Chapter 147
Chapter 147
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 147
Chapter Title: Hero Party (1)
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"I am Heinrich Saint Landgard, the first sword that upholds the will of the Main God. Thank you for taking the time to visit us despite your busy schedule."
"It's an honor to meet you, Saint. I am Isea Pristine of the Azerion Empire. When the savior of the continent, chosen by the Main God, calls, how could I not come?"
In one of the reception rooms of the Roselia Grand Temple, the man and woman exchanged greetings face-to-face.
It was a one-on-one meeting arranged between the Saint and the candidate.
"Saint? Before we begin, there's something I'd like to say first..."
But before the main conversation could even start, Isea brought up the unsettling aura and incongruity she'd sensed from Harley.
'I thought I'd hidden it pretty well, but she's no pushover.'
Of course, he already had his response prepared for that.
"You don't need to worry about him. We're already aware of it ourselves, and above all, he's someone we can trust completely."
"I see. If the Church has judged it that way, then it was just needless concern on my part."
With that, he boldly dispelled her worries, and the topic returned to the main issue.
Since Heinrich, the Saint and Hero, was the core of the 'Hero Party' formed to oppose the Immortal King, he held full authority over this matter.
For this occasion, even the Saintess was merely an assistant; all decisions were left entirely to his personal judgment.
"...So, while I truly appreciate your high evaluation of me, due to various circumstances, I don't think I can join you directly. I'm truly sorry."
And now.
Heinrich faced his third rejection in the third interview.
'I knew they wouldn't be eager from the start. Most were recommended for political reasons anyway.'
Isea bowed politely with sincere regret, her calm words flowing smoothly.
Her polite and genuinely apologetic demeanor was enough to soften anyone's heart.
Not to mention her youthful, delicate girl-like appearance?
Regardless of her actual age, it was inevitable that one's resolve weakened upon meeting her in person.
Heinrich nodded with a gentle smile, as if understanding her feelings.
Of course, as a master of daily acting, his true thoughts were different.
'Older than me with that face? No matter how I look at it, this woman seems like she's from Earth.'
Even as he conversed to persuade her, he slowly analyzed her.
Her ageless face and East Asian features, with a name that oddly felt Korean.
Having just met Andrew, an Earth Awakener, it was too many coincidences to dismiss as mere chance.
'That's why I checked once when shaking hands with her...'
The handshake was brief, but it was enough time for Harley's sensitive senses to gauge her physical state.
Though his opponent was a grand magic user and didn't actively circulate energy, it wasn't an issue for someone who was practically an authority on living bodies.
Microscopic muscle tremors, bioelectric flows within, heartbeats and internal organ movements, blood pressure, body temperature, respiration changes—
The human body held vast information on its own, and Harley, having transcended limits through 'Mutation' and 'Body Modification', could analyze it all.
The result?
'Ambiguous. Being a mage, she lacks the pronounced physical traits like Andrew's. If she boosted mental or mana-related stats with karma, Harley couldn't detect it.'
Insufficient evidence.
To survive early in this harsh world, boosting physical abilities was advantageous, yet she was just at the level of a slightly healthy commoner.
Of course, with her current mana and reinforcement spells, she could surpass most warriors, but not right after arriving in this world, right?
'Not sure if the 5th Princess tampered with records. Personal info isn't systematically managed like on Earth unless you're high nobility...'
She'd received her noble title only about three years ago.
Prior records from eight years back were just 'a young princess sponsors a talented commoner mage'.
'Rising to imperial nobility in just five years of sponsorship is impressive, no doubt.'
She was the epitome of self-made success.
And that only fueled his suspicions more.
Meanwhile, their conversation continued.
"...As you probably know, Saint, my situation isn't great. Not everyone will follow the greater good."
She frankly shared her circumstances.
The Church of the Main God had formidable intelligence; she assumed they already knew and didn't beat around the bush.
'It's the Crown Prince.'
Her words brought Crown Prince Simon's sleazy face to mind.
His subtle political maneuvers during the council and the misdeeds uncovered in background checks.
'Crown Prince vs. 5th Princess for the throne. And the Crown Prince has the advantage...?'
A wicked—no, righteous—idea began to bloom in his mind.
Still in the planning stage, but he'd remember it for later use.
"I understand. The Church never forces personal sacrifices. Contact us anytime if you change your mind."
"Yes, I'm truly sorry. If circumstances allowed, I'd join in a heartbeat. As one who pursues the path of magic, I can't tolerate black mages who abuse it."
As the meeting wrapped up with her customary words—
A thought flashed through his mind.
"Ah! Baroness Pristine? Actually, there's one piece of advice I'd like. Our Church can't reach a conclusion, so I'd value a grand mage's insight."
"If it's just advice, that's fine. But I hear the Tower Lord is here too—wouldn't he be better for magical consultation?"
