The Mythical Hero's Otherworld Chronicles: Volume 5 [Parts 1 to 4] by Tatematsuri

Author:Tatematsuri
Language: eng
Format: epub

Chapter 2: The Valditte Takes the Stage

Pleasant sunlight shone through the window, and the drifting trill of birdsong came to rest gently on the ears. Yet the otherwise tranquil morning was disturbed by an ugly commotion. Wills clashed, sparks sprayed, and cries rose into the sky, forming an impromptu alarm that woke Hiro from darkness.

“Morning already...”

He slid his legs out of bed, stood up, and rubbed the sleep from his eyes. His fingers came away tearstained, and he stared at them for a moment before breaking into a rueful smile. The usual dream must have paid another visit. He shook his head as though banishing a nightmare and walked over to the window overlooking the courtyard.

“I’ll get you yet!”

“By charging at me like a wild boar? You mistake foolhardiness for valor!”

Outside the glass, Liz—whose wounds still hadn’t healed—was sparring with Scáthach. Enclosed by walls on all four sides, the courtyard comprised a central fountain surrounded by flowerbeds in a variety of vivid hues, which were in turn lined by an array of small trees—an artificial recreation of nature in which the pair now trained. Scáthach kept Liz pressed with deft spearwork, while Liz, likely due to the pain of her stripped nails, was fighting bare-handed, diving into point-blank range to lash out with her fists. Lævateinn’s Graal was Might; her punches would be no laughing matter if they landed. Scáthach was having to fight in earnest.

“Ngh... I see your blows do not need to strike home to rattle the skull!”

Aura sat in the shade of a nearby tree, nose-deep in a book.

Rosa pressed herself coquettishly against Hiro’s back. “Now what’s gotten you so pensive? Feeling left behind now that Liz has found her own wings?”

“Not at all. It’s a promising sign for things to come.”

“Really? I admit, I’m not as strong. This must be how a mother bird feels, watching its chick fly the nest.” Happiness and loneliness did battle in Rosa’s eyes as she stared over Hiro’s shoulder at Liz.

“I’m going to accelerate my plans,” he said. “You’ll need to pivot to backing her sooner rather than later.”

“And you’re all right with that?”

“It’s our best option.”

The weight on Hiro’s back pulled away, as did the accompanying softness. “Very well. I’ll oblige, for now. But if the people happen to change their minds, I’ll be only too happy to give them their Black Prince.”

Hiro swung around, surprised.

“Besides, I do still desire the War God’s bloodline.” Rosa leaned over him, arms keeping him trapped against the wall. The lush sheen of her lips loomed closer, closer—and brushed past his cheek to approach his ear. Her voice was bewitching and her breath dripped with seduction as she whispered, “Don’t think I’ll let you get away.”

Hiro shrugged helplessly. His smile contained just a hint of exasperation. “Once the council is done, I’m going to keep looking to weaken House Krone’s position, but I’m also going to try and strip Stovell of his claim to the throne.”

“Very well. But what of the other great houses?”

“House Scharm of the north, we’ll have to leave for now.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.