Ch 263
『Title: Legacy of the First Hero< So, what exactly is this?』
Content: If there are any who, despite knowing the story of the small, pitiful fairy, went out of their way to slaughter her, please let me know.
-: Wasn’t that a mantle with flight capabilities?
-: No, no. That was the fairy’s personal possession.
-: The Hero’s personal possession （shows signs of wear）. <How much would this fetch if put up for auction?
-: Oh, are you looking for an investment?
-: The Hero Party, those bastards! So, they knew it would skyrocket and looted it one by one after the Hero died?
-: What’s unfair play, damn it?
-: Seriously, the loot window might have randomly popped up and rolled the dice.
-『Author』: Even if you try to loot the mantle after killing the fairy,
the mantle refuses.
-: Yeah.
It politely refuses, saying its master is only one person.
-: In the first place, that’s the Hero’s Legacy.
The Hero left it with the fairy while she was of sound mind,
so the moment the fairy goes crazy, there’s no way to obtain it, right?
-: There is a way to save the fairy, but
honestly, it’s a waste of resources,
so it’s better to just abandon the fairy, yeah.
-: Yeah, I think that’s right too.
-: Damn it, where is the waste in saving a person?
-: These kinds of bastards are the holy flame of a world falling into darkness?
-: This is dark fantasy, yeah, yeah, yeah.
-『Author』: No, then, there are people who have checked the First Hero’s Legacy.
So, what is it?
-: Originally, that
is the First Saint giving teaching + divine power, but
if the player wears a mask, the Saint is not there, and only shows an empty world, a “village with nothing”.
The fairy is shocked by that,
-: Oh, is that that thing?
Dawn’s Hand?
-: Yeah, the First Saint
was completely drained of her energy by the Saint of that time and disappeared.
-『Author』: Then, there’s essentially no reward, right?
-: Besides that, there’s something called “Miracle’s Blessing”,
a ridiculously overpowered buff the Hero put on, but
when you go there, a window pops up saying 『Condition not met』, and the buff doesn’t apply.
-『Author』: It seems that the condition is met by receiving teaching from the Saint.
-: That might be the case, yeah.
-: Oh, damn it, Shaman.
Hold on a little longer.
-: Why a Shaman?
-: Because she’s completely disappeared now, yeah.
-: Hmm, that makes sense.
-『Author』: Hmm, that makes sense. I agree.
You guys are right not to inherit the Hero’s Legacy, yeah.
✦✦✦
Lisir’s farewell.
Shuyen hadn’t even fully savored the afterglow.
“What’s this…?”
It was because of Tara’s sudden story.
The fairy moved to a nearby tree.
There, she was having a staring contest with a small bird perched on a branch.
“This is… the bird you created to help Lisir master divine magic. A bird originally born wounded, right?”
Saint’s Village.
It was a world Tara created with her consciousness.
In this world, Tara possesses power close to omnipotence.
Even for her, there were things that were impossible.
The creation of life was a prime example.
“That’s not a bird.”
“What? If this isn’t a bird, what is it?”
“Strictly speaking, it’s a mass of energy in the form of a bird.”
“Ah.”
As Tara said.
It was a “wounded bird form” that Tara created with energy, a kind of incantation.
Its purpose was to evaluate Lisir’s divine abilities.
It detects the power contained in Lisir’s healing magic and shows a corresponding reaction.
If the healing magic wasn’t properly performed, the injury would remain, and if it was properly performed, the injury would heal.
And-
that’s all.
Once healed, the incantation should have served its purpose and disappeared.
It wasn’t an independent life.
But-
“…”
The fairy cautiously reached out and touched the bird.
“!!!”
At that moment.
With black eyes, the bird stared into the void. The bird looked at the fairy.
No.
It glared! Like the sharp gaze of a bird of prey!
“Kyaaak!!!”
The bird bravely spread its wings and pecked at the fairy.
The fairy was horrified and immediately flew behind Tara to hide.
“Ta, Tara!!! What is it! That!”
The small bird’s peck felt like a giant monster’s charge to the fairy.
However.
The reason the fairy was particularly surprised wasn’t because of the relative size.
It was because she felt an extreme sense of incongruity in the bird’s reaction and attack to her touch.
Unlike when it remained still like a doll even when feeling Lisir’s touch while injured-
“Is that, perhaps, alive!?”
Because its current appearance was truly like a living creature.
