TLNOTE : I’m really sorry! The timeline glitched, and Chapter 3 part 5 posted before Chapter 3 part 4 was fully posted. I’m fixing it now!
A nation that can do nothing but cling to the tiniest glimmer of hope it thinks it sees in us—it’s unstable in the most terrifying way.
And even worse, that hope doesn’t embellish me, doesn’t serve any real purpose. Even if I did meet their expectations, it would only ever benefit others—a pointless sacrifice. My goal is no longer there. I have no interest in it.
So I sit, watching Princess Asha’s one-sided struggle from this uncomfortably close distance, my thoughts looping idly, not even serving as a good way to kill time.
When she realized she was leaning in too close, she quickly pulled back with a flustered Even so, she continued to look at me with eyes filled with respect.
“I-I’m terribly sorry!”
“Hyouka, your power is incredible. So powerful that it sets you apart even from the other mighty heroes summoned here.”
She’s probably thinking back to when everyone in class tested their unique powers.
When I explained mine, we were in the frozen forest known as the Griffil Sea of Trees.
At that time, I completely overwhelmed a knight of the Griffil Holy Kingdom. That knight, who had been calmly analyzing and adapting to all of my classmates’ abilities, was instantly and unceremoniously taken down by me.
That’s when it started—Princess Asha’s strange attachment to me.
“Ice magic… It’s an ancient art, long lost to humanity. As far as I know, the only ones who can wield it are Hyouka… and that so-called Corpse King. Hyouka’s ability to harness the Corpse King’s magic makes her the trump card in defeating him! But… even without that, seeing Hyouka’s bravery has lifted everyone’s morale… I’m truly grateful.”
“…Morale, huh? I don’t think it’s that.”
“Hm?”
I get why she’s so fixated on the Corpse King. To her, I must seem like a miracle—someone with the perfect counter to the evil they need to destroy.
But what my presence really stirred in the others wasn’t courage. It was jealousy, pride… things far removed from a hero’s virtues. I know it’s a cynical take, but I’m probably not far off.
Princess Asha tilts her head, puzzled, but I cut the conversation short with a dismissive, “Never mind.”
Through the carriage window, the great tree looms closer.
As my classmates cheer, Princess Asha grabs my hand again.
“Hyouka. I believe… you might be the one to draw the sword of the Forge God, Gulba! I, the youngest of the royal line, couldn’t do it… but you—you could!”
Me? Even if she says that, it doesn’t click.
But I’m sure every one of my classmates thinks the same—
that they’re the ones destined to pull that sword.
Is the Holy Kingdom of Griffil trying to plant delusions of heroism in them?
But that dream vanishes as abruptly as it appeared—shattered before their eyes.
“The Forge God Gulba’s sword… was drawn!?”
At the gates of the steel city, Gagiur.
The news reaches the carriage carrying the would-be heroes just as they’re about to enter.
Not just Asha, but even the knights struggle to hide their shock.
Most of my classmates slump in disappointment, while others are just bewildered by the uproar.
Asha presses the knight who delivered the news.
“H-how!? After all these years… Who did it!?”
“P-Please calm down, Your Highness!”
The knight steadies her before addressing the whole carriage.
“The one who drew Gulba’s sword… was the daughter of Gagiur’s lord, the young lady of House Iron.”
“…A count’s… daughter…?”
The murmurs spread—not just among the knights, but even the princess.
“House Iron… They’ve been losing favor lately…”
“Yeah, there was even talk of stripping their title.”
“But Lady Irena’s talent was known even in the capital. With this feat…”
“The tides have turned.”
“Still, if a Griffil noble has the sword, it’s convenient for us.”
The heroes are left behind in the discussion.
Regaining her composure, Asha speaks with regal authority.
“Heroes, please wait a little longer. If things go well… we may yet secure the Forge God’s aid!”
“The Forge God… sounds awesome!”
“The guy who made that sword in the tree, right?”
“Maybe he’ll forge us some crazy weapons!”
“Custom gear, like in the comics!”
“Boys are such children.”
“But I kinda get it.”
“Right?”
With morale somewhat restored, Asha turns her gaze to the great tree.
“Take the carriage to the Iron estate. We’ll request their cooperation in the Helheim campaign.”
“The Forge God Gulba? Oh, heard he’s got a workshop on a hill outside town. Probably there.”
“I see… Thank you.”
“Yeah, yeah. Now, payment.”
“…Sigh.”
I drop a copper coin into the grinning scout’s palm. He downs his drink, satisfied.
This is why I hate scouts…
If only there were another pure-hearted girl like Ghat—I could’ve haggled.
