The False Hero, Volume 12, Chapter 10

Chapter 10

----- Belle -----

“My eyes must deceive me,” a young nobleman says, “for it appears the strands of your silken hair glow with a subdued light.”

“You think so?” Belle palms a small batch of my hair and looks at it. “Maybe it’s the room’s lighting that’s making my hair color glow.”

“A mere reflection of light cannot compare to the radiance emanating from you.”

“Thank you so much! I was distraught with worry when I woke up looking like this, so it makes me happy to hear so many people compliment my new body.”

Belle’s hair is such a lightly colored green that it can appear yellow under certain conditions. It’s so starkly different from her original dark blue that it’s essentially on the opposite end of the spectrum in terms of hair color.

Although she normally uses [Transform] to maintain her original body’s appearance, there are times when she lets the spell fade to reveal her true form. Usually, that’s during battle, but she also releases it during certain ceremonies or events.

And a royal party certainly meets that requirement, even if the attending guests leave something to be desired. It’s not that they’re bad people, but so many of them are making their intentions way too obvious.

Still, it’s fun to play with them, so the smile never leaves Belle’s lips.

“How did you end up with a new body?” Another young noble asks.

“I was as shocked as everyone when a strange spell hit me and knocked me unconscious. Even I’m not sure how the magic works, but I just woke up like this.”

“Perhaps it was a specialized [Transform] spell? One that permanently changes the target?”

“Maybe, but another side effect is that I can go back to my original looks anytime I want. It’s weird, but I’ve already gotten used to it.”

While not outright lying, Belle knows far more than she’s letting on. But topics like how she’s essentially an Immortal Being are best avoided, for a lot of reasons.

Just by reverting to her new body, Belle can draw a lot of eyes. More attention and discussion about her, the heroes, and their war efforts means potentially more faith in them. Right now, that is what Lutz needs more than anything else.

As popular as Belle is with her divine-looking body, another girl is drawing just as much attention. The reason for the focus on the other girl is far different than the reason so many young men have gathered around Belle, but the other girl has her share of suitors garnering for her attention as well, something that no doubt makes her uncomfortable.

“Thank you for all your support.” High Priest Miri manages a respectable smile. “Please keep to your faith, and the Goddess will see us through these hard times.”

“I’m certain of it,” the noblewoman responds. “We have never lost a Great War with the Goddess leading us to victory.”

The ceremony for Miri has already come and gone, making her Orakio’s newest High Priest. They even spent time beating dungeon guardians right after, something Lutz enjoyed far more than the stiff tradition of a High Priest’s coronation.

This royal party is both a celebration for her while also being a way to keep Lutz in the spotlight as much as possible for the last couple days before the battle. For those with enough social awareness to pick up on that, maybe they think that’s the reason why Miri and Lutz are always together tonight.

But the truth is that Miri just doesn’t do well around men, unless Lutz is there by her side.

“Tales of your powerful magic have spread through all my circles.” A young nobleman with gel-slicked hair brings Belle’s attention back to her own group, one that consists entirely of men. “As a mage hardened by combat, I hope to see it for myself one day.”

“Are you going to be at the battle? It’s the day after tomorrow, so if you want to see it, you won’t have to wait long.”

“Alas, I was deemed too inexperienced, despite my adventures into the wilderness surrounding Roshar. It seems I will need to wait yet longer.”

“Maybe if you had a few more years, you’d be there with us.”

“That is most certainly the case!”

To Belle, the young noble is strong enough to join them. She had seen others who were weaker than him, yet they’re going to battle the world-ending threat alongside her. But those men weren’t the sons of powerful nobles.

Hold your tongue, Belle. Even if he seems useless, he can at least give us his faith.

“I hope you will be here to welcome us back after our victory.” Belle gives the gel-haired young noble a smile he won’t forget.

“I’ll spare no expense to be front and center on your return!” He completely falls for it.

The day began with many things to do. There was a war meeting, a High Priest coronation, a trip to the dungeons, and now a royal party. But all those events are now in the past, including the party itself.

Although Belle is still attending, it officially ended nearly fifteen minutes ago. The problem is that so many of the guests are still here, wanting to talk to the heroes who will soon be fighting a battle that will determine the fate of the world.

Even as a person who loves the spotlight, Belle is ready to retire. Knowing Lutz, he was ready to disappear before the party even began.

