Hero King Chapter 7 (Patreon)

Here is Chapter 7 of Hero King!! To celebrate the start of this series, the first ten chapters will be available to all Patrons throughout all the Patreon pages owned by Re:Library.

I have already decided on where to put this novel. In the future, early chapters of Hero King will be available at Musubii.

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Chapter 7 - Inglis, 5 years old (3)

The sword match started, and for a while, the knights’ side had the upper hand.

It was a one-on-one match, and the contestants from the armed peddlers’ side gradually decreased.

The tide turned when Mr. Lambert’s son, Rahal, showed on the arena.

The knights couldn’t even touch him, and the consecutive defeats began.

「Guah!?」 

The knight who was facing him dropped his wooden sword after his arm was hit.

「Match over! Rahal won!」 

Ryuk announced Rahal’s victory.

At least 10 people had lost to Rahal alone.

Since the knights under him had been losing consecutively, Ryuk had become a bit moody.

「Ha——haha. Dear knights, aren’t you a bit too dull? Has it been a while since you all were attacked by magic stone beasts?」

Perhaps victories had gotten into his head, Rahal showed an arrogant attitude.

That must be his true nature, or he was just pretending back then.

「In that regard, we’ve been encountering magic stone beasts everywhere we go. Or should I say, our goods are needed precisely at  places under the threat of magic stone beasts.」 

Mr. Lambert seemed happy with his son’s victory. 

From the looks of it, his nose was high in the air.

The knights were frustrated they were being told off as such, but so long they couldn’t get one off Rahal, they couldn’t say anything back.

In fact, they weren’t slacking off in any sense, as they kept being dispatched to other territories under the Marquis that suffered the attack. However, saying that wouldn’t save their face.

They’ll just be shaming themselves. That was all.

「𝓕𝓾𝓬𝓴. That damn brat, he suddenly got stronger when things actually started!」 

「You’re right. He wasn’t that strong during the warm-ups.」 

「Somehow, when facing that kid, I felt like I couldn’t fight properly…」 

「I felt that too. Is his space awareness that extraordinary…?」 

The knights that lost against Rahal was holding their own little meeting.

Overhearing them, Inglis had a different thought.

*Are they for real……?*

They had Rune dwelling on their dominant hands.

They were official knights of the order.

Even so——

*No matter how you slice it, that’s sorcery. One that binds the opponent’s movement.*

It also caught her interest as of how Rahal could use sorcery, but what baffled her was how others reacted to him.

Nobody appeared to notice that sorcery was at play.

Even though anyone with general knowledge of sorcery would notice it.

To say further, Rahal’s skill in sorcery was nothing outstanding.

Rather, he was quite poorly skilled.

The sorcery was originally the kind that sealed the movement of any opponents in sight.

However, he couldn’t even completely bind his foe, they just became a little bit sluggish when under its effect.

Apparently, the people of this age had forgotten all knowledge and senses regarding sorcery at some point.

*Does the existence of Rune and Artifact have anything to do with it?*

For Inglis who founded a Sorcery School and popularized sorcery amongst her people, this was something heartbreaking. 

Back in time, the prejudice and discrimination against sorcerers were running strong, as there was even a Witch Hunt happening.

Inglis put a stop to it. She swayed the people’s hearts and made them accept sorcery so that they could go hand in hand under the same banner of peace.

She thought that sorcery had been fully accepted by her people by the time she was at her old age.

「Rahal… you’re awesome. But, I won’t lose either!」 

Even the owner of the Special Grade Rune, Raphael, was like this.

He showed no sign of notice.

「It’s my honor to face against the future Holy Knight. Let’s fight, fair and square!」 

That was some words coming out from Rahal’s mouth.

Even though he used underhanded tricks like sorcery.

In the eyes of Inglis who could perceive mana itself, the word shameless hardly fit for him.

If there was something to be praised upon, that’d be his acting skill for a boy his age.

「G-, Glis… Big brother… will win, right…?」 

Rafinha who watched from the sidelines grabbed Inglis’ sleeve anxiously.

「It’s okay, Rani. Your cheers will surely be helpful for big brother Rafa.」 

Though, that was all she could say.

「Yeah. Do your best~! Big brother~!」 

Upon receiving Rafinha’s cheer, Raphael turned his head and showed his refreshing smile.

「Yeah. I’ll do my best, Rani. Thanks.」 

Soon after, he tightened his expression then faced Rahal.

「Then, please guide me well!」 

「I accept your challenge!」 

「In that case, let the match begin!」 

Ryuk then gave the two the starting sign.