Chapter 30

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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 30
Chapter Title: Why Should I?
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“Will you be participating in the subjugation of the black mages again?”

This latest act of black magic terror occurred in the heart of the capital, so it was impossible to conceal.

No matter that Daphne had stopped the attack, the fact that it happened could not be erased.

The existence of remnants of the black mages was now known, a truth that unsettled many.

And so, the emperor's command was issued once more.

-This time, eradicate every last black mage.

It was an order given to all nobles, along with the promise of an immense reward for those who distinguished themselves.

However, Heros received an additional message.

-You need not participate if you do not wish to.

It was a consideration for Heros's circumstances—having lost his wife to a black mage's curse, been stripped of his emotions, and even lost his child.

Heros recalled the image of the emperor as he issued the order.

The emperor always sat in the highest place, his back to the light, his face obscured. It was impossible to observe his expression.

Thus, the only thing one could discern was his voice.

The voice that offered Heros a choice held nothing but kindness and benevolence.

That made the decision even more difficult for Heros.

Hooo.

Letting out a long sigh, Heros slowly opened his mouth.

“If I think of Elise, taking revenge on them would be the right thing to do.”

He pictured his wife, Elise, who had passed away five years ago, and gave a bitter smile.

“But is such a thing even possible?”

He looked down at his listless hands and spoke.

“They are like weeds that persist no matter how many times you trample them. Even if you cut every stem and set them ablaze, you can never get rid of all the roots that have spread in every direction.”

“Your Excellency.”

“Must I fight such a wretched battle again?”

Heros remembered.

When he had brought the black mages who dreamed of overthrowing the world to their knees,

he remembered the countless people who had fallen behind him.

There was a boy who had vowed to give his mother a life of luxury, a girl who had smiled with excitement about her upcoming wedding to her fiancé, and a young man who was awaiting the birth of his child. But none of them lived to see the next day.

Heros had saved the world where people lived,

but he could not save the world they dreamed of.

And his own world had shattered that day as well. The curse laid upon his beloved wife and their unborn child.

He had won the war, but his life was stained with defeat.

He didn't want to go through the same thing again. He didn't have the confidence for it.

“…”

Pollin removed his glasses and lowered his gaze.

It wasn't that he didn't understand Heros's feelings.

He could respect his thoughts a hundred times over. If it were him, he would have done the same. No, if it were him, he wouldn't have been able to stand as strong as Heros was now.

But he felt that this couldn't go on.

He had a strong intuition that Heros couldn't back down like this, that if he started to retreat, he would never be able to move forward again.

Pollin winced, forcing his reluctant lips to open.

“Your Excellency. But if you would reconsider…”

“Hewo!”

Just then, the door burst open and Daphne came scampering in. Pollin's eyes widened in surprise.

“Lady Daphne? Weren't you just in the training grounds?”

“I ran! I can run well now!”

Oh. Pollin gave a thumbs-up.

Considering how long Daphne had been bedridden, this was a huge improvement.

Daphne, catching her breath, wiped the sweat from her forehead with the back of her hand.

“Hewo. I have come to find you because I am curious about something.”

Only then did Heros pull his gaze from the window and look at Daphne.

“How did you know I was here?”

“Hm?”

Daphne tilted her head.

“You've been ceaselessly emitting an aura so irritating I can feel it from a distance, and you thought I wouldn't know? How arrogant of you!”

Even Heros was a little surprised this time.

He had been suppressing his aura within the mansion, yet she had noticed it immediately.

There weren't many people capable of this. Had Daphne already reached that level?

Heros let out a faint smile. A smile he himself hadn't realized was there.

“Now, answer my question!”

“What do you want to know?”

“I must meet the black mages! Tell me where the black mages are!”

Hearing Daphne's bold question, Pollin's eyes looked ready to pop out of his head. He quickly turned his head toward Heros.

They had just been talking about the black mages, and now Daphne showed up with such perfect timing!

Could she have overheard their conversation and jumped in? Deliberately, to provoke Heros?

