Book 1 Chapter 471

471.

KWAANG-! KWAJIK-!

The battle axe was shattered by the battle hammer swung by Lil.

"…?!"

Joren's face contorted in shock.

PEOK-! UJIG-!

"Kuhuk!"

Joren, hit squarely by the hammer, fell to the ground.

Lil, rushing forward, raised her hammer.

"Wait! A person aiming to be a hero is mercilessly attacking an defenseless opponent like this…!"

She desperately pleaded for her life.

"Shut up!"

KWAJIK-!

Lil's hammer mercilessly crushed Joren's head.

"Huh- huh-"

Lil panted heavily, retrieving her battle hammer.

TULLOEK-

Leo approached Lil, who had slumped down and was gasping for breath, and offered her hand.

"As expected, Lil-senpai is amazing."

"Haa… Haa… Didn't Leo take down four people in an instant by herself?"

Lil grabbed Leo's hand with a trembling hand and stood up.

"Fuu. Fuu."

Taking a deep breath and catching her ragged breath, Lil said.

"Besides, I received a lot of help from Leo. I still have a long way to go."

In the fight between Lil and Joren, Leo had merely watched from the sidelines.

However, Joren had witnessed the shocking scene of four Justice Guild members being eliminated like insects in an instant.

The moment Leo intervened in the battle, everything would be over.

Such pressure had disrupted Joren's concentration.

"Regardless, it's a fact that Lil-senpai defeated an opponent clearly stronger than herself."

No matter how great Lil was, she was a third-year student at Rumern.

On the other hand, her opponent had attended Rumern up to the fifth year.

Furthermore, he was a clear powerhouse who had not neglected training to achieve the position of hero.

The very fact that she could achieve a giant-killing was a testament to Lil's potential.

'Even if I hadn't been there, Lil would have won.'

While Leo's presence had pressured Joren, Lil's combat ability was beyond imagination.

She had performed beyond her own limits.

'Clearly, the qualities of a hero.'

While Leo was evaluating Lil internally, Lil looked at the battlefield with a troubled expression.

"It's shocking that there were people with such thoughts in the Justice Guild."

The idea of using others as mere sacrifices to become a hero.

Lil found it unacceptable.

"This is probably not their personal ideology."

"That's right. There must be superiors with such crazy ideas. I want to blow their heads open and take out their brains to investigate how they could have such delusions."

"……"

Leo stared intently at Lil.

Lil, covering her mouth, cleared her throat.

"I got a little carried away. My speech gets a bit rough when I'm drunk."

"It doesn't seem like 'a little'."

"Please consider it drunken rambling."

Seeing Lil feigning innocence, Leo nodded.

Meanwhile, Count Esimen, who had retreated his troops, approached.

"Leo-nim, Lil-nim."

"Count Esimen. Are the soldiers safe?"

"Yes, thanks to both of you, the soldiers are safe. Truly, how can I repay this debt…"

"We only did what was natural as students of Rumern. Please don't worry about it!"

Lil waved her hand dismissively.

"Thank you so much. By the way, there's someone who wants to meet you."

Count Esimen said, glancing around hesitantly, and Lil looked puzzled.

'It seems someone from higher up has arrived.'

Leo easily grasped the situation.

Count Esimen was the commander of this front.

He was not a person of low status.

Yet, he was acting so cautiously.

'Did King Canel send an envoy to us?'

Leo's guess was correct.

In the midst of the battlefield.

A man who appeared to be a high-ranking official was walking while stroking his goatee.

He wore ornate armor that did not suit the battlefield.

Armor that showed no practicality whatsoever.

Clothes worn solely for show.

'The war situation isn't very good, and if someone from the central government is like this… I can only imagine what this country is like.'

Leo let out a hollow laugh.

Lil, seeming to have similar thoughts, furrowed her brow slightly.

Unaware of their thoughts, the high-ranking official exclaimed with a touched expression.

"My name is Duke Kernville Dotarn! I heard that Leo Flove and Lil Luce were dispatched from Rumern to help our Kingdom of Canel, so I rushed here at once!"

At that, Lil corrected him.

"No. We came here to search for those who were desecrating the tombs of heroes…"

"Hoo hoo! Isn't that a minor issue?"

"Minor issue?"

Lil's expression turned grim.

The tombs of heroes sleeping in this land ultimately meant the tombs of revered spirits who had fought to protect this land long ago.

Even if they were figures from ancient history, predating the founding of this country.

They were not beings that could be taken lightly by the people of this land.

Desecrating their graves was an act of insult to them.

Lil accepted this commission not only out of personal interest but also to punish those who committed such shameful acts.

