43.2-23 The Chosen Hero

The Wizards' Decision – Use Edwin

After the Wizard Guild's internal meeting,a new objective was quietly set into motion.

They could not completely stop the Sorcerer faction.But they also could not allow them to gain official recognition within the kingdom.Therefore, they needed to put forth a new "hero" to maintain political dominance.

They already had the perfect candidate in mind:

Edwin.

He had already achieved multiple victoriesand had built a reputation across the kingdom as the "hero of the next era."

Most importantly—he was strong.And more critically, he appeared controllable.

"We must build a new order around Sir Edwin,"declared a high-ranking Wizard.

"The Sorcerers will eventually seek true independence.If the kingdom intends to nurture them,then we must create a strong faction the kingdom can trust and prefer."

"And that faction must revolve around Edwin."

That was the Wizards' political choice.

Edwin and the Wizards – A Quiet Approach

That night,in a makeshift base near the battlefield,Edwin was sharpening his sword, as always.

The Wizards were now frequently at his side.They never gave direct orders.Instead, they subtly guided his thoughts.

"You must become stronger, Sir Edwin.""You are not merely a warrior—you are a leader on the battlefield.""If you wish to become a true hero, you must think beyond the fight itself."

Their words were simple,but they stirred something deep within Edwin.

He knew—Wizards never speak without calculating something.They always have an agenda.

And yet—

They weren't wrong.

"You are someone the kingdom needs.""The rise of the Sorcerer faction is a threat to you, too."

That single statementlodged itself deeply in his mind.

The Kingdom and the Wizards – Calculated Strategy

The kingdom might cultivate the Sorcerer faction to check the power of the Wizards.

But they would never fully trust the Sorcerers.

What the kingdom truly wanted was a "strong, controllable force."

The Wizards understood this.And they made the decision to preemptively present such a force.

That force—would be Edwin.

"We must move first.""Before the kingdom turns its gaze to the Sorcerers, we need to build a powerful order centered around Sir Edwin.""If the kingdom needs a new faction,let us be the ones to create and offer it."

They began putting the plan into action:

Ensure Edwin receives official support from the royal court.

Expand his influence until he becomes a politically critical figure.

Frame the Sorcerers as a dangerous, uncontrollable threat, prompting the kingdom to oppose them.

Thus, a new dynamic was being shaped—Sorcerer Faction vs. Edwin's Order.

Edwin's Shift – Inner Turmoil

Edwin could feel himself changing.

He no longer sought mere victory.

He truly wanted to become a hero.

But he wasn't sure if this path aligned with what he truly desired.

He stared at his sword for a long time.Then, the Wizards' words echoed again.

"If you wish to create the world you envision,you must also be ready to lead it."

He asked himself:

"Will I remain just a sword-wielder?""Or will I become a true hero?"

He hadn't found an answer yet.But he was already changing.

A Watchful Presence in the Dark

That night,someone watched Edwin from the shadows.

They said nothing.They simply observed his transformation in silence.

They were a messenger of the gods—a being that sensed the shifts in human destiny.

A faint smile crossed their lips.

"So, fate has begun to move."

They took a step back—and vanished without a trace.

***

Chapter : The Invisible Pull

Mission from the Occult Organization – A New Lead

On the outskirts of the city,a quiet building stood isolated.

At first glance, it resembled an ordinary research facility.In truth, it was a branch of the Occult Organization.

Damian and his team were there, receiving a new mission.

"There's an intriguing case,"said a man seated across from them—clearly one of the researchers.

"A small village nearby has been reporting strange incidents."

Ian crossed his arms.

"What kind of incidents?"

The researcher explained calmly.

"People are disappearing.But it's not a simple case of missing persons."

"Meaning?"

"In some cases, villagers vanish at specific times and places—only to reappear later with no memory or in states of extreme terror."

Leanne narrowed her eyes.

"Is there a time pattern?"

"No clear pattern.But the number of incidents is increasing."

Ian stared at the researcher.

"So, you want us to figure it out."

The researcher nodded.

"More precisely, we want to uncover the cause."

At last, Damian spoke quietly.

"There must be a reason your people aren't investigating it directly."

The researcher hesitated, then replied.

"We already sent in several personnel."

"And?"

"Some never returned.Those who did were… mentally unstable."

Cain muttered calmly,

"…So it's something even you can't handle internally."

The researcher gave a vague smile.

"We're researchers.But you… you're battle-tested."

Ian gave a dry laugh.

"In other words, you want us to take the risk for you."

The researcher didn't deny it.

That's when Leanne asked, voice steady but sharp.

"What I want to know is this—Your Occult Organization… after what we've seen,you're not exactly what I'd call trustworthy."

"Is this really a purely academic mission?"

The researcher wore a conflicted expression, then answered.

"I understand your suspicion.""But at our core, we study unexplained phenomena.We seek truth—yes, even when it's dangerous."

Damian listened in silence, thinking.

Because of their past dealings,he didn't believe they were just a group of truth-seekers.

But—

This time felt different.

It didn't feel like a scheme.They were genuinely chasing something unknown.

Still, the organization wasn't clean.There were clearly secrets—and possibly dangerous experiments underway.

Subtle Guidance – The Unseen Hand

"One more thing,"the researcher added, opening a document.

"Have you ever heard of something called… Black Veil?"

The atmosphere shifted.Damian's eyes sharpened.Leanne and Ian stared at the man.

Black Veil.

The name might sound like superstition,but they knew it hinted at a recurring figure—a hidden force behind past anomalies.

Damian spoke low.

"…So you know something."

The researcher smiled faintly.

"We're just providing information."

"Besides," he added with a sly grin,"Someone like you—once you hear a rumor like this,you won't be able to sit still."

Ian laughed quietly.

"Clever move.You didn't have to ask us directly—you just had to bait us."

The researcher didn't answer,but the silence confirmed it.

They weren't just issuing a request.They were manipulating events,making sure Damian's team got pulled in.

The Wizards behind this organization knew how to use psychology.

Damian stared at the man.

This wasn't a simple mission.It felt like everything had been set up in advance—as if they'd known he would bite.

He murmured under his breath.

"…Already trying to control us."

Leanne added,

"But we can't ignore it either."

Cain nodded.

"Now that we know, we're already involved."

Ian shrugged.

"Guess we're going."

Damian looked at the researcher one last time.Then he stood.

"…Fine.""We'll see it for ourselves."

Shadows Within – A Fractured Order

After Damian's group departed,inside the research facility—

The researcher quietly organized papers,then looked toward another Wizard.

"…That should be enough."

The Wizard looked out the window.

"If he moves,perhaps the real cause—the one even we don't know—will reveal itself."

But—

Even they didn't realize:

There was something strange stirring inside the facility as well.

Is this group truly seeking truth?Or are they inviting disaster?

No one knew for sure.

And far in the dark,a figure smiled.

"…Fascinating.""Let's see how far you'll go, Damian."