Chapter 196: The One Called Hero (Includes Saintess Illustration)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 196: The One Called Hero (Includes Saintess Illustration)
Achievement [Pulling the Holy Sword] Unlocked!
Achievement [This’ll Work] Unlocked!
Main Quest Progressing…
...
..
.
An endless stream of messages filled my vision.
I wanted to check them immediately, but the situation didn't allow for it.
After deactivating Demonization, I calmly organized my thoughts.
'I have more than a few things to explain.'
Even if it was a skill, the fact that I had taken on a demonic form remained.
Moreover, I had shown that form to the Pope of all people, so a detailed explanation would be necessary.
Even though I had pulled the Holy Sword, it wasn't a "clean" pull, so it was best to clear any suspicion as quickly as possible.
'Still, I didn't expect him to flatly state that Min-su wasn't the Hero like that.'
This part was quite surprising.
To be honest, since I had used Tyrant and Demonization to pull it, it was essentially obtained through a loophole.
I naturally thought he would give Kim Min-su another chance or say something else.
I had even considered the possibility of it being taken away, with the Pope claiming Kim Min-su was the more legitimate user.
"Your Holiness! What do you mean by that?!"
"Exactly what I said. As you can see, the one who pulled the Holy Sword is not Cadet Kim Min-su. Accepting the results is also an important virtue."
But to my surprise, Perkus supported me more than anyone else while pushing Kim Min-su back.
From stating he wasn't the Hero to questioning his humanity—it was a clear case of taking sides.
"...That makes no sense! You think so too, right? Baek Tae-yang!"
"What are you even talking about?"
Just as I was wondering why I had to listen to such nonsense, Kim Min-su moved.
He paused for a moment as if buffering, then accelerated with explosive force.
It was a simple-minded move, typical of someone who couldn't accept the results.
'Is he trying to touch it and change the outcome somehow?'
Still, I didn't expect him to try and use force right in front of the Pope.
The attempt itself was bold enough to be somewhat commendable.
'I guess he has some pride left.'
He probably judged that now, right after I had acquired the Holy Sword, was the moment I'd be most off-guard.
Indeed, if he could actually snatch it away, he might even be able to quell Perkus's anger.
It was a decent thought for someone like Kim Min-su.
However.
Thud!
"Cough... ugh... ack...!"
He had picked the wrong opponent—terribly wrong.
There was no way he could win now against someone he had never beaten before.
'And I kept Tyrant active just in case.'
Kim Min-su was clearly treated as an 'inferior' compared to me.
[The Tyrant dominates the surroundings.]
The Tyrant's vision did not lose track of Kim Min-su.
I swung the Holy Sword directly at his rapidly approaching jaw.
Whack!
"Kek...!"
Then, twisting my body to the left before shifting my center of gravity to the right, I buried my left fist into his liver.
A clean, efficient upper and a liver shot.
Min-su collapsed onto the floor instantly, without even the thought of counterattacking.
"Are you insane?"
Press.
I planted the Holy Sword firmly against Kim Min-su's solar plexus and bowed my head toward Perkus.
As Rubenia had said, there was always one person causing trouble and another cleaning it up.
"Cough... huff... wait... sorry..."
"Shut up. I am deeply sorry, Your Holiness."
"Me too... cough... gack... my... my solar plexus..."
"Don't say that. Say what you're supposed to say first."
"I'm... I'm sorry."
Perkus could only blink at the situation that had unfolded in just five seconds.
Well, I would have been flustered too if such a sequence happened right before my eyes.
Since the sudden outburst, the suppression, and the apology happened almost simultaneously, he probably needed a moment to process it.
"Um... ah... no. Regardless, the result is good, so I suppose it is fine."
"Shall we go outside and talk?"
With those words, Perkus began walking out of the cave first.
'I figured it would turn out like this.'
Being flustered was one thing, but Perkus getting angry was a completely different matter.
After all, this was a situation that could be viewed as an attempted theft of a holy relic. How could he just let it slide?
One might think it was an absurd situation, but I could understand.
'He looked exhausted.'
The Pope was currently in a very weakened state, though it wasn't obvious on the surface.
When the Tyrant's domain was active, I had checked the information on Perkus.
He had consumed most of the power he possessed.
When even standing was a struggle, it was impossible for him to nitpick every single issue.
'Lucky bastard.'
If Perkus hadn't been so tired, Kim Min-su wouldn't have had a leg to stand on even if he were exiled immediately.
He really had incredible luck.
"Tae-yang, he said let's talk outside, so let go of this for now..."
"You don't need to talk."
