The matches for Groups C and D continued, but there wasn’t anyone who caught Rudell’s eye.
So, after the preliminary round ended…
“Congratulations to both of you for making it to the finals.”
While sipping her tea, Jade said that…
“That’s too much praise.”
“There’s nothing to be praised for.”
“You both are far too humble. Isn’t that right, Paris?”
“That’s as the Princess says. You both showed impressive performances. You can be a little proud.”
At Jade’s follow-up question, Paris nodded.
Many participants joined the Hero Selection Tournament this time, but including Rudell and Leje, there were barely five who made it to the finals.
After the preliminaries, a total of 40 participants advanced to the finals.
Considering that number, it was quite a lot from the kingdom’s perspective.
“By the way… I heard that Count Weinstein wasn’t participating. What made him change his mind so suddenly?”
“Well, it happened like this…”
Rudell trailed off as he explained the situation to Jade.
He had gone to the temple with Leje and happened to meet the Pope, who offered him his encouragement.
He couldn’t refuse that suggestion and ended up applying.
Since he had applied anyway, he thought he might as well go if he could.
After hearing that, Jade nodded as if she understood.
“Is that so…”
“Thanks to that, I’m in this mess.”
“Perhaps the Pope also noticed Count Weinstein’s uniqueness.”
“I’m just an ordinary person.”
Just an ordinary human who happens to know a few things that others can’t see.
That was Rudell’s evaluation of himself.
“Come on, you’re definitely not ordinary!”
“What are you saying? If we’re talking about special, you’re the one who’s more special.”
At the same time, Leje shot back at Rudell, but he threw up his hands and looked at her.
After all, she is the protagonist’s companion.
Destined to be chosen as the heroine and the strongest being in this world.
In terms of uniqueness, she was undoubtedly far more special than Rudell.
“Seriously… why does everyone else know but you don’t?”
“Well, even if you say that…”
Rudell had a perplexed expression at Leje’s sharp look of disdain.
As the two of them bickered back and forth, Jade chuckled softly.
“Count Weinstein. Can I ask you something? Do you really think heroes are that special?”
“I guess so? They’re chosen by the gods…”
“In that case, it seems Count Weinstein is mistaken.”
“Huh? What do you mean by that…?”
Rudell tilted his head in confusion at those words.
What on earth does that mean?
Seeing his expression, Jade continued with a faint smile.
“What do you think the past heroes were like?”
“Um… they must have been super strong people, right?”
Heroes are, by default, beings chosen by the gods to confront massive evils.
So it’s normal for them to have strong powers.
“That’s wrong.”
“Then what kind of people were they?”
“The farmer’s son from the countryside, the illegitimate child of a fallen noble, an ordinary merchant, a low-ranking soldier, the heir of a count’s house… all were ordinary people you could easily find anywhere.”
“That’s…”
Rudell couldn’t help but trail off, surprised to hear that the past heroes were such people…
And at his reaction, Jade chuckled softly and said,
“Being a hero doesn’t necessarily mean you have to be more special than others. Sometimes being ordinary is even better.”
“That’s what I’ve been saying.”
“Uh-huh…”
Even if they said that, it was difficult for Rudell to fully agree.
A hero is someone who saves the world.
So having strong powers is a must.
In that regard, no matter how he thought about it, Leje was far more suited to the role of a hero than he was.
“One day, you’ll understand.”
“Well, when that time comes, you’ll understand too.”
However, as if reading his thoughts, Jade said that, and Leje chimed in.
“Why does everyone think I’m going to be the hero?”
And with Rudell feeling puzzled, he touched his forehead in exasperation as he watched the two who were excluding the actual party member from the conversation.
*
After the short exchange with Jade, Rudell and Leje made their way to find Eleor.
However, awaiting them at Eleor’s door were not Eleor but the guards from the temple.
“Is Eleor here?”
“The Saint is currently away on urgent business.”
“When will she return?”
“I can’t share that; it’s confidential.”
“Then please contact me as soon as she returns.”
“I shall convey that.”
Leaving behind the guards who exuded a somehow antagonistic atmosphere, Rudell and Leje continued on.
“I really don’t like this… what on earth are they plotting?”
“Whatever it is, it can’t be good.”
According to Carvel’s letter, it was clear that whatever plan he was orchestrating was nearing completion.
They needed to gain some clue before then, but Eleor, who likely had the most essential information, had been absent for days.
When Rudell and Leje asked the guards what happened, they only said it was confidential and couldn’t provide any answers.
For them, it was incredibly frustrating.
“Something feels off…”
“I’ve felt something’s off too. I haven’t seen Eleor for the past few days.”
Even if there was something urgent, it wasn’t like Eleor would just disappear without saying a word.
In fact, given Eleor’s character, she would probably have sought help from Rudell and Leje first.
“I also haven’t seen Kurt and Silphier…”
Thinking along those lines, they had asked Silphier and Kurt, only to receive no knowledge from either.
In truth, none of Rudell’s party knew Eleor’s whereabouts.
“Guess I’ll have to visit the Pope…”
Rudell would rather resolve things on his own, but with the situation turning out like this, he had no other choice.
Surely the Pope would know the details.
Just as Rudell was contemplating his next steps, someone called out from behind.
“Are you Duchess Lagrind and Count Weinstein?”
“Huh?”
They turned to the voice coming from behind.
What they saw was a little boy dressed in a pure white robe with the church’s emblem.
He looked to be just over ten years old, with a small stature and innocent eyes.
Those eyes were staring directly at them.
“Um? What’s up, kid?”
“Hello! I’m Ricky from the orphanage! My teacher told me to deliver this to you!”
“What’s this…?”
Cheerfully introducing himself, the child handed a letter to Rudell.
It was an elegant-looking envelope made of white paper with a golden seal that made it obvious it was of high quality.
Though it didn’t say who it was from, Rudell and Leje could easily guess.
That was because the golden seal was the emblem representing the Gaia Church.
“Can you tell me who sent this letter?”
“My teacher said not to tell! I’m leaving now since I delivered it! And I’m not a kid!!”
With a deep bow, the child disappeared down the corridor.
Rudell and Leje exchanged bewildered glances before heading to a nearby secluded spot.
“Let’s hope there are no spies or surveillance.”
“Doesn’t seem like it.”
Rudell even used magic, thinking someone might be watching, but no other people were visible nearby.
“Phew…”
“Are you ready?”
With a short sigh, Rudell tore open the envelope and carefully pulled out the letter inside.
“This is…”
“What does it say?”
After reading what was written on the letter, a groaning sound escaped Rudell’s mouth, causing Leje to ask curiously.
Rudell handed the letter to her, and she examined it.
“Oh ho…”
Then, she narrowed her eyes, as if finding it interesting.
The message written on the letter was nothing overly complex—just a single, simple line.
[Tonight, at the time the moon rises overhead, follow the trail.]
It was an invitation that was exceedingly secretive.
