Inheriting the Novel

Chapter 44 : Return (1)

Return (1)

With Riya's sudden appearance, Charles alternated his gaze between me and Riya, his face turning white.

"I—I have some business to attend to... I'm so, so sorry!"

"Oh my, I wonder what's so urgent."

Riya seemed amused as she watched Charles, whose noble poise had disappeared in a flash.

Of course, only her lips were smiling. Her eyes, cold and unreadable, foretold what fate awaited Charles.

"Thank you for all the help you gave me back then, Your Highness."

Riya, who had been staring in Charles's direction, slowly turned to me.

"No, I was only doing my duty. And in the end, it all benefited the empire, so I should be the one thanking you."

As Riya tried to lower her waist in a bow, I hurriedly stopped her. I had no intention of repeating what happened at the previous banquet.

"More importantly, I was surprised by the recent policy on the Demihumans. Why did you...?"

"Ah, that's because of Edward Williams."

"Edward Williams? Why him...?"

The policy on the Demihumans, announced during the Founding Festival, had caused quite a stir.

Outwardly, everyone praised the "merciful princess", but internally, there was bound to be talk about how pointless it was.

"As soon as I heard that name, I began an investigation. It seems he is a human with goblin blood. He suffered severe persecution when he was young."

Riya succinctly explained the information she'd gathered.

Why Edward had lived such a life, and how the calamity awakened him.

'If I'd known that and fought him, it would have left a bitter taste in my mouth.'

That wasn't even mentioned in the profile.

The author of the original story... my father, in other words, must not have planned such details.

'The profile doesn't reveal everything.'

On reflection, it made sense.

My father had written this world, but that didn't mean he had constructed every last detail.

He couldn't possibly have embodied each person's entire life.

"Ironically, the ones most harmed by what he did were the impoverished and the Demihumans in the slums... In any case, I felt the need to make sure something like this never happens again."

"I understand. Edward's case was certainly unexpected... But even knowing, it probably wouldn't have changed much."

After all, the fact that he was a mass murderer trying to kill countless people didn't change.

In the end, the result would have been the same.

"Hoho, as expected of the 'Golden Hero'."

"Oh, please."

I covered my face at the epithet Riya spoke with a bright smile.

"I'm not saying I hate the title so many people have given me... It's just a little embarrassing."

"Oh my."

Seeing that gentle smile, I was certain she knew exactly how I felt.

Somehow, my discomfort seemed amusing to her, and she even gave one of her rare eye smiles.

"By the way, are you keeping Genova safe? I heard there was some commotion."

"Yes, well. People tried holding it once, then gave up. I've left it in my bedroom for now, but I can summon it anytime if you want."

Since Genova inflicts terrible pain on anyone who isn't its master, that was to be expected.

Of course, I didn't feel pain from it anymore.

Obstinate as it was, it must have acknowledged me as its master after I passed the test.

'The issue is, while I can use it normally now, I still have to use the Eye of Insight every time I release its seal.'

Genova, under normal circumstances, is simply a razor-sharp sword that cannot be broken.

Only by breaking its seal and unleashing its true power can it exhibit the might of the Seven Swords Under Heaven.

Fabian seemed able to release the seal freely using his powers, but for me, I couldn't do it without the Eye of Insight.

'Isn't there something I can do about the Eye of Insight? It puts too much strain on my body.'

[That's only natural—you're forcing yourself to use power that exceeds your limits.]

Well, there was nothing I could say to that.

"Ah, Your Highness. There's something I'd like to ask regarding Genova. The Emperor said something about it..."

"His Majesty?"

"Yes. Since there seem to be many after Genova, I once asked for his opinion..."

The Sword Genova.

It's become famous thanks to the Founding Festival, and surely among those who heard the rumors, some must already have their eyes on it.

After all, there was some trouble even here.

"The Emperor said there was no need to worry too much. I was wondering if you knew why."

"Ah."

Only then did Riya seem to understand, her lips curving into a slight smile.

"That's because..."

Clatter!

Just then, the banquet hall doors swung open and a silver-haired handsome man entered.

With a calm and sharp gaze, he scanned the hall and strode straight toward me.

"Gasp! S-Sir Sylvest!"

Ian Sylvest, the hero of the final round who was reduced to a supporting role by an unexpected turn of events.

It must have been a humiliating situation for him.

No wonder the nobles regarded him with tense eyes.

[Wait, is he about to challenge you to a duel? You never got to see the match through in the final.]

'No way, surely not.'

Besides, right next to me stood Princess Riya.

He wouldn't do anything so reckless, even if it was him.

"Ah, Your Highness, you're here as well. Please forgive me for not greeting you earlier."

"No problem, sir Sylvest."

Ian, now right before me, belatedly noticed Riya and hastily bowed.

Riya gazed at him for a moment, then turned away.

"It seems Sir Sylvest has something to say, so I'll take my leave."

"Your Highness?"

"I'll see you next time, Clay."

No, she can't just leave without finishing her explanation!

I looked at her in protest, but as always, she left with a bright smile.

That smile matched the one Emperor Gideon showed when I requested audience regarding Genova.

"Count Clay Vanhart."

Ian fixed a calm gaze on me.

I grew inwardly tense, wondering what he would say.

'Is he really here to fight, as Grancesia suggested?'

He had said he looked forward to the final, so he must feel regret.

But what Ian said was wholly unexpected.

