Three died on the way back. Despite having four medical workers on standby, they were far too weak and didn't survive the journey back. News of the missing girls' discovery spread throughout the entire First Rung by the time Pierce and Lilith left and we all came back. The families of the missing lined the roads by the hundreds, scanning each cart for their loved one. But we didn't have the capacity to transport those who had died in Caldevar. That meant that many of those families didn't find who they were looking for that day. With that in all their minds, there wasn't a trace of rejoice in the air. Because even though there are those who made it back alive, the scars Caldevar left on them likely won't ever fade. So really, they aren't getting them back. Not in the same way, probably not ever.
'Scourge...' The one word I have that ties them all together. First, these people tried to kill everyone I care about. Then they targeted Nora, and used the lives of over a hundred innocent girls to... Well I don't think I even know what for, anymore. Regardless, I can't let them do as they please any longer. I know what I have to do, but I have no way of doing it. All I know is that everyone who's used the power of Scourge has little regard for human life. I won't forgive them. I'll make them see how wrong they are. And I'll kill each one that thinks they can toy with lives as they please.
It's been three days since then. After admitting the still unconscious Nora to a clinic in the Second Rung, I found a nearby inn where I've spent most of the late hours laying awake in an annoyingly comfortable bed. Meanwhile, no word has arrived, no summons or anything. But I don't want to go anywhere until Nora wakes up anyways. As such, I've stayed in the general vicinity of the clinic at all times. If I'm not at her bedside, I'm probably sitting on a bench somewhere that overlooks the entire First Rung. Not the life I've been wanting to live, but the life I've been forced into, regardless.
After another somewhat restless night passes, I'm once again brought back to the land of the conscious. I stretch my limbs and kick my feet out over the side of the bed. My armor rests on a chair in the corner of the room. I haven't worn it since coming back, so instead I have my new morning routine of polishing it with a loose cloth. Not like it needs it. I just don't have anything better to do. As I put my arm through the shoulder segments to pick it up, my hand brushes the convenient pouch that's inside the chest piece which serves as a pocket of sorts. I decide to empty it out onto the table. First thing I take out is my smartphone— which died over four months ago despite having left it shut off the whole time. It's a nice keepsake, but is as useless as they come in this world that prefers magical energy over electrical. Next, a pair of coins. Alongside my phone, one of them is the strange coin with an angel on it that I got after beating Pestilence the first time. Weirdly enough, whenever I flip the coin it always lands on the side I want it to. Maybe it's magic. Whatever, it's still pretty useless. So is the other coin, which I picked up in Caldevar. Only difference is that one is potentially magic. The other is just plain worthless, monetarily speaking. I set all three items on the table, disappointed with my lack of assets despite having lived in this world more than half a year.
"Where'd it all go wrong..." I mutter to myself.
My hand is about to leave the pouch when my finger touches something else deep inside. I fish it out, and hold it up to my eye. Only now do I realize what it is, or at least what it really looks like. It's this little purple diamond-shaped gem. And call me crazy, but I think it's the same as the one I got... inside the subconscious of Nora. That part of Nora gave it to me. But it kind of disappeared when my focus was taken away from it. It must've reappeared in my pouch without me realizing... if that even works as an explanation. Regardless, it must be important somehow.
'Le's see... Let's see...' I think to myself. 'The restoration mage who looks over Nora might know what it is. Yeah... He has to know, right...?'
"Eh? I have no clue," replies the mage, a blond-haired, middle-aged man in a white getup. "The subtle magic coming from it is indeed intriguing, but to me it seems no more than a stone charged with mana. You can get ones like it at any ordinary jewelers."
"And I'm telling you that isn't the case," I retort. "It's gotta be... I dunno, something to help her recover, or maybe something else!"
The two of us stand in the hall just outside the sickroom where Nora alone is being cared for in.
"I am... not sure what to tell you... It doesn't strike me as anything out of the ordinary," says the mage, scratching his head. "It pulses magic somewhat randomly, in a pattern that is impossible to correlate, if that is of any assistance."
"No, that's no help at all..."
