Chapter 47: Chapter 47

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Translator: Vine

Chapter Title: The Hero's Special Act

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Lady Baekmok.

Raxid Anvesia.

A death sentence, declared by her.

I had long known that the Empire had a system for executing those who possessed mystic powers. Long ago, there was an incident in the Empire where an individual with mystic power went berserk, causing casualties on a city-wide scale.

As such, mystic powers were strictly regulated within the Empire. But even so, I never expected her to just outright declare an execution.

'She didn't even mention the execution system to Lucas.'

But with me, she brings up execution right away.

"...Am I going to be executed?"

When I boldly asked, Lady Baekmok's attendant beside her twitched an eyebrow. The attendant's gaze was sharp.

It seemed to be because I asked without showing proper respect. But I was in a situation where I could be executed at any moment. Politeness, or anything else, was meaningless.

Lady Baekmok smiled gently. Her smile inexplicably brought a sense of unease.

"Of course, even the Imperial Criminal Code has exceptions."

In any world, there are those who stand above the law. And in the 'Crimson Butterfly' game, Lady Baekmok was one such person.

A living testament to the Empire. Before her eyes, countless laws had repeatedly appeared and disappeared.

At that point, laws held little utility for Lady Baekmok.

"Just like me."

Those who possess mystic powers. That includes Lady Baekmok herself.

The mystic power she wields. Baekmok.

In the past, it was the largest and most vibrant tree in the world. However, when the Archfiend intervened, the tree was shattered, giving birth to the mystic power, Baekmok.

The woman standing before me was the one who single-handedly repelled this very Baekmok.

Baekmok had threatened the very existence of the Empire and countless kingdoms. Lady Baekmok, who stopped Baekmok, was one of the world's most renowned heroes.

"The Hero's Special Act."

I knew she would mention it.

"It is a law applied when someone becomes a wielder of mystic power not by their own intent to absorb it, but by confronting and overcoming a mystic power."

Lady Baekmok placed both hands on her waist.

"And it is also a law that I enacted myself."

Lady Baekmok is a hero. As such, she performed her role exceptionally well.

To promote the emergence of future heroes who would stand against injustice. The law she personally proposed.

The Hero's Special Act.

The Hero's Special Act takes precedence over most other laws, with the exception of a few clauses deeply connected to the Imperial Family. This demonstrates how highly the Empire values her.

"The birth of heroes must be encouraged. The world is always confronting mighty Archfiends. For others to envy and resent a hero, causing them to fall, would be a great national loss."

She explained the reason behind the Hero's Special Act, stepping closer to me.

"So, young man."

The corners of Lady Baekmok's lips curled into a chilling smile. Her eyes shone with a clear light, piercing through me.

"Are you a hero? Or are you a condemned criminal?"

Will you become a hero according to the Hero's Special Act? Or a condemned criminal according to the Imperial Criminal Code?

She forced a choice upon me.

My lips remained silent. I knew well what answer Lady Baekmok desired.

"I am too insignificant to be called a hero."

To be precise, I merely played the part of a hero.

This world was the real-life manifestation of 'Crimson Butterfly,' a game I had played countless times.

I had no grand cause. It was simply that if the world fell, I would die too, so I was merely struggling to preserve my own life.

The countless bad endings contained within this world led to its destruction. If I wanted to live, I had no other choice.

Lucas, the true hero, was dead. Therefore, I, who took Lucas's place, was nothing more than a fake hero.

"I am insufficient to embody the spirit of a hero, yet the world is too tumultuous for me not to embrace it."

The Empire was currently faltering due to a struggle for the imperial throne.

The First Prince's faction and the Third Princess's faction. Due to the fierce rivalry between these two groups, the Empire had shed much blood.

The Empire must not fall. The Empire bore many enormous problems, including the Demonic Lair.

The moment the Empire collapsed, the world would swiftly accelerate towards destruction.

"Above all, I know that a hero is not made by someone who simply wishes to become one."

Lucas walked a heroic path. Among his actions, Lucas never sought to elevate himself to become a hero.

Instead, countless people admired his heroic deeds, revered him, and wished to walk that path alongside him.

The hero I knew was someone like that. A manufactured hero is ultimately nothing more than a paper doll.

"Therefore, I am not yet a hero."

Someone else must call me a hero. To proclaim oneself a hero is meaningless.

"Pfft."

Lady Baekmok, having chewed on my words, inexplicably began to chuckle. Seeing this, the attendant quietly swallowed a sigh.

"Hahahahahahaha!"

Lady Baekmok covered her mouth and laughed for a long time. It was a hearty laugh, befitting a hero.

