Hero Creator: The Last Hero
Ch. 77 — Wave Three

A bit of nostalgia, a time where Rigel and Altucray had secret talks a few years ago about promises and trust.

“What do you want to talk about?” He asked without the slightest hope because he was already satisfied being played by Rigel.

“There will come a time where I release Tirith as promised. He will break free from the shackles of Pendragon, and will forget that Amatsumi Rigel ever existed. When the time comes, I want you to take care of him, maybe he won't be conscious for some time.”

Altucray refused to believe it but Rigel's face was so serious and it was almost impossible for him to lie. Even so it remained unbelievable that there was a way for him to untie the shackles that bound Tirith.

“Indeed how do you release the shackles that have been around since those generations? Asa you know, there have been many people who tried with the results of failure.” Altucray shook his head and believed that Rigel would have the same fate.

“His chin is active when he falls in love with someone. What happens when he forgets someone? Whether his love will remain, of course I am sure all will disappear as the figure disappears in his mind.”

Altucray widened his eyes to be surprised, although faintly he understood the meaning of what Rigel was trying to convey. It's so easy to understand that he really doesn't believe it.

“What do you mean, by deleting everything about yourself to Tirith will release him from the shackles? In a sense you intend to erase his memory.”

“You are not stupid, more or less like that I would do.” Rigel smiled as he said that.

Altucray should be happy because his daughter will be free as she has been deep. But for some incomprehensible reason, he looked lethargic and as if he had not expected this.

Rigel did not understand the unwillingness, he thought that Altucray would jump happily and laugh out loud. But in reality everything that happened turned around from Rigel's estimate.

“I think you will be happy and rejoiced because your lightness will be granted. The thing I promised you was never breached.”

The promise to release Tirith from the shackles, that sort of thing. Rigel will grant it in the future and the time it happens is near. And since it's near, it's time Rigel told it to someone he hates and can trust.

“I know that, that you are not a person who breaks promises, it's just ... You don't have to keep that promise.” Altucray seemed reluctant to say it but he continued, “To be honest I won't refuse any more if you're serious with my daughter. When I look again, Tirith's happiest time is when me, her and her mother get together, and the time with you.”

Rigel didn't expect those words to come out of Altucray's mouth. In fact, Tirith always smiled when she was with him, even without the shackles of the Pendragon family even though Tirith's love was real.

“So you mean, you'd be willing if Tirith was with me?” Rigel asked to confirm it.

Altucray was a little silent before replying, “... Yep. As long as you promise to make her happy .. I think it's fine.”

Altucray smiled wryly and this was the first time Rigel had seen him so. If so then Rigel would not refuse him, after all Tirith was special to him. But the fact that what will happen in the future does not allow that.

“I'm really glad to hear you handed Tirith to me. But sorry, because it will never happen.”

“What the fuck are you. Don't you think Tirith was just a toy to you?” Altucray looks angry and can explode at any time.

“Of course not. In fact I want to edit it right now.”

There was no loss from marrying Tirith, Rigel wanted to do it even though he never said it out loud. But the circumstances are unusual, if Rigel does not see the future he has accepted Tirith.

“I hate you, you hate me too. This hateful relationship convinced me that I could trust you. Listen to this carefully, Altucray. In a distant time, my existence was swallowed up by this world. When the time comes, Tirith will surely suffer greatly, perhaps she will be single until old age.”

Even Rigel did not want Tirith to experience such a thing, and therefore there was a need to release him from the shackles when the time came. Like it or not, that time is coming.

“And because of that, I will erase all his memories of me. When the time comes, I leave the rest to you.”

***

Back in the present, the time where Rigel had kept the promise made with Altucray. Seeing him from the beginning of the conversation, Altucray's heart ached to see his daughter truly love the man who is a Hero Creator.

“You really did it.” Altucray said indifferently, but the look on his face could not be covered.

“There are things I need to finish. Sooner or later everything will happen, if the time comes, never tell me anything related to me.” Rigel took Tirith and handed her over to Altucray whose bitter face was also sad.

The infuriating old man who had betrayed her once had already turned into a truly fragile old man. On the one hand it was nice to see him but on the other hand Rigel missed the feud between them.