"Then I apologize, but I do have other patients to attend to. Please feel free to notify me if you discover anything relating to the stone." The mage begins to walk away, but then stops himself, and turns back to face me. "And in the meantime, I suggest you try to return to your normal routine. The girl doesn't show signs of waking any time soon. It could be months before her mind is healed enough to elicit consciousness. I... can no longer be optimistic in her condition, to say the least."
That's right... As soon as I brought her here, they told me how much danger she was in. She's not waking anytime soon... Maybe it's time I return to the Guild, if only to report back to the Admiral or reconvene with Lasphalia. Even though my body just wants to break down and stay broken, I need to keep pushing forward. She isn't going anywhere, and I'm going to need more money to keep her well cared for. I can't afford to slow down any longer.
The restoration mage takes his leave. I stand there blankly for a few seconds before making my way into Nora's room. She's in a soft white gown, laying with her eyes closed and her hands down at her side. I sit down in a chair facing her bed. I don't say anything. There's nothing to say. And even if there was, I don't think she'll hear it. The silence of her expression makes it feel like she's already off in a far, far away place. Almost like—
There's a knock on the door. I'm snapped from my daze.
"C-Come in," I say.
One of the practitioner's assistants, a young female in a white coat similar to the mage's, steps into the room.
"Cyrus Avette? This is you, yes?" she asks.
"That's me," I reply. "Something wrong?"
"Not at all, there is just someone who is looking for you," she replies, stepping aside. "We don't normally allow more than one visitor per patient, so please keep your stay as brief as possible."
From the hall comes Lasphalia, strangely in attire that isn't her Guild uniform. She wears a brown vest over a white cotton shirt, with a pair of tight brown pants that disappear into her long, sturdy boots. With it, she looks way more like an adventurer than assistant to the Admiral of the Adventurers Guild.
"If need be, we can continue our conversation elsewhere," replies Lasphalia.
The mage's assistant nods and steps backwards out the door, closing it behind Lasphalia.
"The Princess is back safe, Vice-Admiral Pierce and Miss Lilith have returned to their home, and again you disappear without a trace," she says. "Now I see why."
"H-Hey, Lasphalia. I was just thinking about you," I say. I pause. "...That didn't come out right..."
"Thinking of me?" she says. Her face still doesn't change. "I would hate to peer into that mind of yours and see just what that was."
"I-I just said that's not what I meant!" I reply quickly. "A-Anyways, you sure sound the same as ever, e-even though your clothes totally make you out as a different person."
"I had some matters I felt the need to look into," she replies. There's another chair off to the side. Lasphalia slides it over towards me and sits down. "Do you have any injuries you would like me to heal?"
"N-No, I'm all healed up right now. Th-Thanks," I reply, though this is the only time I'm actually remorseful of the fact that I'm uninjured. This is technically only the second time Lasphalia and I are alone since she found out how I feel about her.
"Cyr," she says.
"Y-Y-Yeah?"
"There are things regarding this girl here I discovered that I feel you should know."
The tone of the room shifts. I fold my hands under my chin.
"Tell me," I say.
"This came about when I happened to ponder why not one person seems to remember the girl as she was when you both first came to this city," she says.
"Yeah. It's like everyone remembers her like she was always this old," I reply.
"In any regard, I had found it quite odd that the Nexis, a relatively common race in other parts of the continent, could keep an elaborate secret such as this. How are we able to recall when others cannot? Even that does not explain it."
"And you found out why?" I ask.
"There is a small city on the outskirts of Seynith territory, to the nearest border from here... though, calling it a city is a colossal overstatement," she says. "It was the only Nexis settlement in all of Seynith. I thought I might find answers there. As such, I rode out to it while you were away."
"It... 'was?'"
"The Nexis had all been dead there for approximately eleven years," she nods. "The timing seems almost too perfect. The girl was forced to flee her home at five years of age, or so she said."
"That's..." I pause, shaking my head. "Wh-What did you find?"
"The bodies were left to rot. Everything of value was untouched. However no documents remained, no written language— save one thing."
"Wh... What, are you gonna make me guess? What was it?"
