The Last Place Hero’s Return - Chapter 138

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 138. Interlude – Legacy of Iron Fist (1)
After the battle with Lactasia ended.
I was transported to Berald’s Mansion in a semi-conscious state due to the aftereffects of using Escalation.
“Ugh….”
A dull, throbbing pain as though someone were striking my entire body with a hammer.
The moment my eyes opened, the pain crashed over me, and I groaned, wincing.
‘The aftereffects are far worse than I expected.’
Well, that made sense.
Given Escalation’s absurdly broken effects, this level of backlash was only natural.
‘Under normal circumstances, the aftereffects would have been far more severe.’
Still, thanks to Iris’s healing magic, I was able to minimize Escalation’s aftereffects.
I turned my head slightly and looked back at Iris, who was holding me from behind, sleeping peacefully with soft, even breaths.
Seeing her sleeping face, I felt my heart stir.
“Mm….”
Iris’s eyes fluttered open, as though my movement had stirred her from sleep.
“Ah… You’re awake, Dale?”
“Yeah.”
“How’s your body feeling?”
“Fortunately, I’m much better thanks to you, Iris.”
As I said this and tried to sit up in bed, Iris grabbed my waist and pulled me back down.
“No. You’re not well enough yet.”
“No, I’m completely fine.”
“Ah-ah. You’re only fine once the healer says you’re fine, you know.”
Iris wore a deliberately stern expression while smiling brightly.
A pure white glow emanated from her body, flowing along our touching skin and seeping into mine.
The dull, hammer-like pain gradually subsided.
“How’s that? The pain’s easing up, right?”
“…Ahem.”
A soft sensation filled the space where the pain had been, and I let out an involuntary cough.
“Your back, Dale… it’s broader than I thought.”
Iris tightened her grip around my waist and whispered near my ear.
Since I was turned away, I couldn’t see her expression, but from the laughter woven into her whisper, I could tell she was wearing quite a mischievous smile.
“…Iris.”
“Dale.
I loosened her arms around my waist and turned to face her.
Our gazes met.
Close enough to feel each other’s breath.
Our lips drawing ever closer—.
“…Shouldn’t we be keeping our distance?”
Just then.
A cold voice cut through the air.
“Y-Yuren?”
As I sat up in confusion, I caught sight of Yuren standing by the door, regarding me with an icy gaze.
Yuren strode in carrying a basket of fruit and settled into the chair beside my bed.
Perhaps because our intimate moment had been interrupted.
Iris narrowed her eyes and fixed Yuren with a sharp stare.
“My, entering without so much as a knock. It seems the Helios Family neglects to teach basic courtesy.”
“At least I’m not a healer who clings to her patient even after treatment is complete.”
A tense atmosphere descended upon the room.
Both wore pleasant smiles, yet the air felt as though we’d been dropped into the heart of a battlefield.
‘No, Iris doesn’t even know Yuren is a woman—why is she acting like this?’
The mere thought of how much more hostile things would become once Yuren’s true gender was revealed made my stomach churn.
“Dale. You must be hungry since you haven’t eaten anything.”
“Ah, yeah. I’m getting a bit peckish.”
“Let me peel a fruit for you.”
With that, Yuren retrieved an apple from the basket and began peeling it.
‘What kind of peeling technique is that?’
The apple skin came away so thin it was practically translucent.
As I watched Yuren’s exquisite knife work with silent admiration.
“Here, Dale. Say ah~.”
Before I knew it, Yuren had cut the apple into bite-sized pieces and held a fork with a piece pressed near my lips.
The moment I opened my eyes, a golden-haired beauty was hand-feeding me apple he’d personally peeled.
‘Please, not like this.’
Despite knowing Yuren was a woman, the masculine appearance before my eyes created turmoil in my mind.
“What’s wrong, Dale? Not hungry?”
“No, it’s not that….”
Just as I wrestled with this internal confusion.
Bang!
“Brother Dale!!!”
The door burst open and Berald rushed inside.
“A-are you feeling alright, sir?”
“Yeah. As you can see, I’m fine.”
“Phew. You scared me half to death when you suddenly collapsed like that, sir.”
Berald placed a hand over his heart, exhaling in relief.
Yeah.
Seeing this fool’s face somehow calmed my turbulent thoughts.
“Hm? Brother Yuren. Were you peeling that fruit for Brother?”
“Y-yeah.”
“Hehe! Of course! Nothing beats sweet fruit for recovery!”
Berald snatched the plate of fruit from Yuren and held a piece to my lips with his thick fingers.
“Come now, brother—open wide! Let me feed you myself!”
“….”
The apple Berald placed directly into my mouth tasted of life’s bitterness.
* * *
Gilbert Ryu’s Bedroom—Berald’s Father’s chamber.
Iris stood beside Gilbert Ryu, who lay peacefully asleep with his eyes closed.
“Then… I’ll begin the treatment.”
From this expedition to the Ruins, we had obtained three high-grade magic stones.
