Book 1 Chapter 391
391.
The inn where Leo and Lysinasse are staying.
Tila, the owner of the inn, complained while wiping dishes with a cloth.
“There’s no nuisance like this nuisance.”
“What is it?”
Rodia, who was helping Tila organize dishes by her side, tilted her head.
“Kyle and Lysinasse.”
Tila glared at Leo and Lysinasse, who were talking in a corner of the pub.
“Because of those two, customers have stopped coming.”
Kyle, the surviving hero, and Lysinasse, the foolish one.
As both are overwhelmingly skilled, it is rare for anyone heading to the battlefield to protect Gardsron not to have received help from either of them. However, Kyle, who has a jinx of his companions dying, and Lysinasse, who rushes into dangerous battlefields to save the world, were definitely a combination one wouldn't want to get involved with.
Seeing Tila grumbling, Rodia smiled faintly.
“Even if you say that, I heard you’re rooting for both of them.”
“Huh?”
“Lord Kyle said so. He said Lady Tila grumbles with her mouth but takes good care of people.”
“That rude fellow said such a thing?”
Tila looked at Kyle with an incredulous expression.
“By the way, Rodia.”
“Yes.”
“You’re a dragon, so why do you always speak to me with such formality?”
“It’s more comfortable this way.”
Rodia smiled faintly.
Dragons are a race with a tradition of selecting and guiding heroes. 5000 years ago. That tradition, which began after the Age of Calamity ended, continues to this day. Therefore, dragons are revered as noble beings compared to other races. However, it was incomparable to the dragons' status during the Age of Gods. During the Age of Gods, when they were called messengers of God, the dragons' status was on par with deities. For Tila, therefore, Rodia's respectful attitude towards her never quite felt natural.
But for Rodia, it was natural.
From her perspective, a person from the distant past.
‘And she's the one who provided a comfortable resting place for the great heroes, so I can't treat her carelessly.’
Hmm-hmm! Rodia nodded.
Clatter- clatter-
While organizing the dishes, Tila spoke.
“By the way. They suit each other.”
“What is it?”
“Those two, I mean.”
Tila glanced at Leo and Lysinasse, who were discussing future matters.
“I thought they wouldn't suit each other, but seeing them talk like that, it seems they get along well.”
“Lady Tila, you think so too?”
“Yes. If it were the Age of Peace, they might have been mistaken for lovers.”
“Right? Anyone can see that Lady Lysinasse is the most suitable for Lord Kyle in the world, can't they?”
“I didn't say 'the most suitable in the world'.”
“Those two are definitely a match made in heaven!”
Tila looked at Rodia, who was delighting herself without listening to a word she said, with an absurd expression.
After finishing all the dishes, Rodia hummed a tune and approached the two.
“It's amazing such a number gathered.”
“It was difficult. You had such a bad reputation, after all. Still, everyone we aimed for has joined.”
“What are you two talking about?”
Rodia, who quickly sat between Leo and Lysinasse, asked with a bright smile.
Leo frowned, looking at Rodia, whose orange eyes were sparkling to an almost burdensome degree.
Lysinasse stroked Rodia's head and said,
“We were talking about the expedition two days from now.”
These past few days.
Lysinasse had come to find Rodia very cute.
Regardless of what she was like inside, her appearance was still that of a young dragon.
For Lysinasse, it was impossible not to find Rodia cute.
At Lysinasse's words, Rodia asked Kyle,
“How many people are going on this expedition to the Forest of Monsters?”
“11 people.”
“11 people? That many?”
Rodia made a surprised expression at Kyle's answer.
Originally, in history, the expedition consisted of 8 people, including Kyle and Lysinasse. Certainly, even in this age of despair, there are those desperately searching for hope. Because if only the great heroes were worthy of being called heroes in this era, it would have perished long ago. However, even so, it was a time when only a very small number of people were left to join Kyle and Lysinasse on their journey. Even Rodia, who had attempted to conquer this world several times, tried to increase the number of expedition members but failed. With limited time, it was difficult to change Kyle and Lysinasse's reputation. But the number of expedition members had increased by three more. Rodia, seeing the list, let out a cheer.
“Amazing!”
