Chapter 32
Chapter 32
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 32
Chapter Title: Hero's Descent - 2
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I said to Ariena.
“Then shall we take one more step?”
“Uh. Y-yes.”
“No need to force yourself to look down. Just keep your eyes straight ahead.”
“Got it.”
“If you still can’t stop shaking... then trust in me.”
“Huh?”
Ariena looked up at me.
“Do you think I’d let you die, my lady?”
“......”
Strangely enough, those words stopped her trembling.
She took a deep breath and smiled.
“Understood. I trust you.”
“Thank you. Let’s go.”
Swish.
With that, we both stepped out into empty air at the same time.
Neril activated her magic right on cue.
“Flying.”
It was as if invisible stairs lay before us—we literally walked through the air.
And behind our backs.
“Heavenly god, reveal your radiant glory here.”
Whoooosh.
A brilliant light enveloped us.
That’s right.
We were staging the classic image of descending from the heavens, wrapped in light.
Letting the count who devised the scheme know of Ariena’s safe return would only work in the moment.
But announcing her return before thousands of assembled troops—in a spectacle that would be remembered for generations to come—made it impossible to cover up.
The mystical display was the perfect seasoning.
And sure enough, the reaction from below was exactly as I’d hoped.
“Woooah! It’s Lady Ariena!”
“Who’s the man beside her?”
“Oh! The Unyielding Sword Emperor, Maide Mohan!”
“The lady’s being escorted by the Sword Emperor!”
“She’s safe. Thank goodness.”
Swish.
With each step we took, we descended a little lower.
The soldiers parted as if by prior agreement, clearing a wide space.
A moment later.
Ariena and I were able to set foot firmly on the ground.
“Whew.”
Ariena wobbled briefly as the tension released, but she quickly straightened up and raised her voice.
“Everyone. I know your hearts must have been heavy, dragged into this battlefield. Families left behind at home, the poverty that will surely come after the war—it must all weigh on you.”
“......”
“Worry no more. The war won’t happen. I’ve returned, right here!”
“Woooaaah!”
“This is all thanks to the Unyielding Sword Emperor here, the ‘hero’ Maide. He found me and kept me safe! Maide, on behalf of all the territory’s people, thank you.”
I’d never asked for that.
Yet Ariena bowed to me as if it were the most natural thing.
I hurriedly bowed back and answered in my most ‘heroic’ tone.
“No need. I simply couldn’t bear the thought of pointless blood being shed among the people. Their groans and sorrows moved me to act.”
“Maide...”
“I learned much while rescuing you, my lady. Who else loves their people as you do? In saving you, I didn’t save just one person. I saved the future of this entire territory.”
Anyone with political savvy would grasp the implication.
The soldiers began to murmur.
But soon, they responded with one unified voice.
“That’s right! Lady Ariena is the future of Avis Territory.”
“Lady, thank you for returning safely!”
“Thanks to you too, hero!”
“Look this way too, over here.”
“Long live the hero! Long live Lady Ariena!”
Their cheers echoed across the entire territory.
The roar lasted a full twenty minutes.
Savoring the heated atmosphere, I thought to myself.
‘Ooooh. I can hear my fame rising.’
Trail replied in a voice brimming with joy.
[Yes! All that overtime fatigue is melting away!]
Once the commotion died down, our group finally came face-to-face with Count Tobira.
He slumped in his chair, looking a decade older.
I curled one corner of my mouth and said.
“I kept my promise, Count. I brought the lady back safe and sound.”
“Uh, uhm. Indeed. I offer my thanks.”
“It was only what had to be done. I’d like to greet the Deirt branch manager too—where might he be?”
The count didn’t catch my mocking tone.
He answered with a look as if wondering why I’d ask.
“Well. Haven’t heard from him in days.”
“I see.”
“Anyway, you’ve done your part. I’ll provide suitable compensation, so be on your way.”
That was when.
Step.
Ariena stepped forward and spoke.
“Count.”
“Hm? Ah. Ariena. I was too flustered to greet you properly. I’m truly glad you’ve returned safely.”
“Me too. So, as a commemoration of my return, I have one question.”
“Ask away.”
She continued in a gentle voice.
“How long do you plan to keep that heavy rear planted there?”
“......”
A profound silence swept the area.
The count blinked, his face showing he couldn’t process what he’d heard.
Ariena pressed on.
“Come down. That chair doesn’t look sturdy enough to hold your weight.”
“Y-you... What are you saying?! Have you lost your mind?”
“You’re still talking like that.”
“You must be exhausted, out of your wits. Guards! Someone! Take Ariena away. Right now.”
But no one entered.
The count tilted his head in confusion, then raised his voice again.
“No one outside?!”
“There won’t be. I asked them to clear out.”
“W-what?”
“I let them know early on. That my kidnapping and the war preparations all stemmed from your scheme.”
The count’s face drained of color.
“That’s not all. Two hours. That’s how long it took from when the commotion outside settled until we met you.”
“......”
“In that short time, I managed to win over quite a few people. Easier than I thought. Thanks to this.”
As she spoke, Ariena pulled something from her bosom.
It was the document I’d written, listing all the count’s crimes.
“It’s a copy, so take a look.”
She held it out as if tossing it.
The count’s face turned ashen blue the moment he read the first line.
Ariena continued.
“This is just a fraction. They say no one’s completely clean, but this is a bit much.”
