CH 15

Swish, swish, swish.

I hear the monotonous sound of dusting. With a pleasant breeze streaming in through the open window, I can’t help but enjoy the noise as I pretend to read and check the papers on my desk.

“Elroy, we have a visitor downstairs.”

Daphne said, waving a hand to clear the dust on her face. She wore a bandana on her head as if she were really determined to clean this room. By the way, are you trying to pretend you didn’t see what happened just now? I was grateful, but it was more embarrassing. I want to tell the truth; a sword talked to me!

(It would be pretty annoying if they found out I could talk. I don’t recommend it. I’m sure the Puritan zealots who worship me as a Holy Sword would go into a fucking frenzy demanding to hear what I say and declare you a saint.)

That’s quite a mouthful for a sword. ‘Well, it’s not like I meet people who can read minds.’ I let the Holy Sword’s words drift out of my ear and picked up another piece of paper.

(It’s not hard to read your mind. When you don’t defend yourself, it’s a piece of cake for me to slip through the cracks and read your mind.)

‘You could read minds!?’ I almost answered out loud in disbelief. ‘Does that mean you can always hear what I’m thinking?’

(You think I’m some kind of pervert? I’ll only roughly listen to the necessary words. No need to worry.)

Holy Sword retorted. I need to worry.

(I’ll have to train you properly later, body and soul, to an acceptable level.)

“Elroy…?”

Daphne’s voice pierced through the unwelcome words of the Holy Sword. I tore my attention away from the sword and looked up at Daphne. I looked at her, but I couldn’t make eye contact.

“I’m sorry. I have a visitor?”

“Yes. Someone from the palace, I don’t know his exact identity, but he was wearing expensive-looking clothes… I think it was a high-ranking noble.”

A high-ranking nobleman. He must have something up his sleeve, considering he showed up right after I got the notice to attend the hearing. Honestly, whether he was trying to help me or not, I didn’t like it. If they were trying to help me, they wanted something in return; if not, they were annoying.

(Noblemen have the nerve to come to you with their heads held high.)

They approach me like this because they know I can’t do anything. While a regular adventurer would just fuck off and run, I’m stuck with this uncomfortable ‘relationship.’ But this sword is really something. It doesn’t answer my questions but gets all the answers it wants.

(I’ll answer you in a moment, even if you don’t whine, but you must greet this guest for now.)

I answered out loud without realizing it. I glanced around to see if anyone was listening and continued down the stairs.

(There he is. Is it the man with a shaved head?)

I looked up. There, sitting on a couch in the lobby’s parlor, was a handsome man. As Daphne had said, he was dressed in fine clothes. It was a refined, tailored suit rather than an ostentatious one. His head was almost completely shaved, but the beard that extended from behind his ears was very bushy and covered his lower crown.

“There you are, Hero.”

“…Good evening.”

He rose from his seat, his face beaming with pleasure, and walked over to me, grabbing my hand and shaking it. I smiled awkwardly and shook our joined hands up and down. I apologized, but I didn’t know his name.

“It’s nice to meet you. I’m Wallace Bigman.”

His voice was cheerful yet husky. He had a good grip, but he was no knight or wizard. Wallace patted the insignia on his breastplate as if to show off.

“My title is Count, and I serve in the palace as a counselor to the king.”

Isn’t that a high title? Well, I don’t really care about his title or rank. I wish he would just go away and leave me alone because I’m not even that interested in his name. I stare at Count Wallace with the most deadpan expression on my face. Count Wallace smirked and began to speak.

“By the way, I see you’ve been injured. Are you all right, and would you like me to find you a good doctor?”

“Thank you for your concern.”

I forced a smile, stepping back from Count Wallace, who was looking at my right arm.

“I assume you have received the summons that Georg delivered.”

“Yes. It was well received, and you took great care in writing it, even if it was only a summons.”

Wallace chuckled, not sure if my words were a compliment or sarcastic.

“After all, it’s a royal palace, so why not use the best stuff in the kingdom, even if it’s just a piece of stationery?”

This was definitely not someone I would get along with. I maintained my astringent expression.

“Anyway. I’m sure you can guess what questions will be asked of you at this hearing, but most of the palace’s vassals will jump on you and try to bite you, start with why you banished the saint and the mercenary, ask sensitive questions, hold you accountable. They’ll treat you like a criminal.”

Wallace’s voice was stern. Well, I already expected that to happen. The hearing was an opportunity. How many would love to use a Hero as a springboard to grow their voice within the palace?

“They are like wolves. They’d sell their own parents for a chance to get ahead. You’re nothing more than a sacrifice to them. In fact, you’ll be in quite a bit of trouble after this hearing is over.”

