Inheriting the Novel

Chapter 126 : Gods and Devils (3)

Gods and Devils (3)

Maybe because she's been on the receiving end of things lately, it seemed Mersaya had built up quite a bit of resentment.

After beating up the people inside the tavern with gusto, mersaya returned to our table looking refreshed.

"If you act like that to our domain residents......"

"I'd never, ever do that, sir Clay."

Though Mersaya spoke very politely, I still couldn't quite trust her.

[Now I get why she kept calling you elder brother. She must've picked it up wandering around these back alleys, don't you think?]

'Come on, no way.'

I denied it, but Grancesia's guess was just too spot on. Now that I thought about it, when I felt burdened by being called 'elder brother' and acted awkwardly, mersaya seemed puzzled.

[It probably made her feel really good when she heard it.]

I realized once more why that man Marlon had rejected Mersaya.

"The way you throw your punch isn't ordinary—did you learn that in those games?"

"Huh? Oh, uh... maybe by accident."

Ian answered in place of my curiosity.

Just as I'd expected, it seemed Mersaya had participated in rather unsavory activities, like street gangs, during her time in Darsha.

Of course, being a dragon, mersaya didn't seem to know whether that was good or bad, but because of it, she'd picked up these peculiar speech patterns and behaviors.

'I'll need to fix that later......'

She was a young dragon after all—too quick to pick up bad habits. I felt it was necessary to properly educate her in due time.

'Still, things have gotten more comfortable because of her.'

Thanks to Mersaya's actions, the previously rowdy tavern had calmed down, and even the tavern owner brought food out with great politeness.

[But you know, mersaya's magic is just average, yet she's surprisingly good with her body. With her stamina and endurance being so weak, I never thought she'd have this kind of talent.]

'What do you mean?'

[After seeing her fight you, I thought she was just a mediocre dragonborn, but the way she uses her fists—it just has something to it. Kind of like you.]

'Well, she may look human outwardly, but her physique is that of a dragon.'

[Sure, her street-fighting punches lack proper breathing or stamina, but that can be taught.]

'She has Dragon Tongue anyway, so what's the point of teaching her other techniques......'

I casually replied to Grancesia's comments while observing Mersaya.

She was happily eating the chicken dish the tavern owner had served.

'Hmm... Well, Riya exists, after all.'

When I considered the existence of someone like Riya Asktalin—a human who could wield more powerful magic and Dragon Tongue than dragons themselves—it wasn't so strange for an extraordinary being to exist on the dragon side as well.

I decided I would need to think more about Grancesia's words.

"Hey, owner."

"Y-yes?!"

The tavern owner, bringing out food, jumped in fright when I called him.

Since I'd used a sharp expression with Polymorph to avoid being underestimated, I must have appeared even more intimidating.

"I heard Sehenz is here."

"W-What! H-how did you know that....?!"

The tavern owner trembled violently in shock.

He wasn't the only one surprised.

Even those sprawled on the floor after being beaten by Mersaya looked aghast as they heard my words.

"Could he be an assassin targeting Sehenz?!"

"Then his skills make sense. Look at how fierce his expression is! He's going to kill us all for sure!"

...... Maybe I made my Polymorph too scary.

As the reactions around me grew more extreme than I expected, I started to feel awkward—just then, the door burst open with a loud noise.

"What? Who dares target whom?"

A man stormed in, running his ashen hair roughly back with a hand.

He had a sharp scar by his eye—a face I was very familiar with.

"I've already got enough trouble with those Altair cultists—so what now? Are you the ones who trashed my tavern... huh?"

Grinding his teeth, Sehenz started toward us but froze with surprise.

Actually, his eyes widened the moment he noticed Kisea.

"Why are you here?"

"Ah, um......"

Kisea glanced subtly at me.

She was asking if she should tell the truth.

For a moment, I considered revealing everything, but shook my head.

'Too many eyes on us right now.'

Even if I revealed it later, this wasn't the time.

There were simply too many people watching us here.

Maybe understanding my intention to hide our identities, Kisea dodged with a vague excuse to Sehenz.

"Uh, just traveling together with some acquaintances."

"Like some escort training?"

"Something like that."

"Hmmm, I see."

Sehenz responded indifferently to Kisea's answer, then looked Ian and me over.

With our faces, figures, and even ages changed, there was no way he could identify us by sight.

"... Not normal guys. Where the hell did these guys pop up from?"

But he seemed to sense we weren't ordinary.

"......!"

At that instant, I reflexively raised my hand.

A sharp curved sword stopped right in front of my gauntlet.

"As I thought, you're no average fighter. Who are you? I haven't heard of any martial artist like you."

"I'd heard the Mercenary King was rough, but I didn't expect you to come at me so directly."

Replying as calmly as possible, I kept my words succinct to avoid giving away any habits.

Furthermore, to make it harder to guess my identity, I'd used the All-War Sword's ability to transform Genova from the sword I normally wore at my waist.

Currently, Genova was worn on my fist in the form of a gauntlet.

"Interesting. Very interesting. This is why you never know what'll happen in the world."

He seemed entertained by my unruffled demeanor.

