Book 1 Chapter 459

459.

Leo unfolded the letter from the Emperor of the Rodlen Empire.

Everyone wore a tense expression watching Leo read the handwritten letter.

“What is it? What did His Majesty say to you?”

Celia, who was next to him, asked in a hurry.

“Why are you making such a fuss?”

At Leo's nonchalant voice, Celia made an exasperated expression.

“You're unusually calm, you know?”

Rumerun students are respected and treated well wherever they go.

But even so, it's a different story for the Emperor of Rodlen to send a handwritten letter himself.

The Emperor of Rodlen is the absolute ruler of the Western Continent, refusing comparison with most kings of single nations.

Unlike the Xan Empire, which had similar national power to the Rodlen Empire but was called the Land of Shadows, did not engage in significant external activities, and acted secretly, the Rodlen Empire was an empire that did not hide its national power and actively used it.

Its external influence extended beyond the Western Continent, affecting the entire world.

“So? What does it say?”

In response to Avard's question, Leo put the letter back into the envelope and replied.

“It's an invitation to join Imperium, Rodlen's hero guild.”

“What?”

“Was that really what it said?”

Surprised reactions came from all over.

Reina nodded with an "as expected" look on her face.

“Wow, this is huge, isn’t it? Even if he’s the youngest student council president, he’s still just a student, yet he’s getting an invitation to join. And from Imperium, no less?”

Karl exclaimed.

The Imperium Guild.

As a hero guild under the Rodlen Imperial Family, it was practically the only hero guild existing in the Western Continent.

Its power and influence were second only to Rumerun's Twilight, which was considered the strongest among human hero guilds, and it was a hero guild that had achieved countless feats on the front lines against Tartarus.

“That’s quite extraordinary. It’s an unprecedented case for Imperium, changing even the guild's entry requirements.”

Chloe said, surprised.

The Imperium Guild only allows those whose names are listed in the Hero Record to join.

Imperium was the only guild in the world where all members had attained the status of a hero.

Even Jiss Zerdinger and Rozes Rwarin, who came as the Emperor's envoys, hold important positions within the empire but have not obtained the title of hero, and thus are not affiliated with Imperium.

“Wow~ Even Imperium wants Leo, who is still a hero candidate, huh? But what could be the reason for such an extraordinary move? The class president is already part of the Zerdinger family anyway, so wouldn't he naturally join Imperium after graduation?”

“There must be a reason why Imperium had to move so quickly. Anyway, wouldn't it be impossible to join a hero guild as a student?”

Just as Iliana expressed her doubt, Nella let out a small sigh.

“How long do you intend to block our path?”

“I am delivering a letter from His Imperial Majesty, the great Emperor of Rodlen. Refrain from making noise.”

“Do you think the authority of a human emperor will work on me?”

From outside, an arrogant voice could be heard, along with raised voices.

A moment later.

The outside seemed to grow noisy, and then the door roughly opened, and an elf with handsome features entered.

The students who saw this widened their eyes.

Eiran made a troubled expression, and Lunia slightly frowned.

“What a troublesome person has arrived.”

“Is he famous?”

Ar asked at Lunia's mumble.

Then Karl, who was next to him, gulped.

“Isn’t that Amadeus, the Crescent Blade?”

“The Crescent Blade?”

“That hero from Stella Illuminos?”

The students made surprised expressions.

Amadeus Glyce, the Crescent Blade.

He was a hero belonging to the elven hero guild, Stella Illuminos, a new-generation hero whose name was listed in the Hero Record three years ago.

He was the most famous among the new-generation elven heroes.

The reason was that he was a man with a fanatical side, absolutely believing in the teachings of Luna and Seirun and praising the great deeds they left behind.

Thanks to that, he was infamous as an excessive supremacist.

“It would be troublesome if he were to say something like, 'I cannot recognize you,' to Leo.”

Lunia frowned.

It was already a famous story that Leo had previously received a staff from Seirun, becoming Seirun's official successor.

However, in elven society, there are still elves who refuse to accept that fact, insisting it is wrong.

Considering that all of them were excessive supremacists.

If it were the infamous Amadeus, he might very well say such things.

‘If someone who has even reached the status of a hero makes such a claim in a situation where it is already officially known that Leo is Seirun-nim's successor, that would be a huge problem.’

Lunia stood up to stop Amadeus.

Eiran also stood up uneasily.

‘The Crescent Blade must not commit a rudeness towards Leo-nim.’

For Eiran, who knew Leo was the Hero of Beginnings, his insides were practically burning.

It was then that Eiran tensed up, resolving to stop Amadeus no matter what if he tried to do anything foolish.

As everyone tensed up, Amadeus walked- slowly- towards Leo.

“If you have business with Leo Flobe, why don’t you wait your turn?”

Jiss showed his displeasure and blocked his path.

But Amadeus scoffed, pushed Jiss aside, and stood before Leo.

It was then that Jiss was about to explode in anger at his action.

Thud-!

Everyone wore a blank expression at the situation unfolding before their eyes.

“It’s an honor to meet you. My name is Amadeus Glyce, the Crescent Blade. Leo Flobe-nim. It is an immense honor to meet you.”

Amadeus knelt on one knee and greeted Leo very respectfully.

Moreover, it was not an action an elder would take towards someone younger than themselves.

Furthermore, Leo was still a hero candidate, while Amadeus was a hero.

In terms of age and external status, Amadeus was superior.

Nevertheless, Amadeus treated Leo with full etiquette.

What's more, Leo is human.

