How to Tame That Gentle Hero - Chapter 7.12
Ain speculated that the demon lord’s advent would be achieved through the conflict between Amarast and the Kingdom of Serma. If that happened, the only ones who could check it would be Crown Prince Eldis of Crevasta and Saint Lorona Weiz. Therefore, he was planning to wait for Saint Lorona to come with this delegation and kill her.
He predicted that if they took hostages to threaten Lorona, she would sacrifice herself due to her overflowing spirit of self-sacrifice. Moreover, using Lorona to make Resena Arnasus wear the necklace would be nothing. With these thoughts, Ain smiled with confidence.
-Since you’ve managed to control the royal family without any problems, I believe you can easily accomplish the directive I’ve given you, Ain.
“Don’t worry. I will thoroughly carry out what Master has ordered, without making careless mistakes.”
Zergard smiled faintly.
-Good. I trust you.
Ain nodded. As the figure disappeared from inside the crystal ball, Ain pushed the crystal ball back into his bosom. Then he looked down at the necklace.
‘Saint Lorona, and Resena Arnasus.’
The corners of his mouth curled up cruelly. Ain laughed out loud. Hahaha. The arrogant laughter echoed loudly inside the audience chamber. But the more it did, the better Ain felt.
“Just watch. I will definitely succeed.”
Ain looked down at the expressionless king sitting beside him. The king, who was controlled by black mana, had previously been called a wise ruler, but after being subjugated, he had turned into a mere living puppet.
Because of that, Ain had wanted to borrow his wisdom, but unfortunately, he couldn’t, so he was only using him to issue orders on his behalf. Since he had administered too much black mana for complete control from the beginning, the king’s organs would be gradually rotting, so when the prince returned, Ain planned to make him the king of Amarast and have him follow his counsel voluntarily.
“Haha. I’m looking forward to it. Resena Arnasus, and Saint Lorona.”
Ain raised the corners of his mouth and clenched his fist. The sensation of the necklace swaying under his hand left a feeling in his palm. And so, the bizarrely twisted corners of Ain’s mouth, planning how to arrange matters, could only rise higher.
Then, as black mana blazed in Ain’s eyes, the king opened his mouth.
‘I’ll make this place your spirits’ grave.’
As the king’s words fell one by one, Ain’s eyes gleamed ominously.
With the cold anticipation of what was to come.
***
After a sandstorm had passed, Resena sighed and shook the sand off her head. If Alken, who was wary of sand monsters appearing, had seen this… he would have neatly brushed off her head, but unfortunately, he wasn’t here right now.
“Sis. Are you okay?”
When Renard asked with a worried face, Resena nodded. Then she looked back. The blade gleamed in the sunlight. Knowing very well who was holding that sword, Resena felt her heart settle.
It was reassuring that Alken and two Sword Experts were guarding from the rear of the delegation to prevent monsters from attacking. And with her, Renard, and three Sword Experts protecting the front line, the other members of the party who had received blessings were gathered in the middle.
“It’s just sand after all. They say the Amarast royal family is controlled by a black mage, but since a monster gate hasn’t opened, we can endure it.”
“Well, that’s true. If that black mage had opened a monster gate in the border area… even a small one would have made it difficult to approach the Amarast capital this quickly.”
Hmm. Resena nodded in agreement and turned her head forward again. Although the path the delegation was following was a trade route with relatively secure safety, it was still a road where monsters could appear at any time. Newly appreciating the convenience of trade ships coming down through the canal, Resena pulled on the camel’s reins.
“Are Saint Lorona and Lord Ian Fullecher staying safely in the middle? Among those who received blessings and are accompanying us, there are three people who cannot protect themselves, so to avoid casualties, they absolutely must not leave that line…”
“You don’t need to worry. Lord Ian Fullecher is also a Sword Expert. Even if a group of sand monsters like Dema Nu appears, he’ll easily take care of them.”
Resena nodded at Renard’s words and looked up at the sky. A desert eagle Crucher, native only to Amarast, was gliding with its wings fully extended. Above it, the sun was blazing down with murderous intensity, making Resena fan herself to cool down.
Although she was wearing an ice magic stone bracelet to cool herself, the heat was still enough to roast a person beyond what could be blocked. Renard, looking sympathetically at the beads of sweat flowing down Resena’s forehead, offered an unopened water bottle.
“Drink this at least, sis. You look too hot.”
“Thanks, Renard. I’ll drink it well.”
Resena drank the water without hesitation. The water bottle, made by mixing ice and green magic stones, always maintained a certain ratio of water and ice, so just the right coolness traveled down her throat, spreading refreshment throughout her body.
“I feel like I can survive now. When we arrive at the capital, I think we’ll need to stay at a hotel for at least 3 days to rest. I don’t want to stay in the palace enduring this murderous heat.”
“Yes. Let’s do that. Anyway, we don’t know when people subjugated by black mana might attack us, so staying at a hotel would be safer.”
Watching Resena fan herself, Renard used his large hand to fan a breeze onto his sister’s cheek. Resena, who had been exhausted by the nearly maddening heat, half-closed her eyes and enjoyed the coolness.
“We’ll arrive at the capital Elisha soon. Just hang in there until then. The hotel will be much cooler than this.”
“I’m telling you… Whew… When we return to Crevasta, I’ll have to raise prices by about 20% for merchants who use this trade route. This route is truly insanely hot and difficult…”
“Yes. Do that. Ah, I can now see the walls of Elisha beyond the horizon.”
Those words felt like salvation to Resena. When she opened her eyes properly, she could see the walls of Elisha at the shimmering horizon. It was truly a distance that could be reached in just two hours, bringing a faint smile to Resena’s face.
“Renard. Stay here. I need to slow down a bit and have a quick chat with Lorona and Lord Ian.”
“Alright, sis. When you’re done talking, come back to the front line. I’ll keep your spot open.”
“Yes. Thanks, Renard.”
Resena pulled on the camel’s reins to make it walk slowly. Soon, as the middle of the formation passed by, she slipped into the gap. Both Lorona and the holy knight Ian seemed to be struggling with the unbearable heat, sweating profusely and just urging their camels on, which prompted her to speak.
