Chapter 65
Chapter 65
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 65
Chapter Title: Training Grounds (2)
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⋯⋯So.
Various things happened, but in any case, it was best to consider this a fairly reliable source of information.
“You won’t lie, right?”
⋯⋯Do I look like I would? With this getup.
Bisels squirmed as he replied.
He still hadn’t fully adjusted to this body.
“Even after threatening that whether I turn you back or not is up to me. You’ve got no conscience.”
Bisels narrowed his eyes as he said it.
Even though he currently had nothing to his name, he refused to shed the innate pride and arrogance of imperial blood.
“Isn’t that just natural?”
⋯⋯.
“You’re in no position to talk back like that from the start. Want to end up in a rough spot?”
As Carlyle laid it out bluntly, the color slowly drained from Bisels’s face.
Bisels subtly tried to shield his body.
⋯⋯Y-You bastard, your tastes are as twisted as ever⋯⋯
⋯⋯Don’t talk nonsense.
No matter if he’d become a woman or whatever, this guy’s mind was still male. If Carlyle didn’t turn him back, it could even lead to charges of murdering imperial kin.
What was he supposed to do with a guy like that? There was a limit to self-consciousness⋯⋯
Vespa, watching from the side, chimed in.
“Ah, don’t worry about that.”
?
“This person barely reacts to normal women anyway.”
⋯⋯.
“He seems completely blocked in that department⋯⋯”
Vespa’s expression grew gloomier as she spoke.
⋯⋯The mood sank so low that Bisels furtively glanced back and forth between Vespa and Carlyle.
⋯⋯⋯⋯W-Well, then. Fine.
Bisels cleared his throat and spoke.
“So, what do you want to ask? I’ll answer everything I can.”
Hm.
[⋯⋯Even here, he’s drawing lines. What a masterpiece.]
I’ll answer within the limits of what I can answer.
Even at this point, his tenacity for self-preservation was admirable.
And.
Carlyle aside, there was someone in the room whose eyes would roll back at that attitude.
Gray’s kicked foot slammed into Bisels’s chest.
With a crash, Bisels’s body toppled over.
He writhed in agony, coughing harshly for a while⋯⋯
“Use honorifics.”
⋯⋯.
Gray growled at Bisels, who stared blankly at her.
“Use honorifics.”
As Gray glared and repeated it, Bisels slowly averted his gaze.
⋯⋯Well, even with imperial backing, he’d avoided clashing directly with Gray.
In this situation, he’d have to watch his step like it was hell itself.
Tears welling from the pain, Bisels sat back in his chair and coughed as he spoke.
“I-I’ll answer wholeheartedly⋯⋯ with all sincerity⋯⋯”
But the moment he finished, Gray’s front kick struck again.
Another crash, and Bisels toppled once more.
⋯⋯.
Everyone, including Bisels, stared at Gray in stunned silence.
Wondering what the hell was wrong this time, but Gray didn’t blink as she spoke.
“Say it with a smile.”
⋯⋯.
“Smile, I said. Don’t annoy me.”
⋯⋯⋯⋯.
Hm.
That’s right. That’s the Hero for you.
Lately, she’d been acting a bit more subdued around Carlyle, so he’d almost forgotten⋯⋯
⋯⋯⋯⋯W-What would you like to know⋯⋯⋯⋯
With a nearly blackened face, forcing a smile, Bisels looked almost pitiful now.
Anyway.
There were a few things to ask.
Exactly what he knew about the monster incident approaching Cradle, and to what extent.
And how far the imperial family was scheming in relation to it.
Fortunately, Gray’s arrogance therapy seemed effective, as Bisels obediently explained the details.
“-It’s a catastrophe-level monster. The observer called it a Black Whale. That’s all that remained in the lost records.”
At those words.
A chill filled the room.
⋯⋯Catastrophe-level?
Gray quietly repeated.
For her usual self, it was an unimaginably grave tone.
That made sense.
The term “catastrophe” before a monster wasn’t just for something strong.
It was reserved for threats that, if left alone, could obliterate at least one nation.
That was precisely why Gray had been chosen as the Holy Sword’s wielder—after slaying a dragon with that descriptor.
“It inhabits the great ocean between the Far East and the Empire. It looks like a whale flying through the skies. It’s broken away from there and is heading toward Cradle.”
Bisels added that the observer in the imperial palace had reported it like a scream.
He’d continued trembling, unable to believe his own eyes.
“Apparently, it’s smashing everything in its path.”
Hearing that, Carlyle stroked his chin thoughtfully.
‘That’s not normal behavior.’
[Hm?]
‘Black Whales are territorial. They don’t leave their habitat, and especially not while rampaging violently like that.’
The monsters in the great western ocean between the Far East and Empire were extremely docile unless someone invaded their territory. A catastrophe-level like the Black Whale, having lived there long, would be even more so.
Normally, they stayed with their young and never strayed from their habitat.
[⋯⋯.]
The Holy Sword let out a speechless silence.
