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In the morning, Baldwin regained consciousness. As his eyes fluttered open, he saw Olivia sitting beside him, casually eating. She hadn't noticed he was awake yet.

Slowly, Baldwin sat up, his body still feeling the remnants of exhaustion. That's when Olivia finally turned her head and spotted him.

"Hey! Morning! You're awake!" she said with a bright smile. "Are you feeling okay? Also… do you have any extra clothes? Yours are torn and covered in blood."

Baldwin glanced down at himself, letting out a small sigh.

"I know. It was tough out there," he said, stretching his arms. "The beasts suddenly started using shadow abilities and their own strange powers. I had no choice but to bravely run away."

Olivia narrowed her eyes. "Bravely… ran away?"

Baldwin smirked but didn't elaborate.

"Alright, tell me everything, since you're in a talking mood," Olivia said, resting her chin on her hands.

Baldwin looked at her for a moment before chuckling softly.

"You… sound more mature compared to when I first met you."

Olivia blinked. "Really? You just noticed? I've always been like this. And by the way, what does 'mature' mean?"

Baldwin raised an eyebrow. "You don't know what 'mature' means? You really are too pure."

"Of course I am," Olivia said proudly. "Unlike you, who just travels here and there. You're around, what, 15 or 16 years old?"

Baldwin's expression shifted slightly. "Wait… seriously? I look like I'm 15 or 16?"

Olivia tilted her head. "What? You don't know your own age? You're weird."

"It's not that…" Baldwin muttered but didn't explain further.

Olivia shrugged. "Anyway, let's get you something to eat. You skipped dinner."

Baldwin's stomach growled in response. "Yeah, I'm starving."

"Alright, I'll go to the kitchen. Also, Mom wants to talk to you about something," Olivia said as she stood up.

With that, she exited the hut, leaving Baldwin alone with his thoughts.

After Olivia left, Baldwin leaned back, lost in thought.

"I was sure I transformed into a ten-year-old kid… but it looks like I was wrong."

His fingers absently traced the fabric of his torn clothes as his mind raced. Velisara wasn't just any former hero—she was infamous. The Lightning Speed Hero, one of the eleven who fought against the late Demon King, Azazel Greenblade. More than that, she wielded holy light abilities and magic exclusively. That alone made her dangerous.

"I need to be careful about what she asks."

Just then, the door opened. Baldwin didn't even need to look. He already knew who it was.

"Speak of the devilish hero…"

Velisara stepped inside, her sharp eyes immediately locking onto him.

"So, how are you feeling, Baldwin? Doing better today?" she asked casually, but there was a weight behind her words.

Baldwin gave her a small smile. "Yes, Mom. I'm feeling much better. But… what exactly happened to me? How did you find me?"

Velisara folded her arms. "I was looking for you yesterday, but you were nowhere to be found. Then, suddenly, I saw you lying unconscious on the ground."

Baldwin put on a nervous chuckle. "Ah… I see. I guess the beast attack must've knocked me out."

In truth, it was all an act. After reaching the hut, Velisara had placed him on the bed, thinking he was unconscious. But Baldwin had simply fallen asleep. And now, he had to continue his charade.

Velisara, however, wasn't buying things so easily. "Alright then," she said, sitting across from him. "Tell me everything. Every detail."

Just then, Olivia reentered the hut, carrying breakfast. She took a seat beside her mother, her eyes shifting between the two.

Baldwin let out a dramatic sigh. "Yesterday, I was out hunting when, all of a sudden, the sky turned red. It felt… wrong. Like something bad was coming. So, I decided to head back to the hut. That's when I ran into three goblins. But… their skin wasn't green. It was purple."

He paused, adding a bit of fake hesitation, letting his fingers tremble slightly.

"They used shadow abilities… even their pupils were dark. The battle was hard, but somehow, I managed to defeat them."

Velisara's expression remained unreadable. "Shadow goblins," she murmured. "And what happened after that?"

Baldwin exhaled sharply. "I kept running. I'd already used up my powers while hunting, so I thought I'd be safe if I just made it back. But then… a pack of beasts—fifteen or so—ambushed me."

Velisara's gaze narrowed slightly. "Did you fight them off or escape?"

"I ran," Baldwin answered quickly. "I managed to wound a few of them, but that was it."

Before Velisara could say anything else, Olivia piped up. "Mom, what about breakfast?"

