Chapter 53
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 53
Chapter Title: Two Heroes - 1
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The dawn before sunrise is always chillingly cold. Dreams are the same. The moment a dream tears your heart is always right before waking. Today, too, I was trapped in the night's maze, wandering aimlessly through the past.
"Handsome big brother. Wake up."
Does the saying "when bodies grow distant, hearts grow distant" mean that as bodies draw closer, so do hearts? Day by day, inching toward the capital, Eli's image only grew sharper.
"If you don't wake up, I'll kiss you?"
No, not just her looks. Her voice, the touch of her palm against my skin. Even the scent of mint flowers. The frail white bloom that once waved delicately from between rocks is now lodged in my mind like cordyceps, refusing to leave.
...
"Really?"
As her form took on substance, the hopeful flame in my heart blazed brighter. Eli is alive. She's somewhere in the capital. But the bigger the fire, the deeper the shadows it casts on the ground. And Leo is there with her. When that simple truth squeezes me, I desperately wave it off in denial. No way. He can't still be obsessed with Eli. Fate can't torment us anymore. If the gods above have any conscience, they'll grant us happiness now.
Right?
"Of course not."
"...!"
The moment a clear voice rang in my ear, I jolted awake. Sunlight leaking through the window pierced my vision sharply. Was it really someone's voice? I looked around, but all I heard was the horses snorting and stamping restlessly.
"...Hah."
Lately, I've woken like this far too often. Always, at the dream's edge, a voice from reality would slap my ear, leaving me to face the morning with even more fatigue piled on. I'd done nothing but ride in this carriage for days, yet the exhaustion only accumulated.
Or maybe it's because I can't do a damn thing. I knew all too well that waiting could be backbreaking labor, depending on the stakes.
But that time is nearly over. Just a bit farther, and I'll finally set foot in the capital. And face Leo.
No time to wallow in fatigue. Whatever the situation, I have to stay sharp.
Leo surely is.
"Whew. Weather's gotten pretty hot, huh? Coachman, let's get going."
Then the carriage door swung open, Rachel's voice spilling out. She fanned herself as she flopped inside. Soon, the wheels creaked, and the scenery lurched forward again.
"Country's falling apart, and prices are insane. Even for merchants, charging double—over double—is ridiculous."
"Anything worthwhile?"
"Some decent stuff."
Rachel grinned and pulled a tattered newspaper from her bosom.
"A newspaper in this mess? Wild."
"Well... it's imperial-sponsored. Maybe they're forcing it out precisely because of the chaos—to prove the palace is still functioning."
"So? Anything good?"
"Haven't read it yet. Wanted to with you."
Rachel scooted to my side and spread the paper wide. Our sweat-slick shoulders brushed, a damp, hot warmth seeping through.
"Front page: demonkin, as expected. Palace finally admitting it?"
"Weird they admit it now. How far'd they come?"
"Hm... says here: hordes of demonkin overwhelming the border with sheer numbers... His great majesty the Emperor plans to herd them into one spot for annihilation. Yeah, they sure phrase endless retreats prettily."
"Whole territory's getting ravaged."
"Yep. But Demon King revival? Baseless rumor, they say. Can't blame 'em. Admitting the Demon King exists would undermine Leo and the palace's legitimacy."
After all, slayer of the Demon King is Leo's sole claim to fame. I snuck a peek at the Demon King article—revoltingly flowery praise for Leo. Is he getting antsy?
"And... Four Heavenly Kings article here. Guess we weren't the only ones who ran into them."
"Meaning?"
"Three sightings total. Erendel, Mileyr, capital outskirts. All via spatial transfer. Capital's barrier kept 'em from entering the city proper... but Erendel and Mileyr weren't prepared."
"...Couldn't be helped."
"Yeah... guess not..."
Swallowing a bitter pang, Rachel wiped sweat from her brow and stared through the article. So intent, her soaked fingers crumbled the thin paper beneath them. She scanned the tiny print for ages before sighing deeply.
"Besides those three... no sign of the last Heavenly King. The one Leo claimed he took out last. Didn't show this time."
"Commanding the main army?"
"Maybe that one didn't even revive."
"Or with the Demon King."
"Yeah. Could be."
Rachel sighed in answer, rubbing sweat from her collar. Then she looked at me.
"You think the Demon King revived, Luca?"
"A Demon King we didn't kill can't revive."
"What?"
"We never killed him. Took out the last Heavenly King but never entered Demon King's Castle. Probably... the one we spared built up forces and invaded."
"So you figure the Demon King's leading this assault."
"Perfect timing. I'd do the same."
Empire's at its weakest now. I've been crumbling the rot Leo let fester for five years. Prime opportunity for the Demon King.
...Though everything lining up this perfectly is eerie.
"...But nothing on what happened to those Heavenly Kings. Omitted deliberately?"
"Dunno. Next page maybe... Ah, here."
