The Second Salvation Myth of a Retired Regressed Hero

“…I see.”

Inwardly, Doyun marveled. Though a criminal, the handling had been swift and ruthless.

The Headmaster was also impressed by Doyun’s unfazed reaction.

“You don’t inquire about the specifics? Why his arm wasn’t reattached?”

“There must have been appropriate reasons.”

The Headmaster smiled wryly. This student was increasingly fascinating the more he observed him.

Knock, knock.

“Come in.”

The door opened, and the attending secretary set tea and refreshments on the table.

Doyun examined the spread. While not abundant, the refreshments seemed quite high-class, and the wafting aroma of the tea was quite pleasant.

While the excessive courtesy hinted at underlying intentions, it was still welcome for Doyun, an epicure.

The Headmaster offered Doyun some tea, and they both took a sip.

Slurp.

The Headmaster’s eyes gleamed as he watched Doyun’s manner of drinking the tea.

Doyun had taken a minuscule sip, spreading the tea over his tongue and gums instead of swallowing – a way to savor the aroma when the tea was hottest.

Unbeknownst to the Headmaster, this was a habit of Enoch’s when first tasting tea.

“You seem quite versed in tea appreciation.”

“I simply enjoy it occasionally.”

Doyun nonchalantly set down the cup. The tea leaves, unique to this world and absent on Earth, held a nostalgic yet welcome aroma.

The Headmaster found this student increasingly inscrutable.

‘That gaze he had shown during the tournament. He had clearly restrained from killing out of necessity.’

He hadn’t been swept away by emotions or homicidal impulses – it was the cold, calculating gaze of one completely mastering their feelings, considering only what was necessary.

He hadn’t hesitated to kill. Rather, he had weighed the circumstances and decided against the option of killing.

The instructors who had observed Doyun all shared the same sentiment:

‘What kind of life did he live in his home dimension?’

Immense skills. Sharp wits. Ruthless hands. And now, naturally exuding sophistication as well.

As one instructor had put it, he was like a prestigious martial clan’s young master who had survived the succession battles of the martial realm. The Headmaster shared that impression.

‘Though he seems closer to an enlightened warrior rather than a young master.’

Just what kind of life would shape someone like him in the peaceful dimension of Earth?

Slurp.

The two sipped their tea in silence.

“…I played a small part in Torn’s matter.”

“I see.”

“I delayed reattaching his severed arm and expedited his trial instead. I rendered a swift judgement to expel him from the Cradle. With his student status revoked, the Cradle no longer had any obligation to provide him protection or treatment. He was cast out into society with his severed arm.”

“I see.”

“…”

Doyun took another sip of tea. After observing him further, the Headmaster spoke up.

“…Shall we move on to the main topic?”

“Yes.”

“First… I apologize. The Cradle failed to properly protect Student Han Doyun.”

Doyun simply took another sip of tea, a gesture to continue speaking.

“The one who slew the boss monster was Student Han Doyun, correct?”

“Yes.”

As expected.

“Everyone at the Cradle is aware of this fact. Naturally, it was reported to the various guilds.”

“There must have been external pressure.”

“Indeed.”

Doyun nodded. Having lived through all manner of political turmoil, he possessed keen eyes to read the current tides.

“The external pressure had existed previously. But with the specific individual now revealed, it became utterly unbearable.”

“I see.”

“Soon… High-ranking officials from each guild will come to inspect the Cradle. Of course, the ‘inspection’ is merely a pretext – they’re coming to see Student Han Doyun.”

Clearly, their intent was to vie for the boss monster killer Doyun.

While displeased with the current situation, the Headmaster knew it exceeded his ability to handle.

‘With pressure coming from even the Royal Family and World Tree Guild…’

The World Tree Guild’s master wouldn’t resort to such underhanded methods no matter the potential gain. This was likely the doing of the vice guild master who prioritized the guild above all else.

The World Tree’s vice guild master wasn’t a bad person either. She too was a righteous apostle upholding the allied cause. Their interests simply clashed here.

While the Headmaster understood, it still left a bitter taste.

“I apologize. The Cradle failed in its duty to protect its students.”

“No need. I’m fine, so please don’t worry about it. I did cause quite a commotion during the tournament.”

