Chapter 50: The Sorrow of the Fated Hero.
As the cool beer slid down Suna’s throat, Skoll’s abrupt question caught her off guard.
“Saintess Suna, are you helping us because you know I’m a hero candidate?”
Cough cough…
Choking slightly on her drink, Suna quickly realized from Skoll’s serious expression that he hadn’t connected her to the “deceased” Suna Deadwood.
Calming herself, she replied, “I did notice your identity—or rather, the aura of the Goddess’s power around you.”
Skoll pursed his lips, and Suna continued.
“As for why I’m helping, I just despise the temple’s unfair exclusion and oppression.”
“Do you know why I’m being targeted?” Skoll asked, eyes lowered.
Ace, surprised he brought it up, called out, “Skoll?”
“I don’t know everything,” Suna said calmly. “Probably baseless accusations or suspicions. But why care about their opinions? You have bigger goals, right?”
Her composed lie was impossible to disprove through her veil.
After listening intently, Skoll lifted his head, his eyes sharp with resolve or obsessive determination.
“Thank you for your guidance, Saintess Suna.”
[Wait, I started this to stir trouble for the temple and gather intel… how did I end up counseling Skoll? Still, exposing the temple’s infighting and his mistreatment might erode his trust in it.]
As Suna inwardly grumbled, Mist whispered cautiously to Boon.
“Boon, is now a bad time to bring up that request?”
“You’re asking me? Definitely not the right moment.”
Suna caught their exchange, knowing they were debating whether to propose teaming up.
After a brief thought, she gently advised, “Boon, Mist, this is a celebration of meeting Skoll, Ace, and Frosti. We’re just getting to know each other, so let’s enjoy the meal together.”
Catching her hint, they nodded, agreeing it was better to build rapport before rushing into team proposals.
Meeting a hero candidate before the companion selection was already a stroke of luck.
After enjoying a lavish breakfast on Peter’s dime, the group headed to [Shattered Rock Arm] training grounds.
While Ace and Frosti studied magic books in the waiting room, and Boon and Mist prepared to enter their rented training room, Skoll stopped Suna.
“Saintess Suna, can we talk privately?”
“…Sure. Boon, Mist, practice what we covered yesterday. I’ll join you soon.”
After directing them, Suna followed Skoll to his training room.
“What’s on your mind, Skoll?”
“Who’s Peter? He’s not really your friend, is he?”
“Knowing that will only give you a headache. As a hero candidate—no, a hero anchored by fate—focus on growing stronger before diving into those shadows.”
Pausing, Suna added gravely, “After all, even a fate-favored hero like you can be killed if someone pays a steep enough price.”
Skoll looked puzzled, prompting Suna to sigh in disbelief.
“Seriously? They didn’t tell you even the basics about being a hero?”
She gave a quick rundown. “Heroes are chosen by the gods. From the moment they’re noticed, before they can bear a blessing, they’re protected by near-absolute fate magic. It makes them hard to kill and can backlash against those foolish enough to challenge it.”
Skoll, trembling slightly, murmured, “Does this fate magic only protect me?”
Noticing but ignoring his reaction, Suna offered advice and moved to leave.
“You can access the temple library. Look up hero lore and history alongside magic books. If there’s nothing else, I’ll get back to my mission.”
“Thanks for the reminder,” Skoll said. “One more request: can you train me in magic and combat?”
Suna paused, then declined after a moment’s thought. “Sorry, I have my mission. And you’ll soon have a proper teacher.”
[Too much contact risks exposing me. I’m worried about slip-ups! Plus, I barely know Corona Magic myself—how could I teach?]
Skoll accepted her refusal calmly. “I understand. Sorry for troubling you.”
“No big deal… See you after training.”
For the rest of the day, Suna diligently coached Boon and Mist, correcting their movements, attacks, and strategies.
During breaks, Boon and Mist bonded with Skoll, Ace, and Frosti, building rapport for future collaboration.