Episode 13. Legacy of the first hero (10)
“Multiple barriers?”
“I set up barriers to prevent anyone from entering this place unless they come with me. And that over several days.”
A barrier? Oh, please…….
Did you put a barrier on the graves of the warriors like Ariel?
“The barrier is made with the amount of mana I use to implement 8th tier magic. I created multiple layers of barriers over several days and shared the flow of mana. That’s why even the spirit kings have no choice but to take time to break or pierce this.”
That means I got rid of it all at once.
It was definitely surprising.
But this wasn’t my power, it was the power of the artifact.
It was clear that I was using my mana to create the power of the artifact, but I couldn’t say it was entirely my power.
My mana is ‘fake’ after all if I can’t use it for artifacts.
When I made the Aura Sword before without Phasma’s help, I realized that I couldn’t cut anything.
My mana is as useless as living.
I still don’t know why the artifact becomes ‘real’ the moment I use it, but at least I didn’t think the power was mine.
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Even if it was my real strength, my body was still at the level of a normal person, so I couldn’t see the opponent’s attack, and if I got hit even once, I would die instantly, so there was no change in my weakness.
Anyway, I thought it would be better to make people think with the power of artifacts here. The perception of being strong was proven enough just by enduring Glasher’s attack and surviving.
“…… That’s the power of my artifact—”
“Don’t say that the sword had power. The swordsman has never shown such an ability while using that sword his entire life.”
I tried to say it was the power of a weapon before any misunderstandings arose, but it was blocked at once.
But doesn’t that mean that the ability that didn’t exist originally came about for some reason? How?
“…… Wasn’t it just the wrong timing to use it?”
“Timing? I didn’t use it even when I was almost killed by the demon king, what timing are you talking about?”
You make me speechless. Testimony!
“I should have known from the time I endured the freeze of everything in Glasher and confidently opened my eyes in front of me… ….”
Anyway, Naiad seemed to think that removing the multiple barriers was not the power of the artifact, but my pure skill.
Looks sideways at others.
The reaction was not too different from Naiad’s. No doubt.
The warriors have envy of me, so even if it was possible, even Ariel, who knew that I was weak, was reacting in surprise with her mouth open.
That face, I think I saw it the first time I showed you Illusion Storm?
“Prause, are you stronger than the hero? The murderous spirit shown in front of me rivaled the power of the demon king who faced the first hero. No…… Maybe stronger.”
The more I listened to the story, the more I could clearly feel it getting twisted.
“What the hell is it, Prause? Is a player a trait? What is its nature?”
Since I don’t know how the player is described there, I couldn’t give a quick answer. There didn’t seem to be anything good to answer.
Understanding the words of the other world meant that there was a high possibility of generating numerous variables.
In the first place, I have a spirit king named Ariel.
Even if you don’t hand over the information to him, you should be able to get any amount of information through Ariel.
“I should have told you already. He is the one who understands this world more than anyone else.”
“…… Is it.”
He nodded his head several times and resigned, as if he had judged that I would not tell him.
“Then I will ask you one question.”
“What is it?”
“Why do you raise warriors? Is it to protect the empire from demons?”
For a safe old age!
…… It’s kind of hard to say. Hmm.
I was thinking about a plausible reason, but I opened my mouth after thinking about the game lines.
“There are still many things to see in this world. I can’t let the demons destroy it.”
The nuance was different, but it was Urca’s line in front of Peremus.
The correct line is, ‘There are still many things to see in this world. I can’t let you destroy it.’
That was the line right before awakening.
I dare say it was a famous scene.
If Urca and Peremus were to fight again during the Human Demon War, I was thinking of telling Urca to run away. That doesn’t mean I’m dealing with it.
“I see. That would be really reassuring.”
Naiad smiled at me for the first time.
The tension that had been tense with vigilance seemed to be easing, albeit a little.
“…… I will make a contract in front of the first hero.”
After saying that, Naiad snapped his fingers.
Then, a huge magic circle formed around the place where Naiad was standing.
“Others, go outside the magic circle. White-haired fox…… No, only Iris should come in here.”
At his words, Phoenix and Ariel retreat. Me, Tina, and Maria also took a few steps back.
Iris, who was standing still, looks at me. Ask me for permission I nodded.
Seeing Naiad again, Iris stepped forward.
“…… Do you have any objection to signing a contract with Soo-in?”
Iris asked, standing in front of the magic circle. Naiad snorted and frowned.
