LIGHTNOVELONLINE Chapter 355
‘The person who will become the Hero?’
“Yeah. I can’t just randomly pick someone with good enough skills to make them a Hero.”
Well, if I were to half-heartedly do it, I could force someone into the Hero role, but the consequences from that would be no ordinary hardship.
I don’t want that. It would be better to properly select a true Hero, even if it takes more effort.
‘But I don’t know what kind of person would be suitable as a Hero.’
“It doesn’t matter if you don’t know. Just someone you like would be enough.”
‘Someone I like?’
“Yep. Someone who can be your strength, someone who won’t betray you, someone who can risk their life for you… although that might be a bit much.”
At my words, the Dragon Priestess tilted her head for a moment.
‘I’m not sure.’
“Take your time to think it over. Or you could always choose someone by sticking the Hero’s sword in and picking someone that way.”
‘Like the first Hero?’
“Yeah. But times have changed a lot since then… The conditions might need to change too. Coming up with new conditions is a pain, though. Hmm…”
The Dragon Priestess thought for a moment before speaking.
‘For now, is it okay if I take my time to choose?’
“Of course. They’re someone you’ll be with, after all. Take your time, choose calmly.”
The world is wide. Surely there must be at least one person who fits this child’s heart.
Even if the child chooses a completely useless human as their Hero… With thorough training and discipline, they can improve!
Just as iron strengthens when hammered, humans can grow stronger through training as well!
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That said…
“This person is a part of the Epona Knight Order in North Romania, a famed knight. With excellent swordsmanship and horsemanship, he has adhered to the chivalrous code and has been an inspiration to many.”
A brown-haired handsome guy clad in shining plate armor knelt before the Dragon Priestess, bowing his head, while the priest accompanying him introduced him.
Certainly, looking at his well-developed muscles and the active magical power in his body, he does appear to be quite skilled…
“What do you think?”
The Dragon Priestess, cradling the Hero’s sword, answered my question with a slight shake of her head.
‘I feel a faint hint of arrogance in his gaze. He seems like he might use the Hero’s sword for personal gain.’
“Sharp observation.”
That faint hint of arrogance. Greed. Did she catch onto that? She must have an exceptional eye for judging character.
“Then say it nicely, so you don’t make an enemy.”
The Dragon Priestess slowly opened her mouth.
“He is clearly a strong person, but he has a faint arrogance in his heart. He lacks what it takes to wield the Hero’s sword.”
“Y-you, Dragon Priestess!”
The knight, who was certain he would be chosen, looked up in surprise, but…
“I’m sorry. But there’s no reversing this. Please go back.”
The Dragon Priestess looked at the knight with a cold gaze, and he lowered his head, unable to come up with any retort, and walked slowly out of the audience room.
Hmm. It’s a bit disappointing, but the Dragon Priestess is quite ruthless.
I thought that at this level, they should be able to be corrected. But it seems that wasn’t the case from the Dragon Priestess’ standpoint.
‘And above all, the way he looked at me was suspicious.’
“The way it seemed suspicious… But your appearance is just a child in their early teens. Even though it’s an era where people marry young, he looked like he was at least ten years older than you.”
‘I’m not sure, but I just didn’t like it.’
I nodded slightly at the Dragon Priestess’ words.
Well, no matter how outstanding a person may be, if this child doesn’t like them, then it doesn’t matter at all.
“I’m afraid today’s audience ends here.”
“Is that so?”
The Dragon Priestess appeared completely unbothered by that.
No, it means there won’t be any annoying humans aiming for the Hero’s position, the Hero’s sword, and the Dragon Priestess anymore. She must feel quite relieved.
“Then, is it okay if I take a little walk?”
“A walk, you say?”
“Yes. I’m quite tired from looking at all these people. I’d like to get some fresh air for a moment.”
Saying this, the Dragon Priestess pulled up her hood to hide her horns. Because of the horn’s size, it looked a bit awkward, but she didn’t seem to care much.
“Understood. When should I expect you back?”
“Let’s see… I’ll be back before dinner.”
At the Dragon Priestess’ words, the priest nodded slightly.
“Then I will prepare dinner. Please don’t wander too far.”
“How far could I possibly go? I’m just going to take a look around.”
With that, the Dragon Priestess left the audience room with light steps.
