Inheriting the Novel

Chapter 106 : Gathering Heroes (3)

Gathering Heroes (3)

"Five days from now, the Seven Heroes Convocation will be held, and only those who arrive at the tower before then may participate."

The words proclaimed from the mouth of Emperor Gideon Asktalin spread across the continent in an instant.

"Only five days?"

"Do you know how far Mount Tylaris is from here?"

The announcement was made so abruptly that it was enough to throw the public into confusion.

Moreover, with all the magic towers near Mount Tylaris having ceased their operations, time was running out.

Mount Tylaris was as good as being at the edge of the continent—a place with immense difficulties for anyone traveling on foot.

"Still, I heard that while the magic towers right by Mount Tylaris stopped, some towers a little farther away are still operating. If you travel through there and hurry, you can make it in just two days instead of five."

"But wouldn't that be unfair to those who can't use the magic towers? It's not cheap to use the magic arrays either."

"That's true. But the Tower Master has arranged for everyone attending the Seven Heroes Convocation to use the towers for free for five days."

Wherever you went, people were talking about the Seven Heroes Convocation.

It was that important of an event, a gathering anyone aspiring to be a hero would wish to participate in at least once.

Given the tight five-day deadline, those who decided to participate immediately started moving toward Mount Tylaris as quickly as possible.

Of course, I was no different.

"This time, I'll be traveling alone for quite a while."

[Is there something going on with that lizard?]

"There must be some reason."

With Riya's abilities, I thought it wouldn't be a bad idea for her to give the Convocation a try, but she didn't seem particularly interested.

"... A trip for just the two of us is certainly a tempting offer, but I really need to visit the empire for a while. Don't worry. I'll be back before you finish the Convocation, Clay."

With that, Riya left for the empire in the blink of an eye.

She had arrived suddenly, and left just as quickly.

She truly was a princess full of initiative.

"Still, not being able to drop by my domain bothers me a bit."

I had planned to at least show my face and deliver the news about this Seven Heroes Convocation, but the sudden five-day schedule made it impossible.

[Isn't Maria the lord now, anyway?]

"Honestly, I've been thinking the same lately."

Since Maria came to our mansion, I felt she spent far more time managing the domain than I ever did.

At this point, wasn't I just count in name only, and more like an adventurer?

'I sort of expected it to turn out this way...'

But now that it actually had, an inexplicable sense of guilt pricked at my chest. I'd have to find a way to repay Maria greatly when I returned to the domain.

[Anyway, you'll need to hurry if you want to get there on time. Besides, it might be better to arrive early, too.]

"Ah, I don't intend to do that."

[... What?]

At my words, Grancesia sounded taken aback as she immediately asked for clarification.

I'm sure most people would expect to hurry and arrive as quickly as possible, just in case.

But I didn't feel any particular need to do that.

"It's not like getting there early gives you extra points, is it?"

The Seven Heroes Convocation was to be held at the "Sky Tower Baran" located at the summit of Mount Tylaris.

As long as I arrived within five days, it didn't matter exactly when—as long as I wasn't late.

And...

'In fact, that will be much better.'

A smile crept onto my lips.

* * *

I set out three days after that.

During that time, I spent odd moments with Zelbin, observing his swordsmanship.

Just a few months ago, Zelbin's skills with the sword far surpassed my own, but now I could see through every flaw in his technique.

'Is this the effect of Only Mind?'

I always fought such strong opponents that I had trouble gauging my improvement, but teaching Zelbin made me realize just how incredible a skill Only Mind truly was.

"Young master, are you leaving now?"

Monet asked, packing my things.

Not that it was much—a couple days' worth of jerky, a canteen, and a few changes of underwear and clothes.

"Are you sure you won't be late leaving now?"

"It's plenty of time."

I might have worried in the past, but not anymore.

Monet, on the other hand, seemed visibly uneasy.

But it wasn't just because I was leaving so late.

"Not so long ago, things like this seemed like something out of a different world for us... Sometimes, I still feel anxious and scared."

"Don't worry. I'll be back before you know it."

"Yes. I suppose there's nothing I can do but wait."

Monet shook her head and stepped up to straighten my clothes.

"Take care, young master."

We'd grown up together for such a long time—Monet's manner toward me hadn't changed a bit.

Though she was called a maid, to me, Monet was really like family—a sister, even.

With all my family gone, Monet was the closest person I had left.

[It's important, having someone to come home to.]

Grancesia must have sensed something in Monet as well, saying so.

I couldn't help but agree.

If Monet hadn't been there, I probably wouldn't have fought so desperately to restore my house.

"Welcome, Count Vanhart. We've been expecting you."

After telling Monet to head down to the domain ahead of me, I made for the magic tower near the capital.

The mages at the tower immediately sprang into action as if they'd been waiting, greeting me courteously.

It seemed Duke Gale or King Leogart had notified them beforehand.

[Clearly, they were on edge waiting for you to arrive.]

'That makes me feel a bit sorry.'

The relief on their faces was unmistakable.

