Chapter 74
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Translator: Wjin
Chapter: 074
Chapter Title: Hero and Merit Distribution (3)
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'Somehow, this is starting to feel like it's getting out of hand.'
The Chester Count said preparations were needed.
He meant they required time to gather the corpses in one place.
So my use of the flame burst magic was postponed until the next day.
That much was fine.
But before long, rumors spread throughout Chester that I would be casting a spell, drawing the attention of everyone in the city.
And for some reason, the whole place buzzed with excitement.
"Why is everyone so eager for my magic?"
On the way out of the city to fulfill the Gentle Breeze Grimoire's request, I asked Bear and Conall.
Bear spoke up first.
"Lord Heros, you're Chester's hero, aren't you? Who wouldn't be interested when the man who defeated the chieftain is showing off the magic he used to do it?"
After Bear finished, Conall followed up.
"To the people of Chester, Lord Heros's fire magic is a beacon of hope. It plants dreams in the hearts of those worn down by riots and war."
A beacon of hope.
Nice ring to it.
I wasn't the only one who thought so—Bear twitched an eyebrow and chimed in.
"Sir Conall, it's weird hearing you talk about hope and dreams like some idealist. You aren't a black mage collaborator wearing Sir Conall's skin, are you?"
Bear's joke.
Conall's face twisted at that.
But he quickly smoothed it over and replied.
"Sir Bear, to dispel your suspicions, let me add something practical. If this magic demonstration goes off without a hitch, it could ease people's anxieties and improve city security. I'm sure that's what the Chester Count is aiming for by staging this."
Bear pondered Conall's words for a moment before nodding.
"Got it. Since Lord Heros's magic is so powerful, people will see it and feel safe. They'll think a great mage is protecting them."
"Oh, didn't expect you to get that."
"Rising security would stem from the same logic. Criminals who witness Lord Heros's magic will cower in fear of its might and lay low."
"Spot on."
Listening to their exchange, I couldn't help but admire the Chester Count's cunning.
Right after I said I'd use flame burst magic, he must have thought to have me incinerate the corpses with it.
All while calculating the intangible benefits that would follow.
'Not just anyone becomes a noble.'
With that thought, I looked ahead.
We had already left the city.
The battlefield stretched out before us.
It was a hive of activity now, with people moving corpses and priests blessing the piles where they were stacked.
In this world, where superstition held that burial in holy ground raised your odds of avoiding hell, they were performing these abbreviated rites for the fallen.
"Carry on with what you're doing."
People bowed silently whenever our eyes met.
I said that to them and hurried away from the battlefield.
By now, everyone in Chester knew who I was.
Thanks to the big three.
Their massive presence made it easy for folks to guess who was tagging along with them.
"This should do."
Anyway, after leaving the battlefield behind, we reached a spot thick with underbrush.
Trees grew densely, perfect for hiding, and there were no paths or people around.
Ideal for blending with nature.
"Sir Bear, Sir Conall—keep watch around the perimeter."
I sent Bear and Conall away from me, leaving only my familiar Gilbert by my side.
Then I quickly stripped.
My bare skin emerged.
As I stood there naked, a gentle breeze soon swept over my body.
And the Gentle Breeze Grimoire's voice rang out.
"How's that feel? Nice, right?"
Yeah, it felt nice.
So thinking, I started getting dressed again.
Something stirred in the cloth slung over my shoulder.
The Gentle Breeze Grimoire had clearly unfurled.
Meaning I'd met its demand.
No need to stay naked any longer.
"But wind isn't always gentle. Sometimes biting gales cut at your skin, or snow and rain steal your body heat."
"Keep that in mind."
I listened to the Gentle Breeze Grimoire as I dressed.
Its clear voice was pleasant—a boy's tone before puberty.
Soon after, its voice cut off with those words.
Then, information on the magic it held flooded my mind.
The spell was called Windbreak.
It created a transparent, semicircular barrier centered on me, a mage, to block incoming winds.
Not just strong gusts—it could stop snow and rain too. Perfect for bad weather.
'Good call keeping the Gentle Breeze Grimoire.'
It boosted my magic power by 50.
Windbreak cost 25... no, 20 mana to cast.
Thanks to Mana Conservation Magic.