"A... children's book. A bedtime story, depicting an ancient Nexis goddess. A particular corpse had clung to it, indicating it was of some value." Lasphalia lays flat an open hand. A glyph appears just over it, a faint light materializing something in her palm. When it dissipates, there is a leather-bound book with a long-haired figure on the cover in Lasphalia's grasp. I accept it, and open to the first page.
"It's... not in any language I know," I mutter.
"The book is written in an old language. My glyph magic aided in its translation," she says. "The contents tell the tale of a goddess who lives three lifetimes on this world. When her time is over, her soul reverts to that of an infant, and her cycle repeats. Does this sound familiar?"
"You... don't mean..."
Lasphalia takes the book back into her hands and flips several pages in. She shows me, flipping it around. In the book, among the runes is a line drawn in blood highlighting one segment.
"It reads: 'The Goddess's blood continues to this day,'" she says. "If this is true, then the Nexis as a whole are unable to change ages at will. It was their way of explaining to her the gift she possesses in a way she would understand."
"Let's just... back this up a bit. You're telling me that we have reason to suspect Nora is... some kind of goddess?" I say.
"Do not look to me in such a way, I see just as well the insanity in this proposition," Lasphalia sighs. "However, should she grow curious, should she attempt to change herself one more time than she was allowed, does this not mean she would lose everything she has experienced to this point? To be reverted as the day she was born?"
I slowly look down to the sleeping Nora. Lasphalia sits in silence. I can feel her watching me.
"...A lot happened in Caldevar," I say. "Something in particular... happened with her mind. She's not waking up. And even if she does some time, I can't be sure she'll even remember anything, regardless." I reach into my pocket, where I had put the small purple stone.
As soon as Lasphalia notices, she suddenly snatches it from my hand.
"H-Hey—!" I exclaim.
"Where did you receive this?" she says.
"I-It's... a really long story," I reply. "I think... I found myself inside... Nora's subconscious...? A-And then I spoke to a part of her soul, or part of her mind, or something— and she gave it to me. Alright, maybe it wasn't so long. But did you catch any sense in that at all?"
"'The stone of the mind's eye...'" she mutters to herself. "It was mentioned in the story, which seemed to parallel the underlying theme of bearing a 'third eye.' It was said that the first goddess sealed her memories within a gleaming stone. In the story, the goddess was once trapped by a jealous king, and that—"
"—But will this help Nora wake up?" I say.
"I would not be so quick to—"
The stone grows hot in my palm, a searing heat that causes me to retract my hand on instinct. The stone leaps from my hand, and lands flat on the floor.
"Cyrus, you fool. Err on the side of caution, I insist."
"S-Sorry, it just got... really hot," I say, bending down to try to pick it up. I hesitate, noting the smoke rising from underneath it.
"What in the name of the divines is..." Lasphalia trails off as the stone lifts itself off the ground. The stone slowly begins to spin, rising higher and higher. The pressure in the air pounds like something huge banging on my chest. A high pitched noise leaks from cracks that form across its faces. Suddenly, it shatters with a loud crashing noise, causing me to shield my face. But the tiny fragments of the stone are still held in the air. They begin to revolve around each other until a wide ball forms directly above Nora.
"C...Cyr...?"
The voice is Nora's. She slowly opens her eyes to look at me. There is fear in them.
'B-Bloodstained Hero—!' I scream into the abyss of my own head. But he doesn't answer.
The pounding in my chest continues, drumming harder and harder. The pressure in my ears makes it feel like they're about to burst. The halo begins to shrink, and suddenly the shards form a point. Before I can react, they're embedding themselves into Nora's forehead. Her eyes widen. The stone is reformed, now a part of Nora's skin. But the pressure doesn't fade, and the drumming stays erratic. Nora's breaths begin to quicken. A blinding light fills the room.
"Nor—"
My vision grows black. Everything stops. All is quiet.
"—yr? Cyr—?"
I open my eyes. Lasphalia is sitting in front of me.
"U...Uh... y-yeah...?" I mutter, rubbing my eyes to try to get rid of the grayish film over my line of sight.
