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Chapter: 257

“So, if I’m the Dragon Priestess, shouldn’t you be the Hero, big brother? Why did they give you a different sword instead of the Hero’s sword?”

“Hmm? The Hero’s sword?”

“Yeah! If I’m the Dragon Priestess, of course, you’re the Hero! I thought when the Master made me the Dragon Priestess, you would become the Hero!”

Seeing my little sister Bibby whining like that, I couldn’t help but chuckle.

“You should call them Gaia, not Master.”

“Oh shoot. I’ve called them Master for years, so it’s hard to drop it.”

“That’s what getting used to means.”

Changing something you’ve grown accustomed to isn’t easy.

“Besides, the reason your brother isn’t a Hero is… well, I can only say it’s because there’s no need for a Hero.”

“A job that needs a Hero…”

I patted Bibby’s head as she fell deep in thought.

“A Hero is someone who acts for humanity. They should only have pure intentions aimed at helping people.”

“Hmm… Are you saying that restoring your brother’s throne goes against that pure intention?”

“Not quite. Arthur regaining his lost throne is a matter between humans. There shouldn’t be any place for the Hero’s sword in human squabbles.”

If the evil was caused by something other than humans, the story would be different. But as for the current emperor… Arthur’s uncle, he shows no signs of that.

After all, it was just a human lusting after power.

So there was no reason for the Hero’s sword to get involved.

“I see… Got it! Can I ask another question?”

“Another question?”

“Yeah. I can tell the sword you got for your brother isn’t a regular item just by looking at it! It’s probably something that can’t be made with human power!”

Not to mention, it’s something even dwarves would have a hard time making. The dwarves’ forging skills are still only up to the iron age.

It’ll take a long time for them to even develop enough to work with mithril or adamantium.

“So, which is stronger? The sword given to your brother or the Hero’s sword?”

“Hmm?”

Which is stronger? Well… Hmm…

I haven’t clashed blades with either directly, but… I think the Hero’s sword, Chloive Solais, might have a slight edge, right?

Oh no, maybe not. The Dainsleif has the function to create magical blades… Now that complicates things.

Before transformation, Chloive Solais is a greatsword, and Dainsleif only has the pure magical blade function without transformation features.

It’s hard to compare as they feel like they’re in different categories.

If it’s against monsters, Chloive Solais. If it’s against humans, maybe Dainsleif?

That’s a given since their crafted purposes are different.

“The Hero’s sword is a weapon meant to face human foes, so it’s tricky to compare.”

“Is that so? I really wish your sword was the stronger one!”

“It’ll be better for fighting people.”

Since the magical blade can slice through most shields and armors like paper.

“What are you two chatting about?”

Arthur, who had been walking ahead on the forest path, crept closer.

“Oh, nothing. Just some unimportant stuff!”

“Right. Just some unimportant chatter.”

It was indeed a minor topic!

More importantly…

“Bibby, are you really not considering joining the Church of Life?”

“Yeah. Entering the Church of Life can wait until after your work is done. Right now, helping you is more important!”

Hmm… She’s really determined. The kids in the Church of Life are constantly asking when the Dragon Priestess will show up.

Even though she’s seen them a few times while in the forest, they keep pestering.

“They’re nice folks, but right now, you’re more important! I think they’ll understand!”

Hmm. Unfortunately, it seems like the Dragon Priestess will need a little more time before joining the Church of Life.

As we continued our conversation and walked, a dazzling light came into view before us.

The deep forest where even a handful of sunshine couldn’t penetrate ended, revealing the outside world.

From here on out begins the story of the two kids.

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

The following story is about a journey to gather allies for Arthur, traveling around Romania.

First headed to the city of Betelgeuse, where elves and dwarves participate in a racial tournament held every ten years.

The main reason we came here… is that the ten-year racial tournament is about to start.

Initially, the whole idea of sending Arthur and Bibby out of the forest was because the tournament was approaching. If we timed it right, we could easily connect with other races.

In a way, you could say it’s asking for external help, but it’s the most straightforward choice Arthur has right now.

It’s better to rely on the power of other outside races, where the emperor’s influence is weaker, than on the lords loyal to the emperor.

Of course, Arthur can’t just borrow power because he was the child of the former emperor.

So…

“Human swordsman Arthur’s victory! That makes it ten wins in a row! What skill!”

Having defeated a dwarf warrior, Arthur raised his sword high, and cheers erupted from the spectator seats.

“Big brother, you’re the best!!!!”

