Book 1 Chapter 115

115.

Leo stared blankly at Elsie, who shrugged with a "hem!"

He even doubted if this spirit was Elsie, the shadow spirit he had contracted with.

'She's too different.'

"So, where is Lisinas?" Leo asked, looking at Elsie, who clasped her hands together and her eyes sparkled.

"She's coming to Raisar now."

"Oh! Then I don't need to go find her?"

"That's right."

"That's a relief! I was thinking of visiting Lisinas today or tomorrow! We won't cross paths!"

Upon hearing this, Elsie began to adjust her clothes and hair as if she were a job seeker preparing for an interview.

Leo asked Elsie, "Why do you want to contract with Lisinas? There are plenty of renowned figures out there."

"I heard she was chosen by the Spirit of Radiance."

"Just for that?"

"It's not just that. I heard the wind spirits talking! That you defeated Legion Commander Yomungard! Right?"

"Yes."

"See!!"

Elsie spun around and placed her hands on her hips, saying,

"Someone who defeats a Legion Commander and declares they will subjugate Erebus in this era! Isn't she the perfect person to be my contractor!"

'She's too different, I can't adapt.'

"Why do you want to save the world?"

"I am a spirit born in the Age of Calamity. So I really want to see the stars in the night sky! I heard they are truly dazzlingly beautiful!"

Elsie's eyes sparkled as she fell into a daydream.

In the night of the Age of Calamity, when the chilling red moon rose, even the starlight disappeared.

'I had no idea.'

Despite their contract, Leo knew very little about Elsie.

This was because whenever he tried to talk to her, Elsie wouldn't respond at all.

'Thinking about it, she showed a little interest when we talked about the night sky.'

Elsie, who was always silent, had shown interest only when talking about starlight before the Age of Calamity.

"So! When is Lisinas arriving?"

"It's still a long way off."

"Oh no!"

Leo asked Elsie, who had a very disappointed expression, "I have one last question. How long have you been in this area?"

"I've been here for 10 years. This is a secret from Argon."

"I am Schatten, the sword that devours darkness."

Elsie revealed her identity with a smile and winked one eye.

***

"Argon refused my request?"

"Yes."

Lord Rodean of Raisar's hands trembled as he looked at Rebaiten, who bowed his head.

"Argon! Why do you refuse the request of your comrade!"

Rodean, a dwarf, showed his anger, but his anger was pathetic.

Dwarves, though short, had sturdy physiques and were each excellent warriors.

While beastmen were valiant warriors who used their wild strength, dwarves were seasoned warriors who used excellent skills and weapons.

However, Rodean's haggard and gaunt appearance showed no trace of a warrior.

He, too, was once a warrior who had been active on the battlefield and a celebrated hero.

It was because of such achievements that the people of Raisar had nominated him as their lord.

In this age of chaos, it was only natural for a hero to ascend to the throne.

However, Rodean changed after gaining power.

More precisely, he lost his fighting spirit after embarking on his first expedition as lord.

He had become lord 10 years ago.

It was when an unprecedentedly powerful Hero Alliance was formed.

At that time, people thought the Hero Alliance would subjugate Erebus and bring peace to the world.

'The result was a crushing defeat.'

Erebus's power was terrifying, and countless heroes were killed.

Even those who survived lost their will.

Rodean was one such hero.

Terrified, Rodean retreated to the depths of his inner castle and degenerated into someone who only cared about his own safety.

"He still seems to care about the orphans of the cursed land!"

"Foolish! To refuse the greater cause to protect those insignificant wretches!"

"He's a foolish person trapped by his ideals, isn't he?"

Rebaiten bowed his head.

"Moreover, it is said that a plague is rampant in that cursed land now."

"A plague?"

Rodean's face turned pale.

If a plague broke out in Raisar, where numerous refugees had gathered, the entire city would undoubtedly be shaken.

If that happened, there would be a problem with the city's defenses.

"Wh-what should we do! Rebaiten!"

"We must nip the bud before the plague spreads."

Rodean took a breath as he looked at Rebaiten's determined expression.

"If the plague spreads, the entire city will be in danger. If we prevent it beforehand, the citizens will be happy. Of course, it's heartbreaking to cut down orphans who have nowhere to go…"

Rebaiten clenched his jaw, his expression pained.

"For the greater good, we cannot help it. The citizens will also follow our will."

"B-but Argon won't stand idly by?"

"Argon is Lord Rodean's old friend. If you ask for his advice for the future of Raisar, he won't be able to refuse to come to the inner castle."

"Getting Argon away from there isn't the problem! If all those orphans are dealt with, Argon will surely rage!"

Even if he was old and past his prime, Argon was considered one of the strongest heroes of his time.

If he were to rage and point his sword at Raisar…

The entire city would undoubtedly suffer immense damage.

"As I said earlier, the greater good lies with the Lord." Rebaiten spoke without hesitation.

"Rumors of a plague have already spread throughout the city. Preventing the plague is also what the public desires. No matter how foolish Argon is, he won't commit a foolish act that endangers a city where many people live."

