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Since getting off the elevator, Kirrin had been sticking close to Dian.

This place was a safe, well-managed tourist destination, and various professors and assistants were already keeping an eye on the students. There wasn’t much for the headmaster to do.

The guide from the castle’s tourism management was leading the tour, with Professor Ismera providing additional explanations.

This allowed Kirrin to stay close to Dian without worry.

“You’re not a student, you should be at the front. Why do you keep following me?”

“Ugh. I’m just making sure no student gets left behind.”

Kirrin replied with a sly smile, offering a flimsy excuse.

When Dian gave up asking, Kirrin continued to trail behind him.

“When the Demon King’s army occupied the castle, all these people here were taken as prisoners.”

The guide paused in the courtyard to introduce the elderly caretakers.

They were veterans who had been captured by the Demon King’s army and miraculously survived.

Kirrin, fearing they might react angrily upon seeing a Dark Elf, hid behind Dian.

“Now, let’s head into the main castle!”

As the group moved into the main castle, Dian and Kirrin were passing by the veterans when suddenly, the veterans excitedly approached Dian.

“Oh! Oh no!”

Kirrin was frightened by the sight of the veterans approaching with sharp pruning shears.

“Ugh… oh…”

But the feared attack did not happen. The veterans dropped their shears and clasped Dian’s hands, tears streaming down their faces.

Kirrin found the scene difficult to comprehend.

The age difference between Dian and the veterans was like that of a grandfather and his grown grandson.

One was the Head Combat Professor at the Special Mission Academy, and the others were elderly veterans employed as caretakers.

There seemed to be no common ground between them…

“I’m glad to see you’re all doing well.”

Dian comforted the veterans with a gentle voice, embracing their shoulders.

“I’m a professor at the academy. We’re here on a field trip. Everything has changed so much since then; it’s surprising.”

Dian continued speaking, and the veterans, unable to stop their tears, nodded repeatedly.

According to the Combat Department professors, Dian was a veteran of the battle to reclaim this place, so he must have known these men back then.

Seeing Dian console the weeping veterans, Kirrin felt an unexpected sense of reverence and found herself tearing up.

She had always thought of Dian as someone who took everything lightly and was always cheerful, but he had this side to him as well…

“Ah…”

Just then, Felimia, who had just joined the group, let out an involuntary gasp upon seeing Dian.

# # # # #

While Kirrin sniffled and wiped her tears, Felimia stared at Dian in a trance-like state.

She had just received holy healing from Priestess Maya and rejoined the group late.

When the guide had explained Sir Linus’s infiltration route, ‘those memories’ had resurfaced, causing severe dizziness and nausea.

‘Those memories’ were the ones she had seen in Dian’s mind at the pub a few days ago.

Felimia had been so shocked by the gruesome images that she had run outside and vomited loudly against a wall.

She had almost fainted from the sudden, horrific scenes that unfolded without warning.

No matter how much she prided herself on her mastery of psychological warfare and her ability to remain unshaken, there were no absolutes in this world.

What did I just see? Whose memories were those? Could they really be Professor Dian’s…?

But that makes no sense… Those can’t be Dian’s memories…

“Wipe your mouth.”

The sudden voice startled Felimia, making her almost collapse.

A strong hand caught her arm, supporting her.

“Here, wipe your mouth.”

Dian, who had followed her out, handed her a tissue.

“Th-Thank you…”

Felimia wiped her mouth with the tissue, looking at Dian with fearful eyes.

“Who are you… really?”

“You saw it all, didn’t you?”

“But those… those aren’t your memories. They should be Sir Linus’s.”

The only person who climbed the cliff of Ivronic Castle occupied by the Demon King’s army was the hero of the continent, Sir Linus.

That was definitely Sir Linus’s memory…

Felimia suddenly felt a chill run down her spine.

She recalled the testimonies about two mysterious humans from ten years ago when she interrogated the demons.

The blonde and the tousled brown-haired man who always stuck together.

The blonde was undoubtedly Sir Linus, which meant the tousled brown-haired man was really…

“Professor… you were Sir Linus’s companion…”

“That’s right. I moved with Linus from the time I enlisted as a lower-ranking soldier.”

Surprisingly, Dian revealed his identity without hesitation.

“What you saw just now was a memory from the time we climbed the cliff together during the recapture of Ivronic Castle. It was a shocking scene, wasn’t it?”

“Yes…”

“Even seasoned soldiers lost their minds back then. It must have been overwhelming for you, who specialized in psychological warfare from the rear.”

Felimia bit her lip and closed her eyes tightly. It was a memory she never wanted to revisit.

“I enlisted as a lower-ranking soldier in the 8th Corps, landed in the Kingdom of Avoca, and met Linus. We performed various missions together. Of course, I can’t tell you most of them. Even if I experienced them, I can’t casually disclose the Empire’s secrets.”

“Then… were you also part of the Demon King Slayer Special Unit…”

“The Palace didn’t provide the academy with any information about me when I was appointed.”

Felimia tried to speak, but Dian continued.

“I don’t know why. I haven’t asked yet. Maybe it’s for political reasons or just to maintain the academy’s hierarchy. But there must be a reason why the Palace acted that way, don’t you think?”

“Yes…”

“I share the same sentiment as the Palace . I don’t want unnecessary attention. Like the kind of attention you’re giving me, Felimia.”

Although not explicitly stated, Felimia understood it as a clear warning: “Don’t bother me.”

“So, keep the memory you saw today and what I said to yourself. No one would believe you anyway unless they see it for themselves.”

Dian’s words were true.

If Felimia ran into the pub and told the other professors that she saw Dian climb the cliff of Ivronic Castle with Sir Linus, that he had been with Linus since his days as a lower-ranking soldier, and that Dian was one of the heroes who saved the continent, how many would believe her?

Even if it’s the truth, something too outlandish seems like a lie.

“Are we done now? If you have more questions, let me know. I can always show you my memories.”

“I-I’ll decline…”

Stammering, the frightened Felimia watched Dian laugh heartily and head back into the pub.

After that, Felimia never mentioned her suspicions about Dian’s past again. She had no desire to.

Dian’s warning was one reason, but the memory she glimpsed was so shocking that she was terrified of recalling it.

The mere thought of accidentally bringing up those memories again was enough to paralyze her with fear.

She had considered not coming on this field trip but couldn’t miss the academy’s first trip since its founding.

Barely managing to pull herself together, Felimia followed the group into the inner courtyard and saw Dian comforting the veterans.

Across the Empire, there were numerous paintings and statues of Sir Linus, depicting him leading the human alliance through the chaos of battle or holding the severed head of the Demon King.

Felimia had seen many of these, but none had moved her as much as seeing Dian now.

Bathed in sunlight streaming through the narrow valley, Dian hugging the veterans was as beautiful and sacred as any artwork praising Sir Linus.

Only then did Felimia realize.

The Head Combat Professor, Dian, was one of the heroes who saved the continent alongside Sir Linus.

He was a nameless hero who lived quietly, leaving all his achievements behind.

Despite this, there wasn’t even a small monument to honor him.

Caught up in the horrific memories she saw, Felimia had missed this realization.

Removing her glasses and wiping her eyes with her sleeve, Felimia thought:

I will keep Professor Dian’s secret to myself, as he wishes.

Until Dian or the Imperial Palace decides to reveal the whole truth.

For someone like me to gossip about him would be a vulgar insult and a severe disrespect.

Felimia bowed her head in silent reverence.

She paid this small tribute to a hidden and forgotten hero who sought neither recognition nor reward for his deeds.

However, despite Felimia’s intention to keep Dian’s secret out of respect, several others had already witnessed the scene.