“Well, if I’m the Dragon Priestess, shouldn’t you become the Hero? Why did they give you a sword other than the Sword of the Hero?”
“Hmm? The Sword of the Hero?”
“Yes. If I’m the Dragon Priestess, then naturally you’d be the Hero! I thought that when my master made me the Dragon Priestess, they would make you the Hero too.”
While watching Bibi whine, I chuckled lightly and spoke.
“She isn’t called ‘Master.’ Her name is Gaia.”
“Oops. After calling her Master for years, it doesn’t come off easily.”
“That’s because you’ve gotten used to it.”
Getting used to something isn’t easy to change either.
“As for why your brother wasn’t made a hero… there’s nothing else to say except that this situation doesn’t require a Hero.”
“A situation requiring a Hero…”
I stroked Bibi’s head as she deeply pondered, and said:
“The Hero acts for humanity. It must be an entity built solely on the benevolence of protecting humans, without any ulterior motives.”
“Hmm… does that mean Arthur regaining his throne goes against such benevolence?”
“It’s slightly different. Arthur reclaiming his stolen throne is purely human-on-human affairs. There’s no place for the Sword of the Hero in such matters.”
If something more sinister from beyond humanity were involved, things might’ve been different—but there’s no sign of that from the current Emperor, Arthur’s uncle. He merely craved power like any human.
That’s why the Sword of the Hero had no role here.
“Indeed… I understand. Can I ask another question?”
“Another question?”
“Yes. From the moment I saw the sword given to my brother, I knew it wasn’t ordinary. Something not even humans could create, right?”
Not just humans—Dwarves couldn’t craft something like that either. Their smelting technology still lingers at the iron age level. They have a long way to go before reaching Mithril or Adamantium.
“So… which one is stronger, the sword given to my brother or the Sword of the Hero?”
“Hmm?”
Which one is stronger? Hmm… uh… hmm…
Though their blades haven’t directly clashed yet, perhaps Clau Solais has a slight edge over Dainslayf?
Ah, but wait. Dainslayf can generate magical blades, so maybe the story changes?
Clau Solais—a greatsword—and Dainslayf with its pure magical blade function are somewhat different categories, making comparison difficult.
Against monsters, Clau Solais; against people, Dainslayf—it depends on purpose.
Their purposes differ fundamentally.
“The Sword of the Hero is meant for fighting humanity’s enemies, so it’s ambiguous to compare them.”
“Is that so? I wish my brother’s sword was stronger though.”
“It’ll do better against people.”
With a magical blade, it can slice through shields and armor like paper.
“What kind of story are you telling?”
While chatting with Bibi, Arthur approached after walking ahead on the forest path.
“Just… something trivial!”
“Yeah, totally unimportant.”
It really is minor!
More importantly…
“Bibi, are you sure about not joining the Church of Life?”
“Yes. Joining the Church of Life can wait until after my brother finishes his mission. Helping him now is more important.”
Hmm… her resolve is firm. The children of the Church keep asking when the Dragon Priestess will arrive.
Even after seeing her face several times during our time in the forest, they keep pestering.
“They’re good people, but my brother is more important right now! I think they’ll understand.”
Unfortunately, it seems becoming the Dragon Priestess within the Church of Life will take some more time.
As we continued talking and walking, a dazzling light appeared before us.
The deep forest where sunlight never reached ended, revealing the outside world.
This is where the two kids’ stories begin.
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
What followed was a journey traveling around the country, forming allies for Arthur.
First, we headed to Betelgeuse, the city where every ten years the Elven-Dwarven Race War takes place in the arena.
We chose this destination first because the once-a-decade Race War was about to begin.
Initially, we were pushed out of the forest because the Race War timing was approaching. Using this period would allow easier contact with other races.
Some might call it borrowing external forces, but this is the clearest choice Arthur has now.
Better to rely on the influence of external races less controlled by the Emperor than on feudal lords loyal to him.
Of course, simply being the son of the former emperor wouldn’t suffice to gain their support.
Hence…
“Victory for the human swordsman Arthur! This makes ten consecutive wins! Incredible skill!”
Arthur raised his sword high after defeating the Dwarf Warrior, and cheers erupted from the spectator seats.
