Chapter 166 The Hero Of The Past
I was led to a certain civilian's house by Marcedes-san and Ingrid-san. The village head of the elf village was said to be living here.
The time was dawn. The eastern sky visible through the window was gradually brightening.
"Village head, I'm entering."
Ingrid-san opened the door to the innermost room, holding the staff in one hand. I followed Marcedes-san, who was walking behind me, and entered the room.
Sitting on the sofa in the center of the room was a small, elderly man. He gazed at the stagg in Ingrid-san's hand and sparkled in his eyes. Then,
"Ah, that's it! You've retrieved it for me! Thank you!"
He raised a large voice that didn't match his stature.
I was startled by the loud voice and couldn't help but stare at the village head's face. He seemed to notice my gaze and spoke to me in a loud voice, "You're Laura-kun, aren't you!"
"This staff you've retrieved is the weapon the demon king used in the past! However, with the seal magic on it now, it's just a useless stick!"
I was taken aback by the sudden explanation and froze for a few seconds.
――The staff in front of me now was the one stolen by the monster from the elf village. And that staff was the sealed weapon of the former demon king.
Marcedes-san quickly followed up, seeing my shocked expression.
"That's just what's been passed down, we haven't investigated it. We don't have a way to investigate it, either."
I nodded vaguely, agreeing with Marcedes-san's wry smile.
The villagers also didn't have any proof that this staff was indeed the former demon king's weapon. However, the fact that the monster stole it this time――it seemed like the greatest proof.
Unlike Marcedes-san, who looked somewhat uneasy, and Ingrid-san, the village head puffed out his chest with confidence.
"Long ago, there was an Elf who fought alongside Hero-sama against the Demon King! He was a hero, but during the battle, he used a seal magic that nullified the Demon King's weapon, and as a result, he was banished from his hometown!"
The village head began to tell the tale of our ancestors' bravery. There was some intriguing information hidden within, and I couldn't help but ask a question mid-story.
"Was he banished from his hometown because he used seal magic?"
The Elf, who was one of the heroes who defeated the Demon King, was driven out of his hometown. The reason was "seal magic"――?
It was Marcedes-san who answered my question.
"That's a dangerous magic. If someone like Arnold uses it on themselves, it's still okay, but if they use it on others with malicious intent, who knows what might happen?"
"Ah..."
Upon hearing that, I realized the "danger" of seal magic once again.
It's a magic that can even seal away the power of the Demon King, who threatens humanity's existence ―― albeit partially. Sealing away a person's consciousness is no trivial matter. If used incorrectly, it could lead to terrifying consequences.
A power that's too strong is feared, and those who wield it are banished. It's sad, but it's understandable.
"It's not even a magic that can be used on your own body, you know."
Marcedes-san's murmur made me understand the danger of seal magic once again. Back then, Arnold was indeed walking on thin ice.
――And with that, I grew anxious. Arnold used seal magic this time too. If that's the case, he might be ostracized by his own people, just like the hero of old.
"Seal magic is complex, and only the user themselves can understand the correct way to use it. If you're extremely powerful, you can force it open, but if you fail, it comes with a huge risk."
The gentle voice added a supplement, and my fear of the sealing magic deepened even further. If someone who could use such a terrifying magic was by my side, I wouldn't want to acknowledge it, but I could somewhat understand the feelings of those who had banished the hero of the past, the Elf.
Ingrid-san's hand gently patted my stiffened shoulder, as if to loosen it, while I stood there in shock.
"The ancestors of the Elves, who feared that the source of conflict might arise, called the sealing magic 'evil magic' and prohibited it."
"That's why the hero of the past was banished from their hometown! Not only that, but the country also announced to other nations that he was an extremely dangerous magician!"
It seemed that among the Elves, there was a strict "rule" that said "you must not use sealing magic." Because the hero broke that rule, he was banished.
Then, what about Arnold's actions this time――?
Before I could ask about Arnold, the village head continued speaking in a calm tone.
"The banished hero of the past began living alone deep in the forest to avoid attention. That's how our village began!"
The flow of the story was imaginable. Since the staff that the Elf hero had sealed was now in the village head's possession, it was impossible to explain unless the hero was somehow involved with the village.
The village's beginning was the banished hero of the past. He must have been protecting those who were rejected by the Elf community, just like me. And, according to Arnold, the village of outcasts was completed.
"Now, there are only a few who know about sealing magic even among the Elves. As a result of being called 'evil magic,' it was only passed down to a select few and eventually forgotten. ...However, in our village, sealing magic was passed down in order to continue sealing this staff."
Thanks to Mercedes-san's supplement, I understood that Arnold was able to use sealing magic because he was from this village. Whether that was good or bad, I honestly didn't know.
"Even if it was passed down, only a very few people can use it. It requires an extremely strong magic power, after all... It's like Arnold or Elvira, I suppose."
Rocco's sibling must be a chosen existence. What's the reason behind their strong magic power? Even their mother Ingrid-san must be an owner of excellent magic power, right?
――When I thought about it, it's not like I, an outsider, would understand. However, I realized something new, separate from that.
It's the reason why Elvira was allowed to accompany the Hero on the journey. I thought it was weird that they would take young Elvira instead of adult Marcedes-san, even if it's according to the "Last Brave" story. But now that I've heard the story――
"Is it because Elvira can use seal magic that she's allowed to accompany the Hero on their journey?"
"That's right. The demon king's seal is something that can only be done by the Hero's power, but it's also a powerful force that can resist the demon king."
In reality, there is a track record of sealing Demon King's weapons. He must have known that, and also understood that Elvira could use the same power as the heroes of the past.
The wise Elvira must have appealed to the Hero's party. With Arnold asleep, she has a powerful magic that only she can use, after all.
(That's why Vake and the others were convinced... and took Elvira's "merit" into consideration)
Vake was the one who opposed Elvira's accompaniment on the journey the most, I think. I was curious about the reason why he was convinced, but now that I know, I feel relieved. And I also realized something else.
The demon king must have known about the staff in the village because he "saw" it when he possessed Elvira. The reason why the village was attacked by monsters several times in the past――although it's just my speculation――makes sense, and the dots in my head are connected.
Just as I was feeling relieved and convinced on my own, a loud voice shook my eardrums once again.
"But, allowing the monster to invade is a lifelong regret! And to think that the staff was stolen as well."
"It can't be helped, Village Head. We've managed to defend ourselves until now, haven't we? The people of Rustu's village were also secretly protecting us, but this time the number of monsters was clearly overwhelming."
Mercedes-san gently encourages the disheartened Village Head.
I'm sure this monster attack was just a preparation for the final battle. From what they've said, an enormous number of monsters came pouring in.
"We even got back Bozek's body, and the staff returned too. That's already a great achievement."
Ingrid-san follows up with a confident tone. The Village Head, who had been hanging his head in despair, finally looks up, and then turns to me.
"Thank you, Laura Ampère-kun! I heard you came up with a brilliant strategy!"
"N, no. I'm just glad I could be of help."
I shake my head, overwhelmed by the loud voice. The Village Head then flashes a bright smile.
"We'll be counting on you from now on! If there's anything we can do to help, please don't hesitate to ask!"
The Village Head laughs, his face creasing with wrinkles as he holds his staff. Seeing him like that, I can't help but superimpose the image of a hero who was once exiled.
What kind of life did he have? Did he harbor hatred towards the country after being exiled? Or...
Perhaps he had a peaceful time in a small village, and I couldn't help but wish that for him.
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