Chapter: 589
The castle of the old hero Garad. The territory granted to Garad, the hero who led the battle between good and evil to victory, continues to be protected in his name even after the country he dedicated his life to has fallen.
The reason his castle could be preserved even in an era where the glory contained in the hero’s name has dulled is because of the legacy Garad left behind.
The cavalry created with the help of Garad’s friend Erginius.
They can charge forward without knowing fatigue since they have no physical bodies, and they have kept the hero’s name alive since the distant past without the existence of souls, allowing them to run towards eternity.
“Excuse me for a moment. Mighty knight and noble holy knight, as well as the guardian spirit of the forest.”
The knight, who came to face the intruder in place of his sleeping companions, offered a polite greeting that seemed out of place for his worn and crumbling armor.
“This place was prepared by the hero Garad for future heroes. So please, if you do not have the qualifications, return.”
He didn’t think the opponent would turn back willingly.
Nor did he believe he could win against them.
Nevertheless, the knight respectfully issued an invitation.
As long as his master’s command had not yet ended, the knight had no choice but to uphold his legacy.
“…This is.”
The knight, who still remembers his master’s last words even after so many years, and the being that vividly recalls what he was like in life, couldn’t help but stiffen at the sight of the pure white shield held out by the girl.
The purest white that not even a speck of dust could taint was the shield of his master.
“I apologize. Oh great hero. Did you come here to carry on Garad’s legacy?”
The girl who jumped off the cart threw off her robe without saying a word.
The armor that seemed fit for a courtesan hired by a lowborn noble irritated the knight, but he didn’t want to show his anger too quickly.
What would it mean for someone holding his master’s shield to wear such armor?
“That’s Lord Ruel’s mace.”
The small and beautiful girl’s body and her weapon were an unimaginably mismatched combo, but the knight realized her stance indicated she was a seasoned warrior.
“Then I shall ask for your hand.”
The knight, having dismounted his horse, drew his sword and dashed forward without hesitation.
His aim was the neck.
A strike filled with genuine intent to kill.
In the age of myths, the knight, who had inherited the swordsmanship created directly by Garad the hero, was confident that the results of his training were reflected in his blade.
Clang!
However, the knight’s sword was easily blocked by the pure white shield.
The shock of the sword strike ricocheted back, splitting his sword in half as it flew into the air, and a mace came flying toward the knight’s exposed body.
The knight twisted his body to evade what he judged to be a straightforward attack, but upon seeing the girl grinning, he realized his mistake.
With a dull thud, the knight was sent flying into the air and rolled noisily on the ground, finally coming to his senses.
There was no way to stand up…
It was an uncanny maneuver.
He thought he had read his opponent well, but suddenly, an attack was right under his chin.
It was as if he was trapped in a fairy’s prank.
– How weak.
– No way! Lucy is strong!
– What about neither?
Heh. Haha. Surprised by the fairies chattering over the girl’s head, the knight couldn’t help but chuckle as they hid within his hair.
“Thank you, oh hero.”
Is the one who inherits the hero’s legacy capable of accomplishing even what the hero couldn’t?
If so…
Very well.
Now my job is done.
As the puppet, who had moved for hundreds of years to uphold his master’s orders, closed its eyes, everything that the puppet possessed turned to dust and scattered into the air.
The girl watching the knight lose his body walked forward in silence.
To where the knights who were waking up one by one were waiting.
*
The Fairy Queen chuckled, listening to the raucous sounds coming from the forest here and there.
It felt delightful to see the children enjoying themselves so much. It was only natural since humans had entered on their own two feet to become toys.
She had commanded not to engage in any games that would endanger their lives, but it was hard to ensure that was always followed.
She was glad to receive the cooperation of the Saintess. With her and other clergy around, no one would die.
After all, if problems arose right after she said she would cooperate, it would put her in a tough spot. While it was the opponent’s fault if no one received the fairies’ favor, blood spilling would come back to haunt her.
Moreover, more than anything, it seemed the hero would truly dislike it if any fairy were to kill someone.
She definitely did not want to incur the wrath of the person who, more than anyone, was like a fairy.
Ah, the same goes for Lord Erginius too.
Has the number of precious people increased from one to two?
How delightful. I’m glad to still be alive, even if it’s in a shabby way.
While humming a tune in the heart of the forest, she noticed a man emerging from beyond the foliage and narrowed her eyes.
He was the one the Fairy Queen had been waiting for, scanning the surroundings with a stiff face.
“Hello, First Prince of the Soladin Kingdom.”
“Do you know me?”
“Fairies are quite chatty. If someone stands out, they don’t let it slide.”
