Chapter 145
Chapter 145
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 145
Chapter Title: Cold - 3
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Savark. In other words, Hiren Gois.
Offense grimaced upon hearing that name.
I lightly patted his shoulder and said.
“You already know this, but...”
“Sigh. Yeah. We can’t settle things to the death with that bastard right here. This isn’t a territory that’s fully on your side yet.”
“Yeah. Sorry about that.”
“No worries.”
I stood at the edge of Agril.
“Let’s head down.”
Whoosh.
As we landed with Neril’s flying magic, the shouts of soldiers rang out.
“Ah! Who are they?”
“Maide Mohan. The Unyielding Sword Emperor.”
“The rumors were true. When the monster smoke appears, the two heroes descend.”
“I heard Maide’s the real one...”
“Shh. Quiet down. What if Lord Kaild hears you?”
Amid the murmuring soldiers, I spotted Kaild.
I grinned and beckoned him over.
He scowled and leaped down from the ramparts.
Step step.
Kaild and Hiren approached me.
I said.
“Hey. Long time no see?”
“Maide.”
“Your master doesn’t seem to get tired of this. It’s the same no matter how many times. I’ll always show up wherever you appear.”
“Shut your mouth.”
“How’ve you been? Are your other minions doing well?”
Hiren’s face darkened.
Offense sneered.
“Not poisoning the territory folk this time?”
“Watch your mouth, you damned disciple.”
“I don’t know why I have to hear that crap. Putting everything else aside, you’ve got ‘disciple’ wrong first off.”
“......”
“My master? I killed him long ago.”
Hiren’s face twisted.
Serein giggled and said.
“Come on, enough with the verbal sparring. No mediator today, so it’s tough.”
“Mediator?”
“Oh right. Not a person. That second finger or whatever, Firensha.”
“......”
“That sister hasn’t been around lately. Guess the failure at Havel territory really hit her hard?”
Her skill at smiling while digging at sore spots was top-notch, just like Serein.
Hiren ground his teeth and said.
“Don’t mock me. That one was genuinely heartbroken.”
“......”
“Firensha was there during the failure at Havel territory too. She wept sadly, saying she’d ruined Mother’s plans.”
“You guys have such deep bonds. Anyone would think you’re a real hero party.”
“Hmph. No point talking anymore.”
His lips moved.
He was calling Idria.
Soon, space tore open.
The smoke that hadn’t even fully turned into monsters began getting sucked back through that rift.
Cheers like thunder erupted from atop the ramparts.
“Woooah!”
“The monster bastards are fleeing!”
“Yeah! Get lost! The heroes are here!”
“But which of the two scared them off?”
“Maide, obviously. The rumors say so.”
“Hmm. Hard to buy all those stories, honestly.”
“No way Kaild teamed up with the Demon King, even if he’s... a bit less than Maide.”
That was the chatter.
I requested a screen from Trail.
[Maide Mohan Cumulative Fame: 430,400]
[Kaild Wake Cumulative Fame: 378,850]
My fame had risen by 10,000 since I last checked.
Kaild’s by 5,000?
Double the difference.
This was the power of the statement from Havel territory.
I turned to Kaild and spoke.
“Job’s done, so you should head out, right? Back to Idria’s arms.”
“You bastard.”
His hand went to his sword.
Tremble.
But it only shook—he couldn’t draw it.
Too many eyes watching.
I stopped provoking him and instead spoke in a serious tone.
“Hey, Kaild Wake.”
“......”
“Give it up already.”
“What?”
“Stop opposing me.”
I lowered my voice further.
“Don’t you get it by now? How many times have we clashed, and you still don’t see?”
“......”
“You can’t beat me. So just stop.”
“Shut up.”
“I’ll be coming for Idria soon.”
He froze.
Hiren cut in with a cautious expression.
“Why tell us that? It’s a huge secret for you guys.”
“I didn’t say when. As long as I keep the timing vague, a hero storming the Demon King is just the natural course. Not much of a secret. Idria’s probably expecting it too?”
“......”
“And if you’re there when I arrive, Kaild, I’ll kill you. No Idria to hold your soul back from the afterlife then.”
Crunch.
Kaild bit his lip hard.
Blood trickled down.
But I kept going, unconcerned.
“So stay out of my sight. Unless you want to die again.”
“Grr. How far will you humiliate me? I’m a hero just like you...”
“No chance.”
I raised my voice.
“You don’t understand what a hero is at all.”
“What?”
“That’s why you keep relying on Idria.”
“Ha. Aren’t you leaning on the heavenly gods too? You got your oracle through them.”
“Not anymore. I realized.”
I continued in a low voice.
“Heroes are made by humans.”
“......What the hell does that mean.”
“Whatever. I talked too much.”
I turned sharply.
My companions glared at Kaild and Hiren before following.
Neril asked.
“Heroes are made by humans? What’s that mean?”
“Hmm. Just a vague thought.”
“Even vague’s fine. Tell me. I’m curious.”
“Just occurred to me. Demon Kings are born from the negative energy humans create.”
“......”
