The Heroes' Oath (5) - Part 3 Complete
Stripping away the ridiculously long and tiresome flourishes from the queen's invitation, the key point boiled down to this: Ashu was to guide me safely to the palace.
"Sir Kirgil is a hero sworn in loyalty to the count who has pledged fealty to Queen Darania, so her invitation takes precedence over yours."
If Prosek was department head, this was like a call from the company president. Treating me like an employee on dispatch from headquarters.
"But since they didn't send an escort or carriage demanding I come immediately, there's no need to rush. So I'll spend a few leisurely days enjoying myself with you all first."
"I thought you'd be heading out right away! Well, that's fine then!! Cheers to Kirgil's promotion!"
As long as I wasn't leaving on the spot, it seemed no big deal. They latched onto the new topic like an appetizer, and the mood soared once more.
For some reason, it felt like a promotion celebration.
But was Ashu really okay with receiving the queen's letter?
She'd been pretty shaken by them before.
When I subtly asked, she replied like this.
"Things are different now than back then. You know that, right?"
She grinned—not a sweet smile, but a sly smirk. I'd have to pry into that dark little heart of hers soon.
Anyway, Ashu had leveled up enough not to be cowed by the queen's authority anymore. Her actual Status Window level had risen too, of course.
The feast dragged on into the night.
Panash seemed eager to vent all the biases and personal feelings he couldn't usually voice, seizing the chance.
"Just as Darania's nobles must take up the sword to protect their subjects, we goldkeepers have a duty to uphold our creed.
But we have friends and family too. I hope you don't mistake us for golems who live like stone our whole lives."
"Kirgil, it's rare for a goldkeeper to speak so freely about the creed in front of foreigners. Panash truly likes everyone here."
Ashu's supplementary explanation came with a very pleased expression.
My stock had risen a lot lately, that was why. She was telling me to build overseas connections while I had the chance. She was sneakily calculating the gains and losses.
These things were best enjoyed from the heart.
"I still remember when Panash called out Inadia's lie at our first meeting. Even back then, I thought, this guy's gruff but interesting.
And since we're getting casual anyway, drop the titles and just call me by name."
"Haha, understood, Kirgil. Back then, it was hard to suppress my disgust for that man. I was immature as a goldkeeper. I've meditated on it many times to steady my mind."
Hmm, that was meant as praise. But was that something to meditate over? I couldn't wrap my head around it.
It reminded me of those higher-ups back home who preached fair laws and common sense while doing nothing about injustice and crime.
A flicker of annoyance suddenly welled up.
"I don't see it that way. You felt hatred for injustice. That's why I gained interest and trust in goldkeepers from seeing that side of you.
Even if you pursue truth, without trust in you, it can seem worthless."
"...Hoo."
Panash's face twisted, and he crossed his arms, deep in thought.
Oh no, that was the pose that killed the vibe at a drinking party.
Eeei!! Time for a mood switch!
"Haha, must be the booze making me overstep. Here, let me pour you another!"
"Kirgil, not the cup—take this instead."
Panash drew a key from the pouch at his waist.
It looked wooden, but the texture was odd. Wood, but warm.
No, wait—it was getting hotter!?
Panash overlaid his hand on mine, where he'd placed the key.
"[I release Ierpanashi's seal and transfer it to this one. The name of the next to receive the seal is…]"
⟨ Seal Transfer Ritual ⟩
...What the hell!?
Panash, having spoken in the ancient tongue, stared at me with a serious face, expecting an answer.
"Kirgil."
At that, the key's heat vanished in an instant, turning into an ordinary wooden key. Pulling off some weird ritual without warning—nearly gave me a heart attack.
"I figured you'd know what to say, Kirgil."
"Yeah, but what is this key?"
"The key of the divine beast. With it, you'll be welcomed anywhere in our land and granted entry to my vault. From now on, only you can use it."
So if anyone else grabs it, it heats up like before. Weird security measure.
