Episode 104
Frikkanrisk has left the northern part of the Troa Empire.
The Twelve Divine Beasts, who had never strayed from that region while carrying on the history, have now hidden themselves by breaking the rules.
However, no one points fingers about it.
For the citizens of Dortmund, blaming Frikkanrisk made them just as guilty, yet they were the ones who received help.
⎯ Frikkanrisk, undeterred by the unjust accusations, took the lead in saving Dortmund even at the cost of breaking the unwritten rules!
The rumors spread even faster, not just because they intentionally hired people to stir the pot but also thanks to the easy dissemination aided by the Dortmund Church.
While it was indeed media play, one can confidently say it was written in the right direction. After all, it wasn’t outright lies.
The church’s involvement was partly fueled by the fact that they were sinners themselves, and was also one of the conditions for the tacit acknowledgment of the relationship between Craine and Ami, as well as Frikkanrisk helping to defeat Ami’s army.
The other benefit was granting her the right to relocate, provided she did not harm anyone and wasn’t bound to the snowy mountains.
…Well, I personally find it amusing that a human grants authority to a Divine Beast, but it must be important to them, so I included it as a condition.
Even from the perspective of the Twelve Divine Beasts, a justification to break the rules was necessary.
Oh, looking back, nothing has passed without my involvement.
These past few weeks have been quite busy.
I traveled here and there, negotiating with multiple races without discrimination.
The only thing that bothered me this time was that I couldn’t obtain Ami’s Judgment Weapon due to Cardinal Jephar’s interference, but everything else proceeded smoothly.
Thinking back, it’s a bit disappointing.
I was planning to enhance the materials for the ‘weapon’ I would create later.
…Anyway, a few days passed, and I was called back to the church in Dortmund, this time regarding Archbishop Salecius.
“The Twelve Divine Beast, Frikkanrisk, has departed safely. She will become one with nature and will quietly live without interfering in the affairs of the world.”
I said this while kneeling before the Holy King.
Apart from Helion and a few others, the church believed I had made a contract with her under disadvantageous conditions.
It wasn’t accurate to say I entered a contract on equal footing with the Divine Beast since I hadn’t received the power from her eyes, and bragging about having signed a contract with the cardinal might expose my relationship with Altife.
Of course, the average citizens were mistakenly told that she and I had made a contract on equal terms, but that wasn’t my concern, and there was no need to correct it.
“There’s no need to bother correcting it.
Ah, it wasn’t difficult to deceive these church folks.
Right now, the fact that the Twelve Divine Beasts follow my words to the letter is the most solid proof.
Unless a contract is made, there’s no way mere humans would obey.
Through a chain of interactions, a beautiful structure of lies has been completed.
“Our young hero has done something remarkable. Dortmund will remember this and the church will provide the appropriate reward.”
The Holy King’s sweet words are just a prelude to some rather bitter questions disguised as inquiries.
I answered without lifting my bowed head.
“I merely did what I must as I seek to follow the path of the hero.”
Typically, when dealing with such boring types, it’s more effective to mention the family’s name to appear less selfish and instead highlight a pursuit of public good in the name of the hero and humanity.
It seemed my formal response and demeanor pleased the Holy King, as the tone of his voice shifted.
“Schugenharz Troa Vargan. I commend your courage, wisdom, and humanity. I hope you will maintain this demeanor even after becoming a hero.”
Without offering any further words in reply, I bowed my head even lower in obedience.
Who would have thought that the villain Vargan would receive such words from the highest authority of a branch church, the Holy King himself? Life truly is unpredictable.
The Holy King’s benevolent voice echoed once more within.
Putting aside trivial words, it finally boils down to this.
⎯What sort of person was Archbishop Salecius, who emerged during this war, and how could one resist him?
A bishop in a human guise, using a red aura.
There were suspicions that he might have fallen from being a former hero.
“While I don’t know all the details, I can share my opinions since I was the one who faced her up close at that time….”
I provided general information about Salecius.
Information anyone in that presence could have known, filtered down to what one could discern when faced directly.
Not too little, and certainly not too much.
“…She is akin to a swordmage skilled in curse magic. Her appearance as a hero and her combat style are strikingly similar. The reason I could face her was that a magic contained in an artifact lent by the church helped in penetrating her curses.”
Moreover, it was possible thanks to the active assistance of the Twelve Divine Beasts, Frikkanrisk, I ended the statement.
I made no mention of my abilities.
This was a mysterious place where the more I downplayed myself, the more valuable I became, rather than raising my own status.
A few more words passed, but I no longer provided any useful information to them.
As of now, only the damn protagonist and I know to whom she belongs and who her sister is.
Once the Holy King deemed he’d heard enough, he prepared to send me back, handing me a nameplate bearing his name.
It was a thin iron plate coated with silver, engraved with a relief.
He offered a gentle smile.
“When you go to the Central Church, show that nameplate.”
A nameplate inscribed with the name of the Holy King of Dortmund.
It was something I desired, and I could guess his intentions, so I expressed my gratitude without further questioning.
There was nothing left to discuss. I had received everything I wanted.
“Schugenharz Troa Vargan. May the blessings of Yggdrasil be upon your future path.”
“Rugan. May the blessing of Yggdrasil be with you on your journey ahead.”
Tap. Tap.
The Holy King tapped his staff on the ground.
I too inherited the customs without forgetting the grace and decorum until the very end.
*
“Hey, Finn. Come here for a second.”
Finn, who was training in a small yard set up in front of the lodging, approached with his sword sheathed when Canthurman called him, watching closely.
Canthurman tossed his words casually.
“Swing your sword at me with the power you’ve got.”
