Time passed by, and the last day of the Hero Festival was welcomed by every student, the academy’s faculty, and visitors from the other nations.
The Aladdan’s Symbol—Hero Tournament—was the long-awaited competition between representatives from sixteen classes, all of which would compete for the title that would come with various unimaginable benefits.
From being scouted by guilds all over the continent to receiving a verified, permitted high-grade artifact from the extremely guarded and maintained Hero Academy’s vault, said to contain countless treasures from the era of the Founding Hero.
In this windy morning, seated in one of the inconspicuous seats from the expansive Roman-like colosseum together with Yuridika and Beatrice, two first-year students began with their duel for preliminaries.
Using the [Eye That Witnessed Heaven and Hell], their identities were exposed to me, along with the random [observation] as this Talent’s Uniqueness, saying that these two first-year students—a male and female—discreetly had romantic feelings for each other.
’Are they trying to show off with each other?’
Seeing the information regarding their identities, they’re someone I already knew as the reader of [Hero’s Apocalypse]. However, their role in the original story was not grand, though it didn’t mean they weren’t important.
After all, humanity could get all the help it needed during war and other disasters.
"It’s like nothing has changed apart from having fewer wars," Yuridika murmured to my side, seeing such an honorable event of a duel that was also prominent during the days in the Divinity Era.
The difference was that this era, known as [Eternal Conflict], though it had wars between humanity and the demonkind every few years, couldn’t be compared to the frequent holy wars of the past between religions.
"Why do you sound like you want war?" Beatrice chuckled.
Again, I’m sitting between the two of them as I listen to their grumblings.
"It’s not that I want it. Quite the opposite, in fact. But the disadvantage of peace is the lack of preparedness due to complacency when war suddenly strikes."
Hearing Yuridika, I nodded inwardly.
During my days as a spy, preparedness was everything before and while on missions, no matter how easy or difficult it might be. After all, one mishap could lead to disastrous consequences.
"That makes sense. I’m not saying being under a good ruler isn’t ideal, but after a while... No offense to the former lord, Young Master... I like the way you handle the territory more compared to the past."
Beatrice’s sudden declaration left me to ponder for a moment. Thinking back, even without the memories of the original Lugh, the Eshu County’s army didn’t have any life-and-death combat experience and was only extensively trained to maintain the security of the public.
The Eshu territory—despite being ruled by a Count—did not have a legitimate knight who honed their blade and body to reach human limits.
There was no problem with that kind of rule, where the safety and well-being of the citizens were prioritized.
"Based on the stories I’ve heard from all of you, I could say that Lugh’s father was indeed a good ruler. Unfortunately, he’s too good with his subjects, and that became a downside with the existence of hostile neighboring territories." Yuridika expressed what she thought.
A territory where every citizen was fed adequately, and where the taxes were used for good and not for one’s own pocket. With the soldiers, though trained, were enough to live their routine with minimal risks...
But it was not enough.
"If there’s no threat, it’s a good place to grow old and die," I said.
But it’s something I can’t afford to become when in a few years, the fate of the world would reach its tipping point.
Beatrice fell silent for a moment. Without much to say regarding this matter, she diverted the discussion and asked, "By the way, Young Master, why are we here? There’s no way you have the time to watch some kids’ duel when almost every time, it seems you were chasing or being chased by something."
Hah. Beatrice already knew me at this point.
"Do you remember the person I happened to frustrate during the auction?"
"Ah- the woman?" Beatrice recalled the figure who wanted to have Professor Ragnar’s daughter, Clarissa. "What about it? Who is she?"
I looked at Yuridika for a second, who nodded—it’s a gesture that meant that our conversation in a public setting was protected.
"She’s a Duke’s daughter."
"Huh?" Beatrice was momentarily at a loss for words; her mind blanked for a second or two. "What? W-who’s Duke?"
Beatrice’s complexion paled. After all, the Aragon Ducal Household of the Divinia Empire was at the top of the four ducal houses, also known as the Great Family, which possessed the Holy Blood of the Divine Dragon.
"You... Young Master. What are you planning this time...?"
Seeing this, Yuridika only remained in silence, though her mind was filled with anticipation.
"Don’t worry. Have I ever done something that has not benefited the territory?"
"If you put it like that... the more I get anxious, Young Master!"
Prominent figures throughout the Holy Empire gradually arrived moments before the exciting duels of the afternoon.
These significant figures included but not limited to a few Tower Masters, which in a way were synonymous to Guild Masters; Nobles with renowned Family Names, including the daughter of Duke Aragon—the very person and purpose of Lugh’s current visit in the Capital City of Solana while evading the eyes of numerous familiar major characters having their respective moments; and the Saintess of Light.
Since this festival was an annual tribute to the Founding Hero, Saintess Lumen of Cindareth Hero Bloodline was present. Her seat was separated from the common crowd, and even from the other nobles of low status.
She was like an untouchable figure that had the respect of many comparable to that of the Holy Emperor.
"Her beauty never ceases to amaze me."
"It’s like the Goddess showered her divinity even before she was born."
"I wonder if there’s a man who deserves her?"
From a distance, before the semi-finals of the Hero Tournament with the remaining participants began, the murmurs of numerous figures echoed.
But those words entered her ears with ease despite the thousands of people throughout the arena.
Even then, Saintess Lumen couldn’t care less as her senses were looking for a specific presence—Delkira and Adelle.
If the current Pope of the Church of Luminary, as well as any other high-ranking members of orthodox belief in this era, knew that Delkira was in this place, everything would spiral out of control.
In addition, if they knew that Saintess Lumen condoned the next Apostle of the Demon God to lurk among humans, it would shatter beliefs unimaginable.
But even then, the truth still remained—Saintess Lumen and Delkira were each other’s nemesis. Adelle, on the other hand, was neutral and only lived for the sake of the Imperial Princess for reasons such as loyalty or possibly something beyond that.
Looking at the section of first-year participants, Saintess Lumen finally had her gaze on Delkira, who was already looking up and gazing back at her with an innocent smile.
As their gazes met, Delkira delivered a message through telepathy.
< "Should I ruin your reputation, Bitch of Light? The moment I emit demonic power in front of these people, panic will spread immediately. After that, you will be questioned about how you didn’t detect my presence. Am I right?" >
Saintess Lumen didn’t respond. Instead, she only glared at Delkira with her natural golden eyes.
Witnessing this, Delkira added with her usual mockery,
< "Tsk. Tsk. Boring bitch. Maybe that’s why you never had a boyfriend. You don’t have a sense of humor. Do you?" >
For reasons only she was aware of, Saintess Lumen knew that Delkira would not risk causing a ruckus, especially if it was something that didn’t align with her objectives.
After that, Saintess Lumen ignored her and looked around the vast arena. That’s when her holy eyes caught sight of the man some time ago.
Even though she was already used to the gazes of others. This man, Lugh, was also gazing at her.
Yet his eyes and thoughts were something she couldn’t gauge.
’This person... There’s a subtle change in his soul. It’s foreign. But why did the Holy Goddess say to me to let him have his way?’
Lugh smiled at her, along with a wave of a hand.
The presence of the Saintess of Light was to be expected. Following the original story, I could confidently say why she was letting Delkira continue with her disguise as a students.
However, even if it’s a double-edged sword, it’s not my purpose at this moment as my amethyst eyes stared at the crimson-eyed, strong-willed gorgeous woman with a feather fan blocking her delicate lips.
Saleana Aragon, daughter of Duke Aragon.
Possessor of the Talent: Timer.
’Now, how should I approach this woman who buys sexual stuff in illegal auctions and whatever her heart desires?’