Inheriting the Novel

Chapter 105 : Gathering Heroes (2)

Gathering Heroes (2)

The death of the Crimson Lion, Aldred Ribina, was enough to send tremors throughout the continent.

The meaning carried by the name of the Seven Heroes was that significant, and with the upcoming Seven Heroes Convocation, not only the top warriors representing each nation but everyone started to prepare themselves.

"Did you hear? They say the Seven Heroes Convocation will be held soon at Mount Tylaris."

"It's because Lord Ribina passed away..."

"To think one of the Seven Heroes would die. What is the world coming to..."

Wherever I went, people talked about Aldred Ribina and the Seven Heroes Convocation.

While there was mourning for Aldred, there was just as much debate about who would become the new member of the Seven Heroes.

"The Seven Heroes Convocation, huh..."

A man, listening in on the conversations, muttered to himself.

His attire was ordinary, but a splendid sword hung at his waist, and his head was adorned with ears much like those of a tiger—a distinctive look.

"Good timing, isn't it?"

The man chuckled and turned his body.

Originally, he had planned to head straight for the crimson lands where the Mercenary King Sehenz was said to be, but he changed his mind.

It was much easier to defeat the candidates for the Seven Heroes, rather than challenge an actual Seven Hero.

But he wasn't the only one with that thought.

Many hidden experts, who had long waited for a shot at becoming a Seven Hero, began to move.

"Ian."

In my father's eyes, gazing at me with calmness, there was a glimmer of expectation.

Of course, in all my life, I had never once betrayed my father's wishes.

"Please leave it to me."

If I went there, he would surely show himself.

I had a feeling that no matter what it took, he would participate in this Seven Heroes Convocation as well.

* * *

With rumors of the imminent Seven Heroes Convocation, renowned heroes all began to retreat and focus on their training. Of course, I was no exception.

'If only I could obtain this, it would be a tremendous help in a crucial moment...'

The Lion's Heart.

A power given only to the bloodline of the Ribina House of the Count, it draws out all abilities to their utmost in extreme situations.

I could gauge its effectiveness from the sight of the Count of Ribina battling the Calamity of Madness.

Even after losing much of his strength, he managed to press the Calamity of Madness—undoubtedly because of this power as his foundation.

'I've achieved the first condition, which was the biggest problem, so it's not impossible to obtain now.'

Up until now, the required plausibility was so strict that I kept putting it off, but now I began to see a glimmer of possibilities.

==

〈Lion's Heart〉

Required Plausibility

1. Establish a deep connection with the head of the Ribina House of the Count [Fulfilled]

2. Establish a deep connection with a direct blood descendant of the Ribina House of the Count

3. Defeat, singlehandedly, five opponents vastly stronger than oneself [Currently achieved: 4/5]

==

I had thought I would never be able to achieve that first plausibility condition.

But the moment I defeated the Calamity of Madness, that condition was met. And it was also the moment the Count of Ribina died.

Naturally, I felt complicated emotions.

'Is it because of the standard that says singlehandedly?'

Thinking back, I'd had plenty of battles against opponents far stronger than myself.

But the count was only four.

Probably, because the condition required singlehanded defeat, any ambiguous cases were excluded.

[So how do you intend to fulfill the second one?]

'Well...'

[Are you planning to... with the Count of Ribina's daughter...?]

'Do you honestly think I'd do something like that?'

[Just joking. You've seemed in a bad mood whenever she comes up lately.]

That was true.

There wasn't much left to complete all the conditions, but I couldn't bring myself to take the final step because my mind was in turmoil.

'There is one way to establish a deep relationship...'

Honestly, even for me, going to the Ribina House of the Count just to obtain the Lion's Heart, given the current situation, pricked at my conscience.

But unexpectedly, that concern was resolved easily. Because someone visited the mansion.

It goes without saying—the visitor was Zelbin Ribina.

"Count Clay."

"So, have you pulled yourself together now?"

"Yes. I'm all right now."

I gave Zelbin, who had come to find me, a slight smile and gestured for him to sit.

The last time I saw Zelbin was when I visited the mansion after the memorial.

Back then, Zelbin had stared blankly at the Count of Ribina's portrait, looking terribly haggard, but now he seemed much better.

"So, what brings you here today...?"

"I came to ask a favor."

"A favor?"

I'd thought perhaps Zelbin bore me some resentment. After all, from his perspective, my late arrival could be blamed for his father's death.

But Zelbin didn't show me a trace of blame.

"Please teach me the sword."

"... What?"

The answer caught me so off guard, I couldn't immediately find a suitable reply.

"There must be many fine teachers in the Ribina House of the Count, even if not me."

"But now, the only Swordmaster in this kingdom is yourself, Count."

"... That's true."

"And until just a year ago, you were just a sword user. But you grew strong at an incredible rate and became a Swordmaster."

Hearing it put like this, I realized just how astonishing my growth had been.

One year. In that short—not at all long—time, I had gone from sword user to Swordmaster.