[⋯⋯Didn’t he just say the lost records only had the name? How do you know its ecology⋯⋯ No, never mind. Knowledge from your regression, right.]
‘Yeah⋯⋯ I once tried to tame one to use as an ally.’
[⋯⋯⋯⋯A catastrophe-level monster?]
‘Failed, but studying its habits was plenty.’
[Your ideas are⋯⋯ certainly freewheeling.]
Thanks for the praise.
Carlyle sighed inwardly at the thought.
No wonder they said it could turn all of Cradle into a sea of fire. If the attacker was that, even two Heroes would struggle.
Probably.
Even more so if his guess was correct.
[What do you mean?]
‘Monsters are emotionless beasts. If it’s acting against instinct in two ways at once, someone’s likely forcing it.’
And.
For a monster with power deserving “catastrophe,” there was only one entity Carlyle knew capable of that.
[⋯⋯You think it’s demons? Manipulating it to send here?]
‘High probability.’
Carlyle narrowed his eyes.
‘⋯⋯Noble-rank at least. Even demons can’t pull this off with mere imps.’
It reeked of brimstone fire.
Not like before, but the stench of a real “monster.”
[Then why Cradle specifically? Sure, symbolic, but it’s just an academy.]
The answer to that was simple.
Carlyle glanced aside.
There sat Gray, arms crossed, listening quietly.
‘⋯⋯Because the Lady’s here.’
[⋯⋯.]
Considering their habits, they’d likely thrown it in similarly to collect “weaknesses.”
One by one, gathering the Hero’s vulnerabilities in crises, then exploiting them slyly.
That’s what demons were. Lurking in shadows, observing quietly, seeping in like poison.
‘-Think on that later.’
Anyway.
The immediate issue was the Black Whale violently flying toward Cradle right now.
And some related questions.
“But something’s off.”
“What do you mean?”
⋯⋯Shouldn’t the entire Empire be on high alert for that?
Geographically, Cradle bordered the capital, even if on the outskirts.
It had already caused massive destruction en route, so measures should’ve been in place long ago. Too quiet.
⋯⋯.
Bisels hesitated too.
As if aware his answer was absurd even to him.
⋯⋯If there are casualties, it becomes a bit more⋯⋯ serious.
⋯⋯⋯⋯Pardon?
“Handling a national disaster with many casualties is more ‘heroic’ than one with none, right?”
⋯⋯.
⋯⋯The 1st Prince and 2nd Princess called it ‘raising the stakes.’
Ha.
Hahaha.
Beyond monopolizing info for sole credit.
They thought people needed to die to some extent for a bigger crisis?
‘They’re really insane.’
[What’s new. Not the first day.]
As Carlyle clutched his dizzying head, Gray, who’d been listening, stood.
⋯⋯Well, heard everything we need. Time to prepare.
With that, she turned to Carlyle.
“You can handle the rest, right? While I fight.”
⋯⋯?
Carlyle stared blankly at Gray.
What?
At his reaction, Gray scowled slightly and continued.
“Catastrophe-level monster, yeah? I won’t have eyes for the surroundings while fighting it. You lead the others.”
⋯⋯.
No.
Wait a second.
What she was saying.
⋯⋯You plan to face it alone?
Even a Holy Sword Hero couldn’t take a Black Whale lightly.
And she’d go alone?
“I’ve done similar before. I’m stronger now than then, so it’s fine.”
“Lady, it’s too dangerous. Take some helpers-!”
“Helpers? Who?”
⋯⋯.
“Who can help me?”
For a moment.
Words failed.
“Who? You guys?”
⋯⋯⋯⋯.
“Hey.”
Gray smirked bitterly.
“You really think that? That you can help me?”
⋯⋯.
“Cut the crap and protect yourselves. Don’t drag me down.”
With that cold remark, Gray stormed out.
⋯⋯.
⋯⋯.
Bisels and Vespa rolled their eyes, gauging the mood.
Her attitude had been razor-sharp.
And.
⋯⋯To Carlyle, it was even clearer.
She respected them somewhat now, unlike before.
But at root, nothing had changed.
Above heaven and earth, she reigned alone. A lone general.
The Hero stood above all. No one could aid her.
Facing catastrophe was her burden alone.
The rest remained beneath her feet.
⋯⋯.
Watching her go, Carlyle clenched his fist.
It had been just like that in his past life.
Someone who never felt the need to sync with others, moving solo.
He knew well what happened when that trait hardened.
How many needless sacrifices from ignoring others’ words.
[So, what’ll you do?]
‘Fix it.’
He had to.
One of Gray’s vices that must be reformed to change the future.
[How? I⋯⋯ realized after ‘losing.’ Can’t use that method.]
That was the issue.
But Carlyle had an idea.
‘Make her admit she’s wrong.’
[⋯⋯What?]
‘Show her that those around her—maybe even more than the Hero—are useful.’
Even for Gray. Even as Hero.
Time to taste some honey, not just swing the log.
People tire from work alone.
‘Hero, want a ride on the bus?’
[⋯⋯What’s a bus?]
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