Chapter 175
Chapter 175
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 175
Chapter Title: Hero's Footsteps (2)
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“Aigoo—thank you, Saint.”
“You should be fine now. From here on... Hm?”
Right after subjugating yet another horde of evil.
Heinrich, who had been healing a patient with a benevolent smile, suddenly froze.
“...Saint?”
“Oh? It's nothing. I just received a new revelation for a moment.”
“O, oo—! No, that's not it! D-Does that mean we're interrupting...”
“Hahaha, it's already over, so no need to worry.”
But before anyone around could look at him strangely, he quickly scanned the empty air and continued calmly as if nothing had happened.
His 'prophecies,' renowned for their high accuracy, were no longer anything unusual, so no one thought it odd.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ The clearer your path becomes from now on, the greater the effects of 「Hero's Footsteps」 will grow. Even as he busily moved about, Heinrich analyzed the new perk he'd gained in his mind.
'I expected it ever since Hans became the world's enemy, but as it turns out, the Savior side had similar achievements too.'
And the conditions seemed subtly more generous.
Unlike 'World's Enemy,' which required direct resentment from many, this one counted it as an achievement simply if people recognized his efforts.
That additional message only confirmed his suspicions.
Didn't it mean the perk would strengthen further each time he influenced more people on a greater scale?
Thanks to diligently spreading his name across the continent, the effect of 「Hero's Footsteps」 he had earned was the ability to teleport instantly to any place he had set foot in.
Of course, unlike Otherworld Teleportation Circle, it couldn't cross dimensions, and the cooldown was only once every three days...
'The more efficient movement options, the better. And if I can make people not just recognize Heinrich but blindly rely on him, the cooldown will shorten too.'
Best of all, now all the other avatars except Hans and Heinrich could travel long distances too.
Not just in this world, but even on Earth!
'Dispatching avatars on expeditions will be much easier. It's essential for dealing with the Reverse Heaven Society. Gives Heinrich even more reason to work harder.'
For now, Hans was the only one zipping around on Earth alone, but other avatars would be needed eventually.
Strengthening this perk early would help immensely in the future.
“Shall we move on, then?”
Heinrich wrapped up his ongoing publicity efforts and gathered his party members again.
By now, after repeating this process so many times, while he helped patients, they patrolled the surroundings and handled cleanup, making their own contributions.
Of course, no matter how diligently they worked, they couldn't match the fame of their leader—the Hero and Saint Heinrich.
Their combined renown probably wouldn't even reach a fraction of his.
“By the way, Saint? How long are we going to keep traveling just the four of us? It's fine for now, but our ultimate goal is to face the Immortal King directly. Shouldn't we start recruiting more people from here on out...? Ah, of course, I'm not belittling you, Saint.”
At that moment, Isea cautiously asked while glancing at him as he prepared for spatial transfer.
Since they'd agreed from the start to leave party matters entirely to the Hero, her attitude was exceedingly careful, but as someone serious about this, she couldn't hold back her growing impatience any longer.
Likewise, at the mention of the Immortal King, Geos Kalkin, the gray-haired spear knight, turned his head with evident interest.
His impassive face was splattered with small bloodstains today too—likely from capturing fleeing black mages under the pretext of patrol and venting his frustrations.
“Kahahat—! What's the rush? There's a saying that in any group of five humans, at least one is trash, right? You have to be cautious when recruiting people.”
As the serious atmosphere thickened, the barbarian warrior Harley flexed his muscles and burst into boisterous laughter.
But unlike his casual demeanor, he inwardly panicked a bit after speaking...
He belatedly realized the joke he'd tossed out to lighten the mood originated from an Earth internet meme.
And of all places, in front of Isea, who was Korean!
“Hm... That's certainly a valid point. Philosophical, even. Still, don't you think our current strength is too lacking to fight the Immortal King? I believe preparing coordinated members sooner is better.”
Fortunately, as a model student with no ties to internet memes, she simply tilted her head.
Proverbs like that existed in every region anyway, so it wasn't a big issue, but Heinrich—whose own toes had curled in near-miss—quickly picked up her words.
“Of course, I have no intention of continuing like this forever. I even have some people in mind. It's not the right time to bring them yet, but you'll meet them soon at the Second Continental Summit.”
“...Second summit... I see. Understood.”
Isea nodded with a low mutter at his answer.
But seeing her still-dark expression, it didn't seem like much consolation.
'Well, it's been almost two months since the princess was kidnapped. Come to think of it, communications with the faction have increased lately...'