It seemed absurd, but he wanted to believe it. Pollin clenched his fists, barely containing his overwhelming emotions.

“Black mages.”

Heros said, his voice somewhat subdued.

“Why them?”

“Because they must be defeated!”

Daphne answered without hesitation. But Heros's questions weren't over.

“I mean, why do *you* want to defeat the black mages?”

Daphne blinked.

Uh, well, if I catch those bastards and drain all their death energy, my own mana will grow… She couldn't say that. This was a moment that called for a suitable excuse. Uh, uhh? What should I say?

“Well…”

“Is it revenge?!”

“What?”

“It's revenge!”

Just then, Pollin clapped his hands and exclaimed.

“Revenge against the black mages who hurt people and caused so much harm!”

He touched his forehead with his thumb and forefinger and lifted his chin.

“Ah, what a noble cause! You've only just recovered from the injuries you sustained in the last attack, yet the first thing you do upon rising is plan your revenge! As expected of the youngest lady. As expected of His Excellency's daughter!”

“Ah, no. That's not it…”

“Someone for whom helping others is natural, for whom saving others is a given! The Hero's daughter, Daphne Akion!”

“…”

She wanted to say that she wasn't the daughter of a wretch like him but a great dragon, but even Daphne could read the room.

“Is it really revenge?”

At Heros's question, Daphne let out a sigh and lifted her head.

‘Answer that I hate the Hero bastard's guts and get kicked out,’ versus ‘Agree it's revenge and find out where the black mages are.’

She had no choice but to pick the latter…

“F…ine. It's revenge.”

The corner of Heros's mouth twisted upward.

“With your skills, it's impossible.”

“Do you wanna die?”

“Even if you tried to kill me, it would be impossible.”

“Just you wait. I'll kill you soon enough.”

“I look forward to it.”

Heros pushed himself away from the window he had been leaning against. He then slowly approached Daphne.

-Someone for whom helping others is natural, for whom saving others is a given! The Hero's daughter, Daphne Akion!

Pollin's words might as well have been directed at Heros himself.

For Heros, too, had been someone for whom helping others was natural, for whom saving others was a given. He wasn't someone who would cower and tuck his tail between his legs as he was now.

Heros felt his head clear for the first time in a while and took a deep breath.

Rather than staying still, worrying about the innocent souls who might be crushed, wasn't it the right path to hone his own skills so that no one had to die?

And…

Heros's gaze turned to Daphne.

“I hear you're learning the sword.”

He had already heard from Lloyd that Daphne had a talent for swordsmanship.

Lloyd had said that with a bit more stamina and refinement, she would undoubtedly become a fine swordswoman.

Until now, he had left Daphne alone, thinking she would die someday, but…

‘Revenge.’

Daphne, who was following in his footsteps and crying for revenge, was no longer a child waiting for her day to die. She was a strong individual, moving forward and wielding a sword.

For the first time in a long while, Heros's competitive spirit was stirred.

How far could he raise this child? How could he train her? Heros's eyes gleamed.

“I will teach you.”

“…?”

“Under my tutelage, your skills will improve in no time. You can face the black mages after that.”

Pollin was now so overcome with emotion he was on the verge of tears.

The Heros, offering to teach someone swordsmanship! He hadn't taught anyone since the curse—not his sons, not his knights!

Could Heros finally return to his old self? Could he regain his spirit? Could he overcome his fear and live as the ‘Hero’ he once was?

Pollin clasped his hands tightly, imagining Daphne learning swordsmanship from Heros.

However,

“Why should I?”

Daphne shattered Pollin's expectations.

“I don't wanna learn from the likes of you.”

“…Pardon? L-Lady Daphne?”

“If you're not gonna tell me, I'm leaving. Ugh, what a waste of time.”

Daphne clicked her tongue and left the room as quickly as she had entered.

“…”

As the emptiness of the room fully registered, Pollin and Heros automatically met each other's eyes.

“Looks like you got rejected, Your Excellency.”

“…Seriously?”

“This is why you should have treated her better sooner.”