“Am I notable?”
“Of course. You’re the kingdom’s prominent heir, glittering quite brightly.”
The moment he heard the word heir, Rene Soladin felt the darkness within him stir.
This ability, gained by sharing part of the deification of the God of Darkness, is rather convenient.
It allows him to see things that are otherwise invisible.
“Have you found a fairy you like?”
“Before that, no one has shown me any kindness.”
Well, of course. The hero is someone who saved the fairies. If he were to try to monopolize such a person, it would only earn him hatred.
“Is there any method?”
“Sorry, but no. Fairies are pure and foolish, but they can be stubborn at times. They won’t lend their strength to someone they don’t like.”
“Even if that is your command?”
“Yes, even at my command.”
“Then there’s nothing we can do.”
“Oh my. Are you giving up so easily? I expected you to ask a bit more.”
“Perhaps I would have done so in the past, but now that I have power, it holds little meaning.”
“Why is that?”
“You know fairies are quite chatty.”
Rene Soladin’s eyes bore the weight of resignation.
The Fairy Queen couldn’t understand that. Power granted to a king was not something so easily relinquished.
She had seen many become obsessed with that power. Knowing she had sent those seeking her out for help to obtain it away made her understand.
Yet the child before her gave it up so readily.
Ah, of course. It’s because he is a child.
“If you answer one question, I might lend you my power.”
“That’s quite a generous offer. What do you wish to ask?”
“What is your dream?”
Upon hearing the Fairy Queen’s question, Rene showed his first sign of confusion, splashed his face with water, and opened his mouth again.
“To become king.”
“Wrong. That’s not your dream.”
“…What?”
“If you find your answer in the future, come back then. This forest will always welcome you.”
The Fairy Queen stood up, offering a polite bow, but just as she began to turn, she hesitated and opened her mouth once more.
“Oh, by the way, as a piece of advice, don’t think of asking for help from the people around you to approach Lady Allen. Something big will happen.”
“A big thing?”
“Yes. She is loved far more than you can imagine.”
While he thought of it as merely the people around him being overly dramatic, many of them were quite sincere.
What if the hero, shedding tears, said he didn’t want such a marriage? Wouldn’t the country fall apart?
Of course, I would be there too. There’s no way I could forgive the scoundrels who made the hero weep.
“…I’ll make them suffer.”
Imagining punishing the bad and rude people, the Queen tilted her head as she heard Rene’s soliloquy.
“What did you say?”
“I thanked you for your advice.”
His voice seemed to tremble, didn’t it?
The Fairy Queen suppressed her bubbling mischief as she saw Rene off. The reason was simple.
This seemed like it would be much more fun.
*
When Lucy declared she would head toward the castle of Garad alone, Benedict nodded without hesitation.
He had seen his daughter’s uniqueness time and time again.
There hadn’t been anyone in the past or future as excellent as Lucy when it came to strategy. Knowing Lucy’s weakened body, Benedict extended his pinky finger because he trusted her.
“Next, I’ll ask for your hand.”
However, Lucy did not behave as Benedict had expected.
Using tactics so intricate that even seasoned dungeon explorers couldn’t recall them, she seemed strangely diligent in facing the knights one by one.
There were several alternative routes. As the opposing knights were diligent, the means to toy with them were plenty. I could see a few tricks myself, so surely Lucy could see even more.
In fact, since entering the castle, Lucy hadn’t spoken a single word.
She took down the knights one by one, concealing a power even gods would find difficult to resist.
As if to pay her respects to those who once defended this castle.
“That is also a tribute to you.”
Following a voice that clung to his ear like luxurious alcohol, Benedict turned to find Lina, now taking on a human form, with a foreign cigarette in her mouth.
“Your daughter has become this strong.”
Hearing Lina, Benedict turned back to watch Lucy in combat. The knights Lucy faced were undeniably strong.
The trials created by knights from the age of myths are not something that anyone could surpass unless they were a sage.
Yet Lucy kept winning because she was simply stronger.
Lucy seemed to be intentionally engaging in extended battles to show this. Dragging her exhausted body, she faced the knights.
“If you notice, just watch quietly from behind.”
“…Lina, when will I stop being a foolish father?”
“Well, that’s a human thing, isn’t it? I can’t give you a proper answer even if you ask me.”
Usually showing a grotesque side, the mistress of the forest still proved she was the mistress of the forest.
Benedict, unknowingly admiring Lina’s wisdom, blinked as he saw blood dripping from his nose when she grinned.
“Heheh, I should be thankful to the blacksmith who made that armor. Every movement is just so beautiful.”
…I can’t help but regret ever re-evaluating her.
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