“It was difficult because of Kyle, though.”
“Excuse me?”
Seeing Lysinasse sigh despite gathering more companions than in actual history, Rodia looked slightly flustered.
To that, Leo said calmly,
“I persuaded those who were reluctant to join the expedition because of me, and they barely participated.”
“I see. If Lord Kyle's personality is so awful that…”
“That's true, but it's offensive, isn't it? You've been getting a bit too bold these past few days, haven't you?”
Squeeze-!
“Ah, it hurts!”
As Leo grabbed her head, Rodia made a pained expression.
Seeing that, Lysinasse burst out laughing.
“You two are really close. What should I say, like a father and daughter.”
At that, Rodia's eyes widened, and Leo frowned.
“I'm not old enough to have a daughter this size?”
“Yeah. That's true. But what should I say, seeing Rodia treat you like a magnificent adult and you treat Rodia like a child, that's what I think.”
“I wish Lady Lysinasse were my mom!”
At that, Lysinasse said with an embarrassed expression,
“I'm sorry, but I'm not old enough to have children.”
“From her perspective, you probably look old.”
“She hadn't said anything rude for the past few days, but it seems her true nature isn't going anywhere.”
Seeing Leo speak with sincerity, Lysinasse said with a smile.
Her face was clearly smiling softly, but the veins on her delicate and beautiful forearm were distinctly raised, and her hand was roughly gripping Leo's collar.
After a brief commotion, Lysinasse went outside, saying she would call the expedition members.
“Dad, so when are you marrying Mom?”
“How long are you going to keep up that creepy child impression?”
“Rodia wants to have a younger sibling too.”
“If you keep joking around, you might actually get hit, you know?”
At Leo's words, Rodia clicked her tongue, "Tch!"
“Why are you so happy all by yourself?”
“Lady Tila said Lord Kyle and Lady Lysinasse are a match made in heaven!”
At that, Leo looked at Tila at the counter, and Tila merely shook her head with an expressionless face.
“If Seirun, who is stubbornly foolish, hears this story, even she will admit it.”
“Seirun will admit what?”
“That the most suitable pair is Lady Lysinasse and Lord Kyle!”
Rodia said, her eyes wide open.
Seeing Rodia make an extremely serious face, Leo made an expression like, ‘What kind of nonsense is this now?’
Rodia's story went like this:
In the world of heroes, after confirming the feelings of Luna and Lysinasse, the two fought over which combination suited them best.
“Is that how you guys play?”
“It's a really important issue, you know? Damian was on my side, but Azonia was on Seirun's side! And Lumen was cowardly neutral!”
Seeing his juniors waste an astonishing amount of mental energy on something so pointless, Leo let out a deep sigh.
“Seirun, that girl, even exploited her good writing skills to publish strange novels and tried to brainwash people. What a wicked one.”
“…So these damn idiots and fools were saying such things while doing that?”
Rodia, whose cheek was pinched, floundered with a tearful expression.
Meanwhile, the inn door opened, and 10 people entered.
Leo's gaze turned to them.
All familiar faces.
Faces they had fought alongside on the battlefield.
And…
‘The ones who lost their lives early.’
It wasn't because their strength was weak or their will was lacking.
It was simply that the battlefield they fought on together was unimaginably difficult.
Rodia also shed her lighthearted mood from a moment ago and wore a slightly grim expression.
Thump- thump- thump-
Nine people, excluding Lysinasse, took their seats.
Most of their gazes were directed at Leo.
“It was true, then.”
A woman sat next to Leo and smiled.
“Kyle, I heard you were joining Lysinasse's journey, but I couldn't have imagined it until I saw you like this.”
A woman with brown hair and green eyes, dressed in light armor.
It was Alene Freilene.
“Long time no see.”
“Hmm, we met in the last battle, so it doesn't seem that long ago, but. It's been a while, Kyle.”
Even with a puzzled expression, Alene played along with Leo.
“Hmph, a journey with the surviving hero.”
An elven mage with sharp eyes and a sword scar over one eye gave a cold smile.
“I wonder if everyone will just die.”
“Wahahaha! Perik. You say that, yet you're sitting next to Kyle. Were you moved by what Kyle said earlier?”
