Chapter 26: Those who remain, and those who left. (2)

June 1, 8:10 am.

For the last week, the Capital has been bustling with people. Some people already lived in the city, some came from its neighbors. There were even those who came from faraway lands. They were all there to witness the departure of the party of heroes on their quest to defeat the Fourth Disasters.

"Hasn't it been only two or three months since they defeated the Third Disaster?"

"Apparently, this time, the Kingdom of Kairos is going all out to slay this Disaster."

The people murmured. Of course, it wasn't all excitement and goodwill.

"Rumor has it that the abilities of the Hero were questioned."

"I heard it was like this since the beginning."

"I don't like him. He got rid of the Saintess with his own hands. How arrogant. You'd think he'd defeated the Third Disaster by himself."

"You just like her because she's beautiful. Although I don't like that he kicked her out of the party either."

Still, like it or not, the movements of the Kingdom of Kairos and the power of the Heroes were something the world watched. The Seven Disasters choked the life out of humanity from all sides, little by little, even at the very moment people were talking about the Hero's expedition.

I sat with my party in the waiting room of the royal palace. The atmosphere was completely different from the last time I had been here for a hearing. The nobles had only heard rumors and judged me based on them. Their attitude towards me during the hearing was disrespectful.

"The departure ceremony will begin around 8:30 am. So take the time to do your preparations."

It would be better for them to ignore me rather than show such hostility. I narrowed my eyes and stared at the person next to the throne. It was Count Wallace. 'He's probably wary of me, especially after what happened last time.' I didn't care, but he looked like he was trying to plot a revenge plan. Someone then whispered something beside him.

"Yes, I understand."

Count Wallace breathed a sigh of relief and turned away from me, fleeing from the room. The door to the anteroom opened, letting the commotion outside in through the gap, only to be shut out again. I frowned at the chatter in the other room.

"It's been as loud as a war this morning."

"I thought there would be fewer people here. It seems people are more interested in how we are now than our first departure."

Georg said, glancing out the window. Today, Georg was dressed in his uncharacteristically crisp, navy blue Templar uniform. Two medals were resting on the right side of his chest, glowing in the morning sun.

"I suppose we have gotten more attention since we defeated the Third Disaster. The more we subjugate, the more interest there will be."

I followed Georg's gaze and looked out the glowing window. I couldn't see the street below, only looking at the clear sky. I turned and looked around at the rest of the group.

"Are you nervous?"

Daphne nodded slowly at my words. She looked the best she had ever looked. It wasn't a glamorous look, but there was a subtle touch of makeup and styling to create the appearance of a beautiful and powerful wizard. Not that she really needed the makeup.

"... I've never done anything like this before...."

All I can say is that Daphne looks beautiful. It was enough to erase all traces of her old self from people's minds. Under my scrutinizing gaze, Daphne ducked her head slightly, a deeper blush coloring her rosy cheeks.

"You'll be fine. Have some confidence."

Daphne nodded at my words. I then turned my head to where Marianne was. She was more relaxed than Daphne. Leaning on the side of her chair was a long spear. I wish I could find a sign of nervousness in her, but she just sat there, facing me.

"Nervous?"

I asked, looking into Marianne's brilliant golden eyes. She blinked a couple of times, then slowly shook her head.

"I'm fine."

I expected the answer. I smiled bitterly and looked in the mirror across the room.

There was an unfamiliar face in the mirror. It was my face, or more specifically, Elroy's. It looked much more powerful than Daphne, Georg, or Marianne. I wore the Hero's white uniform, and my gray-colored hair was neatly made. My lightly powdered face was a shade darker than usual, making my features look even more pronounced. In the mirror, turquoise eyes with a hint of green stared back.

(I see you've made yourself quite presentable, it must have been worth the time.)

A single comment from the still Holy Sword. I'm glad it wasn't being mean.

The door to the waiting room creaked open. Wind and commotion poured in. I rose to my feet, followed by the other three. The stares of nobles and knights flew in. I did not return them.

'Let's go.'

I stepped out into the bright sunlight streaming down the hall.

*** Iris' POV ***

"There are a lot of people...."

Arjen muttered. I peered out from under my hood at the crowd of onlookers. It was much larger than what I had seen during their first ceremony. Three days of nonstop horseback riding had brought them to the Capital, but we felt a little fatigued. After an early breakfast, we made our way through the streets of the Capital, which had begun to bustle with activity at dawn. The people around us went in the same direction; the Royal Palace. This is where the ceremony would happen.

"There seems to have been an increase in the number of people showing interest in the activities of the Hero Party. Do you remember when we returned from our expedition?"

