The Hero Special Law and the White Wood Duke
The White Wood Duke. Raxid Anvesia.
She had just declared my execution.
I had already known for a long time that the Empire had a system in place to execute those who harbored a Mystery. Long ago, an incident occurred in the Empire where someone harboring a Mystery went berserk, causing casualties on a city-wide scale. Because of that, Mysteries were strictly managed within the Empire. Even so, I hadn't expected her to call for my execution right off the bat.
She didn't even mention the execution system to Lucas.
Yet she brought up my execution first thing.
"…Am I going to be executed?"
When I asked so boldly, the White Wood Duke's attendant standing beside her twitched an eyebrow. The attendant's glare was sharp. They probably found my lack of etiquette offensive. But I was in a situation where I could be executed at any moment. Etiquette meant absolutely nothing right now.
The White Wood Duke smiled warmly. Her smile only brought an unnecessary sense of anxiety.
"Of course, even under Imperial penal law, there are exceptions."
In any world, there are those who stand above the law. And in the Flame Butterfly Chapter, the White Wood Duke was exactly that kind of person. She was a living witness to the Empire's history. Before her eyes, countless laws had vanished and been created time and time again. To her, the law held very little practical value.
"Just like me."
Those who possessed a Mystery. That included the White Wood Duke herself. The Mystery she held was the White Wood. In the past, it was the largest and most vital tree in the world. However, due to the intervention of the Akjon, the tree was shattered and reborn as the Mystery of the White Wood. The woman standing right in front of me was the very person who had single-handedly stopped this White Wood.
The White Wood had threatened the very survival of the Empire and numerous kingdoms. Having stopped such a threat, the White Wood Duke was one of the world's greatest heroes.
"The Hero Special Law."
I figured she would mention this.
"It is a law applied when someone becomes the possessor of a Mystery not by their own intent to absorb it, but while fighting against it."
The White Wood Duke placed both hands on her waist.
"And it is also a law that I enacted."
The White Wood Duke was a hero. Thus, she performed her role exceptionally well. To encourage the birth of future heroes who would stand against injustice, she had personally proposed this law. The Hero Special Law.
The Hero Special Law took precedence over most other laws, with the exception of a few clauses deeply tied to the Imperial Family. This demonstrated just how highly the Empire esteemed her.
"The birth of heroes must be encouraged. For the world is always facing the great Akjon. If a hero falls because others envy and covet them, it is a massive national loss."
Explaining the reason behind the enactment of the Hero Special Law, she stepped closer to me.
"So, boy."
The corners of the White Wood Duke's mouth curled up chillingly. Her eyes shone with a translucent light as she pierced right through me.
"Are you a hero? Or a death row convict?"
Would I become a hero under the Hero Special Law, or a death row convict under the Imperial penal code? She was forcing me to choose.
My mouth remained shut. I knew exactly what answer the White Wood Duke wanted to hear.
"I am too weak to be called a hero."
To be precise, I was merely playing the part of a hero. This world was a reality based on the Flame Butterfly Chapter that I had played countless times. I had no grand, noble cause. It was just that if this world fell to ruin, I would die too. I was simply struggling because my own life was precious to me.
The numerous bad endings contained in this world would lead it to destruction. If I wanted to survive, I had no choice. The real hero, Lucas, was dead. Therefore, having taken Lucas's place, I was nothing more than a fake hero.
"I am too lacking to harbor the grand ambitions of a hero, yet the world is too chaotic for me to harbor no ambition at all."
The Empire was currently creaking under the weight of a succession struggle. The faction of the 1st Prince and the faction of the 3rd Princess. The fierce competition between these two groups had caused the Empire to bleed profusely. The Empire must not fall. It shouldered many massive burdens, including the Demon Palace. The moment the Empire collapsed, the world would rapidly accelerate toward its demise.
"Above all, I know that a hero is not made because someone wishes to become one."
Lucas had walked a heroic path. Yet, Lucas had never once promoted himself to become a hero. It was simply that countless people looked at his heroic deeds, admired him, revered him, and wished to walk that path with him. That was the kind of hero I had seen. A manufactured hero is, in the end, nothing more than a paper doll.
"So, I am not a hero yet."
Others must call you a hero. Calling yourself one is meaningless.
"Pfft."
Mulling over my words, the White Wood Duke suddenly let out a chuckle. Seeing this, her attendant quietly swallowed a sigh.
"Bwahahaha!"
The White Wood Duke covered her mouth and laughed for a long time. It was an incredibly hearty laugh, befitting a hero. After laughing for what felt like ages, she looked down at me once more.
"Amusing. 'Not yet,' you say."
She pinpointed the exact word I had used. A broad grin spread across her face.
