Chapter 57 – The Hero’s Inheritance
As the avalanche swept her away, Evelyn protected her body with aura, sliding down for quite some time.
It was only after crashing through several trees that she finally came to a stop.
“Where am I?”
Snow had piled up high, even over the treetops. All around her was nothing but white snow and a few protruding branches.
“Looks like the monsters got swept away too.”
Given that even the Giant Rabbit that had been chasing her down the slope was nowhere to be seen, the subjugation squad was probably safe.
“You’re safe too.”
Thankfully, she hadn’t lost her holy sword. Using it as a support, Evelyn stood and stretched her back, checking her body.
No broken bones, no scratches. Thanks to her aura shielding, she hadn’t been injured at all.
Though, she had used more aura than she expected in the sudden situation. Running into monsters now might be risky.
“No. I shouldn’t say weak things like that.”
Evelyn used an artifact to confirm the direction of the Grand Duke’s fortress.
Not too far away.
“At this distance, I should be able to catch up quickly.”
The updated map artifact showed the positions where the subjugation squad was stationed.
Smiling lightly, she set off with light steps.
Meanwhile, the subjugation squad had dug themselves out from under the snow.
“We should go rescue the Grand Duchess, shouldn’t we?” Jeffrey said grimly. For the Grand Duchess to be left behind because of a knight—it was unacceptable.
Luther, who had survived thanks to the Grand Duchess, lowered his head, speechless. His fellow knights patted his back, seeing how miserable he looked.
“She said that if anyone got separated, they should head to the next location. We’ll check for injured and move immediately.”
Elliot issued the order with an expressionless face.
A Sword Master wouldn’t die so easily. He’d seen her cutting through the avalanche with her aura—logically, he knew she would be fine.
Yet, Elliot couldn’t shake the overwhelming urge to go find her immediately.
Still, there were rules for when someone got separated.
“Still… shouldn’t we go bring her back?” Lane, standing nearby, barely swallowed the word ‘Hero’ from his lips.
“She’ll be fine. She’s more than capable of navigating the snowy mountains alone.”
At Elliot’s firm tone, the knights’ eyes wavered. Was this what true love and trust looked like?
“What if she’s injured?” Jeffrey asked carefully.
For a moment, Elliot hesitated—but soon shook his head.
Evelyn was a Sword Master. She had the holy sword and her aura for protection. She wouldn’t be injured.
Even among their own knights, only the high-ranking ones could have survived such an avalanche without using a magic circle.
“From now on, if an avalanche starts, just slice the snow in half.”
“…Sorry, what?”
Elliot genuinely thought that was better than letting Evelyn get left behind again.
“None of you want to arrive at the next camp later than the Grand Duchess, right?”
“No, sir!”
Elliot didn’t give them time to think.
“Hurry! There won’t be a second chance.”
“Yes, sir!”
Luther shouted the loudest, roughly running a hand through his hair, gritting his teeth—but now for a different reason.
After all the times he’d shown his dislike openly… she’d still reached out to save him. He couldn’t believe it.
When Jahal was injured… Luther had said things he shouldn’t have.
From now on, no matter what happened, Luther swore silently that he would be loyal to the Grand Duchess.
“Everyone, move out!”
The subjugation squad quickly reorganized and followed Elliot as he took the lead.
Meanwhile, Evelyn was making her way through the snow.
“What is all this?”
The cave she found was lit even without any torches, thanks to the blue mana stones embedded everywhere.
On her way toward the second camp, Evelyn had stumbled across this mysterious cave. As she cautiously moved deeper—
“Ahhh!”
Her foot suddenly sank into a hidden snow pit, and she fell straight down.
After a dizzying fall, she finally stopped, only to find herself in a brightly lit cavern.
It was a place she hadn’t discovered even when she’d come here with Elliot.
Wooooong.
Wooooong.
“Is it here?”
The blue mana stones reflected light all around. Evelyn smiled as she looked at her holy sword, which was softly resonating in her hand.
“So this was something only I could find alone.”
Memories of wandering the snowy mountains under the pretense of a honeymoon flashed through her mind. If only someone had left a note about this place… Or if she had discovered it while pretending to search for herbs…
No.
