Book 1 Chapter 456

456.

The world was shaken by the strange situation that occurred in the Kingdom of Dellard.

The communication magic and spatial transfer magic systems in the western part of the continent became completely unresponsive in an instant.

Along with that, ominous dark clouds covered the sky.

The world was gripped by fear at this phenomenon, like the reappearance of the catastrophe that occurred 3000 years ago.

After the seriousness of the situation became apparent, Dragonia issued a summon for heroes.

Accordingly, hero guilds and hero associations existing around the world began to move.

The world was seized with tension, paying close attention to Tartaros' movements as well.

The heroes, having understood the situation, kept their nerves on edge and watched the situation.

And so, the dawn, shrouded in despair and fear, passed.

As morning broke.

The strange situation completely disappeared.

Many heroes who had been seriously assessing the situation felt relief and bewilderment.

And astonishing news spread.

<3000 Years of Terror! The Primal Evil! Resurrected!>

News about Erebus spread throughout the world via newspapers.

At a time when everyone felt fear.

Another piece of news spread.

People around the world were excited by the news that Arion, the brave one, had appeared and subdued the resurrected Erebus.

Accordingly, pilgrimages began.

After the major incident, the training camp schedule was quickly concluded.

Some returned to enjoy their respective vacations, while others remained on the Plov estate.

Late at night, two days after the training camp ended.

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

"Indeed, one must be thoroughly prepared, don't you think?"

Kal grinned broadly and took out one, then two, items from a box onto the desk.

Seeing that, Lunia narrowed her eyes.

"What is that now?"

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

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

The exquisitely crafted statue of Arion displayed various magnificent poses.

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

"Why ask 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 sacrilege?"

Lunia made an incredulous expression.

This was because in elf society, if one tried to make money or satisfy selfish desires using the Progenitor of the Nebula, they would be arrested for sacrilege.

The crime was considered particularly heinous due to the use of a great hero of a great race, and thus severely punished.

"It's illegal among elves, right? But not among beastfolk, I tell you."

Kal grinned slyly.

"Aha! There's no such law in beastfolk society, is there?"

As Eiran nodded in admiration, Lunia, with her arms crossed, snorted.

"Hmph! Even if there isn't such a law, the beastfolk won't just let you get away with daring to use Sir Arion as a means of business!"

"Tsk, tsk, tsk. I told you. One must be thoroughly prepared."

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

Lunia, who took and read it, made a displeased expression.

It was a contract stating that Arion himself had given permission for Kal to make and sell his statues.

"When did you get permission for this?"

"Hmph, the moment I realized Sir Arion had come over from the hero's world, I had a feeling! That a pilgrimage or whatever would be a huge hit. With Sir Arion's guarantee, wealthy tourists! Especially beastfolk, I'll sell them at a high price! Wahahahaha!"

"Why do you like money so much? As far as I know, you're already a student yet you have considerable wealth, don't you? Moreover, with your abilities, you'll be able to acquire plenty 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 cling to more wealth than you need."

At Driana's words, Lunia also nodded and looked at Kal.

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

"As you all know, I'm not cut out for a grand position like a hero or anything."

"That's right."

"Yeah, you're right."

"N-no. Kal-nim, you're perfectly capable."

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

"Thank you, Eiran. For speaking nicely. You're indeed different from these ill-tempered elves and dwarves."

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

Ignoring her, Kal said,

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

Kal shrugged his shoulders.

"Whether it's necessary armaments, materials, or potions. I want to find everything I can to help you. To do that, I think I'll need a lot of money."

"How much do you plan to save?"

"At least enough to buy a country?"

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

"You were thinking surprisingly deeply?"

"You're dependable! Kal-nim!"

Lunia and Eiran were impressed.

"Kal! You truly are my wonderful friend!"

Driana, on the other hand, was delighted and hugged Kal tightly.

Looking down at Driana, Kal said,

"I have no intention of sponsoring your artwork, not even 1%."

At that, Driana frowned.

"Why are you so petty? A man who says he'll buy a country, how can his spirit be so small! If you sponsor me, who will become a great artist following in the footsteps of Lord Dweno, your name will live on for generations!"

Seeing Driana revert to her original way of speaking, Kal said,

"If I sponsored your artistic activities, Lord Dweno would grab me by the collar and wouldn't let me off, he'd say. And it would be more beneficial to bury that money in the ground than to sponsor your artistic activities."

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

"At least people around the world wouldn't have to see your terrible works."