Viscount Isea Pristin, a key figure in the Fifth Princess's faction, was gaining fame alongside the Hero, but without the faction's center—Princess Riley—it was just a stopgap.
With the Second and Sixth Princes building their forces while eyeing opportunities, her worries were bound to grow.
'Hm, I've unintentionally caused her too much damage. I was planning to prepare soon anyway... Huh? Wait?'
Then, a realization flashed in his mind.
He had just gained this new ability.
And with it, all the cumbersome prior plans became obsolete.
'Well, it's not unwelcome. ...Still feels a bit anticlimactic.'
Forcing complicated procedures would only risk plot holes over trivialities.
Simple and straightforward was always best.
'Simple is best. Then, let's get started right away.'
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ “Phew~ Another fulfilling day.”
Lilith—no, Siana—the overseer of the Immortal Citadel's residential district and handler for Crown Prince Simon, strolled through the Second Residential District's garden with a satisfied smile.
She had despaired at first upon enlisting in the Immortal Army, but after venting stress by tormenting the prince as usual today, life here didn't seem so bad.
'At least there's this fun to endure this boring place. That arrogant Simon is my plaything now! Ah, so thrilling~!'
As a former imperial noble, she'd encountered the crown prince plenty of times.
To be more honest, she'd deliberately approached him to ensnare him.
But even as a high-ranking Immortal Army officer, while hiding her identity, charming the empire's crown prince without a trace was impossible.
It risked exposure if she pushed too hard.
In the end, like any noble lady wielding her middling looks, she tried seducing him purely on 'merit'...
Unlike her confidence, she failed miserably without results.
'...If not for those fox-like girls' interference, it would've been easy!'
She had plenty of excuses.
From high noble ladies' blockades backed by power to political pressures—unimaginable obstacles.
The prince had wanted staunch noble support then too.
But failure was failure, wounding her succubus pride deeply.
'Hoo, hohoho—my mood soured suddenly. Shall I educate him a bit more?'
Thus, lost in thought and irked by herself, she turned back the way she'd come.
Toward the crown prince's quarters, where he'd be sprawled like a tattered rag.
“Hm? That's... the princess and Hesperon.”
Then, Siana spotted two figures whispering in a garden before some quarters.
Mana rippled as if practicing magic, surrounded by a flimsy barrier.
“...Tch.”
She could ignore it effortlessly if she wanted, but she averted her gaze and quickened her steps.
As always.
-No matter what the princess and Hesperon discuss or do, ignore them completely.
That was their king's solemn order.
Unless their safety was at risk, she could only provide essentials like food.
'It's probably just talk about low-level magic. What could they do inside there?'
She knew the man was a special otherworlder with unique abilities, but they were useless until grown.
How impressive could initial transfer powers be?
'Heh, an escape attempt would be amusing. Not that they'd dare. Speaking of, how's Andrew doing...? Haven't seen him lately.'
Siana decided to visit him soon and ignored the pair's conversation.
But at that moment, as the overseer passed, the two were indeed plotting escape.
“Riley, you said you wanted to get out of here, right?”
“Huh? Of course? You think I'd stay if I didn't?”
Riley stared at him incredulously.
As a captive, it was a pointless question.
“...I think I can get you out.”
Meeting her baffled expression,
Hesperon smiled meaningfully with uncharacteristic confidence.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ [Kihihik!]
[Huuuugh—]
Atop a spire exposed outside the Immortal Citadel.
Amid hazy ghosts bustling about, a man crouched in the corner muttered to himself.
“...I'm dead. I'm gonna die. I'll really die like this...”
His unkempt dull blond hair—who knew when last washed—and hollow green eyes stared vacantly into space.
Andrew Weaver, broken by the harsh environment, eyed the drifting ghosts.
Their floating forms chilled him—like his own future.
Endless labor even in death...
'...No! I can't just sit here!'
He shook his head violently at the horrific thought.
But he lacked the ability to escape the Immortal Citadel, let alone survive pursuit.
Yet...
He had one method he still believed in—
“Ugh... Just a bit more... A little further...”
That alone was his pillar now.
[Kuhuhuk—]
[Huaaaah!]
Whether he'd grasp true freedom remained to be seen.
Smack—!
“Eek! Lilith! Mistress! Why all of a sudden?!”
“Just felt grumpy? Now, Simon? Shall we continue obedience training for an hour?”
“Hiek—!”
...Of course, some in the citadel lacked even time to dream of escape.