Chapter 132: - Frozen Heart

༺ Frozen Heart ༻

“Is it about becoming a hero?”

Aishi inquired in a trembling voice upon hearing my words.

“Yes, it’s about being a hero.”

As I repeated my answer, she wore a puzzled expression.

“Anyway, what does this have to do with a cabinet?”

“I already know that you’ve prepared an escape spell in the cabinet to help the royal family members escape.”

Noticing her trying to change the subject, I once again showed off my knowledge to her causing her face to turn pale.

“Wh-Who are you? How do you know all of this?”

“Is my identity important, or is your family more important?”

“...Ugh.”

But she couldn’t bring herself to argue against my words.

It was in line with her character, despising her demonic appearance while striving to protect her family.

“...How can I trust you?”

After hesitating for a while, Aishi finally asked with a timid expression.

“You have no choice but to trust me. Would you trust me if I showed you that you had unknowingly bought a bunch of useless demons?”

“But, still...”

“If that’s the case, I don’t mind making a magical contract.”

I reassured her, and then took out a scroll I had prepared in advance from my pocket.

“Please check it.”

“...Huh?”

She took the scroll with a cautious gaze and examined it, soon showing a dumbfounded expression on her face.

“Is this... not tampered with?”

“Why would you think that?”

“Why? The contract is too favorable for me and too disadvantageous for you, isn’t it?”

Saying that, Aishi quietly started casting a detection spell on the scroll in her hands.

“...It’s, it’s real?”

Soon after, she easily found out that it was indeed real and muttered in a flustered voice.

“What...?”

Aishi, appeared confused and hesitant before me, evoking a sense of pity.

Well, so far, the contracts she had seen or made had always been unequal treaties with other countries.

It had probably been quite a fresh shock for her to have encountered someone in a superior position offering such unfavorable contract terms for themselves.

“So, you’re saying that you’ll help the Royal Family escape from here if I lend you the cabinet?”

“Yes.”

“What’s in it for you?”

“...That’s none of your concern.”

Cautiously looking at me, Aishi asked,

“Wh-What are you going to do with the cabinet? Do you have someone you need to smuggle out too?”

“I’m going to liberate all the slaves.”

“...What!?”

Upon hearing my unexpected declaration, she unwittingly raised her voice.

“What are you...”

“I need the magic you’ve prepared to do that.”

“Wait, wait a minute!”

As I spoke softly to her, Aishi hurriedly began to speak.

“That magic isn’t complete yet. So, even if you try to use it, it won’t be of any use...”

“That’s not a problem. I can handle it.”

“....!?”

Aishi wore a bewildered expression upon hearing my calm response.

‘In fact, it’s not me who’s solving it...’

In my past life, her plan to rescue the Royal Family had failed.

It was because she couldn’t complete the spatial teleportation magic she had cast on the cabinet.

So instead of using the cabinet, she had resorted to attacking the slave market in her demonic form, which then led to her descent into corruption.

‘...But it’s Irina who’s solving it this time.’

However, the circumstances had changed.

If it was Irina, who had a genius talent in the operation and analysis of magic, she would surely be able to complete the teleportation magic in the cabinet.

“The ‘Frozen Heart’ curse slowly freezes the heart, and the only way to lift the curse is to transfer it to someone else.”

“...How terrible.”

“I’ve been afflicted with that curse since I was a child, so I know firsthand how terrifying it can be.”

With that, Aishi smiled coldly.

“It’s not a curse that someone as pathetic as Frey can bear.”

“...I see.”

“Perhaps, soon, he will start experiencing problems with his body. It may have already happened.”

Softly touching her chest with her hand, Aishi continued in a low voice.

“If you fulfill your promise, I will help you threaten Frey with this curse later.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes, I must repay the person who extended a helping hand when I was in trouble.”

With that, Aishi quietly picked up the coffee cup on the desk and added.

“Of course, if you let go of the hand you’re holding... the curse may come your way.”

“...That’s scary.”

“Just kidding, just kidding.”

Soon after, she burst into laughter at my reaction and waved her hand.

“But don’t betray me. I don’t know who you are, but we’ve shared various secrets... and it feels like we’re already in the same boat.”

Then soon after putting on a stern expression, I spoke again.

“Oh, I have a third and final reason.”

“...Yes?”

As I stared at her blankly.

“...I felt pity.”

“Excuse me?”

“It was heartbreaking as well.”

Having said that, I soon fell into deep thought.

‘...I’m tired of tragedies.’

The ‘Frozen Heart’ curse she bore could not be taken back once it was transferred to someone else.

In the original story, she escaped the slave market, was fatally wounded, and unknowingly shared the curse with the royals temporarily with their consent.

Only then did she realize she couldn’t take the curse back.

As a result, she became the sole heir to the throne of the Cloud Kingdom, leading to a life of despair, self-loathing, and guilt.

How pitiful and unfair this situation was.

“That’s why I decided to save you.”

“......?”

So, I made up my mind.

To bear her curse and transfer it to no one else but me.

“...Just so you know.”

Well, my heart would grow colder in due time.

But since it’s bound to disappear once I die and get resurrected, there’s no problem.

“Then...”

However, what if I don’t get resurrected?

“...Farewell.”

I should try not to dwell on such thoughts as much as possible in the future.

“Hmm...”

Meanwhile, at that very moment.

“...For a slave, their appearance seems too intact.”

Ruby, with a curious expression, looked around the human slave market and headed inside.

Main Quest: The Advent of the False Hero

Quest Content: Declare yourself as the Hero to the world.

Reward: Increases the Awakening Progress of your main body.

Failure Penalty: Decrease in vitality and lifespan

“...It’s about time I became the hero.”

She said, looking at the system window floating in front of her.

“...You’re the hero?”

For some reason, Ruby failed to notice Glare, who was still following her, wrapped in a faint light.

“It’s a lie.”

Glare, remaining unseen, carefully observed Ruby’s actions and expressions. Even though she was a dragon, her curiosity and fascination with the human slave market were quite surprising. She couldn’t help but wonder what her true intentions were and whether she had any ulterior motives behind claiming to be the hero.