Chapter 100: The Temptation of the Snake

Zahak’s perspective.

Ever since I was a child, I believed that people who developed their talents would contribute to the empire’s prosperity, and by extension, would contribute to human society and the world.

Those beliefs destroyed the old tradition of the aristocratic system that prevailed in this world, and advocated that those with new power and talent, called the Hero system, should rise to the top.

And that’s when I understood.

When that system was established, I realized that I would not be the one to sit on the throne of this empire.

「Brother, this is a joyous occasion! Finally, I have been recognized by the Goddess and given the title of Great Hero, the highest rank in the hero system!」

「I see, that’s splendid. As expected of my younger brother, Rostam. 」

Our empire was a country that prospered centered on the aristocratic system.

Therefore, the right of succession to the throne was originally my right, as the eldest child.

However, ironically, the reforms I was about to carry out resulted in the empire’s succession shifting to the more powerful and talented Rostam.

Ever since I was young, I had seen Rostam’s talent more than anyone else did.

That’s why I thought that Rostam, who was more talented than me, should be on the throne.

There should be no regrets at all.

「Brother…I heard the other day that you weren’t able to qualify as a Great hero, but please don’t worry about it. I believe that one day you’ll be able to join me. 」

「…Ah, yes, I’m sorry. Rostam…」

I should have thought that way, but at some point, I began to feel anxiety, impatience, and jealousy towards Rostam, who was leaving me behind while walking forward with brilliance.

「Lord Zahak! Please reconsider! If you don’t take action now, your younger brother, Rostam, will take your right to succession! 」

「The empire is a country that emphasizes lineage. It’s outrageous for the royal court to leave the eldest son in the dark and talk about the succession of the second son of the monarch! When asked, Rostam showed a move to abolish the aristocratic system and launch a new Hero system. Lord Zahak, you should banish Rostam immediately! 」

「…Shut your mouths. 」

I unintentionally gave a low warning to the annoying voices of my retainers, and they retreated in fear.

「…Rostam is more talented than I am, and has earned the title of Great Hero…There’s no need to debate which one is truly suitable for the throne…」

I spit it out and walked down the hallway.

As I walked along, I heard the whispering voices of the entire court.

「Did you hear about Lord Rostam getting the title of Great Hero? 」

「What? It’s extremely difficult to reach top of the Hero system! I heard that only four people have reached the top! As expected of Lord Rostam. If he was the eldest son, there would be no problem at all. 」

「Recently, Lord Rostam’s wisdom and talent have surpassed that of his older brother, Lord Zahak. That’s exactly the kind of person fit to be an emperor. 」

「Lord Zahak, on the other hand…Well, of course, he has some talent, but compared to Lord Rostam…」

「It feels like he has lost the ambition he used to have. 」

「It can’t be helped. It’s natural to lose confidence in front of his brother’s enormous talent. 」

With those rumors behind my back, I returned to my room and quietly looked in the mirror.

I was so busy with work that I had dark circles under my eyes, and the dignified self I had before seemed to have faded away.

No, I knew.

I no longer had the image of an emperor I was born with.

It was because I had accepted the reality.

My younger brother Rostam was the one who deserved to be the emperor of this country.

I deserved to be in his shadow.

The more I admitted it, the more I realized that my inner self was getting darker.

It was then.

「Even if you know, it’s unexpectedly painful to admit it. Heir to the throne of the empire. 」

「…Who are you? 」

When I looked, there was a man standing by the window before I knew it.

A man I didn’t recognize.

I still couldn’t forget the narrow eyes and the cold expression of that man, which reminded me of a fox or even a snake.

However, it was clear that such man was an intruder.

Zahak pulled out the sword hanging at his waist and pointed it at the man, but the man didn’t seem particularly concerned and continued to talk.

「Zahak. At this rate, the gap between you and your brother will remain wide. You probably won’t be able to become one of the Great Heroes, and you will be rejected by everyone, including your brother. Ironically. Because of the Hero system, you, who is inferior in ability, will be separated from your younger brother. 」

「You bastard…」

「You know, right now, that will definitely happen. 」

Even though he had mixed feelings about what the man said, Zahak basically agreed with him.

He knew that he had a mediocre talent unlike Rostam’s abilities.

He thought that he would be unable to support Rostam even as a shadow.

They were too different.

At this rate, he would always harbor fear and jealousy by knowing he would be left behind by his younger brother.

「If you don’t mind, let me help you. Let me help you get your talent. 」

「…What? 」

The man picked up something after saying those words.

It was something red, some kind of fruit.

He threw it at Zahak, who picked it up.

「…What’s this? 」

「Do you know about the fruit of the Tree of Life? 」

Zahak was startled by the man’s voice.

It was the fruit of the World Tree that could only be obtained by those who became the pinnacle of all heroes, the Great Heroes.

In this world, there was a skill called “Creation Skill” that used the almighty power.

As the name suggested, it was a skill that was comparable to the creation done by God, by creating or transforming something.

There were two ways to get this.

One was to obtain and eat what the fruit of the Tree of Life.

There were two ways to eat this fruit.

When a hero who had earned more than a certain amount of hero points determined by the Goddess was recognized as a Great Hero, he was guided to the Goddess by a messenger, and given the fruit of this Tree of Life to eat.

This was the case with my younger brother Rostam. When Rostam was recognized as a Great Hero, he was guided to the Goddess, and acquired the creation skill by eating the fruit.

Another method was to find a fruit that was said to lay somewhere in this world and eat it.

However, this was also called a trial that was practically comparable of the Great Hero points.

Traveling around the world, traversing the ruins where the fruit was said to be laying, and defeating the guardians there to obtain the fruit.

The War Hero Amines ate the fruit by using this path.

It was said that she was instantly recognized as a Great Hero due to the achievements of her journey and the acquisition of her creation skills.

And there was another way to get the creative skills.

It was a method of acquiring creation skills through own growth and evolution without eating the fruit.

Originally, this type of creation skill was said to be a skill given when the person’s evolution was complete.

But no one had done it.

Everyone thought this method was an illusion that only existed in lore, but they were mistaken.

Ferid was called the Brave Hero.

It was said that he single-handedly defeated an SS-rank monster, and at that time acquired the creation skill himself.

But in any case, I had given up on the idea since I couldn’t compete with either of them with my ability.

The World Tree’s fruit that contained the creation skill that I gave up was now in front of me.

「If you eat it, you’ll have creation skills. Well, this is a method of getting only the result instead of fighting for it, but it’s also a way to get it. Acquiring creation skills also increases the chances of you becoming a Great Hero. It’s not a bad choice for you either.」

「…What’s your purpose? 」

「Purpose? You’re a very skeptical person. I have no such thing. Well, if you want me to say something, then…」

At that moment, the man’s narrow, closed eyes opened, revealing his golden eyes like those of a snake.

「I want to see how people like you struggle and grow, that human hymn. That’s all. 」

Zahak felt a distorted sensation from the man’s words, as if he was being swallowed by a snake and slowly being digested.

「You…who the hell are you…? 」

 The man narrowed his eyes again at Zahak’s question and answered quietly.

「Hmm, let’s use the name “snake”. Well then, Lord Zahak, the first heir to the throne of the empire. Please let me sing the human hymn you create. 」

After saying those words, the man who called himself Snake disappeared.

All that was left behind was the fruit of the World Tree that was grasped in Zahak’s hand.

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Happy 100^th chapter!!!