"Are you well?" she asks. "You seem dazed. Though... to be perfectly honest, I feel quite similar."
"Yeah..." I nod. I lazily turn to look at the bed beside me. "...H-Hey, Lasphalia...?"
"What is the matter?"
"Um... Whose baby is this...?"
My name in this world is Cyrus Avette. I was brought here when I stumbled through some kind of portal on the way to my basement. After being unable to save a young woman named Esmeralda and the three children she looked after, I vowed to become a true hero that saved people from the wiry grip of the hand of injustice. I soon came in contact with evil beings that used the power of Scourge to do their bidding. After adventuring for six months alone, I again found and defeated a user of Scourge when I aided in rescuing Princess Serenne. My goal is to uncover the other Scourge users and secure the prosperity of the nation by ridding us of them once and for all.
"I-I am not certain how a child this young found its way in here," mutters the head recovery mage. "However, I do know that there are very few Nexis in this city, if any, and certainly none here on the Second Rung, so this little one must be an orphan. I believe I've seen to all your injuries already, so if you could bring her down to the chapel in the First Rung, that would be of utmost help. Even if it is not an orphan, all lost children are meant to be brought there."
"The chapel on the First Rung. Got it," I say.
"I will accompany you," says Lasphalia.
"O-Oh, uh— thanks," I nod.
The child, bundled in a blanket given to her by the head mage of the clinic, is handed over to me. I give my thanks, and Lasphalia and I begin off.
"I am perplexed as to why you did not seek my aid in healing," says Lasphalia. By now, we've gotten out the front door and a little past that.
"Well, I couldn't find you," I reply. "They told me you went out somewhere for a few days."
"Out? What imbecile misinformed you of that? I have not left the city in unjust time," she says.
"Huh? Really? W-Well, in any case, I couldn't find you," I say. "Otherwise, I mean... y'know... I would've..."
She smiles. It's only the second time I've seen her smile. It's warm, a welcomed contrast to her usual businesslike exterior. Maybe it helps that she isn't wearing her uniform, for some reason.
"H-Hey, by the way... I don't think I've ever seen you wear that," I say. "Is there... some occasion?"
She looks down at her clothes. "No, I don't believe there is. How unseemly."
"N-No, no—! I think it's great—!" I reply assuredly.
"Am I meant to take that comment to heart, or are you simply being patronizing? I ought to teach you a lesson."
I sigh.
We find the small chapel down an intersecting path from the main road a few blocks past the gate to the Second Rung. The structure itself seems European in design, with a white wooden steeple towards the front of the building. I don't know much about this world's religion, and the variety in architecture doesn't really help.
As we approach the old doors, Lasphalia stops herself.
"Does that child... look familiar?" she asks.
I look down. There were feline humanoids in Hilgroff, but most were... a little more on the feline side. I hadn't seen anyone like this.
"No," I finally say. "what about you?"
"I was uncertain at first. I have seen only a handful of Nexis in my life. But never an infant like this."
"So a Nexis, huh... That's what she is?"
"Indeed."
"I... feel kinda bad, having to bring her to a place like this. She can't be any older than, what, a few months?"
"The priestesses here will know how to take care of her. This is one of the several sanctuaries for lost children and orphans in the Capital. Some are brought here only days after being born."
The look on Lasphalia's face makes me wonder if this topic is best avoided for the time being. I clear my throat and knock a few times on the front door. A few moments later, I hear the sound of light footsteps approaching from the other side. An older woman in a plain white gown and headdress opens the door.
"Ah— what might we have here?" the woman says. "It isn't often that parents choose to show themselves when—"
"H-H-Hold on, now—!" I exclaim.
"There has been a misunderstanding. This Nexis child seems to have been lost," says Lasphalia. "We were tasked with bringing her here trom the Second Rung, where she was discovered."
"...W-Well, in that case I thank you for delivering her safely." The woman bows. "Now, may I see her?"
I carefully hand the child over to the woman.
"Ahh... what a tiny thing she is," says the woman with a kind smile. "She will be safe here, I assure you both."
I feel something roll down my cheek. Putting my hand up to it, I see a tear caught now on the pad of my index finger.
