The False Hero (4)
The Holy Sword Solarion.
A second holy sword, distinct from the Holy Sword Calidox managed by the church.
Legend held that the hero had slain the unkillable with Calidox and saved countless lives with Solarion.
The blade that symbolized the emperor devoured everything it touched with its vast life force.
It was the sun itself.
To enemies, it was a calamity that burned even their souls without mercy.
To allies, it was a nurturing parent that bestowed life.
Originally, the sword had been a sacred relic of another forgotten god.
In the present age, where countless deities had vanished except for the Goddess of Destiny, Alesia, even the church could not locate it.
It was a secret known only to the one seated upon the imperial throne.
Even if the hero had appeared long ago, it remained a secret passed down through the hero’s bloodline.
‘Well, even if others knew, there’s nothing they could do about it.’
After all, only those who had obtained the divine eye could find the entrance.
Ordinary people would dismiss it as mere rumor and turn away.
Thanks to that, I had narrowly escaped the imperial pursuers before my regression.
Kellion had died in the process.
Well, he’s alive now, so that’s a relief.
I couldn’t allow someone who only cared about himself to become emperor again.
Even if Damian was a false hero, I would have acknowledged him if he had fulfilled his responsibilities.
Countless fierce storms would soon sweep across the continent.
To create a world where everyone could at least imagine tomorrow, I had to steel my resolve.
Weakness like before would no longer be tolerated.
***
“Your Highness, congratulations. You have obtained the Holy Sword.”
Once the blinding light subsided, Kellion, who had regained his senses, bowed his head and spoke.
“Indeed. Things will get busy from now on. You won’t even dream of slacking off like before.”
“Haha, what are you saying? I have always done my utmost for Your Highness.”
Kellion said while stroking his beard.
‘He must have felt stung.’
It was one of his habits I knew well, even if he didn’t realize it.
“Now only the hero verification ceremony remains. With Solarion, there will be no room for petty tricks.”
“Choosing the right moment to take the stage is also important. Damian is a cunning fellow. To wipe out the rats hiding in the imperial palace and the old fossils of the church in one sweep, we need a stage worthy of it.”
Last time, I hadn’t even been given a chance.
Everything had been rigged from the start, and I had merely stood there in misery.
“I’ll leave the management of the ruins to you. Do as you please, whether it’s research or spending gold coins.”
“I knew I could count on you, Your Highness. However…”
As expected, Kellion was trying to act composed, but his excitement was obvious.
“However…?”
“Might I also study the Holy Sword?”
…Come to think of it, Kellion had always been like this.
It was no wonder he had once reduced other magic towers to rubble in his prime.
People said the mad dog had finally matured, but his temperament hadn’t changed one bit.
Still, carrying the sword out like this would be troublesome, so it was best to leave it in the ruins until the verification ceremony.
Carefully gripping the blade of the Holy Sword, I turned the hilt toward Kellion and offered it to him.
“Ooh… So this is it.”
Kellion’s eyes sparkled.
Honestly, it was unsettling.
If it were a young girl, maybe, but I had no desire to see an old man acting this way.
The moment Kellion reached out to grasp the hilt—
A crackling sound rang out as red sparks erupted, flinging the sword from his hand.
[Stop. My contractor. Do not allow this queen to touch the hand of such a lowly creature.]
A cool female voice echoed from the Holy Sword Solarion.
***
“So… you’re the dragon’s soul dwelling within the sword?”
[Indeed.]
There had been nothing like this before.
It seemed the excessive divine power infused during the forging process had caused it.
[This queen is Anthelia Flamerion, queen of all dragonkind, the Red Dragon.]
A proud self-introduction.
Even from her voice alone, one could sense her immense pride.
“Hmm. For someone saying that, you looked rather weak.”
The guardian of the ruins had indeed been far too feeble to be called a dragon from the age of myths, let alone their queen.
Still, that wasn’t something Kellion should have said.
[Hmph. It was merely a light diversion. Even a mere three-tenths of this queen’s true power would be more than you could handle. Besides, it would be absurd for the guardian of the hero’s ruins to kill the hero. You seem to be a mage, yet your head doesn’t appear to work very well.]
“You bastard…! Your Highness, please grant me the opportunity. I must teach this insolent lizard a lesson.”
