Chapter 34
“I-Is it really okay to just stick such a precious book on the shelf like that?!”
Of course, the archive itself was a restricted area only accessible to members of the Hero Order. On top of that, it was protected by preservation magic.
Still, shouldn’t a book that valuable be kept in a glass display case or something?
“S-Sorry. I didn’t know it was such a meaningful relic, and I just… touched it without thinking…”
“It’s alright. There’s no need to apologize. That adventure log is just one of many records of sacrifice kept here. It’s not the only special one.”
Adrian gave a faint, bitter smile, his eyes tinged with sadness.
Records of sacrifice.
Those words weighed heavily on me.
In the game, Adrian was always the one to tell the protagonist:
“Don’t sacrifice yourself.”
While everyone else relied on the protagonist, blessed by the goddess, as if it were only natural—Adrian stood out with his different attitude. I’d always wondered why.
“…If I’d read all those stories, I probably would’ve felt the same.”
As a librarian and an archivist.
He had read, written, and preserved countless stories of heroes who lived and died with the history of the Hero Order of Hagion. For him, that reaction was probably only natural.
“You look like you’ve only now realized the weight placed on you. I suppose you didn’t truly understand the burden you carry.”
Adrian said coldly.
And he was right. I had never really thought about my situation seriously.
I just happened to fall into this world.
I figured that if I kept surviving and dealing with what was thrown at me, I’d eventually reach the end.
That was all I’d vaguely believed.
But in this world, countless heroes had perished fighting against the forces of the demon god Phoneros.
And I might be walking down that same path…
“No, what am I thinking? Get it together. I have to survive.”
I shook off those creeping, negative thoughts and grabbed Adrian’s gloved hand tightly.
“I’m not planning to sacrifice myself. I’m going to survive. Not just me—everyone. My entire party. I’ll make sure we all make it out alive!”
Especially you! You always told the protagonist not to sacrifice themselves, and then you went and sacrificed yourself to save them!
I’m not going to let that happen this time.
Gripping Adrian’s hand tightly, I felt him speak in his usual cold voice.
“Yes, do survive. I understand your resolve now… but perhaps you could let go of my hand first?”
“Ah! Sorry, I didn’t mean to… I just got carried away. My apologies.”
I quickly released his hand and offered a sincere apology.
I wasn’t normally the type to just grab a stranger’s hand like that, especially not a man’s, but I’d gotten too emotional in the moment.
It was probably because I’d admired Adrian from behind a monitor screen for so long. My inner sense of closeness to him must’ve hit MAX.
I hadn’t just “known” him.
I had loved him. Painfully.
I cried my eyes out when he died, after all.
Still, from his perspective, I was just a coworker he’d met maybe a month ago.
If someone like that suddenly grabbed your hand, you’d be weirded out too.
Especially someone like him, who clearly preferred cleanliness.
Those ever-present white cotton gloves.
That always neat, perfectly organized desk.
His impeccable, wrinkle-free attire.
He was practically textbook OCD.
So I worried that I’d offended him by grabbing his hand like that and glanced at his face anxiously.
“…There’s no need to apologize so seriously. It’s not exactly a huge offense.”
Adrian surprisingly accepted my apology without much fuss.
As expected of my favorite character, Adrian. His heart was as beautiful and kind as his stunningly handsome face.
With the request complete and my curiosity satisfied, it was finally time to return.
I still had a lot to do.
We were about to move to the next region, so I needed to make sure I had all the gear and potions I’d need.
“W-Well, I’ll be going now.”
“Yes. Good work today.”
Adrian had already returned to his desk, now wearing glasses and deeply focused on his transcription work.
He didn’t even look up as he replied in his usual cold tone.
But… strangely, it looked like the tips of his ears had turned slightly red.
“…No way, is he blushing because I grabbed his hand?”
No way.
Someone that self-restrained, intelligent, and composed wouldn’t turn red over a mere touch from a woman.
Even if he wasn’t used to being around women, that was too much…
“T-That’s just me over-interpreting things. Adrian wouldn’t react like that.”
I forced down the ridiculous thoughts that kept trying to surface and finally left the library.
* * *
Time flew by in the blink of an eye.
For the next two days, I spent every waking moment—outside of eating and sleeping—gathering materials and crafting nonstop.
Of course, simply repeating low-level crafting tasks no longer raised my skill much, so the gains were minimal…
And now—
“Here you go! Your new ID, Miss E-laine.”