Leaving the bustling Gagiur Adventurer’s Guild, I spot a small iron shack in the distance.
“Ah, that’s gotta be it. Definitely Gulba’s style.”
“That old coot’s still antisocial, huh?”
“Can’t blame him. A hundred eighty years ago, they called him a cursed craftsman… The townsfolk’s fickleness is something else.”
“Calling him ‘Forge God Gulba’ now that he’s useful… Humans are amusing creatures.”
Nid flicks her tail irritably, dripping sarcasm.
As I pet her and head toward the outskirts, a checkpoint blocks the path between town and hill.
Two guards stand like rooted trees, barring entry to all.
“A checkpoint…?”
“Guards? That old man doesn’t need security this tight.”
Approaching quietly, I’m immediately halted.
“Halt!”
“Identify yourself.”
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They plant their spear-butts into the ground, eyeing me up and down suspiciously.
“Uh… I’ve got business with the Forge God Gulba—”
“No such orders. Unauthorized entry is prohibited.”
Well, of course not.
With my tattered cloak and hood, I’m the picture of suspicion.
Now what?
“How do I get an audience with him?”
“Only by commissioning arms.”
“Submit a formal request to Gagiur’s lord and prepare the required funds.”
“Would… fifty gold coins cover it?”
The guards freeze—then burst out laughing.
“Bwahaha! Fifty gold!? Good one!”
“To think you’d cheapen the Forge God’s masterpiece… Must be some country bumpkin!”
“Or a spoiled noble brat?”
“If so, you’re embarrassingly uninformed, ‘sir.’”
“…King. Let me kill them.”
“Absolutely not.”
I mutter just loud enough for Nid to hear, then signal my two subordinates behind me to stay put.
If I don’t play the fool here, they’re the ones in danger.
Feigning embarrassment, I scratch my head and press on humbly.
“M-my mistake… So there’s no other way…?”
“Well… there was one.”
“Really?”
“Not anymore. Happened just a bit ago.”
“…Meaning?”
One guard points to Gagiur’s great tree.
“See that sword stuck in there? Whoever pulled it would’ve gotten an audience… but it was just drawn.”
“By our lord’s daughter—Lady Iron.”
“…I see.”
That sword had that kind of significance…?
…Dammit. Should’ve gathered more intel.
Swallowing my frustration, I force a harmless smile and bow.
“Understood. Apologies for the trouble… By the way, where is House Iron?”
“Huh? Just follow the main road past the great tree—straight ahead.”
“But even meeting the lord requires formal procedures. Approval’s near impossible. Especially lately… Give it up.”
“I see… Thank you.”
We leave the place and let Nifl and Garm join us naturally, taking the least crowded street possible.
We go into a back alley and sort through the information.
“…Messed up. Someone else took the sword and the credit.”
“King… Did you screw up…?”
“Garm. Watch your tongue. The King does not err. There are always secondary plans.”
There aren’t.
“Right?”
Stop looking at me like you already know.
“…W-well, yeah.”
Ugh, I always do this—pretending I’ve got it all figured out.
“First… Nifl, can you teleport us?”
“After that earlier acceleration spell, my mana’s drained. Even if not, the workshop’s warded heavily… It’s unlikely.”
“Figures.”
“With guards posted, they’ve surely countered magic.”
“Hmm… Oh! I know!”
Yes? Well then, Ms. Garm.
Garm jumps excitedly, waving her hand.
“Then! Garm can howl really loud, or King can freeze the whole town! That’ll get Gramps’ attention!”
“Yeah, vetoed.”
“Wha!?”
“That’d make us infamous—and leave a body count. We’d be outright villains.”
“…Oh. Right…”
“Drawing attention isn’t a bad idea… but blasting magic in public would tank our reputation. We need a subtler approach.”
“Then…!”
“Knocking out the guards is also a no-go. That checkpoint’s too well-monitored.”
“Aww…”
Ruffling Garm’s wolf ears to console her, I settle on the least messy plan.
If Gulba’s this hard to reach, it’s a pain—but with rumors of the Demon King’s involvement in the fake Helheim, his cooperation is essential.
“Guess we’ve got one option left.”
“House Iron, then?”
“They mentioned cumbersome procedures. What’s the plan?”
“You heard them. The count’s daughter pulled the sword.”
“Oh! That girl!”
The dull-haired girl who boldly negotiated with me—she’s the lord’s daughter?
“She knows I’m the one who drew it. If we meet, she might help. If not… we’ll force our way in. Either way, let’s head there first.”
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