Chapter 167
Translator: Vine
Chapter: 167
Chapter Title: Hero Abel (2)
The next morning. Everyone woke up on time. It was clear they were free from their exhaustion. Just as Esterize was preparing breakfast, Abel appeared.
“—!”
Everyone, without exception, gasped in surprise. It was because Abel had changed overnight. He had shaved his beard completely, revealing a clean-cut face. Even to my eyes, as a man, he was incredibly handsome.
His original features were, as befitting a Hero, outstanding. His shabby clothes remained the same, and he was middle-aged, yet he was at a level where even those drawbacks were transformed into a work of art.
I guess the face really does complete the look. With a little exaggeration, he could have passed for his late twenties...
“Huh? You weren't an old man after all?”
Aruru muttered, a little awkwardly. No, that's not it! He's just a handsome middle-aged man; the fact that he's an 'old man' doesn't change.
My little cutie. If you dare call that man 'big brother,' I'm going to get serious. I won't stand for it, not over my dead body!
Fortunately, the dreaded moment never came. She only slightly revised her opinion of Abel; the girls' attention remained focused on me.
We finished our meal without much fuss. When Abel stepped away for a moment, I slowly began to speak.
“Last night, I asked Abel to teach us. I think we can all gain something from it.”
He might be a shadow of his former self, but there's still something to be learned from him. Just looking at his skill in evading the Four Heavenly Kings' pursuit until now, you can tell he's not someone to be underestimated. The party seemed to understand my intentions and readily agreed.
“Yeah. I was thinking of asking him anyway.”
“I don't have high expectations, but this isn't the time to be picky.”
“As the former Hero, he must know a lot, right? Like the weaknesses of the Four Heavenly Kings or the Demon King...”
Abel's presence was just what I'd hoped for. He can tell the party things that I can't explain myself.
For instance... if I were to give an order like, 'The Demon King's weakness is his horns. You have to focus your attacks there,' they'd follow up with, 'How do you know that?'
Well, once we defeat the Demon King, everything will be resolved, so it probably wouldn't matter if I just blurted out the strategy then. Anyway, until then, I'll have to rely on Abel.
A moment later, Abel returned to his seat. He gathered us together and began to speak with a heavy tone.
“Does anyone here know about me?”
“...”
Half of them seemed to not know much, while the other half were hesitant to speak. Abel's reputation was mostly negative, and even that was a hushed topic.
It was because he had been defeated by the Demon King. And it wasn't just any defeat. It was a crushing, complete loss that left no room for redemption.
Of course, Abel's past achievements shouldn't be underestimated. In the process of reaching the Demon King's castle, he had wiped out a vast number of the Demon King's forces. That was how the war at the time came to a halt.
But the public only cares about results. They quickly forgot the Hero who was ultimately broken, as if he wasn't even worth their attention.
Given her personality, Esterize might have looked into the former Hero's history. Luciel, being part of the Church, would also have a relatively accurate understanding. As for the others, they've probably only heard a word or two here and there...
“I've looked into it a little.”
Luciel stepped forward, her attitude suggesting she had nothing to hold back. There was a hint that she saw Abel as a toothless tiger.
You're my senior, so I'll give you at least a minimum of respect. Don't even dream of anything more! Sensing this, Abel grew so tense he audibly swallowed.
“The Church must have had records...”
“Yes. It was quite interesting, in its own way. Though the outcome was a disappointment.”
“—!”
He staggered, unable to keep his balance. I could almost see an illusion of sharp arrows piercing Abel's body. He might have even seen a vision of his former lover, the previous Saintess, coming back to life to resent him.
What if... Ceria had treated me like that? I probably would have lost all will to live. My reaction would have been even worse than Abel's, not better.
“I don't know the details, but you must have made a grave mistake. After all, you were the only one who survived. Shouldn't you at least have protected the former Saintess?”
“...”
A barrage of accusations. Abel had turned pale as a sheet. I could vividly feel his desire to just bite his tongue and die right there.
S-stop it! Abel's HP is already at zero! I went to all this trouble to set him on a path to recovery, but at this rate, he's going to be taken down by an ally.
Should I intervene now? It won't make things worse, will it? Wrong. It was too late to try and fix this. The only way was for Luciel to resolve it herself.
“Well, personally... I think there must have been circumstances you couldn't speak of.”
Her tone implied, *It's highly suspicious, but I'll give you the benefit of the doubt.* That alone was enough to considerably improve Abel's condition. Hmm, can I really trust this guy who teeters between life and death at just a few words?
“Yes. Some parts are incorrect, but most of it is true. I have no intention of making pathetic excuses. I suffered a shameful defeat, just as the world knows. As you've all probably guessed, I lost this right arm to the Demon King as well.”
Is this the courage befitting a Hero? He's laying his dark past bare so openly. I don't have the confidence to do that. What a real man.
“Though I may have failed, you all are different. After hearing Jace's story last night, I became convinced that you will succeed. I heard you've already taken down Barroc? 'Splendid' is not a strong enough word. I applaud your brilliant performance.”
Despite being fiercely criticized, he showered them with praise as if it were nothing. Indeed, it was reconfirmed that he was a man of true character. Everyone showed a hint of bewilderment, as it was so unexpected.
“But the Demon King is on another level entirely. The Four Heavenly Kings are nothing in comparison. At your current skill level, it would be like trying to break a rock with an egg.”
