Chapter 182: How Does It Feel to Betray the Hero?

Translation by: Weebsread👹

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【To the Esteemed Acting 2!% Lord,】

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【All your instructions are proceeding smoothly. We’re closing in on the traitor’s true identity, and if all goes as planned, we should have concrete results within the next few weeks.】

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【As for the scheme to fracture the Hero’s Party, progress has been even swifter than anticipated. There were a few unexpected incidents, but the overall trajectory remains firmly within our control. No need for concern.】

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【The amusing part is, the Hero still thinks he’s managed to capture me? He has no idea—it’s all unfolded exactly as you orchestrated, from the moment he “rescued” me at that crucial juncture, right up to now. Every interaction between us has simply been another of your assignments, Master.】

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【Regarding the members of the Hero’s Party who vanished, our search has so far yielded nothing. Perhaps the former Demon Lord, now hiding among humans, truly did erase them for good?】

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【I’ll continue my work to ensure the plan unfolds without a hitch.】

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【P.S.: The adventurer Lin Wei you asked about has appeared nearby. I’ll find an opportunity to sound him out soon.】

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A wisp of black smoke curled into the night, devouring the letter until nothing remained.

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The room was modest, but meticulously clean. In the pale moonlight, a figure sat up, rubbing his temples, confusion clouding his features.

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“You’re awake, huh?”

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As Rein blinked away the last traces of sleep, a playful voice greeted him. Eileen—whom Iresha had once dubbed the party’s “milk cow,” the pure-hearted archer—turned with a radiant, mischievous smile.

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Her elven beauty was undeniable, her figure statuesque, but there was a sultry edge to her tonight, something that had nothing to do with innocence.

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“Didn’t you say that since the Hero’s asleep, you’d keep me company all night?” she teased, voice low and velvet.

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“Yet barely three hours in and you’re already worn out, Rein? I have to say, I’m a little disappointed.”

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She sauntered over, pressing a cool hand to his chest, then slipped easily into his lap, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

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Her skin was smooth as silk, her curves inviting yet somehow weightless—a marvel of elven grace.

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“Hahaha~ Adventuring’s been rough lately, that’s all. My stamina’s just a bit depleted,” Rein replied, forcing a laugh. “But if you’re saying I can’t keep up, that’s a joke! After holding back through that wretched labyrinth, I’m far from satisfied now that we’re finally out!”

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With a sudden motion, Rein reversed their positions, pinning Eileen beneath him. She gave a single surprised gasp, then looked up at him, eyes smoldering with a heat that belied her reputation for innocence.

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Ever since Eileen had successfully seduced him half a month ago, Rein had discovered a side of her he’d thought reserved only for Oshu. Now, that secret side belonged to him as well.

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Looking down at the highborn elf beneath him, Rein’s eyes burned with a wild, hungry light.

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On the surface, he played the part of the party’s hot-blooded fool. But no one who made it into the subjugation squad was truly an idiot; the persona was simply a mask—a role the team needed filled.

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Within the Hero’s Party, everyone but the Hero was just a supporting character. Especially as the only other man, if he didn’t carve out a clear place for himself, he’d be cast aside. Without the status of a Hero’s Party member, leaving his mark on history would be impossible.

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“Still, I must admit, I’m off my game tonight,” he said, running a hand through his hair. “Maybe stealing the Hero’s girl comes with a price, huh?”

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Eileen’s slender fingers traced down his chest, her voice syrupy sweet as she gazed up at him, her face all but hidden beneath his shadow.

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“Then why not become the Hero yourself?” she murmured.

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The thrill of taking what belonged to the Hero sent a surge of exhilaration through Rein, his eyes gleaming with a manic, feverish light.

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“My greatest wish,” Eileen whispered, “is to become the Hero’s wife. If you want to truly have me, just being part of the Hero’s Party isn’t enough.”

