Ch.1616. The Hearing (3)

“I knew it would be like this. I figured it out from the moment I heard that someone with no special background was chosen by the Holy Sword. Why would a divine artifact choose someone like him?”

In the council chamber before the hero’s entrance, an elderly court noble spoke with a casual tone. His manner of speech was hardly befitting a nobleman, and his appearance was far from dignified. Yet, judging by his rank or title, no one dared to contradict him.

“Indeed. Just because he pulled out a sword, he’s become so arrogant, as if the world is beneath his feet.”

Instead, sycophants around him fawned over his words. The biggest problem was that these people weren’t completely incompetent. They were actually quite capable in their respective fields. Bishop Andre Zabine sat with perfect posture, listening to the ministers’ conversation that resembled a farce.

“Who did he expel from the party? That mercenary, was it?”

“My friend, the mercenary isn’t the important part. He apparently expelled the Holy Maiden with his own hands. The Holy Maiden! Can you believe it? The great envoy of the Holy Nation, whom even we dare not treat carelessly.”

At first, listening to their conversation was somewhat entertaining, but as it continued for 5 minutes, then 10, it started to become tedious. The bishop decided to endure the boredom, thinking it might be interesting to observe how their expressions changed during the hearing.

“Does the hero really think he’s more important than the Holy Maiden? That would be blasphemy to the Blue Orthodox Church.”

The elderly court noble who had been ranting suddenly turned to Bishop Andre and gave him a servile smile.

“Isn’t that right, Bishop? My goodness, we’re showing you all sorts of embarrassing behavior because of one person in our country.”

“Perfection is God’s exclusive domain. Everyone makes mistakes. And it’s because we make mistakes that we are human. There’s no rule saying the hero can’t make mistakes.”

Bishop Andre responded indirectly. At the bishop’s utterly diplomatic answer, the court noble smacked his lips and racked his brain for another topic.

“One can make mistakes. But if failures are repeated, isn’t that ultimately a reflection of one’s ability? I truly wonder if the current hero even deserves to be chosen by the Holy Sword.”

“…Are you perhaps questioning the divine artifact of the Blue Orthodox Church?”

Bishop Andre’s voice suddenly turned cold. His gray eyes flashed between his narrowed lids as he stared at the court noble. The noble felt an inexplicable chill and broke into a cold sweat.

“N-no, not at all. I just doubt the hero’s qualifications… Look, aren’t there knights who are more qualified to be heroes? The divine artifact would surely change its master if it saw them.”

The court noble gestured with his chin toward the knights sitting in the back of the chamber. Bishop Andre raised his head, following the noble’s gaze. George, a companion of the hero’s party, was seated among what appeared to be other knights of similar rank, likely fellow knight commanders.

“As one of this country’s ministers, I cannot continue to watch someone unworthy wear the title of hero. Regarding the recent friction nearly caused with the Holy Nation, I will demand strict accountability.”

You’ve made some powerful enemies, hero. This hearing won’t end so simply.

Bishop Andre thought this as he closed his eyes. The hero had never chosen an easy path. He could have taken the hand offered by those in power and followed their control, but instead, he refused to become their sword and chose to save the world through his own actions.

I wonder how the hero will handle this situation.

Bishop Andre slightly opened his eyes and looked at the entrance door. A lower noble was opening the door, conversing with the hero beyond it.

“He’s coming in.”

With someone’s murmur, the door opened, and the hero, dressed in a pristine white uniform, walked in with measured steps. All eyes in the chamber turned to him. The hero, seemingly unfazed by the numerous gazes, instead looked around the room, returning their stares.

“…Somehow, the hero’s demeanor seems different, doesn’t it?”

“Indeed. Was he always this composed? The atmosphere feels heavier.”

The ministers whispered among themselves. The general murmur gradually subsided, turning into sporadic whispers before slowly fading away like the setting sun. The entire space was gradually being dominated by the presence of a single person—the hero. The ministers, not realizing they had no reason to stop talking, one by one fell silent.