"The final match was my defeat."

"... Pardon?"

"I watched you and that monster fight from the closest seat."

"You were there?"

It was true that Ian was already on the field.

But I couldn't remember what happened to him. I vaguely remembered him jumping down from the arena during the chaos...

"I hid in a spot away from the action, knowing I wouldn't be any help."

"You were hiding...?"

"It's only natural to hide if you can't help."

Well, I suppose.

This guy was more discerning than I thought. If he'd recklessly charged at Edward in that situation, things would have gotten much more complicated.

[More than discernment, he's kind of strange! Is he just simple-minded? Seems like he just distinguishes who's fightable and who's not.]

'No way...'

I glanced at Ian, thinking it couldn't be true, but for some reason, his cold face now looked rather vacant.

Does a lack of expression mean a lack of thought?

"I ran away from that battle with the monster. So the one who defeated it— you— is the true winner of the tournament."

After saying this, he abruptly turned away.

"Well, then."

He said what he wanted and disappeared in an instant.

I stood staring blankly after him, when at some point, Zelbin came up behind me, voice full of excitement.

"As expected of Count Clay! To defeat Sir Sylvest! Truly, the Golden Hero!"

"Ugh."

At those words, my body involuntarily flinched.

Zelbin seemed thrilled by the hero's title, but the same couldn't be said for me.

Before he could say more, I whispered,

"Zelbin, I'm not great enough to be called a hero."

"Oh... Well, if you say so, I understand."

Zelbin murmured as if genuinely disappointed.

Watching him, and the other representatives from the Kingdom of Talua behind him, I thought,

Their gazes toward me were now the complete opposite of before.

'I'll have to ask Riya for a favor...'

I'd already planned to request something from her regarding the rumors about Genova, but now I'd have to include the nickname as well.

If left alone, that nickname would likely spread across the entire kingdom in no time.

* * *

The final day of the Founding Festival.

The Emperor praised me loudly before the gathered representatives of every country.

"To Clay Vanhart of the Kingdom of Talua, I bestow an honorary count-ship equivalent to that of the empire!"

It was a truly exceptional reward.

The gold and silver treasures that came with it were nothing compared to the honorary title.

Of course, the name of the Kingdom of Talua had also been greatly elevated.

"Count Vanhart, are you sure you don't want to return with us to Shioten?"

At the Magic Tower, where we gathered to return to Talua, Count Ribina asked, regret in his voice.

The other companions all seemed equally reluctant to part with me.

"It's a shame that the main protagonist is leaving the group,"

Alex said, and others nodded in agreement.

But there was nothing to be done.

"Count Ribina, you know what would happen if I returned to the capital."

"Mm, indeed. You're very shrewd."

I'd surely be welcomed, but that was all.

There was nothing to gain. On the contrary, suddenly surging into the center of power would invite endless checks and scrutiny.

That's why I planned to part ways here and go straight to the Vanhart territory, using the magic array at the Magic Tower.

'I've left the estate unattended for too long anyway.'

If I went to the capital now, I wouldn't be able to return for a month or two.

They'd surely wring every bit of political use out of my presence.

Of course, I could leverage this event to gain even more, but that didn't mean it had to happen in Shioten.

"I thought you'd do great things, but I never imagined you'd pull this off,"

Count Ribina said, looking at me fondly and chuckling warmly.

"I was just lucky."

"Luck! Don't say that—I couldn't do anything in this affair. The Seven Heroes of the Continent indeed, huh..."

The bitter smile on his lips showed that he meant every word.

But that was only because the calamity of disease and demons that was Edward had unique characteristics.

At the coliseum, not only Count Ribina, but also Emperor Gideon, another of the Seven Heroes, and Riya, who had awakened the power of the dragon, had been present.

Yet, there was no way to kill Edward.

Emperor Gideon and Riya took turns restraining him, but even then, with so many casualties, he might have escaped.

[Come to think of it, you always end up fighting people with a favorable match-up, don't you?]

'Not with Riya, but... generally, yes.'

Against the demonkin, Divine Blood gave me the edge, and with Edward, none of his powers worked on me.

"Genova... that's your sword, right?"

"Yes."

"Have you heard any stories about that sword?"

Count Ribina sounded me out, but I shook my head.

"Even Emperor Gideon seemed to have no idea."

"I see, I understand."

He looked a little disappointed.

But I had no intention of revealing anything about Genova's true nature—not even if others couldn't wield it.

When it came to information, less is always better.

'The Emperor seemed to know something, though.'

How many know the truth of the Seven Swords Under Heaven?

Judging by the Emperor's attitude, the current owners likely know about their swords.

"In any case, I leave the rest to you. From here on..."

"All right. It's a pity, but it can't be helped. I'll explain everything to His Majesty, so don't worry."

"Thank you."

With Count Ribina's farewell, I slowly turned away. The magic array for the capital and the one for a tower near my estate were in completely different places.

'Nothing's going to happen after all, huh.'

As I thought about leaving the empire, something felt off.

[What's wrong? Are you disappointed?]

It was just... I thought Riya might try to stop me, but she let me go without any fuss.

'Of course not. But it was all too easy.'

[I told you not to worry from the start. She wouldn't try to stop you.]

Grancesia let out an oddly unpleasant chuckle as she said this.

'Well, I suppose it all worked out in the end...'

As I prepared to leave the empire for the last time, I recalled my conversation with Riya.