SSS-Class Revival Hunter - Chapter 119

WeTried Translations

Translator/Editor: ZERO_SUGAR

◈ SSS-Class Revival Hunter ◈

Chapter 119: Hero (1)

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Fifteen days had passed since the formal meeting between the families. Much had happened in that time. We had an audience with the Emperor, and numerous secret agreements were concluded between the Empire and the Tower. But I set those upheavals of history aside and first did what I had to do.

There was still my own epilogue to complete.

"Shiny."

[Yes, Hero, Shiny replies.]

In Raviel’s and my bedroom.

On the huge bed lay a sword.

"Eat up."

The thing that once tore apart the heart of my lover.

The sword that trapped this world in an eternal cycle of ten days.

The Sword of Prayer.

Towards this cursed blade, my Holy Sword emitted a white light.

[The Goddess of Protection absorbs a fragment of herself.]

White light touched the Prayer Sword. Immediately, a red aura burst from the Prayer Sword, as if resisting the light that sought to engulf it, a deep crimson fog erupting from its blade.

[The Prayer is terrified.]

[The Idol persuades her sister.]

White light and red mist battled fiercely, but the mist seemed denser. Just as the red was about to overpower the white, another color flowed from my Holy Sword.

[The Pity also persuades her sister.]

Black, filthy water joined the fray. It was the fragment of the second Holy Sword I had taken in.

The tide turned. The pure white light devoured the mist, and the black water consumed it. The red fog quickly dissipated.

[The Prayer Sword is astonished by the betrayal of her sisters.]

[She declares she cannot serve anyone but Leafanta Aegim.]

I spoke up.

"I have an idea why Leafanta Aegim killed the Constellations."

The red mist paused.

Even though it had no eyes, I felt as if it was staring at me. A calm tension settled between us.

"At first, I couldn't understand it at all. But after experiencing this world, I realized. Constellations invade and conquer other worlds on a whim, imposing their will regardless of the natives' opinions."

The Holed-Up Head Librarian was no different.

The Librarian's interest was not in ruling worlds, but in observing people. They designated perfectly ordinary living humans as [characters] and voyeuristically watched their [stories]. In judging the world according to their own tastes, the Librarian was just like the other Constellations.

In short,

"It's a nuisance."

It's violence.

"Leafanta Aegim was an Emperor. He must have thought deeply. 'Rather than using Constellations to seek power, it's better to kill them all.' That's probably what he planned. This world likely had Constellations too, but Leafanta Aegim must have killed them."

[.......]

"But your original master made a mistake."

I lowered the sword point.

"In a world where a Constellation has died and vanished, another Constellation is born. Look! On the continent where the [Goddess of Protection] was sealed, the [Demon King of the Autumn Rain] arose. In this world, the [Silver-Plated Heart] appeared. I will say this plainly: your master is not solving problems, but going around creating even greater ones!"

[Leafanta Aegim......]

"Deny it if I'm wrong."

The sword wrapped in red mist, the crimson blade, remained silent.

"Perhaps my experience is meager compared with your master's. Yes, your master may have endured tremendous trials and learned far more than I have, then shouldered the karma of becoming the Constellation Killer after long and painful deliberation. But there is one thing I can say with certainty."

I spoke sincerely.

"If you've caused trouble, you must take responsibility to the end."

[.......]

"Because of your master's reckless killing of Constellations, an eternal winter has descended in some worlds. The martial artists living there became walking corpses, humiliated. Even if Leafanta Aegim had noble ideals, it's unforgivable. He must take responsibility."

Then,

The red mist gathered in one place, and soon took the shape of a child.

A child drenched in blood.

[My name is Prayer.]

The sword, now in the form of a red child, spoke.

[My role is to fulfill people's prayers.]

[Leafanta Aegim prayed, 'To kill all Constellations, so people will never be dominated by them again.' His prayer was noble. Heavy. Magnificent. So I entrusted my existence to Leafanta Aegim.]

[What is your prayer, human?]

I looked down at the child.

"To not run away from anything."

And said,

"I won't turn a blind eye to what's happening before me. No excuses. I'll take responsibility for my words and actions. I won't overlook wrongs by saying, 'That's just how the world is.' As long as my sword reaches and my life continues."

[Oh......]

