1 Heroes Exist to Save the World (2/2)
As he remembered all the lines about heroes that had been said to him, he looked down. He was falling.
”...”
As he fell from the insane height, his clothes fluttered uncontrollably.
The stars shone at the edge of his vision, and the cold winds swiped at him.
'Finally...'
It was difficult to keep his eyes open, so he half-closed them.
The clouds that had been far below him now caressed his body.
The ground was getting closer.
”...I'm almost there.”
The hero could see the ashen black buildings made of concrete.
Every time he blinked, they were closer. It was moments before the final impact.
”Aaah, this is the end.”
At this height, even the hero could not avoid instant death.
He would become unrecognisable.
With all the injuries and curses on him, resurrection was also impossible.
”...?”
The demon lord tilted his head in curiosity.
Even after saving the world, after so much sacrifice, only death awaited him. Yet the hero was smiling.
As if, it was his greatest peace.
”Huh? Those two are falling!”
He was almost there.
Through the people's shouting, he heard the demon lord's head hit the ground, making a sound like a tomato being crushed.
And it was his turn soon after.
And so...
The hero fell.
***
”The successor?”
”In the famed Iphelleta House.”
In the crowded inn, people were talking of the rumors about the selection of the Iphelleta House's new successor.
”Yeah!”
The Finn Iphelleta House, which was famous for its swordsmanship, had three sons.
The first, Ryan the Geuk-Geom, famous for his strength.
The second, Lloyd the Sok-Geom, famous for his speed.
The third, however...
TLN: Geuk-Geom = Strong Blade, Sok-Geom = Quick Blade
”The successor will be one of those three sons!”
”Only one of them will be chosen right?”
”Of course!”
”Wouldn't it be Ryan, the eldest?”
”Well, who knows? I heard that the second-born, Lloyd, is quite sharp too.”
”I thought they were blessed to have three sons, but having so many has its troubles, too.”
”It's a problem for all high-class families, especially such high nobles.”
”For us peasants, sons are always better!”
”Who knows, you might win something big if you have a beautiful daughter.”
”Hahaha! With your face? Dream on, brother.”
Iffa village, a territory ruled by the Finn Iphelleta House. The inn was full of speculations about the new successor.
”From the sounds of things, it's either going to be the first or the second, is that right?”
”Yeah, thats true.”
”What about the third?”
”Ah, well, apparently he is completely useless.”
”He was born that way.”
”...”
A certain butler, who looked out of place in this inn, tightened his grip on his beer, as if he was trying to shatter the glass.
”He's a noble and yet he's known as the 'Lazy'. In a way, he's more famous than the other two.”
The Third.
Famous within the Iphelleta House for his awe inspiring laziness.
Titled, Na-Geom.
Riley.
TLN: Na-Geom = Lazy Sword
”...Na-Geom?”
”Hah! Never heard of such disgrace in my life.”
”You know how the Iphelleta House is famous for its swordsmanship? Well apparently, he's never swung a damn sword in his life...”
”Basically, he's beyond hopeless.”
The others nodded in agreement.
”So, what's the reason for it?”
”Well, I heard he gets a seizure when he does.”
”Nah, I heard he's got some allergy to it.”
”Apparently he's more of a vegetable and can't even move. I heard he just lies on his bed all day.”
”...!”
The old man who had been listening suddenly stood up, furious. His face was as red as an apple.
”You fucking sons of bit-…!”