Chapter 104
Chapter 104
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 104
Chapter Title: Gathering Heroes (1)
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Following Riya's advice, I decided to participate in the Seven Heroes Assembly, but I didn't immediately relay that decision to King Leogart.
It seemed like there was more to gain by holding off on a quick reply and playing it cool for a bit.
"Come in. I've heard the news."
While delaying my response, I first returned to Lavanteira and headed to the beastkin village.
My goal was to check the remaining synopsis there.
'I should bring Riya next time.'
[Hmm.]
When I mentioned Riya, Gransesia showed a peculiar expression.
[Well, that lizard girl is useful in all sorts of ways.]
'That makes it sound like I'm just using her.'
[Isn't that mostly the case?]
I couldn't deny it outright, but not this time.
Riya wanted to build friendly relations between the empire's people and other races, so I figured it would be good for her to get acquainted with the beastkin too.
'Anyway, that's for later.'
Under the beastkin chieftain's guidance, I inspected their village. Their way of life truly differed from race to race.
While elves built homes in trees using the forest itself, dwarves mainly lived in caves or stone structures.
The beastkin, on the other hand, formed light villages, relatively similar to human lifestyles compared to other races.
'With animal ears on their heads...'
It gave me a strange feeling.
Especially seeing cat ears atop burly men's heads—it stirred an indescribable emotion.
"Right here."
The spot the beastkin chieftain showed me was a shrine of unusual shape.
"It was sealed before, but after the sword was stolen, we've left it open."
"I see..."
I slowly examined the inside of the shrine.
There was a passage leading underground, and signs that someone had forcibly torn off the door blocking the entrance.
[What do you think? No demonic energy in particular?]
'...Fortunately, no need to worry too much.'
[Then?]
'This isn't an incident caused by distortion.'
I felt relieved inwardly. I had wondered if this was another event triggered by me changing the future.
[So it was stolen in the original story too?]
'Yes. After Fabian stops the Corrosion Disaster and arrives here, the story continues with him pursuing the one who took this sword.'
[Ah, so that's how it connects.]
I overlaid the shrine's settings with the synopsis visible in this area.
'Manmu Sword Epion.'
The Seven Heavenly Sword Epion, guarded by the beastkin.
I didn't know its exact abilities, but from the name, it was clearly a sword with a variety of powers.
"Chieftain."
"Yes, Sword Master."
"Just call me by name casually. More importantly, was the one who stole this sword perhaps someone from the village?"
...!
The chieftain's eyes wavered at my words.
"That's..."
"No need to hide it. I already know."
"Could it be... the sword's power?"
"You can think of it that way."
When I spoke directly, the chieftain clamped his mouth shut.
His agonized face suggested he was hesitating whether to tell me the truth.
[Is it okay to ask so bluntly? What if he gets violent?]
'As long as I have this bracelet on my wrist, he can't.'
With this bracelet, I was practically the Lavanteira king's proxy.
So the chieftain couldn't dare oppose me.
Plus, I was the legendary sword's master.
Unless he knew what mysterious powers I had, he couldn't bring himself to lie.
"...Yes. The one who stole this sword was indeed someone from our village."
"And it seems connected to you, Chieftain."
"Yes... It was... my son."
In the end, the chieftain confessed everything, as if letting it all go.
Only direct descendants of the chieftain could even enter the shrine in the first place.
[Then why is it so messed up?]
'Camouflage.'
To make it look like an outsider's intrusion.
If word got out that the chieftain's son had taken a Seven Heavenly Sword and vanished, the fallout would be immense.
"I never imagined my son would covet that sword. He was the beastkin's greatest warrior and, as the next chieftain, more honorable than anyone."
I listened silently to the chieftain's words.
It matched the synopsis exactly.
Theo, the beastkin chieftain's son.
He always thought he wasn't meant to stay in this small village.
He wanted to experience a bigger world and make his name known across it.
[So he stole a Seven Heavenly Sword for that?]
'Simple, right?'
Theo was also a sword master-level expert.
Believing only a Seven Heavenly Sword matched his skill, he sought the sword's approval...
'But the Manmu Sword didn't choose him.'
