Chapter 299: The Last of the Seven Stars
And well, it was preserved decently, but the bottom of the mural was completely weathered away.
They probably thought it was just a pattern in the picture, but it was honest-to-goodness Japanese
Just like this… there…
There’s barely any that I can read. Again, what’s the meaning of this?
But there was something amazing in the list of Houou’s attacks…
The picture depicted the first one falling, and the second one swelling up.
After taking this attack once, the heroes retreated.
At least, according to this record.
Didn’t they beat it?
I guess this attack happens whenever you beat one of them.
And after the remaining one explodes, both of them revive, and the cycle repeats.
… This is like the Spirit Turtle.
But this time, if you defeat one individually, the other releases a powerful counterattack.
Someone nicely sketched some stars around Houou.
After that, the remaining drawings were too cracked for us to make out anything more. But I did learn that we have to defeat them at the same time.
“With the Spirit Turtle, you had to destroy both the head and heart to defeat it. Most likely, we’ll have to do the same with the two birds. Upon failure, the remaining one uses a powerful self-destructing attack, and both are revived.” (Naofumi)
“Self Destruction… while reviving at the same time. How troublesome.” (Itsuki)
Once more, Itsuki reads in a monotone with an expressionless face. I feel no motivation from him.
But by his words, he’s earnestly analyzing the fresco.
“What’s more, as one flies higher, we’d naturally have to concentrate our attacks on the lower one.”
“That means a bomb will explode from above…”
With added revival.
According to Ren and the others, Houou was quite strong, but it looks like someone upped the difficulty.
“Then how bout me and Itsuki-kun attack the higher one, and Father-in-Law and Ren-kun concentrate on the lower one?” (Motoyasu)
“What should I have the army do?” (Queen)
It would be nice if we could defeat it with only the Heroes, but I’m not really sure.
That means…
“Get everyone who can use long range magic. I guess the others will be using bows. The people skilled in magic should target the higher one, and everyone else, the lower. I’ll leave you in charge of the precise organization and strategy.” (Naofumi)
Well, we have four heroes strengthened to their fullest here. I want to end this one as painlessly as possible.
And this time, we have a slight grasp of their attack pattern, so creating countermeasures shouldn’t be too difficult.
Of course, it’s not certain that the words of the past are completely true, so we should proceed with caution.
“Understood. How should we ask them to train until the day?” (Queen)
“Let’s see… If we have a flying target, it should work out if they just practice on it.” (Naofumi)
Should we leave that to the Dragon knights?
The flames and breaths can probably reproduced with magic, I bet.
“I understand. Then from here on out, the allied army forces will begin training to combat Houou. I hope the Heroes will assist as well.” (Queen)
“Leave it to me.” (Ren)
“I’ll try my best.” (Itsuki)
I mean, isn’t that why we’re here?
I’d like to avoid battles like what we’ve had until now. Battles without preparation.
I’ll put my all into this.
“Then shall we look over the other temple we passed by once more.” (Queen)
After we finish looking over the Houou Mural, the Queen and the man from this country guide us.
“Is there something over there?” (Naofumi)
“Hmm…” (Naofumi)
That piques my interest.
It seems that the strange weapon in Rishia’s hands is something else, and I’ve never seen Trash holding a cane.
“Why is there such a line behind it?” (Naofumi)
“Can’t the Heroes understand?”
Well… It’s not that hard.
Of course, from that previous journal, it seems that otherworlders can use them too.
Thinking that they were worthy of it, they lined up to see if they would be chosen by the weapon.
With this many people, I think this would be a good chance for business.
… This world seems to worship Heroes, so I think such practices will breed animosity.
The long line parts for us, and we enter the temple.
It appears that people are testing whether they can take it out.
“Gununu…”
An army soldier’s face turns red as he desperately pulls at it.
“Yes, next person step up.”
The soldier drops his shoulders, and stumbles down the path he came from.
Being selected as the Hero of the Shield was nothing but suffering for me.
I think, as I gaze at the weapon.
… It’s a gauntlet.
By that logic, one would be in the Spirit Turtle village as well.
“Hey, Queen, why is this gauntlet here? Is there a reason Faubley doesn’t come to collect it?” (Naofumi)
“Then what about the Spirit Turtle?” (Naofumi)
“So it’s like that.” (Naofumi)
Does that make Houou a newer legend?
It’s not like I have to investigate it thoroughly. I mean, that sounds like a pain.
… From what I see, it’s of quite a simple design. You could also just call it a glove.
It’s a basic shape like that of the Small Shield.
In the middle of the gauntlet, there was a single gem embedded.
I guess this is the first form of the weapon.
“This is the last Seven Star?” (Naofumi)
“Yes.” (Queen)
This is the first time I’ve seen a real one… but I think I’ve seen something similar, somewhere. I wonder why.
When I look at this one closely, I sense… a greater power.
“So it’s waiting for a new wielder here?” (Naofumi)
“Hmm…” (Naofumi)
I’ll have the slaves from my place try for it as well.
Her talent is high, so it actually sounds highly likely…
But this line is way too long.
“When do you think this line will clear?” (Naofumi)
“I think it’ll remain throughout the day.” (Queen)
Wow… just how popular is this attraction?
“Well, with times as they are, many adventurers are challenging the weapon as well.” (Queen)
“I’ll try negotiating for it. Until training starts, the Heroes and their party members are free to act as they wish.” (Queen)
Following the scholar of the country, the Queen headed towards the castle.
I’d like to see those results.