The Hero's Trial (4)
Our carriage proceeded straight through the palace's back gate.
We got out there.
Under Hairil's guidance, we walked down a dark, long corridor and stopped at the entrance to a large room.
I hadn't expected some grand coronation ceremony,
but being ushered into a rat hole like this for a reception in a quiet, library-like secret chamber? It was beyond unusual—it was downright incomprehensible.
Ashu said this was a first for her too.
Something was clearly off in this kingdom.
The place the attendants led me and Ashu to was a secret conference room.
Located in the castle's underground, it was a shelter that could withstand powerful magic or siege weapons—a bunker that doubled as an emergency command center in times of crisis.
In simple terms, it functioned like a command bunker.
Handing our weapons over to Hairil of the Royal Guard, we entered to find a vast space illuminated by magical lanterns.
On a slightly raised dais sat the king and queen.
In front of them was a long, U-shaped conference table where the knight commander and key ministers and nobles appeared to be seated.
The queen—you'd know she was royalty even without the crown.
Her brown hair aside, she bore a striking resemblance to Ashu.
I'd heard plenty of Ashu's harsh words about her, but judging by appearances alone, she seemed elegant and gentle.
Middle-aged, yet still beautiful.
I bet Ashu will look like that when she matures, I thought. It was hard to believe such a mother had tormented and abused Ashu.
The king, who was also Ashu's adoptive father... well, he looked kind.
His hair was streaked with white, making him seem older than his wife, but his short mustache and bright eyes put you at ease even when meeting his gaze.
He had the air of someone utterly uninterested in power. I'd heard that was the case in reality too.
Yet I'd also heard he'd beaten young Ashu as a child—looking at him now, it was hard to buy it.
I'd gotten the full rundown on the palace's sordid underbelly from Ashu, but would these pathetic parents still want to torment her?
The attendant guided Ashu toward the king and queen.
As a priestess of Kalderan but also royalty, she had a special seat prepared.
But oddly, none of Ashu's siblings were in sight.
I knew she had three older and one younger.
I was led between the arms of the U-shaped table.
Following the attendant's lead, I knelt toward the queen.
Among the faces inside the U, only one was familiar.
Inario. Still sporting that panther-like poker face from before the hunt.
The rest included not just knights but also mages and high-ranking ministers.
Of course, I didn't know any of their names or faces.
As they all turned to stare at me, I felt like I had to confess every sin despite having none—like I was on trial.
From among them strode a well-dressed middle-aged man in formal robes.
The queen's herald, no doubt. In simple terms, he seemed to be the session's moderator. Just call him the moderator.
He asked in a loud, solemn voice:
"Are you Kirgil, the hero who beheaded Katona, general of the Demon King who invaded Prosek territory and executor of the countess?"
"Yes, that's me."
"According to the Count of Prosek, when the countess was kidnapped by the Demon King's army, you pursued the enemy host alone, felled a troll, and rescued her. Is this true?"
"Yes, it is."
"Are you Kirgil, the hero who, alongside Ierpanashi the hero of Ier, Hodo the hero of Patemos, Hairil the hero of Kataril, and Princess Ashushikara of Darania, conquered the Inario Dungeon?"
"Yes, that's me."
"If you have any other feats, you have permission to speak of them here."
It felt like a scripted exchange from a play. Tedious.
An irritating formality, but since not everyone here might know my deeds, it was probably necessary—like introducing characters in a novel.
To vent my annoyance, I added a bit to my introduction.
"Not long ago, I captured Inadia, the traitorous son of Inario, who attempted to rape and assassinate Princess Ashushikara, saintess of the Darania royal family."
A few chuckles and coughs rippled through the seats.
The moderator seemed quite shocked by my words, glancing briefly at Inario.
For the briefest instant, even the queen's expression cracked with amusement.
Judging by the reactions, that incident must have seriously damaged Inario's authority.
The moderator cleared his throat repeatedly to reset the mood before proclaiming again:
"Hero Kirgil of Prosek, your heroic deeds and loyalty to the royal family have been verified."
