Legend of Lodoss: The Legendary Hero (novel)

Legend of Lodoss 4: The Legendary Hero
Author	Ryo Mizuno
Illustrations	Akihiro Yamada
Japanese title	ロードス島伝説４ 伝説の英雄
Romanized title	rōdosu-tō densetsu 4 densetsu no eiyū
Publication information
Original release	26 March 1998
Chapters	A New Premonition Miracle of the Saint Beyond the Legend
Pages	320
ISBN-13	978-4044604189
Novels
← Previous	Glorious Champion
Next →	Saint of the Supreme God

Legend of Lodoss 4: The Legendary Hero is a light novel written by Ryo Mizuno and illustrated by Akihiro Yamada. It is the fifth novel in the Legend of Lodoss (ロードス島伝説, rōdosu-tō densetsu) series, a prequel series to the main Record of Lodoss War light novels.

In the books' afterword, Mizuno explained that he intended The Legendary Hero to be the final volume of the series, with main character Nasher's story coming full circle. This would mean the final battle of the Six Heroes against the Demon King would not be covered in the series. However, Mizuno also wrote he did intend to one day write about Flaus' story in the Deepest Labyrinth, and write an in-depth story about the release of the demons. Eventually, those events were covered in Eternal Returner in 1999 and Saint of the Supreme God in 2002.

Following the events of The Glorious Champion, the Allied Order of Knights and the Hundred Heroes led by Nasher, turn the battle to the demons in the south of Moss. Their initial target is “Dragon Tail” Russen, which Nasher believes is vital in quelling the demon army.

Synopsis

　A woman with long black hair arrives at the Temple of Marfa in Tarba village, Alania. Her name is Neese. She tells the priestess who welcomes her back that she is looking for the Mirror of Truth, one of the Governor’s Treasures that was guarded by the ice dragon, Bramd. The mirror has the power to reveal the truth of the past and now. After Neese recovers the treasure from the treasury, she takes off.

　Now alone, "Neese" changes back to herself, the masked warrior-mage, starts speaking in ancient language against the mirror, and suddenly disappears.

　In “Dragon’s Eye” Highland, Moss, the Allied Order of Knights and the Hundred Heroes gathered. Duke Mycen had appointed Dragon Knight Nasher as leader of the volunteer army. A challenging task, even for Nasher, but he was fortunate to have dependable allies in Beld, Fahn, Wort, Flaus, Neese and Flaibe. Nasher decided to appoint a representive for each unit and have that representative participate in the war council. Those who act alone will have to report to the main unit. The army will suffer many casualties, but will eventually become an army of elites.

　Following this, Nasher returns to his room. After some time, Princess Raffinia knocks on the door and entered. She has brought Nasher a cup of herbs from Tatus, to alleviate his tired mind. The two gently kiss. Nasher tells Raffinia that he used to believe it was his destiny to fight the demons and settle the past, but that has changed since he met Raffinia. Nowadays, he can look at the future.

　At the city of Muskett, the army led by Duke Jarbay of Venon begins their attack on the now demon-controlled city. The Duke had received information that his brother Duon, the Duke of Muskett, had sided with the demons. Jarbay's attack was a political move. A move for show, to save Venon's prestige to some extent. Jarbay is assisted by Jester, who is watching the battle from above on his dragon Whiptail.

　At night in Highland, wine is being served in each of the dormitories where the Hundred Heroes are staying. Nasher visits each of the dormatories, to get a bit acquainted with the heroes. In one of the dormitories he meets a man who is called “Saint”, a man who is said to be able to tell if someone is replaced by a doppelgänger. Though Saint comes across as patronising and feeling superior, Nasher feels he could be useful in finding out whether his father is replaced by a demon or not. The Twin Princes Frey and Risen, along with the bard Yuri, had also returned to Highland.

　After movement in the demon army is reported, a war council is being held in Highland. Prince Barran proposes a simultaneous attack on Russen and Muskett, from “Dragon Flame” Harkane in to the west and “Dragon Scale” Venon to the northeast. Nasher has a different idea. He requests 12.000 men from the “Hero corps” to liberate only Russen, and not Harkane. A small army could be send to Muskett to prevent it from sending reinforcements to Russen. Nobody objects and Archduke Mycen gives his approval.

