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༺ A Huge Twist ༻
"Chirp!"
"What's going on?"
As Glare approached the bathroom, Roswyn vented her frustration at Frey while staring into the mirror.
"Ouch! Hey, what are you doing… Ouch!"
A canary pecked at her forehead, and she instinctively swatted at it.
"Chirp! Chirp!"
"Argh, ack!"
Relentlessly, the canary continued its assault on her forehead.
"Ugh…"
Roswyn's eyes welled up from the weak but fierce attack, which also left a slight scrape, drawing blood.
"This is…"
In a foul mood, she summoned solar mana and aimed it at the canary.
"Chirp~♪"
"Huh, what…?"
Despite Roswyn's attack, the canary trilled a beautiful song and flapped its wings.
Roswyn's weak solar mana was no match for Clana's fully awakened mana. In fact, the canary absorbed the mana.
"Really… Why.. Why can't anything go right for me lately…!!"
– Bang! Bang!
In frustration, Roswyn unleashed random shots of solar mana.
"Chirp!"
"Ah!"
Due to her actions, scraps from the broken ceiling struck the canary. Wincing, it lunged toward Roswyn's forehead again.
"…Got you!"
"Chirp!?"
Roswyn, anticipating the attack, caught the canary just before it could peck her forehead again.
– Zzzzzz!!!
"Kyaaaaaaah!!"
Then, something unexpected happened.
"Chirp, chirp…?"
Usually, her Helper System would activate with the flower given by Frey, but it oddly triggered when Roswyn grabbed the petal-turned-canary.
Unbeknownst to her, even the effects of the [Closed Conquest Route] were active.
"Ugh…"
– Thud…
Overwhelmed by the side effects, Roswyn collapsed onto the bathroom floor.
"...…"
After a while, the canary managed to escape her grasp.
– Peck, peck, peck!!
Looking at the momentarily unconscious Roswyn, it angrily pecked at her forehead.
"Chirp! Chirp!"
This continued until Glare entered the bathroom several minutes later.
.
.
.
.
.
"Ugh…"
It was dark all around.
"Where am I…"
Clutching her throbbing head, Roswyn rose and muttered in the gloomy space.
"…Is this my room?"
Despite the deep darkness, the unmistakable signs of her room surrounded her—the walls adorned with her favorite flowers and albums featuring pictures of the Hero she adored.
"But… I was in the bathroom just now…"
Roswyn was puzzled over how she had transitioned from battling a fierce canary to sitting in her room.
'Am I dreaming?'
She entertained the thought for a moment and cautiously took a step forward.
Surveying the room, she hoped to awaken from this perplexing dream.
"…Huh?"
However, as she moved, something hugged her foot.
"Ah!"
Startled, she looked down and screamed at the sight before her.
"....."
Beneath her was a girl, her head bowed.
"Wh-who… who are you…"
Maintaining a guarded expression, Roswyn approached the girl cautiously.
"Gasp."
Recognition struck her when she saw the girl, and her eyes widened in shock.
"Oh my God…"
The girl was none other than herself.
"Hehe."
Yet, she looked different from her present self. A dazed expression lingered on her face, with visible traces of dried tears. Her hair, a tangled mess with some parts falling out, held an unexpected silver hue.
"…Hero?"
"Eek!"
Staring at her own image, Roswyn recoiled at the sound of her own voice and fell to the floor in shock.
"Th…"
Quickly, she opened her mouth, scanning the surroundings.
"Oh my…"
The walls had scratch marks, and numerous photos of Ruby and flowers received by her were scattered on the floor.
But what about the photos and flowers currently hanging on the walls?
"Star… flowers?"
Upon this realization, Roswyn glanced back at the wall, recognizing that all the flowers adorning her room were star flowers. She took a slow step back.
"So… the photos…?"
Gradually sensing that something was off, she looked up.
"...…"
A familiar face met her gaze.
"Why...?"
It was a once-familiar face, one she believed she would have forever. But now, it seemed like something she might never have again.
"…Hehe, he."
As her consciousness waned, Roswyn heard her own laughter echoing as she stared at the photo.
'What's… going on…?'
She closed her eyes and pondered the inexplicable situation.
