The Lowest-Ranked Hero Has Returned

[Translator - Night]

[Proofreader - Gun]

Chapter 133: The Legacy of the Iron Fist (2)

What exactly does it mean to be a genius?

Someone who masters techniques that others must repeat thousands or even tens of thousands of times, with just one try?

A person who looks at a complex web of formulas and finds the correct answer on the first attempt?

Of course, that would fit within the definition of a ‘genius.’

‘But.’

That’s something one can eventually catch up to with time and effort.

If you can master the technique, even after repeating it a thousand or ten thousand times.

If you can derive the right answer, no matter how complex the formula, by breaking it down step by step.

Is the difference between a genius and an ordinary person just a matter of time?

‘No.’

I know.

Because I've spent more time than anyone else.

Because I’ve poured in more effort than anyone else.

I know that no matter how hard an ordinary person struggles, they can never even come close to the heels of a true genius.

And now, right before my eyes, that ‘genius’ was swinging a brilliantly burning sword.

"Seventh Form of the Sun Sword, Variant Style, Radiant Ring - Chain."

Rings of light formed in mid-air, connecting together to create chains of light.

The chains of light, swirling along the sword's path, densely covered the entire surrounding space.

It was as if a golden palace made of light had been constructed in mid-air.

The brilliance of the scene sent a chilling thrill down my spine.

‘What is that?’

Not even Yuren in my previous life had ever shown such a technique.

Even I, who prided myself on having mastery of the Sun Sword that was second to none, had never been able to string together radiant rings to create chains of light.

‘And doing that while controlling the aura’s color?’

Yurina’s original aura color is a cool silver, like moonlight.

But when she takes on Yuren’s form, she suppresses her mana to change her aura to gold, which was always a tedious process.

‘And yet, she’s controlling the aura’s color while displaying such intricate swordsmanship?’

It’s like trying to thread a needle while wearing thick gloves.

Of course, Yurina has been changing her aura color since she was very young, so it’s become as natural as breathing to her.

Still, controlling the aura’s color while performing such breathtaking techniques isn’t something just anyone can do.

Yes, that’s it.

‘Only a genius could pull that off.’

I clenched my fists as I watched Yuren fiercely overwhelm the Guardian.

Yes, this is it.

The awe-inspiring genius that an ordinary person can never hope to catch up to, no matter how much they struggle.

This is exactly the sight of the ‘Last Light,’ Yuren Helios, that I knew.

‘No, perhaps this is even beyond that.’

The swordsmanship that Yurina was showing now was something not even Yuren from my previous life had ever used.

In other words, her genius had already surpassed even her past self.

‘And.’

My gaze moved past Yurina to Berald, Iris, and Camilla.

Though not quite to Yurina’s level, their growth, too, was dazzling.

"Haaaah!"

Berald charged at the Guardian, which was bound by chains of light.

With a large fist as big as a cauldron lid, he swung it toward the Guardian.

[Target action pattern analysis.]

[Analysis result: Specialized in hand-to-hand combat. Warrior class.]

[Difficulty level – Medium.]

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“Warrior, you say? What nonsense is that?”

Berald grinned, and just as he was about to thrust his fist forward, he suddenly withdrew it and stomped the ground forcefully with a high kick.

"Earthquake!"

Boom!

With a violent impact, the ground beneath the Guardian caved in.

As the Guardian staggered, losing its balance, Berald drew back his leg as if to kick a ball.

Berald’s martial arts.

Thunder Kick.

Boom!

The kick, swung with tremendous speed, smashed into the Guardian’s knee.

With a grotesque cracking sound, the Guardian’s knee bent at an unnatural angle, and it collapsed on the spot.

“See? Anyone can tell I’m a full-fledged magician, right?”

Berald looked down at the fallen Guardian and laughed heartily.

Crackle.

Sparks began to erupt around the Guardian’s body.

[Ma? gic?]

[Target’s speech pattern undecipherable.]

[Severe damage detected in the lower body.]

“Haaah!”

As the Guardian, now immobilized due to its shattered leg, lay on the ground, Camilla rushed in.

“Hup!”

She gripped her claymore, wrapped in a white aura, with both hands and swung it down fiercely.

Clang!

The Guardian raised its arm to block her sword.

[Target action pattern analysis.]

[Analysis result: Two-handed sword user, warrior class. Attack pattern is direct and straightforward.]

[Difficulty level – Low.]

“Grr…”

Camilla frowned as she heard the mechanical voice emanating from the Guardian.

Once again.

Her sword had been evaluated as “straightforward.”

- Candidate Camilla, your swordsmanship is too honest. It might be good to learn some more techniques.

She recalled what Professor Elisha had said during the final assessment.

‘…Technique.’

It’s not like she hadn’t tried.

She had attempted to incorporate technique into her swordsmanship, to wield her blade with more elegance.

‘But.’

Every time, she was reminded of the scene from her childhood.

During the selection exam for Holy Knights.

The sword of Johann Basilio, ranked 4th among the current heroes, the ‘Sword of the Holy Kingdom,’ which she had witnessed up close.

‘Sir Johann’s sword was straightforward too.’

A sword without any finesse, purely honest and upright.

As a child, she had trembled in awe at the sight of his sword.

She had dreamed of becoming a hero with an upright sword like Sir Johann someday.

But now…

‘Is that something I can never reach?’

Camilla bit her lip and tightened her grip on her sword.