　Beld and Fahn are having a sparring match. They are watched by Flaus and Flaibe. While observing Beld, Flaus believes he is a man whose heart is covered in darkness and that she can pray to clear it. Fahn, on the other hand, believes that once the darkness disappears, so does Beld. He wonders if Beld stands up to unite Lodoss, will he fight alongside him, or against him? From an unknown location, the masked warrior-mage is using the Mirror of Truth, who depicts Wort and several other people at a table (probably Nasher, Beld, Fahn, Flaus, Flaibe and Neese, though this is not made perfectly clear in the novel). The warrior-mage ponders about who to side with; Wort, or the demons?

　An unspecified amount of time later, Nasher, riding Whirlwind, and the Hundred Heroes march towards Russen. Also on their way to Russen are Duke Hessler of Russen and Prince Barran, leading their portion of the Allied Order of Knights and Dragon Flame knights. Their first target is a fortress on the border of Russen. After some initial difficulties, Whirlwind destroys the fortress wall by beating it with its wings, allowing the army to breach the fortress and overtake it. Following their victory, the armies set up camp to rest for the night. That night the Hundred Heroes and the Hundred Heroes are attacked by the demon army. The fight lasts until the next morning, when the heroes defeat the demon army. Nasher proposes to use the momentum and day break (demons are nightly creatures) to press the attack and head for Sun Dome castle.

　Barran and his knights of the Allied Order of Knights cut a path through an army of pseudo-lifeforms for Nasher and the Hundred Heroes, after which the Hundred Heroes storm the walls that protect Sun Dome castle. Wort and Neese observe the battle from a distance. Whereas Neese seems to doubt a good result, Wort is sure Nasher will win and reclaim Russen, because even though the walls look strong, it doesn't have enough troops to withstand the attack. Using a magic stone, Wort summoned the meteor spell to destroy the tower above the castle gate. Troops lead by Fahn and Flaibe breach the gate and storm the royal castle. Once they are within the castle walls, enemy human archers line up on the walls and begin firing arrows. Fahn and Flaibe split their forces, hiding behind buildings on either side of the area. Using their shields for cover, they manage to get near the enemy archers, who then switch to their swords. The heroes are able to beat the enemy force, which included a grunel and a flying demon, before sunset.

　Nasher, Flaus and Beld rushed inside the citadel. Once they enter the throne room, Nasher meets with an old acquaintance, Hugo, the former chancellor of Skard, who is in the room with a demon general and two archdemons. Hugo is one of the humans who sided with the demons, but he had no choice if he wanted to survive. Nasher requests his surrender and Hugo begins crying tears of relief and offers his help to Nasher. He bows down in front of Nasher, but never stands up again as the demon general decapitates him. Beld challenges the demon general to a duel, while Nasher and Flaus deal with the two archdemons. Beld refuses help, which Wort believes is a good idea. Just like in Raiden, if Beld succeeded a story would spread over Lodoss that just one man can kill a demon general. Nasher and Flaus defeat the archdemons, and after a tough fight, Beld kills, decapitates and slices up the demon general. Beld is stained with the black blood of the demon general and suddenly, the blood begins to move and enter Beld's body, turning him into a berserker. Beld fights Nasher, who manages to parry his blows, at least for now. Wort explains this is the demon's curse, and the only way to defeat it is with the miracle of a priest. Flaus offers to help the man she loves, and calls the supreme god Pharis. She is enveloped in bright light, making even Wort question what he is seeing. With Flaus' spell completed, Beld returns to himself again and the victory of the heroes quickly spreads throughout Lodoss.

　A month has passed since the liberation of “Dragon Tail” Russen. Archduke Mycen and three princes Alondo, Barran and Jester are discussing politics in Highland. Unbeknownst to them, the “Grey One” is watching them via the Mirror of Truth. The masked warrior-mage has decided someone needs to be eliminated in order for Lodoss to remain “Grey”. Could it be Mycen, Beld, Fahn, Wort or all of them?

　Meanwhile, the Hundred Heroes, led by Nasher, have surrounded Muskett for about a month, and have made their move inwards. In a battle similar to that at Russen, the heroes manage to defeat the demons and liberate the city of Muskett. Beld and Flaus teamed up to defeat the third demon general. Only one remained. Duke Duon of Muskett died and had Nasher tell the world he was replaced by a demon to counter any rumours he sided with the demons.