They must have been afraid I wouldn't participate in the Seven Heroes Convocation.

"Then, we'll send you to the magic tower nearest Mount Tylaris that is currently operational."

"Ah, could you send me somewhere else instead?"

"Pardon? But if you want to participate in the Convocation..."

"I'm not turning down the Convocation, so don't worry."

The mages couldn't hide their confusion.

Given how little time was left, it made sense for them to wonder why I'd refuse transfer to the nearest magic tower.

But I didn't feel the need to explain myself, so I just shrugged.

"Is that not possible?"

"Ah, no, that's not it... Understood."

The mages brought out a map, showing the locations of all the magic towers.

Among them, I chose one located quite far from Mount Tylaris.

"Isn't this too far?"

"No, this is fine."

At my firm answer, the mages hesitated for a moment, then nodded.

"Very well. This way, please."

Having used magic towers many times before, I was familiar with the process.

I stepped onto the magic array and was immediately transported to the selected tower.

This tower, as usual, had only a few mages on duty and the occasional traveler.

At last, Grancesia seemed to have figured out my intentions and spoke.

[You were trying to avoid interference, weren't you?]

'Exactly.'

[It's late, so there shouldn't be anyone lying in wait out here.]

'The Seven Heroes Convocation is not an individual battle.'

Of course, only a limited number of people could participate in the Seven Heroes Convocation.

But that restriction only applied to the Convocation itself; before it began, outside interference was fair game.

'For example, someone could wait at a tower where Convocation participants are likely to gather and ambush them in advance.'

Some nations would almost certainly covertly support such sabotage to help their own Seven Heroes candidate.

"Let me see..."

I spread the map out and estimated an appropriate route.

Then I chose the roughest, but fastest, way across the terrain.

"Going straight through this mountain range is fastest."

As I muttered, the nearby mages glanced at me in surprise.

One even summoned the courage to approach and speak.

"That area is full of rugged peaks and a swamp of deadly poison—no human can make it through."

"Yes, that's what I heard."

"So, it would be safer to take a bit of a detour..."

As the mage spoke with obvious concern, I grinned widely.

"No, for me, that's the fastest route."

My words earned me looks as if I were volunteering for suicide.

But what could I do?

For me, it truly was the fastest way.

* * *

"Just as expected."

Watching through the crystal sphere, I observed the candidates climbing up toward Mount Tylaris.

Their skills were each worthy of aspiring to a seat among the Seven Heroes.

The problem was that a few groups were ganging up to ambush the most outstanding candidates.

"If it were me, I'd do the same. The best move is to take out the strong ones early."

"That's just like a mercenary to say, Sehenz."

"Any sensible person would do the same—even if they're not a mercenary. Once they're here, who knows when another chance will come, so you take care of threats in advance."

"Don't assume everyone thinks like you."

Restia shot Sehenz a sharp glare.

Sehenz wanted to argue, but the noble archer was far more skilled than he was. Honestly, he didn't want to go picking a fight and get riddled with arrows for nothing.

"See anyone interesting, Ban?"

"I do."

At Soila Fran's question, Ban, who had stayed silent till now, replied.

"That woman we saw in the crystal five minutes ago stood out."

"Her?"

Was there such a candidate?

Soila Fran wracked her memory.

Indeed, she recalled seeing a young woman, maybe in her early twenties, passing through the sphere once.

But that woman, perhaps wary of ambushes, was literally crawling quietly up the mountain, keeping herself hidden. She didn't look like a threat in the slightest.

"I told Ian, but... There always seem to be some unusual talents like that out there."

"... Her? Honestly, she didn't look like much."

"If she's a mage, maybe not. But a swordsman would know instantly."

At Ban's words, soila looked at Sehenz.

Sehenz remembered the woman, but honestly didn't know what Ban meant.

Pride wouldn't let him show it, though, so he smiled confidently.

"Yeah, I get the sort of thing you mean. Maybe not for mages, but sure."

"Is that so? I'll keep it in mind. Anyone else special out there?"

"As for the others..."

Ban trailed off suddenly.

"Ban?"

"Soila, turn the crystal sphere to the mountainside—by the cliff that connects to the Olten Range."

"The cliff by the Olten Range?"

Below that cliff, a thick miasma was rising thanks to the influence of the Olten Range. An ordinary person would suffocate just getting close.

'What's there?'

Soila was puzzled but moved the sphere as Ban said.

As she brought the view to the cliff, she saw yellow poison mist billowing up.

"There's nothing there."

"Really? Is that how it looks?"

"What?"

"Look closely. Might be hard to see with the mist in the way."

At those words, the assembled Seven Heroes candidates stared intently at the sphere.

The first to notice the anomaly was the Mercenary King, Sehenz.

"... Crazy bastard."

"What?"

"Look at the crevice in the cliff."

Only then did Soila spot a crack in the cliff, half-hidden by the mist.

Inside was a man sitting in perfect comfort, munching peacefully on jerky.

She knew the man's face well.

He was, after all, one of the most famous men on the continent right now.

The master of the Divine Sword—Clay Vanhart.