Chapter 100
Chapter 100
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 99
Chapter Title: ??? Forte - Hero's Descendant
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The three rulers of the demon realm each possess distinct traits and areas of expertise.
Blood Chalice prides itself on its blood manipulation abilities and formidable organizational strength.
Mad Fang boasts beastly instincts and primal, overwhelming physical violence.
So what about Deception?
He is the king of all things vile and underhanded.
He deceives others, distorts facts, creates illusions, and shrouds the truth in darkness.
Among the three rulers who survived in the demon realm, he is the archdemon most specialized in schemes and intrigue.
Was it influenced by their lord's nature, or did such cunning types naturally flock to Deception's banner?
Whether it was a case of the pure associating with the pure or birds of a feather flocking together, detecting the plots brewed by Deception's forces was an exceedingly difficult task.
They had tossed aside notions like pride, fighting spirit, or fair play to the dogs—they were hard to even encounter in the first place, even harder to catch once you did, and utterly impossible to wring the truth from even if captured.
But here were individuals who perfectly fulfilled every condition.
A duo that lured out a demon from Deception's forces—who rarely showed their faces—captured it before it could flee, and devoured it whole without giving it a chance to lie.
"─Guide the Hero's descendant down the wrong path, shatter the seal at Skyreach Academy, and seize the relic hidden within."
The Crown Prince's murmur drew a nod from Lucidra.
"One to approach the Hero's descendant and lead them astray. One to locate the relic and retrieve it once the seal breaks. And one to tamper with the academy's other treasures, drawing attention away so the real plan proceeds smoothly. Three demons deployed for those roles."
"Valzarese was the last one, then."
"Yeah. Since they planned to use it as bait from the start, they picked an easy-to-handle demon as the contractor."
"Hmm."
Lucidra leaned forward toward the Crown Prince, who was lost in thought with a hand to his mouth.
Her ample bosom brushed against his shoulder, deforming slightly, as a sweet, floral body scent bloomed in the air.
Normally, he would have grumbled something like 'It's hot, so back off,' but this time, he didn't push her away easily.
Smiling inwardly at that, Lucidra continued in a soft, velvety voice.
"Two demons on par with Valzarese—or potentially even stronger. Even if you're incredibly powerful, resolving this with clones alone won't be easy, right?"
She whispered like a casual same-sex friend, yet infused with feminine allure and seduction.
"What do you say? How about I help out properly this time? I've only been subtly pulling strings from the shadows so far, but if you want, I can step to the front."
Though greatly weakened by her long sealing, that also meant her growth ceiling—or regression peak—was extraordinarily high.
Having trailed the Crown Prince's clones, absorbing minor souls and essence along the way, and now devouring a mid-to-upper-tier demon, her charm and magic were stronger than before.
If before she could enchant an ordinary man with a few words and a smile, now she could even captivate a jaded veteran.
In other words, no matter how accustomed the Crown Prince was to honey traps, this time...!
"Lucidra."
"Yes?"
"One of my masters has recently been focusing on enhanced detection and ranged attacks that ignore distance. The moment he senses you, a spatial slash will come flying from afar."
"......"
Lucidra abruptly cut off the subtle magic she'd been emanating.
The air, which had taken on a faint pink hue, snapped back to normal in an instant.
She obediently dragged over a chair with her tail and sat, and the Crown Prince straightened his posture as well.
Then, as if nothing had happened, they resumed their conversation.
"So, what's your plan? You're going to intervene, right?"
"From what you said, even Valzarese didn't know exactly what this 'relic' the demons are after is, but anything sealed in Skyreach Academy won't be good in demon hands. Stopping it is a given, but the method of intervention is the issue."
The Crown Prince picked up a pen and rolled it between his fingers.
"It's the territory, the architecture, and a single magic artifact created by the Sage of the Heavens, former comrade of the Hero. That's Skyreach Academy. As a legacy of a 7th-tier transcendent, no non-transcendent can set foot there without being bound by the academy's laws the moment they enter."
That was likely why Valzarese hadn't stormed in directly but instead used a human contractor with enrollment qualifications.
The academy's governing laws were so powerful and stringent that even Skyreach Academy—a mere educational institution—held a position equal to the various 'nations' of the central continent.
"Skyreach Academy is nearly impossible to enter without the official entrance. And only students, faculty, and approved guests can use that."
"Couldn't you get in as a guest if you just said the word?"
"Possible in theory, but your freedom of movement would be severely restricted. Besides, relations between Skyreach Academy and the Empire aren't great."
"Why?"
"Hundreds of years ago, during the Hero's active days, that era's emperor caused them quite a bit of trouble. You know the type—the neighboring noble who you can't tell is ally or enemy in hero tales."
"......"
The Eisen Empire has a long history.
And when a nation's history grows long, flawed rulers inevitably emerge.
Imperial records downplayed or hid much of that emperor's misdeeds, but the chronicles from the central continent—closely tied to the Heroes—detailed them extensively.
Ernst had paid close attention to those accounts, and many of the emperor's actions were absurdly ridiculous.
"The Demon King... well, the archdemon who safely descended into this world, was literally grinding people to dust, but since it was a central continent issue, he didn't provide proper support. Or he demanded land and unequal treaties as payment for aid. Or he groped the Saintess, a member of the Hero's party. Truly remarkable fellow."
