I'm Not the Heroine-Chapter 63

"The hero party... is coming here?"

"Yes."

Hearing Lati’s words, I found myself stunned for a moment.

Given the recent events, I thought the hero party would have already passed by Stormblast.

The hero party typically only stays in a city or village to resolve issues that cannot be handled by others. They visit the adventurers' guild to take on requests, but the presence of a guardian in the area changes things.

Stormblast has a guardian.

In fact, it has three.

El Stormblast.

Kunder Stormblast.

Lati Stormblast.

The Stormblast family, or rather, two Stormblasts and one Inferblayno, protects this land.

And they are all dragons.

With the protection of three dragons, I assumed the hero party would simply pass by.

But they were coming.

"But... I've already left the party... Why are they coming here?"

Words I didn’t wish to utter slipped from my mouth.

The hero party should already be well aware of the situation.

My master had told me that Kunder made it clear I had withdrawn from the party when he came to fetch me.

No matter how strong or important each member of the party is, opposing the Stormblast family is not an easy feat.

Even the emperor treads carefully with them.

The hero, bearing the world’s fate, might be an exception.

But even that is realistically difficult.

"You know Yggdrasil, right?"

"Lafiré's country...?"

"Yes. They requested an audience with the Stormblast family, bringing along a very rare material—the branch of the World Tree."

The branch of the World Tree is a rare material, just as she said.

It’s taken from the body of the World Tree, the god of the elves.

But why so suddenly?

"Of course, that’s just the official reason."

"Pardon?"

"Well, I’m not part of the hero party, so I can’t say for sure, but they’re probably coming to see you."

"······."

Did they go to the lengths of creating an official audience as an excuse?

Or was it simply a coincidence that Yggdrasil sent the request?

"For your information, both Lady El and Kunder are aware of this. Lady El will probably tell you soon."

Lati’s words turned out to be true.

"Louis."

My master entered my room, gently sitting on the bed and stroking my hair.

This chapter is updat𝙚d by freeweɓnovel.cøm.

"You’ve probably heard from Lati by now. Yes, the hero party is coming to our family."

"...Can’t you refuse them?"

Wouldn’t it be better to avoid any entanglement that could bring more causality?

"Unfortunately, we can’t. Because Yggdrasil is involved."

"I see."

"Louis, we didn’t accept Yggdrasil’s request simply because they’re royalty. The key is the branch of the World Tree that they’re bringing."

"...The branch?"

At my question, my master’s eyes glowed blue.

"We intend to use that branch for our Cause and Effect Restoration experiment."

"Oh."

The World Tree is the god of the elves.

In essence, the branch of the World Tree is akin to a part of a god’s body.

Using the power of the World Tree, which holds a unique divine status separate from the highest goddess in this world, we hope to restore causality.

Honestly, it holds much more promise than the various experiments we’ve conducted based on prophecy up until now.

If that’s the case...

"Meeting the hero party is inevitable. And they will want to see you, so it will be impossible to avoid them."

"······."

"So, it’s time for you to get up and shake it off. Even if you don’t rejoin the hero party..."

Finally, my master gently touched my face and said,

"...at least, if you don’t want to worry those who were once your comrades."

Click.

After my master left, I mulled over her words for a long time before finally getting out of bed.

I didn’t want to greet them in this state.

* * *

The next day, I left the castle with my master and headed toward the mansion.

The usually cold mansion was now bustling with the movement of staff, filling the space with warmth.

"Take that to the ballroom, and bring this to the kitchen..."

"Yuse, Raoul, is the new chandelier ready...?"

Though this large event had been arranged suddenly, the expressions of the staff remained impassive, nothing more, nothing less.

Everything was being prepared perfectly, as if they were ready to host the emperor himself.

"It’s been a while since the mansion was so lively. Now, Louis, it’s time for you to prepare as well."

With a snap of her fingers, my master summoned three maids, who led me to a room.

"Excuse us, Lady Louis."

"...Yes."

The hero party would arrive in Stormblast territory tomorrow.