“Discrimination is just the stubbornness of insignificant people. Don’t compare human values to spirits. It is an insult.”
“Is that so?”
Iris enters the magic circle.
“From now on, answer what I have to say. What is your name?”
“This is Iris.”
“What are you trying to sign a contract with me for?”
“It is to help Master.”
“…… Why do you say that?”
Perhaps it was such an unexpected reason, Naiad asked in a puzzled tone.
“Master is working hard to achieve a future that I could only imagine. I also want to help Master along with it.”
The future we hoped for.
It probably refers to the liberation of other races from slavery.
In fact, even if I didn’t step forward, it was a set procedure for the princess to form harmony with the hero and drive out the prince. I just brought the cause.
“I see.”
It was a brief nod, but it was a reaction as if he knew everything about her situation.
“The only thing I ask for in this contract is to defeat the demon lord. For that, I, Naiad, will give Iris all her powers. However, if it is judged that she cannot keep this request, the contract will be terminated and the hero’s power must be transferred to another person.”
“!”
There is a penalty in the original contract process. This was a natural procedure. It’s not even a high-level spirit, it’s the spirit king.
The Spirit King has power so strong that it can collapse the Physis continent on which we stand.
He was able to draw on that power perfectly. In a way, it could be called a reasonable penalty.
In fact, this kind of penalty was applied in the game as well. However, there was no case where this penalty was applied.
When you judge that you can’t defeat the demon king, it’s because the hero is about to die or is unable to fulfill his duty as a hero due to a sense of helplessness.
In the game, whether it was an ignorant charge or a trick, it was not a penalty because it was possible to collide with the demon king.
But since it became a reality, this was a proper penalty.
Because it means that the moment one of the two collapses, whether physically or mentally, everything is over.
“Do you agree to this?”
Iris turns to me.
“Before I answer that question, I would like to ask you one question. Are you okay?”
I wanted you to answer me without hesitation, but that’s not possible.
Naiad nodded her head. I moved and walked to the front of the magic circle.
“Master.”
“What is it?”
“I-I know that saying something like this is questioning trust, but I’m nervous, so I have to ask—”
“… I don’t throw it away.”
“…… Yes?”
Perhaps she was going to ask me if I would not throw away her champion’s powers, even if they were lost.
She knew she was a hero, and she knew I was going to harness the power of a hero, so she thought she might be abandoned without it.
Even though it was many years ago, Iris still carried the pain of losing her family in her heart.
But being abandoned by someone who gave her so much happiness and satisfaction to the extent that she thinks she is her second family, she will have no choice but to accept it much more terribly than I think.
So, since I brought him, I had to take responsibility and take care of him until the end.
“Don’t worry. If you can’t fight, I’ll fight.”
Sometimes it would be okay to form like this.
I never said that I really wanted to fight. In any case, that was the way it was said.
“Master… ….”
The corner of her mouth goes up as she places her hand on her own breast.
“That master’s indifferent yet caring kindness…… I like it very much. Thank you.”
A smile with narrowed eyes and exposed teeth.
I was stunned for a moment by an innocent yet charming smile.
“Ah! Iris!!”
“Ah! Iris! Do not write foul play!”
“…… ?”
Tina and Maria burst into exasperation. Tina, in particular, couldn’t contain her excitement as she ran all over the place. What are you
“…… It wasn’t brainwashing that the hero followed.”
Niad laughed.
“Yes?”
“Nothing. Did her heart stand?”
“Yes. I will agree.”
Iris did not hesitate. She seemed completely determined.
“A contract is heavier than words. The contract will definitely be fulfilled. Do you understand this, Iris?”
“I understand.”
“Then, as of the present time, Naiad, the water spirit king, appoints Iris as the official contractor.”
The magic circle glowed blue, and a wave-shaped pattern was engraved on the back of her hand.
“When you summon me to the human world, be sure to recite my name. If you recite it, you and I will become one, sharing every thought and feeling. And take this sword as promised.”
He creates a dazzling blue sword in the air.
It was ‘Sword Sword – Mare’.
Hand it over to her. Accepting it with both hands, Iris slowly drew out her sword.
The blue sword shows its sharpness when exposed to sunlight.
“Thank you. I will definitely defeat the Demon King.”
Iris came out of the magic circle with her resolve.
She stood in front of me.
“…… Good job.”
“Yeah… ….”
I stroked her hair as usual.
With this, the goal has been achieved.