“I know that. But is that really going to happen? I have always believed in miracles, but such a thing is more fitting as a catastrophe!” Altucray raised his voice in anger.

He knew the reason why Rigel did things like this and because he knew, Altucray could not be happy about it in the least. He looked back at Rigel's now completely blank face despite smiling at Tirith.

“I didn't expect you to say that. However, thank you for your concern.” Rigel walked without turning around, he patted Altucray's shoulder gently, “Your role as the King of Dolls has ended, Britannia is back in your hands, King Altucray.”

Rigel smiled and intended to go to the front line because there was no more time to relax.

Altucray who got his wish for his daughter's freedom, as well as the kingdom that had been snatched from her should be delighted. But for some reason she bit her lips in frustration, as if she was holding back her emotional feelings.

“Hero Creator—”

Rigel stopped running on Altucray's call. He certainly did not refuse because at this time the relationship between them was not as it used to be. A blunt relationship will be sharp when forged over time.

“—when it's all over .. meet me, for the last time!” After saying that his body shook violently while hugging the princess in his arms, “There is something .. I want to say!”

Rigel didn't need to turn around to see what happened to him. In addition to knowing what happened to Altucray now, seeing it will immediately provide pressure that Rigel does not want to feel.

It is best to set it aside without ever trying to indulge the curiosity to see it. Not knowing anything is sometimes the best option that can be achieved.

“If the time really comes, I will. Goodbye to.” Rigel raised his right hand and immediately disappeared from the palace.

Altucray remained standing for some time before delivering Tirith back to his room. He probably won't be conscious for a few days and therefore the best option is to place guards as well as servants to take care of him.

***

Rigel went to the front line where he was monitoring the war situation like before. He finds Takumi, Yuri, Leo and Merial silently monitoring the distant battlefield. Including Rigel, there are five remaining Heroes who have not been ordered to fight.

It is the same with Ozaru but he is willing to fight himself even though Rigel intends to keep it. In any case, he is a force that must be held until the end, just as Leo is beyond hope.

Before greeting them Rigel took a deep breath and touched his painful chest.

‘I don't think it'll be like this it feels forgotten.’

He needs to re-adjust himself and it just takes a little bit of time.

“It seems like there is no progress in the war, instead it seems like more setbacks.”

“Dad! You have returned apparently.” It was Leo who first reacted to Rigel's words.

Rigel simply nodded and stood beside Takumi who was observing the battlefield with a troubled face.

“I hate to say it, but it's true there are more setbacks than progress. One of them was that I felt the power of the curse coming from where Petra was fighting against Seraphim.”

It was true that there was a curse-like power enveloping Petra's body. Although Rigel should have banned the use of curse power except for the truly urgent circumstances, it seems difficult to fight the enemy without doping.

“That's nothing. Then how is the situation elsewhere?”

The Merial took a step forward and showed a crystal ball that sent out images of the situation there. Starting from where Bellemere led the killing of Armageddon and the demon army, the situation seemed to be deadlocked as they were still fighting fiercely. But from his army Rigel believes Bellemere has split the witch squad to help the other side.

“Deputy commander of the Spartan army, Bellemere. Looks like I'm not wrong to let him hold Exterion.”

“I agree. Not only proficient in playing the sword, but his decision making divided the magician squad is very appropriate.” Cerial nodded in agreement with Rigel's words.

“He also helped me learn swords.” Leo added.

Elsewhere there is also Regulus with a firing squad who provide little help to Petra to overcome the Seraphim named Kalkydras. It seems that the witch squad of the Spartan group was deployed there.

“From the way they did not give a gap to the Kalkydras and fully supported Petra, it seemed like there was a purpose not to let the Kalkydras do something. One of them is his trumpet that interests me.” Rigel gave his assessment and found out several times Kalkydras was about to blow it and was thwarted.

“His main power is to influence a person by voice. To avoid him playing trumpet or singing, wise choice to keep bothering him.” Takumi gave his assessment while nodding.

Finding Yuri aware of his awkwardness, Rigel nodded meaningfully. Generally ordinary bullets would only be able to injure demons and low angels, but had absolutely no effect against the Seraphim or the Demon Pillar.

Rigel had conducted certain experiments by searching for monsters that might be on par with the demon army and Armageddon. Surprisingly there were some monsters that were not capable with ordinary bullets and therefore needed modifications to overcome them.

