Book 1 Chapter 376
Leo looked at Delian, who was sitting in front of him.
Delian looked at Leo and said.
"I'll be direct. It's highly probable that the legacy of Rodia, the Dragon of Creation, lies dormant beneath this place, Shadow."
Arga, who was sitting next to Leo, widened his eyes.
"How can you be so sure? Did you see it yourself?"
"I've been investigating many things as a hero scholar in this country for a long time."
Hero scholar.
It refers to someone who specializes in hero studies and unearths traces of heroes.
The fields in which they operate are diverse.
They track and find relics of heroes whose records are in the Hero Records but for whom opening the world of heroes is impossible due to the lack of remaining artifacts.
Or they search for the ruins of a nation that disappeared in the distant past and look for traces of heroes there.
Or they unearth lost Hero Records.
In the process, they sometimes conquer Hero Dungeons.
Most of them were graduates of the Hero Academy, which specialized in hero studies.
"Many hero scholars are not paying attention to Elehem. Even though it's a country with a long history that has produced many heroes."
"Because all records and ruins related to Elehem's heroes are found outside Elehem's current territory."
Arga answered flatly to Delian's words.
As he said, the records of heroes from Elehem all come from the former territory of Elehem.
Most of them belonged to Elehem a long time ago but are now fully independent and belong to other countries, renowned hero families.
"That's right. Besides, no hero has been born in Elehem for the past few hundred years."
The connection of past heroes to Elehem has disappeared.
And no heroes have been born for the past few hundred years.
It was a country with no elements that hero scholars would be interested in.
"However, this country is where Rodia, the Dragon of Creation, was born. That alone makes it infinitely valuable for research."
"Research on the heroes of Creation should mostly be finished by now."
Leo said.
"Thanks to 3,000 years of research, most of the legacy of the heroes of Creation has been revealed."
"That's right. The Knight of Twilight Rumern, the Mage of Comet Seirun, the Great Warrior Azonia, and the Indomitable Demian. Their wills are being carried on by students of the Hero Academy. I, too, have inherited a little from Rumern's legacy."
The legacy of the heroes of Creation refers to the spirit and Hero Records they left for posterity.
And the 'sacred treasures' they used.
Since the world of Creation itself no longer exists, practical succession is impossible.
"But, don't you both know? While all the heroes of Creation left legacies related to the Great Heroes, only Rodia left no legacy related to Lisinas."
Delian smiled meaningfully.
"Isn't it strange? Rodia is like a symbol of Creation. The Hero Academy was founded by her will."
The Hero Academy was founded by the Knight of Twilight, the Mage of Comet, the Great Warrior, and the Indomitable.
There were four of them, but Rodia was the first to suggest establishing a school and nurturing heroes.
The four heroes, founders of the Hero Academy, left their legacies for future generations.
But Rodia did not.
She left something for the dragon race, but compared to her colleagues, it was clearly lacking.
Delian smiled meaningfully.
"Isn't it highly probable that she left provisions for someone worthy of succeeding her? I've thought so for a long time and researched everything related to the heroes of Creation. And I came to think that what Rodia left would be in this place, her homeland. And the labyrinth beneath this Shadow is the only place in this country that I haven't been able to research."
That deduction was correct.
In reality, Rodia left a treasure vault for the one who would become Lariel's covenantee.
There is also a legend that Lariel's library might exist there.
To Delian's words, Leo said.
"Why are you telling us this story?"
If he thought there was Rodia's legacy in the underground labyrinth, it would be right to conquer it alone.
That way, he could monopolize the legacy.
But Delian proposed cooperation.
Of course, Leo knows the identity of the treasure vault.
But that's only because Leo made a covenant with Lariel.
"Unfortunately, I have confirmed the existence of the labyrinth in Shadow but haven't been able to conquer it."
"If a graduate of Rumern failed to conquer it, then as a second-year student, I wouldn't be able to do anything about it, would I?"
"The youngest student council president of Rumern is being too humble."
Delian, who was smiling, put on a serious expression.
"To be precise, it's because I couldn't even attempt to conquer it. The Master of Shadow didn't permit it."
"Then, if I'm not permitted, it's over, isn't it?"
"That's right. But the Master of Shadow said she permits conquest to those she likes. You could be enough to her liking. You need 100 million points to meet her, right? I can help you with that. How about it?"
'To readily offer such a large sum of money to someone whose outcome is uncertain even if we meet?'
Leo smiled wryly.
"Thank you for the offer, but I decline."
"Why?"
"I don't particularly like excessive favors."
Delian narrowed his eyes.
"Ho. You refuse excessive favors but foolishly tell the one who offered the favor. Is it due to lack of experience?"
"You said you've been researching in this country for a long time, right?"
"Yes."
"Then you must be affiliated with the Elehem Royal Family."
At that, Delian paused.
"Do you know why Rumern students came to Elehem? We can't be together in the first place, so whether you make an enemy of me here or not, we won't be able to be together."
Seeing Leo shrug and get up, Delian gave a kind smile.
"As a senior, I advise you. There's no such thing as Rumern's way of thinking in this country. So don't waste your time unnecessarily and accept my offer. This is my last concession as a senior. Wouldn't it be better for you to have achievements as a student council president?"
"We'll know if it's a waste of time or not when the investigation is over. And I can explore the labyrinth without cooperating with you."
"Hoo. Is it because you're the youngest student council president? Your confidence is so excessive it borders on arrogance. Know your place. You're a second-year student. From my perspective as a graduate, you're just a wet-behind-the-ears novice. Harq Rigard or Elena Zerion would have accepted my offer."