Actually, he said almost exactly that at some point, so it’s not like Belle is drawing upon some deep understanding to come to her conclusion.

The group around Belle is still large enough to fully encircle her if they wanted, but it’s thinned out enough that she can see between the nobles. There are other groups like hers, some larger, but most smaller. They’re thinning out just like her own, so it won’t be long before they leave the party.

While looking at the others, Belle meets the eye of a young nobleman. He’s standing near a group of his peers who are talking to Tylith, but he doesn’t seem to be listening.

As soon as their gazes meet, the noble turns back toward Tylith.

If you’re going to keep looking at me, then just come say hello.

It’s not the first time Belle noticed that young man’s stare. She never sees him engaging with Tylith, so she can’t help but wonder just what he’s doing over there.

Noble etiquette has already begun adapting to the lost magics, with it being considered rude to [Scry] others at gatherings like this. So, Belle can’t even check the man’s name without getting hit with some questionable looks by those who are detecting the use of magic.

Oh, well. Not like it really matters.

With more of her group saying their goodbyes, Belle finds herself with only a handful of conversation partners left. The same is true for almost everyone else, with the only exception being Miri and Lutz.

Those two had the largest crowd to begin with, so it only makes sense that they’d still be entertaining guests when everyone else has already finished.

Guess I’ll get a little fresh air while they wrap up.

“Sorry, everyone,” Belle says to the last few in her group. “I’m going to take a short walk before the party ends. Thank you for all the great discussions, and I hope you will come to see me off before we leave for battle.”

Not a single person stands in Belle’s way as she exits the main hall and begins walking the corridors. After a couple quick turns, she pushes on a door that leads outside.

The castle’s enclosed garden is a sight to behold during the day, but the sun disappeared a long time ago. The hedge walls, which normally guide visitors through the garden, are now covered in darkness.

There are a lot of interesting places to see, but going alone at night just doesn’t have the same feeling as it does when sitting next to a fountain alongside a lively group of people. So, Belle simply walks up to the veranda wall, which overlooks the garden’s entrance.

Guess I don’t need this body anymore.

She reactivates [Transform], and her looks change. The light green hair that stands out even in the darkness of night is replaced by her usual blue. With the complete change of her appearance, her light-colored dress becomes a complete mismatch.

It vanishes, too. Belle doesn’t go back to her usual outfit, since it’s too casual for a royal party, even one that’s technically over. Instead, she opts for another of her noble dresses, one that she bought to match her original body.

Sure is a nice night. Wouldn’t it be great if every night could be like this?

So many things to do, enough events to tire me out, and lots of people to meet and talk to the whole time.

Too bad there’s only one night left before the battle.

The day after tomorrow. Never before has such a time felt so short to Belle. Today began with so much to do, but it all ended before she knew it.

She suspects the final day would be no different.

That’s fine. Let’s just get it over with. After that, we can have all the fun we want!

But first…

Belle focuses on a source of mana behind her, one she recognizes despite not even knowing their name.

Why did that noble who’s been staring at me decide to follow me out here?

[Belle in her midnight outfit]

----- Noel -----

She’s radiant…

Noel de Vaelmont, the youngest son of an earl, stands captured by someone who barely even knows he exists. A girl, with green hair that seems to glow alongside the magical light that illuminates the ball room.

Rumors of the heroes are plentiful. By now, any noble with a hint of interest knows how each of them look, even if they’ve never seen them with their own eyes.

Yet there’s one of the heroes who’s said to have two identities. Most of the time, she can be seen with blue hair, blending in with the others.

But some say that on rare occasions, one may be lucky enough to see what she truly looks like. Stories vary, with some even claiming that Belle is the Goddess incarnate, come to finish the war herself.

Laughable, he thought. Until he saw her.

Could she … could she really be the Goddess herself?

Noel hadn’t received an invitation. As the youngest son of an earl, he’s not important enough to be personally invited. But his father is, albeit barely.

Unfortunately, Earl Vaelmont has a difficult time waiting until nightfall before indulging in drink. When it became clear that his father would be too inebriated to make the party, Noel made sure that the invitation wouldn’t go to waste.

Through the crowd between them, Belle suddenly meets his eyes. Unable to hold her gaze, Noel looks away. It’s not the first time, either.

What am I doing…?

Not only is Noel surrounded by nobles far above his own station, but the royal family and heroes are all here. If he were to make even the smallest misstep, he’s sure they’d just kick him out.

