Chapter 12 : It’s not a holy sword, it’s reincarnation

“Well, now that we’re here, we can finally relax.”

The place we arrived at, following Crown Prince William, was a tent encampment on the outskirts of the village.

The Imperial crests stamped everywhere suggested this was the base for the knights accompanying the Crown Prince, but the interior we entered was surprisingly ornate.

It felt like a simplified version of a room fit for nobles.

“Is Your Highness staying here as well?” I asked, curiosity piqued.

The Crown Prince responded in a casual tone.

“Of course. Wouldn’t it be natural? If someone like me stayed in the village, the villagers would feel uncomfortable. Besides, there’s a bit of romance in leaving the Imperial capital to camp out like this.”

“Romance…?” I echoed.

“For your information, I pitched this tent myself with the soldiers’ guidance,” he continued. “And last night, we lit a bonfire and had what they call a barbecue. Thanks to some high-quality meat from a local farm, it was an even more unique experience than I’d hoped.”

Listening to him, I glanced at Erina.

Her expression was visibly unsettled.

It was only natural—the future heir of the Empire was proudly talking about enjoying a camping lifestyle.

As I quietly shared her bemusement, the Crown Prince’s attendants entered the tent and began setting refreshments on the table.

“Perfect timing for some snacks,” he said. “Come, take a seat. We can talk slowly while enjoying these.”

“Yay! Cookies!”

Before the Crown Prince could finish, Rona darted forward.

She plopped down, grabbing a cookie with childlike glee. Erina, swallowing hard, hurriedly reached for her.

But Rona was already too busy devouring her treat.

“Omnyomnyom, nyomnyomnyom.”

“R-Rona, you can’t do that! His Highness is watching…” Erina whispered urgently.

“Haha, it’s fine,” the Crown Prince chuckled. “She’s just a child, isn’t she? That’s how children should be.”

He watched Rona indulgently, unfazed by Erina’s concern.

Then, taking a seat opposite us, he fixed his gaze on Rona, a cryptic smile playing on his lips.

“Now that I think of it, I heard from the villagers that this child was recently taken in by you two.”

Probing…

His words were unmistakable, and Erina’s face turned pale in an instant.

Yes, he knew everything.

That Rona was the reincarnation of the Hero. And with either mercy or deception, he was waiting for us to hand her over willingly.

“…Please, sit,” he said, his voice now serious. “I came to you for an important matter.”

Sensing his intent, Erina and I had no choice but to sit across from him.

We placed Rona between us.

With the thought that this might be our last moment together, we clasped hands behind her tiny frame, gripping tightly.

“Now that we’re settled,” Crown Prince William began, turning his gaze to me, “let me confirm something…”

As we braced ourselves, he spoke with a tone that set the stage for his purpose.

“Logan Smith. As I mentioned before, I’ve investigated you. I learned you were a soldier on the front lines of the Unification War led by the Empire years ago.”

“…Yes, Your Highness, I was a soldier,” I replied.

“I was a soldier too,” Erina added. “In the Medical Corps…”

“Hoho, so you fell in love on the battlefield and married?” he mused. “Indeed, even in harsh conditions, love finds a way.”

He clapped lightly, his lips curling into a smirk.

Even as my breath caught, his gaze remained fixed on me.

“My investigation revealed your record is far too impressive for a mere soldier,” he continued. “You led the victory in the prolonged Battle of Valhalla Mountains, infiltrated the impregnable Sanson Fortress with a small elite team to open its gates and secure its fall, and in the Battle of Bilgewater Seas, you slayed the pirate leader to force their surrender. To recount your deeds in battle would take days.”

“…I was just lucky,” I said.

It wasn’t an empty reply.

The battlefield claims even the strongest. Those who survive are usually cowards or the lucky, and I was merely the latter.

“Haha, far more humble than I imagined,” he laughed. “With such feats, you could afford some pride.”