"That certainly makes sense."

Lunia agreed with Kal's words.

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

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

At the Plov family's mansion.

In one corner of the room, Ar silently gazed down at a broken Brave.

"It seems he's sad that Sir Arion left."

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

"How long are you going to be depressed?"

"That's right. Don't think about Sir Arion too much."

At their comfort, Ar got up from his seat.

And with his head bowed, he walked into the room.

"Hey, Ar. Don't be so depressed, I mean…"

"Don't touch me."

Ar coldly said, avoiding Lunia's hand that tried to grab his shoulder.

At his attitude, Lunia paused, then narrowed her eyebrows.

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

"How dare you try to touch me!"

Ar, whose mood suddenly changed, shh-! avoided Lunia's touch.

Lunia looked blankly at Ar, who had a triumphant expression.

"I, Ar Tune, was directly recognized as the successor by Sir Arion! My status is different from yours, different!"

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

"Did you guys think he'd be gloomy?"

Hearing Kal's words, Driana frowned and asked.

"So? What does it mean, 'status is different'?"

"Lunia, did Lady Luna directly tell you that you're her successor? No, right? Driana. Not you either, right? It's only me. The one recognized as a successor by a great hero!"

Ar chuckled triumphantly and closed his eyes, then nodded, 'Mmm-hmm!'

"Ah~ successor. What a wonderful resonance!"

Ar muttered, savoring the word, then suddenly opened his eyes wide.

"Do you think it makes sense for me, a successor, to dine with you guys?! Now is the era of this body, I tell you!"

At that, 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.

"Ready, Lunia?"

"Of course, Driana. Hold him tight. I'm going to hit him hard."

"Hit him in the solar plexus."

"Nyaaaaaak?!"

Watching the three people causing an uproar, Kal asked Eiran.

"Aren't you going to stop them?"

"At this point, it's useless even if I try, isn't it?"

"You've grown, too."

Kal muttered pityingly, admiring them while watching the three.

"Lady Luna, Sir Arion, and Lord Dweno would be very sad if they saw this."

"Why?"

"Wouldn't they be sad to see the children who are called their successors acting like that?"

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

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

"That might be true."

They were two people whose illusions about great heroes had already been largely shattered.

"By the way, Leo-nim isn't coming out of his room, is he?"

"Indeed, would you mind going and checking? I'll stop them."

"L-Lord Leo's room? At this late hour? All by myself?"

Eiran, visibly flustered, blushed.

Seeing his embarrassment, Kal scratched his cheek and asked,

"Should I go with you?"

"I'll go by myself."

With those words, Eiran quickly left the room.

Watching his retreating figure, Kal murmured.

"He's definitely grown."

***

His room in the estate mansion.

It was a room so large it couldn't be compared to the mansion in the capital.

It was a characteristic of a peripheral noble family.

Because the land was vast, the room was unnecessarily large.

Sitting in a chair by the window, Leo looked at the full moon and poured the alcohol in his glass into his mouth.

In his previous life, as Kyle, he often enjoyed alcohol, but since being reborn, he hadn't enjoyed it much. It wasn't particularly because he was young, nor because of school rules.

'It's because there's no particular need to drink alcohol.'

All the great heroes drank alcohol frequently.

Not just the great heroes.

All the heroes who lived in that era drank alcohol frequently.

It was to forget the difficult times, even if only a little, through alcohol.

'Well, Luna and Dweno really loved to chug it down too, though.'

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

"Stop hesitating and come in."

He already knew that there was a visitor at the door.

And of course, he knew who that visitor was.

At Leo's words, a small presence flinched, then carefully opened the door and peeked- out her face.

And with a shy smile, she asked,

"Leo oppa, what are you doing?"

"Just thinking."

The visitor was none other than Chelsea.

At Leo's answer, Chelsea entered the room, closed the door, and approached Leo.

And her eyes widened when she saw the bottle of alcohol in front of Leo.

"Drinking?"

At that, Leo answered with a smile instead.

Chelsea hesitated, looking at Leo.

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

Chelsea sat in front of Leo and silently stared at him.

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

The soft moonlight pouring in from outside the window made Leo's white hair sparkle.

Chelsea watched him for a moment, then took a deep breath as if making a decision.

"Leo oppa."

"Hmm."

Chelsea, who had been hesitating while watching Leo pour a drink, opened her mouth.

"I heard from Sir Arion. That Leo oppa… is Kyle-nim, the Hero of Beginnings."