Chapter 4
Chapter 4
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 4
Chapter Title: Return - 3
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"So, you mean I can't go home right now?"
"I'm sorry. Well... it's a bit awkward to say this, but your achievements were too successful. Far beyond the time we anticipated."
This was a nation where countless heroes had been summoned and Demon Kings defeated. Even setting aside how long ago some of that was, there was already a vast amount of data available.
Between a hero's summoning and the Demon King's defeat, there had to be countless battles, trials, hardships, and triumphs.
And heroes, whether summoned from outside or chosen from someone in this world, were generally people with little to no real combat experience.
They had to train these half-baked warriors, guide them through dungeon after dungeon, and raise them to the level where they could take down the Demon King.
Of course, that took time. And during that time, monsters kept appearing everywhere, trade routes were severed, and society trembled in fear.
But this Demon King subjugation had been different. Or more precisely, Elenor—the Emperor's daughter to whom I'd lent my power—had been different.
Born of the imperial bloodline, her magical talent was unmatched, her swordsmanship enough to humble most geniuses, and her physical abilities second to none.
Even now, with not a shred of fondness left for that hero, I had to admit she had been the perfect choice. Perseverance, nobility, talent, mental fortitude—she lacked in nothing.
"...So, how long until it's possible?"
"One month! One month will be enough. Don't get too angry—think of it as savoring the afterglow and taking it easy before you go."
It felt like my hopes had crashed to the ground. I'd thought the sunsets here were my last, but reality was crueler than that.
The most infuriating part was that I couldn't help but find the Emperor's words convincing.
Scattered records of hero summonings and Demon King subjugations lingered in my mind from the moment of summoning.
Even without that, the imperial library held detailed accounts of adventures. Someone would probably be sent to the hero party soon enough.
A close look at those records made it clear: no matter how you sliced it, their feats had been absurdly fast.
They'd wrapped up an adventure that should have taken at least five years in far less time, so it was understandable if other preparations were lacking.
Still, my brain was starting to hit its limit.
I was sick to death of understanding all the problems and deceptions surrounding me because they made sense, because there was no apparent loss to others, because I could comprehend it all.
And besides, they no longer had any civilians they could hold hostage.
"...Let me know when it's ready. I'll leave right away."
I dragged my heavy body out of the audience chamber. The sound of footsteps echoing through the palace corridors—ones I'd thought I'd never hear again—now rang out grotesque and repulsive.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Lying in bed doing nothing had felt like pure bliss on the first day.
But my mind kept churning. Rage at not being able to go home, resentment over everything I'd had to endure 'rationally' during the journey—it all writhed inside me.
By the third day, I started thinking that doing something—anything—might be less boring.
"..."
But nothing came to mind.
The Emperor would probably grant most of what I wanted.
But the very idea of seeking his permission just to do what I wanted, of receiving his 'mercy'—that grated on me.
I didn't want a single coin from him. Facing him or bowing my head was unthinkable.
"I don't know..."
The guest room I was staying in was spacious. The bed was huge, the facilities top-notch, complete with an attached bathroom and simple refreshments.
Considering my legs felt like they might give out, I doubted I could walk far. And even if I could, I wasn't sure I'd enjoy it.
What should I do?
If I started anything now, it felt like I wouldn't be able to leave right away in a month. An irrational anxiety that I'd lose my chance forever if I missed it had already begun eating away at me.
Beyond that, I didn't want to form any connections.
Everything I could say about myself was based on a fake identity. The backstory of being the heir to some vanished noble house that the Emperor had cooked up—it was too embarrassing to spread around openly.
Moreover, I didn't want to meet people. Like how getting pickpocketed once on a trip abroad taints your image of the whole country, this world's image was firmly fixed in my mind by those four women.
There might be decent leisure activities here too, but I had no confidence I'd enjoy them.
Inside, I felt astonishingly hollow. Like someone who'd devoted their life to revenge and finally succeeded—everything seemed meaningless.
Anxiety hit fast. Even if I returned to Earth, could I just pick up where my old life left off?
What had been vague unease before was now terror of a reality right around the corner.
I didn't think I could laugh it off, endure it, or forgive like I used to.
That scared me more than anything.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "Well done, my daughter."
The Emperor's sly, oily smile was the expression that had captured his daughter Elenor's admiration.
It seemed perfectly harmless, yet never lost its dignity or gravity—a smile suited to a man who could fully control his emotions.
"I merely followed my orders."
"So, how was the journey, Elenor? Of course, there were hardships and joys aplenty, but what lingers after a trip are always the gem-like people you meet. I did some territory inspections in my youth too... but it's a tough thing."
Elenor sensed that 'gem-like' meant more than just something precious and beautiful.
The Emperor's way with people astonishingly resembled gem-cutting. He'd slice away any flaws that showed with a sharp blade, and if surrounding stones dulled a gem's shine, he'd shatter them without mercy.
"Everyone I met on the journey is unforgettable. There are some I'd rather not remember, but..."
"And how was it with the hero? No issues between you?"
"Me, you say?"
Elenor wore a puzzled expression for a moment, analyzing the situation, but soon realized he wasn't referring to her.
"I have nothing to say about that coward."
"Did he commit some grave sin?"
Suspicion, anger, calculation—Elenor's instincts told her a whirlwind of thoughts was churning in the Emperor's mind.
"No. He simply lacked responsibility and will."
"Is that your opinion?"
"Yes. Even if I tried to teach him swordsmanship, his basic fitness was so poor it was like putting a pearl necklace on a pig. He'd always come back battered and bruised from burdening others, yet strut around without a hint of shame."
She'd thought him a man who would have died pathetically by evening without the training she imposed—a man not worth her attention.
Surviving the training somehow and properly handing his hero's power to the right person were praiseworthy in her eyes, but the rest made him worthless.
"I see. Do you suppose he thinks the same of you?"
Seeing his expression darken, Elenor felt something was going wrong.
"I wouldn't know."
"Elenor, do you know about the blessings the imperial family receives?"
Not just the Empire, but many nations in this world took it for granted that they received divine blessings. Even without gods, dragons contracted with families to protect realms, or spirits bound to royal lines to offer aid—it was commonplace.
"Driving back evil and making the land fertile?"
"That's important, of course, but the condition for receiving it."
"Doesn't a member of the imperial family just need to ascend to the throne?"
"That might hold now. But originally, it's a reward granted when the most recently summoned hero—or their blood kin—takes the throne."
His tone was so matter-of-fact that she slowly pondered his words for anything off. And she soon realized.
"The most recently summoned hero? That's absurd! If there was one, we'd have known by now!"
"Back then, the hero didn't want to return home. And the imperial family would attach a suitable princess or adopt the hero as their own."
"Such..."
Hero summonings were specific. The royal library held countless analyses of such events, with clear explanations of what to do and avoid.
But even one exceptional case meant digging back six hundred years for precedents. There was hardly time to correct misconceptions once they spread.
"The hero is me."
Elenor clenched her fists in contempt and rage. Here surged the power of the hero who had defeated the Demon King, overflowing to the bursting point.
She had already quelled most suspicious elements stirring within and without the nation. Few outranked her in merit or status.
Yet as if her words were laughable, the Emperor shook his head.
Information that couldn't be shared with all, but she hadn't expected truly no one to know.
"The hero is that one. From the moment he first set foot on this land, to now—it hasn't changed."