# Enhanced Translation
In China, there's a famous paradox.
Those who are worthy of ruling the world do not desire it,
And those who desire to rule the world are not worthy of it.
Sadly, in this primitive era, records from when China was still "China" haven't been passed down, but as with most proverbs, this wisdom transcends time and place.
Such is the case with these three students who know nothing of Yao, Shun, China, or Earth.
These three students, who coincidentally shared the same goal, were now drowning in despair after realizing they lacked the ability to achieve it.
Each was contemplating their abilities from their own position and formulating strategic objectives.
Side Episode: Different Perspectives on the Same Goal
"I must do whatever it takes to deal with the uncle's beard...!"
This was the determination of Asidis Einarsdottir, a Droan citizen to her core who always chose direct confrontation to solve problems.
Sadly, while she had the will to shave, she lacked the ability to make it happen. Her attempts were frustrated at every turn.
However, the Droan language dictionary doesn't contain the word "surrender." (This is true.)
She clenched her fist tightly, ready to invest her entire life—perhaps even more—into this mission. Clang-Clang IV let out a bizarre shriek.
"I'll... save you, uncle!"
Like a hero from a story rescuing a princess from the clutches of an evil monster in the form of facial hair!
The vanguard of the Hero Party, inheritor of the Slayer Einar's talents, the greatest music student in history, put down her instrument and picked up a dagger.
Along with shaving cream.
Even in primitive times, there are bright spots of civilization. The cultural powerhouse of Tilles was particularly notable. And indeed, the essence of culture lies in politics.
"I think your beard looks quite handsome, sir!"
"...?"
Isabelle de Etoile, who had to live as the hero's hostage in the Thales court, was employing remarkably sophisticated political techniques.
She had chosen to take a completely different position from her only and most powerful competitor, slowly working to win Ivan's heart.
Sadly, it hadn't shown much effect yet, but at least she was a step ahead of Asidis in this matter.
As the hero in a Hero Party should be able to observe situations from a broader perspective rather than acting like a berserker, the future of this Hero Party looks quite promising.
"I'm... a mage, aren't I?"
Meanwhile, the elf from the Kalion Archipelago was thinking along these lines.
Mages are those who transform illusions into reality.
If there's something you don't want to see, and you can't physically remove it... you can eliminate it from your "concept" and "perception"!
This valuable insight was gained through the "Happiness Trap" in the underground waterway ruins of Krasilov.
Elfihera was a master of all magic accessible at the student level, so she could instantly create the most appropriate spell.
"I will 'hide' all facial hair below the nose from my sight...!"
She formed hand signs in the air, instantly conjuring magic while staring straight ahead.
Her target was herself, and the confirmation of results would come from that foolish human walking far away...!
By casting a Mind Sorcery on herself to twist her perception, she created an illusion spell that would make beards and other facial hair "unrecognizable" to her eyes!
"I've... done it...!!"
She had never before rejoiced in the success of her magic.
Due to her overwhelming talent and magical affinity, commanding magic with every breath was simply natural for her.
But now, she was trembling at her own genius.
Clenching her hand that had formed the final seal, she muttered in an eerie voice:
"Grikenkos-style Illusion Shave...!!"
As the spell completed, a blue light flickered in her eyes. Casting time under 2 seconds, mana consumption less than 3%, and duration of 1 hour and 30 minutes...!!
"By my calculations, I can use it continuously for 50.3 hours, 2 days and 2 hours and 15 minutes...!"
If she used it until completely depleting her mana, she could remove all beards from her sight for two days.
The key now was...
"Whether it can be maintained even when concentration is broken by external shock..."
This meant she needed to command the magic from the realm of the "unconscious." There was no way the spell she just created could do such a thing.
Therefore, Elfihera closed her eyes quietly and took a deep breath.
Whoosh, with a resolute breath. Her eyes opened with determination, burning with will!
"Until this spell cannot be broken under any circumstances."
Until her spell concentration wouldn't break even in extremely stern and embarrassing situations.
With the determination to never stop...
Ivan, with his completely harmless appearance that could be seen anywhere in ordinary situations and couldn't intimidate anyone at first glance—almost like a herbivore—was enjoying his leisure time.
"How peaceful."
Birds chirped beautifully outside the window, and the summer sun brightly illuminated the surroundings. Hearing the orphans giggling as they moved about in groups, Ivan took a sip of his tea.
He paused to catch his breath and concentrated all his senses on his hearing. It was necessary since some of the children had recently learned to move about with extreme stealth.
