Chapter 6: The New Hero

Cael Horais Sirius POV

A loud cheer echoed across the battlefield as the demonkind finally began to retreat.

Their cries and footsteps gradually faded into the distance, leaving behind the destruction they had caused and the soldiers who had survived their assault.

“Aegis,” I called.

At my command, the Crimson Wall quickly dissipated, its massive barrier of crimson energy fading away as if it had never existed.

At the same time, Fragarach’s Scabbard lifted itself from the ground.

The scabbard floated toward me before stopping directly in front of my hand.

I instinctively reached out and grabbed Fragarach, pointing the Holysword toward Aegis.

Within only a few seconds, Fragarach’s Blade began moving on its own.

The silver blade was drawn toward the scabbard before smoothly sliding inside it.

The moment Fragarach was completely sheathed, I lowered my arm.

Only then did I realize that Mom and Dad were already rushing toward me.

They both looked worried and confused, their expressions filled with emotions that were difficult to describe.

The fortress guards and my fellow villagers, on the other hand, had all knelt on one knee.

Every single one of them was looking in my direction.

Their eyes were fixed on me.

I looked around at the people surrounding me, then glanced down at Fragarach.

I see...

It wasn’t a dream.

It wasn’t an illusion.

I really did become a hero.

The realization slowly sank into my mind.

Mom and Dad finally reached me.

Without saying a word, Mom immediately wrapped her arms around me.

Dad followed, and the two of them gave me the warmest and tightest hug I had ever received.

I could feel Mom trembling slightly as she held me.

Dad's arms were just as tight.

They had been worried about me throughout the entire battle.

I could understand why.

Fighting the demonkind was something that would have never crossed my mind.

But this time, I had stood on the battlefield as the person everyone had been calling a hero.

While Mom and Dad continued hugging me, I looked toward the Kingdom of Cygnus's main gate.

A golden flare suddenly shot into the sky.

It rose high above the fortress before exploding into a brilliant light that could be seen from almost anywhere within the surrounding area.

The meaning was obvious.

The invaders had retreated.

The battle was over.

Several hundred of Cygnus’s Knights soon poured through the main gate.

Their armor reflected the light as they marched forward in an organized formation.

After reaching the battlefield, the Knights separated into two almost straight lines, creating a path between them.

Everyone seemed to understand what was happening.

Someone important was coming.

I watched as several people wearing decorated armor emerged from the gate.

They walked calmly through the path created by the Knights.

One of them was someone I had seen earlier with my dad.

But the other person immediately caught my attention.

It was the famous Knight Commander Mephisto Xiphos Cygnus.

Third in line to the throne.

He was also known as the strongest swordsman in the Kingdom of Cygnus.

As I looked at him, numbers and letters suddenly appeared above his head.

B51 PA28 P4S4E2F2

“Fragarach,” I whispered.

Instantly, Fragarach converted the strange numbers and letters into something I could easily understand.

Mephisto Xiphos Cygnus Class B51 Physical Age: 28
Vitality: 6580 + ?
Psyche: 6580 + ?
Power: 1316 + ?
Speed: 1316 + ?
Endurance: 658 + ?
Fortitude: 658 + ?

His numbers were impressive.

His Power and Speed were both considerably higher than those of the Armored Earth Dragon.

However, I remembered Ragniz.

When it came to the Aspect of Power, Ragniz was still several hundred points stronger than Mephisto.

But when it came to Speed, the difference was reversed.

Mephisto was faster than Ragniz by a couple of hundred points.

He really is strong, I thought.

My eyes then moved toward his waist.

Hanging there was a famous sword.

The Dragon Slayer Sword.

DragonSword Gram.

It was the sword said to have severed the head of Fafnir after the First Hero had used Fragarach to cut off both of the Evil Dragon's wings.

According to the stories I had heard, DragonSword Gram's reddish blade had gained its color after drinking the blood of Fafnir.

I stared at the sword for a moment.

“Is it as strong as Ragniz’s DragonSword?” I asked telepathically.

“Most likely,” Fragarach replied.

I continued looking at DragonSword Gram as Mephisto approached.

Mom and Dad moved to my side and immediately knelt.

After all, Outlanders were required to kneel when showing respect to nobles.

I quickly followed their example.

I didn't want anyone to think I was being arrogant simply because I had been chosen by Fragarach.

The nobles eventually stopped in front of us.

Mephisto looked directly at me.

“Stand up, you who have been chosen by the Holysword Fragarach,” Mephisto commanded.

I slowly stood up.

Even after standing, I kept my eyes lowered toward the ground.

“You may raise your head, young man. What is your name?” Mephisto asked.

I raised my head.

“It's Cael Horais Sirius, Knight Commander,” I replied respectfully.

Mephisto looked at me for a moment before speaking loudly enough for everyone nearby to hear.

“I see, young Hero. You have successfully repelled and even defeated some of the invaders.”