　Some time after the liberation of Muskett, the masked warrior-mage, upon consulting the Mirror of Truth once more, has made a decision on who to eliminate. Sometime later, Nasher is summoned to an audience with Duke Mycen and the three princes. To Nasher's surprise, Mycen tells him he is dismissed as general of the Hero corps. A mysterious masked figure steps away from the shadows, who Nasher recognizes as the warrior-mage who was present at the battle of Skard. The warrior-mage shows him the Mirror of Truth, which reveals to Nasher the truth behind the liberation of the demon army; Alondo of Venon wanted to marry Reena, and use their marriage to annex Skard and kill Bruuk and Nasher, but Bruuk wouldn't give Reena to him. A war would break out and to ensure victory, Bruuk released the demons from the labyrinth. With the demons under his control, the terminally ill Bruuk would aim to conquer Lodoss. He knew his son wouldn't approve of his actions and oppose him and when they would finally meet, he would allow Nasher to kill him, making his son the long-sought Hero King of a unified Lodoss.

　With the truth revealed, Nasher realises he can no longer lead the Hundred Heroes, or be the symbol for the people he had become throughout the wars. Everything had gone pretty much according to Bruuk's scheme so far. Even Mycen had foolishly, unknowingly, played along with the scheme. Yet, the demons are still not defeated. Nasher turns to Mycen and proclaims himself as King of the Demons, and pretends he has knowingly been part of his father's scheme. He quickly summons Whirlwind and flees the castle.

　Outside, Nasher thinks about his father and sister. He wants closure, and believes finding out what exactly happened to them—which the Mirror could not reveal—will help him find that closure. He meets with the warrior-mage and requests the mage's help. Now without an army to lead, he intends to head to Skard alone and meet his father. He realises how difficult the quest is and that he may not return, but he wants to fulfill his father's wish but ending him himself. The masked warrior-mage is impressed with Nasher, and as a sign of respect the mage reveals her true self. She introduces herself as Karla, a sorceress from the ancient kingdom of Kastuul. If Nasher does not return, he wants Karla to use the Mirror of Truth to reveal to important figures of Lodoss, and those important to him, his real reasons for heading to Skard. Nasher has a final request for Karla, which is to spend time with his fiancée Raffinia. Using a teleportation spell, Karla grants Nasher his wish.

　Later, Nasher arrives at Grain Hold castle, watched by Karla, Duke Mycen, Prince Jester, Prince Alondo, Prince Barran, Beld, Fahn, Flaibe, Neese, Flaus, Wort and the Saint and his companion through the Mirror of Truth. He heads to the throne room, where he meets his father sitting on the throne, with his sister Reena beside him. After a brief conversation, Nasher approaches his father, quickly grabs his sword, and beheads him, revealing his father to be a doppelgänger. Suddenly, he finds his sister Reena standing besides him. She has pierced Nasher's stomach with a large coal-black blade. Nasher understands he is facing the Demon King and strikes it with his sword, but to no effect. He summons Whirlwind, and, both fatally wounded, escape.

　As Nasher and Whirlwind fly away, the Demon King finds its way to Overcliff castle and faces off against everyone present. Nobody is able to make any headway against the Demon King and his regenerative ability. When the situation is looking increasingly dire, Neese calls for a miracle of Marfa, which heals everyone and seriously damages the Demon King, who then takes off. During the fight, Beld and Flaibe got hit by the Demon King's sword, and felt like their souls were being crushed. They dub the sword Demon Sword “Soul Crusher” and believe it could be key in defeating the Demon King. Thus begins the final battle.

　In the epilogue, Nasher wakes up on Whirlwind's back and Whirlwind reveals to Nasher he has died. He and Whirlwind were put into a sleep of rebirth, a magic from the dragon tribe, and will one day wake up and return.

Characters appearing

In order of appearance.

• The masked warrior-mage
• Nasher
• Beld
• Wort
• Fahn
• Princess Raffinia of Highland
• Flaus
• Duke Duon of Muskett
• Duke Jarbay of Venon
• Prince Jester of Highland
• Dragon Whiptail
• “The Saint”
• Frey
• Risen
• Yuri, the bard
• Prince Barran of Harkane
• Prince Alondo of Venon
• Flaibe
• Whirlwind
• Duke Hessler of Russen
• Chancellor Hugo
• Karla
• Duke Bruuk of Skard
• Princess Reena of Skard
• Demon King

Gallery

Intertitle “Flaus’ miracle enveloped Beld” Nasher and Raffinia Fahn, Flaus and King Flaibe Neese and Wort Berserker Beld versus Nasher Nasher versus the Demon King, with Soul Crusher