Chapter 77
Chapter 77
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 77
Chapter Title: The Battle Between Dragon and Hero is an Obvious One. (7)
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The battle between a dragon and a hero is an obvious one.
Twice a year, upper and lower semesters.
There is the Great Imperial Conference, where the empire's influential nobles gather to discuss the empire's present and future.
Unlike the monthly regular meetings held only with nobles residing in the capital,
at this time, all influential nobles of count rank or higher from across the entire empire must attend.
Unless there's a special reason, attendance is mandatory, and it's a chance to raise issues about one's territory and even receive the emperor's support if handled well.
So, pretty much everyone tries to participate.
"It's already time for the upper semester conference. Time flies, doesn't it."
"Indeed. The academy graduation feels like it was just yesterday, and yet months have passed."
"Two months? Three? Something like that."
Nobles he hadn't seen in ages.
Nobles he'd never met before.
Nobles he'd only heard rumors about.
With all the empire's influential nobles gathered, the conference hall was packed with a huge crowd.
Of course, among them, there were those who drew everyone's attention.
"...About that matter..."
"Too many people around now. Later."
Two men whispering secrets to each other.
The director of the Hero Management Bureau, known as the empire's third in rank, Duke Aihan, and the second in rank, who also served as prime minister, Duke Persen.
"Man... If I could just exchange words with those two, I'd have no regrets."
"If they even remembered my name, I'd be thrilled."
"You really are greedy."
The empire's second and third in rank, no less.
The highest powers right after the emperor.
Naturally, nobles eager to get close to them were a dime a dozen.
But reality was, they couldn't even strike up a conversation.
"One wrong look, and your head rolls."
"Don't risk your life just to make a connection."
That was why, despite the attention, few people lingered nearby.
Only the capital nobles already in their circles were visible.
Then again, even among provincial nobles—not central ones—some drew eyes.
"That young man..."
"Yes, the one who took control of the Harkur family."
With an icy aura that seemed to lower the temperature just by looking, and shimmering silver long hair.
A beautiful man more stunning than most women: Sain Harkur was the center of it all.
The genius who, after Marquis Harkur's death, revived the marquisate and the family.
At first, people doubted when they heard the successor to the empire's strongest hero wasn't even a hero, let alone a hero candidate.
'The Harkur family ends with this generation.'
'Handing the family head position to a guy with no talent just because he's the eldest son.'
'Commoner stock through and through—no brains.'
But the moment he took the family head position and began internal affairs,
no one could utter a peep.
What he possessed wasn't the makings of a hero or hero candidate.
It was talent as a noble.
He massively developed the family and lands the previous Harkur had neglected, established relations with surrounding feudal lords,
and turned a place that produced neither heroes nor hero candidates into something untouchable.
In the end, everyone had to acknowledge him, and among nobles, more even said he surpassed the previous generation.
For those reasons, he now stood out most among provincial nobles.
"But he's just an ordinary human, not even a hero candidate."
"Yeah, the kind of trash nobles who aren't heroes or hero candidates love him."
Of course, negative opinions persisted.
After all, in a hero-centric society, he was neither.
Plus, his inherently cold demeanor kept people from approaching, even if they wanted to.
Thus, the conference hall presented a peculiar sight: crowds avoiding the most eye-catching figures.
Dukes Aihan and Persen could be excused as whispering secrets.
But what was Sain Harkur, sitting aloof alone, thinking?
'Boring.'
The conference hadn't even started, yet he was already bored.
With all the empire's influential nobles gathered, building connections could benefit the marquisate later.
Sain knew that well but didn't step forward.
'No need to bow and scrape now. That would just invite contempt.'
Understanding noble ecology, he knew being looked down upon meant being devoured.
Especially since he wasn't a hero or hero candidate.
He started at a disadvantage compared to most nobles.
The marquisate was already substantial, and the name Sain Harkur was known empire-wide.
No need to approach first; those wanting ties would come.
So he thought.
'But no one's coming.'
For some reason, no one approached.
His retainers had pointed out his cold aura, so he'd worn the softest warm-toned suit today.