The red child looked up at the void.

[The road to hell is always paved with good intentions.]

[All I can do is bless your good intentions and accompany you into your hell.]

It was a mournful lament.

[My power is a trial.]

[Those whose hearts are pierced by me have the wish they harbor put to the test. Was it truly a sincere wish? Was it a wish they desired enough to sacrifice everything for?]

[My cursed power is to make them ultimately give up their prayer.]

The child dissolved into red mist.

[To our new master.]

[May you prosper long in hell.]

The mist was absorbed into my Holy Sword.

[The Goddess of Protection’s existence becomes better defined.]

Finally, I could breathe a sigh of relief.

"Phew."

With this, I had wrapped up what I needed to do before moving to the next stage. There's still much for the Empire and the Tower to discuss... but that's a matter of politics. A field more suited for my wife than me.

"Is it over?"

Raviel, who had been waiting outside the bedroom, asked. A maid accompanied her.

"Yes. Raviel. It's all done. Now there are no Constellations or their fragments to disrupt this world. At least for a while."

"Even with three Apostles forming a coalition to attack, they were miserably defeated. Be at ease. After seeing your prowess, no fool would dare invade."

"......."

The maid standing beside Raviel wore a conflicted expression. Naturally so, because the person attending Raviel was none other than the instigator of this world's invasion: Lady Goldencup.

"...That sounded as though you meant for me to hear it, Your Grace. Or am I merely imagining things?"

Lady Goldencup muttered. To the public, she was now [a young lady whose body was stolen by a cunning demon and who then swung an iron hammer]. She had been made into a victim rather than a perpetrator.

But being possessed by a demon itself was a rumor that tarnished her honor, so she agreed to serve Raviel and wash away the disgrace. As someone who once aspired to marry the Crown Prince, it must be painful for her.

Well, it seems she's seriously reconsidering marriage now.

"Sharp ears. Yes, it was meant for you. Continuously repent for your foolishness, Lady. Once I think you've repented enough, I'll use my connections to the temple to restore your honor. Until then, shut up and work for us."

"Ugh...."

Lady Goldencup, dressed as a maid, bit her lip. Unfortunately for her, she could never defy the two of us. The moment I withdrew [Ghoul Reincarnation], she would collapse.

"......."

This was the ending I had reached.

Looking at the scene, I slowly began to speak.

"I'm heading to the next stage now. Raviel."

"Hm. That's necessary."

Raviel met my gaze.

"I would like to accompany you to explore other worlds, but the Empire needs me. Just as I have my role, you have yours. Go wild and come back when you're tired and need comfort. I'll be here."

"Yes. But..."

I hesitated slightly.

"The 20th floor in the Tower belongs to me. I want to build a house there just for the two of us. If you're okay with it, Raviel."

"Oh? Indeed. From now on, that will be our main home. There, I won't be the Duchess of Ivansia but only your partner."

Raviel smiled.

She had effortlessly read my mind.

"I’m looking forward to it."

Raviel took a handkerchief from her pocket. White with silver embroidery. She opened my hand and gently placed the handkerchief on it.

This was,

"This is the handkerchief I usually carry. With magic, I fixed the perfume into it almost permanently."

"Perfume?"

"You."

Raviel tiptoed to whisper in my ear.

"The scent of white lilies you first smelled when you fell for me."

"......."

"I hear that whenever you try to calm yourself, you fiddle with the hilt of your dagger. It is an ugly habit. Abandon it. When your heart is in turmoil, smell the fragrance in my handkerchief instead of touching a sword hilt."

Ah.

"Gong-Ja. You staying true to yourself is not your misfortune or your pain. I hope it isn't. The memories and love for me, happiness, I hope they keep you true to yourself. Will you accept my wish?"

"…Yes."

I swallowed the overwhelming emotions welling up in my heart.

"Yes. I will, Raviel."

"I love you."

"I love you too."

I pressed my lips to Raviel's, wishing for this moment to last forever. But our shadows soon drew apart, and I said,

"---Transfer."

Light enveloped my vision.

The next time I blinked, I was already in the Great Library.

The hunters who had been waiting for me there came into view.

"Welcome back, King of Death."

Black Dragon Master, speaking on behalf of the others, broke the silence. Seeing her, I instantly realized she was not in the best of moods. Despite her words, her eyebrows were deeply furrowed.

