Inheriting the Novel

Chapter 36 : Reunion with the Imperial Princess (4)

Reunion with the Imperial Princess (4)

Anyway, it was clear that Riya had a liking for me.

I was still unsure what kind of affection it was, but at least it wasn't a bad thing for me.

It was just a bit burdensome.

"... Calamity?"

I explained to Riya about the incident that would soon occur in the imperial capital.

It was only natural that she looked puzzled.

"Yes. According to Priest Michelle, that's what will happen."

Of course, I didn't explain it recklessly.

When I was explaining this incident, I relied on Michelle's name for more than half of it, and for the rest, I banked on the saint's relic that was on my finger.

I told her that the Eye of Shimosha, the relic of the saint, would warn me if a calamity approached.

"I see... Is that so."

She gazed at me with a strange smile.

"So that's why you helped me back then?"

"Hm?"

"When we met at the mountain range, I was the calamity you were talking about, wasn't I?"

I couldn't help but flinch for a moment. I hadn't expected Riya to bring up that incident.

Even more surprising was that she knew she was the 'calamity'.

'I did think she believed it too easily.'

Is that something one comes to know when becoming a calamity?

I wouldn't know, since I've never become one.

"... That was certainly one of the reasons."

"Is there another reason?"

"You helped me during the New Year Festival, remember? I wanted to repay that debt."

At my words, Riya's smiling face stiffened just a little. Her eyes opened wide, and she looked a bit flustered.

"I didn't know you remembered that..."

"How could I ever forget? That was a truly unforgettable moment for me."

It was the first time I realized that Princess Riya Asktalin of the empire was a special existence.

It was the day I learned that there were such extraordinary people in the world.

Surely, it must have been one of the most memorable events in my life.

"Th-that wasn't in the reports I read..."

For the first time, Riya looked flustered and backed her body away from me, after having leaned in so close.

She then subtly turned her head and covered her face with both hands.

"What's wrong?"

"Ah, no. It's nothing. I just realized how arrogant I've been. I guess it's not so easy to completely control your emotions as your own."

Riya patted her own cheeks with her palms, then gave a small cough.

"Anyway, it's fine. Clay, you want to capture the being called the calamity that's about to strike the capital, right?"

"That's right. So, I need your help."

"The doctor wearing the goblin mask... Was that it?"

"I'm pretty sure. For now, please find someone who matches that appearance."

According to Monet's profile, that doctor was the very calamity of disease and demons.

If we start searching now, perhaps it could be resolved before the incident grows too big.

"Finding them won't be difficult. But do you have any other information?"

"Other information?"

"Even if we find them, if that person is truly the calamity, it won't be easy to capture them."

At her words, I momentarily had nothing to say.

An incurable contagious disease.

I realized that I'd been overlooking some things, blinded by that absurd fact.

I'd been thinking of the calamity of disease and demons, which would strike Draig, as being itself a calamity with the strength to destroy the world.

'I was thinking way too simply.'

But that was a hasty judgment.

In the synopsis, Michelle called the calamity of disease and demons not the plague itself, but "the one who spread the disease".

In other words, it wouldn't be strange if that person actually possessed some kind of power capable of destroying the world.

"Dragons are strong, sure. But could a single dragon really destroy the entire world?"

A dragon is both the king of monsters, possessing world-shattering strength, and is also called the guardian of the earth.

But as she said, if you really asked whether a single dragon could destroy the world, the answer would be no.

Riya glanced at the broken horn hanging at her hip, then continued speaking.

"When I almost became a calamity, I felt as if something inside me was awakening."

"Not dragon transformation?"

"Yes. It was definitely distinct from dragon transformation. When one awakens as a calamity, they must bloom with some kind of special power. The first calamity surely gained that power."

It was her story as someone who was set up to be the calamity of the dragon, so I couldn't dismiss her words.

Most likely, what she said was true.

'But even if Fabian is strong... did he really defeat that calamity alone, when he didn't even have any companions back then?'

Fabian's first companion, Ian Sylvest, joins him only after the calamity of disease and demons has been resolved. Meaning, the calamity of disease and demons was overcome purely with Fabian's own strength.

I simply couldn't believe it.

Although it was incomplete, I had fought face-to-face against a calamity, so I could be certain.

To defeat a calamity with one's own strength alone, without any special help, was impossible.

'I must have missed something for sure.'

I slowly recalled every piece of the synopsis.

I carefully examined even the lines I had overlooked, comparing them to the current situation.

'There it is.'

[Chapters 66~75, "Imperial Tournament".]

An episode that unfolds as Fabian participates in the imperial tournament.

And there was a single line I'd missed, right there.

* * *

The imperial tournament lasted a total of seven days.

Three days each for the preliminaries and the main rounds, then the final on the last day.

'I'm going to get so much attention, huh.'

Sitting in the waiting room before the preliminaries, my face stung from all the glances.

[Of course—who wouldn't stare after what you pulled at the banquet hall?]

'Well, true.'

Half of the gazes directed at me were suspicious, the other half fearful.

