Chapter 259
Chapter 259
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 259
Chapter Title: Wow! Double the Nightmare! (5)
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The frontlines.
The demon realm (??).
A place where countless people died and crumbled to dust. A place where innumerable souls had sunk into the mud. And thus, a place where the weight of life felt infinitely light.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Originally, taking Chloe there had been planned for a bit later. I intended to bring her once she was mentally mature enough and ready to accept it.
But, as always.
Things never go exactly according to plan.
Time was shorter than I'd thought. The allotted time wasn't as abundant as I'd hoped, nor leisurely enough to wait for my hesitation. In the end, the things I'd been ignoring started bubbling up to the surface one by one.
'Gallahal will retire soon.'
The knights' spiritual pillar would vanish.
A vacancy would open with the loss of one hero. The knights would sense the approach of a dark age. The frontlines would be pushed back significantly, and morale would plummet.
A new symbol was needed.
The world demanded a new hero to lead it through the encroaching darkness. I gazed at the girl blinking before me. An immature, unfinished hero.
Yet.
A hero who must be completed.
"...Pardon? The frontlines?"
Chloe asked me in return.
I looked at her silently.
"......"
Though I'd tossed out the idea lightly, my heart wasn't light at all. What should I say? I assembled the scattered words swirling in my mind and moved my lips.
"Chloe."
I bent my knees slightly to meet her eye level.
There was about a head's difference in our heights. Feeling that gap, I opened my mouth.
"I'm sorry."
"...Pardon?"
I bowed my head a little.
Chloe blinked.
She looked utterly confused.
"To be honest, I still think you're not quite ready for this."
I'd planned to start by sending her to an apprentice knight training hall, like Rak. To take it step by step, giving her time to adjust.
"But time is shorter than I expected."
I said it straight.
"You're growing fast enough, but you need to speed up even more. So that the knights can sense the potential I see in you."
Even if they knew nothing about stars.
Even if they knew nothing about magic.
The knights had to feel the possibility just by looking at Chloe.
"This one can do it. She can take his place."
I looked her straight in the eye and said.
"Even if one flame dies out, even if the fire that illuminated them for so long flickers away..."
Gallahal twitched his fingers.
I ignored it and continued.
"A new blaze will rise again. The stars haven't abandoned us yet. We need to plant that thought in the knights' minds."
Show Chloe's potential.
Accelerate her growth.
For that...
"To do that, heading to the frontlines is essential. Sorry, but..."
"No need to apologize."
Chloe cut me off.
I just looked at her quietly. Chloe gave a wry smile and fidgeted with her fingers.
"I already knew. And I understand."
"......"
"I know I'm getting more conveniences and benefits than the other hero candidates. I know escaping the back alleys was thanks to this talent."
I stayed silent.
Chloe kept going.
"I have no intention of turning away from responsibility. If it means growing faster, I'd even ask you to let me."
Resolve shone in her green eyes.
Standing there was a girl who looked a little different from the Chloe I'd known. Not the ordinary girl enjoying academy life.
"...Well, anyway."
I gave a wry smile and patted her head.
Contrary to my thoughts, Chloe seemed to have already found her answer to some degree.
"I'm glad if you see it that way."
I gave her a brief rundown of the plan.
Compared to her resolve, the plan itself wasn't grand. The goal this time was purely to experience and return.
After hearing it all, Chloe tilted her head.
"...That's it?"
"What, you think I'd have you rolling in the frontlines right away? I told you. It's just to 'observe' and come back."
"But what you just said..."
Her expression questioned if that alone could really make her grow.
"Who knows. It might not be 'just' that."
I pointed at Gallahal, who had been silent.
"Watching a hero fight up close will be far more valuable than you think."
Just observing would help.
Especially if the subject was Gallahal.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ 2.
Taking Chloe to the frontlines was decided after the semester ended. I had to ask Kalt to send a letter to Knight Commander Uncle... and go through the procedures.
We'll let you know once the schedule is set.
After sending Chloe off like that, only Gallahal and I remained in the spell training room.
"So."
I brushed away the scorch mark Chloe had left on the floor and spoke. With Gallahal still silent, my voice echoed loudly in the room.
"You look like you have a lot of questions."
"...Yes. Many."
The silence broke.
Gallahal looked me straight in the eye.
"Lania. You."
He questioned me.
"Just how far do you know? And how much?"
His eyes held complex emotions. He seemed to be starting to doubt my identity. I leaned against the wall and met his gaze.
"More than you think."
"I'm not playing word games. This is important..."
"That you're retiring soon."
Gallahal fell silent.
I continued.
"That Knight Commander Heinkel urged you to retire. Begged you not to set foot on the battlefield again. Yet you still want to go."
The more I spoke...
"You don't want to retire."
Gallahal's face grew rigid.
"But you must. Because..."
I pointed at him.
