Book 1 Chapter 275

275

The highest floor of the Central Fortress, overlooking the entire Demian Academy at a glance.

Not only the entire view of Demian, but also the vast landscape of the Drakin Mountains could be seen at a glance.

“No matter how many times I see this scenery, it always feels overwhelming.”

Looking at the scenery that felt like it would clear her chest, Zephia, the principal of Azonia, folded her arms and curled up the corners of her mouth.

Gerrwin, the principal of Demian, smiled faintly at Zephia.

“For us dwarves, the Drakin Mountains are our pride. No matter what anyone says, it’s the land where Lord Dwenoh was born and raised.”

The Drakin Mountains.

This place, where countless ores had been buried since ancient times, was a sanctuary for dwarves.

And Dwenoh was also from the Drakin Mountains.

Zephia showed a regrettable expression at Gerrwin’s words.

“That’s a pity. There’s no record of exactly where Lord Arion was from.”

“Only the King of Wisdom and the God’s Blacksmith are great heroes whose hometowns are accurately recorded.”

Riina, the principal of Lumern, said calmly.

Her words were true.

Lishinas was from Dragonia.

Before the Age of Calamity. It was called by a different name in the Age of Gods, but Dragonia had long been known as the sanctuary of dragons.

All dragons were born in Dragonia, and Lishinas was no different.

In the case of Luna, the progenitor of the nebula, opinions were divided.

There were several places suspected as candidates, but no place was clearly known to be it.

“I don’t think you called us here to talk about such things, do you?”

Just then, a snort was heard from somewhere.

Rhagen, the acting principal of Seirun, was sitting with his arms crossed.

“Lord Gerrwin. Please tell us the reason for convening this principals’ meeting.”

“My, you’re as impatient as ever, aren’t you?”

Gerrwin stroked his beard and clicked his tongue.

Rhagen was a racist and arrogant, but even he had to give way to Gerrwin.

Rinia of Lumern, Zephia of Azonia. And Rhagen of Seirun.

Each principal and acting principal are active in the current generation.

But Gerrwin is different.

He is a hero of the previous generation.

A dwarven hero who was active in the same generation as the Sword Saint.

In addition to his achievements as a hero, the artifacts he created wrote countless legends in the hands of heroes.

The greatest blacksmith of this era.

That was Gerrwin.

Since some of Rhagen’s artifacts were made by Gerrwin, he was a person of a position that Rhagen could never treat lightly.

It wasn't just Rhagen.

Even Zephia and Riina, who was a shadow, used artifacts created by Gerrwin.

‘Well, it's not just for that reason.’

Riina slightly bowed her head to Gerrwin, who offered her a seat, and sat down.

‘He's benevolent now, but when he was a student, he used to go around challenging other hero academy students to test the artifacts he made, didn't he?’

This created numerous anecdotes.

To the students now, he was just a benevolent legend, but in Riina’s generation, he had a notorious reputation as an eccentric and stubborn dwarf.

There were even heroes who went to him to request artifacts and ended up being punched and thrown out.

‘Given that elf's personality, he might have been beaten by Lord Gerrwin before.’

Riina shook her head inwardly and sat down.

“The reason I called you all here is none other than a letter that has arrived from Dragonia.”

At Gerrwin's words, the principals showed surprised expressions.

A letter from Dragonia.

That meant one thing.

“Surely… the Dragon of Silence has moved?”

The Dragon of Silence, Dragon Lord Melina.

Long ago.

A dragon who attempted to conquer the world of creation, the world's long-cherished wish.

A mighty dragon said to be comparable to the three great legion commanders of Tartaros: the Necromancer King, the Giant King, and the Monster Queen.

However, after failing to conquer the world of creation, she never revealed herself to the world again.

In the past, she did not move even when the Sword Saint subjugated the Cursed King, a legion commander.

Therefore, the world called Melina the Dragon of Silence.

Gerrwin nodded at Rhagen's words.

“That’s right.”

At that answer, the principals of the hero academies showed tense expressions.

The principals of the hero academies are also powerful figures who can influence their respective races.

For them to be so tense, it meant that Dragon Lord Melina moving was no ordinary matter.

‘As expected, now that the Monster Queen has been subjugated, even a Dragon Lord cannot help but move.’

‘Even though she has been silent until now, her influence as a Dragon Lord is absolute.’

‘To convene the principals, not just the vice-principals. What is she planning?’

It was true that Melina had been silent, but among dragons, she was praised as a great sage.

A single word from her could change the movements of the hero academies.

“A new Hero Record has been discovered in the Shan Empire. In relation to that, the Shan Empire has covertly requested cooperation from each hero academy through Dragonia.”

At Gerrwin’s words, Rhagen showed a deflated expression.

“Is that all?”

“Just that? If the Dragon Lord herself mentioned it, it must be no ordinary matter, wouldn’t it?”

Riina looked at Rhagen with a cold voice.

Rhagen curled up the corners of his mouth, looking at Riina.

“The excavation of Hero Records happens all the time, so there’s nothing special about it. Besides, if the Shan Empire covertly requested cooperation through Dragonia instead of official channels, isn’t it obvious? It means a hero dungeon has appeared, and they can’t conquer it.”

Rhagen narrowed his eyes.

“Shadows, who merely clean up after heroes, would never be able to properly conquer a hero’s world.”

“The elf, who would have lost his life countless times if not for those shadows cleaning up after him, speaks well.”

“Isn’t it natural for shadows to escort heroes?”

Seeing him openly disregard shadows, Riina muttered inwardly.

‘Now I know why elf shadows say such things! The hero I regret saving the most!’

If she had her way, she would have confronted him.

But this was an official setting.

Riina had already expected that he would openly disregard her, a principal who came from a shadow background.

And disregarding shadows in that way wasn’t particularly unique to elves.