“Easy I use Adamantite as the bullet material.”

Heroes who heard it surprised not to play, the hardest material that is also difficult to obtain is actually used as a bullet making material. Surely they knew that with Rigel's strength, gathering Adamantite was not a difficult matter. But still no one would have expected it.

“I know that Adamantite is the hardest metal in the world. However, I do not understand how it could hurt Seraphim.” Yuri asked because there were many incomplete parts.

“You remember that angels are weak to the energy of nature? The reason I want you all to be able to use it is because it is so beneficial. Not only is it useful against the Seraphim, but the Demon Pillar also has the same flaws.”

Neither demons nor angels would be injured with the energy of nature. The power that even Rigel acknowledged was very useful, although there was only a thin line separating it from mana in general.

Rigel believes that the greatest advantage of mankind is being able to use natural energy as well as fairies. Although not as capable and as great as fairies, at least they had a way of fighting the enemy.

“Adamantite contains natural energy that although not how at least still able to give injury to Seraphim. Besides, I have a way to strengthen those natural energies.” Rigel showed a bright smile.

No one understands where confidence comes from. Even if they had discussed the various plans for this war, there were still some things Rigel did without the Heroes knowing his purpose.

Whenever anyone asks about Rigel's secret plan, the answer will always be the same. “To trick the enemy, fool your friend first. Something like that.”

“So so. Although the natural energy is only a little Adamantite is able to provide considerable damage. Even so, what is it with a little it is able to give a fairly heavy wound? I have a little doubt about that, Dad. It should either the Seraphim or the Demon Pillar be able to withstand it without suffering any deep injuries.”

Leo's judgment is not wrong, a little natural energy is useless and will only cause blisters, will never be able to break it. But the fact is that Kalkydras suffered a decent injury from just one shot.

Therefore there is a certain secret behind why it takes preparation time for the firing squad to fire its weapons.

“The secret lies in the weapon used for shooting. I asked the firing squad to add the wind element so that the bullets would dart faster than usual. And also, not without reason the giant tree was grown.”

The giant tree would absorb the surrounding energy and expend it as natural energy that would fill the location of the battlefield. Even if Rigel launched nuclear haphazardly, there would be no significant impact on the destruction of nature, because that energy would restore it.

“Reason for growing a giant tree?” Leo tilted his head.

“Ya, later you will see it.” Rigel refused to discuss it further, “With natural energy abundant in the battlefield, it is not impossible Adamantite absorb a little. Even if it does not absorb, the speed of the bullet will help penetrate the thick skin of Seraphim.”

A bullet from a firearm is capable of causing a small explosion when it hits its target, and although small the impact is large enough to injure. There have even been cases where Rigel was able to kill Dante thanks to the help of a massive explosion of nuclear power.

It sounds complicated and strange but it is easy to kill Seraphim or Demon Pillar, not necessarily using natural energy always. Ordinary, even physical strength was also capable of killing them.

“Back to the main topic, how about the rest of the rest?” Rigel reverted his conversation.

Merial began to explain the situation of Aland who had gone so far away from the battlefield. The strength of his opponent, the Demon Pillar Capella was quite troublesome as it was able to affect the Legion army and for that reason Aland lured him away. Their own fight seemed one-sided as Aland was exposed to his influence. Although he was affected but there was no sign Aland would lose or succumb, their situation was clearly deadlocked.

Elsewhere, the worst possible fight against two great powers occurred. Ozaru is currently facing the Seraphim Sandalphone and the Demon Pillar Leviathan which is one of the great powers among the pillars. The three seemed to be fighting a draw and trying to subvert each other.

Although Ozaru has used his powers to summon thousands of apes, Leviathan with his call monsters, they still look hard against Sandalphone, who has a slight edge over both.

“This is news obtained by the Investigation Team near King Alexei. In short, there was a chance that Ray could be freed from the Eternal Ice if the inner fight with Regulus was won by him. But the problem is that when the user dies, Regulus, Ray will never be able to return to his body. For that King Alexei is outsmarting him, so what to worry about is the situation Regulus is still alive.”

Rigel breathed a sigh of relief when he knew that there were other possible ways for Ray to survive. Although Rigel initially wanted to use Void to melt it, there would still be risks that could happen.

