Chapter 250
Chapter 250
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 250
Chapter Title: The Most Hero-Like Hero (2)
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The knights gazed at the hero who had appeared before them.
The Holy Spear's Galahal.
One of the heroes chosen by the stars.
"Galahal, sir...!"
The knight who had been crawling on the ground with his arm severed.
Those who were barely clinging to life.
The knights who had been awaiting death all turned their eyes to Galahal.
A spark of hope ignited in their gazes.
Galahal did not turn away from the eyes of those who yearned for life. He readjusted his grip on the spear shaft and took a step forward. Splash, the blood spilled by the knights rose into the air.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Craaaack!
The swung spear shaft struck the Reaper of Corpses' leg. Galahal charged at the Reaper, who had momentarily lost its balance. With a thud, he slammed the shaft down and leaped into the air, twisting his body mid-flight. The platinum spear blade traced a chaotic arc.
Shaaaash!
The spear blade did not aim for the Reaper's body.
What it targeted was the Reaper's arm. The blade relentlessly tore into the Reaper's wrist.
Green blood sprayed outward.
The Reaper's grip, its tendons shredded, could no longer hold anything. It even dropped what it had been clutching.
"Guh... guh... "
The knights, who had been barely hanging on, plummeted to the ground. Galahal landed and immediately used his spear shaft to catch them, sending them safely behind his back.
Then, he took another step forward.
This time, he swung the spear shaft with even greater force. It smashed into the Reaper's torso, forcing the monster back several steps. Galahal pursued without hesitation.
To keep the aftermath of the battle from reaching those behind him, Galahal kept pushing the Reaper farther back.
With each successive strike and slash, the spear blade grew brighter. As if gathering starlight into a single point.
"Hoo..."
Once sufficient distance had been secured, Galahal finally exhaled shortly and pulled his shoulders back. Centered on Galahal, the ground cracked with a split, craaack.
The Spear Throw stance.
The platinum spear blade shone brilliantly as Galahal twisted his waist and hurled the spear.
Whiiiish!
A streak of light pierced the Reaper of Corpses' eye. Blood burst forth, and the Reaper's head snapped back. Galahal clenched his fist into empty air, the hand that had gripped the spear.
Thrust!
Platinum light exploded from the spear blade.
Unable to withstand the erupting starlight, the Reaper's head exploded, chunks of flesh raining down onto the ground.
Amid the pouring blood, the spear shaft clattered to the earth.
Galahal retrieved the fallen Holy Spear and finally turned around. There, the knights who had barely survived lay in ruins. Looking upon them, Galahal smiled faintly.
"You held out well."
There were knights who had survived.
Even those who had lost arms, even those who had lost eyes... they had endured and endured, clinging to life.
They had held out well.
That single phrase felt like recognition of their efforts, like assurance that the deaths of their fallen comrades had not been in vain... The knights bowed their heads.
Galahal of the Holy Spear.
If Kyle Toven was called the symbol of victory by the world at large, the hope of humanity... then among the knights of the battlefield, Galahal was known as this.
The most hero-like hero.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ 2.
"No way, why is Galahal retiring?"
I blinked.
I just couldn't wrap my head around it.
Galahal of the Holy Spear—who was he?
The knights called him the most hero-like hero.
And it wasn't just the knights. Kalt, I, and even Knight Commander Heinkel thought the same.
If Kyle was the symbol of victory, leading most battlefields to triumph... Galahal pursued a slightly different path.
The battlefields Galahal chose didn't always end in unconditional victory. However, casualties were always lower than on any other field. That was why we held him in such high regard.
He never abandons anyone.
Even in the heart of the battlefield, where lives became endlessly cheap, Galahal never bent his convictions. To save even one more soul, he would forgo the easy path and take the long way around.
...Unlike Kyle.
Kyle hadn't always been that way.
But after encountering the Demon King... he had started discarding even those who could be saved, when necessity demanded it.
Anyway, this was Galahal.
His convictions were one thing, but his character was beyond reproach. For someone as dutiful as him to retire from the battlefield... I simply couldn't understand it.
"Well, I don't really know either."
Kalt tapped the table awkwardly.
"The letter from Knight Commander Heinkel only mentioned that Galahal would be retiring soon. No details on the circumstances."
"...Did you ask?"
"Yes. I sent a letter right away, but... no reply."
...No reply?
Heinkel wouldn't hide information from a knight of Kalt's caliber. If he hadn't told Kalt, it meant he'd stay silent no matter who asked.
"Heinkel only does this in two cases."
Either it involved someone's pride.
Or it was information that had to be kept from humanity for its own good.
No way it was the latter, so that left just one possibility.
"Pride."
"......"
"Something tied to Galahal's pride."
I stroked my chin.
"Speculating like this isn't great. So, when's Galahal's retirement?"
"Officially, around spring this year. He'll start pulling back from the front lines a bit before then."
"...Spring overlaps with Chloe's ordeal."
"Seems deliberate."
Not the hero vanishing from the battlefield, but a natural handover to the next generation.
"Yeah, that's necessary."
I nodded.
A hero leaving the field shakes the front lines. Not just because of their power. Heroes are symbols.
Especially someone like Galahal...
His absence would hit hard.
We couldn't fill his spot immediately, but showing the next hero's presence... would prevent the worst scenarios.