“…”
Tara couldn’t answer Shuyen’s question.
She was just as confused.
Instead, Tara cautiously extended her index finger towards the bird.
The excited bird looked at Tara for a while, then immediately flew and landed on her finger.
“Hey! Why to her!!!”
Leaving the jumping fairy behind, the Saint gently stroked the bird’s small head.
“…”
The bird closed its eyes tightly. It entrusted its body to the external force.
As if feeling that touch.
It wasn’t just that.
“My goodness…”
The Saint could clearly feel it through her fingertips.
The breath of that small being. The heartbeat.
Life.
The Saint and the fairy initially felt wonder.
And-
“Ah.”
“Ah!”
The sparrow’s form gradually disappeared like a fading rainbow.
A sound of regret escaped their lips.
They also seemed relieved.
If the bird had stayed with them, it wouldn’t have just been wonder.
“Ta, Tara…? Just in case I ask… did you do that…?”
“…Would I have done it?”
“…Then, is it him again? Lisir? Did it become like that, even if only for a moment, because he healed that bird?”
“…”
The Saint couldn’t answer.
An illusion modeled after the form of a bird.
It temporarily took on a physical form and normalized.
That phenomenon.
The power that made it possible.
She couldn’t even begin to define them.
“Is, is this also a miracle…?”
The Saint almost snapped at the fairy’s words.
Does she think everything becomes a miracle just by calling it one?
“…”
And then, she is confused by herself.
Then.
If it’s a miracle, then it’s all possible.
What wouldn’t be possible?
Is she doubting the God’s power right now?
Why.
Is she worried that God can’t perform such a miracle?
“No, no…”
The Saint shook her head in anguish.
Her faith, which even the fear of death and loss couldn’t shake, was put to an untimely test.
“…”
“Tara?”
At that moment.
Tara’s gaze fixed on something.
Towards the dimensional gate that returned Lisir to the mortal world.
A being with a physical body and existence returning to the mortal world.
A being whose physical body has disappeared and exists only as consciousness appearing in the mortal world.
There was a huge gap between the two.
For example, a conscious being cannot freely move between the mortal world and the world of consciousness like a living person.
The simple dimensional gate that sent Lisir back to the mortal world.
It was a difficult task for the Saint to use it.
To appear in the mortal world, she had to make more preparations and pay a greater price.
Yes.
That must be the case.
“…”
Tara cautiously reached out towards the dimensional gate.
And-
“…!”
She was startled and pulled her hand back.
She quickly looked down at her hand.
✦✦✦
『Condition met』
『New power is bestowed upon the target』
『Target: Lisir』
『Trait: Miracle’s Blessing』
…
…
…
『Failure!』
『Target’s rank is too high』
✦✦✦
“Lisir, are you tired!? You don’t look tired, but if you’re okay, shall we visit Caroer together!? You don’t know how much Caroer worried and waited for you, Lisir! Ah! And Lunadien too! Ah!!! And most of all, me too!!! Lisir! You’re curious why I stayed in your room!?! Don’t be surprised! It’s all because I was worried about Lisir!?! I spent every day here waiting for Lisir’s return, wetting my pillow with tears!!! So, Lisir, looking at me a little more moved━”
“Uuuugh…”
Immediately after returning.
Lisir visited Caroer with Ratsil.
She was busy with work related to the “expedition” in her office located in the Verdant Council.
“Lisir.”
That was the High Elf’s reaction upon meeting Lisir.
The pupils of those calm eyes dilated widely, then slowly returned.
“You’ve returned.”
“Yes. I’m sorry for causing you concern.”
“That’s not something you need to apologize for. It was an accident after all. Are you injured anywhere?”
“Yes. Many things happened, but as you can see now━ I’m healthy. Thank you for your concern.”
“Yes. Given the circumstances, I can say this, but I wasn’t particularly worried.”
“Yes?”
“I’ve seen too much to needlessly worry about you.”
“…”
That High Elf wasn’t a person prone to jokes.
As expected.
Her calm expression sincerely conveyed the feeling of “I’m worried about you? Why?”.
Lisir wondered whether he should be hurt or not.
“Caroer.”
That’s when it happened.
An Elf entered Caroer’s office and placed a stack of documents on her desk.
Even after that, she seemed to have more work to do, as she quickly left after a brief greeting.
Several stacks of documents were already piled on Caroer’s desk.