Those who were observant must have realized that my attacks were different from those of an ordinary Swordmaster.

There were even some who wanted to fight me, noticing that much.

'Well, anyway...'

I glanced out at the stadium through the waiting room.

I could see the knights fiercely battling.

'That's it, definitely.'

But that wasn't what I was looking at.

It was the statue standing in one corner of the empire's proud coliseum.

The statue of Raivan Asktalin, the founding emperor of the Asktalin Empire.

'It's too far—can't see well from here.'

I'd have to check it closely when I got into the arena. Once I confirmed that, I'd have a complete picture.

"Clay Vanhart, Count Clay Vanhart of the Kingdom of Talua? The preliminaries are about to begin; please enter the arena!"

Fortunately, it was almost my turn.

After casually warming up, I stepped outside and took in the full sight of the vast coliseum.

The packed seats and the deafening cheers made my ears buzz.

[Even for the preliminaries, the size of the audience is incredible.]

'I heard the imperial tournament was huge, but this is beyond what I imagined.'

I finally understood the saying "a person has to play in big waters."

Not only was the coliseum itself gigantic, but the energy of the packed spectators was overwhelming.

"Count Vanhart, please stand here."

Following a knight's instructions, I stood at my designated spot. On the other side, my presumed opponent was walking in.

"This is lucky."

The man facing me spoke as soon as he saw me, apparently knowing about me.

'Well, after that commotion, who wouldn't know?'

I smirked and checked his profile.

'A mercenary from the Kingdom of Eintban.'

Usually, the representatives for each country in the imperial tournament were illustrious nobles from respected families, but sometimes mercenaries hired by the state would be chosen, just like now.

Because it was a contest of strength between nations, victory took priority.

"You may have fooled everyone else, but not me. I've seen through tricks a hundred times."

He certainly had sharp eyes, as befits a veteran mercenary.

He seemed a bit talkative, though.

"You are not a Swordmaster. I'll prove it right here!"

As soon as the bell signaling the start of the match rang, the man valiantly charged at me.

He attacked before I could even draw my sword.

"Oooooh!"

The spectators roared as he charged in at tremendous speed.

He clearly intended to settle things in one swift blow, but he miscalculated.

I was quite confident when it came to finishing things quickly.

KWAANG!

A thunderous boom echoed through the arena.

With a single technique, I unleashed the Second Half of the Hidden Star Sword, First Technique: New Star.

"Uh..."

The cheering crowd went silent in an instant.

The mercenary from Eintban had swung first, but my sword reached his neck before he could even react.

"Im-impossible! When did you even draw your—"

"I didn't draw it."

I gave him a faint smile and corrected him.

"I shot it."

The scabbard is the barrel, and the blade is the bullet.

Accelerating magic power and letting the blade fly as a bullet to strike the target—that is the essence of this sword technique, New Star.

"W-winner, Clay Vanhart!"

Clack.

At the judge's proclamation, I slowly sheathed my sword.

Only then did cheers erupt once more, filling the coliseum.

'Alright, then...'

Feigning a bow to the cheering audience, I made a deliberate lap around the arena, staring intently at the statue I had been watching earlier.

'Yes, this is it.'

Sometimes I forget.

That this world was once a novel my father wrote.

And also, that the title of that novel was "Sound of the Sword".

The "Sword" was another main character of this novel.

"Sword of Man Genova."

That was one of the Seven Swords Under Heaven, which I'd seen in King Leogart's profile.

It was the main character's, Fabian's, first sword of the seven.

* * *

"Teacher, teacher!"

A boy burst through the old door, having to share what he had just seen as quickly as possible.

"John, what is it?"

A man emerged from the dark room.

He was none other than Edward, the black-robed doctor whom Monet had met.

'Uh, huh?'

John rubbed his eyes as he saw him. For a moment, it felt like Edward's figure was flickering.

"John?"

"Ah!"

John quickly pulled himself together and shouted.

"I heard the Founding Festival will be held!"

"Founding Festival? Of course, I heard."

At the boy's words, Edward put the book he had been holding onto the table.

"I was thinking of going, actually."

"Really?!"

Edward's positive answer brightened John's face.

For children in the slums, attending events like the imperial tournament was impossible unless it was with Edward.

"Since it's the Founding Festival, your teacher will have a present for you."

"Wow! Thank you!"

What Edward held out was a piece of reddish candy.

Candy was a luxury treat. For children from the slums, it was something they might never even taste in their lives, so John's reaction was only natural.

"And these ones are for the other kids."

"Gasp!"

Edward handed John a bundle filled with variously colored candies.

John was surprised by the weight.

With this many, not only could the slum kids eat, but they could sell it and make a good profit too.

Perhaps reading his mind, Edward patted John's head and spoke.

"You can sell them and buy delicious food, too, of course."

"R-really? B-but candy is expensive..."

"Your teacher has plenty more, so it's fine. If you eat it or sell it all, just come see me anytime. I'll give you more."

"T-then... Thank you very much!"

John bowed deeply, then turned and ran off.

Edward silently watched John's retreating figure as he excitedly ran off with the bundle of candy.