Ch.5252. Hero (6)

I had never felt so acutely aware of how adrenaline can mask pain. I lay in the hospital bed, lost in that thought. After defeating the giant, my body was in a much worse state than I had expected. Perhaps even more dangerous than when I first wielded dual swords. This time, even the Holy Sword’s recovery abilities weren’t fully working. Once the thrill of battle faded from my body, all that remained were wounds and pain.

“[That’s the price for taking down a big one. You fought against one of the world’s end, after all.]”

Ugh. Every time I tried to shift my position, I felt pain like something stabbing and crushing me. I groaned and laid my head back on the pillow. Mana flowed into me from the Holy Sword. As the pain eased, I let out a sigh of relief. I could hear the Holy Sword clicking its tongue in my mind.

“[I won’t be sending you this kind of mana every time, so be careful on your own.]”

I nodded and let my arm drop. My entire body was carefully wrapped in bandages. The military doctor at Evernode advised me to refrain from using mana for a while and strictly prohibited any intense physical activity. Blood vessel ruptures, internal organ damage, partial fractures, compound fractures, muscle tears, and what else? Anyway, I was covered with every injury imaginable.

“As long as I came back alive, that’s what matters. And I took down the Calamity too.”

“[You’re right. Just this once.]”

I turned my head toward the window. Apart from some outer wall collapses and monsters causing a bit of havoc in the city after breaching those walls, Evernode had suffered almost no damage. The knights and soldiers found this fortunate, but also somewhat bewildering.

‘Wait, is it really possible that our fortress is safe? After fighting something like that? Seriously, just a few collapsed walls and some houses gone, nothing more?’

‘Barktins was completely annihilated when the Third Calamity attacked, so I’m not sure if it’s okay for us to be this intact.’

‘Kid, just take the good news as it is and move on.’

Despite everything that happened, Evernode’s knights were the same as always. Though it was a bit annoying how they all visited my hospital room with much friendlier attitudes, saying a few words before leaving. I felt like some famous Buddha statue at a tourist site—the kind people touch on the head for good luck.

Still, it wasn’t a bad feeling.

I smiled faintly and placed the Holy Sword across my knees. But I noticed an engraved pattern on the leather strap wrapped around the sword’s hilt that I hadn’t seen before. Flowers, leaves, and vines? I ran my hand along the pattern, tilting my head in confusion.

“This wasn’t here before, was it, Holy Sword?”

“[….]”

No answer. It seemed determined not to speak. I was about to press further with a playful smile when a knock at the door interrupted me.

“Ilroy, may I come in?”

It was Daphne’s voice. I turned toward the door, pleased.

“Of course. Come in.”

It wasn’t just Daphne who entered. Our entire party was standing at the doorway, looking at me. I nodded and invited them all in. George pulled a wooden wheelchair into the center of the room.

“What brings you all here together?”

“For a request like that, we had to come get you together.”

George said with a bitter smile. I nodded and asked a question.

“Have the bodies of the fallen been recovered?”

“Yes. Monster activity has almost ceased, so they’ve opened the outer walls and are retrieving the bodies.”

George spoke as if pleased, but I couldn’t simply receive the news with a smile. Those I couldn’t protect. Those I couldn’t hold in my hands or carry on my shoulders.

“The highest place in Evernode has been prepared as a cemetery for the fallen. During winter, we bury and honor the soldiers and knights who died fighting there.”

“I see. I should go see it soon.”

I nodded, trying to act nonchalant. George stared at me intently.

“You were right.”

George muttered as if talking to himself.

“What?”

When I frowned, George shook his head and smiled.

“Nothing.”

Then we walked through Evernode’s streets in silence, like taking a stroll. We passed through complexly arranged buildings and entered an unpaved field. Impressively, the grass had survived the sudden cold wave from the boundary. The wheelchair wheels made rustling sounds as they passed through the grass. There was a clean smell of grass and trees.

“That hill over there.”

I could see a black fence. The cemetery was overlooking Evernode from a sunny spot. The hill where the graves stood was like a massive burial mound. A huge stone monument stood on top of the hill. The black monument was filled with names. I engraved each name in my eyes as I looked at the monument. Some names I knew, others I didn’t.

“What should I say?”

I murmured, stroking the monument. The sunlight was illuminating their names. As I stared blankly at this scenery, I felt a new presence behind me.

“Tell them that you protected Evernode, that our fortress didn’t fall.”

I turned around. Duke Quenore was slowly walking up the hill.

“That’s what I should say.”

The Duke had a splint on his right arm. He was dressed in black, light clothing. Quenore approached the monument and placed his left hand on it.

“You’re something else, Ilroy. The first place you visit as soon as you’re able to leave your bed is here. I don’t know whether to call it typical of you or just sad.”

I shrugged.

“Isn’t it the natural attitude? These people fought alongside us.”

