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The Villainous Noble Who Kept Rewinding After Death: The Story Somehow Changed When I Committed Suicide

Chapter 264: Hero

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“Phew. That felt pretty good.”

I stared at the fading white stag lying before me, soaking in the aftereffects of the earlier battle.

“It’s rare for a monster to go all-out with desperate attacks at the end like that.”

“Yeah. That was probably the role assigned to this creature.”

The monster we had just defeated was called the White Elafie, said to correspond to an A Rank in terms of classification.

The reason I said “said to be” is that this monster only inhabits specific locations on the surface, and despite being a monster, it has a special hunting prohibition against it.

“However, I thought the White Elafie was prohibited from being hunted in the Holy Land; wasn’t it okay for us to defeat it?”

“Well, since it came from a dungeon, there’s nothing to be done about it. Besides, I think the people of the Holy Land are probably turning a blind eye to what happens here.”

“Why is that?”

“Because the hero wielding the holy sword is more critical than a sacred monster. If a hero, who was supposed to be born prioritizing the monsters, misses that opportunity, it would be a significant loss for the country. Monsters may take time to increase, even if wiped out, but the timing of a hero’s birth is uncertain.”

“I see. Considering that no heroes have been born for the last 2000 years, it’s even more important to prioritize the heroes, right?”

“Exactly.”

While the White Elafie is indeed revered as a sacred monster, its importance and rarity are lower than that of a hero, hence it naturally falls in priority.

Moreover, the Holy Land, which sent the Saintess to the Empire as soon as a hero was born in a past world, must know about the selection of heroes, so they are undoubtedly tacitly allowing it.

“Eir. Look over there.”

“Ah. It seems we’ve finally made it through the forest.”

Rick picked up a white magic stone from the ground, pointing deeper into the forest.

From that direction, a dazzling white light shone in, announcing the end of the forest.

Walking towards the source of the light, we broke through the trees to find a vast lawn with a solemn white temple, and nearby were students dressed in uniforms similar to ours.

“There are more than usual.”

“Did you say something?”

“Nothing important. Let’s go.”

I had been enjoying the rare, proper battle and was walking slowly, but it seemed we were the last group to arrive at this place, as Fiera and the others noticed us and approached.

“El. You were late.”

“Well, I took my time. I was enjoying the fight against the monsters, so I didn’t feel like rushing. Was everything alright on your end?”

“Yeah. As instructed, I made sure not to hurt Silfa.”

“I see.”

As Fiera said that, she wagged her tail, wanting praise, so I gave her a light pat on the head and glanced around again, making eye contact with other students and adventurers watching us.

“There are 18 students and 9 adventurers.”

Including us, there are 18 students and 9 adventurers here, and just to be sure, I used detection magic to see if there were any other humans in the forest, but it appeared we were indeed the last arrivals.

“Looks like Ride and the others aren’t here.”

“Yeah. When we arrived, that group was the only one here.”

Where Fiera was looking, Shudo was glaring at us along with other students from different classes, and in turn, Fiera glared back at him, seemingly on guard.

Normally, Ride’s group should’ve arrived here as well, and the others surrounding Shudo shouldn’t be there.

However, after the hierarchy battle with Fiera, it seems Ride, who hadn’t used his magic sword, was taken out by a monster somewhere, while Shudo, who lost his magic organ, managed to reach the temple by cooperating with the other groups.

(The outcome has changed, huh? The question now is whether the magic-less Shudo will be chosen as the hero with the holy sword.)

While I pondered that, the temple emitted a dazzling light, and then white rays descended from the shining sun above.

“It has begun.”

That light was so beautiful and mysterious, reminiscent of a divine descent, and while everyone was captivated by the sight, I finally felt the long-awaited moment had arrived.

“Everyone, you’ve made it here well.”

As the light faded, a androgynous man stood at the center of the temple, adorned with golden hair, green eyes, and what looked like either white cloth or clothing.

“Are you… an angel?”

“Yes, I am Seraph Lucifer. I am what you call an angel.”

Angel.

They are the messengers of God, otherworldly beings living in a place known as the heavenly realm.

As God’s emissaries, they continuously manage and monitor the world, sometimes passing judgment when called upon by people, existing as extraordinary beings.

That is what an angel is.

“What business do you have, angel?”

When someone asked, Lucifer slowly walked over to a sword embedded in the altar.

“This is the holy sword Klyufel, also known as the Radiant Sword Klyufel. It is a sword that governs the sun. I want you to touch this sword and have the chosen one become the hero.”

“A hero?”

“Yes. A hero is the symbol of the world. They guide the world and make it better. I wish for you to cut down evil, spread good, and bring peace to this world.”

Lucifer stated this with a monotone voice and an expression devoid of emotion, but those listening began to show expressions of excitement and determination, as if receiving a divine revelation, including Shudo, who seemed to make a firm decision.

“How can one be chosen by the holy sword?”

