Chapter 16 – What It Takes to Defeat a Hero

The world dissolved into a familiar white void.

–Let’s discuss your… aspirations.–

“Aspirations?”

–Your ultimate goal is to defeat your father. But how do you intend to achieve that? What are your… parameters for victory?–

“…?” What was she talking about?

–How do you envision this… triumph?–

“Isn’t winning… enough?”

–Such a limited perspective.– She clicked her tongue, a sound of disapproval. –Simply winning… is that all you desire? Regardless of the method? The means?–

“Well…” Wasn’t that the point? It was an impossible dream anyway. My father wasn’t just my father; he was one of the strongest individuals on the continent. The Nine Heroes were in a league of their own, and he was the strongest among them. A one-man army, capable of taking on entire nations. And he still wielded the Holy Sword, a weapon of immense power. The Church supported him, the Empire revered him, and his wife… the Saintess. Even now, years after the Demon King’s invasion, she held immense influence. The Holy Mother of Salvation. And I… her son… a constant disappointment.

If only she had shown me a fraction of the kindness she offered the world…

The Church had granted him the Holy Sword, a symbol of their unwavering faith in him. And now, my engagement to Elhermina further solidified the bond between the Empire, the Church, and the Hero. If I had been… less thoughtful, less… burdened… perhaps I could have simply accepted my fate, embraced the privilege of my birth, and become a symbol of peace and unity.

–The path you choose will determine the effort required. The sacrifices you’ll have to make.–

“I understand.” But… where to even begin? I had spent years training, exploring different paths, but it had all been for nothing. I lacked the innate talent for mana manipulation, my capacity limited. Swordsmanship, magic… all pointless pursuits.

“Ah…”

–There is one possibility, isn’t there?–

“It’s… meaningless.” Even that… I couldn’t control it.

“I can… see spirits. But that’s it.” And even that was limited to places of natural energy. Here, in the capital, surrounded by… noise… it was useless.

–You lack the methodology. The elves are born with it, a natural instinct. But you humans… you have to learn. And you haven’t.–

“That’s… true.”

–It’s not a solution, anyway. Not for you. It wouldn’t be enough to defeat your father. And you’re not… particularly gifted in that area.–

“Is that… so?”

–Trust me. I would know. I’m a former spirit, after all. Unless you want to summon the Spirit King for a second opinion.–

“A… former spirit?”

–What do you associate with… gold?–

“Gold?” I blinked, considering. “Light. Brilliance. Perhaps… the earth element?”

–That’s… one aspect. My original attribute. But I am… all the elements, little bird.–

“…?” Was that even possible?

–Fools dismiss the unknown as impossible. Summon the Spirit King, if you doubt me.–

She was a fascinating enigma. A spirit, turned demon, turned Demon King? How was that even possible?

“Is that… why I can see you?”

–Perhaps.– She didn’t elaborate. It wasn’t simply an affinity for spirits. But she wasn’t ready to reveal the truth, not yet.

–Regardless, you’re… deficient when it comes to mana manipulation. You’ll need… external assistance.–

“External… you mean… tools? Artifacts?”

–Precisely.– She snapped her fingers, and images appeared in the air. A human figure. A sword. A book. Labeled: Body. Tool. Method.

–These three elements… they determine everything. Take your father, for example.– Beside the sword, the words Holy Sword, Holy Relics appeared. Beside the book: Imperial Swordsmanship, Luelde’s Irregular Combat Techniques, Six Radiances. The Six Radiances… the miracles of the Gold Dragon, adapted by my father into his own unique fighting style. A technique I had assumed I would learn, someday. And now… I had to find a way to defeat it.

–And the foundation of it all… is his physical strength. His body.– Even the Holy Sword was useless without the strength to wield it. A strong mind, a resolute spirit… they were meaningless without a strong body. Luelde had been born with the perfect foundation. Body and mind, both exceptional. Even before the Holy Sword, before mastering the Imperial Swordsmanship, he had been a formidable warrior.

–He was the weakest of the Nine Heroes, initially. Even with the Holy Sword, he lagged behind the others. It wasn’t until he acquired the Holy Relics that he truly… ascended.– The Holy Sword and the Holy Relics? Such power…

–Even I was surprised. It was… excessive. The gods clearly… intervened. Cheated, even.–

–So, little bird. Have you figured out what you need?–

“Everything?”

–A predictable answer. But what’s truly… irreplaceable?–

“The Holy Sword?”

–Precisely.– Even if I trained my body, honed my skills… how could I possibly defeat him without weapons of comparable power? Could I ask him to fight me unarmed? A fair fight? Perhaps… but…

–That wouldn’t satisfy you, would it?–

“No.” Even if I won, it wouldn’t be a true victory. Not in my eyes. And that’s all that mattered.

“I want to face him at his strongest. Holy Sword and Holy Relics, everything.”

–Then you’ll need to acquire… something… equivalent.–

“Is that even possible?” I doubted it.

–You call them Holy Swords, Holy Relics. We have similar artifacts in the Demon Realm. Demonic Artifacts.–

“You don’t mean…?”

–Mabogu. Surely your history books mention them?–

“We call them… Demonic Treasures. Spoils of war.”

She frowned. –Spoils of war? They’re not… trophies, little bird. They’re weapons of immense power. Each one wielded by a powerful demon lord.–

“They’re not… used, are they?”

–Rarely. Though there have been… attempts. Some even mastered them, claiming them as family heirlooms. Even among your… nobility. And royalty.– There had almost been another war, fueled by the power of these artifacts. Foolish mortals, believing they could challenge the might of the Empire, of Luelde. They had been swiftly crushed, of course.

“If I used one… I would be branded a heretic, hunted down.”

–A valid concern. Especially within the Empire. Your Church doesn’t take kindly to such things.–

“The Irenesian Church doesn’t control the entire continent. As long as I avoid them…”

“Some families, even foreign nobles and royals, have openly declared their ownership of Mabogu, claiming to have mastered their use and intending to pass them down as heirlooms.”

• “The Church must be displeased.”

“Those who don’t follow the Irenesian Church wouldn’t care.”

And…

“I doubt the Church has simply sealed them away without a plan.”

• “Why do you say that?” She looked at me, a flicker of… amusement? This was dangerous territory.

“Nations and religions rely on power. The Church holds those artifacts to reinforce their authority. And in times of crisis… they’ll use them. To demonstrate their power, to solidify their legitimacy. To turn the tide of a disaster, and then… expand their influence.” My assessment was… flawed, perhaps, lacking certain nuances. But the core of it… was true. And the fact that I could even think such things…

–Such dangerous thoughts, little bird. Keep them to yourself, unless you want to be branded a heretic.–

“No one would listen, anyway. Much less believe me.” How could he accept such things so… casually?

–You’re a strange one, little bird.– That was why he could bargain with me, a being of immense power, a walking taboo.

–Regardless, wielding a Demonic Artifact within the Empire is… unwise.–

“So… you’re suggesting I… leave?”

–One of the options available to you. The path you choose will determine your… destination.–

–So. Your goal remains the same. To defeat your father. At his full strength. Correct?–