'Elena would have attacked me without question, and Harq would have ignored me, saying he was sleeping.'
Leo knew his school seniors were like that.
Regardless of the reason, both were from Rumern's three great families.
They never compromise with those who oppose Rumern's will.
Leo, who clicked his tongue at Delian, who had gotten the wrong idea, took Arga and left.
"He suddenly became so overbearing. His eyes looked a bit off, too."
Arga muttered with a strange expression.
Leo narrowed his eyes at that.
'I know people with eyes like that.'
It's the look of someone who will stop at nothing to achieve their goals.
And he knows how far those means and methods go.
Leo touched his temple.
*Whirr-!*
A small ripple of magical power flickered.
-It's the first time you've called me like this.
Leo heard a slightly surprised voice in his ear.
It was a communication using an artifact given by Chen Xia.
Chen Xia, who dreams of being a hero, does not deny her other self as a shadow.
It's a fact unknown to the students, but after being saved by Leo, Chen Xia has been following Leo as a shadow.
And the reason for using this artifact is only one.
-Please give me an order, Master.
"Drop that title. It makes me feel like I'm becoming a weirdo."
-But I like it?
Leo shook his head at the playful and laughing voice.
-What order can I follow, young master Leo.
"Can you come to Shadow, the underground casino in Wargella?"
-I'll be there right away.
After the communication ended, Leo looked at Arga.
"Besides you, how many Azonia students owe debts to this casino?"
"Seventeen, including me."
Leo clicked his tongue at the surprisingly large number.
"Can you repay the debt?"
"Don't worry! We'll all pay it off by next week and escape this dreadful place!"
Leo sighed, looking at Arga, who proudly stood with his hands on his hips and chest puffed out.
'I hope our school kids aren't as foolish as Azonia's.'
"What's the way to repay the debt?"
Arga smiled at Leo's question.
"The arena."
*
"So."
Chelsea was pressing her temple.
"You lost all your points?"
"If I had known the class president's measurements, I could have earned 100 million points."
Looking at Iliana, who replied with a serious face, Chelsea said.
"Fool."
"Ugh."
Iliana flinched, unable to refute Chelsea's words.
"Still, I didn't incur any debt!"
"If you had incurred debt after draining all of your juniors' points, you wouldn't be a fool, you'd be an idiot."
Iliana pretended not to hear Chelsea's cold words.
"It's not fair to blame only Iliana. Most of us lost money too."
Chloe said with a sigh, and Kal flicked a chip in the air.
*Clink!*
Kal, who caught the chip spinning in the air with a clear sound, said triumphantly.
"I won."
"How much?"
"1000 points."
"You won a lot, but it's not enough."
It was when Chelsea sighed softly.
"As expected, events seem to be the only way to make money."
It was when Juwen sighed.
"By the way, when is Leo coming?"
Everyone looked puzzled as Leo, who was already late, showed no signs of arriving.
[Welcome, gentlemen and ladies who have visited Shadow today! We are delighted to have you!]
Suddenly, amplification magic struck the entire casino.
Everyone's gaze in the casino turned to the center.
The floor split open, and an iron cage descended from the ceiling.
[Welcome once again to the stage of honorable bloodshed!]
As the male commentator spoke, cheers erupted from all around.
Everyone who saw it looked surprised.
*Clang- Clang-*
The iron bars that descended from the ceiling formed a giant arena.
So that no one inside could escape.
*Pop-!*
The lights inside the casino went out, and a spotlight illuminated the center of the arena.
And when people saw the boy standing there, they murmured.
"Oh my, is such a young boy the first challenger?"
"Ah, it's unfortunate. What kind of story could lead to this?"
Those who appeared to be ladies spoke with apparent pity.
But despite their worried tone, their eyes held a strange excitement.
They seemed to have no doubt that this boy would soon let out a scream of despair.
[Today's first challenger has vowed to defeat the champion! Now! Will the challenger be able to reach the champion! The grand first match begins now!]
Along with that, bunny girls appeared.
[The challenger's first opponent is Jaydon, a piece of trash from the slums who cruelly killed seven boys and girls!]
"Grrrrowww!"
A giant man wearing a mask let out a roar, gripping a large sword in his hand.
"How vulgar. Trash who commits murder."
"Are you giving even someone like that a chance to live?"
People wore expressions of disgust.
But at the same time, they continued to bet as if they were interested.
A moment later, a bell announced the end of betting, and a trumpet sounded the start of the fight.
Everyone's eyes turned to the arena.
"How should I slice you, novice?"
Seeing Jaydon with a 살벌한 smile, Leo said.
"Do you want to die painlessly? Or do you want to die painfully?"
"You impudent novice!"
Jaydon raised his large sword and lunged at Leo.
*Snap-!*
The moment the giant sword aimed for Leo's neck.
*Crack- Crackle!*
"Gaaah!"
Jaydon's arm holding the sword bent at an unnatural angle.
Leo kicked Jaydon, who was kneeling and screaming in pain, in the knee.
Then his knee bent.
Leo said to Jaydon, who was screaming in pain.
Leo grabbed Jaydon by the scruff of his neck and threw him to one side as if discarding trash.
*Thud-!*
With a heavy sound, Jaydon's body rolled on the floor.
Jaydon slowly died, writhing in pain.
Everyone watched in stunned silence.
Among them were Leo's friends.
'It might be quite shocking if they saw me draw my sword.'
Leo flexed his fingers without looking at his friends.
To his friends, who had only seen his upright side, Leo's current appearance would undoubtedly be a great shock.
'But I can't always show them only the good side.'
Leo smiled bitterly.
'My way might not be the right way, but knowing how to deal with dirty things isn't so bad.'