Just take a few hits first.
Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud!
There was exactly one good thing about Kim Min-su obtaining a cheat-like recovery skill.
No matter how much I beat him, I didn't have to worry about him dying.
He was essentially a biological sandbag that regenerated infinitely.
"Gueeeeeeeeeek!"
The sound of a pig being slaughtered echoed through the cave where the Holy Sword had been pulled.
++++++++++++++
When I emerged from the cave, dragging Kim Min-su by the scruff of his neck.
'It feels strange when everything fits exactly as I planned.'
As expected, Perkus collapsed the moment he left the cave.
Baelson, who had been waiting outside, supported Perkus.
Kim Min-su was immediately restrained for his attempt to steal the holy relic.
"No, just once! Can't I just touch it once...!"
Grab.
"Kim Min-su, how long do you think you can keep acting so stubbornly?"
Though there was an attempt to resist, Perkus put an end to the entire incident by laboriously squeezing out each word.
The core of the Pope's words, which covered the beginning, middle, and end of the matter, was: 'Kim Min-su is no longer the Hero.'
No longer treated as a VIP, Kim Min-su was forced down by the coercive attitude of the Paladins.
"Tae-yang—no, Hero, I will escort you to the Saintess."
Why does the word 'Hero' feel so awkward?
It was good that I became one, but the title was more cringeworthy than I expected.
'Ugh, I'm getting a physical reaction to this.'
To be called a Hero just for pulling a sword without having accomplished anything yet.
I found it amazing that Kim Min-su had gone around calling himself that.
Does he just have no sense of shame?
"I haven't accomplished anything yet, so I can't be called a Hero. You can just call me as you usually do."
"...You are certainly different. Understood."
Leaving behind the admiring words of the Paladins, I was immediately guided to the Saintess's room.
The top floor of Akabellum.
That was where the Saintess lived.
'What a taste.'
The first thing that caught my eye upon reaching the top floor was a red carpet embroidered with gold thread.
To think they'd spend money so lavishly even before entering the Saintess's quarters.
I could see once again why Perkus had described himself as being honest with his desires.
'Every single thing is a security device.'
The hallway wasn't just decorated with luxury; it was thoroughly secured.
The distance from the entrance of the top floor to the Saintess's room was about 30 meters.
I couldn't even guess how many precautions had been placed in between.
'Come to think of it, the preparations are really solid.'
The fact that the knights were waiting when we came out of the cave, and the fact that the Saintess lived in Akabellum, which was called a sanctuary.
It felt like I was going to meet a princess in a tower.
It finally felt like a situation befitting a Hero.
"This is as far as we go. May the Light be with you."
"Thank you."
The knights withdrew as soon as we arrived in front of the Saintess's door, and true to my polite upbringing, I knocked.
Knock, knock.
"Saintess, may I come in?"
"Where is Perkus?"
The answer came instantly, as if she had been waiting.
"He's resting for a bit because he's exhausted. He's not injured."
"If you are here, Tae-yang, does that mean you are the one who pulled the Holy Sword?"
"Yes."
Creak.
The door swung wide open the moment I answered.
"That's a relief. I was worried about what would happen if Kim Min-su pulled it. As you might have heard, the Holy Sword is actually connected to me... Huh?"
Though her face was hidden by a veil, the Saintess was presumably smiling more than anyone.
She continued speaking cheerfully, but then tilted her head in confusion upon seeing the Holy Sword in my hand.
"This... uh, why...?"
"I pulled it, but I didn't exactly pull it the 'proper' way."
The Holy Sword's blade was still encased in solid rock, as if the stone were its scabbard.
Actually, when I first started carving it out, I thought about breaking all the remaining stone.
But as if it had read my mind.
Once the stone had been chipped away to a certain point, it refused to break any further.
"Well, regardless, a pull is a pull."
"Please, come in."
The Saintess said as she scurried over to the bed and sat on the edge.
"It's a shame I won't be able to call you Tae-yang anymore."
"You can still call me that comfortably. It's a bit ridiculous to be called a Hero just for pulling a sword."
I think it's not too late to be called that after I've performed deeds worthy of the title.
It was embarrassing to say such things, but I had to speak my mind.
I had absolutely no intention of acting arrogant and boasting about being a Hero like Kim Min-su.
"Still, a Hero is a Hero, so I must treat you accordingly."
Suddenly?
'What kind of treatment?'
While I was wondering, the Saintess boldly removed the veil she was wearing.
"I look forward to working with you, Hero. I am the Saintess, Liriel Rubenia."
I finally got to hear the Saintess's name.