Serves as a personal passport too, I guess.
Ashu's eyes were wide as saucers—she must think it was a big deal. She was stammering incoherently.
"Wait! Panash, that's unfair! You give one to Kirgil but not us!?"
"Hodo, Ashushikara, Hairil—my apologies. We carry only one key, to choose our students wisely.
As you know, Kirgil holds different thoughts and values from us. Personally, and as a goldkeeper, I see tremendous value and appeal in that."
"Mm. Can't argue there. No helping it.
Fine!! If I can't get one, I'll give you something too!! Kirgil!! Come see me before you leave the city!! I'll make you gear with these materials!"
"Uwaaa! Hairil can't lose either! A sword imbued with my scent!"
"Hey, Hairil! What are you gonna do, plucking tail fur like that?"
It started with Panash, and suddenly it turned into a gift exchange. The booze had them all in a generous mood, ready to hook each other up.
A vague premonition hit me: these folks might end up as comrades again soon.
Maybe even lifelong friends.
But Ashu, snap out of it already.
She was fixated on the divine beast key. If it's that fascinating, let her touch it.
"Hot!! What the— you scared me! Is that...?"
Now it heats up for anyone but me.
Anyway, now that she's back to her senses, time to enjoy. Explanations about the key's value could wait.
With so much to say and such high spirits, the feast didn't wrap until midnight.
Hairil got pretty drunk, constantly rubbing against me to "leave her scent"—hard to peel off.
Looked like a minor throwing a drunken tantrum. Kinda awkward to watch.
Panash told me about his homeland, family, even recommended tourist spots. How could I not visit now? Gotta go once things settle.
Hodo was ready to craft full-body armor, but time-wise, I just asked him to finish the crossbow properly.
Said it'd be his invitation—very craftsman-like.
Everyone had to head back to their homelands soon.
We bid farewell to Panash, who was leaving right away, but I'd see Hodo and Hairil once more, probably.
After parting with the group, Ashu and I walked back and pulled out the queen's invitation.
"Ashu, no need to head straight to Darania Palace, right?"
"Like before, when they tried sticking me on Inadia—Mom probably hopes I'll seduce you or something. She doesn't know about us."
The letter instructed Ashu to guide me to the kingdom, and to request travel funds from the adventurer guild. Turn it into an adventure to bond?
"That's what 'assist you' means. And since you're Prosek's hero, they've probably sent a letter there too, summoning you to the palace. Borrowing someone else's hero, after all."
"Sounds grandiose. Rewarding me now for taking down Demon General Katona back then?"
"If it was just a reward for someone else's hero, they'd send goods. They need the hero who beat Katona.
Kings summon heroes when there's a tough problem they can't handle."
"Like a fairy tale trial to win the princess."
"If some lecherous adventurer falls for me during our shared adventure, she might demand you slay a dragon for her daughter's hand."
"What do you take me for? Can't take dragons, so I'll pass on the creepy daughter!"
"Knew you'd say that."
"Tch, you're not the fragile Ashu who clung to me anymore. You've grown too much in just a few days."
"Of course. And even if you give up, I won't."
She flashed that grin, glancing at the stalker ring on my left hand. This Ashu was a bit scary. Total defeat for me.
"But... you okay? Going back to a place you hate so much."
"Can't hide in a cave all day to avoid the rising sun. If I can't keep fleeing, I'll face it."
Ashu seemed resolved to confront it.
Using my exploits to demand what she wants, or seize it herself.
The girl who once trembled at a single edict had toughened up in these few days. In a word...
"You've gotten awfully cheeky."
"Hehehe, all thanks to you, Kirgil."
Blame it all on me, the little rascal. Now my shoulders felt heavier for no reason.
As if to flaunt that cheekiness, she yanked my arm with brute force and forced it into hers.
Felt like I was the one being escorted.
And in the not-too-distant future.
These words would come back to bite me, when we accepted the queen's outrageous demand.
[Part 3 End!]