Interlude: The Change in Hero (II)

Eri gazed at Kouki standing in front of his opponent with a bokken in his hands.

His opponent, a guy who was neither tall nor short with an ordinary face. He held his large edgeless sword without any particular stance.

'This guy is one of those silent protagonist types?'

She saw Kouki charge toward the guard with a somewhat furious expression. Kouki swung the bokken downward stopping just an inch from his guard's head.

But Guard just casually knocked his bokken upwards pushing Kouki back.

Eri shook her head, she knew that Kouki was holding back his strength.

She saw the silent guard sending some taunts. Kouki took a serious stance in response.

"There are no next times on the battlefield."

"ORAAAA!!!"

Kouki let out a war cry and charged forward again and swung his bokken. His slash left afterimages, yet the guard used a minimum of movements to dodge and counterattack.

Eri saw Kouki getting cornered and hit all over his body. Even though Kouki stats were higher than the guard. She realized this was the difference between a former student and a veteran soldier.

The guard attacked more violently after every slash. Kouki had cold sweat running down his cheeks from the pressure.

'So Empire would rather kill him than letting him become leader of humanity. That's such a shame.'

The guard was about to swing the sword down to deal the final blow, Eri saw Shizuku clenching her fists in worry.

She readied herself to cast her Dark magic [Wicked Wrap] but before that a brilliant flash of light blasted the guard away. Kouki who stood there emitting a pure white aura from his body. His face twisted in fear and anger.

The guard grinned at his reaction, "That's a better face than your wimpy one."

Kouki expression darkened. "Wimpy face? You were aiming to kill me."

"Now you understand that? How will a guy like you even survive on the battlefield? And you are supposed to lead the whole humanity. Are you even aware of that?"

"I'm aware.. I will save every-" he stopped when he looked toward Kaori and Hajime holding hands in the audience.

The guard didn't notice this and continued, "Now swing your sword to kill rather than being a little kid who is afraid of blood."

The guard said and charged forward with an abnormal amount of killing intent coming from his body.

Kouki also charged with.. Killing intent. The guard was surprised to see this, but he didn't stop and swung his sword. Kouki vanished and appeared in his front with a crazed expression.

Thud

Something fell on the ground with a heavy noise, the guard couldn't move his sword. He moved his head to see his hand… wasn't there anymore.

"Aaargh!!!"

He screamed in pain, but still stood and held onto his consciousness.

The scream woke Kouki up from his stupor, who moved his gaze between the bloody arm on the ground and the Guard. He closed his eyes and fainted on the spot.

Eri shook her head at the drama, she half expected it to happen after seeing his expression.

'Now we have to deal with the aftermath of this event. I'd rather dream about Leo than rack my brain for greedy politics.'

"Hey Irene, you also expected this, right?" She whispered to Irene.

Irene watched everything with a calm face. "Well, yeah. His soul is getting a little darker every passing day. I don't think he is fit to be a hero anymore."

"Lord Gahard!"

The Envoys ran toward the guard and healed him with magic. A Priest ran hastily and attached his arm back hastily with a light magic spell. Kaori also helped them. In a few moments the Guard or Gahard's arm was as good as new.

Everyone in the audience blinked in surprise at the unimaginable event. They couldn't believe that guard was none other than Gahard D. Hoelscher, current Emperor of Hoelscher Empire.

This revelation brought out another sigh from Eri as she whispered, "Another mess."

Gahard came toward the King. "This kid isn't bad, but he seems to be struggling mentally."

The King nodded in apology. "We are sorry for Sir Hero's behaviour."

Gahard just laughed heartily in response. "Don't worry, I aimed to kill him then I should have expected for some retribution."

Eri shook her head, seeing the guard acting as the Emperor. "Shit just got more real."

Irene grinned in response and walked out of the hall.

The Emperor gazed at the beautiful girl's back in a stunned manner but calmed himself and went back to his room.

Eri stood there speechless. "What do I do with this girl?"

Meanwhile, Shizuku gazed at Kouki sleeping peacefully. Releasing an audible sigh, she slouched on the chair. 'What do I do with this idiot?'

Both girls had their own problems with friends…

***

Next Morning, Irene and Eri woke up by a knock on her door. Irene stayed in the same room as Eri after defeating the behemoth, so they could train magic even in late night.

"Eri, go and check," Irene said lazily from her bed.

Eri cursed her silently and opened the door, her calm eyes opened wide at the visitor. Seeing the flower in his hands, her lips curved into a thin smile.

"What does your Majesty want with students like me?"

Gahard assumed his poker face. "I would like to meet Irene Verglas-dono."

Eri without any respect smirked at the Emperor. "She is sleeping."

Gahard wasn't the one to stuck up on exchanging pleasantries. Still he asked with a polite smile. "Can you wake her up?"

"She won't wake up, no matter what I do," with a shake of her head. "As for these flowers, I can give her when she wakes up."

Gahard sighed in dejection. "Okay."

Eri took the flowers and closed the door, she walked to Irene's bed and threw the flowers at her.

"You got a new admirer, hell, he is 'The Emperor'. I bet he will gladly take you as his mistress."

Irene sat up and glared at her. "Screw off, there is only one man worthy of I, Irene Verglas."

"Stop with the narcissism," Eri face turned serious. "What will you do about him if he pesters you? He is still an Emperor."

"Frost," Irene whispered and a thin layer of ice blanketed the flowers.

With a grin Irene said, "I'll skewer his ass with Ice spears." she threw the frozen flowers on the ground, shattering them in the process.

"Try that and I won't ever help you with 'that'."

Irene raised her hands in surrender. "Fine."

***

Inside the Training Hall, a girl was swinging her wooden sword. Her ponytail danced around with every elegant swing of the sword.

Clap Clap Clap

She turned to the one who interrupted her, a surprise look flashed across her face for a second before she bowed respectfully.

"What brings your majesty here?"

"Nothing, I was just admiring a beautiful woman."

"A unrefined woman like me isn't beautiful," she muttered under her breath. "Please cut to the chase, I still have to finish my daily training."

A smile appeared on Gahard's face. "Your words are sharp as your sword. I like your beauty and elegance. I want to take you as one of my mistresses."

Shizuku shook her head. "No, I'm not into old men."

Gahard's smile twitched in the corner. "Well, I'm not in a hurry. I'll make you fall for me."

He laughed and walked away.

"Perverted old man," Shizuku whispered and resumed her training.