"What's wrong?"

"I wish I could say nothing is wrong."

Black Dragon Master sighed deeply.

"Uh, there's a problem. A pretty serious one."

Looking around, I noticed that only the top rankers like Black Dragon Master were present. Normally, hunters like the Apothecary would be around too.

"Where did the other hunters go?"

"We asked them to leave. We have confidential matters to discuss. Well, our conversation is still being broadcasted throughout the Tower..."

Black Dragon Master's voice trailed off ominously.

"What could be so serious?"

"Aha."

It was the Heretic Inquisitor who responded, not Black Dragon Master. He was back in his usual priestly attire after shedding the dress from the last stage.

"To put it simply, King of Death! You've become too successful!"

"Me?"

"Think about it. In [The Veritable Records of the Heavenly Demon], you showed a profoundly loyal side to your master! Your reverence for martial arts and caring for your followers touched the hearts of countless hunters. After clearing [The Veritable Records of the Heavenly Demon], martial artists from the outside world entered the Tower by the thousands every day!"

The Paladin picked up from there.

"Someone is recording the broadcasts from the Tower and spreading them in the outside world. In fact, we've allowed this dissemination. King of Death, your success is a tremendous advertising effect in itself. There's no reason to refuse it."

"But, well."

The Countess waved her fan.

"It seems we took this too lightly. We underestimated it."

"Underestimated what?"

"The influence wielded by you as a person. No, by you as an [icon]."

What did they mean? I looked at them, unable to grasp their point. Everyone wore serious expressions. The Heretic Inquisitor, always smiling regardless, responded.

"113,654."

"Pardon?"

"That's the number of people who entered our Tower yesterday!"

"......."

I couldn't comprehend what the Heretic Inquisitor was saying.

After a moment, I realized he meant 'yesterday.'

"Yesterday, in one day?"

"Yes! Such an influx is normal when wars break out or nations fall. But recently, besides small conflicts, there have been no battles! Ahahaha. No nations have fallen either! It's a [peaceful] time, and yet we've had this many new arrivals!"

"Leaflets from the outside world."

The Countess handed me a leaflet.

It was like a presidential election poster with my face on it.

Below it, read this sentence:

Make the King of Death our King!

Journey to Utopia!

My mouth slowly opened.

"Don't tell me the King of Death refers to...?"

"Of course. It refers to your title, King of Death. Leaflets like this are being distributed in countless numbers across numerous regions. To prevent any misunderstanding, we had absolutely nothing to do with it. People in the outside world are producing them on their own."

"......."

I didn't know how to react.

"Regarding the leaflets, you might have guessed."

The Paladin grinned wryly.

"These days, leaflets aren't common promotional tools. Get it? King of Death. 'Leaflets are used when wanting to inform even those who don't use the internet.'"

"…What do you mean?"

"People from regions with poor internet access. The poor from impoverished countries. Conflict zones. Areas controlled by warlords. Countless poor and refugees are entering the Tower. They're abandoning their [nations] and [nationalities], leaving behind their [lives] in the outside world, and coming to the Tower of Babel."

Just like we did, the Paladin added.

"Hmm."

Viper crossed his arms.

"Those people. Upon entering the Tower, they wear black hats or black tops. They want to join the Demonic Cult... more bluntly, they're coming in because of you."

"It's not just the poor and refugees."

Black Dragon Master spoke.

"Wealthy individuals are coming in large numbers too. Scientists, sociologists, professors along with their colleagues. They declare, 'We want to contribute to building a new society in the Tower.'"

"......"

"Kim Gong-Ja."

The great guild leaders looked at me.

"You did more than merely clear stages. In the outside world, no, everywhere, people want a hero. Courage in the face of hardship. Respect for humanity. Devotion to love. Nothing excites people more than a hero who gives their life while holding fast to a good will."

Black Dragon Master showed me her smartphone screen.

"You've become our flag."

The hologram that always floated in the center of Babylon Square was displayed on the screen.

1st. Sword Saint

2nd. King of Death

3rd. Black Dragon Master

4th. Heretic Inquisitor

5th. Countess

6th. Viper

7th. Babel's Linguist

8th. Wide-Area Communicator

9th. Paladin