“Nice to meet you too. But why are you speaking to me so formally?”

“Leo-nim is the venerable Seirun-nim’s official successor. As an elf, it is natural to show respect to such a Leo-nim. Please speak casually.”

Amadeus looked up at Leo, his eyes unwavering.

‘What’s wrong with his eyes?’

Leo, who had been momentarily staring at the elf with sparkling, even gleaming, clear eyes, clicked his tongue.

This type of elf usually doesn't listen to reason or common sense.

Since Leo knew that well, he just accepted it now.

“In that case, I’ll speak casually.”

Amadeus smiled at Leo's words.

“So, what is the reason you sought me out?”

“It is to deliver this letter to Leo-nim.”

Amadeus took out an enclosed letter from his pocket and handed it to Leo.

The letter bore the guild mark of Stella Illuminos.

Jiss and Rozes narrowed their eyes upon seeing it.

“Stella Illuminos wishes for Leo-nim to join.”

Amadeus's eyes gleamed.

“Stella Illuminos is the hero guild founded by Seirun-nim! Stella Illuminos can be said to be the most fitting hero guild for Leo-nim!”

“So that was why Imperium made its move.”

“For Stella Illuminos to try and recruit the class president too, this is a big event.”

“Considering that Leo is Seirun-nim’s successor, it’s not strange, but… it’s still shocking.”

Stella Illuminos.

Among the elven hero guilds, it was the most prestigious of the prestigious.

Although not all its members were heroes like Imperium, in some ways, it was the most difficult hero guild to join.

Only elves could join, and among elves, only a select few could be admitted.

The fact that they were trying to recruit Leo, even breaking that tradition, was certainly shocking.

“Leo is a person of the Rodlen Empire. It is natural for him to join Imperium, the empire's guild. How could he join an elven guild?”

As Jiss stepped forward and spoke, Amadeus, who had risen from his kneeling position, curled the corners of his mouth.

Unlike when he bowed his head to Leo, he was now sporting a very arrogant and impudent smile.

“Wouldn't it be much more natural for Leo-nim, Seirun-nim's successor, to join Stella Illuminos?”

A tense atmosphere began to flow between the two.

The atmosphere was already not good from the moment he pushed his way in indiscriminately.

Adding to that, with the clash regarding Leo's hero guild entry, an atmosphere that felt like it could explode at any moment began to pervade.

Everyone wore tense expressions.

Meanwhile, Leo, who had sealed the letter again, spoke.

“I don’t particularly intend to join either Imperium or Stella Illuminos, though?”

Everyone's eyes widened at Leo's words.

An invitation to join a guild that everyone dreams of entering, yet he has no intention?

“Hey, are you perhaps trying to get into Twilight?”

“No.”

“Then where will you join?”

As everyone looked on with puzzled faces, Leo opened his mouth.

“I was going to make one.”

“What?”

Everyone made surprised expressions.

“Well, isn't that convenient? Shall we establish one while we're at it?”

Chloe said, looking at Leo who spoke as calmly as if he was forming a club.

“You can’t just make a hero guild just because you want to. To establish one, you need to meet the qualifications in the first place.”

“The qualification of having to acquire the status of a hero?”

“Exactly.”

Chloe nodded at Leo's question.

Of course, Leo also knew the qualifications.

But…

‘That’s just a matter of telling Melina to change the agreement.’

In the first place, Leo’s name was already listed in the Hero Record as Kyle, the Hero of Beginnings.

On the very first page, no less.

There was no way Leo's name would be listed again.

For Leo, it was uncertain whether he could meet the qualifications.

‘I thought about having someone else be the founder, but isn't Dragonia the one who grants permission to establish hero guilds anyway?’

And the highest authority in Dragonia was none other than Melina, the Dragon Lord.

From other people's perspectives, changing the agreement to establish a guild would be an absurd idea.

‘What can’t be done in this world? If it can't be done, I'll just make it happen.’

Leo was a human who could make such impossible things happen.

‘The best scenario would be for me to get the title of hero myself. But that's difficult.’

***

The deepest part of Rumerun.

In the very center of the Forbidden Archive, where countless heroic relics and records lie dormant, rests the Human Hero Record.

When a new human hero is born, their name is written here.

Only those specially appointed by the Dragon Lord could become the librarian here.

Rumerun’s librarian.

It was when Decitian was guarding the entrance of the Forbidden Archive with an expressionless face.

*Flap-*!

Suddenly, the closed Hero Record unfolded.

Decitian, discovering this sight, knelt down.

Having served as the librarian of the Forbidden Archive for a long time, he knew.

That this was truly a divine revelation.

It was the moment a noble hero, who had achieved a feat recognized by the gods, had their name written in the Hero Record.

*Flap-flap-flap-*!

Countless pages unfolded.

*Thud-*!

Finally, the last page unfolded.

*Whoosh-*!

Along with a bright light, a name began to emerge.

Decitian trembled as he watched that glorious moment announcing the birth of a new hero.

A moment later, the light disappeared.

Decitian, who had been kneeling towards the Hero Record in a reverent posture without moving while the name was being written, approached the Hero Record.

And he widened his eyes.

Originally, countless things were written in the Hero Record.

Not only the names of heroes but also the epithets bestowed upon them by the gods.

And the great deeds they accomplished were recorded.

Therefore, the Hero Record was extremely dense.

But now, it was literally a blank page.

There were no names bestowed by the gods upon a hero, nor were there any great deeds.

All that existed was a single name.

[Leo Flobe.]