215 – Just one person.
The garden of the imperial palace.
The garden, which had changed its appearance, now resembles the Daejeon (大殿). It was stretched out around a table for just one person, and of course, the table for the third princess belonged to the third princess.
A curtain that showed only the silhouette was covering the princess’s appearance.
That noble silhouette moves with grace. The princess looked around at all the people around her one by one and then spoke.
“Thank you for attending the event to recognize the heroes. “I will not spare any praise to those of you who have refined themselves behind the scenes.”
The princess bowed her head slightly first.
In fact, it wasn’t just the princess’s face that others couldn’t identify. The clear and far-reaching voice seemed to have its own modulation magic.
At that voice, each hero candidate and other officials bow their heads in unison.
Because there were so many people gathered, the representatives of the magic department located at the back were able to chat.
Becky said to Trixie.
“Trixie, the rumor that the princess changed was true.”
“There’s no reason to lie about something like that.”
“The atmosphere is completely different from the previous princess. At that time, she was so scared that she even noticed her breathing…. I feel like this princess is very kind. Yes?”
“First, be quiet. “I’m going to get scolded if I keep doing this.”
Trixie looked around and noticed Becky. Becky quickly agreed and quickly closed her mouth.
Meanwhile, near the princess, each monk knight behaves as a knight. A movement where she raises her left hand over her right shoulder.
The first to speak was Viola.
Above the slowly opening brilliant eyes, there was a mysteriously swaying treble clef.
“I would have attended even if it wasn’t an event to choose a hero. “It’s a call from the imperial palace, so wouldn’t it be right to drop everything and attend?”
“Viola, thank you for saying that.”
The princess nodded her head through her silhouette.
“The reason why the Imperial Palace decided to end the hero’s absence is simple. “If the conflict between knights and wizards continues, wouldn’t it be a huge loss?”
Knight, wizard. And everyone’s expressions became awkward at the word confrontation. Because it was a period when the Sword Demon Taeje was not in progress, there was no direct conflict between them, but if you ask whether there was any reconciliation, it was definitely not the case.
The princess continues.
“Just as the value of light is greater the darker it is, the need for harmony has increased these days. “It would be a pity if, in a situation where we should be united, we instead become confrontational.”
In fact, it could be said that identifying heroes now is timely in its own way. If a field like today had not been created, it would have ended only when one side broke.
The third princess nodded her head gracefully.
“Therefore, through this event, we would like to clearly identify a hero. I believe we can create bonds between wizards and knights as well. “The responsibility of each person gathered here is very important.”
Even though magic was added, the elegant intonation was not hidden. The same was true for body movements that were covered with a veil, with only the silhouette visible.
To put it simply, no one could doubt the nobility of the lineage.
But that was then.
“Princess, may I ask you one question?”
A strangely clear voice. Everyone’s heads turn towards the owner of the voice. It was a voice that came from the very back among the large crowd.
Plan.
It was him. He straightened his back and craned his neck to look at the curtain that covered the princess.
Many people looked at Flan with longing eyes, and before anyone could open their mouth, the princess readily accepted.
“I will listen. “We will listen to as many questions and opinions as possible and then compile them.”
“Thank you.”
Everyone took turns looking at the princess and Flan.
I couldn’t understand Flan’s action of asking the princess her question out loud, and in a way, it was a great thing, and I didn’t know what she was going to ask, so I watched first.
“I don’t think this event was prepared simply for the sake of harmony.”
Someone watching Flan’s words widened their eyes.
“What cruel words are those! “It means that the princess has something else in mind right now!”
“Take it easy….”
Flan continued calmly.
“Not everyone expresses all their thoughts. “I just wanted to hear that, so you’re not going to push me around.”
“….”
The person who met Flan’s gaze immediately shrugged his shoulders.
After that, no one spoke directly to Flan, but the unappealing gaze continued. The princess opened her mouth after a moment.
“I had no intention of hiding my true feelings. She wondered when the time would be right…. All right. “If you’re curious, it’s better to tell me now.”
She seemed to have made up her mind about something.
“The World Tree in the Great Forest. I heard that the branches of that tree, which would not be strange to call it the source of life, were contaminated. “It seemed like it was probably true.”
“World Tree… ?”
“Pollution?”
Everyone’s expressions became serious because it was an unexpected fact. Even people who thought Flan’s attitude of suddenly asking questions started asking questions.
A fairly old person asked.
“Princess, is that really true?”
“It looks like the blood demons have finally revealed their true colors. “They say it has been confirmed that the tree branches are contaminated.”
“Um….”
The princess continues her words calmly in her own way.
“As everyone knows, even if a blood demon appears in the elf realm, we cannot sit idly by. “If we leave it alone, eventually everyone on the continent will suffer damage.”
“Princess, is there any possibility that something other than a blood demon is the cause? Why, it happened a long time ago. The elves tried a new magic and failed….”
“I was hoping for something like that too, but it wasn’t. It is said that the distorted power of ancient rune words has been observed. “These are things that can only be thought of as traces of blood demons.”
Flan thought quietly.
‘A great forest.’
In this world, the Great Forest is known as the home of the elves, but it is not famous for that factor alone. Their prestige is also very high due to the fact that their unique, time-honored magic lies dormant.
‘Elves are ultimately people who use magic.’
It would also be possible to go further and unite with them.
Also, the ancient rune language that caused the problem may have been letters that the Void Aide has not yet obtained. To put it simply, it would be the letter that the blood demon princess handles directly.
So the more I thought about it, the more I had no choice but to get involved in this matter. The key is which position to intervene in and how to solve the problem, but no matter how you think about it, it was advantageous to take the role of the hero first.
The princess continues her words.
“If the world tree, known as a symbol of purification, is polluted to the extent…. “It is obvious how huge the fallout will be.”
“Definitely yes.”
“There is no disagreement.”
Several knights spoke in agreement.
“The entire forest will be used as a stronghold for blood demons. The symbol of purification will be transformed into a symbol of destruction, and disaster will descend on the world.”
Everyone nodded, drooling.
“Now we don’t need a hero’s name. It’s time for heroes who actually take action. Therefore, we will select heroes more strictly than ever.”
The atmosphere became more solemn.
In particular, the atmosphere among the capital knights became even heavier. Peace on the continent, noble justice…. There were many good reasons to listen, but there was something else to worry about.
The need for the power of a hero….
In other words, it means that the hero’s power has become that much stronger.
The same thought appears in the minds of the knights.
‘The hero will definitely be me.’
Everyone had burning eyes that could not even be compared to before, so if the princess’s goal was to ignite the participants’ motivation, the effect was excellent.
“Then, from now on, we will choose the hero.”
“Yes!”
“Finally, I would like to emphasize again and again, this meeting is for harmony, not conflict. “Then that’s it.”
Everyone nodded as if they agreed with the princess’s opinion. But she had other thoughts in her heart.
‘Whoever becomes a hero this time will receive greater honor than any other hero who has ever existed.’
A flame appeared in the eyes of the capital knights.
Only one man, a wizard, was so carefree that it was boring.