"Are you... well, young man?" the old woman asks.
"Y-Yeah, I'm... sorry. I'm fine," I say, wiping at my face. I can't quite explain what's happening.
"Come, Cyr. We should best be off," says Lasphalia, putting a hand on my shoulder.
"R-Right, yeah," I nod. "Uh— take care."
"Divines bless you," the old woman nods. We wave, and begin out the way we came.
"Just sounds like one of those times," I say.
"To what times do you refer?" asks Lasphalia.
"The kind where we turn a corner and bump into someone who then says, 'I've been looking all over for you!' or something like that," I reply.
"Of all the tricks up your sleeve, I am certain foresight is not one of them," Lasphalia sighs.
"I'm calling it, just you wait," I say.
"Finally! Where have you both been?!" exclaims a voice from behind us.
"That was pretty close, yeah?" I smirk. Lasphalia rolls her eyes as we turn around.
Felm is bent over panting with his hands on his knees.
"Ah, the newest Captain, yes?" says Lasphalia.
Felm perks back up. "I had to come all the way down here from the Third Rung!" he complains.
"What's the reason? Are we being summoned for something?" I ask.
"Summoned?! Emperor Claudius Von Seynith has reached a verdict with the Nobles! You're being commemorated as an official Hero of the nation of Seynith!" he bursts. "Eh wait— Miss Lasphalia... weren't you supposed to tell him?"
Lasphalia freezes. "N-No, I don't believe th-that was my responsibility..."
She's flustered. That expression she's making is a new one. Ten out of ten.
"W-Well in any case, someone needs to take responsibility— because the ceremony will begin in an hour and you must be there before then and I don't want the Admiral to yell at me again!" Felm hollers, then stopping to catch his breath.
"Alright, alright, calm down," I say. "Wait... what's this about a ceremony...? N-Nobody told me about a ceremony..."
"Quite inconvenient in this situation that teleportation magic is outlawed," Lasphalia mutters.
"Eh? It is? Since when?" I ask.
"Since a man arrived and abducted over one hundred young maidens," she replies.
"Ah, that."
"Captain Felm, do you happen to have a gate pass for the Second and Third Rungs?" Lasphalia continues.
"W-Well yes, but it hardly matters since it'll still take over an hour to get up there..." Felm whimpers.
"...Nah. We'll make it," I smirk. I look up at the towering walls. "They won't execute me for a bit of an improvised entry, will they?"
"You aren't seriously considering what I think you are— are you?" asks Lasphalia.
"I'm sure it's been done before," I say.
"Those walls are a quarter of a mile tall," she says, crossing her arms.
"It'll give me plenty of time to come up with my acceptance speech," I grin. "Coming with? I'll carry you, if you want."
"I-I'll come!" says Felm. "A-After all, it would... make me look bad if you arrived before I did, because I-I have a role to play in the ceremony. I will be standing alongside all the other captains on the stage."
"See? Felm knows what's best. Last chance, Lasphalia," I say.
"I would be remiss to not see you fail to carry the weight of two people as you attempt to scale a quarter-mile barricade. Go on, let us see you try."
Before either of them can say a thing, I have Felm under my arm and Lasphalia on my back. They are heavy, but as soon as I bring up my cards and swipe at one in particular, the load lightens to almost nothing.
'Mana which surrounds me, fills my being and quantifies my soul,' I think to myself. 'I ask that you inhabit my soles to hasten my step and allow me to best the insurmountable task which lays before me.'
Lasphalia speaks up. "A-A moment, Cyr— a-are we not first going to the base of the w—"
"Activate skill: Bound of the Rat King!" I yell. I don't necessarily need to say the name of the skill to activate it, but since I'm showing off as it is...
Energy flows into my legs and suddenly is shot outward, hurtling us straight up into the air.
This was sprung up on me suddenly, but even so— it's something I've been thinking of a lot recently. I can't hope to accomplish what I mean to on my own. I've got to think bigger. I need both strength and influence. And I also need a plan. I know I can't think of myself as a hero right now, not with what happened, but becoming one in the eyes of the public can only help me do what I have to. So now... that plan...
