Chapter 105
Chapter 105
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 105
Chapter Title: Gathering Heroes (2)
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The death of the Red Lion, Aldred Ribina, was more than enough to shake the entire continent.
The weight of a name among the Seven Heroes was immense, and in response, not only the warriors representing each nation but also countless others began preparing themselves ahead of the upcoming Seven Heroes Assembly.
"Did you hear? They're saying the Seven Heroes Assembly is going to be held on Mount Tiralis soon."
"It's because Sir Ribina passed away..."
"To think one of the Seven Heroes would fall. What on earth is happening to the world?"
Wherever one went, talk of Aldred Ribina and the Seven Heroes Assembly filled the air.
While mourning Aldred, opinions were divided on who the new Seventh Hero would be.
"The Seven Heroes Assembly..."
A man listening to the chatter muttered to himself.
His attire was ordinary, but a ornate sword hung at his waist, and tiger-like ears protruded noticeably from his head.
"Good timing, huh?"
The man chuckled and twisted his body.
He had originally planned to head straight to the red lands where Mercenary King Serhens was said to be, but he'd changed his mind.
After all, taking down candidates vying to become one of the Seven Heroes would be far easier than defeating an actual Hero.
But he wasn't the only one thinking along those lines.
Countless hidden masters who had long awaited their chance to become one of the Seven Heroes began to stir.
"Ian."
His father's calm gaze held a flicker of expectation.
Of course, Ian had never once betrayed that expectation in all his years.
"Leave it to me."
He was sure that if he went there, 'he' would surely show up as well.
Ian had a strong hunch about it.
No doubt, that man would find a way to participate in this Seven Heroes Assembly, come hell or high water.
* * *
As soon as word spread of the impending Seven Heroes Assembly, all the renowned heroes across the land vanished into seclusion for training. Naturally, I was no exception.
'If I can just acquire this, it'll be a huge help in the critical moments...'
Lion's Heart.
A power granted only to the bloodline of the Ribina Count Family, it dramatically amplified all abilities in dire situations.
Its potency was evident in the way Count Ribina had pushed back against the Madness Disaster even after having much of his strength sapped away.
It was undoubtedly thanks to this ability that he managed to do so.
'I've cleared the biggest hurdle—the first requirement—so it's not impossible anymore.'
I'd been putting it off due to the tricky plausibility requirements, but now it finally seemed within reach.
==
[Lion's Heart]
Required Plausibility
1. Form a deep bond with the head of the Ribina Count Family [Achieved]
2. Form a deep bond with a direct blood relative of the Ribina Count Family
3. Defeat opponents far stronger than yourself alone 5 times [Current: 4/5]
==
I'd thought I'd never achieve that first one.
But the moment I felled the Madness Disaster—which coincided with Count Ribina's death—the condition was met.
It left me with complicated feelings.
'Maybe it's because of the "alone" criterion for defeats?'
Looking back now, I'd faced plenty of opponents far stronger than me.
Yet the progress was only at 4.
It seemed the standard strictly required solo kills, excluding any ambiguous cases.
[So how do you plan to fulfill the second one?]
'Well...'
[Don't tell me you're thinking of the Count's daughter...]
'You think I'd stoop to that?'
[Just kidding. You seem in a bad mood whenever that topic comes up lately.]
He was right.
Even though I was close to fulfilling all the conditions, my tangled emotions kept me from taking that final step.
'There is one way to form a deep bond, but...'
Honestly, going to the Ribina Count Family now just to claim Lion's Heart pricked even my conscience.
But that dilemma resolved itself unexpectedly when a visitor arrived at the mansion.
It was none other than Gelvin Ribina.
"Count Clay."
"So, have you pulled yourself together a bit?"
"Yes. I'm alright now."
I smiled faintly and sat across from Gelvin, who had come to see me.
The last time I'd seen him was after the memorial service, when he'd visited the mansion.
Back then, he'd been staring blankly at Count Ribina's portrait with a haggard face, but now he looked much improved.
"So, what brings you here today...?"
"I have a favor to ask."
"A favor?"
I'd wondered if Gelvin might resent me. From his perspective, he might blame me for joining late and letting his father die.
Yet Gelvin showed not a hint of bitterness toward me.
"Please teach me the sword."
"...What?"
The unexpected request caught me off guard, leaving me without an immediate reply.
"The Ribina Count Family has plenty of excellent instructors besides me, doesn't it?"
"But you're the only Sword Master left in this kingdom now."
"...True enough."