"Are you really here to kill me? Is it because you want a place among the Seven Heroes?"

"It's not for the Seven Heroes, but I do indeed have business with you."

"Oh?"

At my words, I sensed the whole room holding its breath.

To them, it probably felt like a powder keg about to blow.

"Fine. Follow me. You, make sure no one approaches my room."

"Y-yes, sir. Understood."

The owner bowed with utmost deference.

Sehenz motioned at me, Ian, and Kisea with his chin.

"Come."

He strode up the stairs. After exchanging glances, the three of us followed.

Arriving on the third floor, a spacious room was revealed.

"How did you know I was here?"

As soon as we entered, Sehenz sprawled casually in a big chair and spoke cavalierly.

"Well, after all, this tavern is owned by the mercenary corps you manage."

"What? How do you know that? And why are you being so formal all of a sudden?"

Sehenz seemed flustered at my answer. That his mercenary corps was located in Linken was virtually a secret.

He could take jobs from anywhere, but having the mercenary corps of a Seven Hero here in Setram's territory was a different matter.

"It's me, Sehenz."

"You...? Huh?!"

As I answered, my appearance changed—and Sehenz's eyes went round. Mersaya had understood my intent and cancelled my Polymorph spell.

"Clay Vanhart?! Why are you here?!"

"I have business, obviously."

"Business? What business could you have all the way out in Linken?"

He was honestly bewildered.

Then, tossing his gaze over to Ian (standing by Kisea), he looked even more surprised—since Ian's Polymorph had also been removed.

"My god, isn't that mister Ban's son? What kind of magic is this? It can't be ordinary magic, can it?"

"It's Dragon Polymorph."

"A human mage who can use Polymorph?"

"Of course not."

I replied with a sly grin, and Sehenz's pupils quivered.

His shaken gaze fixed on Mersaya, who stood with folded arms, exuding confidence.

"...... Is this brat a dragon?"

"Yes."

"Good grief."

He leaned back in his chair in disbelief, pressing his temples with his thumb and forefinger.

"This is crazy. Why are two Sword Masters and a dragon hanging out together? No, seriously, why is a dragon with you guys in the first place?"

"Haven't you heard? The Seven Heroes' final test."

"... You're not saying that the calamity of the dragon was this kid, are you?"

"Then where would we find another dragon?"

"Well, you know—maybe the empire has one hidden away somewhere."

Fair point—the Asktalin Empire might very well be hiding a dragon or two.

They are, after all, the country where the 'calamity of the dragon' was born.

"How dare you say you're raising us! Such impu—ow!"

"Keep mouthing off and you'll lose your head."

"Y-yes?"

Mersaya, having raised her voice, flinched in surprise.

It seemed the guy—unable to gauge Sehenz's power—was looking down on him.

"What are you talking about? I couldn't handle a dragon; how'd you tame one like a cat? Ridiculous."

s

Sehenz shook his head, still somewhat dazed.

"Wait. Aren't the Seven Heroes supposed to be able to easily handle a dragon?"

She asked that as if it were obvious.

"Of course not! Well, the top five... no, now everyone but me can beat a dragon. No respect for me these days."

Apparently, though a Swordmaster, Sehenz couldn't contend with a dragon's Dragon Tongue or magic, making them hard opponents for him.

[You only managed thanks to Genova—without it, it'd have been tough. Mersaya's a bit clumsy, so you'd have won anyway, but still.]

Now that I thought about it, Grancesia was right.

Even Kisea—equal to me in pure sword skill—had struggled against Mersaya.

"In any case, what brings the new Count Vanhart of the Seven Heroes here, with two Sword Masters and a pet dragon in tow?"

He looked at me as if resigned.

"It's because of the demonkin corridor."

"Ah, that? But that's my task—you shouldn't even have been told about it."

"I came here to investigate on my own."

"What? Why?"

He wore a baffled expression—naturally, he couldn't see any reason for it.

"I heard people in Setram are targeting you, Sehenz."

"......?"

He looked genuinely confused by my words.

"There's no reason for anyone in Setram to suddenly target me. More importantly, how did you hear about that?"

"Sehenz, I'm probably the best-informed person on the continent."

"...... That's just chilling."

It was an exaggeration, of course, but unless I made that kind of claim, Sehenz wouldn't believe me, since my story came so out of nowhere.

It was well known that Setram had no fondness for the Seven Heroes, but that didn't mean they'd make any reckless moves.

With the kind of prestige the Seven Heroes possessed, they couldn't easily be trifled with.

"Well, you are close to the imperial princess—so maybe. So what's your proof that Setram is after me?"

"You'll find out soon enough."

"Soon?"

"They'll approach you shortly, offering to help."

"No way, why would they help with our job?"

Sehenz laughed in disbelief.

Setram had never once helped with the Seven Heroes' work. Not even when it came to problems involving their supposed enemy, the demonkin.

"Well, that's something for later......"

That would be sorted out in time anyway.

For now, I wanted to hear more about the other issue here.

"Could you tell me more about the demonkin corridor discovered this time?"

Why do the demonkin keep appearing in this world?

Gods and devils.

I had to uncover the truth behind those two.