Arjen nodded. The street lamps had banners with the kingdom's insignia, and military bands played hopeful melodies. He frowned, not liking the music, and we moved away from the music. Street vendors had opened early, and the occasional merchant could be heard hawking their wares.

"So much for hope."

There was disappointment in Arjen's voice. I stared at him, my mouth set in a tight line. 'How can they be in such a happy mood? I doubt the party is strong enough to reach the Disaster.'

"I think we should watch from a little further away."

Arjen rolled his eyes and shook his head. Just then, the murmur of the crowd grew louder. The Queen was walking out onto the palace balcony and onto the platform. Arjen and I looked up.

The Queen was dressed in a military uniform instead of a ceremonial dress. Red and gold threads were strewn across her clothes. Her red-lined cloak fluttered in the breeze. She looked around at the tens of thousands of people gathered in the streets of the Capital and spoke in a clear voice.

"My fellow citizens of the Kingdom of Kairos."

My expression clouded as I listened to the Queen speak.

"The time has come to defeat the Fourth Disaster. The 'giant' that lurks outside the kingdom's shield, Evernode, is waiting for an opportunity to advance. When that time comes, we will hold strong."

The Queen glanced away, her gaze darting inward toward the balcony.

"...I have faith in the Hero. Even when we all doubted, he subdued the Third Disaster. I have faith he will grow with each battle and prevail against all his foes. I, Agnes Blanche Lumiere, Queen of the Kingdom of Kairos, have faith in him to succeed, and I ask all of you to do the same."

The word faith was heavy. A heavier silence fell over those who had listened to the Queen's speech in silence. They seemed to ponder if faith and Hero belong together.

"If you still doubt in your hearts," the Queen said, "let the Hero quell them."

She spoke very briefly. Arjen was still squinting and staring at the palace, and he suspected the Queen's words of faith were born of anxiety. Anxiety about the half-disbanded party of warriors. Insecurity about the Heroes. That could only be the reason for her emphatic repetition of the word faith.

"It seems that the current Hero's Party is not good enough."

Arjen muttered. I nodded in agreement.

"Not good enough?"

The voice came suddenly from behind them. I glanced at Arjen, but his expression changed sharply as he wrapped his arms around me and swung his hand.

'He blocked my attack?' Arjen's pupils widened in shock. I looked over his shoulder and couldn't hide my bewilderment.

"I don't think so, sir."

Force and power intersected. Arjen gritted his teeth as he matched the unwelcome visitor's strength. The priestly-robed visitor's ashen eyes shone through squinted slits.

"There's a lot of people. Please refrain from making a ruckus at the Hero's departure ceremony."

The priest said in a calm voice. Arjen arched an eyebrow at the word 'Hero.'

"...What if I say no?"

"The Saintess you're enveloping will be caught in an uproar, so don't make a mess unless you wish for that to happen."

As he spoke, the priest slowly released his grip on Arjen's elbow. He gritted his teeth and let go of the priest's other arm. Their arms slowly dropped, and I pushed Arjen's arm away, stepping forward.

"Bishop Andrei."

Bishop Andre greeted me with his usual gentle smile. His smile was soft, but I could never tell what emotions lay beneath it. After I said his name, Arjen backed away from him with a scowl.

"Iris, it's been a long time. How have you been? You look like you've been through a lot."

At Bishop Andre's words, I frowned.

"Yes, I've been well, and it's been much better than living under that Hero."

"That's a shame. I hoped you could have gotten along and helped each other as much as possible without fighting."

"I suppose there are some people in the world for whom that is impossible."

Bishop Andrei sighed heavily, looking from me to Arjen and back to me again. I didn't know what the sigh meant, but I felt repulsed.

"I have to be disappointed, Iris," he said, "I'm quite sad about your performance this time, to the point where I wonder if I sent you off too soon."

I bit my lip hard.

"It was for the best. The people don't realize how selfish and incompetent the Hero had been on the expedition. Now he's cut off the Mercenary who's much stronger and more experienced than he is out of jealousy."

"That's why I'm disappointed, Iris. Maybe I have spoiled you too much while you were in the Holy Land."

Bishop Andrei's voice grew stern.

"You've been sent to help the Hero. Even if he's made a bad decision, you're supposed to be there to tell him why it's wrong, advise him, and make up for his shortcomings. So why are you being so petulant?"

At his rebuke, I bowed my head. I felt an arm on my shoulder. I looked up at Arjen, who stood beside me.

"I thought you said the Holy Land and Iris were separate entities."

"Take your hands off her, Mercenary. She is not for you to touch; our conversation is not for an exiled outsider to interfere."

Bishop Andrei's voice grew cold. Arjen tensed his body as well. However, the bishop turned his attention back to me.

"The Hero informs me, Iris, that you did not leave the party of your own volition but were banished by him."