We arrive at the gate to the Third Rung less than half an hour later. Lasphalia and Felm are dragging their feet, and they seem to be moments from vomiting.
"What... what power... were you hiding all this time...?" Lasphalia mutters.
"I get stronger after each battle I fight!" I say. "Though... I am basically all out of mana. Can... either of you... lend me a shoulder...?" I drop to a knee.
Felm shakes himself off. "H-Here, Cyr. L-Let me help," he says, reaching down to help me up.
"Thanks," I nod. "So... where is this ceremony being held?"
"Right up there," Felm points. "The Fourth Rung. The Great Hall of Seynith Palace."
"Right up... A-All the way up there?!" I exclaim. "If you told me sooner, I could've gotten us closer before my enchantments ran out!"
"Best to not," says Lasphalia. "Unlawful entry to the Third Rung and beyond is punishable by death."
"O-Oh, well that's a fine thing to find out this far in..." I mutter. "L-Let's leg it. At this rate, we might still be late..."
The Great Hall of Seynith Palace is by far the most intricate structure I've seen in this world so far. Each panel of the massive Sagrada Familia-like building is inlaid with hand-chiseled images of heroics and past kings. The white pillars of the front entrance is carved with 3D figures of dozens of men holding up each segment on their backs. Thousands upon thousands of man hours must've been required to complete this to such a degree of pristine beauty.
"Cyrus! Finally!"
The Admiral approaches us with a briskness in his step. As usual, he wears his huge set of bulky armor that clinks with every step.
"Everybody ready?" I say.
"It will begin the moment you step through," the Admiral replies. "I have been selected as he to announce your arrival. Felm, please go through. Miss Lasphalia, you will stand beside me during this event. And Cyrus— Do you still intend to... do what you had said you will?"
"Reject their ideals right in front of them?" I say. "No, I've refined my plan. I have something better in mind."
"You were going to do— what?!" Felm bursts.
"Go, Felm. Do not worry, they are yet to be organized," says the Admiral, flicking his wrist in a shooing motion.
Felm opens the large front door as little as possible to slip in with the least impact. Once the door closes, the Admiral waits around twenty or thirty seconds before nodding.
"You are to wait here until I motion you to enter," he says. "This is incredibly important. I will not aid you should you make a fool of yourself. You will enter when I tell you, and you will walk straight. Do not meander your gaze. When you take to the front, you must kneel. Do you understand?"
"I didn't know anything about this as of less than an hour ago. I'm anxious and mana-depleted and having deep regrets. So let's have this ceremony, why don't we?" I say, giving a nervous smile.
"An hour ago...?" The Admiral slowly turns to Lasphalia, who idly looks away in feigning ignorance. He shakes his head, and the two of them march towards the door.
As I enter the grand hall of marble and gold, I'm first struck by the sheer amount of people. Lining the rows for about thirty yards are all soldiers in uniform facing forward. Past that are about twenty more yards of what looks like lesser nobles in expensive clothing. They are all either looking my way or trying to get a look at me. And beyond that, standing in the center of an elevated stage is Emperor Claudius Von Seynith himself, looking a thousand times more like the generous man of power I met all those months ago. Behind him are who have to be the highest-ranked nobles. To my surprise, in the farthest left is someone I least expected— Robynn Khol themself standing among them. They are obviously trying their best not to look me straight on. Finally, behind them all are twelve Captains of the Guard, Felm included. They are in uniform as well, their armor polished to a point of reflecting the candle light of the gilded chandeliers that hang above.
"Come forward now, Cyrus Avette," Emperor Claudius beckons, his voice resonating like an opera singer.
I begin the long walk forward. I'm almost startled when a choir picks up around me. I'm tempted to look to where they're coming from, but I decide to heed the Admiral's warning in not letting my eyes drift. Soon, I arrive to the front. As the Admiral instructed, I kneel before the Emperor. The choir slowly fades out.
"Rise now," says the Emperor.
I do as he tells.
