I Start with 13 Hidden Traits Chapter-23

**The Strongest Man, Gracia**

Ch-23. **The Strongest Man, Gracia**

—

Kim Hana conducted the interview with a tense expression as she faced the blond-haired man.

**Gracia.**

The man revered by all Dimension Warriors!

Considering the overwhelming force he demonstrated in America, the title *the strongest man* was more than deserved.

But in the middle of the interview, he suddenly began talking about someone entirely different.

“…Phantom. If he truly is Korean, as the rumors say, I would like to meet him. We could make an excellent team. I can provide him with a great deal of information regarding ‘interests.’”

“Who is Phantom?”

“One of the eight heroes who fought the Demon King alongside my ‘Descent Body’ in another dimension. He is also known as Wilhelm. We must join forces once more here on Earth.”

“He sounds like an incredible person.”

“Yes. And this is off the record, but there’s something I personally wish to ask you, Reporter Kim Hana.”

When Kim Hana gestured subtly, the camera was turned off.

Off the record—meaning confidentiality was guaranteed.

Then Gracia spoke, wearing a grave, solemn expression she had never seen from him before.

“What is your relationship with the master of ‘Hydragon’? Do you know where he is?”

Gulp.

Kim Hana swallowed dryly, tense under Gracia’s piercing gaze.

*

**The Garden of Knights.**

A city that all aspiring official knights of the Valan Kingdom must pass through.

A place where a marble fountain-like lake and statues of honorable knights stood.

Its beautiful, dignified appearance was romantic in itself.

“…Seems they’re holding a memorial service.”

Yet despite its beauty, the atmosphere was somber.

A large stone monument stood in the central plaza, engraved with names. Beneath it lay countless flowers in mourning.

They were all names of knights who perished during the Grand Expedition.

**“Every knight was annihilated.”**

All five hundred knights were men of courage and honor. Facing demons on the front lines of the Demon Realm, fighting and dying… none of that frightened them.

Wilhelm’s charisma was overwhelming, yes, but without their own inherent resolve, such bravery would have been impossible.

But the ones who bravely charged forward all died.

And in the end, I alone faced the Demon King—and I too met the same fate as the knights.

“Do you recognize any names?”

“…No.”

Names engraved on the monument?

None.

There’s no way I memorized the names of so many knights.

To me, it had merely been a game.

Aside from a few important named NPCs, I remembered nothing. Among the names carved here, not a single one was familiar.

Not even one.

“Wilhelm! You bastard! Give me back my son! Bring my son back!”

Hearing the voice, I turned my head to see an old woman pounding her chest not far away.

“Shion, didn’t you say you’d return? Didn’t you tell me not to worry? How could you—how could you… huff!”

She suddenly grabbed her nape and collapsed.

Before I knew it, my body had rushed forward, catching her as she fell.

“Star-bearer?!”

Hudson’s eyes widened at my sudden action.

Even Isabella looked quite startled.

I lifted the old woman on my back and spoke to them.

“…Let’s go to the relief center.”

*

The relief center, run by clergy, served as a hospital for the common folk.

This one in the Garden of Knights was operated by the ‘Goddess Church,’ the most influential religious order on the continent, but—

“I’m dying! I’m dying!”

“Ughhh!”

—As you can see, patients were overflowing.

Inside and outside the building, there wasn’t a single healthy person in sight.

A clear sign that manpower and supplies were lacking.

Hudson took in the situation, frowning deeply.

“Wouldn’t it be better if I treated them?”

“It’s useless.”

Water Guardian heals external ailments.

It cannot heal sicknesses of the heart.

But the owner of the relief center was a different matter.

“Hey.”

A man wearing a cleric robe marked with a large numeral II—the symbol of the Goddess Church.

He seemed to be a deacon, a rank below priest.

When I spoke to him, the man responded nervously, sweating profusely.

“If you’re a patient, please wait in line! My apologies!”

“Is Priest Andrew inside?”

