Inheriting the Novel

Chapter 104 : Gathering Heroes (1)

Gathering Heroes (1)

Although I had decided, following Riya's advice, to participate in the Seven Heroes Convocation, I didn't deliver my response immediately to King Leogart.

I figured I could get more out of the situation by taking my time rather than answering right away.

"Welcome. I've heard the news."

While I postponed my reply, I first returned to Lavantara and headed to the beastkin village.

It was to confirm the remaining synopsis there.

'I'll have to bring Riya along next time.'

[Hmph.]

As soon as I mentioned Riya, Grancesia gave off a strange air.

[Well, that lizard girl is useful in many ways.]

'The way you say it makes it sound like I'm only trying to use Riya.'

[Didn't you do that most of the time?]

It was a statement I couldn't really deny, but this time was different.

Since Riya wanted to build amicable relationships between imperial citizens and other races, I thought it would be good for her to become acquainted with the beastkin as well.

'Let's put that aside for now.'

Following the beastkin chieftain's guidance, I looked around their village. Sure enough, lifestyles differed by race.

If elves built houses in the trees with the forest as their companion, and dwarves constructed their dwellings in caves or out of stone, the beastkin formed relatively simple settlements and, compared to other races, lived in a way similar to humans.

'They have animal ears on top of their heads...'

It left me with a peculiar feeling.

Especially when I saw fierce-looking men with cat ears on their heads—I was seized by emotions too complex to describe.

"This way, please."

The spot the beastkin chieftain led me to was a shrine of an unusual form.

"This place used to be sealed, but ever since the sword was stolen, we've left it open."

"I see..."

I slowly examined the inside of the shrine.

There was a passageway leading underground, and it looked like someone had forcibly torn the door blocking the entrance.

[How is it? I don't sense any particular demonkin presence.]

'... That's a relief; nothing for me to worry about.'

[So?]

'This incident wasn't caused by a distortion.'

Internally, I breathed a sigh of relief.

For a moment, I wondered if this was another event that occurred because I had changed the future.

[So the sword was stolen in the original story too?]

'Yes. Fabian arrives here after stopping the calamity of corrosion, and the story continues as he chases after the one who took this sword.'

[Ah, so that's how it connects.]

I layered the shrine's profile with the synopsis available in this region.

'The All-War Sword, epion.'

Epion, one of the Seven Swords Under Heaven, protected by the beastkin.

I didn't know exactly what abilities it had, but judging by its name, it was sure to possess a variety of powers.

"Chieftain."

"Yes, master of the Sword."

"You can just call me by name. More importantly, was it someone from your village who stole the sword?"

"...!"

At my words, the chieftain's eyes shook.

"That is..."

"There's no need to hide it. I already know everything."

"Is it perhaps the power of the sword?"

"Something like that."

As I spoke bluntly, the chieftain firmly shut his mouth.

Judging from his troubled face, he seemed to be hesitating on whether or not to tell me the truth.

[Can you really ask that so directly? What if they try something?]

'As long as I have this bracelet on my wrist, that's impossible.'

With this bracelet, I was, for all intents and purposes, the deputy of King Lavantara.

So the chieftain wouldn't dare do anything to me.

Not to mention, I was the acknowledged master of the legendary sword.

Without knowing what mysterious abilities I might possess, the chieftain wouldn't be able to lie to me.

"... Yes. The one who stole the sword was indeed someone from our village."

"Judging from your reaction, it was someone close to you, wasn't it?"

"Y-Yes. It was... my own son."

In the end, the chieftain finally confessed, as if giving up entirely.

From the start, the only ones authorized to enter the shrine were the chieftain's direct descendants or a select few.

[Then why does it look so ransacked?]

'It's a cover-up.'

It was to make it look like an outsider broke in.

If word got out that the chieftain's son had taken the Seven Swords Under Heaven and disappeared, the fallout would be tremendous.

"I never thought my son would covet the sword. He was the greatest warrior among the beastkin and, as the next chieftain, the most honorable of all."

I listened quietly to the chieftain's story.

It matched exactly what was written in the synopsis.

The beastkin chieftain's son, teo.

He always thought he wasn't cut out for life in this small village.

He wanted to experience a broader world and make his name known across it.

[So that's why he stole one of the Seven Swords Under Heaven?]

'It's straightforward enough.'

Teo had also reached the skills of a Swordmaster.

He believed that only the Seven Swords Under Heaven would suit his abilities, and wished to be chosen by the sword, but...

'Epion did not choose him.'

Unless the guardian of the sword personally handed it over, the Seven Swords Under Heaven could not be wielded recklessly.

If it remained sealed, or if the sword itself rejected its would-be master, it couldn't be used.

