Chapter 245
Chapter 245
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 245
Chapter Title: Heros' Twin Ships
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Heros headquarters harbors one secret that's not particularly secretive.
There's a clear motif to the layout of this massive facility. If you could look down on the headquarters from the sky, you'd see quite the amusing sight.
It resembles two enormous ships joined together, like a twin vessel.
The long buildings look like masts, the sprawling grounds like decks, and the protruding front section like a prow.
The core facilities of Heros are gathered in the main headquarters building, which rises prominently like a bridge.
And in Heros, heated arguments—even ones that come to blows—typically unfold on the top floor of that bridge.
This time was no different.
Among the third promotion battles of Heros, this was the evaluation for an A-grade hero, known as the most grueling.
In the test where challengers receive the full force of the examiner and are graded accordingly...
An absurd incident had occurred: the A-grade hero had lost.
It wasn't something they could just gloss over, either.
The exam had been held on a grand scale in Kimnashion, and this promotion round featured an especially high number of promising talents.
Naturally, the audience was several times, even dozens of times larger than usual.
They couldn't silence everyone, and in fact, controlling information like that wasn't Heros' policy anyway.
Still, it wasn't a matter to dismiss lightly, so today, numerous heroes had gathered in the conference room on the top floor of the Heros bridge to address the issue.
"...So, like I said before?"
A middle-aged man with a rat-like mustache spoke in a curt tone.
"Let's remove the A-grade hero evaluations from the promotion battle roster."
He was Mawsed, leader of the A-grade clan and Heros' largest intelligence network, [Bird & Mouse].
Of course, that fact didn't lend much weight to his words.
Given the caliber of those attending the meeting, his position didn't particularly stand out.
"Remove them?"
The sharp-voiced response came from a man who evoked the image of a wolf—not just in demeanor, but in appearance. Wolf ears poked up from his hair, his mouth split back to his ears, and his hands bore half-formed claws.
Peter Pang, leader of the A-grade combat clan [Full Moon]—a beastkin—growled.
"A rat pup like you thinks it can change a long-standing tradition? How laughable..."
"Peter Pang, want me to chew your head off first?"
"Try it, rat pup. Those disgusting front teeth of yours won't even reach my mane."
There were fewer than ten people at the meeting.
Heroes were generally always busy.
In fact, the agenda wasn't all that pressing compared to usual, so even some stationed at headquarters had declined to attend.
After all, it wasn't about imperial oversight, the church's rising influence, or matters involving demons or magical beasts...
It was just a review of the third promotion battle formats and a readjustment of A-grade evaluation standards.
The roughly ten attendees split into two camps on the issue: for and against.
Mawsed of Bird & Mouse was for.
Peter Pang of Full Moon was against.
The two heroes currently barking loudest could be seen as representatives of each side.
Surprisingly, no one took a neutral stance.
The meeting had been going on for a while, but the two sides remained deadlocked, running parallel.
The shift came when the conference room door burst open.
"Hm? Still not done?"
A man entered with a casual voice.
His gentle expression and mild tone clashed with his overwhelming physique and rock-solid build.
"......"
"......"
No one called out the intruder's rudeness.
He was one of the few qualified to treat the conference room like his own living room during a meeting.
Leader of the Sky-Cleaving Sword Division and hero of the eastern wars.
Above all, one of the rare S-grade heroes even in Heros.
"...You've arrived? Lord Maxim."
Even Mawsed showed respect to Maxim of the Sky-Cleaving Sword. Peter Pang, who had been baring his fangs and growling, also shut his mouth.
Maxim grinned.
"Yeah. I hurried over, figuring you all might be wasting precious time again."
"...It's not a waste of time."
Mawsed muttered in a slightly displeased tone.
Maxim chuckled heartily and took the head seat as if it were natural.
The sturdy chair creaked loudly under his weight.
"I get the gist of why it's dragging on. First off, my take: no need to change the third promotion battle system."
"Incidents like today's could happen again."
"Then we should welcome them gladly."
Maxim said.
"Isn't securing and nurturing talent one of Heros' mottos? They didn't lose to some overwhelming foe; they got swept by a new wave. What's bad about that? New heroes are always welcome. Of course, the defeated A-grade will have to grit their teeth and reflect."
"...Lord Maxim, A-grade is the ultimate goal for all heroes. And those who are someone's goal must watch their words and actions, maintaining dignity. What I'm saying is, if this keeps happening, won't it tarnish their prestige?"
This was why they needed to consider reviewing the third promotion battles inseparable from readjusting A-grade standards.
Mawsed shook his head and continued.
"Already, many are dissatisfied with Heros' current hero ranking system or its evaluations. Especially for A-grade promotions, the difficulty varies wildly depending on the examiner's skill—a long-standing issue. This fight gives those critics prime fodder."
"If voices are rising from the masses, it means there's a problem. How about adding an exception rule?"
"Like what?"
"Once someone reaches A-grade, there's effectively no demotion. Unless they betray Heros or turn out to be a spy..."
"...Hm. No way."
Peter Pang's eyebrow twitched as he listened.
"Add a demotion system to A-grade. For cases like damaging prestige, as in this incident, or long-term lack of results."
One of the silent A-grade heroes spoke cautiously.
"...We can expect major backlash from A-grade heroes."
"Naturally. So feel free to let what I said go in one ear and out the other."
"Pardon?"
"You all know I'm no good with brainy stuff. I'm just spouting whatever comes to mind. Don't overthink it."
Maxim wiped the smile from his face and said.