If she had found the Hero’s inheritance before even getting married, things would have gotten even more complicated.
Yeah. Let’s just think everything happened at the best possible time.
Evelyn scratched her head, looking at the holy sword with mixed emotions.
If Tina were here, she’d definitely be shouting, “Lady Evelyn!!!”
The brightly glowing mana stones seemed to beckon her further into the cave.
Swallowing nervously, Evelyn strapped the sword to her waist and walked into the sparkling tunnel.
But the cave wasn’t as deep as she expected. She soon reached a dead-end wall.
Tap, tap.
She knocked on the wall. It felt solid. The sound of her palm hitting the surface echoed through the cave.
“Is this just a mana stone mine and not some inheritance?”
There was no response from the wall. But given the way the holy sword had resonated earlier, there had to be a reason she was brought here.
Evelyn carefully examined the wall from top to bottom.
Even if she left now, it was unlikely she’d find this place again. After all, she had fallen here by chance.
“Ugh…”
She circled around the wall with her arms crossed, thinking hard. She even pressed the holy sword against the wall.
……
“What do you want me to do?!”
Frustrated by the sword’s silence, Evelyn kicked the wall.
Should she just smash it down with aura?
But what if the cave collapsed? Evelyn was so focused on the wall she didn’t notice that the mana stones’ light had grown stronger.
Wooooong.
As she poured aura into the sword, the holy sword let out a short hum.
Evelyn swung the sword toward the wall.
“Huh? Huh?!”
Despite feeling like solid rock, the blade sank in easily—like cutting through mud.
At that moment, the surrounding mana stones flared brilliantly.
Paaaat!
In an instant, the cave became as bright as daylight. Strange patterns appeared on the wall, glowing with blue light as they spread.
“Ahhh!”
Evelyn tightly shut her eyes as she felt the sword being pulled into the wall.
The air temperature changed around her.
Warm, soft air wrapped around her. Evelyn cautiously opened her eyes.
‘That was definitely the Grand Duchy’s crest.’
What had appeared after the holy sword sank into the wall… was something she was very familiar with.
A simplified design of the snowy mountains, crossed with two swords.
“I never thought I’d see our family crest here.”
Wooooong.
Wong.
The holy sword’s resonance felt strangely cheerful.
“Do you recognize this place too?”
[Of course!]
“Ah!”
Evelyn’s eyes widened at the voice echoing inside her head.
She could communicate with the holy sword now?!
[This is a place Neran arranged! Let’s move quickly.]
Before she could stay surprised, the sword urged her on.
Neran… that was the name of the previous Hero. For now, Evelyn decided to follow wherever the sword led her.
Looking around, she saw a vast space ahead—completely different from the narrow cave she’d been in.
[You have no idea how frustrating it’s been! Why were you wandering around the snowy mountains? I even made a teleportation magic circle inside the Grand Duchy fortress!]
The holy sword was… incredibly talkative.
Perhaps it had been bottling this up all along since they couldn’t communicate before.
“Wait. You’re saying there’s a teleportation circle inside the Grand Duchy fortress?!”
Evelyn asked, glancing around the spacious hall. It didn’t even feel like the same location anymore. Not a cramped cave—it felt more like a stone-carved chapel. Or maybe a training ground for knights, judging by the floor.
[Of course! Only a Hero can open the door, after all.]
Evelyn let out a helpless laugh at the chattering sword.
“Why are you suddenly talking now?”
[Ah! That’s a very important question! It’s because this is a facility Neran prepared! How about developing some more faith, huh? Or maybe get stronger? We couldn’t communicate because you were too weak!]
The holy sword scolded her more fiercely than even Elliot ever did.
Without hesitation, Evelyn set the sword down on the floor.
If she kept listening to this, she wouldn’t even get a chance to explore this inheritance—or rather, this ruin—properly.
[You dare set me on the ground!!! Pick me up immediately!!!]
Apparently, letting go of the sword didn’t stop their conversation. Evelyn sighed and picked it back up as it vibrated noisily.
“Alright. Could you guide me through the ruin?”
[Of course! Who else but me?!]
Now back in her hand, the holy sword practically shouted with pride.
