Chapter 448
Chapter 448. The True Worth of a Hero
――It seems there is such a thing as divine will.
Arthur thought while glaring at the Demon Lord’s Prince far ahead.
A few hours ago, the SS Thard Arlun had just set sail and was steadily navigating off the coast of Kaemuran.
However, as the ship’s guardian waiting on deck, Arthur couldn’t stop worrying even as the town disappeared from view.
(Was it really fine to leave Alex behind like that?)
He had been furious when he heard of the Imperial Army’s invasion, yet at the parting, Alex had seemed oddly calm.
And in his eyes shone a resolute light.
Arthur had seen that look countless times on the front lines. It was as if… he had made up his mind to jump into the jaws of death like a true hero.
It felt as though he intended to “pull something” off. That ominous feeling had been simmering deep within his chest. But harboring such doubts felt like a betrayal to Alex…
(…Well, worrying about it now won’t change a thing.)
The ship had already set sail. There was no way he could swim back to Kaemuran naked through the dark lake.
There was no point in pondering further—he understood that much.
Yet, unlike usual, he felt unsettled—something was off.
And then—
“――It’s the Kraken!”
When the ship shook, his instinctive reaction was late. Before he could activate the Absolute Defense Sphere, a massive tentacle wrapped around the mast, and the ship jolted violently.
“【Divine Thunder!】”
Fortunately, Bishop Lexar was on board, and the gigantic aquatic magical beast fled in fear from the lightning magic.
But…
“Captain! We’re taking on water in the hull!”
“I managed some emergency repairs, but we can’t hold out long!”
“We’ve got cracks in the mast! It’s a miracle it hasn’t broken yet!”
The Kraken must have been starving. The SS Thard Arlun had suffered significant damage. Thanks to the reinforcements from the Absolute Defense Sphere, it wouldn’t sink immediately, but…
The captain was forced to make a decision. Should they continue to the next port with temporary fixes, or should they turn back to Kaemuran, likely to be overtaken by the Imperial Army?
“…Ugh. No choice, lads, we’re heading back to Kaemuran! Even if that means losing our cargo to the Imperial Army, it’s our lives that matter! Hard to port!”
“Captain… I’m sorry for my delayed reaction…”
“No, no, Arthur, don’t be like that! If it weren’t for you and the bishop, we’d have turned into lake fodder! …I’m oddly getting used to this after the third time, but normally, getting attacked by a Kraken means game over for you, you know???”
The captain chuckled wryly, lamenting the loss of cargo, ship, and life.
And so—somehow, they made it back to Kaemuran, which was in even greater chaos.
The Imperial Army’s cavalry had apparently blasted down the main road and crashed straight into the city gates. The horses had perished, and the rider had been seriously injured and taken captive.
“Why did that happen?”
“Well, word has it, a demon called Zilbagias has stormed the Imperial Army’s main camp! That cavalry reportedly went berserk because their horse was cursed…!”
“What?!”
――The enemy of humanity had emerged.
And it was the rumored Demon Lord’s Prince, Zilbagias!
In that case, the Holy Church had only one option.
“……Let’s go!”
Thus, Arthur and the others left Rujiakka and other non-combatants behind in the city, fully armed, and hurried towards the Imperial Army’s main camp.
(Alex… you might have been right.)
With the Absolute Defense Sphere deployed and the concealment magic broken, Arthur felt the intense gaze of the Demon Lord’s Prince.
If only they had stayed in Kaemuran to stop the Imperial Army as Alex had initially suggested… perhaps they could have responded to the situation sooner.
(Alex, where are you now?)
In their rush to the scene, there had been no time to search for Alex’s whereabouts. Had he also rushed here? Or had he indeed left Kaemuran as declared and was now camping somewhere…?
(How reassuring it would be if you were here.)
Arthur’s left eye, the Sacred Eye, shimmered. He could see the swirling magical power of the Demon Lord’s Prince, Zilbagias. It felt overwhelmingly powerful, like a natural phenomenon—something beyond human control. The air sizzled as if burned.
Yet, Alex was a hero filled with fighting spirit. If he heard about the demon race appearing, he would surely rush in before anyone else.
Even if that opponent was clearly a formidable foe…!
(I wanted to fight with you.)
Now, he needed as many skilled heroes as possible by his side.
But Alex was not there with him.
Thus, any further thoughts were just distractions. Especially before the enemy.
“【Come, Holy Radiance, to my hand!】”
He donned a silver glow.
What he needed to do now was clear.
“――Death to the minions of darkness!!”
He would ensure the defeat of this “enemy of humanity”—that was the only mission——!!
