Book 1 Chapter 456

The world was shaken by the abnormal situation that occurred in the Kingdom of Delad.

The communication magic and spatial transfer magic systems in the western part of the continent instantly became inoperable.

Along with that, ominous dark clouds covered the sky.

The world was engulfed in fear by a phenomenon resembling the return of the disaster that occurred 3,000 years ago.

After the seriousness of the situation became apparent, Dragonia issued a hero summoning order.

Accordingly, the hero guilds and hero associations that exist in the world began to move.

The world was seized with tension, keeping a close watch on Tartarus' movements.

Heroes who grasped the situation intently watched the situation.

Thus, after a dawn engulfed in despair and fear passed.

As morning dawned.

The abnormal situation completely disappeared.

Many heroes who had assessed the situation as serious felt relief and bewilderment.

And then, astonishing news spread.

News about Erebus spread throughout the world through newspapers.

As everyone felt fear at that.

Another piece of news arrived.

The hero Arion appeared, and people around the world were excited by the news that he had defeated the resurrected Erebus.

Following that, a pilgrimage began.

The training camp's schedule was quickly concluded after the major incident.

Some returned to spend their vacation, while others remained on the territory of the Plobe mansion.

It was late at night, two days after the training camp ended.

Kal, along with Lunia, Ar, Eiran, and Driana, were gathered in the guest room, talking.

"As expected, people must be thoroughly prepared, right?"

Kal smiled broadly and took out something from a box onto the desk, one by one.

Seeing that, Lunia opened her eyes slightly.

"What is that again?"

"What do you mean, what is it? It's a statue."

What Kal took out was none other than a palm-sized statue of Arion.

The exquisitely crafted Arion statue was in various cool poses.

"So, who doesn't know? Why did you make so many of them?"

"Why are you asking the obvious? To sell them."

"Are you crazy? Are you going to use a great hero as a means of making money? Do you want to be arrested for blasphemy?"

Lunia wore an expression of disbelief.

In elven society, it was considered blasphemy and resulted in arrest if one profited from or pursued personal gain using the Progenitor of Nebulae.

Since it involved using the great hero of a great race, the crime was considered severe and was punished accordingly.

"It's illegal among elves, right? But it's not for beastmen."

Kal grinned.

"Aha! So there's no such law in beastman society."

Eiran nodded in admiration, while Lunia, arms crossed, scoffed.

"Hmph! Even if there's no such law, the beastmen won't stand by and watch you try to use Lord Arion as a means of commerce!"

"Tsk tsk tsk. I told you. People must be thoroughly prepared."

Kal, with a triumphant expression, took out a piece of paper from his pocket and showed it to Lunia.

Lunia, after receiving and reading it, wore a glum expression.

It was a contract allowing Kal to make and sell statues of Arion.

"When did you get permission for this?"

"Heh, the moment I knew Arion came from the hero's world, I had a feeling! It would be a huge hit with all the pilgrimages and such. With Arion's endorsement, rich tourists! Especially beastmen, I'll sell them at a high price! Wahahahaha!"

"Why do you like money so much? As far as I know, you already have considerable wealth even as a student. Moreover, with your abilities, you'll be able to earn a lot of wealth even after graduation."

"I'm curious too. I know you're openly materialistic, but I also know you're a pretty decent guy. You're not the type to obsess over more wealth than you need."

Driana's words made Lunia nod and look at Kal.

Eiran also looked curious, and Kal scratched his head awkwardly.

"As you all know, I'm not the kind of person who can reach a great position as a hero or anything."

"That's true."

"Yeah, that's right."

"Ah, no. Kal, you can definitely do it."

Driana and Lunia answered immediately, while Eiran, flustered, tried to soothe Kal.

"Thanks, Eiran. For saying nice things. You're different from these foul-tempered elves and dwarves."

At Kal's words, Lunia's eyes sparkled.

Ignoring that, Kal said,

"I aspire to be a supporter, and I don't just want to help you in combat."

Kal shrugged.

"Whether it's necessary weapons, materials, or potions. I want to help you by obtaining everything I can. And for that, I think I'll need a lot of money."

"How much do you plan to save?"

"Enough to buy at least one country?"

Lunia and Eiran's eyes widened as they looked at Kal, who wore a meaningful expression.

"You're surprisingly thoughtful."

"I feel reassured! Kal!"

Lunia and Eiran exclaimed in admiration.

"Kal! As expected, you're my great friend!"

Conversely, Driana, delighted, hugged Kal.

Looking down at Driana, Kal said,

"I have zero intention of sponsoring your artwork."

At those words, Driana scowled.

"Why are you being so stingy? You're a man who's going to buy a country, so why are you so small-minded! If you sponsor me, who will become a great artist in the future, following in Lord Dwaro's footsteps, your name will be remembered forever!"

Seeing Driana return to her usual tone, Kal said,

"If I sponsor your art, Lord Dwaro will grab me by the neck and not let me off! And rather than sponsoring your art, it would be more beneficial to bury that money in the ground."