She glanced at the documents and sighed softly.
“I want to hear about what you experienced there, but as you can see, I don’t have the time right now. Please understand.”
“No. I also came to see you, Caroer, because I have something to ask you about that matter. Caroer, expedition… what’s going on?”
“How much did you hear from Ratsil?”
“The Prophet felt the presence of the World Tree in the human city, and is preparing for an expedition accordingly.”
“Then, we can assume you know everything.”
“Yes?”
“Lisir. How is the World Tree Spirit doing?”
“Ah, yes. She’s healthy.”
“But, the World Tree Seed you gave me still hasn’t sprouted.”
“That’s…”
“And, the Prophet felt the presence of the World Tree outside, in the human city.”
Lisir.
Caroer straightened up and spoke his name seriously.
“As you know, the World Tree Spirit considers you her mother.”
“Not mother, but…”
“Hm?”
“Ah, nothing. I’ll listen.”
“And, the Prophet felt the presence of the World Tree in the human city outside the forest. Do you have any idea?”
“…Just in case I ask, the human city where the Prophet felt the presence of the World Tree… could I hear the specific location or name?”
“I think I can give you the answer you want. It’s a place with many connections to our Illathein, even for a human city, so it was easy to pinpoint. It’s probably a place you’re also connected to. That’s because the Grey Tower-…Lisir?”
At this point.
Lisir felt a severe headache and rubbed his temples.
He muttered softly.
“Bondales.”
“Oh. As expected. You must have had a hunch.”
That calm High Elf rarely made a mischievous smile.
“Lisir. Can I ask you to guide the expedition?”
It was an expression that understood that no further explanation or conversation was needed.
“Is there… a choice…?”
✦✦✦
“Lisir. You’re surprisingly compliant? I thought you’d be a little more difficult━”
After meeting Caroer.
Ratsil approached Lisir and asked.
“Of course, I had no choice but to comply…”
As Caroer had told him.
This expedition was planned with purely innocent intentions.
A survey.
Curiosity about the place where the great World Tree has newly taken root!
Lisir couldn’t help but be surprised by the Elves’ attitude.
If they were humans, it wouldn’t be strange for them to cause a holy war or a war, claiming that a great being had been stolen.
‘Even considering that I’m the benefactor who helped the World Tree, it’s a sufficiently radical action…’
Maintaining such a peaceful and rational attitude.
Of course, it was natural to cooperate wholeheartedly.
“Bondales is also my hometown. If Bondales and you have a good relationship… there’s nothing better. I will do my best to ensure that this expedition ends that way.”
“Really!?!”
Ratsil’s eyes sparkled as she approached Lisir.
Lisir was surprised.
Was she the type to be moved by this?
“Bondales is Lisir’s hometown!? Then, I, I! I!!! Ratsil, the Watcher who cared for Lisir with all her heart and soul in Illathein!!! I can expect a reward from Lisir, right!?!”
“Ah.”
As expected.
Ratsil was moved by something else.
She couldn’t keep her hands and feet still with curiosity and anticipation for the human city.
“Ah! This isn’t the time!!! Plan! I need to organize the plan! To make it easy for Lisir to guide!!!”
Lisir reflexively recalled the upcoming events.
“Ah…!”
He was completely drained of energy just from imagining it and collapsed.
✦✦✦
Fortunately, there was still considerable time left before the expedition’s departure.
Thanks to this, Lisir could handle other matters while preparing for the expedition.
He first tried to inform the Sealed Hero’s party about what he had been through.
“What? They left?”
“Yes! We couldn’t keep waiting without knowing when Lisir would return! Especially in our Elf City! You know!? Our Illathein doesn’t welcome any outsider with open arms!”
“Ah…”
“And, they said this. That they could trust Lisir with that legacy.”
“…”
Lisir felt a considerable sense of debt towards the party.
He had taken the First Hero’s Legacy for himself.
But such complete trust and consideration just because it was ‘Lisir’.
‘My heart feels warm… and heavy…’
Anyway, thanks to them, Lisir had one less major worry.
He could return to his room and have some alone time.
Time to organize his thoughts!
“Child.”
“Euaaaaaak!!!”
The moment he was alone, a voice suddenly rang out in his ears.
Labella of the Forest Night.
Her avatar, a silver butterfly, had approached his ear.
“Be, Bella!? Were you still here!?”
