Ch.9696. Hero

Papal State, Holy See.

“…I wish they would all just disappear.”

Lufus Waynelight, the Empire’s strongest knight, muttered.

He had intended to only think it, but it seemed he had accidentally spoken aloud. The Duke standing properly beside him cleared his throat.

“I apologize, Your Grace.”

“No, no. I share your sentiment.”

It wasn’t that he had spoken harshly without reason. It was because of the vulgar chatter of those so-called Imperial nobles not far from them.

“Still maintained odds of 6.3 to 1 though.”

“Is betting closed?”

“Yes, they closed the hall three hours ago.”

“Sigh. It’s because Professor Weaver unnecessarily interfered that bets flooded in for a female Hero. If not for that, the odds wouldn’t have been adjusted this much.”

“I safely went with option 2. No matter how I think about it, a woman won’t come. Don’t blame me later… pfft.”

The whispering of several nobles including John Burko. Despite being conscious of the eyes around them, they stubbornly continued their murmuring.

Eventually…

“…Remove all of them.”

Only after the Emperor’s order did they get pushed outside. Even then, they continued chattering shamelessly.

Waynelight stared at them in disbelief.

He had no intention of interfering with their private conversations.

He understood why they were so crazed. Waynelight knew that not all nobles were as wealthy as himself.

Unlike the Waynelight county, which possessed massive rock salt mines capable of producing hundreds of thousands of tons of salt annually along with solid production infrastructure, most territories had predictable income and expenses. He didn’t want to mock those who had gone bankrupt trying to increase their wealth.

But even so.

‘Do they have to act like this here?’

Waynelight was so embarrassed he could barely contain himself.

They were now gathered in front of the summoning circle, a sacred place within the Holy See.

Naturally, it was to welcome the Hero.

The Emperor, the Prince, and even dukes and grand dukes who were difficult to gather in one place were all present. Not just from the Empire, but kings or crown princes from the Kingdom of Lessotona and Kingdom of Inel had also come in person.

Even elves and dwarves had sent representatives of their races.

From the Great Forest came the Grand Elder who had been a member of a Hero’s party hundreds of years ago, and from the dwarves came a representative of equal standing.

Literally, all the dignitaries of the continent were gathered.

The honor of being the first to receive humanity’s guardian—no, perhaps it was no longer an honor, but an event that had become even more important for other reasons. It would not be an exaggeration to say that the rise and fall of the continent depended on who would come as the new Hero.

Even now, everyone’s expressions were rigid, and no one was speaking. Only the gamblers who had been chased out by the Emperor were praying for their bets outside the entrance.

“Please, a female Hero…! I truly believe in you, Goddess.”

At this desperate incantation, a sigh escaped from between Waynelight’s lips. He almost regretted his superhuman hearing that had become more sensitive as he reached the realm of superhumans.

‘I want to quit. Captain or not.’

It was a thought that suddenly occurred to him.

It was due to the sense of futility that he had wasted his life protecting such people.

Since joining the Royal Order, he had never once thought about quitting. Rather, he had wanted to continue until his dying breath. But after witnessing such unbelievable behavior, he felt his motivation breaking for the first time.

‘Come to think of it, I’m past retirement age anyway…?’

His wife had been nagging him about returning to their territory to live a relaxed life.

He wasn’t planning to retire right away, but it might be good to sound out some capable juniors and hand over his position in a few years.

However, his impulsive desire was soon broken.

Erick Wellesley, the junior who was actually protecting the Empire in place of himself who was only good at swordsmanship, was deeply frowning.

He soon learned the reason.

“…Captain. I just received a report. Through the merchant guild branches in individual cities, ‘at least’ 350,000 people have participated in the gambling.”

“Huh.”

This could be considered a nationwide gambling frenzy. Most would be small bets, but many would have wagered large sums.

It was fortunate that it closed early; if it had continued for a few more days, perhaps every middle-class person in every territory would have participated.

The bigger problem was that this wasn’t the end.

“…And it seems some incident has occurred at the border.”

Erick closed his mouth tightly, saying he didn’t know the details yet. Waynelight wanted to press for more information but barely restrained himself.

Whether the incident occurred in the north or south, whether it was a monster attack or Demon Lord’s army activity. Though he had mountains of questions, it seemed Erick didn’t know the detailed situation either. And they couldn’t just rush out while waiting for the Hero.

One thing was certain.

The Empire was in a desperate crisis.

‘Has the Empire’s fortune truly declined?’

Waynelight felt a sense of dismay as he gripped his sword hilt.

The precious sword given to him by the previous Emperor to protect the Empire. Even now, he was confident he could cut down anything with this one blade, but it was insufficient to calm his anxiety. For the first time since taking up the sword, he felt lost.

***

The Captain mumbled something and eventually wore a look of resignation. I turned my gaze away out of consideration for him.