"Why is burying money in the ground a beneficial, meaningless act?"

"At least the world won't have to see your terrible artwork."

"That's definitely a valid point."

Lunia chimed in with Kal's words.

Seeing that, Driana raised her fist, and Eiran, aghast, stopped her.

"By the way, why is that cat acting like that?"

The Plobe family mansion.

In one corner of the room, Ar was silently looking down at Brave, who was broken.

"You seem sad that Lord Arion has left."

Eiran said worriedly, and Lunia and Driana looked at each other, nodded, and approached Ar.

"How long are you going to be depressed?"

"That's right. Don't just think about Lord Arion."

At their comfort, Ar stood up.

And, with his head bowed, he entered the room.

"Hey, Ar. Don't be so depressed…"

"Don't touch me."

Ar said coldly, avoiding Lunia's hand that was reaching for his shoulder.

At that attitude, Lunia faltered and frowned.

"Even so, isn't your attitude too cold?"

"How dare you try to touch me!"

Ar, whose atmosphere suddenly changed, dodged Lunia's touch with a *shwing*!

Lunia stared blankly at Ar, who wore a triumphant expression.

"I, Ar Tune, have been directly recognized as the successor by Lord Arion! I am on a different level than you all!"

At Ar's reaction, Kal leaned back on the sofa and said indifferently,

"Did you think he was going to be depressed?"

Hearing Kal's words, Driana frowned and asked,

"So? What do you mean by being on a different level?"

"Lunia, did you hear directly from Lord Luna that you are her successor? No, right? Driana. Neither did you, right? It's just me. To be recognized as a successor by a great hero!"

*Hmph*! Ar laughed, closed his eyes, and nodded, "Mmm-hmm-!"

"Ah~ successor. What a beautiful sound!"

Ar, as if savoring the word, then glared.

"Does it make sense for me to be on equal footing with you?! This is my era now!"

At those words, Lunia and Driana looked at each other and nodded.

Driana approached Ar, who was wagging his tail, and held him so he couldn't move.

"Are you ready? Lunia."

"Of course. Driana. Hold on tight. I'm going to hit with all my might."

"Hit him in the solar plexus."

"Nyaaaaaak?!"

Seeing the three causing such a commotion, Kal asked Eiran,

"Aren't you going to stop them?"

"At this point, stopping them is useless, isn't it?"

"You've grown too."

Kal murmured sympathetically while watching the three, even as he admired them.

"If Lord Luna and Lord Arion, and Lord Dwaro were watching, they would be very sad."

"Why?"

"Wouldn't they be sad to see the ones they call their successors acting like this?"

"Somehow, I don't think they'll be sad."

Eiran scratched his cheek, and Kal paused, then nodded.

"I suppose that's possible."

The two had already had their illusions about great heroes shattered.

"By the way, why isn't Lord Leo coming out of his room?"

"That's right. Could you go check on him? I'll stop these guys."

"Lord Leo's room? At this late hour? Alone?"

Eiran, visibly flustered, blushed.

Seeing his shy expression, Kal scratched his cheek and asked,

"Should I go with you?"

"I'll go alone."

Saying that, Eiran quickly left the room.

Watching his retreating figure, Kal muttered,

"He's definitely grown."

***

His room in the estate mansion.

A room far larger than the one in the capital mansion.

It was characteristic of a border noble family.

Because the land was vast, the rooms were unnecessarily large.

Leo sat on a window seat, gazing at the full moon, and downed the alcohol in his glass.

In his past life as Kyle, he often enjoyed drinking, but after being reborn, he didn't enjoy it as much. It wasn't because he was young, nor was it due to school rules.

'There's no particular need to drink.'

Great heroes all drank often.

Not only great heroes.

Heroes who lived in that era all drank often.

They drank to forget the difficult times, even for a little while.

'Well, Luna and Dwaro really drank because they liked it.'

Leo rested his chin on his hand, chuckled, and opened his mouth.

"Stop hesitating and come in."

He already knew a guest was at the door.

And he also knew who the guest was.

At Leo's words, a slight presence flinched, then carefully opened the door and peeked in.

And then, with a sweet smile, asked,

"Oppa Leo, what are you doing?"

"Just thinking."

The visitor was none other than Chelsea.

Chelsea entered the room after Leo's reply, closed the door, and approached Leo.

And seeing the bottle of alcohol in front of Leo, her eyes widened.

"Are you drinking?"

To that question, Leo replied with a smile.

Seeing Leo like that, Chelsea hesitated.

Seeing Chelsea hesitate, Leo gestured to the seat in front of him.

Chelsea sat in front of Leo and looked at him in silence.

Even under Chelsea's gaze, Leo silently looked out the window.

The soft moonlight pouring in from outside made Leo's white hair shimmer.

After watching that for a moment, Chelsea took a deep breath as if making a resolution.

"Oppa Leo."

"Yeah."

As Leo replied while pouring alcohol, Chelsea hesitated and then spoke.

"I heard from Lord Arion. That Oppa Leo… is the Hero of the Beginning, Kyle."