The loudest cheer came from Bibby, but…

Before the start of the Elf-Dwarf tournament, Arthur’s impressive performance in the arena, which was held daily, was quite remarkable.

“Everything is going smoothly.”

“I can’t believe your skill is this great! I had no idea since you were always getting beaten by those training dummies!”

Well, considering who those training dummies’ fighting skills came from, it’s understandable.

Still, thanks to consistent effort, by a few months before exiting the forest, I could fight without fainting, even if I didn’t win.

No average warrior could take on Arthur.

Thus, Arthur’s winning streak continued.

To keep going until they show interest in him.

Until the distinguished elves and dwarves approach him.

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

The stories following weren’t particularly complicated.

It was just hard to catch attention; once attention was drawn, it was all up to us.

Arthur couldn’t participate in the tournament as a human against elves and dwarves, but he was able to help those involved.

Arthur fought as a sparring partner for participants sent by the dignitaries of elves and dwarves.

By building a little relationship with the upper echelons of dwarves and elves, after the tied battle and the elves’ victory in the tournament, Arthur disclosed his identity to the elite of both races.

The child of the former emperor. Arthur’s story about being robbed of the throne. Asking them to support him.

Arthur pledged to further strengthen exchanges with both sides after reclaiming the imperial seat.

Adding in Bibby, the Dragon Priestess, would make the deal quite appealing from the perspectives of the elves and dwarves.

Who really cares who the emperor is; just the promise of benefits in exchange for their support would be hard to refuse!

Of course, the elves and dwarves were, in the end, external forces. Direct support from them could provoke dissatisfaction from those who saw it as outside interference, making it impossible. Still…

The very fact that they could receive support was already worthwhile enough.

In that process, the dwarf warrior and elf swordsman, who became deeply fascinated by Arthur’s skill, decided to join as companions, but… well, that’s not too important.

So, with the backing of both races and newfound allies, we traveled around Romania, gathering stories.

A volume great enough to fill about ten books. Stories of travel and adventure.

Tales of rescuing suffering commoners. Stories of punishing those whose greed caused others to suffer.

The miraculous tales of the Dragon Priestess showing miracles to those starving in famine. A savior story that healed villages afflicted by plagues in a single miraculous sweep.

Tales of defeating ferocious monsters and increasing companions. Stories of growing influence regardless of race.

Chasing away monsters blocking the roads, securing trade routes, and gaining lizardmen and mages as companions. Through those companions, we also received support from other races and mages.

These narratives intertwined and expanded, eventually spreading throughout Romania.

A story lacking purpose and solid form suddenly gained a clear goal, and I deemed it the right time to spread the rumor.

“The child of the former emperor, chased away by the current one, has returned to save Romania.

To reclaim the throne that was originally his, to retake the position of emperor.

The suffering of all those in Romania is due to the unworthy man who has become emperor.

People of Romania. Welcome a rightful emperor. Correct the twisted fate.”

A hero assisting the common people. A savior alongside the Dragon Priestess. A punisher of sins. And the successor who should have become the emperor.

Arthur’s story drew significant attention, causing rumors to explode.

It seemed the emperor was infuriated by such rumors, but what can be done? You can’t silence everyone spreading the word.

Then, coincidentally, with a famine hitting Romania, the overall atmosphere turned bleak, helping the rumor spread like wildfire.

Of course, a rumor is just a rumor. Lacking a physical form… so very few were willing to support Arthur directly just based on mere rumor.

But the atmosphere had shifted.

By merely raising some doubts among the populace, the rumors were already serving their purpose effectively.

Perhaps, just perhaps, this famine was a result of the current emperor taking away the throne?

Simply causing such suspicion was enough.

As the situation escalated, the emperor sent soldiers to deal with Arthur, who was seen as the source of all rumors. But unfortunately for him, there was someone around who couldn’t be simply dealt with by power or soldiers.

The soldiers devoted to the Goddess of Life couldn’t easily lay hands on the Dragon Priestess. Those soldiers sent to capture Arthur could only let him go like blind men stumbling about.

Even soldiers loyal to the emperor wouldn’t want to offend the Dragon Priestess chosen by the Goddess of Life.

Thus, Arthur and his companions continued to grow their influence, persuading the lords of Romania through words, physical force, or the authority of the Dragon Priestess.

The goal was to gather support from more than half of the lords in Romania. Sufficient support so that issues wouldn’t arise after Arthur reclaimed the imperial seat.

Believing they had gathered enough support, we decided to change our destination.

To the capital of Romania. To Sirius. To the castle where the emperor resides.

 

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