"You're saying… the Sword Hero of the Kingdom of Jioral wants to challenge ?"
After listening to the queen's explanation, Drake summarized the matter concisely.
As ntioned before, this world did not only have the "Four Cardinal Heroes" summoned from another world.
It also had many native Heroes.
It was rely that the Four Cardinal Heroes' historical achievents and reputation were the most widely spread, so they were the best known.
In truth, native Heroes could also obtain rather impressive "cheat" enhancents.
The Kingdom of Jioral likewise had a Hero honored with the title of "Sword."
Aside from him, they also had the Cannon Hero and the Magic Hero, who served as core forces in resisting the Waves.
As for the Healing Hero in Drake's mories, he did not seem to have appeared.
Perhaps because the two worlds had fused together, the plot had deviated a tiny bit.
"That is correct. I suppose it is the competitive spirit of two people who both bear the title of Sword Hero."
The queen nodded, a trace of helplessness appearing on her beautiful face.
"If Aultcray had not privately summoned all four of you Heroes at once, I would not have needed to travel everywhere, lobbying the nations of the world."
"And then this kind of troubleso matter would not have happened."
Aultcray was the old king Drake had previously t. To be precise, he was the "acting king."
The true ruler of this nation was Queen Mirellia.
"To drag Sword Hero-dono into our country's private affairs is truly sothing I must apologize for."
"It's fine. I was just thinking of going to see the Kingdom of Jioral's… local customs."
Drake waved his hand, indicating that he did not mind.
In any case, there was still a month and a half until the next Wave. He had been aning to take a look at that "Redo of Healer" kingdom.
Although, from the sound of things, the fused Jioral did not seem to have produced the Healing Hero who served as the protagonist.
However, those words seed to make the queen realize sothing.
After thinking for a mont, she suddenly said,
"I wonder what impression Sword Hero-dono has of lty?"
"lty?"
Drake was taken aback.
Why had the topic suddenly shifted to the kingdom's little princess?
"She is the child who returned with yesterday."
Queen Mirellia spoke as though it were only natural.
"To be honest, lty is my favorite child. She is not only gifted in magic, but also kind-hearted and skilled in governance. Her appearance is also quite excellent."
"Oh… and then?"
Drake had the faint feeling that Queen Mirellia at this mont was not much different from the aunties and uncles at the village entrance who loved introducing young people to marriage prospects.
"After I abdicate, she will beco the next queen of lromarc. If she could form a bond with you, the Sword Hero, it would certainly greatly raise our nation's prestige."
As expected.
The queen, who had sold off her eldest daughter without hesitation, had now co to sell off her second daughter too.
However, what she said was not wrong. The current Kingdom of lromarc could be said to have provoked public outrage.
The other nations had even specially convened a world conference and summoned the queen over to accept sanctions.
If lromarc could form a marriage alliance with one of the legendary Four Cardinal Heroes, perhaps the situation would improve significantly.
In this world of recurring calamities, Heroes possessed astonishing prestige among the common people.
It was precisely because Queen Mirellia valued this point that she had raised the matter of a marriage alliance.
"If I rember correctly…" Drake spoke with so difficulty.
"Your kingdom's little princess is only twelve this year, isn't she?"
"So?"
"In my world, making a move on a girl that age would land soone in prison."
"Hero-sama, this is the Kingdom of lromarc. I am the law."
The queen spoke without concern.
"Moreover… if the Waves are not completely eradicated, you and the other Cardinal Heroes will be unable to return to your original worlds."
"In that case, why not enjoy the treatnt befitting a Hero while also raising your strength?"
"Even if you leave this world one day, it would be enough so long as a lasting bond remains."
As expected of Her Majesty the Queen, she could state such shocking things with ease.
On the surface, this transaction seed to favor Drake heavily.
But considering the special treatnt Heroes received in this world, Queen Mirellia's calculations were even louder.
After all, Drake was not in any hurry, while the current Kingdom of lromarc was like a slab of at roasting over a fire, caught in an extrely troubleso situation.
"Has Your Majesty not considered the other Heroes?"
