"During this time, I've met many people and felt a multitude of emotions: joy, despair, anger... Within this capital, humankind can always express the most intense feelings.
"But after experiencing so much, I discovered there is one emotion I have never felt before, and that is love for others."
The sub-key turned to look at the Hero, the mirror pupil slightly brightening, reflecting the posture of a young girl.
"Although there is this saying of 'love at first sight,' due to my appearance and physique, it might be difficult for a normal man to fall in love with me at first sight, so I wish to ask for your assistance, Hero."
After listening to the explanation of the key change, the Hero fell into a brief contemplation.
1-6. Shake head in refusal♛
10. Great Success/Great Failure
"Sorry, I might not be able to." Then she shook her head, apologetically.
"I don't have the person of intimate love you described.
"Of course, I really like my friends, but if my feelings for them are the 'love' you desire, then you should have had several chances to feel it along the way."
On the journey to the Central Temple Group with the sub-key change, the Hero would occasionally reveal her concerns for the Noble Lady, and she did not attempt to hide these emotions.
The expressions of love come in many forms, yearning and worry are among them.
If forced to answer the question "Do you love your friends?" she would unhesitatingly answer "Yes."
But this affectionate friendship is clearly not what the sub-key change wishes to feel.
"Then the healing power you possess, can't it be used on me, to let me feel love?" the sub-key change asked further.
The Hero revealed a bitter smile.
If at this moment the Siren Princess herself stood here, then perhaps she could meet her request.
However, even though the Hero inherited the magic power of the Siren Princess and obtained the power to heal others, this doesn't mean she harbors feelings of love for everyone she heals.
The essence of this ability, Unpaid Love, is not love for a particular person, but a willingness to selflessly give to others. This power enables the Hero to transform her magic power into ether to complete the physical injuries of the wounded.
Although, indeed, during the healing process, she can offer warmth and peace to the spirits of the wounded, this feeling is clearly far off from the love the sub-key change expects.
[Hero's detection (100+ fifth question correct, 70- failure)]
D70+50=d70(53)+50=103
The Hero was about to explain to the sub-key change, suggesting her to choose a different punishment, when a spirit light suddenly flashed through her mind.
Recalling the bits of intelligence she obtained during this brief companionship with the sub-key change, the Hero paused and asked hesitantly:
1.5. Do you want to sacrifice yourself?
2.6. Does the Four-winged King also lack emotions? The source of thɪs content is novel⁂fire.net
3.7. Can you not nurture normal offspring?
4.8. Do you lack the ability to be proactive?
9. Can't the Divine Knowledge Saintess feel love?
10. Great Success/Great Failure
♛: Do you want to sacrifice yourself?
[Hero's recollection]
[Depraved Hero's recollection]
Note: Hero above 100, or higher than Depraved Hero, senses something amiss. Depraved Hero below 80 will voluntarily confess.
"... Could it be that what you want is 'sacrifice'?"
Hearing this, the sub-key change blinked.
"Ah, why does the Hero think this way?"
At these words, the Hero's mind flashed the conversation with the Cruising bishop before leaving the border.
As she was immersed in her memories, she suddenly sensed that another side of herself seemed to want to say something but hesitated.
'Huh? Do you have something you want to say?'
'No, nothing, you continue.'
The Depraved Hero fell silent for a moment, still not speaking.
The Hero also suspected nothing and continued to immerse herself in her thoughts.
Before leaving the border, the Cruising bishop visited her. He informed the Hero that the Divine Knowledge Saintess was trapped, and the church was doing absolutely nothing about it, resulting in extreme rage.
He also noted that actually, the Hero is the prophesied next Saintess. And the various factions of the church, possibly to deny this prophecy, decided to support their spokesperson, thus choosing to ignore the Divine Knowledge Saintess's plight.
To correct this error, the Cruising bishop determined to sacrifice his life, using the high-tier ritual held secretly by the church: the Fire of Divine Sage, to produce an absolute prophecy and force the church back on track.
However, it was right at the time when the curse flared up, and the yet-unsubdued Depraved Hero took the opportunity to emerge, intending to toy with the bishop.
Unexpectedly, the Hero was the prophesied Saintess; once she headed to the church headquarters, the curse could inevitably be entirely purified.
Thus, out of self-preservation, she devised a little trick, convincing the bishop that the Saintess's entrapment was actually the Black Gate's conspiracy... unexpectedly now it has become true prophecy.
Latter discussions about the Hero being the Saintess were also blurred by her.
But these things, which would make the current situation more complex if divulged, are not important. What is important is, the Hero still remembers the ritual mentioned by the bishop at that time—"Fire of Divine Sage."
"Complete volunteerism, strong willingness for devotion, and a spirit of sacrifice, are necessary conditions to complete many powerful rituals."
Finished with her thoughts, the Hero whispered.
Unlike her kind of natural Hero, the special profession unique to the church, "Determined Hero," also requires the reincarnator to have a firm will to successfully complete the transformation ceremony.
And such will and spirit cannot be achieved through brainwashing or manipulation.
Even if one can make a person willing to commit suicide, these rituals cannot be initiated.