Irregular (2)
Because it was a completely unexpected encounter, I couldn't help but be montarily flustered.
'There wasn't any synopsis for this place...'
Naturally, it hadn't happened in the original work.
So, I was all the more caught off guard. Who would have thought I'd et a character related to the original work in a place like this?
'Kisea Varundark.'
Up until now, there had only been two won closely associated with Fabian, both close to being heroines.
Those were Monet and Maria.
According to Monet's profile, she was the woman Fabian trusted the most and was described as having a sibling-like bond with him.
As for Maria, she was written as Fabian's ally, a girl in love with him.
So I had believed those two were the ones with the deepest connection to Fabian, and thus the heroines.
But, I never imagined the true heroine would suddenly appear here.
"Um, excuse , why are you...? Did I perhaps make so kind of mistake?"
Kisea seed flustered as I stared at her without saying a word.
"A-ah, no. It's nothing."
I shook my head and offered a hand to the woman who had collapsed, helping her up.
She hesitated slightly but slowly got up.
"Whew. I—I was nervous. Everyone keeps ambushing and attacking people... I was scared you two might do the sa..."
Her muttering was so faint that it was hard to hear clearly.
From this alone, Kisea seed to have a very timid personality.
"Hm. Then it would be better to go back down the mountain. With that attitude, you'll beco a target soon enough."
"B-but... If I go down, my mother will be furious."
Ian shook his head at her tearful protest. With his personality, it seed he had no affinity for won like her.
On the other hand, Grancesia looked rather puzzled by Kisea's deanor.
[Strange.]
'What do you an, strange?'
[This girl's pretty strong, you know?]
It was rare for Grancesia to call soone strong. If she evaluated her that way, it ant Kisea was truly skilled.
[Well, of course, I an compared to those we faced earlier... Still, why is she so scared with that level of ability?]
'... Maybe she changes when she picks up a weapon.'
[Hm? How do you know that?]
'Because I saw her profile.'
On Kisea's back was a rather long sword.
On the outside, it didn't look particularly special, but that sword was actually quite unique.
'I'll have to take her along for now.'
[To help her? That's suspicious...]
'Well, maybe it is, but since she's the original's true heroine, I think I should keep her nearby and watch over her.'
[Heroine? Are you saying she's a heroine from the original too?]
Grancesia was quite surprised at this unexpected eting as well. She looked Kisea over and whispered quietly.
[Anyone involved with Fabian does tend to be pretty... Thinking about it, I guess it makes sense.]
'Don't be convinced over sothing like that.'
At any rate, Ian and I took the timidly following Kisea with us as we continued up the mountain.
With three of us, no one dared attack rashly, and the rough terrain posed no problem for .
"Um, just how do you know your way around like this?"
"I don't."
"Then are we just following blindly?"
"He's not the type to wander aimlessly. He must have his ways."
"R-really?"
Though Kisea looked completely confused, Ian replied nonchalantly.
Even I was astounded by his baseless trust.
[Just like before, he really is simple-minded.]
'You're right.'
Growing up with such a disposition as the son of the duke—the peak of the nobility—was rather impressive.
Maybe, if it didn't concern swords, he just didn't care about anything else?
'Anyway, being able to see people's profiles is really handy for finding the way.'
If you look closely, you can tell when soone last passed by, or where to go next.
That's why I was able to move as efficiently as possible.
"We're nearly there now."
Breaking through the thick fog as I climbed higher, I could sense more and more presences around.
They were warily making their way up the mountain, watching us.
"Wh-why are they all staring at us?"
Sensing their gazes, Kisea trembled.
It was only expected for them to be cautious of us.
Both Ian and I were fairly well-known in both face and na, so it wasn't strange for so to recognize us.
"So, the owner of the Divine Sword is here too..."
"Shouldn't we try to take a shot at them while we have the chance?"
"Forget it. Ian Sylvest is with him. Too many variables."
Maybe they thought the harsh wind would cover their conversation, but both Ian and I heard everything clearly.
'It really is a lawless place.'
[Is the na Seven Heroes really that big a deal?]
'Even though Talua didn't possess overwhelming military power or wealth, being counted among the great powers was largely thanks to having the Seven Heroes.'
But with Aldred Ribina's death, they could no longer wield that influence, so it was only natural that King Leogart would be anxious.
With the Seven Heroes gone, Talua would beco just another diocre country with the empty title of "land of knights."
"We've arrived."
At that mont, Ian spoke, looking off into the distance.
I also turned my gaze in the direction he was looking, but I could only see thick fog and biting snowstorms. The snow whipped through the trees with every gust, making it impossible to see even a few steps ahead.
[If you expand your Only Mind, soday you'll be able to do this too. No, this kid really is sothing. In terms of talent, she might even be close to Damian.]
'She's comparable to Damian?'
[Well, Damian was much stronger at this age, of course. But that's... because I trained him, obviously!]
[It's not just that I want to say it, it really is thanks to !]
Even as Grancesia shouted proudly, I couldn't deny it, especially after experiencing her instruction firsthand.
"I see..."
Pushing through the blizzard, going higher, I eventually saw, between the tall, snow-piled trees, a giant tower rising into the sky.