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She leaned up, her lips brushing his ear. “Besides, the Hero’s growing weaker by the day. He couldn’t even satisfy me tonight—maybe Iresha and the others showing up earlier scared him off?”

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She giggled, remembering how the Hero had fumbled under the table earlier. At the time, she’d thought it her imagination. Who could have guessed he’d lose his nerve at the crucial moment?

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“Hahaha~ Don’t worry, I’m far tougher than the Hero,” Rein boasted. “If he can’t satisfy his teammates, I’ll step up—for all of you, and leave nothing wanting!”

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His hands strayed, but Eileen caught him, stopping him with gentle pressure. Her lips parted, her voice suddenly slow and deliberate.

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“So, when will you become the Hero, Rein? When can you truly claim me?”

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“Half a month. At most, half a month, and the Hero’s Party will bear my name—Rein!”

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A crimson light flickered in his eyes, bestial and hungry in the moonlit gloom.

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“My swordplay is every bit as sharp as Oshu’s. My command and instincts on the battlefield are even better. Once the Hero falls, the title will be mine! I’ll be the new Hero, leading the charge against the Demon Lord!”

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“Then... I’ll do everything in my power to help you.”

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Eileen’s arms slid around his neck. For an instant, her beautiful face twisted into something almost monstrous—then, just as quickly, softened into a haze of sultry allure.

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“Do your best, future Hero Rein.”

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“Mmm~ That was the best sleep I’ve had in ages!”

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“Huh? Oh—good morning, Mr. Lin Wei.”

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The door opened to reveal Lin Wei seated at the desk, pen in hand. Sunlight streamed through the stained glass, casting gentle hues across the old suite and throwing his handsome features into sharp relief.

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“Morning, Yalis,” he said, glancing up at the slender figure stretching in the doorway. He gestured toward the coffee table. “Breakfast is ready—freshen up and help yourself.”

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“You seem to have slept well,” he added, noting the healthy flush in her cheeks.

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Yalis’s delicate figure radiated youthful charm. Her clear eyes sparkled in the morning light, golden hair cascading loosely down her back, beautiful even without any particular adornment.

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“It was even more restful than I expected,” she admitted. “At first, just knowing you were outside made me so nervous. Especially after my bath—while I was changing, I kept watching the door, half expecting some ridiculous romance-novel scene where you’d walk in by mistake.”

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She blushed, unable to keep a silly grin from spreading across her face.

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“But when I lay down, I realized you were there to protect me. That thought made me feel so safe, I drifted right off.”

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She pressed her hands to her cheeks, mortified. What on earth did I say to him last night? I must’ve been completely out of it... Ugh, I really need to stop letting those foolish storybook fantasies get to me. Lin Wei isn’t thinking anything strange—I’m just overreacting.

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She drew a deep breath, steadying herself.

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“Um... what are you working on, Mr. Lin Wei?”

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She needed to pull herself together—their journey was only just beginning.

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“Just writing a report for Selena the Pope,” Lin Wei replied, not looking up. “I’m summarizing what happened yesterday: the state of the clergy here on the border, their spiritual wellbeing, the need for more funding, requests for support staff. Since you’re the Saintess, you should probably review it and see if you have any thoughts.”

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He kept his tone strictly business, careful not to hint at anything regarding Veya.

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“Let me take a look...” Yalis said, curiosity piqued. After witnessing the chaos firsthand yesterday, what she’d only read about in books had become reality. She recalled the crowded scenes, the frantic efforts to build shelters and distribute food. And yet, this wasn’t even a true disaster—merely the panic after a demonic incursion into the Empire’s heartland.

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If something worse, like those calamities from history, ever happened again...?

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Yalis found herself engrossed in the report, even if some parts still eluded her. She could feel her understanding deepening with each line.

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“Hmm...”

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She read through Lin Wei’s recommendations: reinforcing faith training, caring for the mental health of remote clergy, and more.

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She’d sensed something was off with the local clergy yesterday, but hadn’t known how to articulate it. Now, reading Lin Wei’s report, she saw how he’d already organized everything so clearly.

