This World Needs a Hero

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[Translator – Night]

[Proofreader – Gun]

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It wasn’t just Luke who received a different secondary weapon from Noubelmag, but…

“Why suddenly a bow? I’m a swordsman.”

“Because you have that sword.”

Noubelmag pointed to the sword hanging from Leciel’s waist.

Shape Shifter.

A famous sword that has cut down countless enemies in the hands of the Hiyashins throughout history.

It possesses a rare ability to transform into any desired form without revealing its blade to its owner.

Even in the manufacturing process, the Holy power was infused by adding a Blessing Stone.

Noubelmag glanced at ShapeShifter without blinking.

‘…It’s still the same.’

A sharp, straight-edged sword.

The finely engraved magical symbols and patterns along its length were still as beautiful as a work of art.

The solidity and powerful force were felt just like in the memories.

Shape Shifter was a masterpiece created by ‘Ahir’ over five years, she was the elven blacksmith, teacher and mother of Noubelmag.

Even he, at the time an apprentice, had contributed to its creation.

“……”

Leciel interpreted Noubelmag’s gaze differently and discreetly hid the sword behind her.

Only then did she take a few steps back, feigning a cough.

Anyway, a secondary weapon in the form of a sword was meaningless to Leciel, who already possessed one of the most renowned swords on the continent.

Besides, Shape Shifter had the ability to nullify both meanings of secondary weapons from the beginning.

Noubelmag recalled the Hero’s request once again.

“Focusing on one thing is good, but Leciel relies too much on swords. So, I thought of using this opportunity to make her practice with a bow. A great martial artist should be proficient in long-range weapons as well.”

It was a valid point.

He had witnessed swordsmen proficient only in swords standing idly in open fields, sucking their fingers while watching approaching enemies multiple times.

Thus, a practice bow was created for Leciel.

Leciel’s lips puffed up slightly.

…I will defeat the Hero with a sword!

How ironic to her aspirations to wield a bow.

Moreover, didn’t even her grandmother dislike Leciel showing interest in other weapons?

Of course-

“The Leader has been practicing archery for about an hour every day.”

Although she quickly accepted that fact.

A new practice bow.

Leciel had headed to the indoor archery practice area in the middle of the night for this reason.

At the entrance, she was discovered trembling by Karen and Evergreen, two archers who were usually dedicated to their practice.

‘Target acquired.’

One rule.

Men like pretty women.

But… in fact, women also like pretty women.

Second rule.

Those who have excelled in a certain field willingly offer advice to beginners.

A beginner and a pretty woman.

Leciel, representing the intersection of these two, attracted the passionate gazes of Evergreen and Karen.

Unlike the hesitating Evergreen, Karen, with her straightforward personality, rushed forward.

Her quick steps made her black-dyed hair beneath her ears shake vibrantly.

“Hello, Leciel.”

“…Hello.”

“How about the new bow? It’s different from a sword, isn’t it?”

“That’s right.”

“If it’s okay, want to practice together?”

A conversation consisting only of clear matters.

Karen naturally became Leciel’s daily coach.

When Karen demonstrated her archery skills, Evergreen also approached and helped with various things, and the three could practice archery together for a couple of hours.

“Watch closely, Leciel.”

Swish!

-Thud!

Karen’s arrow pierced the target, cutting through the air.

Leciel, and even Evergreen, marveled quietly at the seemingly ordinary scene.

It was because the arrow smoothly curved to hit the target, avoiding obstacles.

“How’s that?! In ‘Lindel,’ this is considered basic.”

She said it was a skill honed for hunting and combat in a hometown full of dense trees.

‘It seems useful even in actual combat.’

Leciel diligently took notes on the techniques Karen taught her.

Meanwhile, if Karen’s impressive archery skills ignited Leciel’s enthusiasm for learning, Evergreen modified Leciel’s basic skills.

