September 7th, New Calendar Year 31.

Kakacha Empire Capital, Triumph Square, Guardian Alliance Headquarters, Director’s Office.

"Director, here are the recent reports."

"Leave them there. Have the head maid send up a cup of black tea."

"Understood."

The teal-haired woman kept her eyes on the book in her hands. "What brings the Hero here today, Vima?"

"Seems I can’t hide from your ears after all, Vima."

The attendant opening the door froze as a pink-haired girl strode confidently into the room. He gave a stiff bow and hurried out.

The Hero pulled out a chair and sat across from Vima. The woman—Vima Simmons—closed her book titled *History of the Demon King Wars* and set it aside.

"Reading history lately? Huh."

"Don’t you cherish memories of the past, Hero? Hmph… Unlike you, blessed by the Goddess, I can’t live through centuries untouched. I’m memorizing these victories now. When I reunite with old comrades, I’ll share the joy of our triumphs."

As Director of the Guardian Alliance and the Empire’s strongest warrior, Vima Simmons—the half-Elf who’d anchored the war against the Demon King’s army—was also the rumored lover of the Hero, Fuchi.

Their bond had fueled the Empire’s hope during the war. Nothing inspired hearts like two powerhouses standing together.

Legends told how Vima led armies on the frontlines while Fuchi’s squad struck down the Demon King. Their love story became folklore after thirty years of hard-won peace.

"Thirty years have passed, but you’re still young, Vima." Fuchi casually combed her long, silky pink hair. Though unarmored in the capital, the Sword Hero’s blade hung at her waist. Dressed in a modest blue-and-white dress with a sky-blue ribbon tying her hair, she looked every inch a noble lady—if not for her legendary status.

"Forty years for me, Hero. I’m no traveler from another world."

"Just call me Fuchi. We’re friends. For a half-Elf, you’re still in your prime."

Half-Elves lived around 240 years. At eighty, Vima appeared no older than twenty. Yet the battlefield aura clinging to her made it impossible to mistake her for anything but a warrior.

Vima lowered her gaze, fingers tapping the desk. She waited for Fuchi’s true purpose.

"No need to be on guard. I’m the Hero—I won’t drag you into anything reckless. Why distrust me, Vima? Aren’t we friends?"

"We’re comrades-in-arms, Miss Fuchi. I never truly knew you. To me, you’re a fellow soldier who fought the Demon King and now serves the Empire. Nothing more."

Vima kept her distance. The rumors about them had caused her endless trouble. She couldn’t confess the truth—that their "love" was a lie born from a misunderstanding. Admitting it would shatter public morale.

"This isn’t the relationship everyone believes in, Director Vima. Don’t you think being with me might be… pleasant?" Fuchi’s smile was dazzling, almost hypnotic.

Vima’s hand drifted to her sword hilt. "Planning to test your sword skills against a soldier devoted to the Empire, Miss Fuchi? Even as the Sword Hero, I won’t back down from such a challenge."

Vima had pledged her life to the Empire the moment she first gripped a sword. She despised romance—and the rumors about Fuchi filled her with quiet fury. Only duty stopped her from dueling the Hero long ago.

"Easy now," Fuchi raised her palms, laughing lightly. "I came to solve our shared problem. After years of searching, I’ve traced the source of these rumors."

"Even if we find the culprit, what then? The war was chaos. Misunderstandings happened." Vima withdrew her hand as the head maid entered with tea.

"Finding them is the first step. As Hero and Director, we have power to fix this."

"Oh yes," Vima’s tone turned icy. "I hear you’ve been quite… busy with noble ladies lately. Plenty of *power* there."

Fuchi’s eyes sparkled. "You heard? Perfect! Heh heh—"

"Why ruin your own reputation? Is this part of your plan?" Vima frowned. "Trying to kill the rumors by pretending to stray?"

"What better way?" Fuchi’s smile widened, then twisted into something unhinged. "After all, the one who spread them is the only person in this world I can’t resist. I found her hiding place… and discovered far more interesting things about her. Hahahaha—"

Vima instinctively leaned back. This wild, grinning stranger bore no trace of the elegant noble she’d pretended to be.

"So," Vima pressed, "who is it?"

"Remember the Sorceress in my squad who betrayed us?" Fuchi’s voice turned calm, sharp as a blade.

"The Void Witch? *Her?*"

Shock finally cracked Vima’s composure.