Inheriting the Novel

Chapter 96 : Cause of the Change (2)

Cause of the Change (2)

After wrapping up my conversation with the dwarves, I immediately returned to the village where Riya and the elves were staying.

They looked puzzled to see me come back sooner than expected, but once I explained the situation, their expressions completely changed.

Naturally so.

The calamity that should have died was still alive and had escaped into the forest.

"The calamity of corrosion is still alive?!"

"Yes, that's correct."

"But...! We even sealed the contract with magic!"

To prevent just such an event, Lavantara had been thorough in their preparations, even resorting to magic when signing the contract with the demonkin.

But since the contract hadn't been properly enforced, their anger was only natural.

"A contract sealed with one's life, and yet they didn't keep their end..."

"Judging by the battle marks left behind, I doubt this was intentional."

Seeing the fierce traces of battle still present in the Kezmen Mountains, it was clear that the demonkin had truly tried to take down the calamity of corrosion.

However, they hadn't fully understood the calamity's abilities, nor mastered Sealblade Sylphin's powers, which likely led to this outcome.

'Or maybe they deliberately avoided using it.'

If the demonkin who came to Lavantara were there with the goal of discovering a Seven Swords Under Heaven and transporting it, then perhaps it's more correct to say they chose not to use Sylphin's power.

There can only be one true owner of each sword.

'The one after the Seven Swords Under Heaven must be the Demon King.'

The demonkin I met in Eintban was of the highest, even titled, top-rank among them.

There aren't many who could command a demonkin like that—none but the Demon King himself came to mind.

The demonkin who claimed Sealblade Sylphin would have been tasked with delivering the sword to the Demon King, thus could not actually use its power as its true owner.

'The Demon King, huh.'

My thoughts grew tangled, yet for now, I had to solve the immediate problem in front of me.

"For now, we should focus on what's before us. To resolve this, I'd like permission to meet the king of Lavantara."

When I said this to the village chief who stood dazed, he nodded with a darkened expression.

"Whew, understood. This... is beyond what I can handle on my own."

By now, no doubt, the divided body of that thing would have reunited, but finding it in these vast mountains was too much for just one village.

And more importantly, I was pressed for time—I had to find the calamity of corrosion as quickly as possible.

'While I'm at it, I should check Zervisia's profile.'

Through its profile, I might be able to glean the information I wanted.

* * *

Lavantara's main fortress, carved from a gorge, was truly enormous.

Even the imperial city of the empire paled in comparison, but Lavantara's castle took one's breath away with the overwhelming force of nature it radiated.

Even Riya, who was rarely impressed by anything, seemed genuinely amazed when she saw Lavantara's castle.

"My view of the demi-human race has really changed since coming here. I guess this is why you need lots of experiences in life."

"You're right. People do need to see more of the world."

"If I'd just continued living like a corpse in the imperial city, I would've never known. Really, I'm so glad I met you, Clay."

Riya said this with a bright smile. It was the first time in a while I'd seen her genuinely smile like that.

'It's kind of embarrassing.'

Her overt fondness sometimes felt burdensome, but when she approached me so sincerely, my own heart would heat up in response.

That's probably part of Riya Asktalin's unique charm.

"I've heard the explanation from Elder Eliard. Please come inside."

As we neared the entrance to the castle, an elf in light armor came out to greet us.

[This is the first time I've been here too.]

Grancesia sounded quietly delighted in my head.

'Didn't you say you'd been to the area around the Kezmen Mountains before?'

[Just the area, not the main fortress. Among humans, you're probably the very first to set foot in the heart of Lavantara.]

Hearing this, I realized again how absurd and surreal my current situation really was.

'Come to think of it, there were no records of Fabian ever coming here either...'

Could it be that I'm the only one doing something not even that guy managed?

With that thought, my steps felt oddly lighter.

As the gigantic marble doors opened, a vast hall came into view.

Inside, knights in ordered ranks comprised of elves, dwarves, and beastkin stood at attention; at its far end, upon the throne, sat the king.

The one on the throne was a middle-aged elf.

He seemed a bit young for a king, but considering elves could live nearly a thousand years, that was likely the reason.

'His name... Serbin Lavantara, wasn't it?'

I'd already heard from the chief, but just to be certain, I checked his profile again.

Nothing in particular stood out.

Even in the original story, he had no noteworthy feats—just an ordinary record.

With nothing special even in the special traits section, it seemed he had no connection to Zervisia's incident.

"Are you the owner of the god-sent sword of old?"

"Yes, that's right."

"I never imagined... something like this would occur in my reign."

Despite his appearance, his manner of speech was grave, reminiscent of an elder.

He stared quietly at me with green eyes, then spoke.

"Is it true that the calamity of corrosion still lives?"