“Hmm, spread your feet a bit wider and loosen your wrist a bit. That’s right. Pull your shoulders back a bit. Don’t hold your breath too tightly!”

No matter how brilliant a swordsman she was, she couldn’t be proficient in a bow she was using for the first time in his life.

Leciel learned with sweat pouring down.

It was then that Karen unstringed her bow and prepared to leave the practice range.

“Hey, guys, goodbye. It was fun today. I have to go now.”

“Why?”

Leciel, who was enjoying archery, immediately asked.

Karen’s eyes slightly narrowed.

…she’s cuter than I thought.

“I have a date.”

More adorable reactions followed that statement.

This time, Evergreen was also there.

Instead of the sound of arrows tearing through the air, the enthusiastic voices of the children began to fill the practice area.

“A, a date? At this late hour? Does Karen have a boyfriend?”

“Ah, it’s not even the First Era, and who has a boyfriend to go on a date with at this hour?”

“Then? Gerald?”

“No way!”

What an unexpectedly unpleasant remark.

Karen hurriedly explained.

“I agreed to take a walk with a senior.”

“Senior? How do you know that person? Isn’t he a bad guy?”

“In class. I don’t know if he’s a bad person yet. I’ll find out gradually.”

“You’re going on a date without knowing him well?”

“He’s handsome.”

Well, Leciel nodded in agreement.

A beautiful face is plausible.

As Karen happily gathered her training tools.

“Hey, guys, training is good, but we should enjoy what we can at our age.”

The reddish-brown eyes full of charm turned towards the two girls in turn.

“You too, try getting along with Luke soon.”

“You should also get along with Luke quickly.”

“I-It’s not like that.”

No, it’s not.

Karen smoothly brushed off the words.

“Leciel, you… ah, never mind.”

“……?”

“Well, if it were me, I would have commanded Rosenstark.”

“I’m not interested in that.”

“Hmm, are you sure?”

Karen, as if knowing something, made a subtle expression.

Leciel responded calmly.

“You seem quite cheeky right now.”

“Such rude words.”

Thump-

Karen, who had composed herself, soon disappeared with lively steps.

It seemed like she was eagerly anticipating the date.

The training resumed that way.

After Karen, who had occupied about 80% of the conversation share, left, the practice room naturally fell into silence.

Instead of the sound of voices, the noise of arrows being drawn, the swish of pulling the bowstring, and the sound of arrows hitting the target regained dominance.

Surprisingly, Leciel didn’t find the silence uncomfortable.

Whizz-

She drew the bowstring and subtly glanced to the side.

Evergreen’s emerald green eyes, shining like jade, were seriously fixed on the target.

…In the past two hours, I’ve come to realize how kind and gentle Evergreen is.

And it was enough time to understand how she treats people without calculation.

No, actually, watching her over the past half-semester, I gradually realized.

So, regret for the past –

Ping-!

“Ah….”

Is this the price for being a beginner who judges at a glance?

Leciel looked at her swelling index finger.

“Leciel!”

Evergreen, who quickly approached, looked at Leciel with worried eyes.

——————

[Translator – Night]

[Proofreader – Gun]

Join our Discord for release updates!

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In her hands were bandages and ointment.

“Are you okay? Does it hurt? What should I do….”

Right, this.

This kindness and neatness.

The feeling unique to someone who grew up receiving love.

…I envied it.

Leciel, feeling such emotions, was not surprisingly surprised by herself.

Who wouldn’t like this child?

While silently observing Evergreen carefully wrapping her hand with bandages, Leciel, who had been circling the words in her mind since earlier, finally spoke.

“I’m sorry before.”

“Huh? What for?”

“…During the orientation. I behaved rudely for no reason.”

What is she talking about now?

Evergreen tilted her head for a moment but soon succeeded in extracting a faint memory.

“Oh, hello! I’m Evergreen. Evergreen Solintail. Well, you probably won’t remember even if I say… Haha.”