Bishop Andre observed this process with great interest. The hero looked different from when he had last seen him. What could have happened in those few days? When the hero’s gaze met Andre’s, he slightly furrowed his brow. The bishop gave him a slight smile and turned to the chairman of the hearing.

“We will now begin the hearing.”

What unexpected move will he make this time? Can you prove that you are the one the Blue Orthodox Church has been searching for? Bishop Andre rubbed his hands under the table, anticipating the questions that would be directed at the hero.

==

As I entered the council chamber, I saw a few familiar faces.

First, George, sitting in the back with what appeared to be other knight commanders. Without the leisure to wave in greeting, I nodded to acknowledge him. Turning my head further, I spotted Count Wallace with his abundant beard. The count met my gaze briefly before looking away. He said he would become my enemy—let’s see how formidable he can be.

Ugh.

And then, as I looked around for other recognizable faces, I met eyes with Bishop Andre. He seemed to be participating in the hearing as a representative of the Holy Nation. I unconsciously frowned, and seeing my expression, the bishop smiled slightly.

“We will now begin the hearing.”

The chairman’s solemn voice rang out.

“This hearing has been convened to examine the circumstances and reasons behind Hero Ilroy’s autocratic behavior, oppressive speech toward companions, and unilateral selection of expedition members in the party formed to tackle ‘The Seven Calamity.’ Hero Ilroy, please speak first.”

What do I have to say? I stood at the podium with the statement I had prepared the night before. Skimming through the formalities, I emphasized only the important parts.

“…As the hero chosen by the Holy Sword, and as the leader of this expedition, I was delegated the authority to select party members. The exercise of that authority was carried out for entirely official reasons and backgrounds, and I clarify that it was not the arbitrary action of someone without official authority.”

The bait has been thrown. Now they’ll swarm to tear at this meat. Whether it’s spoiled or good meat, they’ll find out when they taste it.

“Are you saying that your actions during the conquest of the ‘Third Calamity’ and the subsequent dismissal of expedition members were all based on official grounds?”

Count Wallace was the first to pounce. I rolled my eyes toward him and answered.

“Yes, that’s correct.”

“Then you should first provide the basis for that. Isn’t it an abuse of authority to act without any explanation and then claim it was for official reasons?”

Well, well.

“As you mentioned, I am not only the hero but also the leader of this expedition to conquer ‘The Seven Calamity.’ If expedition members do not follow the words and orders of their leader, shouldn’t they be punished for insubordination?”

“Isn’t it the hero’s role to coordinate well with the expedition members? You shouldn’t just cut them off without trying to work things out.”

I wanted to snort and laugh mockingly. Who was it that dragged me to this council for a collective lynching because I couldn’t be controlled, because I could raise my own voice?

“If I had intended to expel people from the party just for not following my orders, I would have done so during the conquest of the ‘Third Calamity.’ I believe I gave them sufficient opportunities and observed them.”

“Then using that authority itself in such an autocratic manner…”

“If you’re now disparaging the authority I possess as autocratic, should I consider that as disparaging ‘the one who granted me this authority’? I’m using the authority as it was meant to be used, aren’t I?”

I asked with a gentle smile. Pushing back isn’t your exclusive right. A clear slip-up. Realizing this, Count Wallace’s face turned ashen. One down. Then, another denture-wearer who had been looking at Count Wallace with contemptuous eyes spoke up.

“Fine. Let’s say cutting that mercenary was justified. But what about the Holy Maiden? Did you expel her from the party because she didn’t listen to you too? The Holy Maiden isn’t a citizen of our kingdom; she’s an envoy sent by the Holy Nation to aid the hero. Do you include her in your authority as well?”

A somewhat intelligent question. Of course, I had prepared an answer and shook my head.

“No. I did not expel Isis because she didn’t follow my orders.”

“Then, what was your reason for expelling her?”

Acting is crucial here. I changed my expression to one of serious gravity and began to speak.

“Her being part of the hero’s party was a hindrance to the party and a loss to the world.”