If she were to see a scene like that, I’d probably die from shame.

Content to simply watch from afar, Noel turns his eyes back to the vampire hero nearest him.

The night has already gotten long, the party having dwindled to only a fraction of the size it was when it began. Noel had arrived late and planned to leave early, as his attendance is more from favorable circumstances than conscious intent.

Yet somehow, Noel is still at the party, even after its official end.

Feeling like he should leave soon, he turns his eyes to the main exit. As he does so, movement catches his attention, coming from the direction where most of his focus has been all night.

Belle’s group begins to disperse, with the hero herself walking across the ballroom floor. She doesn’t make for the main exit, but instead to a small door that leads to an interconnected hallway.

Noel watches as the green-haired girl disappears from the party floor.

Good timing, I suppose. I need to leave before so few people are left that someone notices the fourth son of an earl.

His eyes are on the main exit, the door that will lead him back home, where he should already be by now. He takes the first step, but strangely, the main exit grows more distant.

Another door grows closer, instead.

Am I really going to follow her…?

Noel’s body has already made a choice, despite his mind. Through the side exit he goes, into a hallway that connects to several different places within the castle. He catches a glimpse of her going around a corner, so he matches her steps.

She’s going out to the garden? At this time of night?

It’s late enough that Noel would likely be asleep, if he weren’t at the royal party. A midnight walk outside isn’t that unheard of, but he simply hadn’t expected it.

I should leave. Nobody else is out there, so it’d be strange for me to follow her like this.

Noel stands looking at the door that leads out to the enclosed castle garden. Despite his thoughts, that door begins to grow closer.

My father is already ridiculed for his drinking habits, and my eldest brother hasn’t been able to earn anyone’s respect. At this rate, our family will just become a mockery.

Noel had spoken to a few of the lower nobles during the party, but he made sure to stay away from anyone with enough power to ask why an unknown noble kid had been invited.

If he leaves now, it would be like he had never gone in the first place. His hand pushes on the door, revealing the veranda on the other side, dimly lit with magical orbs that give just enough light to see.

Leaning on the railing that gives a grand view of the night sky is a girl with blue hair and a matching dress, her back turned as she peers up at the darkness. Rays of moonlight stream in from the edge of the veranda, cascading over her midnight-blue hair and dress.

It’s … her.

Noel has never seen her original form, but he’s still confident that his intuition is correct. They say the heroes have mysterious powers that let them summon their equipment whenever they want, so the same can be true of clothes.

Although he’s the only one on the veranda with Belle, he doesn’t speak a single word. He doesn’t know what to even say to one of the summoned heroes, especially in a situation like this.

“Well?” Belle is the first to break the silence, though she doesn’t even turn to look at him. “Did you have something to ask?”

Her tone is the same as it’s been all night, sociable and playful, though it lacks the same energy from when she was speaking with the others.

“I, um…” Noel has a lot of questions. Where she’s from, her afternoon hobbies, which sweets she prefers. But when faced with her direct question, none of them seem right to ask.

“Is something wrong?”

“That’s not it. I just … couldn’t leave the party without saying … something. Anything.”

“Anything?” Belle finally turns to face him, her outline framed by the streams of moonlight. “Hahaha! I didn’t expect to hear an answer like that!”

Her laugh sounds a little different from all the ones he heard from her at the party. Noel isn’t sure what to make of the change of tone in her voice and laugh, and he has a hard time thinking about it when looking into her eyes.

Emerald green, shining gently in the scarce veranda light. They seem to cast a spell on him, as it takes great effort just to open his mouth.

“Divine…”

“Me? You mean my other form, right?”

“No, I mean right now.”

Belle looks surprised. “Another answer I didn’t expect. You’re pretty good at that! Say, what’s your name?”

“It’s … Noel. Noel de Vaelmont.”

“I see. Well, Noel, I’m glad you decided that you had to say ‘anything’ before leaving.” She steps away from the railing and walks right up to Noel. “Next time, feel free to join my group at the royal party.”

Belle continues by him, heading toward the door that leads back into the castle. “And thank you for the compliment.”

The door shuts, leaving Noel alone on the dimly lit veranda.

I don’t know what came over me, but…

I’m glad I said ‘anything’, too.

It may be useless to pursue one of the heroes, but flowers can be admired from afar, especially those said to bloom with divine power.

Now without regrets, Noel finally leaves the castle, his head full of flowers even long after returning to his estate.