Bab 23: Other Heroes

{The Royal Palace of Paragon}

"Is that so?"

"Yes, your majesty. That is the message he wrote… using the blood of those men."

The King was once met again by the same knight dressed in white and he had just delivered some news. That news being a message the Inept Hero had written using the blood of five men.

"The Inept Hero was here…"

That was the message left by the Inept Hero.

The King pondered, think about what he should do next knowing the Inept Hero was able to kill 5 men who were around level 20.

"To be able to take on 5 men like that… he's not so weak after all…"

A smile appeared on the King's face.

"I just need to convince him to come back. Maybe that will work!"

"But your majesty, considering the fact YOU abandoned him, I doubt he would come back willingly," The knight reminded the King and the smile disappeared from his face.

"Y-you are right. But I think I have a solution for that. Get the heroes, they must've come back by now."

"Yes, your majesty."

***

The King sat on his throne waiting for the heroes to arrive. While he did that, a woman dressed in silver armor walked next to his side.

"Father."

"Anastasia."

Anastasia, the first daughter of Authorian Paragon. Though she is a princess, she decided to become a warrior, unlike her other sisters. Through hard work and days of training, she became a personal bodyguard for her youngest sister. Though she may be working for her younger sister, she is still the firstborn.

"So… this Inept Hero. Is he causing trouble?"

"Yes, but I believe we can fix our relationship. We may have… started down the wrong path but I know we can unite again."

"Hmph, I wish you luck. You threw him and even put a bounty on him. If that is what you think then so be it. But father, do remember how gullible you are, I do not want a hero to end up like mother."

The King gulped as Anastasia gave him a grim glare. Three years ago, the Queen was executed by the hands of Anastasia. The reason for the execution was because she committed treason, helping a warring nation. Though she was her mother, she never felt love or compassion except for her sister.

"Y-yes…" The king muttered.

"Now then, I'll be on my way."

Vwoomp!

She then vanished from the spot and at that same time, the doors opened. Walking in were the heroes and their parties.

"Hey, what's the catch?" Kai asked while crossing his arms. "Is it another wave? If so I think it'll have to wait cause we just got back."

"Kai, shut up and just let him talk," Marth said, smacking the back of his head.

"I've called you all here today… to talk about the Inept Hero. Naoko Akujin."

The smile on Kai's face immediately turned upside down and his face was now filled with disgust.

"Why the hell are we talking about him? Isn't he dead?"

"He is not dead!" Risa yelled at Kai.

"Shut up, just because you had a crush on him doesn't mean you have to always back him up every time. Look, he's been marked as a criminal and you should just accept that fact."

Risa flinched when she heard that and stayed quiet.

"Why do you hate him so much?" She managed to mutter.

"Hate him? Well, let's just say we have a dark history before you arrived to rush by his side. He is not the only person I despise you know, you are also on that list," He said pointing a finger at her.

That made Risa quiet once again and she turned away.

"Uhh, anyway. Since you guys were from the same world, I reckon one of you will be able to talk it through with him." The King said.

"Talk? Pff, I'll give him something he can too. Maybe an arrow to the head would do." Kai scoffed.

"Sir Wyatt, I understand your feelings but for the sake of this country, we need him alive. Without him, the danger of the demons will be a difficult task to handle."

"Why the hell do we need him? There are 8 heroes in this room, what is 1 more going to do?"

"It is said that when 9 heroes reach the pinnacle of power, the ultimate hero destined to destroy the demon king will be born. That has happened in the past twelve wars. Of course, even though we've always won, a new demon king is always born."

"Ultimate hero? And we need that guy? Isn't there another hero we can work with? Maybe just summon another hero, that would do, right?"

"Sadly, we can't summon anymore. But we could get a different hero. However, getting one from another country would be a difficult task."

"There are other heroes?'

