As we arrived at the guild, ready to accept a new request, Moose stopped us.

With practiced ease, she led us to André.

This was a routine we had gone through so many times that I had lost count.

Even the other adventurers, who once might have murmured about us being given special treatment, no longer said a word.

André, whom I hadn’t seen for a few days, looked visibly worn out.

It was easy to forget, given how often we saw him, but he was the guild master, responsible for coordinating all the adventurers.

With the recent monster attacks, he probably hadn’t had a moment to rest.

"You two will be fighting on the frontlines," André declared.

"Understood," I replied immediately.

That had been our plan all along.

Our role, apparently, was to hold the line with other adventurers, preventing the monsters from advancing.

The plan this time was simple: place the strongest adventurers at the very front and the very back.

The frontlines would scatter the monsters, while the rear guard would deal with any that slipped through.

And if all else failed, the rear guard would serve as the final line of defense.

Many adventurers had experience with battles, but as a whole, adventurers typically worked in small parties.

Large-scale, coordinated operations were not their strength.

"Let me be clear," André continued. "The success of this battle depends on you."

"On us? But Shannon and other top-ranked adventurers are participating too..."

This operation included several familiar faces, like Shannon, who had helped us before with the griffin, and the members of Lapis Lazuli, who had taught us the ropes of adventuring.

Sure, if Ivy went all out, we might be the strongest here—though perhaps I was just being arrogant.

But to André and the others, we were just a high-ranking party that happened to tame a griffin, nothing more.

"Over the past two weeks, you’ve made quite a name for yourselves. Bruno the Griffin Rider—there’s no one in this city who hasn’t heard of you. The Marquis’s endorsement helped, of course, but your name carries weight. You are the symbol of hope for the people of this city."

"Hope...?"

I clenched my fists without realizing it, forcing myself to remain calm.

That’s right. To the people, I was the Griffin Rider.

It didn’t matter if I was actually weak, or if I left most of the fighting to Ivy.

The mere fact that a hero like the Griffin Rider existed could inspire courage in the hearts of the townsfolk.

If I were just a citizen, even I would find hope in the thought of someone like that.

André wanted me to be a pillar of morale for the people.

He must have seen through my actual abilities, yet he still entrusted me with this role.

A reckless ask, but one I couldn’t refuse.

Without Ivy, I’d never have considered taking on such a burden.

"I understand. We’ll take the frontlines and stop the monsters. With everything we have, we’ll crush the Twilight Forest itself if we must."

"Do it. If the forest has truly become a breeding ground for these directed attacks, we can no longer afford to ignore it."

I accepted this responsibility.

Even if I was just a hollow figure, a so-called hero by circumstance.

Even if I was merely Bruno, an ordinary man riding the coattails of fortune.

I wanted to be of use.

I wanted to stand by Ivy’s side.

More than anything, I wanted to support her.

Even if I was a fake hero, layered in illusions, there was something I could do.

Perhaps the people would still fear Ivy if she unleashed her full power.

But as their supposed hero, I might be able to reassure them.

Not “might.” I will.

If the people call me a hero, I’ll make them see Ivy as their goddess of victory.

"We’ll give it everything we’ve got to defeat the monsters. The aftermath is on you, André. Things are going to get... messy."

"Hah, if you can still joke like that, you’ll be fine. Go on, hero."

André’s words carried the weight of someone sending off a pair of fools with nothing but good wishes.

He thought we were walking to our deaths.

But he was wrong.

Neither Ivy nor I had any intention of dying here.

We weren’t afraid of the monsters.

What truly scared me was what would happen if the world saw Ivy’s true power.

Even now, I felt a twinge of fear.

But I wouldn’t let Ivy feel afraid anymore.

I would stand at the front, taking all the responsibility upon myself.

As Bruno the Griffin Rider.

As the one who commanded Ivy and Sanshita, unparalleled familiars.

This was the one role only I could fulfill.

The only way I could stay by Ivy’s side.

"Let’s go, Ivy."

"Me."

"Show them your true power. Let’s leave them all in awe—friend and foe alike."

"Me-me!"

I started walking forward.

No more looking down.

Just forward.

Carrying my beloved family on my shoulder, I headed to the battlefield.