His words caused several people around us to react.

I remained silent.

“What is it you wish to take as a reward?” Mephisto asked.

I didn't need much time to think.

“I would like all the Outlanders here to have free entrance to the Kingdom of Cygnus,” I replied instantly.

There was no hesitation in my voice.

If I was going to ask for a reward, I wanted it to benefit everyone who had fought alongside me.

Mephisto didn't question my request.

“Granted,” he said.

He then turned around and began walking back toward the Kingdom of Cygnus's main gate.

“Faust, guide Hero Cael and his family inside. Make sure to accommodate them well,” Mephisto added.

The other nobles followed him toward the gate.

“It will be done, Brother Mephisto,” Faust replied while bowing.

Faust Gnosis Cygnus.

Fifth in line to the throne.

He was the noble assigned to the Stone Fortress, Aquilo.

As soon as Mephisto and the other nobles were halfway to the Kingdom of Cygnus's main gate, Faust turned toward us.

He placed his hand on my father's right shoulder.

“Eric, Eleonor, you two can stand,” Sir Faust ordered.

Mom and Dad slowly stood.

I was surprised that Sir Faust knew my mom's name.

He hadn't been here for nearly a decade.

“Surprised I knew your mom’s name?” Sir Faust asked while looking at me.

“A bit, Sir Faust,” I replied honestly.

“As expected from Eleonor’s son, you're quite well-mannered,” Sir Faust praised.

He then looked toward his elder brother.

“Even my elder brother looks quite pleased.”

Sir Faust returned his attention to us.

“Just as my brother ordered me, I’ll be the one taking care of you for a while. So, for now, will you three follow me to my mansion?”

I didn't immediately answer.

Instead, I looked at Mom.

She seemed just as surprised as I was.

“Don't worry, Little Cael. One of my mansions is located just a few blocks from the main entrance to Cygnus,” Sir Faust instantly said.

I narrowed my eyes slightly.

“Is he reading my thoughts?” I asked Fragarach.

“Definitely not, but he definitely knows how to read people based on just their expressions and body language,” Fragarach replied.

“Be careful around him,” Fragarach added.

“I will, thanks Fragarach,” I replied.

I then looked back toward Sir Faust.

“Sir Faust, can you add two more people? They’re like family to me,” I asked.

“Of course. It won’t be a problem, Little Hero,” Sir Faust replied.

“Uncle Ray, Talya,” I called while waving my left hand.

Both of them quickly walked toward us.

The moment Talya reached me, she jumped into my arms.

“Thanks for saving us, Cael!” Talya cried.

She buried her face against me as tears continued flowing from her eyes.

This was only the second time I had ever seen Talya cry.

The first time was when her mother, Aunt Elizabeth, passed away from a plague several years ago.

Back then, there had been a shortage of medicine.

Only one dose had been given to each family.

Without a second thought, Aunt Elizabeth had decided to give the medicine to Talya instead of using it on herself.

Dad had also caught the plague, but thankfully, he survived because of the medicine.

I was only five years old back then.

I still remembered Mom crying when Aunt Elizabeth passed away before the next supply of medicine arrived from the Kingdom.

If only a person with a Greater Healing Special Ability had gone to our village back then...

Aunt Elizabeth and the other villagers might still be here.

The thought crossed my mind as I gently comforted Talya.

That tragedy had also changed Mom.

After witnessing so many people die because there wasn't enough medicine, Mom decided to start a small clinic in our village.

She began making medicines using herbal plants found near the edge of the Great Caligo Forest.

It wasn't much, but she did everything she could to make sure the people in our village would have another option the next time someone became sick.

I looked down at Talya.

“Didn't I promise that I would always keep you safe?” I whispered.

Talya didn't answer.

Instead, she hugged me even tighter.

Uncle Ray smiled as he watched us.

“You looked great back there, Cael,” Uncle Ray said.

I looked toward him.

“Uncle Ray, didn't you have enough for one person to get you inside the Kingdom Walls?” I asked.

“Yes, I did have enough for Talya's entrance, but you know she refused to enter, especially after she saw you not entering the gate,” Uncle Ray replied.

He sighed.

“My daughter is really hard to deal with sometimes.”

“I get you, Uncle,” I replied.

Talya immediately lifted her head.

“What do you mean, you get my dad, Cael?” she asked, clearly pissed off.

Her eyes were still red from crying.

I looked at her seriously.

“I know that you fear being left alone, but, Talya, you should understand what Uncle Ray would feel if you were hurt or killed because you didn't enter the gate.”

Talya lowered her gaze.

“I know, but I just don't know how I will live if I lose both of you,” she said in a sad voice.

She tightened her arms around me once again.

“And I know you will always keep your promise,” Talya added softly.

I didn't say anything for a moment.

I simply placed my hand on her head.

I had promised her that I would keep her safe.

And now that I had become the Hero chosen by Fragarach, I intended to keep that promise.