“…Thank you for understanding. I’m truly grateful.”

Doyun didn’t take it negatively. Just as they sought to assess him, this was an opportunity for him to assess them in turn.

When lacking strength, one must ride the tides to gain advantage – the survival method of the weak. For now, Doyun would entrust himself to the currents.

Rather, he should utilize such opportunities.

“Headmaster. Though it’s an odd request, may I trouble you for a favor?”

“Hmm? Oh… So Student Han Doyun does make requests. Of course, feel free to ask.”

The Headmaster was rather pleased by Doyun’s request, as he had just apologized, making this more comfortable for him as well.

“Umm… Among the guilds you mentioned will be coming for the inspection, could you check if any were affiliated with Enoch Ruszvolnik’s comrades from a century ago?”

“Hmm?”

The Headmaster tilted his head, perplexed by this unfamiliar request.

“Hmm… No need to look further. There is actually a guild that immediately comes to mind. A very renowned one, in fact.”

At those words, Doyun inwardly brightened.

“Which guild is it?”

“The ‘World Tree’, the nation’s top guild most likely to recruit Student Han Doyun. Its current guild master was apparently a renowned swordsman from the great hero Enoch’s guild.”

“By any chance, do you know their name?”

Doyun asked, quite excited.

He would surely know. How could he not know the name of the top guild’s master?

He had indeed said ‘renowned swordsman’. Doyun could immediately think of far more than just five who fit that description – Enoch’s comrades had all been famous for their valor and might.

Doyun awaited with bated breath for the Headmaster to speak the name, feeling this short moment drag on excruciatingly.

‘Who could it be?’

Finally, his lips parted, and the anticipated name was uttered.

“Eloah Atwood.”

Eloah. Eloah Atwood.

“…Pardon?”

Eloah?

The Eloah I know?

“…By any chance, is she an elf woman?”

“Yes. So you were already aware. It seems you’ve been attentive in your lessons.”

The Headmaster smiled, but Doyun struggled to conceal his incredulity.

Eloah? Truly the Eloah he remembered?

‘…A renowned swordsman? Who?’

The Eloah Doyun remembered had been a constant presence at the guild house.

Chirping ‘Hero! Hero!’ as she trailed after Enoch like a lovesick puppy.

‘That chick… is the master of this nation’s top guild?’

She had been an 11-year-old aspiring swordsman.

+++

To collect his thoughts, Doyun took a stroll along the dirt walking path, still having ample time before his next class.

‘Ah… the nostalgia is overwhelming.’

The Headmaster’s words had truly driven home for Doyun that a century had passed.

Eloah Atwood was the daughter of the elven vanguard commander Atwood, with whom Enoch had shared a close friendship. When the vanguard commander had prepared for the war against the Demon Lord, he had entrusted his daughter to his heroic friend Enoch.

The adorable elven girl Eloah, considered a symbol of beauty among her race, had lived at the guild house, serving as a mascot of sorts to heal the guild members’ hearts.

All the guild members had treated Eloah like a daughter or little sister. For Eloah, who had been separated from her clan from a young age, the guild had been her family.

And the one Eloah had admired above all others, the embodiment of courage and justice revered by all, was none other than the hero Enoch Ruszvolnik himself.

‘That chick… the master of this nation’s top guild? Really?’

No matter how much he mulled it over, he couldn’t believe it. And the more he did, the more he wanted to laugh.

The elven vanguard commander position was hereditary. That clan was known for their unusually blonde hair among elves – not just blonde, but a distinctively bright shade.

Due to this trait, Eloah’s nickname at the guild had been ‘Chick’.

Doyun could still vividly recall the sight of Eloah chirping ‘I’ll get strong and join the guild!’ while swinging a wooden sword in the guild’s courtyard.

‘I want to meet her.’

He wondered how much the chick had grown in the century that had passed.

Doyun became lost in reminiscence, imagining her current appearance, the nostalgic scent of fresh petrichor from the recent rain adding to the atmosphere.

Splish, splosh. The rhythmic sound of footsteps in the shallow puddles reverberated.

To Doyun, immersed in fond memories, even this became music.

Splish, splosh.

Until his next class, Doyun strolled the walking path, contemplating the old connection he would soon reunite with.