"Th, this…"
Upon waking up and opening her eyes, she was greeted by a floating system window.
"...…."
Initially confused, she soon regarded the system window with a serious gaze.
"Excuse me…"
Glare, shifting her gaze between Roswyn and the system window, tried to say something.
"Fi, finally!!"
"Eek!"
Roswyn's eyes widened as she shouted, compelling Glare to step back, unable to proceed.
"I'm finally awakened! Finally!"
Ignoring Glare, she excitedly bounced around the room like a child.
According to the Sunset family's prophecy, the firstborn daughter would become the Hero's Helper with unique powers in a thousand years.
Disguised as the daughter of an intelligence guild member, she had hidden her identity, enduring a tedious and uncomfortable life.
At that moment, her complexes, seemingly average physical abilities, and mana vanished completely.
"Lalala♪ Lala♪"
"Excuse me…"
She hummed a tune filled with overflowing happiness.
"Chirp!"
"Ah!"
A canary with a baffled expression pecked at her forehead, causing her to retreat with a tear trickling down.
"Is this real… Huh?"
Then, Roswyn glared at the small creature perched out of her reach, flaring its nostrils.
Helper System> Identity of the Hero
– The identity of the Hero, as you know…[System Error] [System Error] [System Error]> Functions
> Store
> Achievements
"…..???"
Roswyn stared blankly at the system error window, her expression soon turning flustered.
"What is this…?"
[Assessing Compatibility…]
Her special ability fizzled out with golden sparks. At the bottom, weird characters flashed, indicating a clear issue.
"Excuse me!!"
"Oh my gosh!"
As she examined the system window with folded arms, a voice from below startled her, and she screamed.
"Sis, are you… the Helper of the Hero?"
"Huh?"
With a wary look in her eyes, Glare questioned her.
"Yes, that's right. I'm now the Helper of the Hero… Wait, who are you?"
When Roswyn heard the question, she stopped laughing and glared back with suspicion.
"Which Hero do you serve?"
"What?"
"Do you mean Ruby? Or perhaps… the Hero of…"
"Why should I tell you that?"
When Glare approached her with an intimidating look, she was horrified.
– Boom! Boom!!
"Uh, Ugh…?''
The surroundings suddenly shook, and she frantically looked around, her expression filled with fear.
"What's happening?"
"…It's an attack."
"An attack?"
Soon after, Glare, who had been staring at her, answered, and Roswyn tilted her head in confusion.
"The Demon King's army has attacked this place."
"What?"
"Judging by the immense magic energy I feel from the main hall… a fierce battle might be taking place now."
"....!!!"
Without listening further, she hurriedly operated the system.
"Features… This won't work. Achievements? This won't do either… Store… yes."
"Hmm?"
Luckily, she could access the store.
Store
Item: Healing Potion
Quantity: 2
Price: Free
Do You Accept: Y/N
She pressed the left button hastily and dashed out of the bathroom.
"I must help the Hero…!"
She exclaimed, her face pale.
.
.
.
.
.
– Baaam! Booooom!
– Fizz, sizzle…!
Dmir Khan's spatial magic clashed with the Tower Master's elemental magic.
"…Impressive. Your magic has no attribute, making it hard for me to interfere."
"Ehh, shut your mouth. You always spew stupid things during battle."
Though the magic casters floated in the air, they chatted with serene expressions.
– Whirrr…!
"Kwaaak!"
"Crazy… It was just a shockwave… To shatter steel…"
The people around them felt differently.
"Eek! Eeek!"
"No, don't come!"
In one corner of the main hall, noble young ladies and high-ranking nobles huddled together in panic, seeking shelter.
"Ugh… Why are they so strong…"
"What's with this? So weak. Are they really the Knight Order?"
"Sis, can we eat this one?"
"…No, he said not to kill."
The Imperial Family's Knights, the Church's Knights, and the guards were being pushed back.
"Miss Ruby! We need to get out of here! If we lose the Hero, it's all over!"
"…I can't hold my shield anymore."
"Woahhh!! This is bad!!"
"...."