Lil's face lost all expression, but Duke Dotarn, oblivious, chattered on excitedly.

"Our Kingdom of Canel needs the salvation of great heroes! Those wicked Phetiman Kingdom scoundrels are oppressing our kingdom using the Justice Guild! Shouldn't Rumern be helping us as a matter of course?"

Duke Dotarn stroked his beard and said.

"This is not a place to discuss such matters. The King wishes to meet with you to explain the kingdom's situation."

At that, Leo looked at Lil.

In any case, a detailed explanation was needed to grasp the situation.

Lil nodded, and Leo spoke.

"Understood."

"Haha! Now the Phetiman Kingdom is finished!"

Duke Dotarn laughed heartily, as if he had secured aid from Rumern.

And they arrived at the royal palace using a temporary warp gate.

Upon arriving at the palace, they were greeted by an enormous number of servants and maids.

Belonging to the royal palace, they grabbed Leo and Lil and pushed them into the fitting room.

"It is an honor to serve you. We will prepare you quickly."

"What are you talking about? Why are you touching our clothes? Hey, wait! Leo is right next to—"

As Lil's flustered voice echoed, a curtain was drawn.

Afterward, sounds of bickering could be heard from inside.

"I'll undress myself…"

"Then it's too late!"

"So please explain the situation!"

FLUTTER- FLUTTER-

It seemed the maids were forcibly changing their clothes.

Leo caught Lil's school uniform top that had flown towards him.

'What is this situation?'

Leo scowled at the sudden turn of events.

Meanwhile, the servants quickly took Leo's measurements and prepared a splendid suit for him.

"His Majesty has prepared a welcome banquet for you."

Someone who appeared to be the chief attendant whispered to Leo.

CHWAK-!

A moment later.

The curtain was drawn, and Lil emerged, elegantly adorned in a dress.

Lil stumbled a few times as if unaccustomed to the crystal shoes and scowled.

"These are uncomfortable. Give me back my shoes."

"No! You look incredibly beautiful right now, and you want to wear shoes fit for soldiers!"

The maids firmly hid Lil's shoes behind them.

Sighing at the sight, Lil stood next to Leo, arms crossed.

"You look wonderful, Leo."

"Lil-senpai looks beautiful too."

"It's a courtesy, but it feels nice."

Lil said with a slightly relaxed expression.

Of course, Leo meant it sincerely.

The adorned Lil was exceptionally beautiful.

"By the way, what is all this about? When I heard from Count Esimen, the country itself was in a dire situation. While we should be discussing national affairs seriously, a welcome banquet? And with the money spent on these expensive dresses and jewelry, it would be better to provide supplies to the soldiers…"

"They probably want to show respect since they are officially asking for help. High-ranking people like formalities."

Leo calmed Lil down, who was getting agitated.

Lil also took a deep breath.

"That's probably true. Given the seriousness of the situation, we should have a serious discussion and report back to school."

Lil straightened her back and puffed out her chest.

She had returned as the proud representative of Rumern.

Leo adjusted his tie and stood beside Lil.

The two were led to the banquet hall.

A moment later.

The door to the opulent banquet hall opened.

And what unfolded before their eyes was literally extravagance itself.

The first thing that caught their eye was a fountain in the center of the hall.

Wine flowed from it instead of water.

The food was an endless array of high-class dishes, regardless of the season.

The banquet hall was adorned with lavish flowers, jewels, and gold.

The nobles attending the party were also dressed very extravagantly.

To the point where Leo and Lil's attire seemed modest.

A magnificent orchestra was playing music.

It wasn't just a welcome party; it seemed to be a social gathering, as nobles were gambling in one corner.

Literally a playground.

It seemed that most of the nobles of the kingdom were gathered.

This time, Lil's expression vanished from her face.

At that moment, the King, seated at the highest point, pointed at Leo and Lil.

"Behold! My loyal subjects! The heroes who will save this country have arrived! Welcome them all with utmost hospitality!"

Cheers erupted from the nobles.

Judging by their appearance, one might mistake this country for being in an era of peace.

Leo let out a deep sigh.

"Leo."

"Yes."

"The king of this country… No. The nobles of this country must be insane."

"I agree."

***

In conclusion, Leo and Lil could not have a single word about the King of Canel or the current situation.

The King was too engrossed in enjoying the banquet to pay any attention to them.

Even when Leo and Lil tried to approach, nobles blocked their way and struck up conversations.

Ultimately, deeming it impossible to discuss important matters, Lil could only suppress her anger.

She then exuded an aura that warned the surrounding nobles to stay away and unceasingly drank wine from the fountain.