“For a while Ray's situation could be left to Alexei. Had Regulus survived, his strength would have decreased drastically and exhausted, there was nothing to worry about with Alexei.”

The supreme priest of the religion of Ruberios is not a mere empty title. Among the Heroes though, Rigel would emphatically say that Alexei is capable of wielding a power of light greater than the Heroes.

Luck sided with them considering his opponent was a demon. Not a difficult thing for the priest like him to fight an evil figure, it would be another story if Ray's opponent is an angel.

“But just in case, I want you to come help if things are bad, Merial.”

Although there is no need to worry too much, Rigel still needs to make security guarantees. He did not want to lose Alexei and Ray because both of them were extremely valuable fighting forces.

“Understanding. Then, what about the other situation? Should I send help?”

Before answering it Rigel thought a little first. Acting recklessly by sending help is an unexpected loss that could happen. The situation of Ozaru, Petra and Aland is equally concerning. Because of that Rigel could not go wrong, nor could he be silent because losing one of them was a huge failure.

“We started from Petra first. He had awakened the curse, Regulus as well as the firing squad and the Witch Squad of the Bellemere group were supporting him. Their situation should have been superior but I was worried about the Kalkydras trumpet. It's a wise choice not to let him blow the trumpet. Yuri, you help Petra, just from a distance that the Kalkydras will not realize. There's a chance Petra will get out of control because of her strength, and you're suitable for handling ferocious beasts.”

Yuri is the best supporter because Petra is currently definitely doing a close combat. With so many people supporting behind would close the possibility of Kalkydras using his full strength.

“Alright, I'll go now.” Yuri jumped off the high wall and ran into the battlefield.

Because he had not stopped teleporting the place so naturally he had to take it himself. In addition, if you have to shoot from an unconscious distance, not using teleportation is a wise choice.

“Then to Ozaru, I want to intervene directly, but ..”

“Let me alone, Rigel.” Takumi volunteered before Rigel really decided, “Your power is worth saving, just leave Ozaru to me.”

Although Rigel had no problem with making an early fight, he did not want to cause any other problems and let Takumi act. After all, he was not a person who would lose so easily.

“Then that's fine, Takumi will leave. The rest is Aland. What kind of power of influence does his opponent have?” Rigel switched to a Merial that monitored the situation from the crystal.

“The effect is to provoke one's lust and absorb his life. The longer it is affected, the shorter the lifespan will be.”

The worst forces are also troublesome, it's only fitting that Capella and Kalkydras stay away from each other because their powers will not be useful if they clash. But Rigel wondered why Aland was leading him away, not to Kalkydras. If so they would be able to overcome it since its power would be sealed.

“Then let me go, Dad!” Leo raised his hand excitedly.

“No, you're not leaving now, Leo. Although you might defeat him, your strength is better saved as trump.”

Leo's development is more surprising than Ozaru who is united with other personalities. Leo's shortcomings are that his experience is fairly small and Rigel does not want Leo to show his ability now.

Immediately Rigel sensed something unusual, the Sky Gate had a mana larger than before. There is only one thing that allows it and causes cold sweat.

“The situation is worse, yes.”

“What?” Leo asked out of curiosity.

“Angel troops are coming, which means the third wave is approaching. However I do not feel any sign the demons will add to the army.”

With the addition of an army, the sky will be filled with angels. If that's the case Rigel might have to send Legion troops or the cards he's keeping. But for now what needs to be done hannyalah ...

“Contact Asoka, tell her that the third wave of the angelic side will arrive! Also send this news to Bellemere and his troops!”

“Understanding!”

“Then what about Mr Aland's situation, Dad?” Leo seemed hurried and worried.

The best option would be for Rigel to come in person or actually send out a Leo, but it seems those concerns are no longer needed despite being a little worrying.

“Let me alone .. who did it!”

Someone who suddenly appeared near them volunteered to fight. His injuries over the previous fight may have recovered but not completely.

“Your condition has not been so good, are you sure you did it?”

“Of course. Besides me, no one else is more suited. As the protector of mankind, I cannot retreat.”

With the presence of Capella's powers useless, she is indeed fit for the task. As the Hero in charge of protecting, Hazama is the right choice.