“……”

“…Ahaha, you’re Leciel, right? The granddaughter of Swordmaster!! I’ve heard a lot about your story. It’s really amazing.”

“Could you not talk to me?”

“Yes!”

Leciel was expressionless, but her ears turned very red.

So much that it couldn’t be distinguished from her hair.

Evergreen, smiling faintly, tied the knot of the bandage.

“Hey, I just barged in without thinking, sorry.”

Leciel stood up again and picked up the bow.

Evergreen also stood in front of the target with a smiling face.

The girls practiced archery together like that.

“Leciel, I’ll go first! Take it easy! See you at the dorm!”

“Goodbye… Be careful.”

“Yeah! You too!”

Even after Evergreen left, claiming that she needed to prepare for the Pinnacle Lecture, Leciel remained alone in the indoor practice room for over an hour.

Getting proficient in archery.

It may be the task the Hero gave her.

To not disappoint, to do her best to meet expectations.

Let’s shoot a hundred arrows and go in.

Leciel made up her mind like that.

Swish!

-Thud.

As the target became densely packed with arrows, Leciel’s finger protection, given by Evergreen, started to tear apart.

Leciel suddenly lowered her bow.

“……”

It was because of the presence.

In fact, there were many people who approached her when she was alone.

Students with trembling hands handing her love letters, or boys confessing their love recklessly.

However, this time was a bit different.

Leciel turned around and spoke to the uninvited guest.

“Evergreen just left.”

“…I came to see you.”

Entrance of the indoor practice room.

Luke, looking a bit more troubled than usual, stood there.

* * *

The underground common area covered with stench and dust.

Knock- knock-

Droplets of moisture formed were dripping regularly from the ceiling.

A man nervously wiped away the water that fell on his neck.

“What kind of nonsense is this.”

It was on the central altar.

A white skull mask that shone vividly even in the darkness.

A robe much more extravagant than those of other necromancers.

The symbol of the Demonic Church was engraved on the wrinkled back of his hand like a seal.

The man in charge of the Azure Branch was currently facing a very strange phenomenon.

“Why?”

Whoong-

A hand that cut through the air.

The sacrificial dagger, used for rituals, precisely struck towards the heart of the bound sacrifice.

It was something he had done countless times in the past few months.

There should be no margin for error.

Kichikikik-

However, the blade of the dagger, just one inch above their bodies, automatically brushed aside and went off to the side.

The man let out a deep sigh and lowered the ritual dagger.

For someone who had just discovered that all his subordinates on the surface had been slaughtered, he had a surprisingly calm attitude.

“This is truly an absurd matter.”

“Pl-please spare me.”

“Quiet.”

His index finger pressed down on the lips of the sacrifice.

“That wicked thing is blocking your salvation. However, don’t worry too much.”

Beyond the skull mask, a glowing light was directed towards the surface.

Whether he had grasped the location of this place or not, he was approaching in a straight line.

A demon who had ruined the sacred rituals on the surface.

He had plundered offerings dedicated to the demons, trampled on holy relics with his filthy feet.

The one who committed unforgivable sins.

“Pain will only purify us further, so as a shepherd, I will somehow return you to where you belong.”

The man’s hand wiped away the trembling face of the sacrifice.

“So, don’t worry.”

First, he had to deal with that demon.

If he left it like this, all the offerings he had accumulated so far would be taken away.

The Church would be angry if the plan went awry, and the high priest would be perplexed.

Those who strive for the purification of the world, the holy people, should not experience such failures.

The man made a decision.

He would sacrifice himself to make that demon kneel.

Buchak-

Without hesitation, he left the offerings behind and headed for the innermost room of the common area.

It was where the accumulated offerings were stored.

TsuTsuTsuTsuTsu-

The magic circle engraved under the altar, as if alive, wriggled and emitted a sinister red light, chasing after him like a shadow.

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[Translator – Night]

[Proofreader – Gun]

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