Velisara blinked, as if snapping out of her thoughts. "Oh! My apologies." She handed Baldwin a plate of food.

"Thank you," Baldwin said, meeting her gaze. He could tell—his story hadn't completely convinced her yet. There were still more questions in her mind.

As Baldwin ate, Velisara gave Olivia instructions to clean up the hut, the kitchen, and the area outside. Then, turning to Baldwin, she said, "Come with me. We'll be doing some farming today."

Baldwin knew exactly what this was about.

"Yeah… farming. Sure."

He nodded, hiding his smirk. This was just an excuse. Velisara wanted to question him.

After breakfast, Baldwin followed her outside. She walked the familiar path leading to the fields, her pace steady, her silence unbroken. Baldwin kept step behind her, glancing around as they moved.

"She's going to ask me out in the fields, huh?"

The thought barely settled in his mind when Velisara suddenly stopped. With a simple hand gesture, she signaled for him to follow her off the path. They kept walking—further and further—without a word.

Minutes passed.

Then, without warning, Velisara halted. She turned to face him, her sharp gaze locking onto his.

Her eyes began to glow yellow.

"Ah. Here we go."

Baldwin felt the shift in atmosphere, the weight of her scrutiny pressing down on him. He could already guess what she was about to do.

"Time to play the victim card."

He widened his eyes in feigned innocence, his voice trembling slightly as he took a cautious step back.

"Mom? W-what's wrong? Why are your eyes turning yellow?"

Baldwin remained silent, keeping up his act, but Velisara's next words made it clear that she wasn't going to let this go.

"It's time to be honest with each other."

Her voice was calm, steady—but firm. Baldwin didn't respond, keeping his innocent façade intact.

Velisara sighed, then began to speak.

"You must have heard about it—the kingdom that collapsed ten years ago. The Hero Nation."

Baldwin listened quietly, noting the shift in her tone.

"The Hero Nation was founded long ago by the 17th Hero. A kingdom with 36 states. I was its queen. My father was King No. 346… and Hero No. 470. I was his only child."

She paused for a moment, her expression distant as if recalling painful memories.

"My father died when I was still young, during the War of Gonestain. It was an important war, but in the end, we lost. I was only thirteen when I became queen. Our economy was crumbling, our military resources were running out—two thousand years of constant war had left the kingdom in ruins.

"The people were starving, Baldwin. They didn't want the war to continue. To them, there was no difference between dying on the battlefield or dying from hunger. Chaos erupted. Rebellions spread through the states. And to make matters worse, our war with the Demon Nation only became more brutal after our loss in Gonestain. My father's sacrifice meant nothing."

She clenched her fists.

"I did everything I could as a thirteen-year-old queen. But the empire was already collapsing, and there was nothing left to save.

"Ten years ago, the rebels finally won. We signed a peace treaty, and my kingdom ceased to exist. The Ranch Republic was born from the ruins of the Hero Nation.

"I was twenty-seven then. The war had already taken everything from me.

"But there was still one thing left.

"My son."

Baldwin blinked.

Velisara's voice softened, She paused, her breath catching. the sorrow in her eyes deepened.

"Olivia's younger brother."

Silence hung in the air.

"He died."

Her words were heavy, laced with grief.

"His death shattered us. Olivia lost her brother, and nine years ago, she lost her father, too. As for me… I was on the verge of death. A disease had nearly consumed me.

"But you—you saved me from it."

Baldwin tensed.

"When I first saw you, I was reminded of my son. You don't look like him—not at all. But something about you… your presence, your behavior… it's the same."

She looked at him, her golden eyes searching his face.

"So without saying a word, I wanted to hold you as my own. And I still do.

"But before I can do that, I need the truth.

"I've told you my story, Baldwin. Now it's your turn."

Her eyes returned to normal.

Baldwin stiffened, keeping his expression neutral.

"Mom! It's not what you think! I am who I am—Baldwin!"

Velisara didn't waver.

"You can tell me. Even if you're the Demon King himself, I will accept you."

Baldwin's breath hitched.

Her gaze bore into him.

"Now—who are you?"

For a moment, there was silence.

Then, Baldwin exhaled sharply, his lips curling into a half-smile.

"Fine, Mom."

His red pupils began to glow, growing brighter—burning like embers in the night.

"Remember, this is what you wanted."