It was so tall it pierced the heavens—and it was only now, up close, that I could see it.
'So, it was surrounded by a magic barrier.'
As I got close enough to see it with the naked eye, I sensed a strange magical ripple.
Anyone below the level of a Swordmaster wouldn't even be able to perceive the tower's location, even if they ca this close.
'If you're not up to a certain level, you could wander this mountain until you die.'
It seed the Seven Heroes Convocation would be far harsher than I'd imagined.
* * *
After passing through the barrier, the blizzard disappeared as if it had been a lie.
The area around the tower was clearly protected by magic.
Stepping awkwardly onto a patch of green grass, I looked around and counted just over ten people.
'Every one of them is formidable.'
I swallowed dryly, scanning their faces.
They were all familiar—people whose nas I'd heard sowhere before.
"I—I think we're the youngest here."
Kisea pulled at my sleeve in a weak voice.
On the outside, she seed as timid as a frightened rabbit, but knowing her true skills, I couldn't help but laugh wryly.
"Oh, there are more people here than I expected."
"Sehenz, you should watch your tongue if you want your rcenary career to last."
"... Fair enough, especially with so many nobles around."
As we lingered near the tower, a man and a woman slowly walked over.
The cocky man and the noble-looking woman were a strangely fitting pair.
"rcenary King Sehenz!"
One of the n nearby shouted loudly.
Ah, so that was the rcenary King, Sehenz.
He was known to accept jobs only through the King of Eintban.
Actually, it wasn't that he never accepted private jobs; only the King of Eintban could keep track of his location.
That was how severe Sehenz's wanderlust was—it was rare for him to stay anywhere for long.
"Welco, all those aspiring to beco heroes. I am called Restia."
Divine Archer Restia.
I knew her from her profile, but the crowd buzzed.
Being a half-elf, she rarely ever erged from the forest, so few people knew her face.
But since she was such a striking beauty, it was natural for people to be surprised.
Restia looked over the assembly and then calmly spoke.
"In front of each of you is a red line. Crossing that line ans you are challenging the Trial of Heroes."
"The Trial of Heroes?"
A middle-aged man asked with a puzzled expression.
"Yes, the Trial of Heroes. It's a test to determine if you're worthy of becoming one of the Seven Heroes."
"So, as long as we cross this red line, we can participate in the trial?"
"Of course. However, you should keep one thing in mind before you cross."
I wasn't the only one who sensed a chill in her words.
After scanning everyone, restia continued calmly.
"Challenging the Trial of Heroes ans status and rank are aningless. Anyone may try to kill you, and you may lose your life at any ti."
No one could open their mouths at her cold declaration, devoid of any emotion.
So participants had already tried ambushes on the way up, but they clearly hadn't expected such an open, official warning.
"So, what will you do? The line is right in front of you."
Just as she said, I could faintly make out a red line on the ground.
The participants glanced at each other for a mont, but none backed down.
Not even five minutes had passed before everyone crossed the line.
"Well, you all have nerves of steel. Didn't expect everyone to cross."
Sehenz, watching the crowd, whistled.
He grinned and then slowly spoke to the participants.
"But what shall we do? Unfortunately, the tower is too small for everyone."
"What do you an by that?"
A man demanded loudly at Restia's words.
He was the Grand Duke of the Giyon kingdom, a famous mage of the seventh class.
"We didn't expect so many to cross, so there are only lodging arrangents for twelve."
Twelve.
Everyone's eyes quickly scanned those around them.
'There are three too many.'
The mont I realized this, I drew my sword.
Not just —Ian and Kisea reacted swiftly too.
Shiiing!
Sothing flew toward us. Instinctively, I ducked my head and swung my sword quickly.
Sothing crashed hard into my blade.
"...!"
The impact was so strong it made my palm tingle.
But there was no ti to rest. Arrows rained down like a storm.
When the volley ceased at last, all that remained was the devastation left behind.
The arrows targeting my life were nowhere to be seen.
'Did they... use enhanced energy like arrows?'
Looking up, I saw Restia lowering her bow.
"Now, the number is just right."
As I looked around in confusion, I saw three n collapsed, groaning on the ground.
[That's brutal...]
Grancesia muttered in disbelief.
I couldn't find any words to respond either.
I had expected the trial to be harsh, but not to this degree.
'So, that's why she got our consent first.'
At least she'd spared their lives—holding to a minimum standard.
'It looked like she just fired indiscriminately... but she avoided all the vital points.'
So that was one of the Seven Heroes—the Divine Archer.
No doubt, from her perspective, she was holding back quite a bit.
"Oh, as expected of Restia. Really impressive."
"Shut up and show them the way, unless you want a hole in your head."
"... Alright."
At Restia's sharp words, Sehenz slumped his shoulders and looked back at us.
"Well then, everyone, follow ."
With a wave, Sehenz turned, and so of the higher-status participants bristled.
Yet no one dared voice an objection directly.
After Restia's indiscriminate attack, it was only natural.
'Inside this tower, anyone could lose their life—or take one.'
That applied even to the Seven Heroes standing right in front of us.
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