The old hero Garad’s castle. The hero Garad, who led the great battle between good and evil to victory, received this fief as a reward for dedicating his life to the country. Even after the kingdom he protected collapsed, his castle is still guarded in his name.
Even in an era where the glory embedded in the hero’s name has dulled, Garad’s castle remains protected because of the legacy he left behind.
With the help of Garad’s close friend Erginus, Garad created his knights.
They have no physical bodies, so they never tire, and no souls, so they can run eternally. These beings, existing since the distant past, have carried on the hero’s name, guarding his legacy to this day.
“I beg your pardon. Great knights, noble paladins, and guardians of the forest.”
The knight who came to face the intruder in place of the sleeping comrades bowed courteously, despite his old, decaying armor.
“This place was created by the hero Garad for the future heroes. If you are not qualified, I kindly ask that you turn back.”
The knight didn’t expect the other to leave quietly.
Nor did he think he could defeat them.
Nevertheless, he still politely issued the invitation to leave.
As long as his master’s command had not yet ended, the knight had no choice but to uphold his legacy.
“...This...”
The knight, who had never forgotten his master’s final will over the long years, and who vividly remembered what his master had been like in life, couldn’t help but freeze when he saw the pure white shield the girl held out before him.
Not a single speck of dirt could touch the pure white shield, for it was the symbol of his master.
“I apologize. Hero of the future. Are you here to carry on Garad’s legacy?”
The young girl, who had jumped out of the carriage, silently threw off her robe.
The source of this c𝐨ntent is freeweɓnovēl.coɱ.
The armor she wore, similar to what a lowborn noble’s hired concubine might wear, disturbed the knight’s mood, but he did not show anger.
If the one holding his master’s shield wore such armor, there must be a reason for it.
“That’s Luell’s mace, isn’t it?”
The combination of the small and beautiful girl’s physique and her weapon seemed utterly mismatched, but the knight understood from her stance that she was a skilled warrior.
“Then I ask for a duel.”
The knight drew his sword without hesitation and charged forward.
His target: the neck.
A strike filled with genuine intent to kill.
In the age of myths, Garad himself had passed down his swordsmanship to this knight, who was sure of the results of his training.
Clang!
However, the knight’s sword was easily blocked by the pure white shield.
The shock from the blow was reflected back, splitting the knight’s sword in half as it flew into the air, while the mace soared towards the knight’s exposed body.
Realizing the mace was a direct attack, the knight twisted his body to dodge.
But when he saw the girl’s sly smile, he realized his mistake.
With a dull thud, the knight was sent flying into the air, crashing loudly to the ground before finally coming to his senses.
There’s no way I can get up now...
Such mysterious movements.
He thought he had read the opponent’s actions, but before he knew it, the attack was right under his chin.
It was as if he had been caught in a fairy’s prank.
But now, I can’t see any fairies in this world, so that can’t be it.
Heh, heh, heh. The knight, who was startled by the fairies chattering above the girl’s head, chuckled as he saw the fairies hiding into her hair.
“Thank you, Hero.”
The one who inherits the legacy of a hero—do they also accomplish what the hero himself couldn’t?
If so...
Fine.
Now, my job is done.
After hundreds of years of following his master’s orders, the knight’s body collapsed as he lost all sense of self, his essence scattering into the air like dust.
The girl, watching the knight lose his form, silently took a step forward.
To the place where the other knights were beginning to wake.
The Fairy Queen, hearing the chaotic sounds from all over the forest, smiled.
It’s been a while since the children were so happy. It’s only natural since the humans who would become their toys walked into the forest of their own accord.
I’ve ordered them not to engage in any dangerous games, but it seems like that’s hard to enforce completely.
I’m just glad I have the Saintess’s cooperation. With her and the other priests, no one will be dying.
It would be troublesome if problems arose right after I offered my cooperation. It’s the opponent’s fault if they don’t receive the fairies’ favor, but if blood is spilled, it’s my responsibility.
And more than anything, if the fairies killed someone, I think the Hero would truly despise it.
I don’t want to earn the hatred of that person—someone even more like a fairy than the fairies themselves.
Ah, and the same goes for Erginus.
It seems my list of precious people has grown from one to two.
How delightful. I’m glad I’m still alive, even if it’s ugly.
The Fairy Queen, humming a tune in the middle of the forest, tilted her head when she saw the man who appeared from behind the bushes.
With a rigid expression, he was looking around, and he was the one the Fairy Queen had been waiting for.
“Hello, First Prince of the Soladin Kingdom.”
