I Became a Legend After My 10 Year-Long Last Stand

#04 AFTER TEN YEARS, I'M EVEN IN A PICTURE BOOK

A vampire high lord, huh?

Yes, sir.

My beastkin tribe is doing everything it can

to expose his plot and put a stop to it.

That's no easy opponent.

A high lord is a monster with abilities on par with a demon.

It pains me to say, my father still hasn't fully recovered.

Didn't you say he was badly injured while hunting a vampire lord?

He's still not back up to fighting strength.

When I attended the chieftain tribal council in my father's stead,

I voted against attempting any attack.

But the council are mostly hard-liners, so...

At this rate, there's a chance we'll get wiped out.

That's why you want my help in defeating the vampire high lord?

Yes, sir. That's correct.

But...

But?

There's actually something else I need to hurry and do first.

Something that takes precedence over defeating the high lord?

Must be important.

Yes, sir. It's, well...

The vampires are frantically searching for a certain chicken.

We need to find that chicken first and keep it safe.

I knew you'd take it that way!

I understand how you feel, sir!

"Why should we have to go safeguard some chicken?"

No, about that chicken...

I get it, sir! I get it!

From what I hear, it can close dimensional portals

and defend against vampire transformations.

I knew it. She's talking about Exalted Gerberga.

I can't blame you for not believing me, sir!

No, I believe you.

It's okay. I feel the same way.

I mean, after all, we're talking about a chicken!

I just said I believe you.

You're such a nice guy, sir!

In fact, you've already met him.

Huh?

So, earlier...

Lock?

Maybe it's time for introductions.

Ow...

Oh. Good evening.

Seriously?

I tried to tell you not to eavesdrop.

N-No, that's not what I was doing!

Care to explain?

Uh, well, you see...

I'm sorry!

She couldn't come up with an excuse.

Apologize to Sia, too.

I-I'm sorry.

Ma'am, if you don't tell anyone else, it's fine.

You come in here too, Luccira.

Sia, he's Luccira, from a fiend tribe.

And this is Exalted Gerberga, the Seraphowl your tribe's looking for.

Seraphowl?

What?!

Y-You already found him, sir?!

Well, only by coincidence.

I've seen his power firsthand.

A vampire was reduced to ash in an instant.

The legend must be true, then.

It is an honor to meet you, Seraphowl, sir.

The Seraphowl is safe, so that just leaves destroying the high lord.

Yes, sir.

The high lord and his minions seem to be lurking somewhere in this area.

I hope we can narrow it down a little.

We went to a lot of trouble just to get this much info.

The area is crawling with vampires, and it isn't easy to approach.

Oh, I'm excited now!

What's the matter?

I mean, Sia, Lock, and I are going to fight the high lord's forces.

Of course I'm excited!

I'm not taking you along, Celliss.

Huh? Why not?

Because it's dangerous, of course.

W-Well, then, what about Sia?

She's B-rank.

And she has to go on this hunt thanks to her tribe's laws.

Her situation's different from yours.

But...

Besides...

I need you to protect Exalted Gerberga.

Protect Gerby?

Call him "Exalted Gerberga!"

We can't take Exalted Gerberga right into the stronghold of those hunting for him.

That's true...

But if we leave him behind,

there's a risk the vampires will come attack.

The capital has a barrier,

so lord-class vampires probably won't get in.

But we still need an outstanding adventurer to act as a guard.

Outstanding adventurer?

That's right.

Outstanding?

Indeed, outstanding.

I-If you put it that way, I suppose I must!

Oh, sounds like Papa's home!

Papa?

Yeah, I didn't mention that. Celliss is Goran's daughter.

What?! Lord Morton's?

Outstanding adventurer, huh?

Hey!

Lu... Lock!

You made sure to come home today!

Again, what are you, my mother?

An employee filled me in. Thanks for looking after Celliss!

Hey, she's quite the outstanding warrior.

I know, isn't she?!

I sure am happy to hear you praise her!

Papa.

Hey, Celliss!

Congrats on completing your first job!

Listen, Papa.

Hm?

I'm sorry.

What brought this on?

C-Celliss?!

I copped such a horrible attitude with you...

N-No, I... Hey, no need to cry!

I really am sorry.

It's okay!

Doesn't bother me a bit now!

Okay?

Come on, it's all good! Okay? Yeah?

B-By the way, why were you so angry?

Because I was against you becoming an adventurer?

No, because you...

Ah, it did have to do with me?

You had an illegitimate child, or so I thought.

Say what now?

There's no way I have any of those!

Yeah, no way!

Damn straight!

I can't believe I jumped to the conclusion Lock is my little brother!

Celliss, I'm sure the answer's no...

but did you cause any trouble for Luck?

I'll go fetch everyone!

She ran for it.

Lu... Lock.

Stop making that slip!

Sorry.

Give my daughter a chance!

I had no idea she was such a disaster.

Not sure where she gets it from.

Well, I have too many memories of Eric and I

getting the short end of the stick

from all the times you used to jump to conclusions.

D-Down the road, some evil man might pull one over on her!

Whoa, hey.

Maybe I should stop her from becoming an adventurer.

She'll be fine. I'm keeping an eye on her.

Lock...

I'll keep her from going nuts.

My friend!

Thank you! Thank you!

The beard! The beard! Ow!

Papa, I brought...

T-Take your time.

See?

Don't give me that!

EXHAUSTED

We finally cleared that one up.

I can't believe it took an hour.

I'm sorry, but I mean—

Don't make this any more complicated.

Let's get down to what's important.

Oh yeah, about the vampires being up to something.

According to Sia, there's a high lord leading them.

A high lord?!

That goes beyond being the level of "trouble."

Anyway, we need to protect our secret weapon, Exalted Gerberga,

while we attack the vampire stronghold and the high lord.

Yeah, but...

If Exalted Gerberga's power is that great,

is there any chance we can get him to help?

Exalted Gerberga's power only works when the vampires transform.

Besides, trying to fight while also protecting him?

If anything went wrong, we'd be screwed.

I forgot to mention this,

but if the high lord drinks the Seraphowl's blood,

the curse will build up so fast in his medallion,

a dimensional door will open on the spot.

Huh?!

Is that true?!

I-I had no idea...

Looks like the bird himself didn't know.

The curse comes about by being a desecration of life, sir.

The more sacred the one being defiled is,

the more of the curse it can gather.