“Demon Kings come from humans, essentially. Wondered if heroes are any different.”
Everyone tilted their heads.
I shrugged and said.
“Don’t mind it. Anyway, let’s get into the territory quick.”
“Huh? We’re done here.”
“Fame went up a bit, but we need to leave a deeper impression. That way my good rep spreads far and wide.”
Serein burst out laughing.
“Pfft. Maide, you look best when you’re all about that fame.”
Idria received a brief report from Hiren.
She’d been watching already, but hearing it firsthand made it more vivid.
Another failure.
Idria closed her eyes slowly.
Hiren trembled with shame and said.
“I have no face to show you.”
“No. It’s the same as the last two invasions. I expected this.”
“......”
“We need something special. Can’t keep going like this.”
She absentmindedly went to bite her nail, then noticed the children staring.
Not a sight for a mother to show. She lowered her hand casually.
That’s when it happened.
“Still struggling, I see.”
“Bellosian.”
He appeared without a sound.
Kaild narrowed his eyes at him.
‘Who the hell is this guy?’
Even Idria didn’t seem to know his true nature.
She’d failed several times lately.
Time to switch allies?
Could Bellosian be a good partner?
As he thought that—
Bellosian smiled at Kaild.
“What’re you thinking?”
“Hm? Nothing special.”
“Planning to ditch Idria and join me?”
Idria and her minions whipped their heads toward him.
Kaild smirked and shrugged.
“Ridiculous accusation. One frame job from Maide is enough.”
“Dunno. Doesn’t look that way to me.”
“Cut the crap and say your piece.”
“Hmm. Better make this clear now.”
Bellosian hurled an insult at Kaild in a surprisingly gentle tone.
“You should be more grateful to Idria.”
“......!”
“She’s not doing it for fun, but without serious patience, looking after an incompetent like you would be a pipe dream.”
Grind.
Kaild gnashed his teeth.
How well does he think he knows me?
How much has he even seen?
‘Why does everyone hate me so much...’
Then Idria spoke.
With a soft smile hard to believe was aimed at Bellosian.
“At least one thing you two agree on.”
“There’s more. Shall we find them together?”
“Enough chatter. State your purpose.”
“Don’t you think it’s time to seriously consider my last proposal?”
“We already—”
“Ah, hold on.”
Bellosian raised a hand.
“Your other children are here. Let’s change venues.”
“......”
Maide might be spying with his secret-seeing.
Idria caught the unspoken implication.
She’d refuse anyway, but caution with Maide was wise.
“Children. Wait here a bit.”
“Mother. He’s dangerous.”
“He’s not here to harm us. Don’t worry.”
Idria and Bellosian stepped out.
The Fingers of Deceit chattered among themselves.
“I get it. Maide can see our secrets.”
“But he can’t see Bellosian’s? Who knows if that’s just Bellosian’s lie.”
“......”
“You got nothing to say, Batole?”
“......”
“So taciturn. That’s you, though.”
Everyone was noisy except Batole, who was lucky to say one word a day.
No, wait.
There was one more quiet one today.
Hiren glanced at Firensha and said.
“Still hung up on Havel territory?”
“Bellosian’s finally here.”
“Hm?”
“No, nothing.”
Determination filled Firensha’s eyes.
Peaceful days continued for a while after the last monster invasion.
Good news for most, but pretty boring for me with fame still to grind.
We stayed in Benti territory, site of that final invasion.
During dinner at the inn, I asked.
“No Adwin?”
“Communicating with Mariana.”
“Oh? Ah.”
“Acts all mature, but he’s a kid. Probably missed hearing from Mom.”
Makes sense for a normal boy to long for his mother’s embrace.
Offense cut in.
“Doubt it.”
“What’re you saying?”
“He said he had some things he really wanted to ask her. Ever since Risel and Grayed’s meeting last time.”
“What’s that about?”
“Heh. Not my place to say. Anyway, Mariana’s probably in a bind right now.”
I chuckled, getting it.
Neril tilted her head, then asked me.
“Anyway, shouldn’t we pick our next destination soon?”
“Hm?”
“It’s been a week with no Idria moves. She’s probably given up on monster invasions.”
“Hmm.”
“She’s no doubt racking her brains for the next plan... and you say no new secrets.”
I nodded.
Jenia said.
“So, we should hunt quests to boost our fame on our own, right?”
“Yeah. Got any good ideas?”
“Well...”
Jenia scratched her head, drawing a blank.
Most big incidents pre-regression were Idria’s doing.
My presence had already twisted many of her plans from the original timeline.
Nothing fame-worthy came to mind that she wouldn’t cause.
‘Trail. Anything? First hero senses.’
[I...]
‘No, huh. Got it.’
[Listen...]
‘Oh, you do?’
[No.]
Why so smug.
That’s when—
Risel’s voice rang out.
“Serein? You okay?”
Our eyes turned to Serein.
Damn. Why notice now.
Serein’s face was flushed more than usual.
Her eyes were a bit glassy, breathing ragged—not good.
In a lower, hoarse voice than normal, she replied.
“Suddenly got chills. Guess it’s a cold.”