Inheriting the Novel

The Thread that Reaches the Gods (2)

A hush fell over the scene.

The fierce battle had ended in an instant, leaving behind only a tranquil silence.

“Hey, what did you just do?”

The first to speak was Kisea.

She approached and casually put her hand on my shoulder.

At that small gesture, I almost screamed aloud.

'Kuk! Wh-what...?'

I barely swallowed the urge to cry out, slowly straightened my posture. The magic power that had coursed through my whole body was now barely a thread.

Moreover, my entire body was wracked with dreadful pain.

[That was actually quite impressive this time, you know?]

Grancesia’s tone was incredulous.

[I didn’t think you’d pull it off to that extent.]

'But what’s with this backlash? It wasn’t like this when I practiced before…'

After reaching the rank of Sword Master, I had practiced Heaven’s Holy Ultimate Art a few times to become familiar with it.

I was certain the rebound wasn’t nearly this bad back then.

[Back then, what you performed was only half-complete. Of course the backlash was less.]

Grancesia spoke with a click of her tongue, and I found myself glancing unconsciously at Jerta, whose upper body had vanished.

[The Mystic Vision mixes in mysteries gained from No-Self. The moment you unfold Mystic Vision, you instantly become ‘nothing at all.’]

I recalled that moment, when I couldn’t feel any magic power at all, when even the strongest aura was easily pierced through.

So that’s the subtlety of No-Self.

[You reached into the realm of No-Self with a clumsy state… So, this result was inevitable. Still, lucky you’re alive!]

She said I was lucky to be alive, but honestly, I couldn’t even feel that I was still alive.

This was the first time in my life I’d felt pain throughout my entire body.

“Hey, Clay?”

“Ah, sorry. I was just lost in thought for a moment.”

Drawing on superhuman endurance, I turned my body with a nonchalant expression.

I didn’t want to show any sign of weakness in front of the many Darsha warriors, Soila Fran, Rascal, and Kisea, all watching me from where they stood.

Especially now, since the Seven Heroes’ trial was as good as over, there was no way I’d collapse disgracefully.

Just a little more—if I could hold out just a bit longer, then I could rest when we returned.

“You’re amazing, Clay. Now I get why Marvin’s taken such an interest in you. You’re not just skilled in swordsmanship, but martial arts too.”

Soila approached, releasing the barrier as she came.

She seemed honestly impressed.

“Jerta was using power far beyond anything you people could match. Even I wouldn’t have been able to handle him easily.”

“...And you just stood by, letting him run wild like that?”

“There were three of you, and I intended to help if things really became dangerous.”

With her gentle smile, Soila left me with nothing to say.

“Anyway, what about the trial? The dragon has fallen, so shouldn’t we decide who gets to extract the dragon’s heart...?”

Twitch.

Just as I was finishing the sentence, the dragon’s body shuddered violently.

“...Huh?”

After Jenova was embedded in its head, the dragon hadn’t moved at all. It had even served faithfully as a platform during my fight with Jerta, so I had assumed it was definitely dead.

「.......」

I made eye contact with the dragon, which was now slowly opening its eyes.

「Um.......」

The dragon gingerly pulled out Jenova, still lodged in its head, with two thick claws and politely offered it to us.

「...Would you spare me, please?」

Thinking back now, it had indeed been strange for a dragon to die just from having a blade stuck in its head.

‘But then why didn’t it move all this time?’

[It fainted from shock the moment the sword was embedded.]

A dragon fainting from shock?

I had no words for that.

“Hey... are we not going to kill it?”

Kisea asked Soila, pointing at the dragon.

Understandably, there was not a shred of sympathy in her gaze for the dragon politely bowing its great head.

‘What kind of dragon is like that?’

[Just now, nothing it could do worked, and after seeing Jerta killed, I guess it makes sense. If you’d landed a punch on that young dragon’s head, its head would’ve been gone by now.]

Was it really that much?

I was the one who’d used Mystic Vision, but I honestly couldn’t believe it myself.

“Uh...”

Soila also seemed at a loss, as if she hadn’t expected this turn of events.

She glanced over to the Darsha warriors standing some ways off.

Seemingly understanding what her look meant, one of the warriors ran over.

“There was a commotion, but no one died. Of course, that doesn’t mean I want to forgive the dragon.”

He had been the one commanding the Darsha warriors—a great warrior.

Soila nodded at the great warrior.

“Then let’s proceed as originally planned.”

As Soila nodded, the dragon curled up its massive body and let out a pitiful moan.

“But somehow it feels uncomfortable seeing it like that. Feels like we’re just picking on a clueless kid.”

“Don’t forget what it is. Until just moments ago, it was an undeniable dragon that toyed with the warriors of Darsha.”

“Well... that’s true, but...”

Oddly enough, Soila was the one insisting on dealing with the dragon, while the great warrior looked uncertain.

Darsha was a nation that valued strength and honor.

Especially since they held the idea that you don’t attack an enemy who surrenders.

That thought seemed to make them hesitate to kill the dragon, which was now totally surrendering.

“But I don’t think we can just let it go out of sympathy.”

Rascal also put up his hand in favor of dealing with it.

As for Kisea... there was no need to ask.

“But more than our opinions, I’d like to hear yours. You’re essentially the winner of this Seven Heroes Convocation, after all.”

He said this, glancing at Kisea.

Normally, Kisea’s pure eyes would have sided with me, but now she looked a little sulky.

She seemed to have a strong competitive streak, at least regarding matters of ‘strength.’

“Yeah, that’s right. Honestly, I can’t handle a dragon that easily... I can’t even beat Jerta.”

