Book 1 Chapter 483

"Why is he acting like that all of a sudden?" Leo squinted his eyes, observing Tamus's sudden change in demeanor.

As if disbelieving it.

He started mumbling, "It's unbelievable! This is impossible!" while spacing out.

"He was crazy just a moment ago, but he wasn't acting this deranged, was he?"

[Your will has caused the hero title to be revoked.]

[The name of Tamus, the Knight of the Netherworld, has been deleted from the Hero Record.]

"What?"

Leo wore an expression of shock at the sudden message that appeared before his eyes.

It was such an absurd situation.

Leo instantly understood why the Twilight Knight had reacted so strangely.

"This is ridiculous."

The Hero Record is publicly known as the gods' last gift to the world, left behind after the Age of Calamity ended 5,000 years ago.

However, in reality, the owner of the Hero Record is Kyle, the Hero of Origin.

"Well, since I'm already dead and gone, the gods have been in charge of maintaining the records in the Hero Record for the past 5,000 years."

Even if they had left the mortal realm, there was no way the gods would abandon their interest in it.

"During the Age of Gods, the gods chose the mortal realm as a place of amusement partly out of boredom, but also because they fundamentally loved it."

While they couldn't interfere, the gods were undoubtedly still watching over the mortal realm.

Therefore, anyone who caught the gods' attention could have their name added to the Hero Record.

Catching the gods' attention was an incredibly difficult feat in itself.

However, it meant that those chosen by the gods could be revered as heroes regardless of their character.

"It's pointless to try and understand their way of thinking."

In this era, without gods, people revered them greatly.

However, those who lived during the Age of Gods often considered the gods a nuisance.

Therefore, Leo couldn't consider someone a hero simply because they had gained divine recognition.

"None of the people here are suitable to be heroes."

Leo narrowed his eyes as he looked at the members of the Justice Guild.

"But even so, do I have the authority to remove names from the Hero Record?"

When he thought about it, the records of past heroes, even before the creation of the Hero Record, had been recorded in the Hero Record according to Leo's will, not to mention the Shadow's Contract.

"If I have the authority to record, it's not strange to have the authority to delete. Still, it's an absurd amount of power."

Leo could grant and revoke hero titles by his will.

In the Age of Heroes, this was unimaginable power, no, a divine authority.

"If this fact were to become known, wouldn't I be revered as a true god?"

Leo let out a hollow laugh.

"This authority is heavy. I'm not like that fellow Rishinas, am I?"

"That's an interesting conversation. You're the Hero of Origin?" Jerome burst out laughing, looking at Leo.

"Does 'All Class' refer to a great hero who left the world 5,000 years ago?"

"I've never gone around proclaiming myself to be Kyle." Leo said calmly.

"He's just blabbering on his own."

The moment Leo looked at Tamus.

"How dare you do this to me!" Tamus roared with fury.

Goooh-!

The air vibrated with his shout.

The executives of the Justice Guild flinched.

A terrifying killing intent emanated from Tamus's body.

"Hup!?"

"Kugh!"

The Justice Guild members' faces turned pale at the immense aura he exuded.

Jerome narrowed his eyes.

'Power comparable to a Legion Commander.'

It was power equivalent to a Legion Commander they had defeated in the world of heroes.

"As expected of a hero who carried the weight of an era. It will be worth defeating him."

"You shouldn't be talking so casually."

"What?"

"It looks like it will be difficult for you to handle with your strength. Wouldn't it be better to run away?" Leo said with his arms crossed, calmly.

Seeing Leo like that, Jerome curled the corners of his mouth.

"How arrogant. Did you lose sight of everything because you became student council president in your first year and a hero in your second?"

A powerful spiritual energy flowed from Jerome's body.

"No matter how much you brag, you're ultimately a fledgling. If you overestimate your abilities carelessly, you won't live long…"

"Kuaaaaaah!"

Kwabang-!

Before Jerome could even finish speaking.

Tamus, drawing his sword from subspace, charged at Leo.