If that fact spread across the continent, it would cause a tremendous stir.

"I want to become stronger."

Zelbin spoke, frustration evident in his voice.

"If I had just been a little stronger, my father wouldn't have had to fight alone. And we wouldn't have to entrust his empty seat to someone else."

That was only natural.

Zelbin was still young—not weak by any means, and in fact, exceptionally talented.

Surely, within the next ten years, he would become a Swordmaster and shock the world.

But Zelbin didn't seem content with just that.

"I know it's an unreasonable request. Count Clay, please—please be my teacher."

For a moment, I fell silent and looked at Zelbin.

The burning resolve in his eyes was truly befitting of the Crimson Lion's child.

I wondered if I should accept immediately.

But the deliberation didn't last long.

To hesitate when our interests aligned would only be foolish.

On the contrary, for me, this was an opportunity worth its weight in gold.

* * *

At the peak of Mount Tylaris stood a single tower.

It was said that only the Seven Heroes could reach the top of that tower, which soared high enough to pierce the sky.

But in practice, few of the Seven Heroes actually visited the tower, so it was rare for its beacon to be lit.

And now, for the first time since the birth of Soila Fran ten years ago, the beacon was lit once again.

"... So, when are you going to announce the Seven Heroes Convocation?"

A giant man, his body armored in thick muscle, spoke up.

His voice was like rolling stone, and the nonchalant man next to him replied.

"Who cares—just hurry it up, will you?"

"Sehenz, please observe proper etiquette in official settings."

At the soft rebuke, Sehenz let out a smirk.

"Hey, uncle Ban. Why act all proper now? Are you afraid of the emperor's scrutiny or what?"

"Sehenz, aren't you a bit old to keep acting like a child?"

"... Fine, fine. I'll be quiet, okay?"

It was only when a sharp-tongued woman spoke up that Sehenz closed his mouth.

Anywhere else, he might have pushed back harder, but unfortunately, here he was the weakest present.

'Been a while since I felt this miserable.'

Clicking his tongue, Sehenz scanned the faces of those around him.

It had been ten years since he'd last seen them, and none had changed at all.

'Well, restia is a half-elf, so that figures.'

As for Ban Sylvest, he looked even younger. Just by appearance, he could be mistaken for Ian's peer, his own son.

"Uh, Mr. Ban, how did you get so young-looking?"

"... Soila Fran, that isn't really today's topic."

"But it's an important issue... I'm seriously concerned these days."

While knights and mages who handled magic power aged slowly, knights especially retained youth longer, possibly because they imbued mana directly into their bodies.

As the sole pure human mage among the Seven Heroes, she couldn't help but be conscious of her relatively rapid aging.

"Mages should just give up on that, miss Fran."

"Emperor Gideon's longevity comes from his dragon blood."

"I wasn't born that strong. If it were my daughter... I'm sure she'd live a very long life."

Their conversation had a curious quality; though their statuses differed, they spoke as equals.

But here, that was only natural.

Outside statuses held no weight here.

This was a place where only skill mattered, where even the minimal forms of etiquette weren't strictly observed.

"Soila Fran."

"Yes, Mr. Ban? Are you going to tell me the secret...?"

"That's not it. For now, freeze all Magic Towers in the vicinity of Mount Tylaris."

"... Surely you don't mean literally freeze them—you mean suspend operations?"

"That's right."

Ban calmly folded his arms and continued.

"There aren't any civilians who'd need to use the Magic Towers here anyway. From now until the day of the Seven Heroes Convocation, it won't be a problem if no one uses the local towers."

"So, the first test is to reach the summit of Mount Tylaris without using the Magic Towers."

With piercing, hawk-like eyes, restia the Divine Archer fixed her gaze on Ban.

"Indeed."

"Then many will lose their lives climbing the mountain."

"If one covets the title of Seven Hero, they must at least have that level of resolve."

Ban Sylvest's logic was sound.

At the previous Convocation, the crowd had been excessive, and it took far too long to select the heroes.

Had it not been for the overwhelmingly powerful Soila Fran, things would have gotten truly out of hand.

"So, Mr. Uncle, to return to the beginning—when, exactly, is the Convocation to be held?"

"In five days."

"... Excuse me?"

"Only those who reach this tower within five days will be eligible to attempt the heroes' trial."

"But isn't that too difficult for those far away? Especially with the Magic Towers suspended..."

"The Magic Towers will only be frozen around Mount Tylaris. There are still a few in slightly more distant locations."

From there, it wouldn't be too hard to arrive within five days.

Gideon, who had been quietly listening to Ban, nodded and spoke.

"Then I'll be the one to announce the date."

If the emperor of the empire spread the word, it would travel across the continent in no time.

'... Tough stuff.'

Sehenz listened to their discussion with his tongue to his cheek.

'Good thing I became a Seven Hero early.'

Sehenz silently sent his condolences to the aspiring heroes who would participate in the upcoming trials.