Chapter 9

"Kassel! You're too far ahead!"

Eilis, a woman with brown hair in a ponytail, shouted while drawing her bow.

The red-haired man, who had been warned, did not turn around but swung his greatsword at the goblin.

"Hahaha! Did you see the power of Lord Kassel?!"

After defeating the goblin, Kassel seemed to be in high spirits.

However, Eilis noticed another goblin approaching from behind him.

"Hey, idiot! Nole, please!"

"It's fine. ... [Fireball]"

Nole, the woman with green hair, cast a fire spell at the goblin behind Kassel.

The goblin burst into flames. With this, all ten goblins were defeated.

I clapped and whispered,

"Everyone, well done!"

Hearing this, Kassel pounded his red armor.

"Hahaha! That's right! For the great swordsman Kassel, it's just like breakfast!"

"You were just swinging your sword around! ... But, Rudis, your magic is impressive. You've only been an adventurer for a few days, yet you managed to take down five today."

Eilis lightly tapped Kassel's head and praised me.

"No, it's nothing. It's because everyone supported me."

On this day, I had come to the western forest of Elphen to hunt goblins.

Eilis, Nole, and Kassel, senior adventurers from the guild, had invited us.

Rune and I had been working hard to defeat goblins for the past few days.

It seemed to have ignited a competitive spirit in the other adventurers, who didn't want to be outdone by newcomers.

However, Rune was not here today.

He wanted to teach the blue slimes words and magic, so I gave him some time off.

Today, we managed to defeat thirty goblins with these seniors.

In terms of efficiency, Rune and I could have hunted them down faster.

But I wanted to learn about the magic of this era.

So, my gaze was mainly directed at Nole, the mage.

It was a good opportunity to learn about the magic of this era.

Eilis, with a sly smile, whispered in my ear,

"Oh, maybe... Rudis, do you like Nole?"

Eilis seemed to have misunderstood my gaze being directed at Nole.

"Don't tease me! It's just that... I think she's cool."

I decided to give a somewhat evasive answer, as befitting a young man.

"Oh, you're blushing. Well, for a new mage, that's understandable. Nole was apparently excellent at the Appis Magic University."

"Really?"

"I only heard it from others. Generally, Nole doesn't like to talk to people."

An excellent student at the university. Appis must be the magic republic I saw on the map yesterday.

If she was an excellent student at a university in such a country, she must be a top-tier mage in this world.

However, there must be some reason why such an excellent student became an adventurer.

I wanted to ask, but it would be rude to pry too much.

"I want to become a mage as great as Nole."

"That's a good attitude. If you have any questions, ask Nole. She has big breasts, so she'll teach you step by step."

"Eilis!"

We returned to Elphen, with Eilis teasing me.

Of course, it was my job as a junior to carry the burlap bag filled with goblin ears.

The reward was only five dels.

However, today I learned a bit about the magic of this era through Nole.

First, none of the seniors used [Detect].

This means it takes time to find goblins before defeating them.

I see, that's why everyone thinks goblin hunting isn't worth it.

Nole didn't use any high-level magic at all.

It's unclear whether she could use it but chose not to, or if she couldn't use it at all.

But it's clear that it's not something easily usable.

She didn't use it even when five goblins were clustered together.

It might be due to her limited magic power.

Considering the incantations, it seems that magic in general has declined compared to the former empire.

Still, I don't know what kind of magic is taught at the magic university.

So, I can't say for sure.

However, Nole, who is of the highest rank for adventurers, Orichalcum, must not be weak in this world.

I thought about these things as I looked at Nole's back.

When we arrived in Elphen, Eilis said,

"Rudis, I'm being called by Kassel and the general of this city. So, please go to the guild with Nole. No toasting until we return, okay?"

"Of course. I'll wait for you!"

I replied enthusiastically.

As I said, I walked next to Nole, heading for the guild.

It was a rare opportunity to ask her about magic.

But what should I ask? How can I improve my magic?

No, that would yield too little information.

Perhaps it's better to deepen trust first.

So, maybe some small talk... hmm.

I looked around Elphen. Then I saw a large statue in the square ahead.

A statue of a noble man with a sword raised to the sky and a crown on his head.

"Hey, Nole, who is that statue of?"

Nole tilted her head at my voice.

"You don't know that statue?"

"No. My hometown is very rural. It's the first time I've seen a statue."

"This statue is of Lord Rudis."

I was honestly surprised, thinking my name was being called.

"Rudis? The same as my name?"

"Yes. Probably, your parents named you after this Rudis. Even if not, the name Rudis must have originated from this 'Rudis.'"

I see. My name comes from this famous person, Rudis.

My parents seemed to have chosen my name because everyone uses it.

"Maybe. But what did he do?"

"You don't know? ... This Rudis was the last emperor."

"The last emperor?"

"Yes, the 66th emperor of the empire, Rudis Vin Arks Tot Rick West Sack Clutch. The 'Wise Emperor' who brought peace to the empire. He controlled all the magic in the world, put an end to numerous battles and injustices, and helped people suffering from war. He is still loved by the people, the last emperor."

"Wow, he was an amazing person..."

So, is this...

Me?!

No, wait. There's no proof yet... But the official name is correct, and it's the 66th emperor...

I stared at the bronze statue.

Broad shoulders, a manly face.

His magnificent armor and long sword were dazzling.

So, is this highly idealized bronze statue of me...

Nole laughed like a girl and continued,

"Amazing... Hehe, it's even more than that. There are many stories, but... the first model for this bronze statue was the man who killed the emperor."

Could it be the man who killed me?

"He learned the futility of revenge by killing the emperor. After that, he saw that Emperor Rudis was actually right. Hunger disappeared, and injustice vanished. He became a tribune to carry on Rudis's legacy and eventually became a fervent believer, known as a Rudist."

"Wow..."

So, my death wasn't in vain.

But what is Rudism?

"Then, around the time of the empire's fall five hundred years ago, when the world was in turmoil, Rudis finally became a god."

"God? A god?"

A god? Isn't that a bit of a leap?

"Recurring monster invasions, conflicts among humans... corruption and decay... the people began to wish for the return of the wise emperor Rudis."

"Return?"

"Yes. For Rudis to return and correct all the evils in the world."

Nole stopped in front of my statue and looked up.

The story seems to have taken an incredible turn.

I can't keep up with it.

To summarize, my policies were not wrong.

And the empire lasted for five hundred years.

I felt a sense of vindication. I wasn't wrong.

But five hundred years is a long time, isn't it?

Or maybe not that long.

However, to hope for the return of a mere mortal who is now dead...

That's impossible. Well, in a sense, I did return...

I'm no longer an emperor...

"... But it's been over five hundred years. A return is impossible, right?"

"Yes... I guess so."

Nole's answer had a hint of sadness.