"This day, we honor the achievements of Cyrus Avette, Adventurer, and commemorate him with title of Hero." Emperor Claudius steps forward one pace. "Do you accept these—"
"I'm very sorry to interrupt," I say, "but with all due respect, I'd like to offer a slight alternative."
There is a slight murmur among the Lesser Nobles behind me. The High Nobles don't say a word, but a good few do glare at me something fierce.
"Then allow me to consider this alternative," says Claudius, raising his hands to quiet the Nobles.
"Why thank you," I bow. "You see, I did what I had to because that's what needed to be done. I don't claim to have ventured out expecting compensation. And to prove this, I don't intend to take the title of Hero for myself."
"And would you elaborate further on this? Do you intend to decline the title of Hero?" Claudius questions me.
"Not at all," I reply. "Instead, I'm asking that the title be placed on an organization— a joint entity of my own creation. Regardless of this ceremony's outcome, I intend to start recruiting strong and talented people to train with me, and to fight the injustices of this world alongside me. If you're willing, then this title will serve as a promise that my organization will fight under the banner of Seynith."
Emperor Claudius seems a bit surprised by my proposition. But he soon after begins to nod.
"Very well. An interesting proposition indeed," he says. "I, Emperor Claudius Von Seynith, accept these terms and grant the title of Hero to— And... what will you call yourselves?"
"Understandably, a hero doesn't choose his title, Your Majesty," I say.
"Then... I dub thee, and those who will follow— the Heroes of One. Do well to remain worthy of this privilege, Hero Leader Cyrus."
"Of course, Your Highness," I reply.
The Emperor shifts his attention. "To the Hero go the spoils. May the High Nobility present their gifts at this moment."
The choir begins up once again. One of the Nobles steps forward. He holds a small golden box in-hand. This one was the one who I'm pretty sure was glaring at me the hardest. He extends the box with one hand. As soon as I accept it, he releases it completely from his grasp and abruptly returns to his place. Only then does the next Noble step up. He holds a golden cuff in his hands. He offers it a bit more kindly than the first, but I'm still sensing some sort of hostility from him that leads me to assume I'm not well liked among the nobility. This goes on until eight of the ten have given their gifts, ranging from enchanted earrings to a tome of advanced spell casting. The second to last, before Robynn Khol, is a plain long-haired, middle-aged man with a pale complexion and hollowed cheeks. He approaches me slowly with something small wrapped in his hand. He leans in closer so I'm the only one who can hear.
"My daughter was among those who went missing," he mutters. His voice is quiet and hoarse.
My heart seems to stop for just a second. This is the first time I've been confronted by one of the family members. Was his daughter one of the dead? If so, does he blame me for her death...? What is he about to do...?
The man opens his hand to reveal a large golden ring. He sets it in my hand and quickly closes my fingers around it. He looks to me on the verge of tears.
"I thank you... for bringing my little girl back to me."
In my head, I'm breathing a sigh of relief. The man steps back and returns to his place.
Finally, Robynn steps forward. There is a wash of embarrassment mixed with anticipation on their face.
"So you're taking up the reigns, huh?" I say. The choir prevents anyone but us from hearing each other.
"I-I am one of the reasons you and your... organization... are where you are," they sputter. "B-Be grateful— o-or go to hell...!"
I chuckle. "Don't worry. I am," I say. "...Robynn Khol."
Robynn's cheeks light up. "Wh-Who told you that—?!" they hiss. "W-W-Was it that big-mouthed Princess—?! Th-That's what I get for sharing s-secrets with her—!"
"Do you have something for me? Robynn Khol?" I smirk.
"J-J-Just take it. And go to hell." They drop something on top of the pile of spoils I have in my arms. Without another word, they stomp back off to their place.
"Thus completes the initiation of a new Hero," bellows Emperor Claudius. "May he, and those who will follow him, continue to bring honor to the land of Seynith."
From the depths of my mind lingers a soft voice.
"He's forgotten me."
"He's forgotten us."
"But not us all."
I tilt my head in the direction of the voices.
"Will he find the other?"
"It will find him."
"What?" I ask, calling out into my head. But nothing responds. The voices are gone, or maybe they never were there. Almost familiar, and yet remaining strangers to me and my mind.