But the longer you maintained it, the more mana it drained proportionally, so I couldn't keep it up all day.
'Let's crunch the numbers.'
I picked up a stick and scribbled figures in the dirt.
Crunching hard.
Right now, with my available mana, I could sustain Windbreak for about 17 hours.
Before learning Mana Conservation.
But now?
Over 21 hours.
Huge difference.
'Mana Conservation Magic is the best.'
Satisfied with my past choice once more, I stood and kicked dirt over the numbers and symbols to erase them.
The day of the decisive demonstration dawned.
Crowds packed the area outside the city.
Knights and soldiers managed the throng.
Nobles stood at the front, faces alight with anticipation, eyes fixed on me.
Nina and Staling were with them.
And that wasn't all.
Glancing toward the city, I saw people lining the walls of the outer fortifications and Chester Castle.
No joke—every soul in Chester was watching this.
'What the hell is the big deal about my magic...?'
I was flustered.
But I got their excitement.
Entertainment was scarce in this era.
If I were a local, I'd rush out to see a mage demo too.
"Let's begin."
The Chester Count stood with the other nobles.
I said that to him and looked ahead.
There, far off, loomed the mountain of corpses.
All the battlefield's remains gathered in one spot.
The target for my flame burst magic.
'Once might not cut it.'
The backlash could scatter burning corpses and limbs everywhere.
Disaster.
Better to dual-cast and incinerate them cleanly.
'Might as well practice.'
Flame burst guzzled mana.
Even I needed a bit to complete it.
Ten seconds tops, but still annoying for my impatient self.
Practice would shave that down.
'Here goes!'
Mana drained from me—480 total, enough for two casts.
"Gods...!"
Nina's voice from behind.
Stunned by the dual cast, probably.
No time to bask.
Focus.
'Key is compressing mana fast. The longer that takes, the longer the spell.'
Split the 480 into two 240s.
Compressed each.
Mana resisted, trying to scatter, but bent to my will, shrinking steadily.
Soon, two fireballs formed before me, swelling to my body size.
Dual cast, yet faster than my first try.
Still not satisfied.
I wanted instant completion after deciding to cast.
More practice needed.
"Ooooh!"
Gasps from behind—not one or two, but hundreds, the sound stretching long.
I held the fireballs steady so they could gawk, then fired them at the corpse pile when it died down.
'Go!'
The two orbs streaked away.
Seconds later, they hit.
And—
BOOM!
A massive roar as the fireballs detonated.
The corpse mountain ignited.
Backblast rushed in.
"Yaaaah!"
Thrilled by the spectacle?
People cheered amid the whipping hot winds.
In the chaos, I tuned into the Persistent Flame Grimoire's voice.
"Oh, not bad at all? I approve!"
The Persistent Flame Grimoire said that, and soon info on a new spell surfaced.
I checked it quick.
'Insulation?'
The new magic: Insulation.
True to the name, it let me maintain a steady body temperature regardless of surroundings.
Seemed trivial, but no.
Hot or cold, any outfit—steady temp?
'Solid.'
Similar vibe to Gentle Breeze Grimoire.
50 mana boost, similar cast cost.
Maintenance drain scaled with time too.
'Big progress.'
Now my total mana: 1,097.
Reading Gentle Breeze and Persistent Flame pushed me past four digits.
Plus Mana Conservation.
I could crush Desmond in a rematch now.
While Chester's people marveled at Heros's magic.
Three men watched secretly from a remote spot away from the crowd.
Black hoods hid their faces.
"Dual-casting magic that powerful? Am I dreaming?"
"Casting speed's insane too. Unbelievable for a kid. Where'd this mage pop up from?"
"Everyone's focused on the mage, but those three bruisers guarding him bug me more. Not your average thugs. To get to the mage, we'd have to deal with them first. Tough."
After hashing it out, their leader concluded.
"Threat level: maximum. No objections?"
The other two nodded.
Seeing that, the man turned.
"We're out. Can't take them with just us. Need at least three teams."
His men heard him out.
One asked.
"Abandoning Cold Wind Nina? Better to hit when she's not at full strength."
The man replied without hesitation.
"Yes. Chasing Nina risks facing something worse. Too dangerous."
His firm stance silenced further debate.
They slipped away with him.