“Huh?”
“I said hit me like you’re going after a scarecrow.”
Suddenly told to hit someone with a sword, Finn protested that he couldn’t do that, only to find himself being choked by Canthurman’s muscular arms.
“Gah, guh!”
As Finn’s face turned blue, Canthurman let go carelessly, and Finn rubbed his neck in distress.
“Stop whining, you big baby. Show me your swordsmanship already.”
“But… How can I possibly strike Lord Canthurman…”
“Quit chattering. Do I look like I’m messing around? There’s a reason for this, so hurry up and get into position.”
Though Finn felt bewildered, he knew he couldn’t escape that stern gaze.
In the end, he took on the familiar form he always wielded his sword—like a herbivore ready to attack.
He steadied his breath for a moment and then…
Whoosh⎯!
The strike aimed straight at Canthurman’s head hit its mark.
The straightforward attack was almost too honest, yet it remained sturdy from long practice.
That was also a move Barghan forced him to repeat endlessly.
Canthurman easily dodged the move with a mere tilt of his neck, then deepened his voice and analyzed the situation.
“Why did you stop? Was that all?”
“There are other moves… but….”
“If you’ve got more, then show them quick.”
Finn continued with the remaining moves.
The techniques were embarrassing to call a style, yet they were the moves Finn had honed over a long time.
Phew.
Finn showcased every aspect of his swordsmanship.
In the end, Finn’s sword didn’t even graze the hem of the giant Canthurman’s clothes.
“How many years have you been swinging a sword?”
“I decided to become a hero when I was 7. So now it’s been 11 years.”
“…Serious business. You truly have less talent than a rat’s tail.”
“…Yes. I’m aware of that.”
Canthurman sighed unexpectedly.
With a worried expression, he shook his head.
“So that’s why Kshanoll disliked you so much.”
“What do you mean by that?”
Canthurman lightly patted Finn’s back and sat on an appropriate structure nearby to explain.
“Kshanoll is a monster who achieved 23rd in Hero Ranking at the young age of 30. Not only does he know his own skills, but he’s particularly skilled at evaluating others, especially the qualities of swordsmen.”
“Uh….”
“The one thing he hates most is untalented people, and guess what? He ended up with Helion’s mentee of all people. That’s why he blew a fuse.”
Finn recalled the first time he met him and heard some insulting remarks.
Canthurman continued, explaining that Kshanoll respects and follows Helion the most, and seeing how pathetic Finn’s level was would have made him furious.
“Honestly, that initial move aiming for the head was somewhat decent, but the rest is a total mess. It’s not like you can just charge in.”
“The move you’re targeting seems somewhat useful, but the rest is just a complete mess. We’re not just going to charge in recklessly.”
“Still, if you keep training, you might develop a bit…”
“No. Just give it up.”
Canthurman cuts straight to the point, coldly.
“Even if you barely manage to become a hero like this, you’ll either end up as Altife’s meal or a sacrifice. Think of your future teammates and just quit.”
Finn’s talent is devastatingly low.
No matter how many outstanding individuals you gather around and adorn yourself with fine relics, any swordsman showing even a hint of talent will quickly surpass you.
If you’re not going to sacrifice yourself to let your future teammates taste the emotion of losing their companion, it’s not too late even now—
“—That’s not acceptable.”
Finn responds in a determined tone.
His previously gentle gaze has shifted to something intense.
“I will become a hero, no matter what. I’ve sworn to do so.”
Once to himself.
Once when he received the opportunity from Vargan called Helion.
Finn didn’t want to bend his determination at any harsh words he might hear then. That determination was everything to Finn.
“It’s okay if the end is horrific. Since it’s the path I chose, I have no regrets.”
“…Your death may hold no value. The culmination of your efforts might be filled with emptiness.”
“As I said, it won’t change. If the end of the path I chose is a cliff, I will leap into it with all my might.”
“…”
Finn tried to conclude the conversation with a word of gratitude.
He understood the intention behind Canthurman’s words and felt grateful, but he couldn’t accept them.
As the conversation seemed to come to a close, Canthurman, who was sitting, stood up.
His large frame blocked Finn’s view, and with a hand as big as a pot lid, he grabbed Finn’s head. Finn didn’t shy away.
Then Canthurman spoke.
“Khahaha! This guy’s more stubborn than I thought.”
He laughed heartily.
“Just like in war and now, I really like your audacity for not knowing your own limits. You’re right. Men ought to be like this!”
“Sir Canthurman…?”
“Finn. I find you likable. However, it’s true that your talent is as tiny as a rat’s tail. So, I’m going to share a top-secret secret with you.”
Canthurman whispers in a voice that doesn’t match his size, even covering his mouth with his hand.
“From today, stick to Kshanoll like glue. Beg and plead to him.”
“What do you mean?”
“Ask him to tell you the location of the ‘Soul Forge Hall.’”
Soul Forge Hall.
It was the name of a place Finn had never heard of.
“It’s normal not to know. It’s a place known to very few. I don’t know where it is either. Even if I did, I wouldn’t qualify to go there.”
“What happens if I go there…?”
“I don’t know the details. If I did, it wouldn’t be a secret. But, here’s one thing I do know.”
Canthurman’s voice grows even quieter, to a level that even nearby rats or birds wouldn’t hear.
“Kshanoll was just like you, lacking talent before entering the Soul Forge Hall.”
“Eh?! B-but he’s currently ranked 23rd…!”
“Shh.”
His massive hand messes up Finn’s hair, then fixes it back with a cautious tone he had when he was laughing.
“That’s why I called it a top-secret.” Khahaha!
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