"Knight Accel: Going Back II"

Rat Calendar, Year 2026

28th Day of February - 2nd Day of March

The Inner City Empire of Solaris, Teleportation Hub, Lounge Area

Accel remained at the Lounge Area inside the Teleportation Hub for several days, using it as his temporary resting place. His decision to stay was deliberate—he needed confirmation that the northern forces had been fully eliminated before he departed. If the mission was incomplete, there was always a chance that someone might come looking for him, or worse, that the conflict would escalate.

Days passed, and finally, an official announcement arrived from the World of Tranquilis: the last remnants of the northern resistance had been eradicated. No further threats remained. The Western Continent's noble soldiers and officers, along with volunteers from various other continents, had suffered minimal losses. It was a decisive victory—one that would go down in history.

As the afternoon sun cast its warm glow over the grand Solaris Empire, Accel prepared for his journey home. His departure had been carefully planned, and now that the final battle had ended, his schedule aligned perfectly. While he readied himself, the entire 1st to 10th Field Armies returned triumphantly to the Solaris Empire. The conclusion of the Second Expedition marked the beginning of a new phase—one where future expeditions would focus not on war but on exploration. The vast and untamed lands of Tranquilis would soon become the next great frontier.

As expected, rewards and merits were promptly distributed before the volunteers returned to their respective continents. Titles were granted, and honors were bestowed upon those who had distinguished themselves. However, amidst the celebrations and formalities, there was one lingering issue that refused to be ignored—Accel's abrupt departure.

Margrave Alistair Durnhelm Vaelmont, Supreme Commander of the 5th Field Army, could not let the matter rest. His frustration was evident as he stormed into the Registration Center. He needed answers. More specifically, he needed to know everything about Accel Winchester.

"Find me his records," Vaelmont ordered.

The officer at the counter hesitated, then began searching through the database. A few minutes passed. Then a few more. Vaelmont's patience began to wear thin.

"I'm sorry, Lord Vaelmont," the officer finally said, shaking his head. "There are no records under the name 'Accel Winchester' in the Swordsman System registry."

Vaelmont frowned. "Check again."

The officer tried once more, going through all possible variations. The results were the same—nothing.

The confusion spread among those accompanying Vaelmont. How could there be no records of Accel Winchester, the very same man who had performed so spectacularly during the expedition? The sudden farewell letter had already left many baffled, but this new revelation only deepened the mystery.

"He must have used a false name," one of Vaelmont's officers muttered.

"A fake name?" another echoed. "Then who was he?"

A grim realization settled over them. If Accel had been hiding his true identity all along, then everything they thought they knew about him was now in question. Theories began circulating almost immediately. Some believed he was a rogue noble from an unknown house. Others speculated that he was an exiled warrior who had been using the Second Expedition as a means to redeem himself. But the most popular theory, the one that quickly took root in both military and political circles, was that he was no ordinary man at all.

"He could be a hidden master," one officer suggested. "A prodigy trained in secret. Perhaps even a lost sword saint."

Vaelmont remained silent, deep in thought. If Accel Winchester had truly been a fabrication, then who had they been fighting alongside all this time? More importantly, why had this mysterious warrior chosen to join their cause, only to disappear without a trace?

Meanwhile, Accel had already left the empire, unaware of the turmoil his departure had caused. As he stepped through the massive teleportation hub, his mind was at ease. He had achieved what he set out to do, gained valuable experience, and had no regrets about leaving before things grew even more complicated. He had no interest in titles or recognition—he simply wanted to move forward on his own path.

Unbeknownst to him, the news of the Second Expedition's conclusion had begun spreading across the continents. The media had already picked up on the major events that had unfolded, with one headline in particular drawing widespread attention:

"Northerners Annihilated: A Victorious End to the Second Expedition."

However, another story quickly gained traction, one that would ignite rumors and speculation for weeks to come:

"The Hidden Master: The Mysterious Prodigy Who Vanished Without a Trace."

Without a verifiable identity, unknown person's name was omitted from the official records. Instead, he became a legend—a nameless warrior who had appeared, fought alongside the Western armies, and disappeared just as suddenly. His feats were undeniable, but his true origins remained a mystery.

In the eyes of the Western Continent, Accel Winchester was no more. In his place stood the legend of the Hidden Master—a ghostly figure whose presence in the Second Expedition was now the subject of countless theories, whispered tales, and grand exaggerations.

As Accel made his way home, he remained blissfully unaware of the storm he had left behind.