The strongest swordsman who had single-handedly slain a 12-meter-long lesser dragon at nearly sixty years of age. A supreme being who could survive even if thrown into the middle of the Demonic Land.

If even this old man who had lived a simple life felt a sense of crisis, it was fair to say that doom had fallen upon the Empire.

‘The timing is impeccable.’

I had just received the report that an accident had occurred at the border.

The content was simple. Just news that more than twenty adventurers had rushed into the primeval forest at the border and were annihilated.

Judging by the numbers, they seemed to be adventurers who had entered looking for an open-pit gold mine. They probably tried to compensate for their lack of skill with numbers. Not knowing that it would only increase their chances of death.

The problem was that many of them were likely nobles or quasi-nobles. There were quite a few novices who suddenly transformed into adventurers hoping for quick riches.

The young ones get massacred looking for gold mines, while the old ones gamble away what little fortune they have left.

Though it’s not something I should say as an Imperial noble, this was no longer a country.

Could a proper Hero sort out this mess even if summoned…?

‘No. Rather, an even more chaotic situation would unfold.’

A Hero who would become a scapegoat as soon as they were summoned, a Hero who would have to operate under hostility and strict surveillance—there was no way they could fulfill their role.

Don’t come at all.

I looked at the summoning circle and prayed earnestly.

It wasn’t a curse but a sincere wish. I could almost see the innocent Hero from another world being pushed around and broken. If only they would come after I had danced with my sword to clean up these madmen…

But the spiteful Goddess seemed unwilling to grant my wish.

“It’s coming…!”

As if mocking me, the summoning circle began to emit a holy light.

People’s reactions were mixed.

First, the priests of the Papal State.

They all knelt down and began to offer desperate prayers.

Not devout prayers, but each reciting different prayer texts desperately. There was even a cardinal who was trembling with his head pressed to the floor.

The Empire’s leadership, including the Emperor, was also unusual.

The Emperor was clutching his side as if in pain, and the Prince looked like he was about to cry. The ministers, unable to touch their bodies, just hesitated in awkward postures. Only the sound of “Your Majesty, Your Majesty” could be heard.

The elves and dwarves alternated between looking at the humans going mad and the glowing summoning circle. Just blankly.

Amidst those diverse expressions—

A figure wrapped in brilliant holy light finally revealed itself.

Too simple and quick to be called a miraculous manifestation, more like being casually thrown in.

“Ah….”

I stared blankly at the protagonist.

A body that seemed somewhat small, but with noticeable curves.

Long hair that fell to the shoulders and a small face.

Even small, dainty hands that timidly clutched at the hem of her clothes. Except for the powerful divine energy emanating from her, she was just a woman of modest build.

“It’s a woman!”

Someone blurted out.

Immediately after, a commotion erupted outside the entrance. Some shouted in ecstasy with “Woaaah!” while others spewed curses. I didn’t need to ask why they were acting that way.

I let those sounds pass by and let out a small laugh.

‘So you came after all.’

A woman, the first female Hero in history.

This alone was shocking, but somehow I felt calm. The fear that had been weighing on my shoulders until just now had disappeared. Not because the Hero seemed reliable, but more like watching spilled water.

Right. Let whatever happens happen.

Whatever happens…

…

But something was strange.

It was the moment when a priest should step forward to announce the summoning of the new Hero and praise the Goddess’s grace, but for some reason, everyone was hesitating.

Not only was the priest’s behavior strange, but even the Hero standing on the summoning circle had an odd attitude.

“…Ha.”

She sighed and stared blankly into space. She didn’t look disappointed by our inadequate reception.

Soon after, Bishop Rowan cautiously approached her.

He didn’t seem to be comforting a Hero who was confused by the strange world; rather, he appeared to be listening to some story from her.

Whatever he heard, the bishop’s face gradually turned pale. He occasionally asked questions as if in disbelief.

After some quiet questioning, Bishop Rowan stepped to the front. And he spoke.

“The Goddess has exercised her power. This person is indeed a summoned one chosen by the Goddess. …Indeed she is, but.”

Why was there an addendum?

Setting that aside, I couldn’t understand why my heart was fluttering. I couldn’t understand why the cardinal and bishops were glancing at me, or why Lord Waynelight stepped back with a low exclamation.

I also couldn’t understand why I felt a frenzied energy within my body.

Only the bishop’s solemn voice stuck in my ears.

“…However, this woman’s role is not that of a Hero, but a Saintess.”

“The Goddess listened to our voices and agonized until the last moment, but ultimately judged this to be the best solution.”

“Though it is bewildering, this is the reality given to us. We have no choice but to accept it.”

With these words, Bishop Rowan gazed steadily at me. Not just him, but everyone in the hall was looking at me. One knight, as if sensing something, was already kneeling.

“The new Hero is Lord Erick Wellesley standing over there.”

I felt my mind growing distant as I closed my eyes.