Chapter 89
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 89
Chapter Title: Friends Aren't Forever. (1)
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After seeing the records on the heroes' short lifespans in the Imperial Library, I'd practically been living in the Hasler Library.
The moment my scheduled classes ended, I'd pack up my notes and head straight there.
Staying until closing time to pore over the materials—that had become my daily routine.
Of course, the Hasler Library didn't have quite enough on its own, but the notes I'd organized from the palace helped fill the gaps.
If I needed a specific book or record, I'd ask Viscount Strau to track it down for me.
Since he saw me as his benefactor, he'd scour every source he could access.
Thanks to that, I was able to compare the records of former Marquis Harkur with those of other heroes and piece things together.
First thing I discovered:
For those who died of illness, the symptoms matched up to a certain degree.
The disease always struck suddenly as they entered their forties.
In some cases, as early as their late thirties.
And most didn't last more than five years, dying in their mid-forties.
Marquis Harkur was the same: illness hit at 41, and he passed at 45.
As if something was blocking them from living any longer.
The symptoms varied from case to case, but there were three common ones.
Despite their superhuman strength as heroes, they'd grow so weak in their final years that they couldn't even lift a spoon.
Parts of their bodies turning pitch black.
And insomnia from nightmares.
I focused on the nightmares.
Most records of the heroes' final days mentioned torment from nightmares.
Not much detail on what they were about, though.
Jenny said she'd heard about her father's nightmares from him.
"Dad didn't remember the details since it was a dream, but he said it felt like a horrific evil was approaching."
And in the materials I requested from Viscount Strau, I found similar phrasing.
"Before his death, Hero Kallip said, 'Something terrifying is coming. Prepare yourselves.' Shortly after, an upper-rank demon appeared from the north."
This was from an old record of the Mera Alliance. It also noted an upper-rank demon appearing in the alliance at that time.
Were the heroes' nightmares linked to demons... or the demon realm?
I couldn't be sure.
Too few cases.
It might just be coincidence. Or the "terrifying, horrific evil" they described might not stop at upper-rank demons.
If it was the Demon King's curse, maybe it meant he planned to invade the mortal realm again.
Yeah. To invade once more, he'd target the biggest obstacle: heroes.
That would be the curse.
The more I dug...
The more I leaned toward the curse hypothesis being real.
But... even if it was true...
What could I do about it?
Me, who could only bury myself in books like this?
It was a curse laid by the Demon King himself.
The medium for it had to be insanely powerful.
Even if it was somewhere in the mortal realm...
How was I supposed to deal with it?
"...Still, it has to mean something."
No, don't think like that.
It definitely means something.
Curses always have constraints and ways to break them.
Stronger curses like this often have more constraints—and simpler solutions.
Like smashing the medium entirely. Something like that.
"What meaning?"
That's when someone spoke to me.
"...?"
I'd had my face practically glued to the desk, so I lifted my head.
"Scarlett?"
A slender beauty with her red hair tied back in a ponytail stood across the table.
"What're you studying so hard?"
She glanced at my notes, then set them back down like they were gibberish.
"It's been a week already. You've been holed up in this library, Big Brother. Skipping training now?"
A hint of worry in her tone.
I mean, this was nothing.
Just a week of library visits after classes.
I'd gone days without eating or sleeping for books before.
This was tame.
...Come to think of it, Scarlett had dragged me out back then too, insisting I at least eat.
"Seriously, Big Brother, don't you have any friends? What's the deal with holing up here?"
"......"
How could she say something so brutal?
Apologize to shut-in researchers nationwide.
Friends, huh.
Thinking about it, I might not have anyone at Hasler I'd call a friend.
Adventurers were students and instructor.
Even Jenny and Scarlett, the closest, I still called "young ladies."
Lyn too—ex-princess vibes made it feel formal.
Friends are people you hang with equally, no pretenses.
Everyone tripped on the "equal, no pretenses" part.
...Mercen and Viscount Strau? Not even worth mentioning.
They treated me like a worshipped idol or revered master.
Actually, no one in my life had ever qualified as a friend.
Not in the marquis's house, Hero Academy, or now as an instructor.
"...Ah."
Wait. There'd been one.
Back when my parents abandoned me, surviving in the back alleys.
Friend? Kinda iffy.
More like the only other kid my age in the same mess.
Closest thing to equal companionship in my life.
Name was... Marco, I think.
Always bragging he'd make it big, shine light on all us alley rats.
Big ambitions.
"Kane, I'll hook you up too! Live the high life! Haha!"
Tough world for kids; only me and Marco under ten among the boys.
Natural we'd bond.
I was quiet; he was always causing chaos. Not the best match.
Stealing stuff, near-death scrapes.
Once pickpocketed a knight's wallet, got caught, slashed with a sword.
Forehead scar from that. Thought he was done for.
But he bounced back, no fear. Tough kid.
Hm. After joining the marquis house, I checked the alleys once.
He'd vanished.
Wonder what he's up to now.
Didn't seem the dying type.
Maybe an adventurer?
Eh, he's probably fine. Seventeen years ago.
He'd barely remember me now, same as I him.
Not important anyway.
What mattered was reviewing these records and uncovering the heroes' short lives.
"What matters now is you getting some fresh air, Big Brother!! Out, now!"
"Eek, whoa?!"
W-Wait, Teacher!
Don't yank that hard—you'll rip my arm off!
"O-Okay! I'll go! Fresh air, sunlight, all of it!"
So stop pulling my arm!
Ow, my shoulder's popping out!
#
A city's dark alleys.
Deeper, deeper in...
A small staircase leads underground.
Down those stairs...
A vast underground space unfolds, luxurious beyond the shabby entrance.
Gold-plated walls, top-tier furniture.
Chandeliers overhead sparkle with embedded gems.
So gaudy it almost looks cheap.
In the center: a massive golden throne.
"Heh, Hasler again."
A man lounged on the throne, reading a newspaper.
Hasler's Adventurers Save Crisis-Stricken Bastia!
If you had to pick the hottest spot lately, it'd hands-down be Hasler in the Karr Empire. They boast two heroes, including the already famous Scarlett Harkur. Their guild branch got a request to save Bastia from a dragon attack and headed out. There, Hero Jenny Harkur—who's been captivating the world—and Lyn, who awakened her hero powers after purifying a demon possession at the old Hero Academy—shone brightest. They credited Instructor Kane, just like in the troll lord incident. (For reference, Instructor Kane is...)
"Kane, Kane. Instructor Kane!"
The man bellowed a hearty laugh, flinging the paper into the air.
Chanting Kane's name over and over.
The newspaper fluttered down to the floor.
Scattered there: old papers, trampled and torn, from Hasler's troll lord incident. Discarded who-knows-when, covered in footprints.
"Kahahaha! You bastard. Living it up without me, huh?"
He slapped his face, giggling uncontrollably.
"Kekeke, the goody-two-shoes who couldn't do shit... Joined the marquis house and climbed the ladder, eh?"
His laughter cut off abruptly.
"Fun. Kinda wanna see you."
Slowly, he lowered the hand from his face.
On his forehead: a massive scar, like from a sword slash.