"Hehe… whether in bearing, strength, or honor, the other three Heroes are far inferior to you, are they not?"
Although it was obvious flattery, the queen's words were rather pleasant to hear.
"I will consider this matter. Also…"
Drake did not continue lingering on that topic.
"Regarding the challenge from Jioral's Sword Hero, I accept."
"Did the other side specify when the duel is to take place?"
"Two days from now, in the royal arena of the Kingdom of Jioral."
Queen Mirellia gave an extrely tight schedule.
"Two days? That's rather rushed… just traveling there would take more than that, wouldn't it?"
If using an ordinary carriage or Filo Rial, simply going from here to Jioral's royal capital would probably take two or three days.
"That is precisely the situation the kingdom currently faces."
The queen's tone turned faint and distant.
"Even a Hero from a neighboring kingdom can make such malicious demands of ."
"The Kingdom of Jioral has already spread news of the duel between the two Sword Heroes throughout its streets and alleys."
"If you do not intend to answer the challenge, all kinds of rumors will likely begin circulating among the people."
"But if I win… then your kingdom can at least survive this storm of provocation."
Drake saw through the queen's little sche and spoke unhurriedly.
"Forgive my bluntness, but helping you resolve such miscellaneous troubles is not the duty of a Hero. My enemies should be the monsters from the Waves."
In other words, she needed to pay more.
"Your enemies… would that also include the soldiers of the Kingdom of Jioral who disguise themselves as rcenary slave-hunting squads?"
The queen ntioned a piece of intelligence with deliberate aning, a smiling expression appearing on her face.
"I believe Sword Hero-sama is a kind person who extends a hand to those who cry out for help."
"Tch… so you found out."
Drake's eyelid twitched. He was a little surprised, but not overly so.
"I heard that Queen Mirellia has an intelligence network composed of shadows operating in secret. It seems your information really is quick."
"The sa to you. For soone summoned from another world, the fact that you know of the shadows also surprises ."
The atmosphere fell silent.
After about two or three seconds, the queen finally broke the sowhat awkward silence.
"Of course, the kingdom will certainly not mistreat Hero-sama."
"Whether or not you win this challenge, I will prepare a territory for you as a gift for helping the Kingdom of lromarc."
"A territory…"
Hearing the condition Queen Mirellia offered, Drake was indeed sowhat tempted.
If he could have a territory of his own in this world, many of his activities would beco much more convenient.
More importantly, he could move various things from Terraria into this world and conduct experints.
After thinking for a mont, Drake proposed another condition.
"I want to choose the location of this territory myself."
"No problem. Aside from the royal territory near the capital, even if you take an interest in another noble's fief, I will resolve it for you."
It was clear that the queen's authority was quite astonishing.
"Then it's settled."
Drake nodded in satisfaction and turned to leave the palace.
...
Only after his footsteps had completely disappeared did the queen's expression gradually return to calm.
She rubbed her brow with a slight headache.
"He clearly looks like nothing more than a young man. Why is negotiating with him more exhausting than dealing with those old foxes?"
In truth, before speaking with Drake, Queen Mirellia had also held individual discussions with the Shield Hero and the others.
The other three summoned Heroes had very simple minds.
They possessed a clear, unworldly foolishness that did not belong to this world, as though they had grown up in an entirely safe environnt.
Queen Mirellia had used only very simple rhetoric, along with a few trivial benefits, to persuade them to remain in the Kingdom of lromarc and continue resisting the Waves.
Only the "Sword Hero" was the most troubleso.
From the acting king, the queen had learned of the identity Drake had declared when he was summoned.
A mber of a god's Familia. A Hero of salvation. The Shadow Monarch.
Those titles sounded like nas that would only appear in an epic sung by bards.
And yet, they might truly be the past carried by this "Sword Hero."
That was why Queen Mirellia was determined to keep Drake within her country, no matter the cost.
"At the very least, lty must secure a bond with the Hero…"
"The bloodline of a Hero possessing such overwhelming power should make the Kingdom of lromarc great again!"
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