Chapter 53
Chapter 53
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 53
Chapter Title: Separate - 1
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Earthquake day.
As planned, the first "minor quake" was safely stopped by Risel.
But could this really be called safe?
The territory viewed from atop Agril was a sight beyond description.
"Kaild, that bastard. He deliberately stood by and let some damage happen."
"Huh?"
"If Risel stepped up, she could've stopped the earthquake the instant it began. So what's the reason for letting it slide?"
"......To leave some damage behind and show just how massive the earthquake was?"
"Exactly. More precisely, to proclaim himself the true hero who stopped such an enormous quake."
Neril's face twisted.
At that moment, Jenia spoke up.
"It's over there. Agril, let's go."
Agril soared even higher, heading toward the castle's top floor.
Kaild looked like he was about to move, so I quickly called out to him.
"Got a moment?"
"Eek! Monster!"
Serein...... I've wanted to ask this since before my regression—are you really a priestess?
Sure enough, Jenia opened her mouth in a grumble.
"It's the divine carriage."
"Huh? That knight's voice?"
I soothed Jenia and turned to Kaild.
"Impressive. You really stopped the earthquake."
"Hmm. And you didn't show up."
"I racked my brains for six days straight, but there just wasn't a way. I'm not the type to force things that won't work."
"......Really? You really handed this rare opportunity to me?"
"Yeah. I throw up my hands."
I actually raised both hands lightly to show him.
Kaild's eyes narrowed.
I kept going.
"This time, I'll cleanly yield the fame to you."
"......"
"And I'll keep my promise. I told you not to worry about me stealing fame from the evacuees, right?"
"I remember that."
"Here's the plan, specifically. Neril."
We'd discussed it beforehand, so Neril nodded and formed hand seals.
"Apent View."
A magic I'd relied on multiple times before regression—it displays pre-recorded footage in the vision of chosen targets.
They say it's a clever fusion of illusion magic and Iori Otics' communication orb principles, but I can't even begin to fathom how that's possible.
'Anyway.'
I watched the faces of Kaild's party.
Especially Kaild's.
He was smiling, looking quite satisfied.
The footage stored in the magic clearly showed Kaild stopping the earthquake—no one could argue otherwise.
Once the magic ended, he spoke.
"What do you want?"
"What're you talking about?"
"You're not just yielding fame—you're even providing support like this. Doesn't suit you, which is why I'm asking."
"You know me well. My stomach's killing me, even if I don't look it."
I grinned slyly, then shifted to a serious expression.
"I'll broadcast that exact footage magic to the territory folk. So, mind withdrawing quietly?"
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"This incident will turn all of Tetra territory's hearts toward you completely. I've given up on turning the tables, but I don't want to just hand it over without lifting a finger."
"......"
"From here on, we'll stick around to help with recovery efforts. Thinking about a week or so......"
"So I can't be there for that."
I nodded.
Of course, what I said was just an excuse. My real target was something else.
The second major earthquake.
I had no choice but to yield the first minor quake to Kaild, but the second one was absolutely mine.
To make that happen, though, Kaild needed to leave this place.
"I get it, more or less. Fine."
"Good."
"But on one condition. I'll verify that Apent View showed the real 'truth,' then leave."
"You're thorough."
"You might use illusion magic to fake it. With a top-tier mage on your side, it'd be easy."
Neril snickered.
"We don't pull dirty tricks like that. Maide isn't you."
Naturally, Kaild didn't even register her words.
He pressed me for an answer with just his eyes.
I shrugged.
"Sure, why not."
I turned my gaze to Risel.
She flinched and looked away.
'Looks like she didn't snitch to Kaild after all.'
She really hates revealing she's Magna Neros that much?
Anyway, all preparations were perfect.
I said to Kaild,
"Good. Let's go."
"Kaild! Kaild!"
"Hero Kaild, sir! Over here, please!"
"Wasn't the hero Maide?"
"Who's Maide?"
"Oh, I've heard of him. Some guy called a hero up north. The Unyielding Sword Emperor."
"Ha. What nonsense. Kaild here is the real hero. Don't go spouting that anywhere."
"True. That Maide guy didn't stop the earthquake this time."
Ow. My gut.
I rubbed my stomach gently.
What was funny was that my party members were striking similar poses.
"Stings, huh."
"Yeah. Kinda pisses me off too."
"Foolish souls. They have eyes but do not see, ears but do not hear. That's mortals for you."
"Jenia."
"Yeah."
"Hang on! Give me a sec to catch my breath!"
I chuckled and joined their chatter.
"What can you do? It's temporary—just bear with it."
"You think it'll go that smoothly? Will Kaild really keep his word?"
"From his perspective, he's already squeezed every drop of value from this territory. Yielding some volunteer recovery work to me won't hurt his overall gains."
"Hmm."
Neril nodded with her signature nasal hum.
I turned to Jenia.
"You're key for this one."
"Don't worry."
Before the second major earthquake hit, I needed to drag Kaild as far from Tetra territory as possible.
Far enough that even if he changed his mind and turned back, he wouldn't make it in time.