It was the plain truth. Did all the past Heroes lose to the Demon King because they were incompetent? You have to think of it the other way around. The Hero must also be a monster to be able to compete with the absolute being that is the Demon King.
“Of course, the story changes if you have a long time to grow. I am confident that I have the ability to shorten that period. If you're all willing, I will pass on the experience and knowledge I've accumulated through my past battles.”
The spirit of a Hero. Even though he was much weaker now, he had the imposing aura of someone who had once reached the max level. The man who once represented humanity was certainly different.
Soon, we began receiving intensive lessons from Master Abel. The process and its results far exceeded my expectations.
* * *
Originally, I had planned to skip the event of meeting Abel. I had judged that the payoff wouldn't be worth the time investment.
Nevertheless, the reason I came here was because of those damned assassins. The assumption that I could save Abel and make use of him also played a part.
Other than that, I didn't expect much. This event only lasts for about three days. How much could one possibly learn in such a short time?
More important than that were the strategies Abel could provide, but I already knew more than he did. He would simply serve as a means to convey information to my companions.
But reality was different. Master Abel was a better teacher than anyone. It was as if a star instructor had descended. Even his actual martial prowess was stronger than I'd thought.
“You're Esterize, correct?”
“Yes.”
“You possess considerable skill. I can tell at a glance.”
“Ah, thank you for your kind words.”
“It's not empty praise. You're more skilled than I was at a similar point in my journey.”
He recognizes our princess's true worth. Even as a wreck, his eye for talent remains sharp.
“Shall we have a light spar?”
“...Are you sure?”
Just as Abel was gauging our abilities, we could do the same to him. At best, his current level was high A-rank... maybe similar to Ceria? Furthermore, he was missing his right arm.
“Of course, you'll have to go easy on me.”
A spar without Sword Aura. They would only use Sword Ki. Even with that rule, Abel was still at a disadvantage. Especially against Esterize, it was highly likely to end anticlimactically. However...
“Hmm, this isn't quite what I meant by 'going easy'...”
“...”
The flow of the spar was even. The princess was struggling against a one-armed swordsman. She should have overwhelmed him in an instant, but I never imagined she would be having such a hard time.
“The person you are facing now is a man who stood against the absolute being, the Demon King. You understand what that means, don't you? Swing your sword more boldly.”
At those words, the look in Esterize's eyes changed. It seemed she had unconsciously been holding back out of concern for Abel's condition. Her movements quickened soon after, but the overall state of the spar didn't change much.
She wasn't using her powerful skills, but the princess was serious. Even against her full-fledged assault, Abel didn't fall back. He deflected every single attack, as if refusing to allow any to land.
So, is this the difference in experience? He's compensating for his lack of power purely with technique. It also seemed as if his vast experience allowed him to see through the path of every sword strike.
“So that was possible...”
Ceria, who was beside me, muttered with a dazed expression. She was witnessing the miracle of an A-rank fighter holding his own against an S-rank. It was as if she had glimpsed a whole new world.
It was obvious she was quite shocked. She must have felt like a burden to everyone for being merely A-rank, but that common-sense notion had just been shattered.
“Abel was the Hero. That's something only he can do.”
“...I suppose so, right?”
Her voice trailed off limply... I think I said the wrong thing. I should have said something like, 'You can do it too if you try.' After a moment's thought, I added another word.
“If you receive Abel's guidance, you'll be able to improve even more.”
I don't know what will actually happen, but what Ceria needs more than anything is hope. With the encouragement of her beloved on top of that, it would be perfect.
“Do you think I can do it?”
“Of course. I believe you'll reach the next level in no time.”
“Thank you so much for saying that.”
She smiled brightly, as if she had never been gloomy. Saying she'd work harder, she continued to watch the spar, her motivation seemingly renewed.
The spar lasted for about ten minutes. It was literally just a light match, but they must have gotten a sufficient measure of each other's skills.
“I have nothing in particular to point out. To surpass your current level, you'll have to reach an epiphany on your own. In any case, that was satisfying.”
Abel was sparing with his words. He must have sensed Esterize's outstanding potential and felt no need to tell her to do this or that.
“Thank you. That was very helpful!”
“It seems you gained something. Then I'm glad.”
Esterize gave Abel a deep bow and then immediately ran towards me. Seeing her flushed face, she seemed quite excited.
“How was it?”
“It was truly more than I expected! What I thought I knew was nothing more than a fixed idea. There are so many paths, so many better ways, and I didn't even know... Ah, this isn't the time for that. I need to organize the thoughts flooding my mind right now!”
“...”
As if even the time spent talking was a waste, she immediately began to meditate. I'm not entirely sure, but it seemed she gained all sorts of inspiration from facing Abel. As they say, you see as much as you know. Since she possessed outstanding skill, it seems she realized a great deal.
More than I expected... That's my line. I had no idea Abel's teaching would be this effective. It was because the original story just skimmed over it.
[Received guidance from Abel]
[Swordsmanship slightly increased. Martial Power +10]
...It was something like that, so how could I have predicted this situation? Well, it turned out for the best. I would have regretted skipping this event.
Anyway, with this, Abel's value has skyrocketed. He's exuding the strong scent of an EX-rank slave, incomparable to any B-team members. With a satisfied smile, I continued to watch Abel's lesson.