At my statement, the council began to stir. Most people looked at me and then glanced at Bishop Andre, the Holy Nation’s representative, whispering among themselves. Of course, Bishop Andre remained sitting upright with that same narrow-eyed smile, just looking at me.

“What nonsense is this, hero!”

“How dare you spout such nonsense in front of a representative of the Holy Nation!”

“Are you taking this hearing lightly?”

The murmuring was a brief conference. Having exchanged opinions among themselves, the ministers began to hurl criticisms at me indiscriminately. Unable to bear it any longer, the chairman struck his gavel to quiet the ministers.

“Silence! Let us hear Hero Ilroy’s explanation first before questioning.”

Already such chaos—deep wrinkles formed on the chairman’s forehead. With an expression that seemed to be suppressing a sigh, the chairman turned to me, indicating that I should speak. At least this person seems normal.

“The Holy Maiden, Isis, can certainly perform miracles. She can heal wounds that seem impossible to treat and alleviate pain.”

However, there are problems that arise from her presence. The Holy Maiden lacks the martial power to properly protect herself on a battlefield filled with all sorts of supernatural forces. To put it more directly, on the battlefield, the Holy Maiden is someone who needs protection. Not a combatant you can rely on to watch your back.

“But many of those wounds were sustained while protecting Isis. Without proper escorts, the Holy Maiden cannot take care of herself on the battlefield.”

In the original work, George was the prime victim of this. Of course, Isis healed him just as much, but there were many wounds that could have been avoided in the first place. At my words, the face of the minister questioning me contorted. Though his eyes were glancing at Bishop Andre rather than me.

“What nonsense… So just because of that one thing, you’re willing to give up the Holy Nation’s goodwill, no, all the benefits the Holy Maiden provides to the hero’s party?”

“It’s not for the sake of the hero’s party.”

“What?”

Here, I hardened my expression to emphasize my point.

“We were lucky last time, but there’s no guarantee the Holy Maiden will continue to survive in this dangerous expedition. The Calamities grow stronger over time, and the support our party can receive will diminish.”

Then, I slowly looked around at the ministers seated in the chamber.

“The Holy Maiden should not become a martyr. Her role should be to travel the world, healing the wounds inflicted by the Calamities, not standing on the battlefield.”

Silence descended briefly. With my words, those ministers suddenly became the ones who had pushed the Holy Maiden into a life-threatening battlefield.

“So-sophistry! Acting on your judgment alone, without the opinion of the Holy Nation, is arrogance!”

Does shouting “sophistry” without any basis make sound reasoning into sophistry? I looked at the shouting minister with narrowed eyes.

“Bishop Andre! I apologize on his behalf. Please say something to this ignorant person.”

Bishop Andre turned to the minister with a slight smile.

“Well, there’s nothing particularly wrong with what the hero said. I’d even like to express gratitude for making a decision that the Holy Nation couldn’t make. However, there is one concern: whether the hero’s party can fight well without the Holy Maiden.”

Thank you for the assistance, Bishop. Though it’s a bit unsettling how well you defended me.

The minister’s face turned pale. He looked around as if searching for an excuse, then came back with a strong tone. He seemed to have decided to go all-in.

“No, someone as autocratic, arrogant, and willful as you cannot possibly be qualified to wield that Holy Sword as the hero. Surely a true hero should embrace everything and move forward together.”

Not having backing was truly troublesome. Those fellows had little to lose even if they lost to me here, but if I lost, I would lose everything.

“I request that you prove your qualification as the hero again here. We have brought people from all over the kingdom who are far more suited to be heroes than you. If simply wielding the Holy Sword qualifies one as the hero, then they should be able to do so as well.”

The minister pointed to the knights lined up in the back as he spoke. George wore an expression that suggested he was in a difficult position. So that’s why they brought those people. By the way…

Did you hear that, Holy Sword?

“[Ignorance is truly frightening. To deny until the end and convulse with a shred of hope.]”

The elegant voice of the Holy Sword reached me.

“[Go ahead and let them try as they wish.]”

I shall do as you command.

I smiled as I caressed the hilt of the Holy Sword.