Today was preparation day.

The three maids began dressing me in various gowns and applying makeup.

In the past, I would have been too embarrassed and run away, but now, I felt nothing.

It was as if I’d become a doll in a puppet show.

By the time my master arrived, the selection for my outfit tomorrow was complete.

"You look lovely. Your color is back, and you’re even more beautiful."

"Thank you."

"Louis."

"Yes."

"Steel yourself for tomorrow."

The three maids vanished quickly as they sensed a serious conversation approaching.

"I cherish you, Louis. Enough to grant you whatever you wish."

"······."

"But rejoining the hero party... I can’t allow that."

Crackle...

A small spark of electricity flickered from my master’s hand.

"Even if it means fighting the hero party."

And so, under the cover of night, all preparations to welcome the hero party were completed, and the day dawned.

* * *

"Brr... it’s so cold... Niabella, hold my hand..."

"Ah, yes!"

Lafiré sniffled, holding Niabella’s hand with a relieved expression.

Coming from Yggdrasil, located in the southern part of the empire, she wasn’t used to the bitter cold of Stormblast.

For her, Niabella’s naturally warm hands were a blessing.

As the layers of clothing increased, Niavella had effectively become Lafiré’s personal heater.

"Everyone, Stormblast is in sight."

Up ahead, Aswell spoke.

"Wow... it’s huge."

"It really is a duchy..."

The duke’s territory lay nestled against the white mountain range, occupying a vast plain.

The northern chill wasn’t comfortable for the citizens, but it served as a powerful shield against enemies.

"Now, everyone remembers the plan, right?"

"...Yes."

"Of course!"

"I remember too!"

At Serelin’s question, everyone responded with determination.

All eyes turned to Aswell, who nodded calmly in return.

"As I’ve said, we can’t draw this out for too long. We have to resolve this quickly!"

With Lafiré’s reminder, everyone nodded in agreement.

"Alright then, let’s get ready! We’re bringing our companion back!"

"For our sister!"

"...For Louis."

With each of them prepared to act for one person, the hero party entered the Stormblast duchy.

. . .

If Alpares was the city of white stone and Lacre the city of minerals, then Stormblast was the city of snow.

"Wow! It’s the hero!"

"Herooo~!"

But regardless of the city, all citizens greeted the hero party with the same enthusiasm.

The people showed boundless affection for the man who bore the fate of the world and his party.

"······."

"······."

Normally, they would have responded to the greetings, but today, they couldn’t.

'...I feel it.'

They could feel the overwhelming presence of the Duke of Stormblast.

Not only Aswell, but everyone in the hero party shivered slightly, feeling a faint dread similar to what they’d felt in Lacre.

"This way to the mansion."

Soon after, the hero party followed a butler, leaving the citizens behind, and made their way to a large white mansion at the edge of the territory.

As expected from a duke’s residence, it was larger than any other noble’s mansion.

A towering ice fortress behind it filled in any plain parts of the structure.

'That place...'

A memory ✪ Nоvеlіgһt ✪ (Official version) flashed in Aswell’s mind.

She had said she could train under her master after climbing the mountain.

Could that be the place where she trained in the past?

Imagining her as a curious young girl asking questions with a bright face, Aswell unknowingly smiled.

"I will inform the duke of your arrival."

At the butler’s words, Aswell’s thoughts were interrupted.

Moments later, the doors of the Stormblast mansion opened, and a man stepped out.

"You’re here."

Kunder Stormblast.

The protector of the north.

And a dragon.

He looked exactly as he had a few weeks ago—like a storm personified.

"Hm?"

But the first place his gaze fell was not on any member of the hero party.

Snort.

Instead, he looked at one of the horses heading toward the stables behind them.

'Why is he looking at Nightlux?'

While other horses trembled under the dragon’s gaze, Nightlux calmly met Kunder’s eyes.

"Interesting."

With that remark, Kunder formally greeted them.

"I am Kunder Stormblast, head of the Stormblast family. Hero party, rest here at ease."

Thus, the first day in Stormblast began.