That day, I was in the old demon territories.
It was a zone where wasteland and desert mingled.
No structures were nearby, and not a single sign of life could be felt.
It was a place utterly abandoned.
Today, I would resurrect the previous hero here.
I wouldn’t perform this in the Demon Lord’s domain to avoid involving unrelated people.
I didn’t know what might happen when I carried this out.
As a precaution against the worst, I had chosen a location where secondary damage would be minimized.
In past literature and anecdotes, there were scattered accounts of those who attempted to resurrect the dead.
All of them met tragic ends.
Resurrecting the dead is the quintessential taboo in magic.
However, I intended to succeed.
I had already made thorough preparations.
After repeatedly verifying the process, I was convinced it was possible.
Circumstances were such that I even had the world’s will backing me.
I would undoubtedly be able to bring that person back.
Before me, on the ground, a giant magic circle was drawn.
This was the spell array I had prepared for this occasion.
Even now, dozens of directors were conducting final verifications in various locations.
They were inspecting the array for any flaws or deficiencies.
In the center of the magic circle, a keepsake sword is driven into the ground.
It is the weapon that defined her.
That sword is filled with countless thoughts and experiences.
It would be indispensable to any account of the previous Hero.
It was also absolutely necessary for the resurrection.
At my feet lie a crystal and a glass vessel.
The former contains that person's cremated remains.
I had been preserving them ever since she escaped the Valley of the Dead, and now the time has finally come to release her from the crystal.
A strange emotion washes over me at the arrival of that moment.
The latter houses her soul — until recently, it had been only a washed-out imprint.
But not anymore.
Over the past few days, Gwen altered it, so that the core of the world's will would drift to this vessel instead.
On top of that, information pertaining to that person has been etched in.
Specifically, the records of the previous Hero's anecdotes and great deeds, the traces of her journey left scattered across the land.
Furthermore, the memories of those deeply connected to the previous Hero — myself, Logan, Luciana, and Diera — have been duplicated and incorporated as well.
The assembled body of information constitutes that person.
Strictly speaking, then, this is less a resurrection and more a reconstruction.
It does not bring back that person as she was at the time of her execution.
That much was beyond our capability by design.
From the moment the core of the world's will was embedded, she could no longer be the same individual in any true sense.
That was acceptable to a certain extent.
This was never a plan started on mere sentiment alone.
Some compromises were necessary for it to take shape.
As I gazed at the remains and the soul, footsteps approached from behind.
In a cheerful tone, Grom drew near.
She waved broadly as she spoke.
"Hello there! How are you feeling?"
Grom leaned in with a familiar grin, peering at my face.
After examining me closely from such short range, she stroked her chin and offered her assessment.
"You look quite tense, don't you? Could it be you're nervous?"
"...A little tension is understandable."
Struck by the truth of it, I couldn't deny it.
Considering what was about to be implemented, nervousness was only natural.
Even the Director was unusually focused, absorbed in the work with a serious air.
Gwen alone remained perpetually carefree.
"Mr. Harvelt, you really should relax more. No matter what you're thinking, the outcome won't change. Keeping a calm mind is important," Gwen said lightly, then suddenly hugged me familiarly.
Had Grom been present, a fight would have surely erupted.
He held etiquette toward the Demon King in high regard and expected others to do the same.
Over the past few days, I had witnessed the two of them bickering on several occasions.
As expected, it might be, but personality-wise, our compatibility is abysmal.
Even so, Gwen’s behavior was strange.
It seemed like her usual self, which was exactly what felt off.
Feeling vaguely curious, I asked based on a sudden conjecture.
“Did you come to encourage me?”
“—Hardly. I was just killing time and teasing you.”
Gwen returned to her expressionless face and pulled away without hesitation.
She turned on her heel and started walking.
“Where are you going?”
“I’m just going for a little walk~”
Gwen answered as she walked away.
Her actions were, as always, difficult to understand.
But that was just how she was.
Fundamentally, she was moody and took pleasure in keeping those around her off balance.
Leaving her alone was probably the right call.
The executives were scheduled to visit here soon.
In the meantime, I decided to help the director.