Agril was the obvious choice.
"If Agril goes all out, it'll reach the neighboring territory in two hours. She's gotten a bit plump lately anyway—call it a workout."
"Good rapport with its master, that beast. A divine carriage through and through."
"I haven't gained any weight at all?"
"I just said the rapport's good."
"Didn't sound like it."
Just then, Adwin asked,
"But bro, even if we 'kidnap' her according to plan, will Risel really buy into that 'I'll turn you human' line?"
Right.
My hidden card to convince Risel.
That one line.
"You heard it from Grayde, right? She said, 'Sorry, I can't become human.'"
"Speaking of which, Maide bro—how exactly do you plan to turn a spirit back into a human?"
I had a hunch.
"When the Demon King of Lies dies, it'll drop a core, right?"
Neril answered.
"Precedents suggest yes. The Withering Jewel we carry is the core of the Withering Demon King."
"Yeah. The Withering Jewel drained people's vitality—just like the Withering Demon King's power."
"So?"
"If it's the core of the Demon King of Lies and Deceit, maybe it's specialized in falsehoods. With some solid research, couldn't we fool the spirits? Like convincing them Risel isn't your queen."
"That's pure speculation. And who's researching the core?"
I shrugged.
"I've got a once-in-a-generation archmage in mind."
"......You mean me?"
"Yeah."
"I never said I'd help. And even if I did, I couldn't do it alone."
"Then we'll rally all the past mages."
This time, Adwin chimed in.
"You mean me?"
"Yeah."
"But calling up every past hero doesn't guarantee a solution, right?"
"Then we'll borrow heavenly wisdom."
Jenia shut her mouth.
"......"
"......"
"You gotta jump in here. Jenia."
"Don't wanna get dragged in."
"Point is this: After I kill the Demon King of Lies and Deceit, I'll do everything in my power to use its core and turn Risel human."
Neril said,
"So no guarantees, huh."
"Right. But Kaild won't even try."
"......"
"From her perspective, teaming up with me is her best shot. Convincing her's my job. You all just focus on the op."
I hardened my expression and continued.
"Kidnapping Risel right in front of Kaild won't be easy."
I checked the time.
Two hours to the neighboring territory on Agril. Two more to return.
The major earthquake would hit about five hours from now.
Time to move.
I approached Kaild, who was waving to the cheering crowds like some triumphant general.
"Time to go, Kaild."
"You're rushing it. What's wrong with crashing here a day or two?"
"Promises are made to be kept."
"The deal was I wouldn't interfere with your recovery efforts. And they probably aren't starting today anyway."
Playing it like that, huh.
He wasn't wrong from his standpoint, so I was at a loss for a retort.
But then he burst out laughing.
"Hahaha."
Pat pat.
He clapped my shoulder like a big brother teasing his little bro.
"Kidding. Don't make that face."
"......"
"I get it—me sticking around to hog more fame would rub you the wrong way. We're at odds, but I understand that much at least."
"Fair enough."
"Let's go. You said you'd give us a ride on this Agril thing? An honor to board the divine carriage."
And so we pushed through the crowds and vanished.
Moments later, Agril pierced the clouds and soared into the sky.
The massive beast's back was spacious enough for eight people sitting across from each other with room to spare.
Jenia whispered to Agril.
"Agril. Full speed ahead."
Screeeeeeeee!
Wind soon whipped past our ears, rattling our eardrums.
Alright. Let's fly far away.
Leave Risel behind and scatter the rest to the winds.
It was the most awkward flight in the world.
At least if the wind roared, we could've blamed it for making talk impossible.
But Agril's back was eerily quiet, as if under some spell—despite the blistering speed.
Then Kaild spoke up.
"Last time we met, things were pretty tense and stiff all around. Shall we reintroduce ourselves?"
"Oh! Great!"
Serein shot her hand up before we'd even answered.
She's so consistent.
"Like I said back then, I'm Serein. Oh, I've been meaning to ask you something, knight lady."
"Me?"
"Yeah. Is that the holy sword Kesal you're carrying? Mind if I take a look?"
"Nope."
"Thanks......"
Serein's face went blank.
Jenia giggled unusually and drew her sword.
"Kidding. Here."
"Ah, uh. Sure."
"My old friend's got a similar personality, so I couldn't resist teasing. Sorry."
"No, thank you."
Old friend—Ophelia, probably?
'No wonder. Before regression, Jenia and Serein were always thick as thieves.'
I'd thought it was just knight and priestess bonding, but there was more to it I didn't know.
As the two huddled together chatting, Neril spoke up next.
"Kaild. Mind if I ask something?"
"Hm?"
"Why do you think you're the hero?"
His answer drew every eye in the group to him.
Kaild crossed his arms and grinned.
"What's the angle here?"
"Why claim you're the hero when the oracle for this era hasn't come yet?"
"Did you ask Maide the same?"
"Nope. No need."
"Why not?"
Neril answered matter-of-factly.
"Maide looks the part at a glance. Never crossed my mind to doubt it."