"I'll Catch Up Later, So Go On Ahead!" I Said, and Stayed Behind in the Dungeon for Five Years. When I Returned to the Royal Capital, for Some Reason, I Had Become a Great Criminal, So I Decided to Retire. But Outstanding People Keep Gathering Around Me Though... - Episode 22: Everyone’s Intentions

Episode 22: Everyone’s Intentions

“Volk. What’s the status on that matter?”

“Ah—well, it seems we haven’t been able to contact Zephyr.”

“What did you say?”

Prince Raiz was, as usual, speaking with a certain man in a secret hideout.

This man was called Volk. He had a body like a block of steel carved into human form.

With skin like black iron and a rugged mechanical arm, his limbs were thick like logs. And his neck bore countless scars.

“No matter. Zephyr was just one pawn anyway.”

“Heh. That’s pretty cold. You’re one of those pawns too. You understand that, don’t you?”

“Yeah, yeah. As long as I get paid, I don’t care.”

Though Volk spoke in a carefree tone, Raiz didn’t scold him.

Volk was one of the highest-level combatants in Raiz’s arsenal—and even in the world, his strength was top-tier.

“Still, if Zephyr’s been taken out… then maybe another force is on the move?”

“Who knows? There’s still a lot unclear about the succession to the throne.”

(…Is it a faction belonging to another prince or princess? Or perhaps something completely different… Even I can’t grasp it all. But—I can’t stop here. Do they have any idea how much time and effort I’ve poured into this? I’m the one most fit to be the next king.)

Raiz thought to himself.

He had finally come within reach of the throne.

That’s why he couldn’t allow anything to derail him now.

“What’s Tiris up to?”

“Nothing, apparently. Everything looks normal. But that’s only on the surface.”

“That sly fox… Of course she wouldn’t let her tail be caught that easily.”

Raiz muttered with irritation.

“Volk. Look further into the matter with Zephyr.”

“Understood. Is it okay if I kill whoever’s involved?”

“Do as you like.”

“Alright then. Time to get to work.”

Volk rotated his massive arms like tree trunks, showing his motivation.

He let out a crooked grin—one far too twisted to be called a smile.

†

“That’s everything. That was what happened over the five years until I saw you again, Senpai.”

“I see… So that’s how it was.”

The one thing I was glad to know:

That everyone hadn’t betrayed me.

That was the part I’d been most worried about—and now that I knew the truth, I felt relieved.

“Senpai, I’m so sorry. We couldn’t get your place back for you.”

Felina bowed deeply.

I could tell she was sincerely apologizing. But I gently told her to raise her head.

“Lift your head, Felina. It’s alright. I’ve already found a new, important place for myself.”

Felina still looked uncertain. So I continued.

“It’s true—I no longer have a place as Hero Haruto. But I never really wanted to be a hero or a legend in the first place. I just fought because I had the power, because I had talent. If the world doesn’t need me anymore, that’s fine. From now on, I’ll just live as Haru the Baker.”

“Senpai… *sniff*…”

Felina began to cry softly again.

I stayed quiet and let her cry.

She needed time to process her feelings.

“Still… how did you recognize me?”

Changing the subject, I asked her something I’d been wondering about.

“Honestly, I wasn’t sure at first. I thought you might be Senpai. But you looked so different… I wasn’t certain. But the more I talked with you, the more convinced I became.”

“Was there a reason?”

“Because… you were still as kind as ever, Senpai.”

Felina smiled like a flower blooming.

That made me feel a bit shy.

“I see…”

“Yes. But I’m really glad you came back, Senpai… really…”

I stood up and gently embraced her.

“Sorry for making you worry.”

“It’s okay now. Because you came back to us like this.”

“Even though I don’t even look like my old self.”

“That’s fine. I don’t care about that at all.”

After we embraced for a while, I asked the one thing I was still concerned about—

The revenge they were planning against the kingdom.

“So… about the revenge on the kingdom—”

“Yes… we’re still moving forward with the plan. Without you, that plan was all we had to live for. But now that you’re back… what do you think, Senpai?”