“He is, but—ah! You can’t touch that!”

“It’s an urgent patient.”

“…Even so, you must wait in line. Or donate 50 gold.”

They’re taking money?

Though the relief center was run by the Church, in reality it operated on city donations.

Its scale depended on the size of the city.

The Garden of Knights was one of the top three largest cities in the Valan Kingdom.

Meaning the relief center shouldn’t have been desperate enough to demand money from patients.

*“Even donation funds for the relief center have run dry. The city’s finances must be collapsing.”*

And now they were openly demanding donations.

A whole 50 gold.

Meaning the city treasury had collapsed to the point that even supporting the relief center was impossible.

The relief center was left to fend for itself.

In Golden City Arcana, one could blow through hundreds of gold in a single day, but ordinarily, 50 gold was a commoner’s monthly salary.

*“They don’t even have time to wash their robes…”*

Looking around, all the deacons checking patients had dark circles and stained clothing.

Oil slick on their faces and hair, likely from a lack of time to wash or sleep.

They were overworked. There was no one to rotate shifts with.

“If you won’t donate, then wait!”

The deacons didn’t even bother looking our way.

Clatter!

At the sudden sound, a deacon’s eyes nearly popped out.

“Gurk!”

Gold spilled across the floor.

Countless pieces—an overwhelming amount.

I pointed to a gold bar worth 10,000 gold.

“Will ten big ones do?”

“W-we will gladly escort you, brother!!”

*

A man with a long white beard and deeply lined face.

Priest Andrew placed his hand on the old woman’s chest.

Blue light poured forth, and the old woman’s stiff complexion slowly eased.

“P-Priest Andrew… why…?”

She opened her eyes and looked at him, bewildered.

Andrew smiled kindly.

“These people brought the fainted Sister May here. If they had been any later, something terrible might have happened.”

“My apologies… for causing trouble…”

The old woman—May—lowered her head to me.

Andrew frowned slightly.

“You went there again?”

“…I can’t help it. My eyes keep drifting there.”

“What about the foundation? You still have the clothing order due before winter.”

“I can’t focus on my work.”

“You must, though. No—this won’t do. I’ll visit every day to check your progress.”

“If you do that, the townspeople will throw stones at me. You’re already busy with the relief center… please don’t.”

“Then you’ll work diligently so I don’t have to check?”

“Yes…”

When May agreed, Andrew nodded.

Just as expected.

The only relief center in the city—of course its master, Andrew, would be closely tied to the citizens.

*“He gave most of the honor-related quests.”*

Many of the so-called “honor quests” came from Andrew.

So anyone raising an honor-based class had no choice but to visit him.

Naturally, I knew very well what kind of existence he was in this city.

“Thank you… truly…”

She thanked me again. I shook my head.

After she left, only Andrew and I remained in the room.

“…”

A heavy silence.

Andrew was the first to speak.

“Sister May’s only son went missing recently. He joined the Grand Expedition. Since then, she has lived with unending grief. She blames herself for not stopping him.”

“…So it seems.”

“Her son Shion admired the King of Knights. He was full of passion, saying he would help the King drive out the Demon King. But he did not return. Not even his body. Whether he is dead or alive… that sliver of hope—barely above zero—is what keeps her as she is.”

In truth, he is almost certainly dead, Andrew added bitterly.

“And it’s not only Sister May. Many people lost family and friends. Miss Serengeti, the only survivor, remains silent…”

“And you’re telling me this because?”

“I thought you ought to hear it.”

Andrew let out a deep sigh.

He was a true sage—one of the few priests recognized as a real wise man.

Even though my emotions should be untouched by the Ironblood Monarch’s heart, he saw the reason in my eyes.

“You must have had a reason for donating 100,000 gold. Then, old as I am—what business did you come to me for?”

100,000 gold could keep the relief center running for a year without worry.

A miracle to them.

But there is no such thing as free in this world.

