Extra in a Romance Fantasy

106 – The Hero’s Tomb (1)

The Hero’s Tomb appeared.

The rumor sent out a tremendous ripple.

Not just confined to Darville, but a wave large enough to sweep across the entire continent.

And that great wave created a massive current.

The place where people swept up in that current gathered was, of course, Darville.

It was only natural.

For the forest right next to Darville was where the hero’s tomb had been discovered.

Thus, Darville found itself in an unexpected boom.

People who seemed to far exceed the usual numbers visited Darville.

Merchants welcomed this influx.

An increase in people meant an increase in customers.

Not just them, but most of Darville’s residents welcomed the sudden surge of outsiders.

After all, many of Darville’s residents operated shops catering to outsiders, and even those who didn’t wouldn’t mind the prosperity that had come to their town.

However, here.

A few exceptions existed.

“It’s getting crowded and chaotic.”

Anton, with a furrowed brow, entered the inn.

“Isn’t it good if business is thriving?”

A man sitting at a table in the inn responded to him.

He was a striking figure, with orange hair and a prominent scar etched across his face.

His name was Max.

One of the seasoned mercenaries in Darville, and a regular at this inn.

It was said that he had learned the mercenary trade from Anton when he was young, which is why he followed Anton closely.

Even now, after Anton’s retirement, he still frequented the inn.

“What’s good about it? It’s bound to get noisy. Accidents will increase too.”

“Well, that can’t be helped. But this is Darville, isn’t it? People will know to keep their heads down. They wouldn’t want to get into trouble for no reason.”

As the rumor spread that the hero’s tomb had been discovered, among those who gathered here were not only the merely curious but also those who had deliberately come to step into the hero’s tomb.

Naturally, most of them were warriors.

Not all, but the warrior folk were the type to draw their swords before their words.

And with so many people milling about, it wouldn’t be strange if an incident occurred at any moment.

But this was Darville.

It is not an exaggeration to say that this place is a city of mercenaries, where each individual skill far surpasses that of other cities.

Max was saying that it was obvious that if one acted recklessly, they would only end up getting hurt and humiliated.

“No. Still, there will always be those who cause trouble. There are always those who act on instinct without reason.”

Anton did not deny this outright, but he asserted that accidents would indeed happen.

Personally, I agreed.

“That level is hardly even worth calling an accident. It’s not like this is a one-off occurrence here.”

“Right. It usually happens frequently. But that means the frequency will at least double.”

Anton lightly shook his head, as if it was a headache.

I knew that Anton was actually involved in aspects of the city’s security.

So, it wasn’t strange for Anton to worry about the incidents that would occur in the future.

“I suddenly have no idea what this is all about. The hero’s tomb….”

Clicking his tongue softly, Anton rarely plopped down onto the empty chair.

“It’s a story full of dreams.”

“Dreams, my foot.”

Anton scoffed.

“Come on. It’s a dream, alright? Everyone has heard of the hero’s legend, and among those who can fight, there’s not a single one who hasn’t played hero as a child. And to think that the hero’s sword, which no one even knew the whereabouts of, is said to be in that tomb. It’s a story overflowing with dreams.”

Simply discovering the hero’s tomb would already be a major topic of conversation.

However, that alone wouldn’t draw this many people together.

While there are few who don’t know the legend of the hero, there aren’t many who possess such pure childlike innocence to come all the way out here for that alone.

The main reason they gathered here.

It was because the hero’s sword was said to be resting in that tomb.

“Right. A dream. If, as you say, the hero’s sword is really there, then it could indeed be called a dream. But only if it’s true.”

“…Hmm, Master, it seems you’re not very convinced by this rumor?”

“Could you please drop that title?”

Anton clicked his tongue in discontent.

“No matter how I think about it, there are too many strange aspects.”

Thus, Anton continued with his thoughts.

“First of all, does it make sense for the hero’s tomb to be in a forest? How far is this place from his hometown?”

“Hmm… but he did visit here at least once, didn’t he?”