"Yes, precisely. You are not the only heroes in this world, including the Inept Hero. There are more than ten countries on this continent but only 5 countries are able to summon heroes. Each country can summon a maximum of 8 but we are a special case. In total, 41 heroes can be summoned."

"R-really? Then why not just get one of them?"

"I would, however, we were unprepared for this war and they need at least a month to start summoning. And that is not the only reason. Coup d'état in one kingdom and a war between two of them. That leaves us with one more. However, gathering the required warlocks will be difficult for them. So for now, we need the Inept Hero. If in one month we still don't have him, then we'll settle with another hero. Now I ask again, will any one of you volunteer to attempt to bring the Inept Hero back?"

Everyone in the room stayed silent until Risa raised her hand.

"I will. I'll talk it through with him. I am… his friend after all."

The King stared at Risa with a confident look on her face.

"I see, then you will search for him and bring him back unharmed. However, if the negotiations don't go well… then do it by force."

"I-I will try."

"Now then be on your way."

Risa left and her party consisting of 4 members followed her.

When they left, Kai had his hands clenched.

"Bastard, don't forget what you've done to me 10 years ago. You'll pay…"

The King noticed Kai's expression and took a deep breath before sending the heroes off.

***

It's been a week since we left that town. Not much has happened and barely any creatures showed up. But whenever they did, we managed to take them out. Though I didn't level up, at least Kiyomi did.

You can also say I raised her level cap this past week... by a lot.

Her level cap is 401 now, and her current level is 210. Me? I didn't level up at all.

She managed to gain a few skills as well. Those skills being Flash Step, Stealth, Bloodlust, and Sprint. And of course, I got her skills in exchange: Ninjutsu Proficiency, Soaring Dragon Fist, Flame Pillars, and Sage Arts skill. However, that is locked. I didn't get her Transformation skill and Fox Fire Manipulation skill, but that is because it is only usable by Kitsunes and other races capable of using them. I could use Sage Arts but I need the proper training to use it. That is what Yukie told me.

Anyway, we were currently walking down a long path towards the next town peacefully. We hadn't encountered any monsters in a while but it was better since I was a bit tired.

Then it got foggy.

Along the way, we passed a massive graveyard and I felt an eerie vibe coming from it. It wasn't because of all the dead people since that doesn't really affect me anymore; it was something else.

The longer we walked down the path, the foggier it got and the harder it was to walk.

Then we heard some voices. And then we walked out of the fog.

When we walked out of the fog, we were met with a group of adventurers with their weapons pointed at us.

Kiyomi who was in her human form was about to change but I managed to stop her before she did anything.

"You two, who are you?!" One of them asked.

I held my hands up and opened my mouth.

"Please calm down, we are just travelers."

"Impossible. How are you able to survive the deadly mist then?"

"Mist?"

"The mist behind you!"

I turned around to look at the wall of mist. Deadly mist? We just walked through it like nothing was there and I didn't sense anything "Deadly" about it.

"Could you be one of the undead that the hex sent!?"

They were inching in closer and if this keeps continuing, I'm going to have to fight back. And right now I am not in the mood to fight.

"Halt!"

A man yelled from behind them and they turned. There was a bald man with a claymore on his back walking towards us.

"I sense no hostility from them. It is alright, put your weapons down."

Everyone hesitated and looked at each other but eventually they put their weapons away. The man nodded and then turned towards me.

"Sorry about that, they are just a bit fearful after this... mist arrived."

"Yeah... it's alright though."

We shook hands in greetings.

"Though I am a bit interested, how were you able to walk through this mist?"

"Hmm, I thought it was just fog. But to be completely honest, I have no idea."

The guy nodded and began to mutter to himself.

"I see... maybe it doesn't affect everyone..."

I crossed my arms and inspected the scenery.

It was like any normal town and a few people roaming the streets. There was a guildhall down the street and conveniently an inn right next to it. However, this place was clouded by fear. And I'd say their fears are all directed towards this... mist.

Hmm...