New chapter of Nameless Hero is out! (2/3 chapters)
The Howl of the Heavy Sword
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A body engulfed in flames. In the vortex of fire, attacking as if to scorch my entire body. I remembered the distant, distant days of the past. That was when I was still just a child. It was right after I had been accepted into the party called Liberta, following a life-or-death battle with a magic beast grizzly.
Is this my life flashing before my eyes?
“Hey, Jack… If you’re struggling like that with a little mutt, there’s no way we can take you to the dungeon.” (Alfred)
The red-haired warrior Alfred stood with both hands on his hips, speaking with an exasperated tone.
“But…! I can’t keep up with an enemy this fast!” (Jack)
Even as I faced the Direwolf, I made excuses. At this time, I was still a complete amateur when it came to fighting. This was when I was a ten-year-old boy. Travelers were often attacked by large Direwolves along the road from the peaceful town where our hideout was to the city. It was basic practice for beginner adventurers to hunt in the plains while maintaining a safe margin for escape. Alfred was taking the time to engage in low-level battles for my training. Another person was with us, a white-haired swordsman who specialized in the fastest assassination sword technique, Sonic Eye.
“Jack… Don’t watch the enemy’s movements after they start. Predict their movements.” (Tristan)
He was the kind swordsman who taught me swordsmanship.
That’s right, his name was Tristan. The training was strict, but I could feel his kindness and affection. Back then, I tried my hardest to live up to that affection.
“Damn it…!” (Jack)
The weapon I’d been given was a dagger. That was the only weapon a ten-year-old kid could handle. While the two veterans each felled a Direwolf with a single strike, I could only manage to take one down after a long, long battle. I was frustrated. The path to catching up to these two was far too long. They said they were eighteen years old, but I couldn’t imagine being as strong as them when I reached their age.
—
Helping with dinner back at the hideout. A young woman with chestnut hair tied into two braids gave me instructions as we prepared the party’s meal. Her name was… Lindsay. She was the one who protected me. She never directly taught me the importance or meaning of life with words, but just being around her kindness and affection helped me regain hope. Seeing Lindsay made me want to live my life properly. She was that kind of person. When I was abandoned by my family and on the verge of dying, crushed by the gap between my ideals and reality, she gave me hope. She truly seemed like a goddess to me. There she was, using fire magic to cook in a frying pan at a relaxed pace.
“Jack, go call everyone.” (Lindsay)
“Okay.” (Jack)
“I think everyone’s home… Alfied’s probably in the backyard, though.” (Lindsay)
I went to the backyard to call Alfred. It was already dusk, and the outside had grown quite dark. In the dimness, his bright red hair stood out from afar. He was sitting alone on the grassy ground, meditating. Sitting cross-legged, he seemed to be concentrating deeply. Even though it had gotten chilly, he was shirtless, boldly displaying his chiseled muscles.
“Fred! Dinner’s ready!” (Jack)
He didn’t respond when I called out. As I got closer, I saw him with his eyes closed, one hand resting on the massive greatsword placed on the ground.
“Fred, what are you doing?” (Jack)
When I spoke nearby, Alfred slowly opened his eyes and channeled red mana into the greatsword. Gripping the handle with one hand and supporting the blade with the other, he raised the sword horizontally.
“—Howl.” (Alfred)
With that command, flames enveloped the greatsword. Red, red flames. The flickering flames looked exactly like his cursed red hair. The crimson glow wavered in the dim twilight, the flames growing stronger and crackling through the air. Even though Alfred held the blazing blade with his bare hands, he showed no signs of feeling the heat.
I stood there, captivated by the sight. I wanted it. With a flaming sword like that, I felt I could defeat a Direwolf in one strike. Alfred ended his concentration and dispelled the flames from the sword. Then, he stood and looked down at me.
“Jack, tell Lindsay I’ll come later.” (Alfred)
“Oh, okay… But hey, that sword’s amazing! I want one too! How do you do that?!” (Jack)
I looked up at him with eyes full of envy.
“This? This is the legendary sword, Volcanic Volga! My pride and joy!” (Alfred)
He easily lifted the greatsword with one hand. A ‘pride and joy’! That phrase alone filled me with admiration.
“Alfred’s pride and joy? I want one someday too!” (Jack)
“Haha, that’s impossible.” (Alfred)
“What?! Why not?!” (Jack)
I pouted, upset that he kept it all to himself.
“If I had that, I could take down a direwolf with one hit!” (Jack)
“You’re naive. This sword only suits a man like me, someone blessed by the flames.” (Alfred)
“You’re so stingy!” (Jack)
I turned away with a sulky huff and started heading back to the hideout. In the dim twilight, I heard Alfred let out a soft sigh. I thought he was mocking me, but that wasn’t it.