"Yes. The dwarves who accompanied me to the ruins saw it too."

"I see. I shouldn't have trusted the demonkin after all."

His face clouded with sorrow, so I quickly spoke up.

"The power of a calamity is more than anyone can handle. I think it was a decision made out of necessity."

"No, it was still our failing. For our own safety, we gave the sword not to its owner, but to the demonkin..."

So saying, king Serbin bowed deeply to me.

For a moment, sounds of murmurs rose from those gathered around, yet no one stepped forward to stop him.

"From now on, Lavantara will do everything in its power to assist you. We have so carelessly lost not just one, but two of the Seven Swords Under Heaven, including the one that was stolen. It is only right we make amends."

It was as if he were begging my pardon.

As members of a long-lived race, the demi-humans understood well the value of the Seven Swords Under Heaven.

"Then, there's one thing I wish to ask. The calamity of corrosion is hiding somewhere in the mountains."

"You want help with the search, I assume."

"Exactly. And more importantly, I'm running out of time. I must find the calamity within two days."

King Serbin nodded decisively at my words.

"Understood. I'll immediately spread your word throughout the nation so all may aid you. From this moment on, Clay Vanhart, you are my deputy and have the authority to command everyone within the kingdom."

It was an incredibly bold offer.

The hall which had only rustled slightly at his earlier apology was now murmuring loudly.

"Father! What are you saying?!"

A sharp voice challenged Serbin—before I noticed, a man had come up close.

'That must be Zervisia.'

Narrowing my eyes, I checked his profile and couldn't help but bite my lip.

'... Just as I thought.'

I'd suspected as much, but confirming it for myself brought a wave of headache.

This whole incident had been off course from the very beginning.

==

〈Zervisia Lavantara〉

Age: 331

Gender: Male

Role in the story: Prince of Lavantara, first owner of the Calamity of Madness (side character)

Abilities: Magic (5th Circle), Spirit Art (low-rank)

Special traits: Prince of Lavantara. In an attempt to earn merit and become king, he invaded the Kingdom of Talua and encountered the calamity of corrosion.

During his escape, he acquired Lightblade Hella and became the first master of the Calamity of Madness.

With the blade's power, he indiscriminately absorbed the vitality of everyone around him, committed mass slaughter, and was eventually killed.

Currently, he works as a slaver in Lavantara, conducting business with Viscount Gwynn.

He amasses wealth by trading information about Talua and taking large bribes.

==

That was Zervisia's profile.

Most of it was as I expected, but it was those last two lines that caught my eye.

'Viscount Gwynn...'

He was one of the nobles who participated in the war against the Kingdom of Kainzel.

In the original story, Talua all but faced destruction in the war with Kainzel.

Viscount Gwynn participated in a raid on Kainzel's rear lines, and surely, he must have died.

But that was just in the original.

Now, thanks to my interference, the Kingdom of Talua had triumphed and Gwynn survived.

'And he became a slaver.'

I don't know if he'd always done that work, but in the end, that's how things turned out.

[So you're telling me all of this happened because that Gwynn guy survived?]

'There are two big reasons. Viscount Gwynn lived, and the Kingdom of Talua's might wasn't weakened.'

In the original, Zervisia had tried to make a name for himself by invading Talua—but now, with history changed and Talua victorious in the war against Kainzel, he was forced to find another way.

And of all things, that method was selling his own kin as slaves.

Knowing these events happened because I changed history left a bitter taste in my mouth.

"It's all just an ancient legend! The Seven Swords Under Heaven? Do you really think those alone can stand against that monster?!"

I stared calmly at the agitated Zervisia and replied.

"Zervisia."

"... What? Did you just call me by name?!"

"Yes, I did."

I straightened my posture and spoke confidently. Zervisia looked at me as if he couldn't believe it.

"Father, do you see this? That insolent human only dares this because you gave him such excessive authority!"

But King Serbin kept his lips sealed even at Zervisia's outburst. It was not simply because he'd given me power equal to his own.

"Do you know a certain Viscount Gwynn?"

"...!"

Zervisia's flushed, angry face went pale at my words.

"Never heard of him. Who are you talking about?"

"You're a lousy actor. The king already knows exactly what you've been up to."

"Wh-What?! I haven't done anything spec—"

"You've been colluding with a slaver."

I spoke loudly enough for all in the hall to hear, and the crowd erupted into an uproar.

The prince of Lavantara, caught colluding with a slaver who kidnaps their own people!

This was no trivial matter.

"I know nothing of the sort!"

"There are witnesses. And by now, Viscount Gwynn is likely locked in a cell, already telling all he knows about you."

"...!"

This was already in King Serbin's ears—after all, the village chief reported it to him first.