Rebaiten curled the corners of his lips.

"After all, he is a 'hero' for now."

"W-well, that's true…"

"Furthermore, if any problems arise, I will take responsibility."

Rodean looked relieved as he watched Rebaiten speak with determination.

"As always, I entrust it to your judgment!"

"That is a wise decision. And Lord, if things go well, Schatten…"

"You may have it. Who else would possess such a powerful sword if not you, who cares so much for me?"

"I will do my best to repay your kindness, Lord."

Rebaiten, his face filled with gratitude, bowed his head and left the lord's chamber.

'Even a mighty warrior once called a hero is now just an old, corrupted loser.'

A sneer appeared on his face.

Rebaiten.

He was the real power behind the Lord of this city, Rodean, manipulating him from behind the scenes.

The people of Raisar city praised him as a hero.

Although he had never set foot on the battlefield, people thought he was a young hero who had saved the city many times.

The reason this was possible was simple.

Rebaiten was a greedy man who craved achievements, unfitting for a hero.

The merits attributed to him were either exaggerated or fabricated during the period of chaos.

'Foolish people. They just praise you if you wave a little hope in front of them.'

The rumor of this plague was no different.

'I've been spreading rumors that it's a cursed land for a long time.'

The southern edge of Raisar is not a cursed land.

It's unknown why it became so, but there was no problem with it.

It was simply a ploy to thoroughly isolate Argon, who lived there.

The public forgets easily. Even if it's a hero who once protected them at the risk of his life.

'Rumors of the plague have already spread. This gives me the justification and reason to wipe out that messy place. Hehehe.'

Whether the plague was real or fake didn't matter.

'If I can alleviate their anxiety, people won't care at all. And they will praise me. As expected of Rebaiten!'

Ambition gleamed in his eyes.

A hero who saves the world?

'I'm not interested in impossible tasks anyway. I just want to live a comfortable life protecting Raisar. Even in the Age of Calamity, if you have power, you can have everything!'

Rebaiten burst into laughter and thought.

'The day I take possession of this land is not far off!'

***

After talking with Elsie, Leo immediately left the southern region of Raisar to gather information.

He visited various places like streets and taverns, confirming rumors about the orphanage area.

"A cursed place? This is madness! A plague!"

"What is the Lord doing? What will happen if the plague spreads here! Shouldn't they take measures!"

'The city is already filled with rumors of a plague.'

Leo returned to the orphanage, his face contorted, and fell into thought.

'Elsie is a spirit dwelling in Schatten. She settled here 10 years ago after the sword broke.'

She said she was waiting for a hero to save the world here.

And today. She was planning to go to Guardsron to meet Lisinas.

Leo's eyes caught sight of Elsie taking care of other orphans in the empty lot.

Her appearance was similar to the elf girl Lia, so among the orphans, she was like a big sister to them, just like Lia.

Elsie smiled brightly as she cared for the children.

Looking at that scene, Leo recalled Elsie's appearance a year later.

'She was disillusioned with the world, and Argon.'

Argon, whose will had been broken when they first met.

Lisinas said he harbored hatred.

Thinking that far, Leo's face hardened.

'These children didn't die from a plague.'

His fists clenched tightly.

'Rebaiten, that bastard killed them!'

Leo, who knew the human named Rebaiten all too well, could guess the reason for orchestrating such a thing.

It was probably to obtain Schatten.

He was armed with numerous magic weapons.

Of course, his skill was trash compared to the weapons he possessed.

He craved achievements only to stand above the masses.

And he would abandon his comrades without hesitation if his life was in danger.

He mocked and insulted those who claimed to save the world.

'In the end, he was exposed for colluding with Tartarus and executed by the public.'

A fake hero.

A traitor.

Leo's face contorted with disgust as he recalled Rebaiten's face, screaming for his life and claiming it was unfair even as he died.

'In my past life, I couldn't understand how that guy became lord…'

Leo looked at the orphans.

To Arion, these children were like younger siblings.

He remembered Arion, who hated himself for not being able to protect the children because he was a coward.

Leo's eyes began to show a murderous intent.

"Black Rabbit, you were here? Help with dinner preparations."

"Before that. Where is Mr. Argon?"

"Mr. Argon? The lord called him to the lord's castle a little while ago."

"What?"

The sun was already setting.

Clang- Clang- Clang-

At that moment, the sound of metal friction began to be heard.

Ar, who had sensitive ears, perked them up and his eyes turned fierce.

A moment later, the knights Leo had seen earlier appeared in the empty lot.

The children began to tremble at the knights' menacing presence.

The elf girl Lia rushed forward in a panic.

"My lords, Mr. Argon went to the lord's castle a moment ago."

"Get away, you dirty wench with the plague!"

One of the knights yelled and swung his sword at Lia.

As Lia shut her eyes tightly seeing this, Ar said in a cold voice, "Are you crazy?"

The knight who swung the sword turned pale at his demeanor.

Leo caught Lia, who almost lost her balance and fell, from behind.

Leo, who had straightened Lia, who was trembling, said,

"Don't worry."

"What?"

"We'll protect you."