Chapter 471
Chapter 471. A New Hero
In a corner of Aulitos Lake, in a certain city-state—
Amidst heavy security, a certain house was enveloped in a flurry of activity.
“Uuuh, uuuuhhh…!!”
“Are you okay?”
“Uuuhhhh~~!”
A woman with beads of sweat on her forehead. Despite the nearby priest’s attempt to check on her, she couldn’t afford to respond.
“Huuh, huuh, huuh…!”
The woman, resting in a birthing chair, was desperately trying to calm her breathing.
Yes, she was Arthur’s wife. And right now, she was about to give birth.
—The birth of Arthur’s child was fully backed by the Hilburn family. Of course, support in household security and lifestyle was provided, and several experienced priests who had retired from the front lines were present, employing miraculous pain relief and healing the moment the contractions started.
…However, if the pain was too numbed, consciousness could fade, which would hinder the birth. So pain relief was merely a comfort. Still, in terms of sustaining life, the arrangement was undeniably perfect, ready to handle any difficult labor.
—A tense time passed.
“Ogyaaahh, ogyaaahh!”
A lively cry echoed through the afternoon household.
“Oh! What a vigorous baby!”
The old priest, who had caught the baby, exclaimed cheerfully.
“Good… safely…”
It was born.
Arthur’s wife, leaning back in the chair, wiped the sweat from her forehead with her own hand.
No matter how much assistance she received from the priests, it wouldn’t change the fact that she was exhausting her strength. Above all, the pressure of having to properly give birth to Arthur’s child was considerable.
But with this, when that person returns, she would be able to show him a healthy face…
(—Right, I need to give it a name.)
She had discussed it with him and decided in advance.
If it was a boy, it would be Taser; if it was a girl, it would be Tessa.
“Is it a boy? A girl…?”
With a tired but soft smile of relief, the wife asked.
However.
“…This can’t be.”
“Impossible, this is…!”
The previously calm atmosphere shifted dramatically, as the priests now wore serious—shocked expressions.
“What… happened…?”
Could it be something had gone wrong? Suddenly overwhelmed by an ominous feeling, she cautiously inquired.
“…………”
The priests exchanged glances.
The old priest holding the baby gently handed it over.
Washed clean with the birthing water, the baby slept soundly in the swaddling, as if the robust cry was a lie—
With golden hair that looked just like that person’s, and features already remarkably well-formed for someone just born.
And.
Even beneath closed eyelids, unmistakably,
A left eye that gleamed and sparkled like silver.
“—It has inherited the Holy Relic Eye.”
The old priest said in a trembling voice.
He gently opened the sleeping baby’s left eyelid with a finger.
—An undeniable, unmistakable silver gaze.
“This child is—Arthur.”
…What? How?
“Why…?”
The wife murmured with a raspy voice.
Intellectually, she knew.
But she couldn’t comprehend.
There was no way she could!
“What do you mean…!! That person…!?”
Because, if this child had inherited the Holy Relic Eye!
“What happened to that person!!”
With a anguished mother’s cry, “Feh!” The baby Arthur let out a cry and began to wail as if ignited again…
—Hilburn’s Arthur.
A rare hero descended from the bloodline of the Hero King since ancient times.
However, his birth was not necessarily—
Wrapped in blessings.
†††
Arthur Hilburn fell in battle in the land of Kaemuran.
Along with the news of the Demon Lord’s Prince’s invasion and the Imperial Army’s rout, this obituary quietly spread across the area around Aulitos Lake like ripples in water.
The general populace was shocked and saddened. The Hilburn family was a noble house; anyone who hadn’t heard of it was considered a wannabe.
In local heroic tales, the name always came up. Sensibly, it was like hearing that a famous actor had died. They might not have met him directly, but he was a familiar presence. Hence, they were surprised and saddened.
Fishermen and sailors mourned deeply, lamenting. For them, who were constantly exposed to the threat of aquatic magical beasts, the Hilburn family’s hero was a true guardian, savior.
Especially the current Arthur had the tale of having repulsed the Kraken and even defeated vampires allied with lake pirates. The hero who protected the peace of the lake had lost his life— the sailors’ sorrow ran deeper than Aulitos Lake.
On the other hand, the thugs and outlaws of the mafia sneered. “So, the noble family’s hero has met his comeuppance, huh?” “How delightful.”
However, if they carelessly displayed such attitudes in taverns, they would find themselves getting beaten up by rough sailors.
And the deepest sorrow surely resided with none other than the Hilburn family’s members…
—In the Hilburn family residence.
In a brightly lit garden, a young boy was seen swinging a wooden sword.
Even covered in sweat, he grit his teeth and swung away with all his might.
“…If you push too hard, it’ll be bad for your health.”
“…Uncle.”
Hearing the voice, the boy stopped his hand.
A man clad in Holy Church armor handed the boy a cup.
“Drink this and take a break.”
He poured cold water into the cup.
Water created by water magic, ice-cold—
“…………”
With a teary face, the boy stared at the cup and then gulped it down in one go.
Then handed the cup back to his uncle and resumed his swinging.
“I have to become strong…!”
Swing, swing.
His movements were full of excessive force and not the least bit sharp, but—
—The fervor reflected in his eyes was genuine.
“My dad… was done in by a demon…! My mom seems fine, but when she’s alone, she cries…!”
That boy too was on the verge of tears.
“I’ll take my dad’s revenge…! I absolutely will…!!”
Swish, he swung down vigorously, however fatigue caused him to lose grip, and the wooden sword flew away.
“Ahh…!”
“…I understand how you feel. I really do, but don’t overdo it.”
With a sigh, the man picked up the wooden sword and handed it back to the boy.
“…Ugh.”
The boy twisted his face as if ashamed of himself. His expression was far too solemn for a child—
“Don’t rush. You have a talent for magic. That’s why you’re able to train early here in the main house. So there’s no need to rush…”
“But…!”
“Take care of yourself a little more.”
He gently embraced the boy, patting his sweaty back.
“Your dad… and Arthur, don’t want you to get hurt either.”
Surely, in a calm voice, one filled with kindness and deep sorrow—
“Uu… uuuuhhh…!”
Unable to hold back, the boy burst into tears, holding the wooden sword tightly as he clung to his uncle.
For a while, he let the boy cry freely against his chest. Certainly, as the son of a hero, he had been putting on a brave face in front of everyone. Especially in front of his mother—
The boy’s valiantness, unexpectedly pulling at his heartstrings…
“Uncle…”
“Yeah?”
“I’m just no good compared to my dad. I’m terrible with the sword, and even my studies… are like nothing.”
“Yeah.”
“…Can I still become a great hero even like this?”
“…Ah. Of course!”
The man smiled as widely as possible.
“I may not be as great as Arthur, but I’m still doing the job of a hero. So surely, you’ll be just fine!”
This might create more anxiety if said, he thought with a wry smile.
Ruffling the boy’s—Arthur’s son’s hair affectionately.
“You too, will become a splendid hero.”
Descendants of the Hero King who breathe around Aulitos Lake.
—The Hilburn family has, for generations, been a lineage of heroes.
――――
*Next time, it will (likely) be from the perspective of the Holy Pup.
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