The Failed Swordmaster - Chapter 152

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 152 59. What’s Needed to Become a Hero (1)

 

The people in the auditorium were all stunned by Archbishop Abram Russo’s bombshell statement from the Order of the Goddess. They had to rack their brains for quite a while to understand the contents of the oracle.

 

However, despite this, they couldn’t grasp the exact meaning.

 

And for good reason – Goddess Allia had never once appointed anyone as an ‘official hero’ until now.

 

‘Officially appointed as a hero? What does that mean?’

 

‘Wasn’t “hero” a common term for people who showed outstanding performance against the demons?’

 

‘For the Goddess to directly designate a hero to fight the Demon King… what on earth…’

 

What could the Goddess’s intentions possibly be?

 

It was unknowable. How could mere humans understand Her profound will?

 

Therefore, people’s thoughts gradually flowed in a different direction.

 

Not toward the point that ‘the Goddess appointed an official hero for the first time,’ but toward the point that ‘the first official hero is none other than Lumian Calard.’

 

Hope began to appear on the faces of Tarasan’s citizens.

 

‘If the oracle is true…’

 

‘The conflict with the Kingdom of Cairo might not happen after all, right?’

 

‘Of course, even if it’s about his beloved Crown Prince, would he really invade a nation that has an official hero?’

 

‘Besides, the peace-loving Knight King is here too, so things will work out somehow! He even seems to have a personal friendship with Lumian Calard!’

 

Perhaps due to such thoughts, the atmosphere in the hall began to brighten rapidly. Some even burst into audible laughter. It was thanks to the tension being released.

 

However, there were those who couldn’t feel this way.

 

The officials from the Kingdom of Cairo, including Adolf Anner.

 

And the person who had instantly lost control of the atmosphere and become a laughingstock.

 

Shumaha XVII, who had risen from his seat, shouted with a terrifying expression.

 

– What are you saying right now, Archbishop Russo! An official hero, you expect me to believe that now…?

 

“What! How dare you make me, a faithful servant of the Goddess, out to be a liar!”

 

‘Oh no!’

 

Shumaha XVII suddenly came to his senses.

 

Though he had lost his reason and argued back, there was absolutely no possibility that Abram Russo had fabricated the oracle.

 

The moment a priest falsely conveys an ‘oracle,’ Allia’s divine punishment falls. This was common knowledge even seven-year-old children knew.

 

– Cough, cough, cough! S-sorry. My physical condition isn’t perfect, so I was startled by the sudden situation and misspoke…

 

“…There’s still more to say, so I’ll continue.”

 

The Archbishop looked displeased as he watched the King of Cairo obviously pretending to be ill.

 

However, he didn’t continue to press the matter. It was far more important to fully convey the Goddess’s words.

 

Additional details flowed from his mouth.

 

The point that tremendous demonic energy has been flowing into the human realm recently.

 

The point that through this, one could expect the appearance of an enemy far more powerful than the Demon King from 11 years ago.

 

Therefore, the point that the human realm must recognize the continent’s crisis and not waste their strength through pointless conflicts between nations.

 

“…Finally, in accordance with the Goddess’s will, we hope that all people of the continent will give unstinting trust, encouragement, and cheers to Sir ‘Lumian Calard,’ who has been appointed as an official hero. That is all.”

 

“…”

 

Archbishop Abram Russo’s words finally came to an end.

 

People couldn’t say anything.

 

It was shocking. Since only 11 years had passed since the Demon King was killed by the Knight King’s hand, they thought the continent would be peaceful for a while.

 

But when the Goddess said otherwise, tension couldn’t help but rise.

 

However, there was another point that was more concerning.

 

It was the reaction of Cairo’s king, Shumaha XVII.

 

‘The Demon King’s threat is distant and abstract, but…’

 

‘Cairo’s threat is much closer.’

 

‘What will he do? Surely he won’t…’

 

Ignore the oracle and continue trying to vent his anger?

 

Everyone’s gaze flew toward the magic screen.

 

And among those gazes were those of Knight King Philip III and Lumian Calard, who had shown incredible presence.

 

Shumaha XVII’s insides burned black as if hellfire had scorched them.

 

– …Return to the homeland, all of you.

 

Beep-!

 

He left only those words before ending the communication.

 

What this meant was clear.

 

The Kingdom of Tarasan had survived.

 

They had managed to safely preserve their lives from that incredibly powerful Kingdom of Cairo.

 

No, that wasn’t the issue anymore.

 

An ‘official hero’ had been born. A ‘real hero’ directly recognized by the Goddess.

 

What nation could threaten the Kingdom of Tarasan, the birthplace of such a hero?

 

The people in the auditorium instantly adapted to the suddenly changed situation. And they showed a completely different attitude than before.

 

Someone’s mouth let slip Lumian Calard’s name.

 

“Lumian Calard!”

 

“Lumian Calard!”

 

“Hero of the continent! Lumian Calard!”

 

“Hero of Tarasan! Lumian Calard! Waaaaaaah!”

 

“Waaaaaaaaaah!”

 

“…Haha.”

 

Lumian Calard let out a bitter laugh.

 

He had no choice. Until the King of Cairo’s image filled the auditorium, he had been treated as a great traitor who brought destruction to the kingdom.

 

But now everyone was chanting his name. As if nothing had happened at all.

 

‘Though I can’t say I don’t understand.’

 

Lumian smiled again and withdrew his gaze from the unspecified masses.

 

Instead, he looked at four people.

 

The precious people who had worried about him with the same emotions from beginning to end, without being swept away by the changing situation.

 

‘Teoro Shutgarn, Bumer Simpson, Cal Krone, Tania Eloise.’

 

He recited their names one by one in his mind.