"That brown suit makes his inherent chill even more pronounced."
"On purpose? Like, 'don't you dare talk to me'..."
Sain couldn't fathom why no one approached.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
The conference itself held nothing remarkable.
The main point of note was the heavy criticism of the Hero Academy.
'It came to this after all.'
The Hero Academy without Kane.
Sain had roughly guessed what end it would meet.
"Ugh... Why can't anyone understand...! The Hero Academy's storied history and traditions have influenced the entire continent! If this is wrong, the world's foundations will shake!"
Parus Remnant tried to defend it desperately, but that wasn't what mattered to the nobles.
"The academy's image has already soured across the continent. If this continues, we'll have to intervene and adjust the curriculum..."
Yes, that was the nobles' aim.
Intervening in the Hero Academy's curriculum.
That would grant influence over foreign and imperial heroes, making ties easier.
Above all, directly affecting the institution that trained heroes and hero candidates
was a golden opportunity for authority-hungry nobles.
'Pathetic.'
Sain sneered at the sight.
Whether the crumbling academy due to Kane's departure, or the nobles trying to exploit it.
All utterly pathetic.
'That's not what's important now.'
The real topic they should discuss was something else.
One tied to the empire's—no, the world's—survival.
'Marquisate's demonic precursor symptoms, academy demon possession, Hasler's mutant troll lord, Bastia's black dragons.'
Recently, events that could plunge a nation into crisis had erupted in far too short a time.
Two blatant demonic acts.
And the mutant troll lord rumors suggested demonic involvement too.
'A black mass reeking of magi.'
Perhaps the troll lord mutation was artificial.
Then Bastia's recent black dragon raid.
Sain suspected demonic influence there too.
For one, black dragons, by draconic nature,
were inherently close to the demon realm and demons.
And their timing was too coincidental not to suspect.
Though dragons' whimsy left it mere suspicion.
Anyway, Hasler's adventurers—mainly Sain's two younger sisters—had gone to handle it.
Once they returned with intel, clarity would come.
'This might prove the whole world is in danger.'
Demonic power slowly infiltrating and corrupting the surface.
This could be just the beginning.
Something far greater, a horrific terror, might await.
"...On that matter, we...!"
"Hey! Such irreverence...!"
"Look here!"
"......"
But sharing this with those present was pointless.
'...I'll have to approach a few reasonable nobles privately.'
Not all nobles were hopeless.
A few, like Sain, observed quietly, pondering other matters.
Not every noble, hero, or hero candidate was a self-serving fool.
There had to be productive conversationalists.
With that thought, Sain shut his eyes and ears.
The surrounding chatter was too trivial and filthy.
'...Should consult Kane too.'
The one person far better grasping the situation and devising countermeasures.
Only Kane.
He resolved to discuss upcoming events and plans with Kane.
'This time, stay calm and talk properly.'
But already tense at the thought of conversing with Kane, his face hardened more than usual.
"S-Sain Young Master's aura just got icier...!"
"Is something bothering him?!"
As a result, nearby nobles fidgeted, watching his mood.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
"Phew, it's been ages since I was in the capital."
I'm currently in the imperial capital, Carmen, on an extended vacation.
Why here all of a sudden?
To check martial arts materials unavailable in Hasler's library, at the central library.
And if possible, ask His Majesty the Emperor to open the imperial library...
Hmm, too much?
Jenny and Scarlett as friendly contacts is the goal.
He wouldn't grant that much favor to a mere side character like me, right?
"Head to the central library first."
Carmen has the academy and students or nobles I'd rather avoid.
But the capital's vast.
No way I'd bump into them wandering aimlessly, right?
And even if I did, they'd try something in broad daylight in the capital?
Thinking that, I walked on—
"Oh."
"...Hm?"
...And bumped into him.
The top of Kane's "absolutely don't want to run into" list.
"S-Sain Young Master... No, Marquis...?"
"...Kane."
The moment I saw his already cold eyes sink to frostbite levels,
I was certain.
...I'm dead.
Right in the heart of the capital.