"Your lifespan doesn't have much left."
"...You noticed?"
"From the moment we shook hands. Cracks showing on your skin means you've pushed yourself relentlessly."
I knew because I'd used the same method.
Cracks hadn't appeared on this body until it changed, but once they had, mine spread just like his.
A body burdened beyond its limits breaks down.
Even a hero's body is no exception.
'Especially...'
If cracks appeared on a hero's body.
And if Gallahal ultimately chose retirement.
"You traded until you couldn't squeeze out any more lifespan."
"......"
"How much time left? Gallahal."
By my estimate, he didn't have much time. As I was about to voice the number I'd calculated...
"Enough."
Gallahal cut me off.
"That's enough."
"......"
"You really know everything. In too much detail—it's disconcerting."
He seemed embarrassed, feigning calm, but his eyes were shaking.
"Did Raniel tell you?"
I said nothing.
Gallahal let out a short breath and continued.
"Could I meet Raniel? No, not even that. A simple letter would do."
"As many as you want."
"Yes, then..."
Gallahal pulled a letter from his bosom.
It was a magic tool I often used. Write on one side, and it appears identically on the other.
"Could you deliver this to Raniel?"
"...I could arrange a meeting if you want."
"No need. I hear that friend's busy too. It'd be nice if time allowed, but... I still need to steel myself."
Gallahal gave a wry smile.
"A letter's enough for now."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ 3.
Knight Commander Heinkel van Zickhardt.
He unfolded the letter from his old subordinate.
A former sage's aide, now holding the position of Guarder in the capital. A letter from Kalt, whose exploits even reached the frontlines.
Guide: Lania van Trias.
Next hero candidate: Chloe.
Hero: Gallahal.
The three planned to visit the frontlines for 'training.' The stated purpose was education for the next hero candidate, but...
'She noticed Gallahal's retirement.'
Reading between the lines, the true intent was clear. Heinkel gave a wry smile.
Lania van Trias.
He'd heard that name plenty of times.
Not just because she was from the same family as the Ashen Mage.
A few months ago, he'd received a letter directly from the Ashen Mage himself.
『I'm raising successors.』
『Ones to replace me, and to replace Kyle. Aphria is the stage for that.』
Lania van Trias was one of them.
Whenever he heard about Raniel, who refused to rest even in retirement, Heinkel would smile wryly.
"...It's a shame."
Whether it was Raniel, enduring the frontlines with a body that could retire anytime, or Gallahal, who kept trying to get involved despite urgings to retire.
As Knight Commander, it was welcome.
But as a man, it wasn't.
Heinkel only hoped those who'd carved away at their bones and flesh would rest easy in their final moments. Even knowing their personalities made it impossible.
'...Thanks, but no.'
With a sigh, Heinkel folded the letter.
"So, when are you gonna let me retire? Uncle Heinkel."
"Shut your mouth."
Heinkel's face, which had held a bittersweet smile while reading, turned fierce in an instant. Fierce for Heinkel, but the recipient just shrugged nonchalantly.
"I pulled off merits again this time. Accomplished the impossible, got results. Isn't that enough for an honorable discharge? Be honest—I did great."
"Reports say you threw a ton of knights into the meat grinder again."
"Necessary sacrifices."
Necessary sacrifices.
Heinkel glared at the young man. They weren't necessary. They were sacrifices that could have been reduced but weren't.
The young man often executed plans on his own whim, resorting to such methods each time.
"Wasn't it just the simplest way?"
"Gotta wrap it up quick and clean. That requires some sacrifice. You know there's no strategy as efficient without cutting some loose, right?"
Always like this.
Heinkel waved his hand at the young man, who snatched snacks from the tent in his overly casual attire.
"Get out. I don't want to talk to you anymore today."
"Tch. Again with this? Uncle Heinkel, hear me out. It was a solid plan with basis—"
The young man bantered.
With exaggerated gestures, he explained his rationale to Heinkel. Repeating lines like "it's sad, but necessary" with a mournful face.
"Enough."
Unable to stand it, Heinkel cut him off.
"Destel."
Heinkel narrowed his eyes.
"Drop the act."
The smile vanished from Destel's face.
With a short click of his tongue, Destel stood.
"That Gallahal guy's coming back to the frontlines, huh?"
Destel said with disgust.
"Adjust the routes so we don't cross paths. Don't wanna make things awkward by bumping into him."
"Gallahal won't pick a fight with you."
"I'll be uncomfortable."
As he turned to leave the tent, Destel paused. As if remembering something, he looked back.
"Don't wanna see Gallahal."
He smirked.
"But Lania van Trias... I'm kinda curious about her. Totally different from that lunatic Raniel, right?"
"So they say."
"Sounds like an angel. Already feels like my type."
One of the three heroes.
Hero of Vileness, Destel.
He stroked his lips with interest.
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