Next page: Leo's portrait beside the capital Heavenly King story. The gushing, embarrassing praise suggested he'd repelled it successfully.
"Erendel... yeah, ravaged. Rick and Nadia cowardly fled, executed by righteous citizens. Great Leo slaughtered the capital's Heavenly King in brutal vengeance for Erendel. You get the idea."
"He did it himself."
"Yep. Gloriously, overwhelmingly... kinda embarrassing to read. Anyway, personally went beyond the walls to drive it off."
"Right."
I clasped my hands and stared at Leo's portrait. Even in the drawing, his eyes bored into me, arrogance intact. I stared back, cracking my knuckles.
Traces of Leo still lingered in my swordsmanship. Swing arcs, killing intent at the tip. Deny it all I want— it reeked of him.
Come to think, we'd never crossed blades directly. Yet it felt like we'd warred forever. Probably because the last five years were a brutal fight to purge his remnants from me. Habits ingrained in the body don't vanish easily, though.
Still, I'd strained to change, to grow stronger. What about you? Dulled by time like Rick and Nadia? Still as fierce as back then, like the Minotaur?
Or stronger?
Lost in thought, I barely noticed Rachel flipping pages, crumpling the paper, and tossing it to the floor. She sighed long and leaned against the wall.
"Nothing else useful. No real details on Mileyr's Heavenly King. Just 'brave imperial soldiers handled it admirably.'"
"Figures. One empire doesn't need two heroes."
"Feeling slighted? No Luca mention?"
Rachel winked playfully, smiling. I rubbed my fatigued eyes and shook my head.
"Enough weird jokes."
"Not a joke. You're the real hero. Hit the newspaper office first in the capital? Demand a correction."
"If so, gotta include the red-haired detective too."
"Oho, playing that way? Nice title, though: Two Heroes and a Detective Save the Empire. Sounds gripping."
...Precisely, those two heroes are the ones allying with the Demon King to topple the empire.
Too cynical for even a smirk.
"Anyway, time to prep. One hour to the capital."
Glancing out, the capital's massive shadow loomed beyond the horizon. The bumpkin who'd once rushed there as a hero, heart pounding, now aimed his blade at his dream city with far darker intent. Eyes fixed ahead, I spoke.
"Yeah."
"Right. Gotta prepare... hold on..."
Rachel fumbled through the pouches dangling all over her, soon spilling dozens of paper scraps.
"What's all this?"
"Forged docs for capital entry. Quality over quantity, sure—but can't ignore quantity. Prepared everything since I didn't know your pick."
"Like?"
"Mostly IDs. Wanna pick? This father-daughter from Mileyr. This one... Erendel noble sl... ahem, skip. This: esteemed noblewoman and servant. Which? Personally love the last."
"How many were you seriously considering?"
"All of 'em. Especially the last—put real effort in. Always wanted to play noble. Hate being the servant? We can swap. Like I said, you'd rock crossdressing. I can servant fine..."
"Rachel."
"Yes?"
"No need to force jokes."
I met her eyes steadily. The awkward mask of cheer slipped from her face. She worked her lips soundlessly, then sighed softly.
"That obvious?"
"Painfully."
"...Yeah?"
"Well... tensing up's natural."
Rachel nodded, fiddling with her hair. I watched, then turned to the window. Long hesitation later, I added:
"Entering the human capital as demonkin would tense anyone."
"Pardon?"
I didn't turn. But I could picture her face. She exhaled tensely, then spoke with startling calm.
"When'd you figure it out?"
"Spent more adult years in demon lands than human. Not priest-sharp, but can tell if my bedmate's demonkin or human."
"Knew... from the start?"
"Suspicion at first. Confirmed at Mileyr with the Minotaur. No human IDs it by footsteps alone. Demonkin? Makes sense."
"..."
Rachel fell silent. Only the carriage's jolts echoed softly.
"...It's fine."
I broke it first, gaze still outward.
"Demonkin or human—doesn't matter to me now. You know that."
"Not mad I hid it?"
"Not at all."
Firm as I was, Rachel fidgeted anxiously. To ease her guilt, I voiced the question I'd held back.
"Only one thing bugged me from the start. Why help me?"
"That... well."
Rachel sighed deeply again. I waited wordlessly. The capital drew ever nearer.
"...Me too."
"Yeah."
"Me too... just someone I wanna see."
"Got it."
I nodded, slowly turning to her.
"That's enough for now."
Shoulders hunched, eyes downcast and meek as she looked up, Rachel seemed tiny today. I nearly patted her shoulder but pulled back. Turned to the window again.
"Then... father-daughter? More familiar for you."
Her breath steadied; she finally spoke. I mulled it, replying heavily.
"That'd work... but no. No need."
"Then what?"
"Luca."
My hand went to my waist. The sword scavenged from Mileyr's ruins hung there. Cool metal chilled my palm, veins icing over.
"No more time for disguises. No reason for it. And above all..."
I gripped the hilt tight. And murmured:
"I'm sick of hiding."