"But from experience, I know this: reforms or innovations to the status quo always trail a tail of opposition, criticism, and condemnation at first."
"......"
"Of course it won't be easy, but whether this becomes the first step of change or just hot air from a fool is up to you all."
"...Hm."
"Understood."
In the end, Maxim supported one agenda and opposed the other.
Perhaps because of that, Mawsed and Peter Pang, who had been at each other's throats, toned it down and fell silent.
The protracted meeting finally began wrapping up.
Maxim had called himself a fool, but no one in the room bought it.
Pinpointing the core of the deadlock and mediating it instantly required sharp instincts—not something just anyone could do, even if his knowledge was shallow.
"Alright. Let's end the meeting here..."
Maxim stood, grabbed the doorknob to leave, then turned back suddenly.
"Oh, right. So, which clan is Ruan Bednicker joining?"
* * *
[That was an excellent technique.]
It had been a while since I'd heard from the Martial God, and his first words were praise.
As the Martial God, he doesn't mince words about martial arts.
Which meant my impromptu technique had earned his approval, filling me with a swell of pride.
'Thanks to your advice, Martial God.'
[My advice?]
'Yes. You suggested envisioning the latter half of White Sun Eclipse as defensive forms.'
[Hm. That was the final piece.]
"Pardon?"
[Your usual attitude toward martial arts, your deliberations and worries, your training and qi circulation... It all meshed together. Take pride in it.]
"......"
The Martial God spoke in a satisfied tone.
He was gilding my face, leaving me little to say...
But it wasn't all smooth sailing.
My bout with Hiiro was definitely my overwhelming victory.
It was, but there was backlash.
"Good grief."
I shook my head, staring at my right palm.
[The three major meridians in your right arm are badly damaged.]
'Yeah.'
Even clenching and unclenching my fist hurts.
It was the side effect of overexerting my internal energy, worse than I'd expected.
Honestly, even at rest, the inside of my arm burns. Like hundreds of hot needles pricking my veins.
It was pretty gruesome pain, and visually, even worse.
My entire right arm was covered in burns.
I, Ruan Bednicker—who had nearly mastered Flame Arts of the Greatest—had burns.
"...Never thought I'd live to see this."
Life's unpredictability is fun, my ass.
This burn itched, throbbed, disgusted, and just plain pissed me off.
[Refrain from using your right arm as much as possible for now. Forcing internal energy will only worsen it.]
'Guess so?'
I clicked my tongue when a knock sounded.
I got up and flung open the door...
"Good morning!"
A woman more annoying than my burns appeared. I scowled openly.
"What."
"Ah. You look upset. Something wrong?"
"I saw an ugly mug first thing in the morning."
"Ugh. That's a shame..."
"......"
I glared at Verita, who seemed genuinely sad, then suddenly remembered something and showed her my arm.
"By the way, didn't our Sister Razbet have healing skills?"
"Yes!"
"Then this."
I showed her the wound, bracing myself. Flashes of the knight whose head I'd smashed with an iron mace crossed my mind.
"Can you heal the burn?"
"Ah... Sigh."
Verita's eyes wavered at the sight, but after deep breaths, she steadied and slowly shook her head.
"...I'm sorry, but this wound can't be healed."
At least she didn't freak out, but the news was disappointing.
"Why?"
"Um... Well..."
Verita hesitated awkwardly, and I realized why right away.
'Damn, it's because of the azure flames.'
The blue flames drawn from the instrument as source.
As known, wounds from instruments are hard to heal even with priests' holy power.
Unless it's bishop-level holy power.
'No way I'd miss Helsta enough to go to the capital for treatment.'
As the Martial God said, I'd have to focus on recovery for a while.
As I thought that, a question popped up.
"By the way."
"Yes."
"How'd your promotion go?"
There were six participants in this promotion round,
And three A-grade heroes prepared.
So the rule was two per A-grade...
But I'd knocked Hiiro out of commission. Leaving Verita without an opponent.
"The schedule was adjusted! They even asked if I'd take the promotion battle again in a week."
"And?"
"Hm. Still on hold."
She glanced at me, and it felt like her decision hinged on my actions.
Verita asked.
"Anyway, sincere congratulations on reaching B-grade! You've achieved your brother's goal!"
"Results aren't out yet, but whatever."
Beating an A-grade means B-grade promotion is certain.
"Oh, right. Have you decided on a clan to join, brother?"
"Well, of course..."
"......"
I shut my mouth and glared at Verita's sparkling eyes.
"Why do you ask."
"Some clans have very strict entry conditions. And with two top prospects, few upper clans can take both..."
"Two?"
"Yes."
"......"
Right then, it hit me: her too?
"Special scoop—!"
A childish, boisterous voice cut in.
I turned slightly and saw a boy in a mail carrier uniform, hat pulled low.
"Recruit the Gold Fairy and you get the Blood Iron Mace too...! This, this! It'll spark a massive recruitment war!"
"Who're you?"
"Ah, pardon... You're Gold Fairy Ruan Bednicker, right?"
"...Yeah."
The boy, who'd tanked my goodwill in seconds, thrust something at me.
"Here!"
What was it? A bundle of letters.
"What's this?"
"Yes! Recruitment offers from various clans for the Gold Fairy!"
"All of them?"
"Yes! Even as an info broker, I've never delivered this many at once!"
"...Recruitment offers."
I took the stack from the mail boy and skimmed them...
Then spotted one that stood out, especially large.
Purple envelope sealed with a black rose crest.
"......"
Here it comes.