Arjen and my faces froze at the same time. Then my expression instantly changed. The responsibility of leaving the party was lifted from the Saintess and placed on the Hero. Questioning and irritation boiled up in equal measure.

"What did you say...."

"This is what the Hero himself said. Have you paid attention to anything he's done, Iris? Do you know everything he has done for you?"

There was silence. Bishop Andrei turned his gaze toward the palace.

"There's the Hero."

We looked at the balcony. Elroy wore the same outfit he did in the first ceremony. He greeted the Queen and stood on the platform. Without looking away, Bishop Andrei said to me.

"Take a closer look at him for once, and maybe you'll see what you missed."

*** Elroy's POV ***

"...let the Hero quell them."

The Queen finished her speech, short and powerful. As the people applauded and cheered, she strolled back into the castle. The corner of her mouth lifted as she met my eyes. Her red eyes shone with a faint hint of anticipation.

"It is your turn, Hero Elroy."

I nodded with a stoic expression.

"I expect you to perform as well as you did during the last hearing."

With a pat on my back, I stepped out onto the balcony.

So many people lined the palace streets that it seemed pointless to count them. Just looking at them was already suffocating. I gripped the hilt of my Holy Sword, breathing heavily.

(Are you nervous?)

As if reading my mind, it spoke. Its voice was a little more soothing than usual. My disoriented head could not answer properly, letting out a mumble.

"Yes, I'm nervous."

(Don't look like you are, and you'll be fine.)

I smiled sheepishly. 'It's all about what's shown, right?'

(That's right, so show me.)

It answered in my mind. I looked down the balcony. People were looking up at me, each with a different expression. Expectance, doubt, envy, hate, and jealousy. There were quite a few hostile eyes. The past few weeks' uproars undoubtedly affected the Hero's reputation.

(Do you see the eyes of the people.)

"Yes. I can see them."

I gave a slight nod.

I know how I'm supposed to appear to them.

(Stand tall and proud, Elroy.)

A handful of the Holy Sword's magic seeped into my body. I followed its lead, straightening up and facing forward.

(It is the role of a Hero to convert doubters to believers, not to abandon them.)

Its voice held me steady.

(Give them hope, give them faith, give them conviction. Make their minds believe when they are filled with doubt and distrust.)

I steadied my breathing and calmed my heartbeat.

(Be a ray of light at the end of the dark caverns that the Disasters have made.)

I drew my Holy Sword and held it low.

(Be the sun, Elroy. Let them live in the light you give, even if they doubt you. As long as you continue to shine there, they will see you and move on. Let them have faith that there will be a tomorrow, and give it to them.)

I exhale. The hot pulses of mana trapped inside me are slowly released.

(Lift me, and show them hope.)

Even if it's only a spark.

Let them live in the light.

I lifted the hilt of the Holy Sword into the air. The first stage of the Holy Sword opened, releasing light as bright as the sun. No longer was there the pain of opening it. The murmurs around the square turned to stunned expressions as they stared at me.

"I'm going to the battlefield."

I opened my mouth. My voice, amplified by my mana, echoed through the deadly silence.

"I won't give you a long greeting, but I will promise you one thing."

Suddenly, in the distance, I saw a figure in a hood. He seemed to be glaring at me. I spoke clearly, forcing my voice to reach him. 'I will make sure he hears everything.'

"I, the Hero, will never be defeated."

I raised my voice. The sound of the Holy Sword echoes with my voice.

"The next time I stand here is when we raise a banner to our victory."

*** Iris' POV ***

"Holy Sword, I saw the light."

Iris stared dazedly at the balcony where the Hero was long after he finished his speech. There was a holy and mighty power in that light, something I had never seen before. 'When have I ever seen such power...?'

No, power was power, but the Hero's demeanor and appearance differed from what I knew: proud and confident, like a true Hero. Of course, given his usual demeanor, I knew it was all an act. 'But still...'

Meanwhile, the Hero had begun marching with his new party members. As the party drew closer, the chatter grew louder and louder.

"Short, but fitting for a man on a mission."

Bishop Andrei's voice could be heard, a grim smile on his face at my reaction. On the other hand, Arjen still had the same contorted expression.

"What do you think, Iris?"

"...That...."

I lowered my head. Bishop Andrei let out a small chuckle.

"Now, Iris, why don't you stop being dumbfounded and move on?"

I lifted her head and looked at him. He glanced over at the approaching Hero, then spoke.

"I have a new task for you as the Saintess."

Translator's Corner

Hope you enjoyed the chapter. This chapter is much longer than the normal chapters so I may have made a few mistakes. If you find any, feel free to write it below.

Also, I'll use whichever style seems right for the perspective change.

-Ruminas