"It'll shut up those lunatics running around yelling 'The dark age has come!' everywhere."
"...So, what do you think, senior?"
Kalt asked cautiously.
"That kid Chloe—does she have potential?"
"Overflowing."
"...Pardon?"
"Overflowing. Give her enough time... and she might actually replace Kyle."
"...That much?"
I nodded.
"If Kyle has the highest raw output among past heroes, Chloe's strength is in utilization. She intuitively grasps handling starlight."
"I'm not well-versed in magic or stars..."
"Simply put, it's like this."
I pointed at myself.
"Imagine I was the hero. What would you think?"
"I'd have snapped that heretic's branch long ago. Skeval would weep blood..."
"If Chloe grows 'perfectly,' under specific conditions... that's the potential she has."
Kalt swallowed dryly.
"...Isn't that overselling it?"
"Well, Chloe and I are different types. She's more suited to pure wizard than battle mage. That's the level."
The front line to protect Chloe.
Cannon fodder to draw attention.
And enough time to complete her spells.
If those three conditions are met... Chloe might outdo even me in firepower on the battlefield.
"The downside is she's a bit lacking as a battle mage. That's it."
"Battle mage?"
"Yeah. The royals want to raise her as one to replace me... but it doesn't suit her."
I tapped the circuit stocked on the back of my hand.
"This Stock compresses spells for standby carry. Fine for a few, but for hundreds like me... you need perfect mana control."
Chloe can't do that.
"Her mana is starlight itself. Controlling it every moment is nearly impossible. She's a pure wizard type."
"I see."
"Anyway..."
I let out a long sigh.
"If Galahal's retiring... we can't complain about the ordeal being moved up. It's truly necessary."
Galahal's retirement.
"I will be a hero, and I want to remain one."
Suddenly, I recalled my conversation with Galahal.
What he had told me, his convictions... Midway through reminiscing, I muttered absently.
"I want to introduce her to Chloe at least once."
It would help a lot. Definitely.
"Ah, about that."
Kalt clapped his hands.
"Galahal might visit Aphria Academy once."
"What?"
"The Knight Commander said so. To keep him from going elsewhere after retiring, he's thinking of sending him to Aphria. Seems likely."
It's decided by the one in charge.
Kalt murmured.
I blinked.
"Hey, Kalt."
"Yes?"
"Why tell me now?"
"......"
Whoosh, my fist sliced through the air.
Instinctive dodge—Kalt blinked. After a moment, he smirked, shrugging his shoulders.
"Senior, who do you think I am? I'm a superhuman now..."
⚡ SKILL ACTIVATED ⚡ Smite "Gaaaaah!"
3.
"Ah, Galahal, sir."
Returning to his tent in the early dawn, Galahal encountered a knight waiting out front.
"Rox?"
"Yes, Rox. Rox of Turbulence."
Rox clenched his fist with exaggerated flair.
Galahal chuckled at the familiar sight and set his Holy Spear against the side of the tent.
"What brings you here, Rox."
"I heard you're retiring."
Galahal paused.
He turned to look at Rox, who gazed back with slightly apologetic eyes.
"From Knight Commander Heinkel. And I've been selected to assist with the retirement procedures."
"Rox, you're busy too."
"For a hero who carved flesh from his own bones to protect humanity, this is the least we can do. If anything, it's woefully insufficient."
Rox smiled wryly.
"I'll serve you without shortcoming."
Why retire?
Serious injury?
Why would a hero like you?
Despite the obvious questions, Rox asked nothing. Understanding why Rox had been chosen as Heinkel's proxy... Galahal felt grateful for the consideration.
"If you have any post-retirement destinations or plans, I'll help however I can."
"No firm plans yet. Thinking of touring the battlefield and a nearby village..."
"Hmm."
Rox chewed his lip awkwardly.
"The Knight Commander asked me to beg you... not to go anywhere near the front lines. Begged, emphasized 'please' multiple times."
Galahal smiled wryly.
"Is that so?"
"Yes, please..."
"Then, Rox, any recommendations from you?"
"A resort? Tourist spot?"
"Would I go to places like that?"
"Just throwing it out there."
Having stood on the same battlefield with Galahal many times, the two exchanged light banter and laughed. After a moment, Rox cleared his throat.
"By the way, didn't you say you wanted to meet the next hero candidate?"
"I did. A while back."
"This could be a good chance. It's a perfect spot to visit, and the candidate's staying there."
Galahal tilted his head.
Rox thumped his chest proudly.
"My alma mater. Aphria Academy."
"Oh."
"The hero candidate is enrolled there. And as a bonus..."
Rox lowered his voice to a whisper.
"There's an incredibly beautiful professor. From the same family as that Ashen Mage, no less."
Ashen Mage.
At the words, Galahal's eyes narrowed.
"Come to think of it, it's been ages since I last saw Raniel. We promised a drink before I retired..."
"You did?"
"Anyway, sure."
Galahal nodded.
"Might as well ask a friend's sister about his well-being."
"Raniel's well-being, sir?"
"Yes."
Galahal looked at his hand.
Gazing at something very small, visible only to his eyes... Galahal murmured.
"There's a story I need to hear from Raniel."
A story he had to ask.
A story he had to hear.
Crunch, Galahal clenched his fist.
Crack.
Something shattered.
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