The Counterfeit Who Mocks the Hero's Name
The counterfeit who dares to mock the hero's name!
Slipping silently through the demonfolk screaming in cheers, utterly lost in a frenzy of excitement, the man wearing the black robe carefully surveyed the arena. As expected, I knew the security would be tight, but this is extreme… A direct approach is completely out of the question now.
It was still preferable to the Demon King's Castle, where even getting close was normally impossible. Yet at this moment, two powerful warriors of considerable skill stood guard beside the Demon King seated in the VIP section, their eyes sharp and unblinking. The escort soldiers positioned around them all appeared to be far from ordinary as well. Any careless approach would likely end with him being cut down before he could do anything at all. When he factored in the Demon King's own combat strength—the same power that had sliced apart even the previous hero, Elan—the situation felt even more bleak.
And that was precisely why he and his comrades had racked their brains to the limit, devising a plan to maximize their already razor-thin chances. The best opportunity will come once the match has properly heated up the atmosphere… but I still need to stay alert in case any variables appear.
Disguised as an ordinary spectator, the black-robed man turned his attention to the match beginning before his eyes.
"The first match of the main tournament features Lady Nadan of the Royal Guard's Four Heavenly Kings—known to so many of you—and the Black Hero who has earned quite a reputation lately!"
Listening to the demon announcer's magically amplified voice, the black-robed man automatically frowned. What he saw before him were two fully armed warriors standing at the center of the arena. One wore gleaming golden armor and wielded a crescent blade, while the other was clad entirely in black armor and held a massive greatsword. The sight made it instantly obvious who was being called the Black Hero.
Yet regardless of that fact, the moment he laid eyes on that black armor, the man found himself frowning again. The Black Hero…? So even among the demonfolk, there are those copying us? Just hearing the name makes it sound like some kind of fake hero…
As he stared at the so-called Black Hero, the emotion that rose within him was that such an impostor was nothing less than an insult to the true hero. Within the Allied Races, the title of hero referred to the greatest warrior who risked his life to infiltrate the Demon Kingdom in order to slay the Demon King. A hero's party, in turn, described those who supported that hero in achieving that grand objective. Of course, one could also argue it was simply a grandiose term for assassins aiming to cut off the serpent's head.
Even so, the name of the hero chosen by the gods was never light. In fact, many ordinary citizens held something akin to religious faith that the hero would cut off the Demon King's head and bring peace. In that sense… Elan, the hero who came so close to beheading the Demon King, could truly be called a continental champion. Even if he ultimately failed because of those filthy traitors…
The Falcon Empire had officially declared that the hero Elan lost after putting up a poor fight against the Demon King. The Elf Theocracy, however, had announced that everything was the result of the vile betrayal by those within the hero's own party. The black-robed man and his comrades were firmly convinced that the Elf Theocracy's claim was the truth.
The hero Elan, fighting poorly against the Demon King? Impossible… Anyone who knows even a fraction of his strength would never speak such nonsense.
Having personally witnessed Elan's power in the past and knowing the man's character well, the black-robed figure was certain that Elan would never have fallen so easily to the Demon King. Please watch over us, Hero. We will absolutely carry on your will and bring peace to the continent. We will take the head of that wicked Demon King without fail…
With that thought, he also entertained the pleasant idea of taking the fake hero's head if the chance arose. For now, he decided to quietly observe just how skilled this impostor truly was. His opponent is one of the Royal Guard's Four Heavenly Kings, right? I don't particularly care who wins… but I'd love it if that bastard insulting the hero's name gets thoroughly crushed.
Nadan stared at the hero Elan standing before her with a cold expression. Although she had been matched against quite a formidable opponent from the very start of the main tournament, Nadan actually thought this development was rather fortunate.
He may have recovery magic, but it's still better to fight him while I'm in perfect condition. To thoroughly punish the bastard who dares to covet my Elisa without fear…
She knew the hero possessed considerable combat strength and had achieved great merits in the previous war. However, rumors on the battlefield were often exaggerated, so she did not take the stories too seriously. Moreover, possessing superior combat ability compared to her fellow Royal Guard members, Nadan did not believe for a moment that she would lose—no matter how impressive this hero was.
The guy who couldn't even lay a finger on Her Majesty the Demon King… Of course, I heard he was hiding some of his power, but even so, there's no reason I would lose to someone who could only barely match her.
Without letting her guard down, yet without feeling any particular need to shrink back either, Nadan adjusted her grip on her crescent blade and spoke to the man pointing his sword at her.
"Prepare yourself. Hero."
"Come at me."
Neither side needed lengthy words. After that brief exchange, both immediately began channeling magic power into their weapons.
And then—
—BAM!!!!
In the next instant, the two charged at each other and swung their weapons. The moment those tremendous forces collided head-on, an incredible shockwave erupted from the center of the arena.
"Th-this power..."
"Just from clashing weapons...?"
The impact was so intense that even the spectators could feel it. Sparks flew from their weapons with eerie shrieks. The sight of the two clashing with pure strength filled the arena with taut tension.
At that moment.
"Look... over there!"
"Lady Nadan is being pushed back!"
For a brief second, the balance of power seemed to crumble as Nadan was driven backward. The faces of many demonfolk—who had expected victory for this member of the Royal Guard—flashed with momentary bewilderment.
Then...
"Heh heh..."
"!"
Nadan let out a short laugh. At the same time, the hero seemed to notice something belatedly and hurriedly tried to leap back. But Nadan's prepared move was faster than his reaction.
What she had been aiming for from the beginning was never an honest exchange of blows...
"Too late."
—KWAAAAANG!!!!
The next instant, a violent explosion erupted alongside Nadan's shout. A cloud of dust burst outward from the center of the arena, and the spectators watching were thrown into confusion.
"Ugh...!"
"Wh-what was that?"
"An explosion?"
The unexpected event had occurred between the two who had been clashing swords. Yet Elisa, who had been watching, simply formed a bitter smile.
"Haah... So it ends up like this after all? That girl really does have terrible taste."
"That explosion just now... Was it a dust explosion?"
"Huh? How did you know that... it is?"
Shamyuel asked the question in a cautious voice. Elisa responded with a slightly surprised expression.
"Just a guess. Right before the explosion, something like powder was swirling around Nadan."
"Hmm... Indeed... it is."
Elisa had recognized it easily because she knew Nadan's abilities, but Shamyuel had identified it instantly with nothing but keen observation. Elisa realized once again that there was a reason Shamyuel held the position of legion commander—a rank considered even higher than the Royal Guard—despite being younger than her. She raised her wariness toward the woman another level.
The reason Shamyuel had risen to that position was not simply because of her perfectly sculpted, beautiful appearance.
According to the bracket, after facing Mother she was supposed to fight this one… I don't know if we'll get that far, but I should stay cautious.
With that thought, Elisa turned her gaze back toward the arena. Immediately afterward, she saw the hero emerging from within the smoke. Although he had managed to reduce the damage by evading at the last moment, his armor was partially destroyed, showing that he had not escaped completely unscathed.
Watching the hero take a hit right from the start, Elisa found herself thinking automatically.
Please win… if possible. I want you to be the one to defeat me—not anyone else.