Chapter S18 (1/2)

S18 New Hero

It was immediately reported to Father through the teacher that I obtained the Hero title.

Immediately after that, I'm called by Father and I left the academy, then return to the royal castle.

The royal castle that I returned after a long time.

But, my mind was not stable until I will be indulge in deep emotion.

I manage to calm my shaken heart, and meet Father again.

The place was not the throne room, and it was Father's personal room.

Although it's wide, it's a room with documents, etc, scattered around.

Several man gathered there.

「Shurein. I'm sorry to call you purposely」

With my entrance, Father uttered a heavy voice.

Even I who didn't met Father a lot of times understood that Father's voice was more heavy than usual.

It's a much more heavy voice than the time I heard it at the appraisal ceremony.

「First, let me confirm whether you have really obtained the Hero title or not」

「Yes」

The appraisal stone used in the appraisal ceremony is grasped in Father's hand.

When I answered, an unpleasant feeling like being lick all over attacked my body immediately.

This is the feeling that I felt when I met Sensei for the first time.

This must be the unpleasantness that's felt when being appraised.

「You really have it」

Father's heavy voice.

Immediately after that, Father covers his face with his hand and begins to sob.

「Julius...」

Older brother's name leaks out from Father's mouth.

Tears came out from my eyes after hearing that.

Breaking the self-control that I shouldn't do it here, my view is blurred by tears.

My shoulder is gripped.

The person is the third prince and the older brother above me, Leston-niisama.

My head is patted and I'm hugged gently.

I didn't have much opportunity to meet with Leston-niisama.

But, he's friendly and he was a congenial brother next to Julius-niisama.

I surpassed my limit.

I cling to Leston-niisama, and cried without reserve.

Only sobbing sounded in the room for a while.

「Father. I understand the feeling to grieve for Julius. However, it's necessary to think about the future. Let's begin the discussion」

The one who break the gloomy silence was the first prince who's our oldest brother, Cyris-niisama.

To be honest, I'm not very good with this person.

I have never seen him laugh and he's always devoted to work with a sour look.

If I omit my older sister who's married into another country, he was the only one among the siblings that I have the intuition that I can't get along with him well.

「Cyris-aniki, Father and Shun are hurt. Isn't it fine to wait for a little more?」

「No, Leston. It's as Cyris says」

「But, Father」

「Stop it, Leston. Father has say so」

「Cyris-aniki...」

「It's fine. There are feelings of mourning as a family. However, we are the royalty before a man. Then, it's necessary fulfill the obligation as the royalty. Mourning comes after that」

Father wipes the tears with the sleeve.

Although Father's eyes swelled up red, a powerful light dwelled in there.

Is this the king's appearance?

That's amazing.

I can't do that.

「Shurein has inherited the Hero title, so that means Julius have died」

Father said the thing that nobody dared to say it clearly while biting his lips.

In that word, Julius-niisama's death was pointed out again.

「Although this was hidden from Shurein and the people, the information that the Demon army finally have started the invasion was sent. Perhaps, Julius have died in the fight」

The Demon army.

Although I have heard talks of the Demon army's movement frequently, finally.

Even that Julius-niisama can't win against the Demon army.

「The report on how the result of the battle is not here yet. I have sent an excellent magician who can use Space Magic to confirm it, but...」

Immediately after that, a knocking sounded in the room.

「Enter」

「Excuse me」

Although I don't remember the name of the person who entered, he's one of the person who served as the general in this country.

He advances slowly towards the center of the room, and get down on his knees.

「I would like to report. It's about the war of the Human army and the Demon army」

「It was just at the right timing. How is it?」

「Yes. Although the detailed information is uncertain because the site is still confused, it seems that we have barely repelled the Demon army while there's a serious damage」

「I see. Continue」

「In case of the information that's understood now, some of the forts seem to have fallen. Among those, the Kusorion Fort was destroyed」

「What!? That large fortress!?」

「Y-Yes. This is still not a certain information. The site is confused, so this is a baseless rumor. The Demon army summoned a huge monster, blown by an unknown great magic and so forth. Rumors and guesses, it's a situation where we don't know which is the real information」

「Umu. However, the information of the Demon army withdrew is true, is it?」

「Yes. That's certain」

「I understand. Thank you for the report. Please continue to collect information」

「Yes! Then, excuse me」

The general leaves the room.

Father close his eyes and wrinkle up his eyebrows, thinks about something.

We brothers waited for Father's next words.

「It seems that Julius's death has yet to be confirmed」

「Yes. The site seems to be confused. What shall we do?」

「Conceal Julius's death and the fact that Shurein became the new Hero for a while」