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Every story has its protagonist, and the original novel “Another World” is no exception.

Peter Wingfield.

A prodigy who inherited the bloodline of the hero, capable of wielding all elements of magic. He is also Wendy’s older brother.

In the original story, Peter Wingfield leaves the empire as a child and embarks on an adventure across the sea to the continent. A boy full of adventurous spirit, he travels through numerous countries and grows into adulthood. One day, he realizes that he is a descendant of the hero. Understanding his destiny, Peter returns to his homeland, the Meikhael Empire, as the hero.

I, too, as a fan of the original novel, liked Peter, the protagonist. But now, he has become the number one target I need to avoid. Why? Because I don’t want to die.

In the original story, Tristan kills Wendy through harsh abuse. Later, when Peter learns of this, he executes Tristan in a fit of rage. Essentially, Wendy’s death is the first step toward my downfall. But that’s only in the original story.

In the online game’s scenario, things unfold a bit differently. First, the original protagonist, Peter Wingfield, is set as missing. The hero who was supposed to gather comrades and save the world from the demon lord and monsters is gone. Thus, someone must take his place as the protagonist, and that’s where the online game’s scenario comes in. Naturally, the players who replace Peter are the “players” from another world.

But before the demon lord even appeared, the world was destroyed by the players. What a dogshit ending.

Wendy, being the protagonist’s sister, also inherited the hero’s bloodline. Thanks to this, she possessed the blessing of “all-element” magic, something only the hero’s descendants could have.

Wendy isn’t just an extra. She’s a golden-spoon extra with talent.

“This can’t be…”

Mondri was the one who lost his mind upon seeing the colorful golems. He was in charge of the arena’s barrier because Myohail had personally participated in the test. It was a sturdy barrier befitting the reputation of the “Earth’s Cremont.” From the outside, it would be impossible to see.

Though he only held the title of Chancellor in name, Mondri was also one of Sage Myohail’s disciples. He was considered one of the closest to being a sage in this era.

Mondri Cremont spoke with a trembling voice.

“The hero… Has the hero appeared?!”

Nope. It’s just this old man.

“Wingfield…”

Wendy’s rainbow-colored golem. All elements of magic shimmered like a heat haze within it. Seeing this, Myohail recalled a memory that had grown faint.

Back when he had a human body, not the one he has now. Back then, he wasn’t Myoil or Myohail, just a wandering drifter. A weirdo among weirdos, traveling the world to research magic in pursuit of becoming a sage, the pinnacle of magicians.

That was probably around the time the world was thrown into chaos by the demon lord’s appearance. He didn’t care about the world’s crisis. Whether the world perished or not, as long as he had magic, he could survive.

That’s what he thought. Until he met her.

“I’m Grace.”

A woman extended her hand to him as he was selling potions at a stall to fund his travels.

“You’re the hero who will save this world.”

“Really? That’s quite the setting… But I don’t deal with drugs. If you’re looking for something with strong hallucinogenic effects, you can go to the tent over there.”

“You’re hired. From now on, you’re my comrade.”

“Are you even listening to me?”

At first, he thought she was just crazy. He never expected her to actually be the hero. He never expected her to become a comrade who would share life and death with him. He never expected… her to be the only woman he would ever love.

Grace was strong. Blessed by the gods, her all-element magic was overwhelmingly powerful. Grace was also beautiful. The way she swung her rapier on the battlefield, her long hair flowing, was like watching a dance.

He was a man, after all. It was hard not to fall for her.

But he couldn’t love her. She was too dazzling. She didn’t belong with a weirdo drifter like him. Just watching over her from the side… that was enough, he thought.

After countless battles, on the eve of the final showdown with the demon lord, Grace spoke.

“Drug addict.”

“What is it, Grace?”

“Don’t you think it’s about time you told me your name? We’re fighting the demon lord tomorrow, and I don’t even know your name.”

“…Wingfield.”

“Last name?”

“I don’t have one. I’m an orphan.”

“Huh… Same as me. I’m an orphan too.”

“Is that so?”

“Then if we get married, my name would be Grace Wingfield, right?”

“Pfft!? M-marriage?! W-what are you talking about?!”

“Kyahahaha! Wingfield, I didn’t know you could make that kind of face!”

“Wait, if that happens, what would I be? Wingfield Wingfield? Are you joking?!”

“Hehehe. Isn’t it cute? Or maybe Wingfield Grace.”

Grace laughed. Seeing her laugh, he laughed too. The next day, after confirming each other’s feelings, they defeated the demon lord.

For saving the world, Grace was hailed as a saint, and Wingfield was hailed as the Grand Magician. But he still had something left to do.

Becoming a sage.

“Are you really leaving?”

“Yes…”

“Can’t you just stay with me?”

“I’m sorry.”

“What’s so great about being a sage, huh? Grand Magician Wingfield! Isn’t that cool enough?”

