Chapter 70
Chapter 70
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 70
Chapter Title: Hero's Training (1)
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1
Prophecy Guardians.
They were secretive figures even within the Guardian Shadows, a mysterious organization operating everywhere in human-dominated lands to exterminate Dragon Demon Worshippers.
"Isn't it weird for the undead like us to use the word 'live,' little Epsilon?"
The one who spoke was an arrogant-looking young man. With his light red hair and refined features, he wore a sinister, twisted smile as he gazed at Tarantos Castle from afar.
"You say that every time we meet, but I'm older than you, you brat Zares."
Lennon replied in an ambiguous tone that could be either polite or rude. He looked like a boy of thirteen or fourteen, but he had lived far longer than that. His time had stopped the moment he formed a pact with the Guardian Shadows and became a Prophecy Guardian.
Epsilon.
That was Lennon's name as a Prophecy Guardian, the code name signifying the fifth seat among them.
Zares was the same. His code name, Omicron, denoted the fifteenth seat among the Prophecy Guardians.
"But you're still a little kid. And what's the point of stubbornly calling me by name when our names mean nothing? Just call me Omicron."
"No thanks. Big dumb brat Zares."
"If you want to treat me like a human, why not respect my human rank too? Before becoming a Prophecy Guardian, I was someone so noble you couldn't even speak to me."
"Good thing you still have enough humanity left to brag about your old glory."
"Hmph."
When Lennon shot back without a hint of anger, Zares lost interest and turned his head. After a moment of silence, he spoke.
"Where are the others?"
"Not here yet. Too bad, since there were plenty of people more eager to see you first."
"I just can't figure out the criteria for selecting Prophecy Guardians."
"I don't know either. None of us do."
"It's gone way beyond just being secretive. Why do we have to do all this without knowing anything?"
"Because the reason is too obvious. Anyway, since you dragged me all the way out here, just get to the point."
"You're bored anyway, aren't you?"
"I'd rather watch ants on the roadside than waste time listening to your snide remarks."
"Fine. We need to test if a guy named Azel Zestringer is the one from the prophecy."
"I already tested him, and we concluded to give him some time first."
"I don't remember agreeing to that. And your testing method was half-assed too. You think that'll tell us if he's really the one who can take down that damned Dragon Demon King and his crew?"
"What do you plan to do? You're not thinking of facing him yourself, are you? I guarantee your head will be gone in three seconds."
"You've got an eye for that, huh?"
"I know how pathetic your skills are. How many seconds do you think you could last against Zeta?"
"Five seconds, maybe. Ten would be tough."
"Self-awareness is your one redeeming quality, Zares."
"It's not a quality—it's a necessity for this job. But I can test if he's the hero we've been waiting for with a better method than yours."
Zares flashed a meaningful smile. Lennon looked displeased as he said,
"Just don't cause trouble for the Dragon Sword Duke. He's one of the pillars of our organization, and with his fiery temper, he'll smash you flat before you can even explain your importance. And after you explain? He'll turn you into a corpse."
"That's appealing. But I have no intention of stirring up chaos in his territory. I can't have the Dragon Sword Duke interfering, and I do respect your conclusion with Zeta a little. I heard on the way that the Dragon Sword Duke is preparing an interesting event for that brat Azel Zestringer?"
"He's planning to make him do that thing the Dark Frozen Wastes guys pull."
"You mean the Dragon Slaying Ritual."
Madness flickered in Zares's smile.
Dragon Slaying Ritual.
The Prophecy Guardians still preserved knowledge that had been completely lost after the Great Darkness. Some of them had been born before it.
But even they didn't know everything. The Dragon Slaying Ritual was a prime example.
"A ritual to take a dragon's power..."
That was all Lennon and Zares knew about the Dragon Slaying Ritual. Even before the Great Darkness, the tradition had already grown vague.
Occasionally, high-ranking Dragon Demon Worshippers from the Dark Frozen Wastes performed the Dragon Slaying Ritual away from human eyes. But they didn't do it just to gain power. They did it to create Dragon Demon Armaments. The Prophecy Guardians knew nothing about Dragon Demon Armaments, however.
Dragon Demon Worshippers also used the Dragon Slaying Ritual to bend dragons to their will. Dragons, craving human wisdom, did not refuse it. In exchange for promising to challenge the ritual, the worshippers would ask the dragons for one favor.