And so, the decision-making power was passed to me.

In truth, I also felt it would be best to take care of the dragon here.

It had already attacked humans once, so there was no guarantee it wouldn’t do it again.

So as uneasy as I felt, it was probably safer to handle it right here...

“I swear on Dragon Tongue! I-I will never harm humans again!”

Apparently it had read my thoughts, because the dragon hurriedly pleaded.

“Hm.”

“And I’ll do anything you order, just please spare my life...”

Is this guy really a dragon on the outside only?

What kind of dragon is this abject?

[Seriously. Most dragons have too much pride, so even in situations like this, they’d act endlessly arrogant and die.]

Even Grancesia seemed a bit taken aback.

“You’ll do anything you’re told?”

「Yes, sir.」

When I asked again, the dragon responded without hesitation.

Stroking my chin with my index finger as I regarded it, I had to admit... while it made no sense, the offer was certainly appealing.

“Then.”

After making up my mind, I gave my verdict before everyone.

* * *

Time passed—long for some, short for others—and the Seven Heroes Convocation came to an end.

Ascending to the new seat among the Seven Heroes through this gathering was none other than Clay Vanhart, widely known as the wielder of the Divine Sword.

“So, the Kingdom of Talua has recovered the absence left by Count Ribina.”

“Told you it was a nation of substance.”

News spread quickly.

Especially because the Princess of the Empire herself energetically spread the word.

“That’s quite a match for a son-in-law.”

“Oh my, Clay was always a perfect prospective son-in-law.”

At Gideon's words, Riya retorted sharply.

Gideon chuckled softly at her uncharacteristically bristling manner.

‘No matter what else, she usually laughs things off, but when it comes to that man, she can’t stand it.’

At first, Gideon found it amusing.

But since Riya, the Empire’s precious treasure and his lovely daughter, was constantly reacting so, he no longer found it very amusing.

“Riya, think of your father at least half as much as you think of him.”

“...I’ll try.”

He hadn’t asked for much, but she merely responded that she’d try. Gideon could not help but feel a pang.

“Wasn’t it to ask your father for help that you came?”

“Yes.”

“Then wouldn’t it be nice to act more affectionately?”

“I had no idea you wanted that sort of thing, father.”

Riya looked slightly surprised, then softened her gaze at him a little.

That alone was enough to satisfy Gideon somewhat.

‘This is virtually the first time Riya has come to ask me for help.’

Of course, it was all for Clay.

Riya had come to Gideon to resume her magic training, which she had put aside until now.

It was also to learn the unique magic manifestation method of the Asktalin Empire’s royalty through distinctive magic power operation.

‘With Clay becoming one of the Seven Heroes, she must become his equal, too.’

That seemed to be her way of thinking.

In fact, Riya was already so powerful that it was hard to say she was weaker than most of the Seven Heroes.

“But, father, there’s something I’m curious about.”

Then, Riya spoke in a calm voice.

“What is it you wish to know, child?”

“Clay became one of the Seven Heroes this time, right? I’ve heard the Seven Heroes have jobs that only they can do. Will Clay be assigned such a job...”

“Not yet. It hasn’t been long since he became a Hero, and he’s still inexperienced.”

It wasn’t just a matter of skill, but of experience.

Once he gained more age, he would naturally come to bear the responsibility of a Hero.

“But... it’s curious.”

“Excuse me?”

As Gideon gave her a faint smile, Riya looked up at the emperor with a puzzled expression.

“That the wielder of the Seven Swords Under Heaven has become a Hero. Is this fate?”

“Is there some special connection between the Seven Swords Under Heaven and the Seven Heroes?”

“It’s not that there’s a connection, but there’s some information about the Seven Swords Under Heaven that only the Heroes know.”

Of course, such information was of no real help to a Hero. It was all vague and uncertain.

But if Clay, who had already gathered most of the Seven Swords Under Heaven, could realize the meaning contained within, who knows.

‘The Seven Swords Under Heaven are the thread that reaches the gods.’

Just who was this ‘god’ referring to?

Gideon was always curious about that.

* * *

Everyone descended Mount Tylaris, leaving only a few of the Seven Heroes and myself in the tower.

‘I guess Kisea went to our domain…’

I had that feeling. The look in her eyes as we left the tower hadn’t been ordinary.

[That girl’s got quite the pride, huh?]

‘She didn’t even lose to me in a proper fight, so maybe it’s frustrating for her.’

I could understand how Kisea felt.

Honestly, if I fought Kisea, I couldn’t even confidently say I’d win.

Her attacks were extremely unconventional and particularly suited to fighting people.

“It was an excellent fight, Clay Vanhart.”

When I entered the room at the top of the tower, Marvin, Ban, and Soila greeted me.

Sehenz, who had been in the tower until recently, was nowhere to be seen—apparently he’d gone elsewhere again.

“I welcome you as the new Hero.”

“I’m still lacking, but I’ll do my best not to sully the name of Hero.”

I bowed deeply, responding as politely as I could to Ban, who represented the Seven Heroes.

“There’s a reason we called you to this place.”

“There’s something… you need to tell me?”

“Yes. The trial is over, and the official announcement has been made. You have no reason to stay in the tower anymore. So I felt it best to speak before you return to your domain.”

His words put me on edge.

‘Well, I doubted they brought me just for a celebration party.’

Ban watched me quietly for a while, then took a small book from inside his coat. Even at a glance, it was obviously a very old tome.

‘That is…’

Narrowing my eyes, I examined the profile of the ancient book.

Only then did I understand why Ban had called me here.