“My brother is the best!!!!”
The loudest cheer came from Bibi, but before the Elven-Dwarven Race War began, Arthur’s daily performances in the arena were magnificent.
“Things are progressing smoothly.”
“I didn’t know my brother was this skilled! Always getting beaten up by wooden dummies and fainting, I had no idea!”
Considering who taught those wooden dummies combat skills, it was only natural. Still, thanks to consistent effort, months before leaving the forest, Arthur reached a level where he didn’t always lose or faint.
A regular warrior would struggle against him now.
Thus, Arthur’s winning streak continued endlessly until they took interest in him.
Until the higher-ups of Elves and Dwarves approached Arthur.
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
What happened afterward was fairly straightforward.
Grabbing attention is hard, but once done, it’s smooth sailing.
Though Arthur couldn’t participate in the Race War due to being human, there were still ways to contribute.
Arthur became sparring partner for participants sent by the Elven and Dwarven elders.
Through this, Arthur forged slight connections with the upper echelons of both races. After the Race War concluded in a close match won by the Elves, Arthur revealed himself to these elders.
Son of the previous emperor. Arthur, whose throne was stolen. His plea for support.
Arthur promised to further enhance relations and benefits between humans, Elves, and Dwarves upon reclaiming the throne.
With the inclusion of Dragon Priestess Bibi, this deal seemed very appealing to Elves and Dwarves.
Though they cared little about who the emperor was, the prospect of gaining benefits just by showing support was irresistible.
Elves and Dwarves, as external factions, couldn’t offer direct support without causing resentment, but receiving their backing alone held immense value.
Somewhere along the way, a Dwarf Warrior and Elven Swordsman, captivated by Arthur’s prowess, joined as companions—but that’s less important.
Thus supported by two races and new companions, we traveled across Romanya accumulating countless tales.
Enough stories to fill ten books. Tales of travel and adventure.
Stories of rescuing suffering commoners. Stories of punishing those whose greed caused others pain.
Miraculous tales of the Dragon Priestess healing famine-stricken lands. Tales of curing plague-ridden villages with divine intervention.
Tales of driving away ferocious monsters and gaining new allies. Tales of growing power regardless of race.
Stories of chasing away monsters blocking trade routes, securing food supplies, and gaining Lizardmen and Mages as companions. Tales of earning support from other races and mages through these companions.
These tales grew longer and grander, spreading across all of Romanya.
An aimless story gained clear purpose when I spread rumors, sensing the time was ripe.
“The exiled son of the previous emperor has returned to save Romanya.
Returning to reclaim what was rightfully his—the imperial throne.
All the suffering of Romanya stems from the unworthy sitting on the throne.
People of Romanya, welcome the rightful emperor. Correct the twisted fate.”
Arthur’s tale as a hero aiding the common folk, alongside the Dragon Priestess, became widely popular, and the rumor exploded.
Though the emperor fumed upon hearing this, how could he silence every mouth spreading the rumor?
Coincidentally, a famine struck Romanya, heightening tensions, allowing the rumor to spread rapidly.
Of course, a rumor remains just that—without physical substance. Thus, few acted directly based on the rumor alone.
But the atmosphere changed.
Just planting seeds of doubt among the commoners was enough. The rumor fulfilled its role admirably.
Perhaps… just perhaps… Could the famine be due to the current emperor’s unjust seizure of the throne?
Planting such doubts was sufficient.
In such a situation, the emperor sent soldiers to deal with Arthur, the source of the rumor. Unfortunately for them, someone beyond royal or military power stood on our side.
Soldiers believing in the Goddess of Life couldn’t easily harm the Dragon Priestess. Those sent to capture Arthur had no choice but to let him pass.
Even soldiers loyal to the emperor wouldn’t want to displease the Goddess of Life’s chosen one.
Thus, Arthur and his companions grew their power alongside many rumors, persuading Romanya’s lords through words, force, or the authority of the Dragon Priestess.
The goal: gaining support from over half of Romanya’s lords, enough to secure Arthur’s claim to the throne without issue later.
Once sufficient support was judged obtained, we changed our destination.
Romanya’s capital, Sirius. The castle where the emperor resides.
