Chapter 80
There was a brief silence before Laura spoke again.
“Hero…? Did you just say hero?”
“Yes.”
“The hero who will defeat the Demon Lord?”
“Yes. That hero.”
“Pfft…!”
Eventually, Laura burst into laughter.
“Puhaha! You, I didn’t expect you to have such a sense of humor! A hero? I can’t believe the Count still believes in such fairy tales!”
As expected, this was the reaction.
It’s not that they don’t trust Tristan. Even if someone else had said it, the reaction would have been the same.
According to the original novel, there are two heroes in total.
The first hero, Grace, and the protagonist, Peter Wingfield, Wendy’s older brother.
At this point in time, no hero has appeared in this world since Grace.
Moreover, it’s been an incredibly long time since Grace defeated the Demon Lord.
So, stories about heroes are treated more like fairy tales or legends than history.
Leon, the head of the Peiriguris family, stroked his chin and agreed with Laura.
“Hmm! Frankly, the Count’s story is hard to believe! We’re not naive enough to believe such tales! Besides, we’ve never heard of the Demon Lord appearing, nor has God given any revelation! It’s not even worth considering!”
“Don’t jump to conclusions, Leon.”
Odell, who had been silently observing the situation, finally spoke.
“According to legend, the hero is someone who can wield ‘all elements’ of magic.”
There was a strange resonance in Odell’s voice.
The power that compelled listeners to pay attention was befitting of the Prime Minister who had supported the Meikhael Empire.
The elderly Prime Minister looked at me.
“In other words, if there is someone who can wield such magic, we would have no choice but to believe that a hero has appeared.”
I didn’t avoid Odell’s gaze.
Odell Riumin, a noble close to the Emperor and a staunch supporter of the Imperial family. In the original story, he was a difficult opponent for Tristan.
“Hmm! ‘All elements’ of magic? If there’s someone who can do that, I’d love to see it!”
“I feel the same. The Count isn’t the type to joke like this. So, you must have found someone who can wield all elements of magic. Am I correct?”
“Yes.”
“Then show us the proof.”
The eyes of everyone gathered here turned to me.
Yes. In the end, I need proof to convince them.
If Wendy, who carries the bloodline of the hero, demonstrates her magic, they will firmly believe she is the hero.
Just like in the original story, where people only believed Peter was the hero after seeing him wield ‘all elements’ of magic. But…
“I can’t show you that.”
“Huh?”
“You can’t show us?”
Laura and Leon frowned.
Odell tilted his head.
“Why not?”
“If the hero’s identity is revealed at this time, not only the Empire but the entire country will fall into chaos. Other nations will also try to claim the hero by any means necessary.”
The appearance of a hero is a sign that the Demon Lord, who threatens this world, will appear.
Moreover, the nation where the hero first appears can become the main force in defeating the Demon Lord.
This is something other nations would find displeasing.
Everyone wants to be the protagonist of history.
“For that reason, I cannot reveal the hero. All I can tell you is that the hero has appeared, and I am protecting them.”
“Hmm…”
My words seemed to make some sense, as the heads of the Seven Stars fell into thought.
Among them, Mondri Cremont had the most serious expression.
He is the only one here who knows the true identity of the hero I’m talking about.
He was watching my reaction, not daring to speak out.
Just stay like that, Mondri.
In the end, Laura was the first to break the silence, as expected.
“I still can’t believe it.”
She spoke in a sharp voice.
“Count, you’re just lying because you have no proof, right? You think we’re some kind of fools to believe such nonsense? Huh?”
“Believe it or not, that’s your choice.”
“Right! So, I won’t believe it!”
“However.”
I advised them with an arrogant attitude.
“Think carefully about whether I have any reason to lie to you.”
“……”
The noble families were at a loss for words.
At that moment, servers appeared with trays.
The heavy silence was broken as the servers began placing dishes one by one.
The harmony meeting had just begun.
*
The meal continued in a quiet atmosphere.
Only the occasional clatter of plates could be heard.
I looked at the dishes placed on the round table.
Unsurprisingly, the food looked like something you’d find in a Chinese restaurant.
All fried or stir-fried dishes.
I couldn’t eat them carelessly if I were thinking about my diet, but it wouldn’t hurt to taste them.
I was even a little surprised that these nobles were using chopsticks without hesitation.
Is it because it’s a fantasy world?
I also tried to elegantly pick up food with chopsticks like them.
“Count.”
A soft voice reached my ear.
It was Bella.
“Is the rice stuck?”
She asked me with a smile.
“Is. It. Stuck.”
It reminded me of Bella when she was angry with Duke Fred.
She’s smiling, but her eyes are as cold as my ‘wrath.’
She seems really angry that I’m hiding the fact that I have the hero with me.