Unless handed over directly by the sword's guardian, the Seven Heavenly Swords couldn't be wielded freely.
They were sealed or rejected unworthy wielders outright.
Even Genova wouldn't have been usable without my Insight Eye lifting its seal.
"...That's how it happened."
"Thank you for explaining in detail."
"No, I'm truly ashamed. I'll accept any punishment, but please spare the village..."
I shook my head at his desperate plea.
"Don't worry. I have no intention of reporting this to His Majesty."
"R-Really?"
I nodded.
Having confirmed it followed the original story, I wasn't particularly angry.
'Should I call this good luck?'
[What?]
'According to the synopsis, Theo left to challenge one of the Continental Seven Heroes to make his name.'
It would have been a huge headache otherwise.
It didn't specify which hero he went after, and tracking down the scattered Seven Heroes across the continent wasn't easy.
'But now, there's no need for that, right?'
[...You're right.]
Continental Seven Heroes, No. 6, Crimson Lion Aldred Ribina.
His death—not in the original—led to the Seven Heroes Assembly.
Whether I attended the assembly or Theo challenged a hero as planned...
'In the end, I'd have to head to where the assembly is held anyway.'
The continent's tallest peak.
Mount Tiraris.
* * *
After checking the synopsis tied to the Manmu Sword Epion, I stayed briefly in Shioten before deciding the time was right to move.
"Ooh, Count Banheart! I've been waiting."
When I visited the royal castle, King Leogart summoned me straight to the audience chamber.
Normally, meeting the king required complex procedures, but he ignored them all.
'This is how people seize power.'
Who would've thought I'd see such a day.
It even looked like His Majesty was fawning over me.
[No, it actually seems that way? Are the Seven Heroes that important?]
'Very.'
Look at the continent's hegemon.
The Asktalin Empire.
Many reasons, but the biggest was two people in the empire.
Continental Seven Heroes No. 1, Twin Pole Sword Ban Silbest.
And No. 5, Dragon King Gideon Asktalin.
These two absolutes made no other nation dare challenge the empire.
'Ban Silbest is known as the continent's one-and-only Grand Sword Master.'
[Grand Sword Master... Impressive.]
Impressive, she says.
I couldn't help but chuckle dryly.
Probably only she could rate Ban Silbest that way.
[Damian would've loved meeting her.]
'...Can't be helped. I'll have to meet her instead.'
I didn't see her at the Founding Festival, but maybe at the Seven Heroes Assembly.
Humanity's current strongest.
"Your Majesty."
"Ooh, yes. Speak."
"I've thought deeply for a long time, but honestly, with my current skill, challenging a Seven Heroes seat feels presumptuous."
"That's..."
As I hinted lightly, King Leogart's face darkened.
"...But the vacant Seven Heroes seat belongs to our Talua Kingdom. And as one inheriting Count Ribina's will, I can't just stand by."
"You mean...!"
Seeing his face brighten again, I slowly shook my head, as if facing harsh reality.
"So I desperately want to join, but territory issues make it hard to decide easily."
"Territory issues?"
"Yes. With our domain suddenly wealthy, many are eyeing it covetously, so leaving it empty isn't simple."
By now, even the Deolics were crushed, so no one would dare touch us, but I played innocent.
"As you know, the Banheart family suffered greatly in the past, leaving us short on knights and soldiers, with poor security. So for now, I must focus on the territory's safety."
King Leogart nodded at my explanation.
"Indeed. I understand completely. In such a situation, a lord can't easily leave his domain."
"Thank you for understanding."
"Then how about this?"
King Leogart was clever.
He'd probably guessed why I dragged it out.
"I'll issue a public notice recruiting knights for Banheart territory nationwide—no, from other countries too. And until enough talent gathers, I'll ensure support so no major issues arise."
"I-Is that true?"
Pretending maximum surprise with wide eyes, he nodded.
"Of course. Just trust me."
What reassuring words.
This prevented potential problems while I was away.
But I wasn't done.
"Oh, and Your Majesty. Lately, I've been planning to build an irrigation canal in my territory."
"...You never miss an opportunity."
As Maria said, extract the syrup all at once when you can.
I was just following her advice thoroughly.