Kellion’s face flushed red as he spat out the words.
I would have liked to watch his mask slip further, but time was of the essence.
“That’s enough.”
[Very well. Listening to one’s contractor is also a virtue befitting the noble. Still, that fellow seems somewhat useful, so perhaps calling him a lowly creature was a bit harsh.]
“Ugh…”
Kellion stroked his beard.
Even though he had been furious moments ago, he seemed embarrassed at receiving recognition from such a superior being.
“So why were you here? After the age of myths, the rulers of the old era should have all vanished beyond the world.”
The beings people now called dragons were, strictly speaking, nothing more than fallen subspecies.
Lower races like wyverns had taken their place.
After a brief pause, Anthelia spoke.
[My contractor, traditions have faded and memories have been forgotten. In this age, no one seeks to uphold the ancient oath.]
Though only her voice could be heard, a trace of sorrow lingered within it.
[In accordance with the oath sworn with the hero, this queen has long guarded these ruins alone, waiting for the future hero who would one day appear.]
The hero was undoubtedly a figure from the age of myths.
He was the founder of the empire who had closed the old era with his own hands and ushered in the age of humanity—an unparalleled hero of mankind.
How many long years had she endured here alone?
The selection of the hero had become nothing more than tradition, never once carried out since the first hero.
Even if one knew of the ruins’ existence, an emperor who had not awakened as the hero could not enter.
…It was presumptuous, but a faint sense of sympathy stirred within me.
Yet it was ultimately Anthelia’s choice, so I could say nothing.
[As long as the oath is remembered, this queen shall become your strength.]
***
The rest was simple.
“Ahem. In any case, it seems my work here is done for now. Then, may I begin my research immediately?”
Kellion shut himself inside the ruins at once.
[Are you saying it would be troublesome to take this queen outside? That is problematic. My contractor, listen carefully. Fire destroys all things, yet it is also the driving force of life. Wherever there is flame, you may summon the Holy Sword at will.]
The Holy Sword Solarion now housed the Dragon Queen Anthelia, allowing it to be stored or summoned whenever desired.
[Oh? So this is where you reside. The hero would surely be delighted to see this.]
Aside from the minor issue of the excited Dragon Queen frequently speaking to me after emerging from the ruins for the first time in ages, everything was fine.
Most of her stories were about the previous hero, though.
“Hmm. Are you not interested in the imperial palace’s cuisine? Even if it is human food, it has been a long time since you last ate.”
[Hmm… Food holds no meaning for this body, but it would not be bad as entertainment.]
After spending the entire night in the ruins, I was on my way to the main palace for breakfast, heading toward the First Prince’s residence.
“You were nowhere to be seen this morning, Brother. Were you occupied with something urgent? It seems even Adjutant Kellion’s whereabouts are unknown.”
Damian appeared as if he had been waiting and spoke.
“If it’s Kellion, he’s probably slacking off again.”
“Haha, that old man would certainly do so. After all, he is the Mad Dog of the Magic Tower! It must be difficult for you as well, Brother. The hero verification ceremony is just around the corner, yet your adjutant is in such a state.”
At times like this, Kellion’s image as a good-for-nothing was quite helpful.
After all, most people paid no attention to what he usually did anyway.
If I hadn’t taken him as my adjutant, he would have been lounging around the imperial palace without a care.
That was why one’s usual conduct mattered.
Though it had worked in my favor this time.
“I simply had trouble sleeping. There’s no need for you to worry.”
“Hmm… Even so, as your younger brother, I cannot help but feel concerned. You don’t seem to be in good health either. How about resting until after the verification ceremony? I’ll speak with the church and try to secure you another opportunity afterward.”
He had no intention of letting the opportunity come to me—he planned to seize the false position for himself.
“Hah. I’m truly fortunate to have such a reliable younger brother. The empire is truly blessed. Still, I’ll gratefully accept your kind intentions. I cannot burden you with unnecessary troubles.”
“Is that so? Then I shall see you on the day of the verification ceremony, Brother. Please take good care of yourself…”
The hero verification ceremony.
The event that had marked the beginning of everything.
As countless emotions intertwined before it—
Several days passed, and at last, the day of the decisive battle arrived.