“If you become a fine warrior someday, I’ll give it to you.” (Alfred)
His words stopped me in my tracks. I turned back, my heart leaping with joy, and raised both arms in celebration.
“Really?! Awesome!!” (Jack)
“But promise me one thing. You’ll use this sword to protect your comrades.” (Alfred)
“Of course!” (Jack)
“It’s a ‘heavy sword,’ you know? A weapon meant to protect others is heavy.” (Alfred)
Back then, I probably didn’t grasp the true meaning of his words. I was so overjoyed by the promise of receiving his treasured sword, so happy to be acknowledged by the leader, that the deeper significance passed me by.
…A weapon meant to protect your comrades is heavy.
—
I remember everything. Who I am, why I’m here.
As death closed in, the black box in my mind was unlocked by the shock.
“Hahaha! Serves you right, you little sidekick of Alfred!” (Salamander)
Death laughed. Laughed at me as my body burned. Laughed at me for putting myself on the line to protect my comrades. The fire dragon Salamander’s arena. Below lay a magma pool, and from every wall of the grand hall, molten lava dripped ceaselessly, filling the air with scorching heat. And there I was, burning. The magic-nullifying power granted by the goddess’s miracle was useless against the flames of this spirit-bound Crimson Sword (Volcano).
But I remembered. The heavy sword meant to protect my comrades.
“…How–…” (Jack)
The heat no longer mattered. If I didn’t do something about these flames, I wouldn’t be able to protect Yustin, Anfan-san, and Gina-san, who were lying behind me.
“What… the flames…?!” (Gina)
I could still hear voices around me. That was Gina-san’s voice. My body was still functioning.
“…Howl…” (Jack)
The flames that had been attacking me suddenly changed course unnaturally, gathering toward my right arm. That was my will. I made it happen.
“What now, you bastard?! What the hell are you?!” (Salamander)
Salamander shouted in confusion as he unleashed another strike.
“Just burn to ashes already, human!!” (Salamander)
The flames from her Crimson Sword surged toward me once more. But that attack lacked the weight of Volga. The Crimson Sword, Salamander’s original weapon without Volga’s power, lacked that overwhelming heaviness.
The mightiest sword wielded by that red-haired man. Volcanic Volga’s weight was missing.
“—Howl.” (Jack)
Alfred’s spirit, that red light source shining in the twilight, was faithfully reproduced within me.
Mental Image Extraction isn’t just a technique for replication. I’m shaping my own image into form. Therefore, the material is flame. That radiance requires a red light source. That flickering flame, that brilliance lighting up the twilight. So, it can’t be made from something like soil or wood. The material needs to be the blazing fighting spirit of fire. The reason I couldn’t form it in the replication training until now was that I got the material wrong.
“You… You replicated the Volcanic Volga…” (Salamander)
The material was Crimson Sword (Volcano). The swirling vortex of fire that attacked me coiled around my right arm, gathering at my hand like subordinates answering a call. The flames that had burned my body retreated, leaving behind self-repairing skin.
“Aaaahhhhhh!!” (Salamander)
A “heavy sword” was produced from my hand. A burning sword entrusted to me by my leader with the command to use it to protect my comrades. I remembered the “fake Excalibur” Alfred had made. Just like that time, if I were to name this one, it would be a fake Volcanic Volga.
Just like the fake Excalibur. Even a fake can defeat evil.
“He…he refined my divine (Volga) power…?!” (Salamander)
For the first time, the battle-maniac’s frenzied fighting spirit faltered. Maybe it was the Salamander’s version of a scream. But I wouldn’t show any mercy. At the same time as extracting the fake Volcanic Volga, I felt as though I’d inherited Alfred’s fighting spirit. The flame sword extending from my hand reflected my will, flaring even brighter and scattering a wild roar into the surroundings. It was practically “howling.”
“Take this, you bastard!!” (Jack)
I raised the sword high and swung it down with every ounce of strength I had. I knew the power of this sword. When swung, flames would surge. Its function was similar to the Crimson Sword the Salamander wielded.
“There’s no way a counterfeit like that can match my sword!! Ugaaaahhhh!!” (Salamander)
The Salamander’s roar now carried not just rage and hatred but also fear.
“Aaaaahhhhhh!!” (Salamander)
“Aaaahhhhhh!!” (Lost)
The flame sword (Volcanic) and the flame sword (Volcano) released fire simultaneously. The power appeared evenly matched. The masses of flame clashed, each fighting to overwhelm the other. Serpents of fire, emitted from both swords, snapped at one another.
“Damn…! How is a brat like you…! Die already!!” (Salamander)
The Salamander amplified his rage, and with it, the flames grew stronger. A massive fiery whirlwind came to swallow me whole.
“Lost-san!” (Gina)
——Jack, you idiot!