“Do you know me?”
“The fairies are quite talkative. If someone stands out, they don’t leave them alone.”
“Am I standing out?”
“Of course. You’re the kingdom’s heir, so you shine brightly.”
When he heard the word “heir,” dark emotions stirred inside René Soladin’s heart.
The power he had received from the Dark God, even in part, was quite convenient.
It allowed him to see what was hidden from others.
“Have you found a fairy that you like?”
“No one has ever shown me favor before.”
Of course. The Hero is the one who saved the fairies. If someone tried to monopolize such a person, they would only earn hatred.
“Is there any way?”
“I’m sorry, but no. Fairies are pure and foolish, but sometimes stubborn. They won’t lend their strength to someone they don’t like.”
“Even if it’s your command?”
“Yes. Even if it’s my command.”
“Then there’s nothing to be done.”
“Oh? You’re giving up so easily? I thought you’d ask more.”
“I would have, if it were before. But now that I have power, it seems meaningless.”
“Why is that?”
“You know. Fairies are talkative.”
A deep sense of resignation filled René Soladin’s eyes.
The Fairy Queen couldn’t understand that. Power given to a king isn’t something that can be easily given up.
She had seen many people immersed in that power. She knew well, having sent away those who came asking for her strength to grasp even a title with just a name.
Yet the child before her easily gave up power.
Ah, that’s it. It’s because he’s still a child.
“Answer me one question, and I may lend you my strength.”
“That’s a generous offer. What would you like to ask?”
“What is your dream?”
When the Fairy Queen asked this, René Soladin, for the first time, appeared bewildered. After washing his face, he opened his mouth again.
“To become a king.”
“That’s the wrong answer. That’s not your dream.”
“...What?”
“When you find your answer later, come back and give it to me. This forest will always welcome you.”
The Fairy Queen rose from her seat, bowing politely. As she was about to turn away, she stopped and spoke again.
“Oh, by the way, I’ll give you some advice. Don’t try to get cooperation from the people around you to get close to Lady Arlen. It will cause a huge problem.”
“A big problem?”
“Yes. Lady Arlen is loved much more than you think.”
Although the man before her probably thought the people around her were being overly dramatic, they were actually very sincere.
If the Hero cried and said he didn’t want this marriage, wouldn’t the kingdom collapse?
Of course, I’ll be there too. I’ll never forgive those who made the Hero cry.
“...I see.”
The Fairy Queen noticed René’s muttering as he clenched his fists, tilting her head.
“What did you say?”
“I thanked you for the advice.”
It seemed like his voice was trembling, though.
Suppressing her mischievousness, the Fairy Queen escorted René, knowing the reason was simple.
It seemed more interesting this way.
Having seen his daughter’s unique qualities many times, he knew that no one was as skilled as Lucy in taking on such challenges. Even though Lucy’s body had weakened, Benedict trusted her, and that’s why he extended his pinky finger to her, despite it all.
“Next. I ask for your move.”
However, Lucy did not move as Benedict expected.
Using techniques that even experienced dungeon explorers would never think of, Lucy fought the knights one by one, almost too seriously.
There were many ways to circumvent them. The knights’ dedication made it easy to play tricks on them. I could already see a few ways, so Lucy must have seen even more.
Lucy didn’t say a word after entering the castle.
She defeated each knight one by one, hiding the power that even gods couldn’t resist, as if paying homage to those who had once protected the castle.
“That’s also a tribute to you.”
Hearing the voice that sounded like a high-class drink clinging to her ears, Benedict turned his head and saw Lina, now taking the form of a human, smoking a foreign cigarette.
“Your daughter has grown this strong.”
Hearing Lina’s words, Benedict turned his gaze back to Lucy, who was continuing to fight. The knights she faced were certainly strong.
The trials created by the knights of the mythic era were impossible to overcome without extraordinary talent.
Even so, Lucy kept winning because she was stronger.
Lucy was deliberately engaging in these consecutive battles to prove this. She was pushing through, fighting even with her tired body.
“If you’ve figured it out, just stay back and watch.”
“...Lina, when will I no longer be a foolish father?”
“I don’t know. That’s a human thing, right? I can’t give you a proper answer.”
Although she often showed a mischievous side, the Fairy Queen truly was the Queen of the forest.
Benedict admired her wisdom unknowingly, but when Lina smiled and blood started dripping from her nose, he blinked in surprise.
“Hehe, I really should thank the blacksmith who made that armor. Every movement is so beautiful.”
...I now regret even briefly re-evaluating her.