*“If he asks for something unreasonable, I’ll have to refuse.”*

He needed money badly, but he wouldn’t sell his soul.

He needed it purely for the patients. For the people.

If someone made a request that violated that, he would refuse it without hesitation.

*“There are merchants who try to buy indulgences sometimes.”*

Most likely this was one of those cases.

A priest of the Goddess Church could issue a total of three indulgences in his lifetime.

And Andrew had issued only one—ever.

*To whom?*

Only to Wilhelm, the King of Knights.

Which is why merchants believed they could buy one for enough money, approaching him from time to time.

“My objective has already been achieved.”

Andrew’s brow furrowed.

Achieved? And it wasn’t the indulgence?

Did he truly come solely to help Sister May?

“What objective?”

Seeing Andrew perplexed, I smiled.

At that moment—

“Move!”

“Out of the way!”

Noise erupted outside.

Boots scraping loudly against the floor.

A heavily armored group entered—it was the knights.

“Andrew! The Lord wishes to see the guest inside!”

When the door opened, Isabella and Hudson blocked the entryway.

A tense standoff.

“Wh-what is this…”

Andrew was flustered.

But of course.

I had expected their arrival.

The lord of the Garden of Knights, Marquis Weiser, must be in desperate need of money.

A man who donates 100,000 gold to the relief center—anyone would want to know who he was.

I had spilled the gold openly on the floor, ensuring word spread instantly.

This method was far more effective than handing it over discreetly.

“It was good seeing you again, Priest Andrew.”

I stood and walked toward the door.

“Again…?”

Leaving behind Andrew, who stared with a complicated expression.

*

**The Marquis Weiser’s Household.**

Led by knights, we entered the grand estate with its stately, old-fashioned architecture.

Soon we arrived at the reception room and sat at an elegant table.

Tea and refreshments had been prepared.

A clear sign of hospitality.

*“He looks unimpressive.”*

Marquis Weiser studied the three guests closely.

Especially the man seated in the center—the one who donated 100,000 gold.

*A wandering merchant? He doesn’t seem to have brought any supplies… perhaps a wealthy young master traveling the world.*

Either way, he clearly had money.

The equipment worn by the woman and man accompanying him was of extremely high quality.

The marquis smiled.

“Forgive me for inviting you in such a sudden manner. My apologies.”

A large, plump man—the Marquis Weiser.

The lord of the city, once admired by countless knights.

But now he was merely a fattened pig.

Seeing him, Hudson trembled violently, gripping his hands beneath the table to hide it.

“As a token of apology, I’ve prepared a small gift.”

But Marquis Weiser didn’t recognize Hudson at all.

He had never shown the slightest interest.

Not that it mattered.

Sip.

I lifted my cup, tasting the tea, and spoke.

“Let’s get to the point.”

“…The point?”

Marquis Weiser’s expression darkened.

*“…Is he insane?”*

A boy-looking brat speaking informally to a marquis. In front of the ruler of the city.

He had brought him in because he was curious—nothing more.

But if it came to it, no one present would leave this place on their own two legs.

Marquis Weiser glared, wanting to see just how bold this man truly was.

“I’ve come to collect a debt, Marquis Weiser.”

“…Debt?”

A bitter taste filled the marquis’ mouth.

He owed many people.

*“Tch. A mistake.”*

He thought the guest was a good opportunity, but it turned out he was here to collect.

If the man had come through the front gate, the knights would’ve stopped him immediately—so he must have provoked the marquis’s curiosity to get inside.

Letting him in so easily was a mistake.

But soon, Marquis Weiser realized—

This was not that kind of problem at all.

“Knight-King Wilhelm.”

Why that name all of a sudden?

Everyone was momentarily puzzled.

Tap.

… I slowly—

And leisurely—interlaced my fingers behind my head, slouched back, and propped my feet up on the table.

An action completely devoid of even a trace of courtesy.

“······!”

In an instant, the atmosphere froze.