Yet he didn’t hold back his praise, his narrow gaze shifting to our clasped hands, as if probing for something only a face-to-face meeting could reveal.

“Is that why you live in this remote village? To avoid the public’s gaze?”

“…”

“Heh, I understand. People like you aren’t uncommon.”

But I already knew.

This conversation wouldn’t end so lightly.

“Much as I’d like to respect your wishes, I bear the responsibility of leading the Empire,” he said. “If what I seek in this remote village is tied to you, letting you go easily wouldn’t be natural, would it?”

His glinting eyes said it all:

I know everything about you, and you cannot escape my grasp.

“You knew, didn’t you?” I said.

“Yes,” he replied. “I’m certain you’re connected to the light that fell upon this land—the Hero’s trace. It’d be strange to think the one who first discovered that light’s landing wasn’t involved, wouldn’t it?”

I’d hoped there might be a chance to avoid this, but it was a foolish dream.

As my will to resist faded, Crown Prince William spoke with unprecedented gravity.

“So, Logan Smith, let me get straight to the point.”

Hand over the child before I force your hand—that’s what I expected him to say.

“Would you please show me the Holy Sword?”

“…What?”

His words were so far beyond my expectations.

Stunned, I let out a dazed reply, and he leapt from his seat, his voice brimming with excitement.

“The Holy Sword, I say! The legacy of the previous Hero you possess! I want you to show it to me with your own hands.”

What is this man talking about?

The Holy Sword? He’d dismissed that theory at our first meeting. Why bring it up now?

More importantly, didn’t he come here knowing Rona was the Hero’s reincarnation?

“Uh, what do you…” I stammered.

“Oh, come now! Are you trying to embarrass me after coming this far?” he said, his disappointment clear. “I’m certain you have the Holy Sword.”

Suspecting he might be deflecting, I hesitated as he pressed on.

“Before coming here, I studied countless records about the Hero,” he said. “They all mentioned the weapon the Hero wielded: the Holy Sword, a legendary blade that vanquishes evil and illuminates a world consumed by darkness! And I was convinced that the Holy Sword landed here, waiting for someone to claim it.”

“Uh, well… yes, I see,” I mumbled.

“I even dreamed of drawing the Holy Sword myself and walking the Hero’s path,” he continued. “But by the time I arrived, someone had already claimed it. That’s disappointing, but as a man with a mission, I must be content to observe. Yes, to find and support the one who drew the Holy Sword—the one worthy of being the Hero—that’s my mission!”

His rapid-fire words poured out, his suspicious demeanor replaced by childlike excitement. He grabbed my hand, his eyes sparkling like a child meeting their idol.

“And that someone who drew the Holy Sword is you, isn’t it?”

His gaze shone with pure wonder.

“You drew the Holy Sword but pretended not to because the public’s gaze was too burdensome, right!?”

“Uh, well…” I faltered.

“Oh, don’t feel too pressured!” he said. “I’m not here to steal the Holy Sword from you. A Holy Sword belongs to its wielder. If you are its master, I must respect that. But surely you can show it to me? For someone who respects you, can’t you share a glimpse of a living legend!?”

“Your Highness, I think there’s a misunderstanding…” I tried.

“Tch! You won’t show it for free, is that it!?” he exclaimed. “Fine, I understand—it’s a treasure money can’t buy. Name your price! Jewels, gold—whatever you want, just show me the Holy Sword! I can’t go back without seeing it; I won’t sleep a wink!!”

He grabbed my shoulders, shaking me wildly.

His bloodshot eyes and ragged breathing were a new kind of pressure, unlike his earlier composure.

But maybe this was a good thing?

If he truly believed I’d drawn the Holy Sword, could I use that to hide Rona’s identity?

–Clap!

A small clap nearby interrupted my thoughts.

Steadying my shaken head, I looked to see Rona, no longer at our side, staring at the center of the tent.

Her gaze was fixed on a single insect.