“Did I cause trouble for the child?”
“Ah, no, no…! Can you stay in the mortal world for so long!?”
That was what Lisir was confused about.
Before.
Labella must have said this.
That she, as a conscious being, would need a lot of preparation and a great price to appear in the mortal world.
That was one of the reasons why she couldn’t accompany them to Illathein.
“Ah. About that.”
She let out a meaningful chuckle.
“It’s all thanks to the child, shall we say?”
“…Yes?”
“Huhu. That reaction. I understand. I had a similar reaction to the child at the time. Still. No matter how curious you are. Let’s put it off for now. There’s a more important story right now, isn’t there?”
Creak.
Lisir’s bed tilted slightly.
The silver butterfly transformed into a Dark Elf and took the place beside Lisir.
The Dark Elf gently held the man’s hand on her lap.
“Child. Tell me about what happened there? What exactly happened?”
Just as Lisir was about to spill his story, unable to resist the soft pressure.
Creak!
The door to the room opened without hesitation.
Lisir was horrified.
‘Oh no! Big trouble!!!’
Lunadien, the Green Tower Master.
She, the conqueror and opponent of the Forest Night, stood there.
In a situation where it wouldn’t be strange for Lunadien to attack immediately, Lisir tried to mediate between them, restless.
“Lisir.”
However.
Lunadien spoke to Lisir before that.
In a very calm tone.
“I heard from Caroer. That you’ve returned.”
“Ah, yes! Lunadien! I’ve returned!”
“Yes. That’s good. There’s someone who wants to see you.”
“Yes? Me?”
“Yes. Will you come?”
Lisir, as if hypnotized, got up and approached the red-haired Elf.
And slowly looked back and forth between the red-haired Elf and the silver-haired Dark Elf.
“…”
“…”
He didn’t miss it.
Their gazes exchanged subtly.
‘Wh, what happened while I was gone…?’
✦✦✦
Afterwards.
The place Lisir arrived at, following Lunadien, was the grounds of the Green Tower, the backyard he usually used as a training ground.
“…!”
Upon arriving at the location, Lisir gasped.
Perhaps, even more than when Labella and Lunadien met.
Lisir’s head tilted upwards.
Because there was a being looking down at him from that high position.
Red scales that looked stronger than steel.
The huge, vertically slit eyes were like giant iron bars.
‘Dragon…!?
That higher-ranked being exuded an overwhelming presence.
-The Star’s Eye has seen you.
The Dragon spoke, looking at Lisir.
-It invites you to the Council of Stars.
“Council of Stars…?”
“Lisir.”
The red-haired Elf spoke to help Lisir understand.
“If you obtain the Name of the Star, what kind of star would you be?”
“…!”
Tower Master.
It was the position that immediately came to Lisir’s mind.
All the ‘stars’ he had seen so far had the position of Tower Master.
‘I, become such a ‘star’?’
Lisir unconsciously shook his head.
Compared to those great Archmages, his magical knowledge and realm were at a youngster’s level.
-What path do you wish to follow?
Regardless.
The Dragon unilaterally continued to question the man.
“What path…”
-There’s no need to worry about surprising me with a different answer. This is a question as it appears.
If you’re a Wizard, answer magic.
If you’re a Swordsman, answer swordsmanship.
If you’re a Priest, answer divine power.
The Dragon’s question was a formal and superficial question for the sake of procedure.
Of course.
A philosophical question and answer discussing the essence of power wasn’t bad either.
No. Rather, it suited the Dragon’s taste for amusement.
Nevertheless, the Dragon’s question remained in the superficial realm.
Humans were too immature when it came to discussing power.
That was clearly the case from the Dragon’s viewpoint.
He wasn’t even among the older humans.
Raising unnecessary expectations would only lead to disappointment in the commonplace and clumsy answer.
-Depending on your answer, the way I treat you will also change.
Therefore, the Dragon spoke in a purely formal tone.
“Depending on my answer, the way you treat me will change…”
The man, pondering the Dragon’s words, answered.
The man resolutely gave a different answer through a different interpretation.
“Your Grace, which path is most convenient for you…?”
It was a kind tone, as if suggesting, “You may choose the menu, Your Grace.”
-…
An unexpected kind of consideration.
The Dragon opened its mouth as if to speak, then closed it again.
A heavy groan came from its huge maw.
✦✦✦
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