

  Their cores glowed faintly—the moonstones not only radiated power, but Rhea explained they could also absorb mana from whatever they struck.

  She wasn’t just skilled—she was sharp.

  The kind of sharp I needed.

  As I held one of the finished swords, a thought sparked in my mind.

  With her skills in magic tech… maybe I could recreate Cardinal weapons themselves.

  And if I could… the game’s balance would change entirely.