There are people in every race who treat shadows this way.

‘Ugh, if it were my real personality, I would beat him half to death!’

It was then that a grinding sound came from Riina’s mouth.

“Refrain from disparaging remarks about shadows, Rhagen. They are those who sacrifice themselves in the darkness to save the world. Shadows are equals to heroes.”

“But they don’t receive divine recognition. How can shadows and heroes be equals? That’s hard to accept.”

It was then that Rhagen openly scoffed.

“That might have been the case in the past.”

Gerrwin smiled faintly.

“The Hero Record discovered in the Shan Empire is a completely new type of Hero Record, unlike existing ones.”

“Excuse me?”

“They say it’s a complete form, the Book of Shadows, where the names of shadows are recorded.”

“That’s impossible! Hero Records have existed for 5000 years! In all that time, no shadow has ever had their name on a Hero Record!”

Rhagen stood up abruptly from his seat and shouted.

Gerrwin smiled faintly, looking at Rhagen.

“Even if you deny it, it’s true. A Hero Record exists where only shadows are recorded, and the world of heroes is also confirmed to be opening. It’s a joyous occasion.”

Despite Gerrwin’s words, the other three principals still wore expressions of disbelief.

Even Riina, a shadow herself, couldn’t easily accept this situation.

It was that hard to believe.

“So, what did the Shan Empire request?”

“They requested the records of shadows documented in the annals of history. They want to record their stories in the new Hero Record.”

“If there’s no divine recognition, it wouldn’t be possible to record them in a Hero Record, would it?”

“That point is a question for me as well.”

Gerrwin narrowed his eyes.

“Perhaps they found a way to be recognized by the gods.”

“The gods completely vanished from the earth after the Age of Calamity. That’s impossible.”

Zephia shook her head.

“That’s right. But since Shan made the request without explanation, there’s no way to know. They must have their own method. And one more thing.”

Gerrwin rested his chin on his hand.

“They requested that hero candidates and shadow candidates also study together at the hero academies…”

“That’s impossible! Hero candidates and shadow candidates studying in the same place!”

Rhagen jumped up from his seat as if having a fit.

His face was completely distorted.

Discrimination against shadows.

It exists in every race, but it was most severe among elves.

It couldn't be helped.

The admission requirements for Seirun.

It was to master star magic.

But no matter how much they are praised as a race of magic, there are those who are inherently without magical talent.

These individuals, unable to use magic, took on the role of shadows.

Elven society had discriminated against such individuals for a long time.

Because pure swordsmen and summoners became shadows, for many years, only heroes capable of using magic were recorded in the elves’ Hero Records.

In such a situation, it was suddenly announced that a Hero Record for shadows had been discovered.

In addition, the Shan Empire requested that shadows be allowed to study with hero candidates.

For Rhagen, a racial authoritarian, this was an unacceptable act.

Zephia spoke, looking at Rhagen.

“While I don’t agree with the acting principal of Seirun, accepting that request immediately would be difficult for Azonia as well. Heroes and shadows had very different areas of activity. Attempting it immediately might cause great confusion.”

Having said that, Zephia glanced at Riina.

“So, Lumern was also planning to have shadow candidates study as hero candidates this time, weren’t they?”

This year, several shadow candidates were admitted to Lumern.

However, they are studying as hero candidates, not as shadow candidates.

“That’s right. I merely gave shadow candidates a choice, but I hadn’t considered having them study together.”

Riina admitted shadow candidates to give them the choice of living in the light or in the darkness.

“I also believe it’s important to change perceptions over time, rather than with such sudden change. The matter of shadow candidates’ admission is Shan’s request, not Dragonia’s stance.”

At those words, Rhagen, who had been reacting almost hysterically, sat down.

If it was Dragonia’s word, even Seirun could not disregard it lightly.

But if it was the Shan Empire’s request…

‘I’ll just ignore that.’

Rhagen showed a cold expression.

“Was the reason for convening the principals to share information about the new Hero Record and discuss future directions?”

“That’s right. But before that, one more thing.”

Gerrwin took out a wooden box from his pocket.

“This morning, another letter arrived from Dragonia.”

“Not just once, but twice?”

Zephia’s eyes widened.

“That’s right. And… this time, it seems to be a handwritten letter from the Dragon Lord herself.”

Gerrwin recalled the letter the vice-principal had handed him this morning and showed a serious expression.

At the mention of a handwritten letter from the Dragon Lord, the principals again showed tense expressions.

To even send a handwritten letter? What important matter could possibly be written in it?

“I will open it.”

Click-

As the wooden box opened, a single envelope lay carefully inside.

And elegant handwriting was written on the envelope.

[From Dragon Lord, Melina to Lord Gerrwin.]

The principals, seasoned veterans who had seen the handwritten note of the strongest dragon on earth, focused on the envelope with tense eyes.

Gerrwin also took a deep breath, opened the envelope, and took out its contents to read.

Gerrwin’s face changed oddly as he confirmed the contents.

Seeing Gerrwin like that, the others expected that something unusual was written.

Gerrwin rubbed his eyes a few times, checking the letter’s contents.

Then he took out his magnifying glasses from his pocket, put them on, and read it again.

A moment later, Gerrwin handed the letter to the other principals.

The face of Zephia, who received the letter first with a tense expression, became similar to Gerrwin’s.

Rhagen, who read the letter after Zephia, changed to an inexpressible expression.

Finally, Riina, who received the letter, read the contents and was speechless.

[To my dear Lord Gerrwin. Dragonia will henceforth manage the legacy of Lord Dwenoh stored in Demian. Dragon Lord, Melina.]

‘No, putting the content aside, what in the world is this bear?’

Riina’s face became strangely distorted as she looked at the cute bear drawn at the end of the envelope.