"Hahaha, we've already asked him. I just want as many opinions as possible."
Heinrich brushed it off casually, pulling out a pen and notebook from his robes.
Holding the notebook in one hand, he slowly sketched something while speaking nonchalantly.
"It's a divisive issue among us, with no conclusion yet. Even theologians, mages, and shamans we consulted can't say for sure."
"If it's that complex, I doubt I can help much..."
"It's fine. Just your opinion."
Finishing his sketch, he looked at Iseah seriously.
"Do you know anything about the mask worn by Immortal King Hannibal Strauss?"
"Yes, a wooden smiling mask, they say. A world-destroyer wearing a smile—pure bad taste. The mindset of a madman mocking everyone, right?"
"...Ahem, indeed. And this is a rough sketch of that mask."
Clearing his throat lightly, Heinrich showed her the notebook.
"I'm no artist, so details may differ, but the overall impression should be similar. Tell me any magical significance that comes to mind."
"I see. Masks are often used in rituals as mediums..."
Upon seeing the drawing—
Her body froze, as if time had stopped.
"...! Th-this is...!"
A sharp voice leaked from her unwittingly opened mouth.
Isea's ever-calm expression twisted violently.
It wasn't detailed, just a quick sketch, but the features were unmistakable.
Curved eyes, thick eyebrows, wrinkled skin, large fist-like nose.
A mask no Korean could mistake.
"What's wrong? Do you recognize it?"
"N-no...? It's nothing. I must have mistaken it. When I was young, in my village..."
"Hmm, a similar mask in your village? Do you know where? It might be the Immortal King's origin..."
"No, no! Kids in the neighborhood made it for fun! Yes, as a toy. They got bored and smashed it. Just old memories—I overreacted. Haha..."
Her flustered reaction during the otherwise unflappable interview excited him, and he teased too much—
'Gotcha.'
Now he was certain.
'This woman is an Earth Awakener too.'
But he showed no sign, nodding regretfully.
"Too bad. I hoped for a clue."
"...Yes, I don't know any special meaning... Sorry I couldn't help."
Her agitation subsided quickly.
Caught off-guard by unimaginable info, she lost composure briefly, but as a grand mage at the pinnacle, she regained it instantly.
'Well, living cut off from Earth civilization for over eight years, then suddenly faced with a Hahoe mask—anyone would jump.'
And not just any—it appeared as the mask of the Immortal King, absolute evil and incarnation of death threatening world destruction.
A natural reaction for any Korean.
'If she's Korean, that is.'
The first Earthling he met, Andrew, was American.
But the second sharing his nationality? What were the odds?
'Info on Hans's mask will spread fast anyway. Plenty saw it.'
Using it so effectively? Highly satisfying.
Now he knew exactly how to use her.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ This world lacked internet or communication networks, but with abilities replacing science, news spread to regions at a decent speed.
Normally, merchant guilds and local elites sensitive to info controlled rumors for profit, delaying spread to the masses.
But news of the Immortal King's resurrection was different.
Initially suppressed for social stability, it became impossible to hide, exploding publicly with undead uprisings and monster frenzies as the trigger.
Even elites judged that to maintain the status quo, spreading fear and directing public discontent at a solid 'enemy' was better.
Thus, tales of the Immortal King—source of all evil—rapidly engulfed the world.
"Hey, heard the news? Rohan Duchy in the northern empire fell."
"What? A whole nation destroyed? Don't tell me..."
"Yep, that 'Immortal King Hans'. He led monsters in, turned it to rubble. Tens of thousands dead!"
"...Damn, world's too scary. Hope our place stays safe."
The news accelerated with Rohan’s fall, exaggerated further—
"Jessie's mom, hear that? The dam collapse wasn't shoddy work—Hans's followers sabotaged it!"
"Those bastards! So many suffered! Wait, last year's crop failure seems suspicious too. Did they poison the fields?!"
"Oh my! Really?!"
Even unrelated misfortunes were blamed on him.
"Waaah~ Can't I change my name? Kids bully me calling me Hans..."
"Ahem, changing names is..."
"Yes! Do it. Stop being stubborn! Common name anyway. Kid might get hurt!"
"...Fine. How about Heinz?"
It crossed genders and ages; even conservative parents rushed name changes.
His infamy ballooned beyond imagination, etching into minds everywhere.
From metropolises to small towns, villages, remote mountain hamlets.
Even Enamel Continent felt it, varying only in degree.
And finally.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ Achievement Unlocked! You have become the 'Enemy of the World' who bears the resentment and hatred of all. ⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ More than half of the living intelligent beings in the Auterica dimension have judged you as an enemy. As a reward, the special privilege 'Extra Life' is granted. ⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ You have achieved an accomplishment and greatly influenced the world. Karma increases additionally. After the official announcement, Hans's influence, gradually overtaking the continent, finally crossed a critical threshold.