The greatsword, imbued with obsidian aura, descended upon Leo.

Wheoooh-! Kwagagagang-!

Along with it, Leo was sent flying and embedded into the ground.

Seeing that, Jerome's expression changed drastically.

'I didn't see the attack. Did he use spatial teleportation?'

The attack was so fast it was far beyond Jerome's perception.

"Our opponent is a hero who once carried the weight of an era. Let's respond as if he's a monster of Legion Commander level."

At his words, the executives of the Justice Guild quickly formed ranks.

They were veteran heroes who had conquered countless worlds of heroes.

As those who had experienced and overcome countless trials, they remained calm even in front of Tamus's transcendent power.

"Should we consider him an opponent of equal skill to a Sword Saint?"

To Chain's question, Jerome nodded.

"Yes."

Flash-!

Countless light spirits were summoned from the air.

"Then shall we execute justice?"

***

Kwabang-!

Leo's body, having crashed to the ground, burrowed into the earth.

"Kyaaaaaaaak!"

"What, what is it?"

Nearby buildings collapsed, and screams echoed from all directions.

Dududud-!

As Leo got up, the sound of falling stone fragments was heard.

"He's certainly strong."

Creak-

Leo cracked his stiff neck left and right and rose from the rubble.

The place Leo crashed into was none other than the royal palace.

As everyone watched Leo fall from the sky, their faces were filled with shock.

"Lord Leo!"

Prince Jeremin rushed towards Leo in a hurry.

"What is the situation?!"

"Prince Jeremin. It's good timing." Leo smiled as he recognized a familiar face.

"The Knight of the Netherworld has been resurrected as an undead."

"The Knight of the Netherworld?" Jeremin's expression was bewildered.

He knew of the Knight of the Netherworld.

In fact, anyone living in the northeastern part of the continent would know of the hero.

However, it was hard to believe that a hero from 3,000 years ago had been resurrected as an undead.

Jeremin, who had been flustered, soon adopted a serious expression.

"What should we do?"

He hadn't known Leo for long.

However, as a crown prince who would lead at least one country in the future, Jeremin had a good eye for people.

He knew that Leo would never speak nonsense.

"If we're unlucky, the entire capital could be turned into a wasteland."

"The entire capital?" Jeremin's expression was shocked.

"Yes."

'He's stronger than a Sword Saint.'

Comparing him to Sword Saint Kalian as a hero would be blasphemy.

It would be an insult to Kalian.

However, as a knight, Tamus was undeniably a powerful individual.

If he were to fight such a Tamus head-on, it wouldn't be impossible for a city to be obliterated.

"Yes, we must evacuate the capital's citizens to the safest possible place."

"I will command the soldiers to evacuate the populace to safety." Jeremin said with a resolute expression.

"You could die."

"The lives of the people come first."

Leo chuckled as he looked at Jeremin, who answered with a firm expression.

"You, I like you."

"I heard that an army of the dead is invading outside the capital. What about that?"

"There's someone qualified to command the soldiers for that. Lil."

- Yes, Master!

"You come from a military family, so you've received training as a commander, right?"

- I have, though it's insufficient. Of course, it's nothing compared to you, Master. Ah, there's so much I can learn from you…

Leo, completely ignoring Lil, who was once again disparaging herself, looked at Jeremin.

"May I entrust the defense of the capital to Lil?"

"To Lil? Shall I request military authority from my father…"

"Are you referring to Lil, the hero candidate?"

Just then, an arrogant voice was heard.

King Canel was approaching, accompanied by a group of people clad in white armor and robes.

"The Justice Guild?" Leo's expression was one of confusion.

"Just a short while ago, the Justice Guild declared that they would save our kingdom from the treacherous attack of Tartarus." King Canel said with a confident voice.

Seeing that, Leo let out a hollow laugh.

"Father, even so, we must evacuate the citizens to safety."