–Clap, clap!

Rona tried to catch the insect with her hands, but it was too quick to grab.

Worse, it buzzed around her eyes and ears, as if taunting her.

“Ugh, grrr…” Rona grumbled, her face scrunching in annoyance.

As her frustration triggered a surge of power, Erina, sensing the anomaly, rushed toward her.

“Rona, no…!!” she cried.

“HIII-YAAAHHH!!”

With a shout, Rona’s palms collided.

The childlike mana clashed, rapidly expanding, sending a wave of force rippling through the space.

–CRASH!!

A deafening roar accompanied a gust of wind.

The mere force of displaced air tilted the tent’s central pole, and the Crown Prince, still gripping me, tumbled unceremoniously to the ground.

But Rona paid no heed, beaming brightly at the insect now caught in her hands.

“Caught it!”

Yes, good job catching it, Rona.

But this happened right when I’d hoped to conceal her existence.

Anyone with sense would notice Rona’s extraordinary power after witnessing that display.

“Look, that clap just now…” the Crown Prince began.

He’d noticed, of course.

As I braced myself, he propped his chin, nodding with admiration.

“So that’s the boundless energy of children I’ve heard about!”

“…What?” I blinked.

“Well, I wasn’t that energetic as a child, so your daughter must be unusually spirited,” he said. “Raising such a lively child must be exhausting, but… heh, enduring that makes you two remarkable parents.”

He let out a hearty laugh, showering us with praise.

Stunned, I exchanged a look with Erina, who’d scooped Rona into her arms and glanced at the Crown Prince.

“Your Highness…” she began, her voice tinged with lingering unease but determined to address the question.

“What do you think of this child?”

“Hm? A cute, little child,” he replied.

“And… about us raising her after finding her?”

“To take in and raise a child left alone—not everyone could do that,” he said. “Meeting a couple like you must be a blessing for her.”

His answers grew increasingly unexpected, delivered so casually.

Erina’s gaze turned to me, filled with bewilderment.

Her look seemed to say: Darling, this man’s an idiot.

Yes, I was thinking the same thing.

“Now, let’s continue our talk, Logan Smith!” the Crown Prince declared. “Please, show me the Holy Sword!”

Oblivious to our sentiments, he resumed his Holy Sword obsession.

In a way, he seemed even more innocent than Rona. I paused, pondering how to respond.

If this wasn’t an act, he was shockingly clueless.

Deceiving someone like that wouldn’t be hard.

Yet I hesitated, because I’d sensed goodwill in his actions.

He believed I was the Hero who drew the Holy Sword, yet he only asked to see it, never once pressuring me but showing respect.

“…Erina,” I said.

Maybe this man was trustworthy.

Conveying that thought silently, Erina nodded and turned to the Crown Prince.

“Your Highness… I’m sorry, but my husband didn’t draw the Holy Sword.”

She spoke the uncompromising truth, shattering his belief.

“Ha, come now,” he sighed. “Rejecting me this much makes me feel like the bad guy! I just want to see the Holy Sword…”

“No, that’s not what I mean,” Erina interrupted, gently pushing Rona forward in her arms.

“The Holy Sword you’re looking for is this child.”

“…What?” he gasped.

“My husband found this child where the light landed,” she explained. “And as you saw, she has extraordinary power for her age. More importantly, the intruders who kidnapped me called her the Hero’s reincarnation.”

Blink, blink.

The Crown Prince’s wide eyes fluttered repeatedly.

He turned to me, his voice dazed.

“Reincarnation? You mean you?”

“No, not me,” I clarified. “This child. We happened to find and raise the Hero’s reincarnation.”

“…”

Silence filled the tent.

In that moment, Crown Prince William turned his stiffened gaze to Rona, standing like a statue as time slipped by.

His mouth finally opened after what felt like an eternity.

“WHAAAAAT!?!”

A scream of shock erupted from the Crown Prince.