"Boy, you are absolutely right. A hero is not something created by self-proclamation. It is a position one naturally ascends to as their name is passed from mouth to mouth among countless citizens."
It seemed she quite liked my answer.
"You give the exact answer I wanted to hear, as if you've peered right into my mind."
She was quick-witted indeed.
"Then, am I going to be executed now?"
When I asked again, the White Wood Duke snorted.
"Boy, the Hero Special Exemption Act applies to you. Even if you are merely an aspiring hero."
She had already investigated everything I had done before coming here. The Mystery that had taken over the Great Spirit Forest, the Empress of Steel. I had thrown my own body on the line to stop it. At least, that was how it was recorded in the reports sent to the higher-ups.
"Above all, regardless of your intentions, you do not use the Mystery you harbor for impure purposes."
She was referring to how I had stopped the Apostle, the Forest Keeper, in the Gray Forest. The numerous deeds I had steadily accumulated up until now had led to this moment. None of it had been in vain. A scenario is the force that drives a story. If you progress the story in accordance with the scenario, the results naturally follow.
"Therefore, you will not be executed."
I had been tense because things were heading in a slightly different direction from the original scenario, but fortunately, I had kept my life.
"And boy, there is one more unique clause in this Hero Special Exemption Act. That is the very reason I came here today."
My fists clenched tight. Finally, the moment had arrived. This was why I had worked so hard to draw the White Wood Duke's attention.
"It is a law I specially created to encourage heroes and aspiring heroes alike."
I felt as if a pure white tree were blooming behind the White Wood Duke's back, bathed in a halo of light. A smile played on her lips. A gentle, benevolent light filled her eyes as she looked at the young, aspiring hero.
"Boy, tell me what you desire."
The Hero Special Law. Within it lay a declaration that as long as the White Wood Duke lived, she would personally bestow a reward. Since I qualified under the Hero Special Law, she was telling me to name my desire. Aside from the Emperor, she was the hero with the most powerful voice in this world. What she meant by "what you desire" encompassed almost anything a person could possibly think of.
Swallowing hard, I raised my head.
"I..."
And then, I told her what I needed most.
After the White Wood Duke left with a hollow chuckle, I also stepped out of my hospital room. Perhaps it was because I had rested well during the exam period, but my body had recovered reasonably well. As I walked down the corridor, I passed several patient rooms. I was passing by them when I suddenly came to a halt.
A name I recognized was written on one of the doors.
Nikita Cynthia.
It was quiet inside. Was she sleeping?
Probably not.
Staring at her door, I raised my hand.
Knock, knock.
Two soft knocks echoed, but no answer came.
"Senior Nikita."
When I called her name softly, I felt a presence stir inside.
"…Junior?"
Fortunately, she recognized my voice and responded. I slowly opened the door to find Nikita sitting on the edge of the bed. She stared at me blankly, then flinched and hurriedly hid what she was holding. I saw that it was a letter, but I pretended not to notice.
"How are you feeling?"
Nikita had collapsed from malnutrition and overwork. When I asked about her condition, she winced slightly before forcing a smile.
"I'm perfectly fine."
My eyes drifted to the sandwich sitting on top of the nightstand. It had only a single bite taken out of it. This was the extent of her immense effort. Even though she couldn't stomach anything, she had tried to take at least one bite out of consideration for my sincerity. That fact made my heart ache even more.
"You're not fine at all."
I quietly picked up the sandwich. Since it was summer and the weather was hot, I knew it would spoil quickly if left out like this. Yet, despite my actions, Nikita still wore a blank expression. It was the face of someone who had just received shocking news.
"Senior?"
"Ah, yes."
A lifeless reply came at my call. Nikita stumbled as she stood up from the bed. When I hurriedly reached out to support her, she waved her hand.
"I'm fine. Junior, I'm really okay."
"But..."
"Junior, I have a favor to ask."
Nikita spoke with a trembling face. "I want to be alone right now. Could you leave me be for a bit? You're a good boy, so you'll listen to me, right?"
I didn't try to touch Nikita anymore. Instead, I slowly turned around to leave.
"Yes, please take care of yourself."
Even as I said this, my eyes clearly captured her face. I distinctly saw a faint spark of anger blooming in Nikita's eyes.
The letter she had hidden. It wasn't hard to guess its contents.
The letter likely contained the news that Nia Cynthia had been assassinated at the Cynthia Count's estate. And this news had ignited anger and a desire for revenge deep within her heart.
The fire was spreading. Unlike with Isabel, this was a cruel flame that could never be extinguished until its purpose was achieved.
Act 3, Chapter 6: The Calamity Dragon Girl.
The curtain had risen.