Belinda handed me a brand-new, still-warm member’s ID, pronouncing each syllable of my new name with exaggerated clarity.
A simple, normal, and not-embarrassing name: Elaine.
Just looking at those three beautiful letters made me feel full and happy.
I lifted the ID high into the air with both hands, overwhelmed with emotion.
Like that scene in the famous animated film where the monkey priest lifts the newborn lion cub and declares him the next king.
“Uwaaaaah! Thank you, thank you!”
My past month in this world flashed before my eyes like a slideshow.
Belinda and the temple knight who mocked my old name.
Darren and the twins who defended me, saying no matter how weird the name, it was still one my parents had given me.
Me, having to confess that I’d actually named myself, embarrassingly.
The countless grind sessions to collect jewels!
The kind flight attendant who gave me ten whole Rainbow Stones—and her uncle, the ex-air marshal.
The villagers of Midisle who taught me various crafting techniques.
Beth, the kind lady who bandaged my hand after I accidentally sliced it while cutting onions.
And lastly, Adrian, who gave me the final Rainbow Stone like the cherry on top.
“I’m starting to sound like an award-winning actor giving a tearful acceptance speech.”
If I were a devout believer, I’d be saying,
“First, I’d like to thank the goddess Hagionia…”
But no, I was branded by that goddess and forced into saving the world. All I had left for her was bitterness.
Still, listing everything out like this really showed me how many bonds I’d already formed in this world.
“You’re that happy, huh?”
“Of course. I’m finally saying goodbye to my cringe-name days.”
No one could laugh at me for my name anymore.
It wasn’t my parents’ gift, but the pretty name “Elaine” was still one I could carry with pride, courtesy of my old English academy director.
‘I hope you’re doing well, Director… I’ve decided to live on with the name you gave me.’
Getting sentimental thinking about someone whose face I could barely remember now, I watched as Belinda smirked and spoke.
“Well, go get some rest now. You’re leaving in the morning, right? I should get off work too.”
I’d been bothering her all day, asking if the ID was ready yet. And now, because of the delay, she was leaving late too.
“Yes, thank you so much, Belinda! May you be blessed!”
The memory of her mocking my name was long gone now.
Beaming, I proudly hung my new ID around my neck and headed back to the dorm.
* * *
The next morning.
After enjoying one of Beth’s amazing breakfasts, I headed off to the rendezvous point with light steps.
Of course, it wasn’t just about breakfast. I also showed off my new ID to my cooking mentor, Beth, and shared a long moment of sadness about not being able to see each other for a while.
By the time I arrived at Fountain Square, the destination, most of the group had already gathered.
Commander Clemence, Belinda, and the two training instructors had come to see us off.
Along with the group leaving: the Clarus twins, Adrian, and Darren.
Basically, all the key members of the Hero Order were there.
And then, the lines that followed were ones I already knew—cutscenes I’d seen in the game.
“If it were up to me, I’d go with you, but this position holds me back. I can’t move around so freely.”
Clemence sighed deeply, her eyes full of regret. Even in her sixties, she clearly still wanted to fight on the front lines.
But her position as the leader of the Hero Order was what kept her tied down.
“Aw, come on, Grandma! You’ve got me! Just leave it to me!”
Darren puffed out his chest proudly.
Clemence gave her grandson a frosty look.
“I’ve told you not to call me ‘Grandma’ in public, haven’t I?”
She shook her head in exasperation.
Everyone here probably knew already. One of the biggest reasons Clemence wanted to go herself… was her concern for her reckless grandson.
Did Darren not realize that? Or was he just pretending?
“…Adrian. I’m counting on you. You’re the only one who can keep my foolish grandson in check.”
Clemence placed a desperate hand on Adrian’s shoulder.
The Clarus twins were younger than Darren. I was an inexperienced newcomer.
Really, Adrian was the only one capable of reining Darren in.
“You’re placing quite a heavy burden on my shoulders.”
Adrian shook his head and sighed. It seemed even he wasn’t confident in handling Darren.
“Then, let’s depart.”
Everyone heading to the Sylvagrove Forest stepped onto the teleport portal installed at one end of Fountain Square.
That’s why this place was the rendezvous point—it housed the Midisle Island teleport portal.
‘Gasp… teleportation!’
Instant movement! The pinnacle of fantasy!
I’d used it plenty in the game, but this was my first time doing it for real—half excitement, half nerves.
“Take care and return safely.”
And with Clemence’s gentle smile as the last thing I saw—
The world faded into darkness.