After a prolonged laugh, she looked down at me again.

"Interesting. 'Not yet,' you say."

She pinpointed exactly what I had said. She beamed with a smile.

"Young man, you are right. A hero is not something one becomes by self-proclamation. It is a position one naturally ascends to, eventually spoken of by countless citizens."

It seemed my words had pleased her.

"You've given me the very answer I desired, as if you've peered into my mind."

How perceptive of her.

"So, am I to be executed now?"

When I asked again, Lady Baekmok scoffed.

"Young man, the Hero's Special Act applies to you. Even if you are merely an aspiring hero."

She had already investigated everything I had done.

The mystic power that had seized the Great Forest of Spirits, the Iron Empress. To stop her, I threw myself into the fray.

At least, that is how it was recorded in the reports.

"Moreover, regardless of your intentions, you do not use the mystic power you possess for nefarious purposes."

This was about how I had stopped the Apostle, the Forest Keeper, in the Grey Forest. The countless deeds I had accumulated until now had led to this moment.

Nothing had been in vain.

A scenario is the power that drives a story. When the story progressed according to the scenario, the results naturally followed.

"Therefore, young man, you will not be executed."

I had been nervous because things were going in a slightly different direction from the original scenario. Fortunately, my life was spared.

"And young man, this Hero's Special Act has one more peculiar clause. It is also why I came here today."

My fists clenched tightly. Finally, it was time.

I had attracted Lady Baekmok's attention precisely for this.

"It is a law I specially created to encourage heroes and aspiring heroes."

Behind Lady Baekmok, it felt as though a pristine white tree had bloomed. The tree was imbued with a halo. Lady Baekmok wore a smile.

Her eyes, as she looked at the young aspiring hero, held a benevolent light.

"Young man, state your wish."

The Hero's Special Act. It contained a declaration that as long as Lady Baekmok lived, she would personally bestow a reward.

She told me, who was eligible for the Hero's Special Act, to state my special wish.

A hero who, excluding the Emperor, possessed the most powerful authority in this world. What she meant by 'your wish'...

It encompassed almost everything a person could conceive.

Swallowing, I raised my head.

"I want..."

And I told her what I needed most.

***

After Lady Baekmok left with a hollow laugh. I also left the infirmary room.

Perhaps it was because I had rested well during the exam period. Even so, my body had recovered quite a bit.

As I walked, I saw several infirmary rooms. As I was passing by the rooms, I suddenly stopped. It was because a name I knew was written on the door.

Nikita Cynthia.

The room inside was quiet. Was she sleeping?

'Probably not.'

I looked at her infirmary door and raised my hand.

Knock-knock.

Two knocks echoed. No answer came.

"Nikita, Senior."

As I quietly called her name, I felt a presence from within.

"...Junior?"

Thankfully, she recognized me and responded. As I slowly opened the door, I saw Nikita sitting by the bed.

She stared blankly at me, then flinched and quickly hid what she was holding. I saw that it was a letter, but I pretended not to notice.

"How are you feeling?"

Nikita had collapsed due to malnutrition and overwork. So, when I asked about her condition, Nikita flinched and forced a smile.

"I'm fine."

My eyes fell upon a sandwich placed on the drawer. Only a single bite had been taken from the sandwich.

This was all the effort she could muster. Even though nothing would go down. She had tried to eat at least one bite, out of consideration for my sincerity.

That fact made my heart ache even more.

"You're not fine at all."

I carefully picked up the sandwich. As it was summer and the weather was hot, I knew it would quickly spoil if left like that.

But despite my actions, Nikita's face remained blank. As if she had received some shocking news.

"Senior?"

"Ah, mm."

A listless reply came to my call. Nikita stumbled as she got up from the bed. When I quickly tried to help her, Nikita waved her hand.

"I'm fine. Junior, I'm really fine."

"But..."

"Junior, I have a request."

Nikita spoke with a trembling face.

"I want to be alone right now. Can you just leave me be? You're a good junior, so you'll listen to me, won't you?"

I no longer tried to touch Nikita. Instead, I slowly turned and left.

"Yes, please take care of yourself."

Even as I did, my eyes clearly registered her face.

The faint stirrings of anger in Nikita's eyes. I confirmed this for certain.

The letter she had hidden. It was not difficult to guess the contents within.

The letter likely contained news that Nia Cynthia had been assassinated by the Cynthia marquisate.

And this had ignited fury and a desire for revenge within her heart.

The fire was spreading.

Unlike with Isabelle, this was a cruel fire that would never be extinguished until its purpose was fulfilled.

Act 3, Chapter 6. The Dragon Lady of Calamity.

That act had begun.