Good, no one's around.
Logically, it was difficult to understand why orphans would want to visit the director's office. Though his memories were now faint, he didn't think he had ever visited the principal's office during his elementary school days. He'd never even considered it.
The tea he was drinking was cheap roasted barley tea, available in unlimited quantities to all orphans.
Snacks like candy and chocolate were also more plentiful in the faculty office than in the director's office. If one wanted to sneak in somewhere, that would be easier and quicker.
"Hmm."
Well, how could he understand children's thoughts? Children are easily swayed by bizarre trends. He nodded briefly and relaxed.
On this quiet weekend afternoon when no one would visit...
He carefully opened a confidential storage compartment with a double lock under his desk drawer.
It was a high-security device requiring a double-lock key and a 360-dial that needed to be opened in a 5*2 pattern. He had forgone magical seals to extend its durability, sacrificing some security.
Ivan pushed aside useless confidential documents and picked up a solid box that caught his fingertips.
-Click.
With the delicacy of handling a level 13 magic bomb on the verge of explosion, Ivan put on gloves, dusted around the box with a duster, and carefully opened it.
The light streaming through the window made the contents of the box sparkle momentarily, dazzling his eyes.
Or perhaps his eyes were simply dazzled by the "valuable item" itself.
He swallowed dryly as he slowly lifted the "treasure."
"Perfect."
Metal, restrained decoration with complete functional beauty, manufactured to precise specifications making it easy to carry, with a built-in spring mechanism cleverly hidden so as not to be observed from the outside.
Solid, weighty, and sturdy. Like looking at a freshly manufactured handgun, custom-made by a master gunsmith.
Inhale, the faint metallic scent in the air, mixed with a hint of oil.
Flawless. This is a perfect item.
"I haven't lost my touch yet."
There's a blacksmith he visits when repairing or ordering additional axes. An old forge at the western edge of Pritzenkaya.
That craftsman, whom he's known since the war, now only makes agricultural tools like hoes and plows. He had completely retired from the weapons market.
Needless to say, an axe is not a weapon. It's merely logging equipment. Therefore, Ivan's reasonable and rational persuasion succeeded in reigniting the passion of the blacksmith who had been shouting about retirement.
And with "persuasion" impossible to refuse, the blacksmith had once again created this masterpiece according to Ivan's design.
"Sigh..."
Suddenly, guilt painfully stabbed his heart. It was partly an impulsive purchase.
The money spent making this one item could have added meat dishes to the orphans' dinner menu for a week.
Perhaps it was the influence of the "ruins trap." No, it probably was. He hadn't been swayed by such meaningless desires for a very long time.
-Click.
As he touched the device, it changed shape with a sharp metallic sound. The object, which had looked like a small rectangular metal plate, now began to take on a distinctive shape.
Ivan carefully picked up the object and slowly brought it to his beard.
Swish, swish.
The sound of smoothly cutting through the grain without friction, the smooth sensation like applying camellia oil.
Living in this damn pre-modern otherworld is never pleasant, but 'this... makes me smile.'
This is happiness.
He had obtained the "perfect beard comb."
The design blueprint for this was perhaps the greatest spoil obtained from the ruins.
While the three students agonized over erasing his beard—literally, politically, or conceptually—Ivan was enjoying his rest, leaning back in his chair with a thin smile.
"This letter... there were no signs of forgery?"
"No, brother. The handwriting is 100% identical to Essie's."
"Mord, that bastard didn't have any other contact?"
"No, brother."
-Crack.
The thick wooden table crumbled to dust under the giant's grip.
In the dark room, a man wrapped in a fur cloak that reeked of beast, roughly tied back his spiky hair and rose from his seat.
"Brother, brother! No, but Essie isn't a child anymore, she wouldn't have made a mistake! J-just calm down a little..."
-Crash!
The warrior who hurriedly blocked the man's path was sent flying. The man continued walking without stopping and flung open the doors to the royal hall.
The bright summer sun illuminated his court. He scanned the court with sharp eyes and growled like a wounded beast.
"Any other opinions?"
"How about burning at the stake?"
"That would end too quickly."
The strongest in Droan, Warrior King, Slayer, One-Man Army, Solo Mass Slaughter Weapon.
Einar.
He crumpled and threw away Asidis's letter and began to move.
-I'm thinking of getting married.
The only words remaining on the torn letter sadly circled in the sky before flying away and disappearing.
"Let's go, brothers. Let's see the face of whoever this person is."
"Yes, brother!!!"