“I…”

Revenge… huh.

But even after learning the truth, I didn’t feel the urge to take action against the kingdom.

As I’d said earlier, if the world no longer needed “Hero Haruto,” then so be it.

Because I was already living as “Haru the baker,” and I wanted nothing more than that.

I just wanted to live quietly in this town of Rothen.

When I told her that, Felina simply replied:

“I see…”

“But—if the kingdom threatens what’s important to me now, then that’s a different story.”

“Senpai…? Did something happen?”

“Actually—”

I told her about Lisel’s abduction and the fight with Zephyr.

Felina’s face turned serious as she placed a hand on her chin, thinking.

“Felina. Do you think the kingdom was involved in this?”

“Hmm… I’m sorry. I can’t say for sure at this point. But… I doubt they’re completely uninvolved.”

“If anything comes up, let me know. I’ll help if I can.”

“Understood. I’ll investigate on my end too.”

That concluded our conversation.

If the kingdom ever tried anything again with Lisel or this town,

I wouldn’t show them any mercy.

“Well then, Senpai. I’ll probably visit the bakery again, so I look forward to it.”

“Yeah. I hope I can start selling my bread soon. Be sure to try it when I do.”

“Yes! Of course!”

“Also—I’ll talk to the other three myself.”

I had to tell Estelle, Sharo, and Luster that I was Haruto.

“Understood. I think they’ll be really happy to hear it.”

“Yeah. See you again.”

“Yes. Until next time—Senpai.”

†

It had been a week since I spoke with Senpai.

I had returned to the capital from Rothen.

Today, we had an important meeting.

The capital’s nights were still lively.

Laughter from drunken men echoed on the cobblestone streets. 

And the flickering lights of street stalls cast shadows of passersby.

The moon was hidden behind thin clouds, and the stars didn’t shine.

The city was full of faint warmth and noise. It showed no signs of sleep.

“Senpai… This time—it’s our turn to protect you.”

I murmured in an alleyway.

Ever since “Hero Haruto” disappeared, the darkness within the kingdom had steadily spread over five years.

Censorship of speech. Heavier taxes.

Surveillance of churches and religious groups.

Restrictions and inspections imposed on Adventurers’ Guilds.

The kingdom had steadily tightened its grip with oppressive rule.

The kingdom only existed today thanks to Senpai’s efforts.

Senpai once said:

‘I have the power of a hero. That means I carry a responsibility with it. I’ll use this power to protect people.’

But the kingdom he had protected was now rotting away.

I couldn’t allow such disgrace to continue.

But now, Senpai was living as a baker.

So this time—we would be the ones to fight.

To protect the peaceful life Senpai had earned,

we had to root out the true evil.

And we had to make them pay for the disgrace they brought upon him.

“Alright. I have to hurry.”

I stepped away from the capital’s noise and walked down a stone path behind an old clocktower.

At the end was a small, worn-down door—it looked like nothing more than a storage shed.

But when I knocked in a specific pattern, a creaking sound came as the door slowly opened—to a staircase leading underground.

Inside was a single room.

Its walls were lined with black stone. It was surrounded by a magic barrier that blocked mana.

There was a rectangular table with five chairs.

And in the corner, a candelabra flickered. It illuminated half of each person’s face.

Inside the hidden room were Estelle, Sharo, and Luster—my comrades.

And in the center seat—was the woman who now led us.

“Now that Felina-san has arrived, let’s begin discussing the plan. It’s taken a long time. But we only need to endure a little longer. We’re scheduled to act in one month. Let’s go over everything again.”

She pulled back the hood of her old brown cloak.

Her silver-white hair glimmered faintly like moonlight. And her eyes shone clear like sapphire gems.

—Yes.

Thanks to her help, we had finally gotten close to the heart of the kingdom’s corruption.

Her name was… Princess Tiris, Second Princess of the Kingdom.

She was our leader—working in secret to cleanse the rot from the kingdom.