“Y-you wench. Are you gunning for my seat?”
“Who knows. Less me aiming for it, more like the people will hoist me up. So many have already turned their backs on you.”
“......!”
“You have far too many weak points if anyone decides to make you an enemy.”
Ariena said that much, then turned to us.
“Everyone. Sorry, but could you step out for a bit? I need some deep conversation with the count.”
I scratched my head.
“You’ll be okay?”
“Yes. You’ve done more than enough, hero. This part’s on me now.”
“Understood.”
“Hero.”
Swish.
She approached me.
And whispered so only I could hear.
“I don’t know your full grand plan, but one thing I can say.”
“......”
“If I take this place, I’ll be your staunch supporter.”
“Supporter?”
“Yes. Your fame will spread to the capital soon enough, but it’s a long way. Contact me for anything you need. I’ll link my communication orb to yours.”
Oho.
Just what I wanted to hear.
[Your scheme worked.]
‘Yeah, perfect. The capital’s already in Kaild’s grasp. I’ll head there eventually, but I need a solid backing until then.’
[Huh.]
That was when.
[Ding! You obtained 2,000 Fame Points.]
[Fame Points needed for next level: 9,760/20,000]
[Your name will echo throughout Avis Territory henceforth.]
[Total Fame Points to be acquired from this incident: 8,000]
[Your name is echoing in Drucker Territory. (All points collected!)]
[Your name is echoing in Quelk Territory. (All points collected!)]
[Your name is echoing in Rior Territory. (All points collected!)]
[Neril Slaine thinks of you as a ‘man with fatal charm.’]
[Jenia Side thinks of you as a ‘man who can’t help but be popular.’]
[Ariena de Maine thinks of you as a ‘man I want but can’t have.’]
Huh. Uhm.
These evaluations feel a bit one-sided.
[After 34 years, light has finally found you. Congratulations.]
‘Wasn’t it 27?’
[Same difference. A lifetime either way.]
‘No. No, it’s not.’
[Really? Put your hand on your heart and think.]
Instead of my heart, I turned to Neril and Jenia.
Gotta watch my expression, or my lips will keep twitching. Careful.
“Then we’ll be off.”
“Yeah. Take care, miss.”
Ariena bowed at Neril’s farewell.
“Yes. Sorry for nagging about age last time.”
“No. I actually liked it.”
This time, Jenia spoke.
“May the gods’ blessings fill your path.”
“Hehe. Yes. Though I feel I’ve already received something better.”
Ariena glanced at me as she said it.
We turned and left.
As the door clicked shut, Ariena’s voice rang out.
“Now then. Shall we start with the light stuff? First, those tax figures sent to the capital look very off.”
“A-Ariena. Let’s talk this over calmly.”
“We are talking.”
“Urgh.”
“Or should I call Mother too?”
Whew. Scary.
Neril chuckled.
“Didn’t know she was so bold. Hard to believe she was trembling up on Agril.”
“Hm. She’s always had immense talent. I just gave her the chance to use it.”
Then Jenia grumbled.
“By the way, Agril only allowed it this once. Don’t expect me to sweet-talk it again.”
“I’ll ask again next time.”
“Argh! Did you hear me?”
“Oh yeah, they say the pheasant dish here is amazing. Wanna try before we leave?”
Jenia clamped her mouth shut.
“I-I hear it’s pretty pricey.”
“You know I’ve got money to burn.”
“......”
“Three times?”
“Five.”
“Four.”
“Fine. Four.”
Easy.
We were tearing into pheasant for dinner when a guest who’d requested to join us arrived.
He plopped into a chair before we could even accept.
“Oh. The house specialty? Looks tasty.”
Swish.
Jenia slyly pulled the dish toward us.
The guest—Ophense Daik—smacked his lips awkwardly.
“I know how to eat meat too.”
“Not as well as me.”
“Is that a boast?”
“This is from a deal with Maide. You can buy your own.”
Ophense chuckled.
Then he glanced at me and said.
“Even in the same hero party, you all feel so different from that lot.”
At his words, Neril and Jenia straightened up.
Neril spoke.
“Kaild. Kaild Wake. The one playing hero by imitating Maide?”
“Honestly, timing-wise, it feels more like Maide’s imitating Kaild.”
“This side’s the real heroes. I’ll make it so.”
“Hmm.”
Ophense’s eyes filled with interest.
“Definitely a different vibe from them.”
“What exactly?”
“Their party’s all Kaild sunflowers, you might say. Staring at his mouth, waiting for him to solve everything. I was the same, I guess.”
“......”
“You’re centered on Maide too, but everyone has their role, and you can feel the drive to contribute. Definitely more human touch here.”
Kaild did have that side.
Handsome and talented, he sucked up all the praise and awe by himself.
In the pre-regression party, the other hero-tier folks were basically extras to make him shine.
I said.
“So? Deeply impressed by me?”
“Hah. I wouldn’t go that far, even on my deathbed. But this, I have to say.”
“......”
“I watched how you wrapped things up. Quite the spectacle. For building fame, I can’t imagine a better show.”
“......”
“No idea why, but Kaild obsessed over fame too. Still, your method seems far more refined.”
He paused briefly.
Then he met my eyes squarely and added.
“At least, I think your way is more heroic.”
Perfect!
Just to be sure, I asked Trail for the screen.
There it was.
[Ophense Daik thinks of you as a ‘more heroic person than Kaild.’]
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