The moderator turned not to me but toward the table and dais as he continued:
"Next, anyone here with words regarding Hero Kirgil may speak in turn."
Now it was time for individuals to evaluate me one by one, apparently.
A blond elf wearing a pentagonal scholarly cap raised his hand.
"I am Paradilan, president of the academy. On his chest gleams the Wings of Knowledge bestowed by the academy.
The vice president affixed that emblem to him, proving his knowledge holds value for all."
Parania's father was here. His presence as academy president suggested this wasn't just a kingdom affair but an international gathering.
Next, an elderly minister unrolled a scroll and spoke.
"I am Pramidia, diplomatic scribe.
Here are letters of gratitude from various nations. The mining overseer of Patemos expresses deep thanks that Hero Hodo learned the courage of excavation from you, Hero Kirgil, and that you provided much inspiration.
The goldkeeper of Ierpanashi seeks detailed information on Hero Kirgil.
The great chieftain of Kataril says you helped him forge a new destiny."
"……."
Hearing it laid out like this, I'd apparently accomplished quite a lot.
Who knew it would circle back like this as honor.
Those letters of thanks and praise were originally meant for that scumbag Inadia, whom Inario executed himself.
Inario kept his poker face, but it had to sting inside.
"As a faithful saintess of Kalderan, I shall speak.
Hero Kirgil turned our long-held prayers at Prosek's Kalderan cathedral into reality.
The priests and faithful of Kalderan call Hero Kirgil the miracle hero."
Even Ashu, always by my side, joined the praise train, making my face burn.
Being showered with accolades before the kingdom's top powers should feel great.
No. The opposite.
My instincts were warning me instead.
I didn't yet know why they were evaluating me.
Imagine being appraised as prime beef right before a festival—you'd get it.
"If there are no more speakers, we conclude. Hero Kirgil, rise."
Now the queen, having heard and observed everyone, was about to make her momentous declaration.
The moderator steadied his breath and spoke:
"The proposals and offers made in this chamber are in no way the king's will. They are discussed, decided, and proposed by the loyal Darania Knights. All present, including Hero Kirgil, are reminded of this."
Eh? What was that supposed to mean?
The queen was right there, and they claimed it had nothing to do with her will?
What was their angle??
The moderator's dull, solemn explanation dragged on.
To sum up:
Not long ago, their appointed Darania Knight Commander was killed by the Demon King's army, leaving the post vacant.
The queen needed to appoint a new one, but no suitable candidate with the ability and justification existed.
They mentioned Inario specifically, acknowledging his skills but delaying judgment due to his wastrel son casting doubt on his loyalty. A deliberate jab.
Thus, the idea arose to elevate a hero who resolved the nation's long-standing wish.
This consensus came not from the queen but from the Darania Knights themselves.
For whatever reason, they kept stressing it wasn't the queen's intent.
And I was a hero qualified both domestically and internationally—a hero among heroes.
Roughly that.
"...Therefore, the Darania Knights offer you, for your heroic feats, the glorious opportunity to claim the position of Knight Commander."
...Pass.
The words nearly slipped out, but I held them back.
I and Ashu's main quest to dismantle the Darania Knights wasn't something we'd shared with anyone yet.
Why would I want to be their commander?
Displeasure surged, followed by an ominous chill stronger than ever.
I'd experienced Ashu's angry rhetoric plenty of times.
Her skill at toying with people through words must have been honed in places like this—I was sure of it.
I was higher up than ever now.
Having soared so high, it was time to come crashing down.
The moderator bellowed with more force than before, guts clenched:
"Hero Kirgil of Prosek!
On behalf of the Darania Knights, we commission you as vanguard commander to slay the wicked dragon that nests in the Artriana Dungeon, unleashing monsters into the northern Artriana Mountains, blocking mine development, and threatening Darania's valiant knights!!"
Impressive. Might as well shove me off a cliff.
A dragon—the stuff of legends!
The dragon, called the hero's ultimate trial.
They'd hoisted me to the heavens only to hurl me at that monstrosity.