Many priests bowed their heads and greeted her as she passed, and the Dragon Priestess lightly accepted their greetings as she exited the temple.
And then—
‘Alright. Let’s take a light stroll around.’
“Don’t go too far, or the other priests will start to worry. Got it?”
‘As long as I’m back before dinner, that’s what matters, right?’
“As long as you’re back before dinner, you could go to the eastern edge of the continent.”
‘But I’m saying I was talking about timing, not distance.’
With that, the Dragon Priestess lightly stepped down and soared into the air, wrapped in the wind.
“Don’t forget to conceal your appearance so no one notices you. Everyone who should know already knows, though.”
‘Don’t worry. I’ll act and think accordingly.’
“Really?”
‘Really.’
She appeared emotionless and cold at first glance, yet the Dragon Priestess was quite whimsical and emotional on the inside.
Thus, the Dragon Priestess hid her appearance using the wind and began to enjoy a stroll in the sky.
During that walk, she was dispatching every monster that caught her eye.
‘It certainly seems like there are more monsters around.’
“Given that you’re the one shooting invisible arrows into their heads, I don’t think you’re in the position to say that.”
‘But monsters are a harm to people, so isn’t defeating them all fine?’
“That’s true, but…”
Seeing the head of the leader monster fly off, the other monsters began to panic and flee. They would soon be unable to act until they scattered or until a new leader emerged.
‘If I can reduce the number of monsters even slightly, I can save at least one more person.’
“That’s quite a commendable thought. Too bad it wasn’t a situation where the wind arrows flew all the way to where they couldn’t be seen.”
‘But even if I can’t see them, I can still tell where they are.’
The wind arrows precisely pierced through the heads of monsters that were out of sight. The power, accuracy, and tracking ability of it all went beyond human limits.
The simplest of attack spells, magical bullets, with changes in form and attributes… No newbie mage could unleash this level of slaughter with wind arrows.
The Dragon Priestess continued her light aerial stroll while repeatedly sniping the leaders of the nearby monsters.
‘Alright. I think it’s cleaned up around here.’
“You even cleared the southern part of North Romania. You’ve come quite far this time.”
‘North Romania’s situation has been worsening, so I wanted to help a bit.’
Hmm. That’s fair enough.
The northern countries, including North Romania, were suffering significant damage even with assistance from other nations.
The number of fallen small countries was several, and in North Romania, even one of the great lords had lost their life.
Elven hunters carried out reconnaissance and searches, dwarf-made weapons were supplied to soldiers, and various races of skilled adventurers and mages hunted monsters, yet the damage in the north couldn’t be completely reduced.
Now, there were not only beast-like monsters but also armies of the undead, goblin hordes, and even creatures that looked like human mimics coming down upon them.
“Then shouldn’t we decide on a Hero as soon as possible?”
‘That’s true… But there’s no one I’m satisfied with.’
So far, several Hero candidates had appeared, but the Dragon Priestess hadn’t chosen anyone.
Be it their gaze not being pleasing, having too much greed, lacking aptitude, she continued to create excuses, refusing to hand over the Hero’s sword.
It would have been easier if at least one person was chosen…
“What kind of person are you looking for?”
‘Um… Someone who captures my heart at first sight!’
“That’s incredibly vague.”
‘But it can’t be helped. The one who will accompany me going forward cannot be chosen carelessly.’
Accompany…? Ah, yes. This child is thinking of the Hero not as someone who will save the world, but rather as their partner.
‘As much as I’d love to hurry and choose, there’s no one who fits my liking.’
“Still, in a situation where you need to decide on a Hero sooner than later…”
‘I know that, but I’ve said before that the future must be determined carefully. That’s why I’m coming over at intervals to hunt monsters.’
*cough*… Clearly, it’s not just someone to choose on a whim! It’s needless to say that they don’t have to be a Hero intended as a partner!
“Still, it would be better to decide as quickly as possible…”
‘Ah! People are being attacked by monsters!!!’
“You’re diverting the conversation because it’s becoming unfavorable!”
‘No! Really! There are people being attacked by monsters right now!’
“Let’s leave the monsters that are fleeing after losing their leader to other adventurers! Surely any average adventurer can handle them!”
‘But there really are people being attacked by monsters right now! It’s dangerous!!!’
Ignoring my protests, the Dragon Priestess hurriedly flew toward the direction of the monsters.
Really, what a troublesome child.