Following Professor Elisha's advice, she tried to imbue her sword with a 'technique' as she swung it.

"You don't need to force any technique into it."

A quiet voice drifted over.

"Just swing the sword the way you want to. In a way that's true to you."

"...Hmph."

Camilla glanced back at me, scoffing.

[Translator - Night]

[Proofreader - Gun]

"What do you know about me to say something like that?"

"Well, I don't know you in detail. We've only known each other for a few months, after all."

In truth, I didn't know much about her.

In my previous life, she had fallen victim to the schemes of the Archbishop of Illusions and lost her life.

"And yet you still…"

"But I do know one thing."

I continued, looking at Camilla.

"Right now, in this holy kingdom, there's no one else who could inherit the title of 'Sword of the Holy Kingdom' but you."

In my past life, after the death of Johann Basilio, no one had inherited the title of 'Sword of the Holy Kingdom.'

"So, swing the sword the way you want to."

"......"

Camilla's gaze wavered slightly.

"Hmph. You sure know how to talk."

She turned away, a faint smile on her lips.

"Lady Saint! Please grant us your blessing!"

"Understood!"

A pure white light flowed into our bodies, filling us with vitality.

I channeled that overflowing energy into my sword.

"Haaaah!"

And swung the sword again.

Just like the sword I saw as a child.

An endlessly honest and upright sword.

[Target action detected.]

[Counter-protocol activated━]

Crack!

Camilla's sword cleaved the guardian's head in two.

Sparks flew from the split head, and the guardian's movements completely halted.

"Hah, hah."

"Whew. After moving all day, I’m a bit worn out."

"Ugh… I agree."

"Everyone, come over here. I'll cast a spell to help recover your fatigue."

With the guardian fully stopped, the party members collapsed to the ground as if they had been waiting for permission.

Watching them, I nodded in satisfaction.

‘At first, I was worried I had brought these guys to ruins that were too tough for their current level.’

Maybe the effect of the whip(?) had worked.

After initially being overwhelmed by the guardians, the party members started showing noticeable improvement.

‘Everyone here is a genius capable of leaving their mark on history.’

Their talent had bloomed so brilliantly that it was surprising, even compared to my previous life.

‘When extraordinary talent is combined with the right experience,’

They can grow at an absurd pace, just like this.

"Good work, everyone."

I approached the party and offered them a cooled water bottle.

"Thanks. I’ll drink it… Ah."

Yuren, reaching out to grab the water, lost his grip, and the bottle slipped from his hands.

I quickly caught the falling bottle.

"S-sorry. I guess I don’t even have the strength to hold it…."

"I'll feed you. Just tilt your head back."

"...You're going to feed me?"

"Yeah. You don’t have the strength to drink right now, do you?"

"Ahem... Alright."

Yuren swallowed nervously and tilted his head back slightly.

I reached out, supporting his head with one hand, and slowly tilted the water bottle.

Drip, drip.

The water flowed from the bottle and into Yuren's mouth.

"Gulp, gulp."

"Refreshing?"

"Me too! Please feed me too!"

Next to us, Iris, who had been watching, raised her hand excitedly.

"Huh? But Iris, you didn’t even directly participate in the battle, so..."

"Are you saying that I don't have the right to drink water because I’m a healer and didn’t directly fight?"

"...Sorry."

There’s a saying that a party that neglects its support members doesn’t last long.

"Then, hurry and feed me."

Iris quickly moved closer and opened her mouth like a baby bird.

I stifled a laugh and began feeding her water.

"Sigh. This… is like holy water from Dale…."

"No."

What is this Saint even talking about?

"Brother, give me some water too. I can't move a finger."

"Oh? Really?"

I tipped the bottle toward Berald's head as he lay down.

"Gah! Cough Splutter!"

With water gushing out, Berald rubbed his face and shot up.

"You seem to be moving just fine."

"Ugh. Isn't this a bit too much?"

Berald pouted.

I laughed, then walked over to the fallen guardian.

Inside the smashed guardian, a shimmering magic stone gleamed brilliantly.

"That's the third one."

Not all guardians carried magic stones, but they certainly had a higher drop rate than monsters.

‘This should be enough for a sacrifice, right?’

I looked at the three high-quality magic stones in my pocket, nodding in satisfaction.

"Alright. Since we’ve finished exploring the ruins, let’s head back soon."

It had been about a week since we started the exploration.

The constant battles were likely taking a toll on the party members, so it seemed like a good time to return.

"Haha! Once we get back, I’ll treat you all to a barbecue party at my place!"

Perhaps filled with excitement at the thought of soon being able to cure his father’s illness, Berald got up with an enthusiastic expression.

"Let’s see, the path was this way, right?"

"It’s the other way, you idiot."

"Huh? Brother, take a look over there."

As Berald ran off in the wrong direction, he suddenly stopped in his tracks.

"Doesn't that look like a hidden path?"

Berald was pointing to a narrow passage skillfully concealed between the ruins' walls.

‘Ah, it’s there.’

It was a place I had discovered in my previous life as well.

‘It looks like a hidden treasure room, but if you follow the path, there’s nothing there.’

Recalling the memory, I moved toward the path Berald had indicated.

The narrow path led to a spacious chamber.

Inside...

“See? There’s nothing he— Oh?”

A gauntlet emitting an unmistakably powerful magical aura was floating in midair.

“What the hell is this?”

Why is it here?

[Translator - Night]

[Proofreader - Gun]