Take Genova, for example—if I hadn't used the Eye of Insight to break the seal, I wouldn't have been able to use it, either.

"... That's how it happened."

"Thank you for explaining everything in detail."

"No, I truly feel ashamed. I will accept any punishment, but please, at least spare my village..."

He spoke desperately, but I shook my head.

"Don't worry. I don't plan to report this to His Majesty."

"R-Really?"

I nodded.

Knowing that things had proceeded just as in the original work, I wasn't particularly upset.

'Should I call myself lucky?'

[About what?]

'According to the synopsis, teo left to challenge the Seven Heroes of the continent in order to make a name for himself.'

That could have been a huge headache.

It wasn't stated which of the Seven Heroes he went after, and hunting them all down in various parts of the continent would not have been easy.

'But now, there's no need for that, is there?'

[... You're right.]

Sixth of the Seven Heroes on the continent, the Crimson Lion, Aldred Ribina.

His death, which never appeared in the original story, was what triggered the Seven Heroes Convocation.

Whether Teo changed his mind and attended the Convocation, or kept to his plan to challenge one of the Seven Heroes...

'One way or another, he's bound to end up where the Seven Heroes Convocation is held.'

On the mountain boasting the continent's highest elevation.

Mount Tylaris.

* * *

After confirming the synopsis related to the All-War Sword Epion, I spent some time in Shioten.

And when I felt the timing was right, I started to act.

"Oh! Count Vanhart! We've been waiting for you."

When I visited the royal castle, king Leogart summoned me straight to the audience chamber.

Normally, it would have taken considerable time and procedure to be granted an audience with the king, but King Leogart ignored all that.

'So this is what holding real power feels like.'

I never thought this day would come in my life.

At a glance, it almost looked like His Majesty was completely at my mercy.

[No, I think that might actually be true? Are the Seven Heroes really that important?]

'They are.'

After all, which nation has dominance over the continent?

It's the Asktalin Empire.

There are many reasons for this, but, above all else, it's due to two people belonging to the Empire who wield unmatched influence.

The continent's number one among the Seven Heroes, the Twin Polar Sword, Ban Sylvest.

And the fifth, the Dragon King, Gideon Asktalin.

The existence of these two absolute masters prevented any country from challenging the Empire's supremacy.

'Ban Sylvest is known as the only Great Swordmaster on the continent.'

[A Great Swordmaster... That's impressive.]

Impressive, she says.

I couldn't help but let out a laugh.

She's probably the only one who could judge Ban Sylvest that way.

[If Damian met her, he'd be thrilled.]

'... Yeah, nothing I can do about it. I'll just have to take his place.'

I didn't get to see her during the last Founding Festival, but maybe I'll be able to at the Seven Heroes Convocation.

Meeting the strongest human of the current era.

"Your Majesty."

"Oh, yes, speak."

"I have thought it over deeply for a long time, but frankly, I think challenging for a spot among the Seven Heroes is beyond my current abilities."

"That is..."

As I led into my statement, king Leogart's face darkened.

"... But the vacant seat among the Seven Heroes belongs to our Talua Kingdom. As the one who carries on the will of Count Ribina, I can hardly just stand by and watch."

"Does that mean...!"

Seeing his face brighten again, I slowly shook my head, as if struck by a heavy reality.

"So, while I am eager to participate, I have too many issues in my domain to easily make a decision."

"Issues in your domain?"

"Yes. Our territory has suddenly become wealthy, and now there are many who covet it, so I can't easily leave it unattended."

In truth, ever since the pathetic end of the Deoric family, there's been no one who would dare touch our house, but I feigned ignorance.

"As you know, house Vanhart suffered great hardship in the past, and the number of knights and soldiers is low, so public security is poor. At the moment, I must devote myself fully to maintaining order in my domain."

After my explanation, king Leogart nodded in understanding.

"I see. That is quite reasonable. In such circumstances, a lord cannot simply leave their domain."

"Thank you for your understanding."

"In that case, how about this?"

King Leogart is shrewd.

He probably realized right away why I was dragging things out.

"If you wish, I can request all across our kingdom, and even in other countries, for knights to be recruited in the Vanhart territory. Also, until adequate talents are gathered, I will ensure support so that no major problems arise in your domain."

"R-Really?"

I widened my eyes in feigned shock, and King Leogart nodded.

"Of course. You can count on me."

It was truly reassuring.

With this, I could prevent any problems that might arise during my absence.

But I wasn't planning to stop here.

"Oh, and Your Majesty. Recently, I'm considering constructing some canals in the territory..."

"... You really don't miss any opportunities, do you?"

Maria always said, "when you can get something, get it all at once."

I was simply following her advice to the letter.