“「【Let There Be Light!!】」”
The priests unleashed the holy magic in unison. Their perfectly coordinated strike collided with the carriage, transforming into a pillar of brilliant light. No matter how high the output, as long as it was aimed at the darkness, there was no fear of friendly fire—this was the greatest strength of holy magic.
In the distance, the Demon Lord’s Prince conjured dark power to easily block the rays of light. But his movement had indeed stopped――!
“【Great Protection!】”
Taking that opportunity, Arthur held up the Holy Sword, which emitted a dazzling silver light. The enchanted protection bathed the knights of the royal guard, who had been cursed and kneeling. The purifying light spread, dispelling the dark power that clung to them.
“――――♪”
Almost simultaneously, the Vampire Hunter forest elf Yesera advanced with a light, dance-like step while singing.
She poured forth magical water from her hands onto the earth, and green shoots sprouted, quickly growing into young trees. Taking a supple trunk, Yesera fashioned a bow and—
“【Heroic Revival――】”
She nocked a water arrow and shot it into the sky.
“【――Rain of Grace on a Parched Land】”
With a resounding splash, the bursting water arrows transformed into shimmering rain, invigorating and emboldening the knights of the royal guard.
“【Brothers! Do not be afraid!】”
And as he dashed between the knights of the royal guard, Arthur shouted.
“【I am Arthur! The Arthur of the Hilburn House! Heir to the blood of the Hero King of Aulitos Lake!】”
He raised the shining Holy Sword high.
“【A sword to defend the innocent and cut down evil! The hero of the Hilburn House stands here!】”
He unleashed a surge of silver magic.
“【In the name of my family, I shall eradicate the enemies of humanity――!】”
The Sacred Eye radiated an overwhelmingly bright light, and Arthur draped himself in divinity, embodying the aura of a hero.
“【Stand up! Warriors of the Human Race!!】”
Standing at the forefront of the royal guard, Arthur inspired them.
“【My strength brings you blessings, and your courage shall become my strength!】”
He gripped the Holy Sword with both hands, facing the Demon Lord’s Prince. The confidence in his stance and the reassuring presence behind him made the royal guards stop trembling, and strength surged into their hands――
“【Rise up! The blessings of the gods of light are with us――!!】”
……A thunderous roar reverberated through the battlefield.
The knights of the royal guard, nay, the soldiers of the Imperial Army, were rising to their feet.
The dome of light from the Absolute Defense Sphere pulsated in response to the people’s battle cry.
Like shooting stars, particles of light rained down upon Arthur, and his presence and magical power exploded exponentially.
――The savior was being completed here.
“【Holy Armor of the Hero!】”
Arthur infused the swelling power into holy magic.
For the knights of the royal guard, for the priests and heroes, and, above all, for Arthur himself.
A radiant armor cloaked him, granting an exceptionally strong protective barrier. His power surged, and his fighting spirit soared――
“――Preposterous!!”
And then, as if dousing that flame with cold water, a foreboding voice echoed.
It was Zilbagias.
“What is this ‘shield for the innocent people’? Those lot are invaders! The very thought of being innocent makes me dizzy! They may be weak like flies, but they are not worth protecting!”
With dark aura billowing, the Demon Lord’s Prince pointed his spear and shouted.
“You! A demon race has no right to say such things!”
Arthur shouted back.
“This is not the time to feude among humans—this is the truth! But that’s why we must resolve this among our own! We owe you no explanation, demon!”
He continued his speech.
“We heroes, priests, and soldiers! Our true worth lies in being the shield and sword of the people! The ‘innocent people’ refers to those humans behind us. We fight for them! We shall slay the demon race, the enemies of humanity, who dare disrupt the peace of the innocent!!”
Arthur glared back at Zilbagias, who loomed over them.
His face obscured by a mask, but the gleaming red eyes and the trembling hand gripping the oddly long spear showed he was driven by some fierce passion.
――Zilbagias.
The Demon Lord’s Prince who invaded and captured the capital city Evaroti.
On the Defthelos front lines, Arthur’s brothers and relatives had become lost to the world.
He had vowed to avenge them without fail.
No matter how powerful the opponent might be.
He would not waver or hesitate anymore.
Because, 【Hero Arthur】 is 【the shield and sword of the people】!!
There was no room for doubt!!
“I will take you down here! Zilbagias!!”
Arthur raised the Holy Sword, brimming with magic power.
“……Very well. You’ve cocked your beak well for a puny human! I shall smash you down and teach you your place!!”
Zilbagias too clad himself in dark magical power, readying his spear.
――Behind them.
The concealment magic was undone.
“【Divine Thunder!!】”
With a colossal bolt of lightning, the Vampire Hunters plunged their blades into the back of the Demon Lord’s Prince.