Arguing with Bella here would only be exhausting.
I picked up a piece of food with my chopsticks and asked.
“Want to try one?”
“What did you say? Can’t you see I’m angry?”
I quickly stuffed a hot piece of Kung Pao chicken into her mouth as she started to make a fuss.
For a moment, Bella looked at me with resentful eyes, but she began to chew the Kung Pao chicken.
But only for a moment.
“?!”
Bella’s eyes widened.
She hurriedly drank the water next to her.
“Pfft…! What is this?! It’s spicy!”
“I thought you liked spicy food.”
“Since when…!”
“You ate tteokbokki well last time, so I thought you did.”
“Huh?! No…? That was then, but……”
Bella looked at me, flustered, and tried to say something but stopped.
Our conversation couldn’t continue.
We weren’t the only ones here.
“This is ridiculous. Absolutely ridiculous…”
Laura was looking at us in disbelief.
Meanwhile, Colin was yawning and eating his food.
He seemed to be dozing off, and the servant next to him was sweating as he tried to keep him awake and help him eat.
Leon, who had finished his food with gusto, kept nodding his head.
“Hmm! Hmm! I heard the Princess broke off the engagement, but it seems I was mistaken!”
“Leon. Our engagement was indeed broken off. It was, but…”
“Hmm?”
Bella cleared her throat.
“Ahem… I think I was a bit hasty, so I’m reconsidering.”
“I see. But what part of the Count did you find appealing, Princess?”
“Huh?”
Patrick Wolfbert, who had been quietly eating, spoke up.
“I’m just curious. You said you hated the Count so much, but suddenly you want to meet him again. What charm did you find in him? Or…”
Patrick asked Bella with a sly smile.
“Did he perhaps find some leverage over you?”
Before he could finish, I had to reach out and stop the person behind me.
“Stay still.”
“……”
Helga Wolfbert, who was about to reprimand Patrick, reluctantly stepped back behind me.
She’s not some guard dog…
I’m seriously considering putting a leash on her.
And Bella didn’t need to answer Patrick’s rude question.
A dignified voice interrupted.
“Let’s put aside such trivial matters and get to the point.”
It was Odell Riumin.
“Count. May I ask you something?”
“Go ahead.”
“Why did you tell us about the hero’s appearance before informing His Majesty?”
It was a sharp question befitting the Empire’s Prime Minister.
In the original story, he was Tristan’s biggest obstacle, but ironically, he was the most reasonable man here.
I opened my mouth as if I had been waiting for Odell’s words.
“As you know, His Majesty does not trust me.”
The current Emperor, Lucy Meikhael, who seeks to restore the Imperial family’s authority and power, is wary of the growing influence of the Ruelberta family.
Naturally, she wouldn’t believe anything I, the head of Ruelberta, say. So…
“But you, the Seven Stars, have always stepped forward in times of crisis since the founding of this nation. His Majesty would believe your words.”
I sipped my tea.
“As I said earlier, I came to warn you. This world will soon be engulfed in great chaos. I will prepare for it from now on.”
“Prepare for it?”
“Yes. I will strengthen my forces.”
“Hmm…!”
At my words, Leon stood up, his armor clanking.
“Are you saying that you, the Count, will strengthen your private soldiers, Aslan, beyond their current power?”
“Yes.”
“That’s a statement we can’t just ignore! If you strengthen Aslan any further, it will be a threat to this nation!”
“Do you think I’m planning a rebellion?”
“Hmm! That’s not the issue! Aslan is not just a private army; it has military power comparable to the Imperial Army! If that power belongs to a single family, it’s a big problem!”
“If you’re unhappy, then expand the Imperial Army.”
“Huh?!”
Leon froze in place.
It’s time to push harder.
“You seem to be under a serious misconception. I didn’t come here to ask for your cooperation.”
I commanded them with full ‘pride.’
“You will cooperate with me. Acknowledge me as the leader of the Seven Stars and advise His Majesty to prepare for the coming crisis. If you do, I, as your leader, will lend you my strength.”
By now, they should realize that my words are not mere boasts.
I didn’t expect them to cooperate with me willingly.
My goal has already been achieved.
They will convey the news of the hero’s appearance to the Emperor with a sense of crisis.
And they will strengthen the nation’s forces in their own way.
If I strengthen Aslan, the Imperial Army won’t sit idly by.
I sipped my tea with satisfaction.
“I understand what you’re saying.”
Odell Riumin stroked his chin and spoke.
It’s a relief that he’s quick to understand.
But his words were different from what I expected.
“There’s only one way to determine if the Count is qualified to be the leader of the Seven Stars. Princess.”
“Yes?”
Odell made an unexpected proposal.
“How about we vote now? Whether to accept the Count as our member or not.”