A beastman warrior of massive build, Alloc, burst into boisterous laughter as he plopped down next to the elf mage called Perik.
“Hmph. I'd appreciate it if you didn't treat me like a simple-minded beastman. I'm just here to help Lysinasse. The only reason I'm sitting next to this guy is because I'm curious why this pessimist has changed his mind.”
Rodia looked surprised, seeing Perik and Alloc.
‘Aren't these the people Lady Lysinasse tried to get to join the expedition but ultimately didn't?’
Lysinasse tried to persuade them somehow, but they ultimately didn't change their minds for this expedition.
“How did you persuade them?”
As Rodia asked with a small laugh, Leo answered calmly,
“These two, and Alene Freilene, I had briefly formed a party with them. We split up because our ideas didn't align.”
“Heh heh! He was so crooked that we had no choice but to part ways! Now that I think about it, it seems like a good parting!”
Alloc put his arm around Leo's shoulder.
Leo merely sipped his drink.
“…As I felt earlier, you've changed.”
Alloc tilted his head.
Meanwhile, Lysinasse said,
“First, this gathering is meant to foster camaraderie before we embark on the expedition.”
Lysinasse smiled faintly.
“Although it's also to drink merrily before risking our lives.”
“Good!”
“Because we live for wine!”
Wahahaha! Laughter echoed throughout the pub.
No one in Gardsron wanted to be involved with Kyle and Lysinasse.
But once they decided to be together.
Such things were useless.
This era was one where lives were at stake every moment. Once they decided to be together, they didn't care who the opponent was.
Because this might well be their last feast.
For themselves.
And for the world.
Everyone raised their glasses.
“Before we begin, I'd like to ask the surviving hero about this expedition?”
At that moment, a slightly playful jeer was heard.
At those words, everyone's gaze turned to Kyle.
Kyle stood up from his seat.
“I don't mean to spoil the mood, but.”
Leo said calmly,
“Earlier, I heard information about the Glutton King.”
At those words, silence fell for a moment.
The Glutton King, Jormungand.
The strongest legion commander.
“There's information that he's passing between Gardsron and the Elven Forest.”
At Leo's words, everyone started murmuring.
“What? Where did you hear that information?”
Lysinasse asked with a flustered expression.
“Through a personal route. It's probably quite reliable.”
Everyone made grim expressions.
Seeing them, Leo said,
“Preparing for any unforeseen circumstances, postponing this expedition might be the best course of action.”
“Is that what you mean?”
Alloc asked, crossing his arms.
“No.”
Leo said calmly,
“I mean we should subjugate him.”
“What?”
Everyone's eyes widened.
“The Glutton King doesn't lead a legion. Yet, the reason we found it difficult to face him was because he always moved with other legion commanders.” Jormungand is the strongest legion commander, and his power transcends imagination. But even so, moving alone is dangerous. Even if Jormungand tries to move alone, if he attempts to attack somewhere, there are other legions that aid him.
‘That was also the reason why we didn't avoid the fight with Jormungand 5000 years ago.’
For the expedition, encountering Jormungand was a tremendous crisis, but conversely, it was an opportunity to subjugate the strongest legion commander. Lysinasse chose battle over flight, and Kyle and the others followed that will.
A battle that was even reckless.
As a result, they miraculously managed to subjugate the Glutton King, and that victory became the prelude to hope.
“So I'll say this. Those who wish to retreat, do so now.”
At those words, everyone looked at Leo.
“If your words are true.”
Alloc grinned.
“My heart is pounding!”
“Utterly reckless.”
Perik clicked his tongue, but he also didn't move.
No one intended to leave.
Leo also knew.
The fact that they wouldn't back down.
“A battle with Jormungand! It would be worth risking our lives!”
Alloc shouted energetically.
Seeing that, Leo said,
‘5000 years ago, everyone died. But… not this time.’
Even if he saves them here and now, it doesn't mean they'll return alive.
However, those who risked their lives for the world.
Those who couldn't even see hope, to become the cornerstone of hope.
‘I don't want to see them die again.’
Leo clenched his hand.
‘This time… I'll save them.’