“Grace. Becoming a sage has been my dream for a long time.”

“Is that more important than me…?”

“Because you’re important to me, I want to become a sage.”

Wingfield gently placed his hand on Grace’s shoulder.

“I will climb the Magic Tower and face the trials of the sage. I will definitely… definitely return to your side. I want to stand proudly by your side as a sage.”

“……”

Grace took Wingfield’s hand and placed it on her swollen belly.

“You stubborn fool… I really can’t stop you. Apologize to the baby in my belly too.”

“I’m sorry…”

“By the time you return, they might be so big you won’t recognize them. Feel it now. It’s our child.”

As Grace said, Wingfield could feel the fruit of their love growing through his hand.

“Grace, thank you for understanding.”

“Hmph. Don’t forget. I fell in love with the wandering drug addict Wingfield, not the Grand Magician Wingfield. So… make sure you come back to me. If you don’t, I’ll never forgive you. Got it…?”

“Of course.”

And so, Wingfield left home. It was a long journey. Perhaps even more arduous than the journey to defeat the demon lord.

Wingfield faced death countless times before finally reaching the Magic Tower at the edge of the continent. The trials within the tower were no less challenging. He endured trials that made him want to give up time and time again. All to return to her.

…

……

A considerable amount of time passed. He finally became a sage. The trials he expected to take five years only took three. It was possible because he was a genius. Climbing the Magic Tower, Wingfield became the first sage in history.

Wingfield immediately returned to his nest. For a sage, it was an easy task. In an instant, he arrived in front of the house where they had lived. Now, she would welcome him.

“Grace!”

There was no answer. Something felt off. The small nest they had built in the village was nowhere to be seen. Did he come to the wrong place? But Wingfield, as a sage, couldn’t have made a mistake.

“Grace!”

“Is that… Wingfield?”

“That voice… Hans?!”

It was Hans, his neighbor. But Wingfield couldn’t help but be shocked. In just three years, his kind neighbor’s appearance had changed drastically.

“Wingfield! It really is you! It’s you!”

“Yes, it’s me. But… where’s my wife… Grace? And our house?”

“You… you…”

Wingfield saw it in Hans’s eyes. Anger, hesitation, sadness—all passing through. Hans sighed and spoke.

“Why did you come so late……”

“…What happened?”

“While you were gone, Grace was accused of being a witch.”

A witch? A witch? How could that be? Grace was a saint. Who would dare call her a witch?

“It was the king’s order.”

“What…?”

“After you and Grace defeated the demon lord, people started to resent the king.”

“What kind of nonsense is that? Why would they resent the king?”

“You know how people praised her as a saint… That must have irritated the king. The king’s army came to this village and took Grace away…”

“Just for that… No, that’s not important. Hans. Where’s Grace… Where is she?”

“……Follow me.”

Hans led Wingfield to a corner of the village. There was a small, humble stone.

“I heard that after being accused of being a witch, she was taken to the capital… and burned at the stake.”

Wingfield said nothing. His anger was silent.

“I’m sorry. We couldn’t even find a bone fragment, so this is all we could do…”

Wingfield could no longer hear anything. His despair was deafening.

Sage Wingfield headed to the kingdom. And he erased everything there. Screams, cries, even death—he erased it all.

The capital of an ancient kingdom disappeared from the world. The man named Wingfield disappeared with it.

That’s how it should have been…

The moment he saw the giant light golem, Myohail was happy.

The proof that he had saved the world with her hadn’t been erased. Even after over a thousand years, they had met like this.

“I’m sorry I only found you now…”

Wendy’s golem swung its arm. Myohail’s golem nonchalantly took the hit. It was still immature. Even with the hero’s bloodline, a rookie was still a rookie.

The magical power to face a sage was nowhere near enough. No, there was talent. But the skill was lacking. The experience was lacking. Of course, she couldn’t defeat Myohail. He had planned to kill her here, thinking she was a dangerous individual with black magic. But…

Myohail looked at Wendy, clumsily manipulating her golem. He looked at the traces of him that he thought had disappeared. He looked at her traces.

“Hoho…”

He thought he had grown numb over the thousand years. He thought nothing could shake him anymore. But Myohail’s golem was sluggish. Magic was leaking out.

“This is troublesome…”

At that moment, Wendy’s golem swung a punch. Scattering rainbow-colored magic like after the rain. That obvious attack… he couldn’t dodge it.

Boom.

The light golem’s fist struck the golden golem’s chest. The ground shook. Myohail’s golem staggered.

At that moment, Myohail locked eyes with Tristan Ruelberta. Sitting silently on the bench, watching the test, he looked at Myohail with an unshakable posture. As if he knew everything.

‘Is this what you wanted, Tristan…?’

Myohail’s golem crumbled with a sound.

 

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