“It’s not difficult. Just one by one, step up to the temple and touch the holy sword. Then, the sword will choose the worthy from among you.”

“So, if the holy sword chooses, does that mean it has a consciousness?”

“Yes. Unlike other magic swords, this holy sword has its own will. It chooses the worthy one based on the touch of their souls, futures, wavelengths, will, and various other factors.”

“What happens if one isn’t chosen by the holy sword?”

“Nothing changes. That person’s right to challenge disappears, and once everything ends, all will be expelled from this area together.”

“I understand.”

“Then, please, step forward one by one.”

As Lucifer said this, the closest student approached the steps of the temple, standing before the altar, cautiously reaching for the hilt of the holy sword.

“Hmm. It seems it’s not you. Next!”

However, there was no particular reaction, and as that student descended from the temple, another student took their place to touch the holy sword.

As students and adventurers continued to challenge the holy sword, we watched from a distance.

“Are you going to try, Eir?”

“I’m not going to. I have no interest in a holy sword.”

“Yeah, I figured.”

“What about you, Rick?”

“I’m fine too, honestly.”

“Really? With the holy sword, you might become even stronger?”

“Hmm. That’s not the kind of strength I’m looking for. I want to grow stronger through skill and effort without relying on weapons, like you guys.”

“I see.”

Rick said this, looking over at the temple just like me, so I understood that his words were sincere.

“Fiera, are you going to try? You might just get in.”

“I don’t need it. To me, the holy sword is worthless. The only use I’d have for it is to throw it away.”

“Haha. That’s true. It doesn’t fit your fighting style at all.”

I couldn’t help but laugh at Fiera’s merciless comment, but it was indeed true that her strength lies in unarmed combat, making the unused holy sword nothing but a hindrance.

Others, like Iris and Shuvina, also specialize in magic and ranged combat, so the holy sword isn’t necessary for them either.

“Then, you there, the brown-haired youth. Step forward.”

“Yes.”

As the challenges continued for everyone except us, Shudo was finally called out.

“Haah…”

Shudo let out a brief sigh and touched the holy sword with a strong, determined expression, and as if reacting to his will, the sword glowed brilliantly, slowly pulling away as he moved his arm.

“Ooh. Finally…”

Lucifer, as if watching the birth of a hero for the first time, murmured with emotion in his voice, a stark contrast to before, revealing the glowing blade of the holy sword.

“It’s drawn…”

“I announce that here, a hero has been born.”

With Lucifer’s declaration, most of those present applauded and cheered, and in answer, white magic power exploded from both the holy sword and Shudo himself.

Those who touched that magic power seemed to be possessed as they cheered even louder, praising Shudo, calling him the hero.

(I see. So that guy is bound to be chosen as the hero, no matter what.)

In the midst of all this, I calmly recalled the scene I had just witnessed, reconfirming that Shudo is indeed the protagonist of this world.

In truth, before Shudo touched the holy sword, I felt magic power flowing from the sword into Shudo’s body, reconstructing the magic organ I had previously stripped from him.

The holy sword possesses a second ability of automatic recovery, which allows it to heal any injury or disease instantly based on the magic of either the sword or its owner. It appeared that this time, it used the sword’s magic for restoration.

Well, since I had somewhat anticipated this outcome, I wasn’t particularly surprised or amused by the fact that Shudo’s magic organ had regenerated or that he had been chosen as the hero once more.

What rather intrigued me was the fact that Fiera appeared completely unaffected by Shudo’s magic, so I turned toward her to inquire.

“Fiera. Are you okay?”

“Hm? What do you mean?”

When Shudo’s magic overflowed, it naturally reached us, but Iris seemed unfazed, possibly due to what happened in Saramāju, and Sephiria also exhibited no noticeable change.

Meanwhile, Sonia and Shuvina showed slight grimaces, but their high levels of magic power and density allowed them to resist it, causing them to glare at Shudo as though they were looking at something disgusting.

However, Rick and the others lacked the requisite magic power and density to resist Shudo’s, so I was currently using my magic to shield them.

Yet, Fiera, despite having neither high magic power nor density, stood discreetly beside me, unaffected by Shudo’s magic as if nothing was wrong.

(There’s definitely something up with Fiera.)

When Orients had interfered using her body before, it was the same, and there’s no doubt she harbors some kind of secret.

Whether this is good or bad for me, I’m unsure, but just having an interesting presence nearby makes this world feel a bit more enjoyable.

“Now then. With the hero chosen, shall I finally do what I wanted?”

“What did you want to do?”

“Yeah. There’s no way I’d join this exercise without any fun whatsoever, right?”

“I thought so. Can I go too?”

“Unfortunately, you’ll have to let me take the lead this time. You’ll keep watch here.”

“Alright.”

I said that to Fiera and turned my gaze back to the temple, grinning with excitement, and slowly began walking toward my target.

 

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