The internet was the medium through which public opinion could be grasped most immediately in modern society. And in Korea, where the majority of citizens carried smartphones, it was even more so. People were diligently sharing news from various places in real-time, taking pictures and videos, and this had a significant impact on spreading information across social media and communities.
And there was one topic that had pretty much monopolized the buzz since the previous afternoon, continuing well into the next day.
It was the news about the mysterious hero, ‘White Knight,’ who appeared and disappeared like the wind. Given that he was a figure of interest not only in Korea but globally, it was no wonder that citizens couldn’t help but be curious about his sudden activities.
– Is that for real? Has he been hiding all this time and suddenly comes out to volunteer?
– Not just in one place, but he’s been around multiple locations? Didn’t they say there’s a limit to using Holy Power?
While some raised valid questions, there were various pieces of undeniable evidence presented before them. Everything from CCTV footage to photos and videos that seemed to have been captured up close.
– No way; it’s real!
– Where is that? My mother is sick; please share the locationㅠㅠ
└Too late. He’s gone underground again.
– But why are none of the shots in focus?
└Exactly. It’s got the on-site feel, but it’s too hard to recognize anything.
The reactions to this were, of course, explosive. However, amidst all of it, there was one disappointment for people. Excluding the distant CCTV footage, there was almost no properly captured material depicting the scene.
– Come on, hold the camera right!
– Haha, it briefly showed him but then just filmed the ground for the rest!
– Damn, I clicked out of curiosity and now I’m even more curious.
Though, if you think about it, it was somewhat unavoidable. Those who encountered the White Knight this time were mostly patients, their guardians, or hospital staff. In a situation where Holy Power was engulfing the surroundings and miracles were occurring, who could remain calm enough to turn on a camera and aim it properly? Especially in an atmosphere where everyone felt the overpowering charisma that naturally radiated from him, making it hard for anyone to move freely.
Thanks to this, the footage that was captured was mostly by sheer chance, something taken for another reason that happened to catch his figure.
But then, amidst it all, a particular video taken that day was released, turning the community upside down once again.
– No way, he’s super handsome;;
– Wow… the focus is a mess, yet he looks like he’s got a filter on just him.
– Another handsome dude after Phantom Oppa♥
└At this point, I rationally suspect even the Hahoe Mask must be a flower boy. Let’s go, Hahoe Mask~!
– But is he a foreigner? His features look Eastern, but… never mind, he seems mixed?
This video showed the moment he removed his helmet and revealed his face at the children’s hospital he visited for the first time. The silver-haired and golden-eyed, enchanting beauty captured the public’s excitement. Especially when he gently patted a child’s head with a compassionate smile, the positive responses were overwhelmingly fervent.
Naturally, fan cafes praising him began to spring up in droves. The words he spoke at that moment surfaced and started circulating among people.
– Didn’t the Order mention Auterica? I’ve never heard of it; does anyone know?
– Day one of converting to Auterica. I don’t know the teachings, but I’m praying mindlessly first.
– I feel like I’ve heard that name somewhere…
Auterica was a dimension whose existence had only been revealed for a few months, so unless someone had a specific interest, many were unaware of it. However, in the Republic of Korea, known for its rapid information exchange, people quickly started finding and sharing related information.
– Auterica is a newbie dimension that registered with the Returnees’ Association not too long ago. (link)
└Oh? Really? What’s the connection then?
└You should find out the rest yourselfㅡㅡ
└Ugh, so annoying. ‘Do it for me’.
– Wow, suddenly I was like what on earth is this but it’s the Auterica dimension? I’m from there.
As the story grew, someone with direct ties to that place also spoke up to testify. After all, discussing specific dimensions wasn’t exactly secretive information, especially among returnees who would share it as topics of conversation whenever they gathered.
– Oh! Share some stories. What do you know?
– Do you perhaps know who the White Knight is? He seems like he’d be pretty famous.
– Uh, no. There’s a world-class religion called the Holy Church Order in Auterica. But isn’t it strange? The White Knight came from there?
Yet, the returnees who knew about the ‘Auterica’ dimension couldn’t help but feel puzzled about the unfolding situation.
– Huh? No way? There’s no way that could be true, right? Why? What? Is it real? Nah, can’t be…
└Why’s he broken?
└Don’t be selfish; let’s figure this out together.
└Sounds like a troll? Don’t feed him.
It was understandable because…
– I do think of one person who fits the criteria perfectly. I’ve never met him directly, but he’s a hero, right? Isn’t he fighting to save the world? Why is he here? Did the fighting there finish?
└???
└What the heck is this gibberish;
└This time the trolling is next level. Let’s just stop with the nonsense.
The figures that sprung to mind for them were beings who shouldn’t exist in this world. And this confusion wasn’t limited to the internet; it began to spread offline as well.
*
An office that seemed unremarkable at a glance.
“Are you saying that the most likely identity of the White Knight is the Saint from the Auterica dimension?”
The agents of the Ability Management Bureau, responsible for overseeing those with abilities, were present there.
Representatives from the Returnees’ Association, who banded together to protect the rights of the Awakened.
A clergy member from the Uniting Pantheon, dispatched to recruit the White Knight.
Even though the atmosphere wasn’t particularly intimidating, the person sitting across from them wore an awkward smile as he poured out what he knew.
“Yes, yes. That’s correct. Given his position, he was very famous. Heinrich Saint Landgard. Even if I had no direct ties to him, I couldn’t help but remember his full name.”