"Hmph. Don't talk nonsense. The heroes led by Mr. Light Seeker, Jerome, will vanquish the phantom of the past, the Knight of the Netherworld. If you carelessly evacuate the citizens of the capital, it will only cause more chaos. The Justice Guild members dispatched throughout the capital are currently reassuring the people. Don't act rashly!"

In response to King Canel's words, one of the Justice Guild members spoke.

"The Guild Master and the executives will soon deliver news of victory."

To those confident words, Leo looked up at the sky.

"I don't think so."

Goooh-!

A storm of aura raged from the Knight of the Netherworld.

The storm of aura completely vaporized one of the knight-class heroes in the vanguard, leaving no trace.

"Hah!"

"Ugh?!"

Expressions of shock erupted among the Justice Guild members.

Woosh-!

At that moment, the Knight of the Netherworld swung a golden greatsword drawn from subspace.

Thwack-!

And someone's head flew off pointlessly.

"Hah!"

"Ch-Chain!"

Chain, a renowned mage hero on the continent and the vice guild master of the Justice Guild, had also lost his life.

Seeing that, terror erupted within the Justice Guild.

Sensing the ominous atmosphere, King Canel urgently said,

"Heroes of the Justice Guild! You must hurry and help them…"

However, before King Canel's words were even finished, the Justice Guild members began to flee in a hurry.

"Hey, hey!"

King Canel called out to them urgently, but they quickly escaped.

'As expected, should I say they act like those who reached the ranks of heroes by accumulating karma?' Leo narrowed his eyes.

Even though the guild executives had fallen so easily, to think of fleeing without hesitation while holding the title of hero.

'Did the gods make these trash their heroes? Their taste is terrible.'

"Wow, Your Majesty. What should we do now?" A minister asked with a bewildered expression.

King Canel's body trembled.

"Head to the warp gate at once! Grab the treasures!" King Canel shouted urgently.

Jeremin blocked King Canel's path.

"What are you doing! Get out of the way!"

"Father, may I take command of the military?"

"Nonsense at this situation! Get out of the way!"

"Military authority that you won't even use, won't you give it to your son?" Leo stood beside Jeremin.

King Canel, who flinched at Leo's cold smile, shouted,

"Do as you please! Now get out of the way!"

At those words, Jeremin bowed his head, and Leo also moved.

"Then, Prince. I'll leave the mortal realm to you. I'm going to deal with that guy."

"Can we defeat him if we combine forces with the Justice Guild?"

"They'll probably run away. Or die soon." Leo said calmly.

"Are you planning to face such a monster… alone? This country has no connection to you, Leo. Why then?" Jeremin's expression was bewildered.

Facing the Knight of the Netherworld, whom even the Justice Guild couldn't fend off, was an act of suicide by anyone's standards.

Perhaps no one would blame Leo if he retreated from here.

No, perhaps more people would wish for the promising Leo to survive.

Yet, Leo was preparing to fight against such a great threat.

To Jeremin's question, Leo replied calmly,

"If there are those who threaten, there must be those who save."

"Is that your conviction as a hero, Leo?"

"No, it's something a friend said." Leo smiled slyly.

"He didn't really consider it a conviction, though. It's more like a principle, I guess."

"Principle?"

"Yes. That's how the balance is maintained, right?"

Did the malice that threatened people's present have any special reason?

If so, then the goodwill that saved those people should also have no special reason.

That's how the world works.

"And they say that a hero is someone who can face that reasonless malice without a reason."

It's not that they are special, therefore they are heroes.

Simply being able to show goodwill is already special.

Leo, bursting into laughter, said, "Anyas."

At Leo's call, shadows, led by Anyas, appeared.

Jeremin was surprised by their sudden appearance.

"Order."

"Do what the heroes couldn't."

"What?"

Anyas, who had bowed his head, looked at Leo with bewilderment.

"Didn't you say shadows do what heroes can't?" Leo smiled.

"Many heroes have abandoned this city."

Leo smiled faintly.

"Then the role of shadows is obvious, isn't it?"

"That means…"

"It's time for you, shadows, to protect this city that the heroes have abandoned."