Chapter 485: An Old Book
Night.
In a room of the castle, I was speaking with Finne.
On the desk was an old book from the depths of the castle's library, a bookshelf for the imperial family. I thought it would be there, and sure enough, it was.
Looking at it, I ca up with a certain strategy, but I was hesitant to put it into action.
That's when Finne ca.
"I'm looking forward to eting No Na-san, but I'm also excited to et your disciple, Al."
"Please get along with her."
While laughing, I looked down at the imperial city from the window.
It's peaceful now, but depending on No Na's actions, it could turn into a sea of fire.
As a prince, I'll never abandon it and I won't let such a thing happen.
But it's a fact that I'm exposing the people to danger.
I'm neither an emperor nor a candidate for the throne.
I don't influence the future of the people, nor do I intend to.
Exposing them to danger unilaterally is probably not permissible.
"Are you blaming yourself?"
"Blaming? No... I'm just laughing at how foolish it is."
"You should remove your worries about the past. We can't fight against the devil if one of the strongest power on the human side is uncertain."
"I understand. But that's just a front. I think if I say that, they will accept it. I find it ridiculous that I simply couldn't tolerate the blade that might be directed at Elna."
Indeed, personal feelings.
Yet, I can't be defiant about what's wrong with personal feelings.
That's foolish.
Above all, what's most foolish is that I know only Elna can change No Na.
"A five hundred year old aspiration... I don't understand it, but I'm sure it's very heavy and strong. That's why she needs a trigger to get over it. It can only be achieved by settling things with the Amsberg family."
"That's right. While I wish to protect Elna, in the end, I rely on Elna, and if one thing goes wrong, it could lead to a final battle with No-Na. When I think that I may have just sped up the final battle... it makes laugh at my foolishness."
I brought a problem I couldn't solve myself to the imperial city.
Of course, I can deal with it and probably prevent it.
But only No-Na and Elna can resolve it.
I don't have the final key.
"You can't solve everything by yourself. You know that well, don't you?"
"That's right. You're right. I understand very well my own powerlessness."
"I think everyone has a role. Sotis you're the lead, sotis you're a supporting role. Let's convince ourselves that we were supporting roles this ti. Lanting our powerlessness doesn't move us forward."
"...I can't help it. When I want to do sothing, I'm not the main character."
"I understand how you feel. Elna, the prodigy of the Amsberg family, the second coming of the hero. There's hardly ever a ti when she's in danger. That's because most things aren't dangerous. So it's natural to want to protect her from such danger. She's a childhood friend who's always been there to help. Wanting to protect her with your own hands... is an indulgence that can't be helped if you're human."
Finne cut off her words there.
Then she moved next to and took my hand.
"But being the support is also an important role. Let's believe in that. It's also one form."
"Finne..."
"You're proud of your childhood friend, aren't you? Can't you boast that she's the best in the world?"
"Heh... You're good at encouraging people, thank you. I feel better."
"That's good. Shall we move, then?"
"Yeah, let's move. If things don't improve by waiting, we should make the situation move."
And so, I decided to play the move that I had been hesitant about.
The next day, I had invited Elna to the castle. In front of was the old book from yesterday.
"What's the matter? Did sothing happen?"
"Well, sothing did happen. You know that No Na is in the Imperial City, don't you?"
"Yes."
"How much do you know?"
"They seem to be trying to surpass the Amsberg family as they are supposedly enhancing their magic sword to create a sword that surpasses my holy sword."
"You know that much..."
"The chancellor extracted the information from the guild's personnel. He was very cautious. Well, even if he hadn't told , I wouldn't have the slightest intention to duel with an SS-ranked adventurer from another country. Especially an Imperial SS-ranked adventurer; it's problematic regardless of who wins."
"Well, that's probably true. So, if No Na is your opponent, honestly, can you win?"
"I wouldn't know unless I tried. They are on that level."
Elna, who is usually the embodint of confidence, didn't assert her victory. That speaks volus about No Na's prowess.
"Silver ntioned that the magic sword hasn't reached the level of the holy sword yet. No Na might make their move at an inconvenient ti for us. Don't you think it's a good idea to take the initiative and challenge them?"
"Don't be ridiculous. If No Na is trying to surpass , then let them. I'll wait until I've made sure they surpassed . Challenging them with certainty to my advantage would only lead to the na of the Amsberg family being ashad."
"I see. That's a response fitting of the Brave family. Let ask the opposite then, what happens if we seal both the Holy sword and the magic sword?"
"We wouldn't know unless we tried. But..."
Elna directed her sharp gaze at , then...
"If Al tells to win, then I'll win. You're planning to make duel, aren't you? Using the thod that causes the least problems."
"...This book was kept in very careful storage. It seems to be a manuscript left by the first head of the Brave family. It describes a duel that occurred just before the decisive battle with the Demon King five hundred years ago."
"If it has been passed down in the Amsberg family, that ans the first head must have wanted it to be passed down to future generations no matter what."
Five hundred years ago, the hero who defeated the Demon King was welcod into the empire as the Brave Duke. However, it was unclear how long the hero's bloodline would last.
However, the royal family had been reigning for a long ti even then. They probably foresaw their future growth.
Therefore, he entrusted this book to the royal family.
"The duel was about the holy sword. The winner would use the holy sword to challenge the Demon King. At the ti, both were powerful individuals called heroes. They fought with ordinary swords, and the first head of the Brave family won. Then, he seems to have challenged the Demon King which was said to be a hopeless battle."
"And he triumphed. What happened to the loser?"
"He was said to be an enemy of humanity for opposing the hero. His na was erased from history. Afterwards, the first head of the Brave family seems to have never been able to et him. But even so, the Brave referred to him as a 'comrade.'"
A long-lasting battle with the demons.
As the hope of humanity, they should have fought on the front lines.
They probably knew each other better than anyone else.
No Na's ancestors probably had their own desires too. However, that doesn't an they were entirely wrong.
Therefore...
"The other hero who fought the first head of the Brave family for the holy sword. That's No Na's ancestor, and the main reason why No Na wants to surpass the hero. It's a family's long standing desire, a wish that has spanned five hundred years. It's not sothing simple. It would take ti. However, there should be a way to make a move. Only you can do that."
"I don't need the preamble. What do you want to do?"
"The Empress' birthday is coming up soon. There's an issue that the events planned are too ordinary. So, I propose a duel between you and No Na. In the past, they fought over the sacred sword using ordinary swords. If they know about this, they will accept. I'm sorry, but you'll have to beco a spectacle."
"Fine."
Elna easily agreed, but she confidently declared.
"But, I have no intention of losing. I don't care if I create a grudge that lasts five hundred years."
"Let the people five hundred years from now worry about that. Fight with all your might. Many people will probably worry about what if you lose... but I don't doubt your victory."
"Understood, Your Highness. I will show you my victory. In the na of Amsberg."
TL's Notes:
Early Chapter since I will be outstation on the following day for work Q_Q
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