After the banquet, the two were led to a room for distinguished guests.

"Seriously! Does this make any sense! The soldiers are risking their lives for the country! And the higher-ups who sent them to the battlefield are indulging in luxury and revelry!"

Lil, entering the room with Leo, erupted in rage.

"They're insane! The leaders are definitely crazy! Don't you think so?! Leo!"

Lil, drunk, turned to Leo and shouted.

'She's drunk.'

Lil, who usually spoke respectfully and courteously even to her juniors, was now speaking to him informally, which was quite uncharacteristic.

"Isn't that how it always is?"

"It always is! I know the world is dirty! But you have to have some limits to your madness!"

Lil, expressing her passion, impatiently removed her head adornments.

"I almost blew up all their heads, but I managed to hold back!"

"We can have a proper conversation tomorrow."

"What if it's the same tomorrow morning?"

"Then we'll have to act on our own. We can't just leave the Justice Guild as they are."

Regardless, Leo intended to eliminate the Justice Guild itself.

"Right."

Lil nodded.

Leo looked at Lil and said.

"Then go back to your room and get some rest. You had a hard day today."

"Before that."

Lil approached Leo.

Standing so close that their breaths could mingle, Lil cupped Leo's face with both hands and pulled him towards her.

Leo said.

"Senpai, you're drunk right now."

"Yes, I'll say it while I'm drunk."

Lil, reeking of alcohol, said with slightly unfocused eyes.

"Leo Flove."

"Yes."

"Take me as your disciple."

Leo let out a burst of laughter at the sudden remark.

"I'm a junior to Lil-senpai, so how can I take you as my disciple?"

"What does that matter?"

Lil, returning to her usual tone, approached the bed and flopped down, shaking her legs.

As she did, her crystal shoes came off and flew away.

"One must learn from those who are superior to oneself."

"Did you always want to be my disciple? Did you think that?"

"No. If I had been a beast summoner, I might have had that thought, but I was a spirit summoner."

Externally, Leo was considered more skilled in beast summoning than spirit summoning.

"But after seeing Leo's spirit summoning just now, my mind changed."

Lil had seen Leo during the battle.

"Leo's spirit summoning was too perfect."

'Of course. I was imitating Licinas.'

Lil, wiggling her now-unburdened feet, got up with a 'ushaa-' and approached Leo.

Then, looking up at her junior, she said.

"I know it's a bit much to just ask you to teach me spirit summoning. That's why I'm making this request. To become your disciple. Disciples do anything their master asks. Just give me any task. If you tell me to do homework, I'll do homework; if you tell me to buy bread, I'll buy bread."

"That's not a disciple, that's a lackey."

"In any case."

Lil smiled brightly.

"I want to be Leo's disciple. I will serve you well as my master."

"I don't want to be a scrupulous junior who exploits his senpai."

"Make me your disciple."

Lil grabbed Leo's collar.

"Make me."

Seeing Lil stubbornly insisting with unfocused eyes, Leo looked up at the ceiling and sighed.

'I shouldn't drink with her next time.'

***

Soldiers of the Phetiman Kingdom were digging with shovels and pickaxes.

The gravestones erected in honor of the heroes had already been destroyed and lay scattered on the ground.

The soldiers' faces were filled with guilt.

"Hurry up and dig, don't dawdle!"

The knight in charge of supervision screamed.

"Ah, we have to dig up this person's grave like this."

"This person sacrificed and shed blood for this land 3,000 years ago."

The soldiers lamented.

A hero they had heard of since childhood.

A hero with a famous legend in the northeastern region.

The soldiers felt immense guilt at the thought of desecrating such a grave.

"You idiots, if you get caught talking, you'll die!"

An older soldier nearby whispered.

A moment later.

A coffin was found in the dug-up grave.

The supervisor tore open the lid of the coffin.

KWAJIK-!

"This isn't it either."

There was only dust inside the coffin.

The knight scoffed and shouted at the soldiers who were trying to minimally restore the grave.

"What are you doing!"

"Yes? My lord. We should at least restore it a little…"

"There's no time for that! Head to the next grave!"

At his words, the soldiers left, offering a deep apology in their hearts to the hero from 3,000 years ago.

KWARUNG-!

A moment later, lightning struck the sky.

TUDUK- SWAAAAAAAH!

Rain poured down, turning the excavated grave into a mud pit.

A moment later.

KWAK-!

A hand emerged from the mud pit.

CHULBEOG- CHULBEOG-

The man who came out of the mud stood up.

[How dare you…]

The man's eyes, covered in mud, glowed crimson.

[Unforgivable!]

A voice filled with resentment and hatred emanated from his mouth.