Zares said,
"The Earth Dragon that attacked the Dragon Princess probably moved that way too."
What had happened to Arietta had been passed to the Guardian Shadows through Kairen, and the Prophecy Guardians shared that information. They speculated that the Dragon Shadow had manipulated the Earth Dragon by using the Dragon Slaying Ritual as bait.
Lennon said,
"If Azel Zestringer performs the Dragon Slaying Ritual as the Dragon Sword Duke intends, it'll be a brilliant theft of what the Dragon Demon Worshippers were after."
"Worth praising. But we need to confirm it with our own eyes."
"Won't the Dragon Sword Duke provide a suitable spectacle if we just wait?"
"That's not enough. I'll prepare a more splendid trial. Humans can be used to set the stage easily enough."
"Hmm. Do whatever you want then. You won't listen if I try to stop you. Just take responsibility for the aftermath."
"You know me well. Look forward to it."
With that, Zares turned and left.
2
Hasban, now the official spy observing Azel's training, was supposed to report weekly. In reality, he contacted Tarantos Castle far more often. Serving Azel and managing the Lance Mountain villa meant he had many requests.
A direct magic communication network connected the villa and Tarantos Castle, making contact easy. Still, it took a fortnight for Kairen to hear Hasban's report directly. The initial period had been too chaotic with Dragon Demon Weapon production issues.
The communication device was a water mirror. Fill a magically treated basin with water, activate the spell, and the other party's image appears. As Hasban's face floated on the surface, Kairen asked,
"How's that guy?"
"You ask that right away."
"That's why I sent you there. Of course."
"I figured as much. Well, in my opinion, Sir Azel seems a bit insane."
"What the hell has he been up to for such a sudden assessment?"
"He's been harming himself in bizarre ways. Like he's pondering the best suicide method to make headlines."
"Hm? Specifically?"
"He fights himself."
"...Not figuratively, I hope?"
"If it were, I wouldn't call it self-harm. To explain simply: self-sparring."
"Self-sparring? What's that?"
"I coined the term since nothing else fit. Somehow, Sir Azel creates a clone, dresses it in armor, hands it a sword, and fights it earnestly."
"Huh? I didn't hear wrong? The clone holds a sword, wears armor, and fights the real body?"
"I thought I was seeing things too. But it's real."
A literal 'self-sparring.' Hasban continued.
"I've watched closely, and that clone is pretty strong. Honestly, I'm relieved I'm not its opponent. Sir Azel fought desperately too. When it ended, he was covered in wounds and needed healing mages."
"Hmm..."
"And there's also the swords' group dance."
"What's that?"
"This one's even crazier. I can levitate and move swords from afar with telekinesis, but Sir Azel does it with over twenty at once."
"Not that impressive if mana allows it. Though considering that guy's mana..."
"I'd bet a hundred gold pieces you're misunderstanding me, Your Grace."
"I'm starting to get annoyed. If a report causes misunderstanding, it's the reporter's fault for lack of clarity."
"Please bear with me until I explain clearly. From what I saw, those twenty-plus swords move like each has its own will. Sharply, distinctly different from human wielding—fully utilizing their ability to fly solo."
"So each acts like it's held by a different person, with independent intent?"
"Yes. It's more terrifying than twenty swordsmen charging with linked attacks, and Sir Azel dodges and counters barehanded. He doesn't half-ass it. After this training, he was bloodied with some deep wounds. The healing mages are on edge from all his injuries."
"...You're not asking me to believe this, are you?"
"It saddens me that you doubt me so much, Your Grace. Come see for yourself."
"Hmm..."
The story made Kairen feel he'd be the aggrieved one for not witnessing it. Curiosity turned to envy toward Hasban.
'Azel, that guy has no bottom. Did he not even show half his power when sparring me?'
The thought made him bristle. That cocky brat hadn't revealed his full hand against him? And still beat him multiple times?
'I'll deal with him after training ends.'
Kairen made a petty vow.
Hasban continued.
"And Your Grace, I have one question."
"What?"
"Is it true Sir Azel's mana is insufficient?"
"That's a fact. No doubt about it."
"Hmm..."
"Something else?"
"Your words seem correct. Sir Azel often exhausts his mana and collapses. He chugs recovery potions like water each time. I'd love to tell you the total cost so far..."
"Skip that. Tell me what I want to hear."
"The training ground is wrecked. Just one wall, so the magic didn't break."
"...What?"
Kairen was startled.