Ruby surveyed her surroundings. She saw Vener, sobbing but still showing great loyalty, the paladin moving her shield lifelessly, and Ferloche shouting at the top of her lungs.
"…This is madness."
She muttered softly and drew the Fake Hero's sword.
– Crack!!!
She attacked with overwhelming force.
"Hmm?"
However, Dmir Khan easily dodged her attack.
"That's strange…"
Dmir Khan mused, looking down at Ruby with a curious expression.
"You don't seem as strong as when we fought before…"
"..."
"Is it true that you've fallen ill, or is there another reason you can't attack me seriously?"
"Tsk."
"Could it be, it'd be problematic for you if I die?"
From Ruby's perspective, it would indeed be problematic.
After all, Dmir Khan was a crucial asset in the Demon Army, and it was imperative to keep him alive.
'How did this happen…'
She knew that such a situation could arise, which was precisely why she had the genius Serena as her subordinate.
But the scenario she had dreaded the most had finally unfolded.
– Bang!!
"Heroooo!!"
"…What now?"
The tightly sealed doors shattered, and Roswyn's voice echoed. The Demon King gritted her teeth and muttered.
"Hero! It's me, Roswyn!"
"Oh, I see."
Roswyn, panting heavily after hurrying to Ruby's side, received a grimacing response.
"I've awakened! Now, I can help you, Hero!"
"…What?"
Taken aback, Ruby questioned as Roswyn's eyes sparkled.
"…Oh my God! Why are you so hurt?!"
"Ha, haha… As you can see, the situation is…"
"What should I do? Hero!"
Roswyn, looking at the heavily injured Ruby, spoke.
"I'm fine, so please take shelter over there…"
Somewhat irritated, Ruby gently whispered and pushed her aside.
"Here, drink this!"
"What?"
Roswyn handed over a bubbling potion, and Ruby looked puzzled.
"It's a special potion only the Hero can take. Drinking this will increase your stats and heal you!"
"…Hmm."
Ruby, suspicious, took the potion bottle with a slight smile.
"Well, if that's the case."
Soon after, she took a sip of the potion.
"Wow!!!!!"
Ferloche, watching the scene blankly from the side, rushed toward her with a silly smile.
"You did amazing! Truly impressive!"
"Yes, uh-yes?"
"This is insane!! Miss Roswyn!"
Shortly after, someone grabbed either Roswyn's collar or shoulder and shook her vigorously.
"…Ugh."
Having taken a sip of the potion, Ruby's face twisted in distaste, and she tilted her head.
"What… is this?"
Suddenly…
[Compatibility Assessment Completed]
"Huh?"
A system window emerged in front of her.
[Assessment Result: Unqualified]
"…..?"
Roswyn stared blankly at the incomprehensible word.
[Solution: Transfer control to the one most helpful to the Hero]
"What, what did you say?"
Upon seeing the alarming message, she muttered in confusion.
[Transferring….]
"Huh? Wha…?"
It was already too late.
[Transfer Complete]
"Uh....?"
In front of her, the words "Transfer Complete" lingered for a while.
[Transferred Function: Helper System Window Control]
[Concurrently Owned Function: System Window Summoning]
[Functions Not Transferred: Detection Penalty Invalidation, System Notifications, Achievement Notifications, etc.]
"...….."
Roswyn stared blankly at the system window for a long time, remaining silent upon seeing the words written.
[Control Locked]
"What, what's this…?"
With a lock icon, she realized her system control was blocked, muttering in a resentful voice.
"Hero! Don't worry! I will protect you!"
"…I never thought I'd get an invitation to the Hero's Party. I never even dreamed of it."
"Although I'm a secret member… with this… maybe I can effectively restrain Frey."
Behind Roswyn, Vener, still loyally shouting, Arianne, still dazed, and Alice, still looking cold, approached Ruby.
– Crack!
"Hmm?"
A window appeared before the eyes of Glare, who had been watching the whole scene.
Helper System> Identity of the Hero
– The identity of the Hero, as you know… [Error][System Error Being Fixed....]
"What's this…?"
It was the moment she recalled the opaque window that she had always seen.
[….Restoration: 5% Completed]
You can read 505 episodes for $10. p.*atreon.com/Astrid02