A memory from a little while ago. The voice of the brown-haired magician behind me overlapped with Lindsay’s shadow. When Lindsay had protected me in the Melana Cave, her face had shown relief, tears, and anger, all mixed together. She had fought desperately to protect me. Now it was my turn to protect everyone.
“I won’t lose!!” (Jack)
I summoned my strength again. The “emblem” on my right arm resonated with the fake Volcanic Volga I had created, feeding it energy.
“Ah… my flames… my… gah…” (Salamander)
It must have been a humiliation beyond words for the Fire Sage. To lose on his own turf. From the moment I met her in this domain, the Salamander’s defeat had been sealed. The fiery contest reached its conclusion. My burning fighting spirit overwhelmed the Salamander’s flames, swallowing them whole and turning its fury back on him.
“Gah…aaahhhhhh!!” (Salamander)
The flames focused on the Salamander, devouring the red dragon entirely. Even a Red Dragon couldn’t withstand flames beyond its own limit. Its form disintegrated, and after the inferno passed, neither the girl nor the dragon remained.
Upon witnessing that, the fake Volcanic Volga vanished as though it had never existed.
I won. Fred, you sure left me with a tough mess… But I’ve cleaned it up for you.
I used too much power. My body collapsed where I stood. Glancing back, I saw the three behind me were safe.
“Lost-san! Are you all right?!” (Gina)
I protected them. Protecting your comrades really is a heavy burden… My eyelids grew heavy. And I lost consciousness.
—
When I woke up, I was in an inn in the Demon village. I had been lying in bed. The sudden peace confused my mind.
“Wha… what…?” (Jack)
“Jaaack! You’re awake!” (Irene)
Even though the Demon had been so resistant to letting me into their village, here I was, welcomed inside. Irene and Yustin explained why to me, along with everything else that happened after I passed out.
Apparently, after I collapsed, Yustin regained consciousness. He carried me while Gina-san carried Anfan-san as they descended the volcano. Anfan-san woke up during the descent, and together they managed to return safely to the village. Initially, the Demon villagers refused to let me in. But when Yustin explained the situation, they immediately changed their attitude and welcomed me as a hero.
For generations, the demons had feared the Red Dragon, Salamander. Ever since she’d taken up residence in Mount Baira hundreds of years ago, every time she roared, the volcano would erupt. The Demons, who had lived at the volcano’s base long before the dragon arrived, naturally despised her. By defeating her, I’d become a hero in their eyes.
Hospitality for heroes was a universal concept, and so I was given a room in the village’s finest inn.
“Lost, Father and I slowed you down this time. I’m sorry…” (Yustin)
“No, that’s not true. You were both amazing.” (Jack)
“…Huh? That doesn’t sound like the Lost I know.” (Yustin)
Having regained my old memories, I realized I’d spoken differently in the past. Apparently, the difference was enough for Yustin to notice.
“I remembered my past.” (Jack)
“What?!” (Irene)
It was Irene who reacted.
“Yeah, I remembered… you, Irene, and everyone in Liberta.” (Jack)
“Then… you remember the night we spent together?!” (Irene)
“Don’t say things that can be misunderstood!” (Jack)
Just then, a single arrow of jealousy sliced through the space between me and Irene, landing in the futon. An arrow. The one who appeared at the doorway was a half-fairy with blue hair and golden eyes.
“…Shia.” (Jack)
“I heard Lost-san regained consciousness.” (Shia)
“I almost lost it again just now.” (Jack)
“That’s just your imagination.” (Shia)
Then, there was Woburu, the one who had given me the key dagger. Thanks to Shia’s translation, I learned that Woburu had once been saved by the five adventurers of Liberta five years ago. Back then, Woburu’s wife had died in a volcanic eruption. Seeking revenge, he’d entered the volcano alone, only to be attacked by a Teethhead. The Liberta team saved him. They fended off the Salamander, retrieved the Volcanic Volga, and promised something to the dragon. I couldn’t confirm the details since none of the original members were around.
Maybe Liz back in Azrigrad would know more.
As a token of gratitude, Woburu asked for a keepsake, following an old Demon custom to exchange gifts as proof of an unforgotten debt. He received a dagger from Tristan and carried it ever since. When he saw my swordplay, which resembled Tristan’s, Woburu realized I was connected to the Liberta group. Apparently, long-lived Demons have an innate skill to recognize kindred souls.
The butler and maid of the Stride Household, Davi-san and Leona-san, were considerate and decided to have a late dinner. Leona-san also heard that my memory had returned and teased me by asking, “Are you going to cross-dress again?”. Hearing that made me remember the time I was Jacqueline, and I became so embarrassed that I almost wished to lose my memory again. However, Irene, who knew about that side of me, seemed completely unconcerned.
Shia suddenly spoke up, as if remembering something.
“I’m glad you got your memory back, Lost-san… um, is it alright to still call you Lost-san?” (Shia)
Shia tilted her head and asked me.