“Hmm…”
At that response, everyone in the office exchanged looks, falling silent.
Although not many returnees had registered in this dimension yet, fortunately, there were four from Auterica in Korea.
And the very person testifying before them was one of them.
“Is the person in that video really him?”
An agent of the Ability Management Bureau, stroking his chin, subtly touched a tablet placed aside.
There was a looped edited version of the White Knight’s footage playing on it.
“Uh, I can’t be sure… As I mentioned earlier, I don’t have a personal connection to him. I just did small-scale activities on the outskirts of the Empire. Unless you were extraordinarily lucky or at the top tier, it’s hard to face a figure as prominent as a Saint.”
“…That makes sense.”
“Still, it’s likely true. One characteristic known among Saints and Holy Maidens is silver hair and golden eyes. Also, Saint Heinrich was a knight, so that sword must be a Holy Sword.”
By this point, it seemed almost certain that the White Knight’s identity was indeed that of Heinrich Saint Landgard, a hero from Auterica, affiliated with the Holy Church.
However, despite that, everyone gathered there wore puzzled expressions.
Among the investigation team members and the returnee known for being called in to testify, this was the common sentiment.
“But why is someone with such an identity here…?”
Yes, that was the issue.
“If he’s from Earth, that could be justified, but… But right now, isn’t Auterica at war with the Demon King… I mean, the Undead King?”
“I’ve heard it’s a pretty dangerous situation. The risk level assumed by the Association is ‘quite high, caution advised.’”
“But a hero who should be at the front lines has fled to Earth? Isn’t that a bit… odd? Plus, if it’s true, he’s run away with a Holy Sword too? At that point, even a Saint wouldn’t have been granted that level of Holy Power by a god.”
Objectively speaking, it was clear that the White Knight was the Saint of the Holy Church from Auterica, Heinrich Saint Landgard.
But taking things on face value felt troublesome for various reasons.
“Is there no additional news from the World Returnees Association regarding Auterica? Perhaps the Saint disappeared suddenly.”
“…I haven’t heard anything in particular, but I’ll check again just in case.”
To be honest, the affairs of other dimensions weren’t exactly their concern.
There had been many instances where dimensions fell into chaos and faced destruction, suffering the consequences and becoming ‘closed dimensions.’
However, for those eager to recruit the White Knight and make progress, the behind-the-scenes details seemed ominous.
As these people from different affiliations laid out various materials and engaged in discussion, suddenly—
‘The quickest answer would be to ask the person himself. But how can I communicate with him?’
Kang Tae-san, a newbie agent from the Ability Management Bureau who accompanied his senior, leaned back against the wall and bit his lip.
He believed that, thanks to the White Knight, he, his grandmother, and his friends were safe, so he felt displeased with those making unconfirmed assumptions.
Sigh, ‘What can I do? If I’m told to act, I will.’
Swallowing his discontent, he took out his smartphone to monitor the situation.
Compared to the previous day when everything was ablaze, the communities had calmed down a bit yet were still buzzing with talk about the White Knight.
“Hmm?”
But that moment of tranquility was short-lived.
As if heralding something, the sudden spike in traffic made him frown—
“Se, Senior! Right now…!”
As he quickly identified the source and let out a scream resembling a cry, simultaneously—
Bee bibi big!
D ding ding—!
All kinds of notification sounds echoed from within the pockets of those in the office.
As if hinting at the beginning of a major incident.
*
I kept pondering.
How should I reveal Heinrich’s existence?
To draw attention away from the investigation team so that the real body can slip through, it’s evident that Heinrich himself stepping up is the best move.
However, there are multiple ways to do that, so choosing the right approach is crucial.
‘I could operate under the guise of Hahoe Mask Hans, manipulating the alibi of the real body, or create a convincing fake identity like Phantom Heinz II, pretending to hide while causing confusion in the investigation.’
But all these methods have their pros and cons, and there’s no guaranteed method. Moreover, having recognized that the Buncheon Society was also involved, to actively respond to whatever schemes they might be orchestrating, this side would need to step forward as well.
Thus, the method I chose was simply this.
‘Alright, let’s just be completely open about it.’
About being the Saint from the Auterica dimension.
Of course, I couldn’t disclose everything 100%, so a bit of setting modification was unavoidable.
As long as the real identity isn’t exposed, it didn’t really matter what happened, but still, if there’s a better way, wouldn’t that be preferable?
Besides…
“Then, what about you, White Knight… no, I mean…”
“I’m Heinrich Saint Landgard.”
“Yes, yes. So, what do you, Heinrich Saint Landgard, mean…”
I realized that such overwhelming heat and interest directed toward me could also be utilized in other ways.
In modern society, public attention and support equate to power and authority.
If I could utilize that effectively, I could steer future matters in a much easier direction.
So, why wouldn’t I do that?
“Yes, I am from what you call the Auterica dimension. To be more precise…”
Heinrich, looking at the camera held by a man with an exceedingly tense face—
“…I can say I am from another world, not Earth.”
With a gentle smile, he dropped the bomb casually.
“By the divine will, I aim to root out the evil overshadowing not just Auterica but all dimensions.”
It’s okay.
After all, I’m used to deceiving now.
In essence, it wasn’t entirely a false statement.
‘Let’s see how you all take this.’
A glorious halo swirled around Heinrich’s whole being.