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“That’s it!” she exclaimed. “The problem with the cathedral here is that they’re losing faith in the Holy Light. What they need is retraining and renewed faith—not executions.”

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She looked up at Lin Wei, her eyes bright. “So that’s why you spared that priest yesterday? Even though you said, ‘You can’t be saved,’ I thought you were going to kill him! I was ready to step in, but you were just scaring him into submission, weren’t you?”

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“Of course,” Lin Wei replied. “Unless someone’s truly beyond redemption, or has oppressed the faithful and the commoners, there’s no need for executions. Restoring their faith and returning them to Alicia’s service is enough. Killing them would just waste valuable talent. Even when I led the demons, I never executed subordinates without a damn good reason.”

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He glanced at her, thoughtful. “These borderland clergy are the way they are partly because of their dealings with Imperial nobles and the resulting corruption, but also because the Holy See hasn’t supported their mental health. Most haven’t committed unforgivable crimes—they’ve just grown complacent over the years, even though many once achieved great merit. As long as it’s not a matter of principle, and given how short-staffed we are, there’s no harm in giving them another chance.”

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“Then those clergy who made mistakes will be grateful to Selena the Pope, right?” Yalis mused. “All this effort lately is to help restore Veya’s reputation. The last two years of mismanagement are finally catching up, huh?”

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Lin Wei nodded. “That’s settled, then. After I check in with the mayor about the refugees, we’ll head to our next stop. But don’t get your hopes up about the inns—we’ll probably be camping out in the wild, with monsters lurking everywhere.”

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That should have been a frightening prospect, but Yalis’s eyes lit up with excitement. The Saintess’s adventurous spirit was clearly back in control.

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Tch... Lin Wei thought, I knew I shouldn’t have let her share a room last night. I should’ve just put her in a normal room and set up some defensive wards. Looks like I’ll have to scare her a bit, so she understands how dangerous “training” really is.

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A sharp knock interrupted his thoughts.

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“Lin Wei! Are you there, Lin Wei?”

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It was Iresha’s voice, sounding unusually urgent.

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Lin Wei opened the door to find the proud mage looking flustered. Her red mage’s robe was only half-fastened, her fiery hair hastily braided. She’d clearly run all the way here.

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“What’s wrong?” Lin Wei asked, surprised to see the normally composed Iresha in such a state.

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“I’m heading for the Northern Countries,” she blurted, still catching her breath. “I checked outside the city this morning—more refugees have arrived. According to them, the Demon Army attacked a village near the City-State of Brook. The Coalition Army managed to scatter them, but some powerful demons escaped into a nearby labyrinth with a group of human hostages. I can’t just ignore this!”

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Tch... They didn’t hide, but showed themselves again?

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Lin Wei frowned, thinking it over. The demons had just staged a raid a few days ago, and the Coalition Army had tightened security, yet they struck again now?

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“And they retreated into the labyrinth after being broken up?” he mused aloud. That was classic demon strategy since his arrival—retreat when outmatched, use the labyrinth’s twists and monsters to harry pursuers, then vanish. But taking hostages? That was new. He’d never taught them to do that. It was risky, likely to provoke desperate resistance.

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What are they really after...?

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“It’s time to go, Iresha!” someone called from the Hero’s Party, pulling her attention away.

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Lin Wei glanced toward Oshu and Eileen. Even if he’d grown to despise Oshu and wanted nothing more than to leave, if they were heading into the labyrinth to fight demons, he had no choice but to cooperate. Lin Wei, after all, had his own mission—he couldn’t simply tag along with them.

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“I just came to say goodbye. Could you keep an eye on the refugee situation here?” Iresha asked. “Once we defeat the demons, I’ll treat you to dinner as thanks.”

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With that, she gripped her staff and hurried off toward the stairs.

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“See you later, Lin Wei.”

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“Until next time.”