Duke Quenore exhaled briefly. For some reason, his gaze was directed at me rather than the monument.

“Those who join Evernode’s knighthood always know they might die at any moment. Winter in the north means war, fighting against monsters. That’s true for me too, and for the soldiers who wield weapons alongside the knights on the front lines.”

The Duke tapped the monument one last time and removed his hand.

“Mourning is always part of it. Every year, new people join, and familiar faces leave.”

Quenore then caressed his sword.

“Our mourning is brief. We just come to the grave, say a few words, and leave. Those who went before us did the same, and if I go first, I wouldn’t want anyone clinging to my grave and crying. I’d want them to be proud and continue protecting Evernode as they did.”

The Duke looked at me.

“Especially you—I wouldn’t want you to be trapped by death. After all, it was you, Hero Ilroy, who saved Evernode and the world.”

It didn’t really sink in. I frowned slightly and lowered my head. The Duke’s gaze followed my dropping head.

“Is that so?”

“I don’t offer empty consolations, Ilroy.”

Duke Quenore approached and grabbed the wheelchair handles. Then he started pushing the wheelchair down the hill with just one hand. Somehow, it felt much more stable than when George was pushing. I turned my head back to look at the Duke.

“Where are we going?”

Duke Quenore smiled enigmatically.

“You’ll see.”

The Duke led the way, and our party followed. The Duke’s sword occasionally clattered against the wheelchair.

“Do you remember when you first arrived at this fortress, Ilroy?”

The Duke, who had been walking quietly for a while, spoke up.

“Yes, I remember receiving quite the welcome.”

When I responded sarcastically, Duke Quenore burst into laughter.

“I didn’t know you held grudges. That’s unexpected.”

“I’m just answering honestly since you asked.”

“Well now, I have to be careful what I say.”

The Duke tapped the wheelchair handles.

“If I had known you would protect our fortress so admirably, I would have treated you well from the beginning.”

“You never know about people.”

I answered casually, and the Duke laughed again. Clunk, clunk. The wheelchair shook. We were heading toward the entrance to Evernode’s fortress. I looked in confusion at George and Duke Quenore as they carried me up onto the wall.

“Do you know what day it is, Ilroy?”

Duke Quenore asked. I tilted my head in confusion, then shook it. Seeing my reaction, the Duke grinned broadly.

“It’s the day the evacuated residents return to Evernode.”

Return day. My expression went blank, and the Duke and George shook their heads at my reaction. I had somehow reached the top of the wall, and the soldiers and knights guarding the wall welcomed me.

“Are you here to watch, Hero?”

“Thank you so much for last time!”

This welcome also felt somewhat bewildering. The Duke pushed the wheelchair to a position with a good view of the outside. I looked down at the hill I had ridden up on horseback months ago. It was green. I watched the branches and grass swaying with the wind.

There was a sound of something moving through the grass. I could hear the splashing sounds of something coming up against the stream. Footsteps and voices of people could be heard. Many, many of them.

“Look over there, Ilroy.”

People emerged from the grass and between the trees. They looked very tired, but each face bore the same smile.

“Those are the people you saved.”

Some were shouting with joy, others were sobbing. I could hear the gates creaking open. People were coming up. One by one, they were returning to Evernode, to their home, cheering and embracing each other.

“This is the scenery you protected.”

I blinked. Life was beginning to return to the empty streets. People’s voices started to be heard. Duke Quenore’s hand rested on my shoulder.

“Thank you, truly, Ilroy.”

Quenore’s voice was trembling slightly.

Pitter-patter.

Then, I heard the sound of someone running up the stairs. It was a child’s footsteps. I could also hear a mother’s voice from behind, cautioning to be careful. Above the stairs, cute black hair tied in pigtails was fluttering.

“Father!”

I heard Karin’s voice. The iron-blooded princess ran to her father with tears in her eyes and hugged him. The Duke stroked Karin’s hair, and behind them on the stairs, Duchess Hela Strope and Luke were coming up. I watched the family reunion. The Duke, who should have died stopping the Calamity in the original story, was alive and embracing his family again.

“[That’s also a scene you protected, Ilroy.]”

The Holy Sword spoke in a gentle voice. I couldn’t find words to respond and just exhaled softly.

“Hero.”

Then, Karin walked toward me. With her eyes red again from tears, but with a bright smile on her face. Plop, Karin hugged me, adding weight and warmth to my legs.

“Promise.”

Karin looked up and met my eyes. That expression was too dazzling for me to behold.

“Thank you for keeping it.”

I bit my lip. Words wouldn’t come out. I just bowed my head deeply and stroked Karin’s hair. Karin hugged me again, and I endlessly, without noticing the passage of time, continued stroking Karin while listening to the sounds around me.

Thank you for protecting us.

Karin’s voice saying those words kept echoing in my ears.