How cheeky. How cute. That innocent, blank expression, with her head tilted, is still irresistible.
“Ah, call me whatever you want—” (Jack)
“No way! Of course, it’s Jack!” (Irene)
Irene countered immediately.
“Then, let’s go with Jack Lost-san.” (Irene)
“That would be too similar to a frost fairy from the Western Kingdom. How about we change it further?” (Yustin)
Yustin interjected.
“Jack is fine!” (Jack)
“No, here we should use a more righteous name, like Justice.” (Yustin)
“Then, let’s go with Justiceto-san.” (Shia)
Shia added, trying to settle it.
“Why put a ‘to’ at the end?!” (Irene)
“Lost-san just has this ‘to’ vibe at the end.” (Shia) (TLN: Lost (Losuto) – Justice-‘to’)
“That’s because you’ve gotten attached to the weird name you made!” (Irene)
“Lost-Justice… a warrior fighting for the lost justice…!” (Yustin)
“Don’t forget that it started with Jack!” (Irene)
Irene, Shia, and Yustin got carried away with naming me. Irene kept insisting on “Jack”, Shia wanted to add “to” at the end of everything, and Yustin was trying to throw in words like “Justice,” “Infinite,” “Darkness,” and “Absolute”. This flow was exactly like when we were messing around with the Dark Awakening Cheese Bread. It was certain nothing good would come of it.
In the end, a method was chosen where all the words were combined, and “Jackness Abstinit” was the name that stuck, but by the next morning, I was sure no one would remember it.
My actual name isn’t any of the names they suggested. My original name is Isaiah Aldridge the Third. I’m the third son of Isaiah Aldridge, the great magician who made a name for himself on the Rauda Continent…
I remembered everything about who I was before Jack. It’s a cursed past, but its shadow follows me everywhere. Why did my father treat me so poorly? Watching Anfan-san and Yustin’s relationship, as well as seeing Shia cry while reading her father’s letter, I couldn’t help but be curious about the truth of fatherhood. Once things settle down, I’d like to visit Rauda Continent. Now, I feel like I have the courage to face it.
“Seriously, this is all so ridiculous to me (Ore-sama).” (??)
“Huh?!” (Irene)
“Names don’t matter that much.” (??)
An unpleasantly harsh remark wrapped the table in an ominous atmosphere.
Ore-sama?
And the voice sounded exactly like the dragon girl I had fought with for my life before I lost consciousness.
“Salamander?!” (Jack)
“Yeah. Right here.” (Salamander)
Where? The dining table, completely quiet. There was one noticeable discrepancy. The source of that discrepancy was a red lizard on Shia’s shoulder.
“Right here.” (Salamander)
The red lizard was sitting on Shia’s shoulder, and the contrast with her blue hair made it stand out. The lizard raised its front foot, like it was trying to communicate with me, giving a little wave.
It looked like just an animal. There was no trace of the terrifying Red Dragon I saw in Baira Dungeon, nor the fierce energy from when it transformed into a beautiful girl.
“Shia, what’s with that lizard?” (Jack)
“This? This is Sala-chan. It’s my pet.” (Shia)
I was so shocked that I stood up, knocking my chair back as I pulled away. As if it was the most natural thing, Shia Randall was petting the red lizard.
A pet? Sala-chan? Did she just call the Fire Sage, one of the Five Great Elementals, a pet?
“No way, it’s not a pet! It just spoke and answered me!” (Lost)
“It’s just your imagination.” (Shia)
“Yeah, it’s just your imagination. Don’t worry about it.” (Shia)
I was the only one acting completely flustered.
Actually, the other three should have been reacting more to this. This red lizard is the Red Dragon, the Fire Sage Salamander! I had almost been killed by it, and I had managed to fight it off and kill it. Now it’s back as a lizard?! This makes no sense.
“It’s your fault I lost most of my powers as an elemental and ended up like this.” (Salamander)
“Uh… I see…” (Jack)
No matter the explanation, it’s strange that we’re calmly talking after having fought to the death. Apparently, after losing to me in battle, Salamander turned into a red lizard. While Gina-san, the mage who had planned to kill it, was initially cold, her compassion led her to take it with her.
“I don’t have any reason to stay in Baira Volcano anymore. I was bored, so I thought I’d stick with you guys.” (Salamander)
“Why though?!” (Jack)
“I thought you were an interesting guy.” (Salamander)
The bitter enemy who once raged, calling me human scum and wishing me dead, now says I’m “interesting”? This is crazy. The Five Great Sages are clearly insane.
“So, yeah, please take care of me, Jackness Abstinit.” (Salamander)
“It’s not that name!” (Lost)
Well, it seems like it doesn’t have any hostility, so it should be fine. With that lizard form, it can’t really ambush me either. And if it starts wreaking havoc again, I’ll just knock it out.Bottom of Form
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