"What happened to that emperor?"
"He was killed by his own uncle's young son—the previous king's heir he thought he'd executed with poison."
Quite the awkward family commentary.
"Well, it's been centuries, so no direct grudges remain, but subtle discomfort lingers. Plus, moving too flashily might tip off the demons and send them into hiding, which would be a hassle."
"What about posing as a student or professor?"
"Skyreach Academy's enrollment is rigorous. Even with Brown Merchant Alliance help, forging a suitable identity at this point is tough. Professors must be alumni, so that's out."
"...Isn't that a dead end? Easier to just ask that Eris girl in Ernst's form."
"Even if Ernst could enter Skyreach Academy and resolve things, his status and abilities are far from ideal."
The Crown Prince's eyes gleamed.
"Besides, there's another way. One that passes Skyreach Academy's strict scrutiny while positioning us right beside the 'Hero's descendant' the demons are targeting to protect her."
Listen closely, he said, before laying out his 'plan.'
Lucidra started off listening with keen interest, then blinked in confusion, and eventually gaped with a drawn-out 'Heh-.'
"What do you think? A perfect plan, isn't it?"
"What nonsense is that—no, that's an insult to dogs, Your Highness."
An ancestor's reputation profoundly influences their descendants.
Offspring of widely known criminals, traitors, or incompetents face endless scorn simply for their bloodline.
Conversely, if an ancestor's fame is excessively illustrious, that brings its own problems.
The most renowned legendary figure across the central continent.
The hero who vanquished the wicked Demon King and saved countless lives: Fernando Valestia.
Fina Valestia, the girl born as his descendant, felt that weight most painfully.
"Ughhh. What do I do, what should I do...!"
White shirt and dark blue leather suspender shorts.
Her long black hair, braided and draped down, was streaked with blue—natural or dyed, unclear—but the prominent clump on one side of her bangs was vividly bright.
Her golden eyes sparkled on a face more cute than beautiful, contrasting sharply with her highly curvaceous figure.
A cravat that should have hung loosely was perched atop her white shirt, potentially toxic to the eyes of boys her age.
Not quite a peerless beauty who steals every gaze, but certainly not one to hear she's unattractive anywhere.
Yet with its owner clutching her head and rolling desperately on the bed, her beauty meant little.
"Skyreach Academy...! People even die during their entrance exams there! I don't wanna go...!"
Her whiny sobs shattered any heroic image people might conjure at 'Hero's descendant,' but Fina had her reasons.
Her own will had zero influence on going to Skyreach Academy.
「Hoho, my dear daughter. Sorry I haven't been looking after you lately. The border situation's a mess! No time to rest when I'm out slaying monsters daily.」
「N-No, it's fine. Don't worry about it.」
「Ahem, right. You're a proud Valestia too, yet I treated you like a child. How's your sword training? 」
「G-Good.」
「No inconveniences in daily life? 」
「N-No.」
「Good, glad to hear it. Oh, right. Entrance exam for Skyreach Academy in a week—get ready.」
「Y-Yes. ...Huh? 」
「They were going to exempt top students, but with the Valestia name, how could we take shortcuts? Take the exam fair and square, show those who doubt your skill! This is the sword of a true hero! 」
「...Um, wait.」
「Oh, time's up already. I'll meet His Majesty then head straight back to the border. Tell the head butler or write if you need anything! Bye now! 」
A whirlwind development.
Before Fina could protest, her father was gone. She sat blinking for about an hour before fully grasping the situation and screaming internally.
Even sadder for Fina: her father's actions stemmed purely from trust, not malice.
Faith that any inheritor of Valestia blood, any 'Hero's descendant,' could naturally handle this.
Her father had grown up that way, his siblings, grandfather—most in the family had.
They learned the sword as a matter of course from childhood, graduated Skyreach as a matter of course, served in the kingdom's military as a matter of course.
No other paths existed.
Some rebels tried civil service over military, forging new lives, but family elders and kingdom officials tore up those applications in unison and stamped 'Military' on them.
Certainly, those congenitally frail or magic-less could deviate, but sadly, Fina fit neither.
"What do I do, really what do I do."
Fina sighed deeply.
It'd be nice to fail carefree, but the Hero's descendant title weighed too heavily for that.
Yet she lacked confidence to perform as expected.
That's when it happened, as she agonized.
Clunk!
In one corner of Fina's room.
A strange noise came from where entrance exam gear—bought or gifted—was piled.
Thinking she'd misheard, Fina stared at the boxes. Then one shook with another clunk! She yelped and backed away.
'W-What's that? An animal inside? Or... a person? The servants would've checked!'
Either way, better flee.
As she crept toward the door—
Bang! The box lid flew open, faint magic emanating from within.
Fina instinctively checked it and muttered.
"A sword?"
It was a single sword.
Silver-and-black blade, blue gem in the pommel.
Utterly extraordinary, like something from a tale. As Fina stared blankly, the sword's magic surged.
Do you... desire power...?
A majestic voice echoed directly in her mind.
I am the demon sword Forte... Worthy girl... Take me in hand... I shall become your strength, protecting you from all who threaten you...
A self-aware magic sword.
A fateful contract moment.
In this heroic tale setup, Fina replied.
"...Um, excuse me. Sword-sama?"
Speak...
"Sorry, but I think there was a delivery mix-up."
.........