It was a sufficient quantity to serve as a “sacrifice” for the healing ritual.
“….”
Tension settled heavily over the chamber.
Berald bounced his leg anxiously, his expression taut with worry.
I kept my hand on Berald’s shoulder, my gaze fixed upon Iris.
“O Seven Gods who dwell in the heavens above.”
Iris began chanting the prayer, her hands clasped together.
Her irises shimmered with the seven colors of the rainbow, and pure white divine power flooded the entire chamber.
Iris pressed one hand against the magic stones while placing her other hand upon Gilbert Ryu’s forehead, continuing her incantation.
“Gaze upon this wounded soul with compassion, embrace it with your gentle hands, and guide it so it does not stray from the path it has lost.”
Uuuuuuung!
As the prayer continued, the light flowing from the magic stones extinguished one by one.
As the stones’ luminescence faded, the divine power grew steadily more intense.
A torrent of pristine white radiance swept through the chamber like a violent gale.
And then.
“…Mmm?”
Gilbert Ryu slowly opened his eyes.
He raised himself from the bed, his gaze wandering before settling upon Berald.
“Oh! The big brother!”
“….”
Berald’s expression darkened, a stark contrast to the cheerful tone of the voice.
“Ah….”
A soft sigh escaped Iris’s lips.
She shook her head, her lips pressed tightly together.
“…I’m sorry.”
Even with the healing magic powered by three high-grade magic stones as sacrifices, we could not cure Gilbert Ryu’s affliction.
“Haha, no. I said from the start that failure was possible.”
“But still! If we gather more sacrifices, we can keep trying, so please don’t lose hope!”
Iris offered Berald words of comfort.
“…More sacrifices, you say.”
In that moment, Berald’s gaze shifted toward his waist.
At his waist hung the Legacy of Iron Fist, obtained from this expedition to the Ruins.
“Berald, surely you’re not….”
“….”
Berald lifted the deep blue gauntlet hanging from his waist.
“Iris, didn’t you say before that artifacts could also be used as ‘offerings’?”
“W-well, yes, but….”
Iris trailed off and turned to look at me.
I exhaled deeply and turned to face Berald.
“Berald, I understand your feelings, but don’t be so hasty. There will be plenty of opportunities to find more offerings in the future.”
“I understand.”
Berald offered me the gauntlet with a faint smile.
A silent gesture asking me to use it as an offering.
I met Berald’s gaze directly and continued.
“Berald, this gauntlet is the Legacy of Iron Fist.”
“I know.”
“It’s a treasure that countless heroes have sought for the past five hundred years.”
“I know.”
“You may never acquire an artifact of this caliber again.”
“I know.”
Berald nodded silently.
Yet he did not take back the gauntlet he had offered me.
“Berald….”
“I know what you’re going to say, brother.”
Berald continued with a faint smile.
“I know that I’m being hasty right now, that this gauntlet is an invaluable treasure, and that I may never possess another artifact of such worth in my lifetime.”
Berald spoke while caressing the gauntlet.
“Truth be told, my relationship with Father was never particularly close. I was always an inadequate son, and Father was never pleased with me.”
“After Mother passed away from illness, my relationship with Father grew even more distant. I can barely remember the last time we shared a meal together.”
“I’m not particularly intelligent, so I’m not sure what the wisest choice would be.”
And yet.
Still.
“I remember Father carrying me on his shoulders when I was young.”
“I remember being scolded harshly when I secretly stole a toy that neighborhood children were playing with.”
“I remember Father comforting me when my magic studies weren’t progressing as I hoped, telling me to take my time and do things properly.”
So then.
“I wish Father would remember me too.”
With those words, Berald smiled softly.
“….”
I accepted the gauntlet from Berald.
A treasure I had never found in my past life.
A powerful artifact that might greatly aid in changing the future.
Suddenly.
I recalled words Berald had left me before his death in my past life.
-Even if I die, please remember my name.
Yes.
You were that kind of person.
In my past life. And now as well.
You may not remember, but I do.
Because you existed as you were.
I could become who I am now.
“Iris. Use this as a sacrifice and cast the healing spell again.”
“…You do understand that an artifact used as a sacrifice once loses its power, correct?”
“Yes.”
I understand.
“…Very well.”
Iris accepted the gauntlet.
Whirrrrrrr!
A radiance incomparably more intense than before flooded the chamber.
And then.
“Ah, ugh…!”
Gilbert Ryu, cradling his head, let out a groan.
He who had been crying out in pain slowly lifted his head.
“Ugh… Where exactly am I…?”
Gilbert Ryu’s gaze, which had been glancing about in confusion, turned toward Berald.
“Berald…? When did you get so tall?”
“…Heh.”
Berald covered his face with his hand, his shoulders trembling as he nodded.
“Yes. I’m Berald. The son of Gilbert Ryu… Berald Ryu….”
Choked, choked.
Transparent tears streamed down from the eyes of Berald, whose head hung low.

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