“What are you trying to get at?”

At my question, Wallace smirked.

“This means you will be in a lot of trouble. Unless you’re willing to take my hand in yours. Then I’ll drive them away and vigorously defend you at the hearing. I’m sure I can silence all the gossip about you.”

It’s ridiculous how gullible Elroy was that nobles openly proposed deals like this. Originally, Elroy had taken Bishop Andrei up on his offer and avoided the hearing by shifting the blame to the Saintess.

“Well, it won’t be easy in the hearing, but I will fight for you. That is if you’re willing to continue to be on good terms with me.”

I let out an uncontrollable chuckle. ‘Be your dog? That will never happen.’

“I’m afraid I’ll have to decline. Being chained up somewhere is not at all in my nature.”

I cut him off without a second’s hesitation. Wallace’s face fell like a rotten tomato at my response.

“Think about it again, Hero; not only will you get through this hearing unscathed, but you’ll have a new political ally. There’s absolutely nothing to lose for you, Hero, so why would you want to turn down my offer?”

“You’re making me say the same thing twice.”

I replied, deliberately being snarky this time. Wallace’s face fell like he’d stepped on a rotten tomato. The elated look on his face was destroyed, but he quickly recovered his smile.

“You’ll regret it.”

“That’s funny. Recently, someone asked me if I regretted anything, and I said I never do.”

“Don’t expect me to help you at the hearing. You have made me an enemy.”

That’s some snark, man.

“Well, whatever. If you’re going to keep saying weird things, you can leave now.”

I lowered my voice and moved into his face. As I took a step forward, Wallace swallowed hard and took a step back. I smirked at Count Wallace as he stood in the doorway to the building. It felt as if I was putting a leash on him.

“…Hero. I don’t know what gives you that confidence but wait until the hearing. Then you’ll realize the mistake you’ve made.”

He doesn’t even say goodbye, and he walks away. I graciously hold the door open for him, one corner of my mouth twitching upward. The late spring breeze rushed into the building.

“Well, I’ll see you at the hearing, then.”

Count Wallace looked through the door, glanced back at me, and walked away from the building. I shut the door firmly behind me and sat on a couch in the empty lobby.

(Why did you refuse his offer?)

“I don’t need to put myself in shackles to get through a temporary crisis. Besides, I can handle this hearing without his help.”

(The old man holds power in the palace. Are you sure you want to turn him into an enemy?)

The Holy Sword’s questions felt less like it was worried about me and more like it was deliberately testing me, even though it already knew everything. I smiled inwardly.

“That’s the good thing about being the Hero. Even if they turn against me, they can’t do anything to me. Well, to put it another way, I can’t do anything to them either.”

I rubbed my broken right arm as I spoke.

“If I had defeated a Disaster while holding the Count’s hand, he would have wielded unchecked power in the court as my main supporter.”

I would be on his leash.

(I see you’re not without a mind of your own, and it’s worth my effort to speak to you.)

The Holy Sword said with satisfaction, then snorted.

“You say that, but why did you wait until that spider nearly killed me to speak to me?”

(Choosing you as my user and lending you my power are two different things. I’ll give you a fair trial. If you overcome it, I will lend you my strength.)

I frowned and looked at the Holy Sword, knowing I would have to fight to the death to use its power. It chuckled as if to soothe me.

(Don’t look like that. It also means that the more you overcome your trials, the stronger you will become. In that sense, this hearing may be a good opportunity for you.)

A trial.

I sighed heavily, realizing I had indeed become the hero.

****

Friday.

I sat in the waiting room, waiting impatiently for my name to be called. All of the kingdom’s top brass, from young courtiers to near-retiring officials, had gathered. ‘I guess this hearing will be interesting.’ I stared at the firmly closed door of the waiting room. I could clearly hear the murmur of the crowd beyond the door.

(You seem nervous.)

“Who wouldn’t be nervous in a situation like this?”

(You’ll have to get used to it in the future.)

“I should.”

I grabbed my collar. I didn’t realize until today that there was an attire for the Hero to wear, but it was embarrassing. It was a stark white suit with a black shirt underneath. This is something you would wear screaming, “Give me attention.”

(It doesn’t look good on you.)

Thanks for the unnecessary comment.

As I smirked, the door opened, and a noble stuck his head in.

“It’s time for you to enter, Hero.”

I nodded and rose from my seat. The murmur at the door grew louder.

(Good luck.)

Yes, it’s time to shut up the birds.

Translator’s Notes

Changed Earl to Count. Same thing, but I think it’s more understandable.