"Besides, until just a year ago, you were a Sword User. Yet you grew at an astonishing rate to become a Sword Master."
Hearing it laid out like that really drove home how cheat-like my growth had been.
One year. In a span that could hardly be called long, I'd gone from Sword User to Sword Master.
If word of this spread across the continent, it would cause a massive uproar.
"I want to grow stronger."
Gelvin spoke with evident frustration.
"If I'd been just a little stronger, Father wouldn't have had to fight alone. And I wouldn't have had to hand his seat over to someone else."
That was obvious.
Gelvin was still young. Far from weak, he possessed exceptional talent.
No doubt, within the next ten years, he'd become a Sword Master and shock the world.
But it seemed Gelvin wasn't content with that timeline.
"I know it's an impudent request. Count Clay, please become my master."
I fell silent for a moment, studying him.
The fire in his eyes was truly befitting the son of the Red Lion.
I pondered whether to accept right away.
But the hesitation didn't last.
It would be foolish to waver when our goals aligned so perfectly.
For me, this was an opportunity worth its weight in gold.
* * *
Atop Mount Tiralis stood a single tower.
Legend held that only the Seven Heroes could ascend to its peak, piercing the heavens.
Yet even among the Heroes, visits were rare, so the tower's light rarely shone.
It had been ten years since Soila Fran's emergence—and now, after so long, the light blazed once more.
"...So, when are you announcing the Seven Heroes Assembly?"
A massive man, his frame armored in thick muscle, spoke first.
The rock-like man was answered by the lounging figure beside him.
"Can't we just do it quick since it doesn't matter?"
"Serhens, mind your manners in official settings."
Serhens smirked at the low voice.
"Hey, old man Ban. What manners now? You watching out for His Imperial Majesty or something?"
"Serhens, you're no spring chicken yourself. When are you going to stop acting like a kid?"
"...Fine, fine. I'll shut up."
He finally clammed up under the woman's sharp retort.
Anywhere else, he'd have pushed back harder, but unfortunately, he was the weakest here.
'Feels rough after all this time.'
Serhens clicked his tongue, scanning the others.
It had been ten years since they'd last met, yet nothing had changed.
'Restia being a half-elf explains it, sure.'
Ban Silbest actually looked younger. Visually, he could pass for a peer of his son Ian.
"Hey, Mr. Ban. How do you stay so young-looking?"
"...Soila Fran, that's not the topic right now."
"It's a serious issue for me these days."
Knights and mages aged slowly due to mana, but knights especially so, as they infused it directly into their bodies.
As the only pure human mage among the Seven Heroes, she couldn't help feeling like she was aging fastest here.
"Mages should just give up, Miss Fran."
"His Imperial Majesty Gideon doesn't age thanks to his dragon blood."
"I'm not blessed like that. But my daughter... she'll surely live a very long life."
Their conversation was remarkable in itself. Despite their differing statuses, they spoke as equals.
But that was par for the course here.
Status from the outside world meant nothing in this place.
It was a realm where only strength mattered, so while basic decorum was observed, no one obsessed over it.
"Soila Fran."
"Yes, Mr. Ban? Are you going to share the secret...?"
"No. Freeze all the magic towers around Mount Tiralis for the time being."
"...You don't mean literally freeze them, right? You mean suspend operations?"
"Exactly."
Ban crossed his arms slowly and continued.
"There are no civilians using the local towers anyway. Blocking access until the Assembly won't cause issues."
"So the first test is reaching the summit without magic towers."
Restia, the Divine Bow, fixed her hawk-like gaze on Ban.
"Correct."
"Won't that mean many will die climbing the mountain?"
"Anyone coveting the title of Seventh Hero should be prepared for that."
Ban's words held merit.
The last Assembly had drawn such massive crowds that selecting heroes took far too long.
They'd been lucky to have Soila Fran, an overwhelmingly powerful figure; without her, it would have been a disaster.
"So, old man. Back to the start—what's the exact date?"
"Five days from now."
"...Pardon?"
"Only those who reach this tower within five days will qualify for the hero trials."
"But won't that exclude people far away? Especially with the towers frozen..."
"We're only freezing the ones near Mount Tiralis. There are others a bit farther out."
Starting from those, arriving in five days wasn't impossible.
Gideon, who had been listening quietly, nodded and spoke.
"Then I'll handle announcing the date."
With the Emperor spreading the word, it would blanket the continent in no time.
'...Tough crowd.'
Serhens stuck out his tongue as he listened.
'Glad I became a Hero early.'
He sent silent condolences to the aspiring heroes who'd face the trials ahead.