 

Then his uncomfortable feelings flew away. Not only that, but he felt new aura filling his core.

 

“Lumian Calard.”

 

“…Your Majesty.”

 

The bond with Knight King Philip III was added to that.

 

Feeling abundant power, Lumian made a spirited expression again.

 

The Knight King, who showed a hearty laugh at that sight, walked over and hugged him tightly.

 

“You’ve worked hard. The mental pressure must have been considerable.”

 

“…”

 

“Shall we move locations for now? This doesn’t seem like an appropriate place for conversation.”

 

“Let’s do that, Your Majesty.”

 

Whoosh!

 

Swoosh!

 

The two who exchanged glances moved their bodies quickly.

 

Seeing the Knight King and Lumian disappear from sight in an instant, people made surprised expressions.

 

“What?”

 

“They disappeared!”

 

“Did they move so fast they became invisible?”

 

“Amazing. His Majesty the Knight King aside, even Lumian Calard…”

 

“What are you talking about? Didn’t you see earlier? Lumian didn’t back down even one step in front of the King of Cairo.”

 

“Right! He even overwhelmed a Sword Master! That much is natural.”

 

“Huh. But how is that possible? He’s only 16 years old but beat a Sword Master…”

 

“Hey! The Goddess appointed him as a hero, so that much is natural! Maybe she gave him some special blessing or something?”

 

“Hmm, I suppose.”

 

“Of course, he must have incredible basic talent and skill to become a hero. That’s why he has friendships with both Sir Sinseor Ainsworth and the Knight King.”

 

“Ah, now that I think about it, that’s true too. From what I just saw, it seemed like he already knew His Majesty the Knight King from before…”

 

Murmur murmur.

 

Everyone in the auditorium, professors and students alike, became noisy with talk about Lumian. It was much louder than being in the middle of a marketplace.

 

Taking advantage of that commotion, the dignitaries from the Kingdom of Cairo, including Adolf Anner, quietly slipped away. Their appearance was utterly haggard, like soldiers who had suffered a crushing defeat in war.

 

“…”

 

Only four people silently stared at the place where Lumian had disappeared.

 

Their eyes contained emotions so complex they were difficult to fully describe.

 

* * *

 

“So that’s how it happened. I was wondering how you arrived at such a timely moment…”

 

“Haha. It would have been a disaster if not for the young dragon.”

 

The Knight King responded to Lumian’s words with a smiling face.

 

His coming to Tarasan Academy had been originally scheduled. Buckal and Morghen also knew this. They had planned to surprise Lumian with an unexpected visit.

 

Because of that, things almost went badly wrong, but fortunately, thanks to Semu’s help, Tarasan was able to avoid crisis.

 

The creature, realizing that something serious had happened to Lumian, thought of someone to ask for help and contacted the Archbishop through communication to explain the situation.

 

As a result, this was the best choice. The Knight King’s party, having heard the circumstances, dramatically increased their travel speed and were able to intervene in the conflict between the two kingdoms before it was too late.

 

Lumian, who let out another sigh of relief, muttered to himself.

 

‘But when did that fellow receive a communication crystal from Semu?’

 

He couldn’t understand it.

 

He was an incredibly boring and uninteresting fellow, so why did Semu feel such friendliness toward the Archbishop? Enough to even give him a communication crystal.

 

‘…How could I know Semu’s mind? Let me stop thinking about it.’

 

Lumian, giving up on his thoughts, shook his head slightly.

 

The Knight King, misunderstanding his gesture, opened his mouth with a pitying expression.

 

“I can roughly imagine how flustered Sir Lumian must have been. Cairo’s king… he’s changed a lot. A lot, really a lot.”

 

“Ah… that’s true. He was someone with stubbornness, but the appearance I faced today was certainly…”

 

Lumian nodded heavily.

 

He was truly shocked. Even ten years ago, though he had stepped back from the front lines due to poor health, Shumaha XVII at that time wasn’t in such a broken state.

 

However, the appearance he had shown just now definitely had many problems. Recalling him displaying madness beyond anger, he trailed off.

 

The Knight King also refrained from speaking for a moment. Both wore gloomy expressions at the unwelcome changes that ten years had brought about.

 

Of course, they couldn’t remain in such an atmosphere forever.

 

Above all, there were too many things he was curious about. Clearing his throat with a cough, Lumian asked a question.

 

“But, an official hero? What on earth is this about?”

 

“Ah, my. I haven’t been saying what I should have said first.”

 

Knight King Philip III smiled broadly.

 

It was a smile containing complex emotions.

 

Admiration and respect, and a bit of envy.

 

But it wasn’t just envy. Though slight, Philip III’s emotions even contained a hint of jealousy.

 

Lumian was greatly surprised.

 

‘No way, showing emotions that weren’t visible even during last year’s sparring match…’

 

Unlike himself, this was his former lord who had a heart as broad as the ocean.

 

That such a person harbored feelings of jealousy, even if just a little.

 

But from the Knight King’s position, it couldn’t be helped. He thought while clicking his tongue.

 

‘Getting even stronger in the short time I haven’t seen him is already disheartening…’

 

And from here, he was going to become even stronger.

 

It was enough to make one envious.

 

However, this truly lasted only a moment.

 

If it hadn’t been for Lumian, who had recently awakened to empathy, no one would have noticed. The Knight King was certainly a remarkable person of character.

 

Having instantly banished his shameful thoughts, he offered sincere words of congratulation.

 

“Goddess Allia said that appointing Sir Lumian as an official hero was… to further draw out your power in preparation for the demons’ invasion.”

 

“…”

 

“Congratulations, Sir Lumian. You have gained the opportunity to become much stronger than you are now.”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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