NOVEL NEXT Chapter 22 - Episode 22: Cea's Hero Certification Ceremony. He receives preparation money, but...
Episode 22: Cea’s Hero Certification Ceremony. He receives preparation money, but…
Five years have passed since the invasion of Duke Gozack. I awakened to the blood of a hero and dedicated myself to training. In the end, I couldn’t obtain any powerful weapons. All the treasure chests in the infinite dungeon were empty. There were no items in the pots in people’s houses, and the weapons shops were sold out. How did this happen? Was this also a trial to become a hero? Well, whatever. Even without weapons, I have the strongest muscles. And finally, the day has come. The long-awaited day. Today is the day of the hero certification ceremony. At the royal castle in the capital city of Rontomelda, it’s the day when I, Cea Usain, will be recognized as a hero. I bowed in front of the altar.
“In the presence of the Great God Blazezenith’s blessing, I bestow upon Cea Usain the title of hero,” said the priest, and I was enveloped in light. And then, a crest appeared on the back of my right hand. I did it! It finally came.
“That is the proof of a hero. With that crest, you will be able to enter any country. May the blessings of the gods be with you,” said the king in the royal chamber.
“I recognize Cea Usain as the 108th hero,” declared the king in front of everyone.
It’s finally hereeeeeeeeeeeee!! This means… hehehe. I’ll receive equipment, herbs, and preparation money of 100 cozons. Just like the previous heroes did.
“Hehehe.”
“What’s wrong?”
“Huh?”
“The hero certification ceremony is over.”
“Uh, well…”
“What, what?”
“Well, hehe.”
“The ceremony is over. You should embark on your journey to defeat Duke Gozack. Liberate the enslaved people. Restore peace to Rontomelda.”
“Yes, I understand that, but… um…”
And then I extended both palms.
“A journey requires some preparation… hehe.”
“W-What are you talking about?”
“Hehehe. You must know. I’ve heard that the previous heroes received it.”
“Y-You mean the equipment and preparation money!?”
“Yes. Hehe. I’ve also heard that you’ll receive herbs.”
“Ugh…”
“Hehehe.”
“Is that so…”
Then, the king began to explain the situation.
“What!?!? You mean the economy within the castle is struggling!?”
“Yes. It’s very difficult to say, but… we don’t have money to give you.”
“What about the equipment?”
“Yes.”
“And the herbs!?”
“They are a valuable resource.”
“So, there’s nothing!?”
“That seems to be the case.”
“What!?!? This is unacceptable!! I can’t embark on a journey empty-handed!!”
“It… it can’t be helped. If Duke Gozack responds to the delivery of slaves, we won’t escape a decline in labor within the country. The Rontomelda territory is suffering from a serious shortage of tax revenue.”
No, no, no.
“This is ridiculous! I heard that five years ago, I defeated Duke Gozack, and since then, there haven’t been any slave hunts! In other words, there should have been peace for five years! During that time, wouldn’t tax revenue have recovered?!”
“What, what, what, what are you saying!? Y-You don’t even understand politics!”
“If you think about it, it’s obvious! There have been no monster attacks for five years! And besides, the city is thriving! Even inside the castle, it’s magnificent! Look! Those soldiers are equipped with dragon sand iron swords!!”
“Uh, th-that’s… Well, anyway, we’re in dire straits!”
“Those soldiers, and those soldiers too, have dragon sand iron swords. Ah! And that soldier over there is equipped with a magic steel sword! How can you not give me preparation money when you can afford to equip your subordinates with such fine gear!?”
“A-anyway, our castle is impoverished! There’s nothing we can give you!!”
“Damn it!!”
“What did you say!? Who are you talking to!?”
“Uh, no… Th-this is just me talking to myself.”
“Watch how you speak. I am the king.”
“I-I’m sorry.”
“Now, go. You have a mission. Defeat Duke Gozack and liberate the slaves. Then, I will reward you accordingly.”
“Ugh…”
I left the castle with tears in my eyes. Nothing… I never imagined my journey would start in such misery. What’s going on? I’m so unlucky.
☆
ーー Three days ago ーー
The captain of the Rontomelda Knights was in a cabin near the border. It was located outside the magic barrier, a place where monsters could attack at any moment, but strangely, it was quiet.
“What!? You’re selling dragon sand iron swords!?”
The knight captain’s eyes widened. In front of him stood a man in Chinese clothing, wearing round glasses. It was the famous weapons merchant Chin.
“It’s fine for 500 cozons. I want to get along with Rontomelda.”
“F-Five hundred!? It’s not a used item with a worn-out blade, is it?”
“Not a single one has dull edges. They’re all brand new.”
“What!? The price of that sword has skyrocketed. There’s no stock in the domestic weapon shops. Even used ones cost over 1000 cozons now. Selling such a valuable sword for only 500 cozons… I-I can’t believe it.”
“I bought swords for trade. I can sell them for 800 cozons in other countries.”
“Why are you selling such valuable swords at such a low price?”
“I want to get along.”
“Hmm… Tell me the exact purpose. It’s suspicious when the conditions are too good.”
“Actually, I have a grudge against a boy who is about to become a hero.”
“What!?”
“He’s been doing whatever he wants, like strangling the shopkeeper and throwing away valuable swords. I’m close with the shopkeeper. I can’t forgive him for this.”
“Hmm… So, do you want us to take revenge for you?”
“Of course not. That would cause trouble within the country. It’s best to handle things peacefully.”
“Then, what do you suggest?”
“On the day of the certification ceremony.”
Chin presented his conditions.
“I see… You want us to prevent the hero from receiving preparation money and equipment.”
“We also want herbs. We don’t want any items to be given. This is our modest revenge. Otherwise, the grudge against the shopkeeper won’t disappear.”
“Hmm… Normally, he would be arrested and imprisoned by the vigilante group.”
“You can’t imprison someone about to become a hero for such a thing.”
“True.”
“It’s a modest revenge.”
“Indeed. This way, the shopkeeper will feel better, and the hero will still face punishment.”
“Two birds with one stone.”
“Indeed. Alright. But whether the king will agree…”
“I’ll sell magic steel swords at a low price too.”
“What!? Even such valuable swords!? Then there’s no reason to refuse!”
“The deal is done.”
And so, the hero certification ceremony ended up like that.