“Are you talking about when he caught ‘Arminanon’? That’s a well-known story.”

The monster known as ‘Armianon,’ said to have surpassed the level of catastrophe.

It is said that this creature, described as having a disordered and massive form, once appeared in this vicinity.

And the one who dealt with it directly was none other than the hero.

“But that’s the end of it, isn’t it? Is there really a reason to make a grave here over just that? The man has countless episodes to his name.”

“Indeed… it does seem strange to think that way, but…”

The smile faded from Max’s face, replaced by a serious expression.

“The ‘Scholars of Alundel’ said there’s a high probability that this is the hero’s grave.”

“…Yeah. That’s the problem.”

The ‘Scholars of Alundel’ were a group composed solely of the continent’s most renowned scholars.

Even those scholars who had gained a bit of fame were not allowed to even set foot at their threshold; they were the most learned individuals on the continent.

Any opinion they voiced carried weight.

They possessed knowledge that might be unparalleled on the continent and offered objective opinions that were not swayed by any group or nation.

It was for this reason that such esteemed individuals had gathered in Darville.

The ‘Scholars of Alundel’ had issued a statement asserting that the likelihood of this being the hero’s grave was high.

According to rumors, as soon as the news of the hero’s grave being discovered spread, the ‘Scholars of Alundel’ immediately dispatched someone to examine the found grave.

Of course, the exact reason for their actions remains unclear.

They might have simply wanted to satisfy their thirst for knowledge, or perhaps they aimed to prevent any potential chaos before it could arise.

“I heard it was a building constructed precisely at the time of the hero’s death, and that the handwriting left inside matches that of Berhavil, who was a companion of the hero at the time. And—”

“…It was also said that the hero’s sword was placed within the grave.”

“The hero’s sword? I can only dream of obtaining it, but I would love to at least see the real thing.”

Max spoke with a smile filled with anticipation.

In that moment, the seasoned mercenary Max looked almost like an innocent child.

“Indeed. I would like to see it at least once as well.”

At that moment, a delicate voice interjected into the conversation.

It was none other than Nina, the innkeeper’s daughter and Anton’s child.

“Really? Nina, are you also interested in the hero?”

Max’s gaze turned directly toward Nina.

There was warmth in that gaze.

It is said that Max has known Nina since she was very young.

Thus, Max regards Nina as a younger sister, despite the significant age difference.

—

“You’ve heard it at least once if you’re a child. The legend of the hero. It’s not strange to think that I’d like to see the legendary sword at least once, since I’ve heard so much about it.”

“That’s true.”

The hero’s sword.

A weapon that accompanied the hero throughout a life filled with legendary achievements.

A sword said to never break, never dull, and never rust, the only one of its kind in the world.

After the hero’s death, the hero’s sword also vanished, and no one knew its whereabouts, but rumors arose that the sword might be enshrined in the tomb that was recently discovered.

It wouldn’t be wrong to say that most of those who have newly arrived in Darville are here for that purpose.

To obtain the strongest sword known as the hero’s sword. Or to gain the fame of having acquired the hero’s sword. Or simply to possess an object of immense value and grasp a fortune.

They gathered here, each harboring their own goals.

“…No matter how I think about it, it feels strange.”

However, despite his beloved daughter Nina saying so, Anton’s expression remained unchanged.

“The ‘Scholars of Alundel’ wouldn’t lie, would they?”

“Well, that’s true….”

He nodded with a reluctant expression.

“But… no matter how I think about it, it doesn’t make sense. It’s as if… someone is luring people to the tomb for some purpose.”

“Excuse me? Why are you saying that all of a sudden? You’ve never been one to entertain conspiracy theories.”

Max’s eyes widened at Anton’s words.

As if he couldn’t believe such words were coming from Anton.

“Logically speaking, would there really be someone who would do such a thing? I think you’re overthinking it.”

“…Yeah. That must be it.”

Anton nodded reluctantly.

However, my expression, which had been quietly listening to their conversation, remained unchanged.

Because I knew of the existence of a group capable of such deeds.