Book 1 Chapter 631

631.

After the subjugation of Jorua.

The Rodren Empire was in an uproar.

The first shock came from the news that the Hero Slayer, believed to have been subjugated long ago, had been resurrected and was active. The other was the Elder Council of Zerdinger, which was revealed to have been colluding with the Hero Slayer.

"Seriously, it's a disgrace to the family! A disgrace!"

Celia clenched her fists, her face unyielding in anger.

Watching Celia, Chelsea, who stood with her arms crossed, sighed softly.

"That's why His Majesty the Emperor is hosting a party hosted by the royal family after such a long time."

Zerdinger is the backbone of the Rodren Empire.

Therefore, if Zerdinger falters, the repercussions spread throughout the Rodren Empire.

Currently, Zerdinger was busy dealing with the aftermath of the expulsion of the Elder Council.

However, the internal turmoil was not as chaotic as expected.

Although the Elder Council was a formidable force within Zerdinger, it was not the entire faction led by the Elder Council that caused problems in this incident.

Those who were executed were, strictly speaking, the leaders, the heads.

"If it had escalated into a civil war… I don't even want to think about it."

Celia shivered.

The entire empire might have been engulfed in war.

In any case, contrary to external perceptions, the internal situation in Zerdinger was stable.

The problem was the outside.

Rumors of a traitor emerging from Zerdinger spread like wildfire throughout the empire.

Zerdinger has been the sword and shield of the empire since the beginning of Rodren's history.

With such a dishonorable incident occurring in Zerdinger, the citizens of the empire could not help but tremble with anxiety.

The world is currently in a state of overall instability.

Rumors gave birth to more rumors, and eventually, the entire empire was on the verge of being shaken.

That is why the Emperor of Rodren decided to hold a party hosted by the Emperor to announce Zerdinger's strength before such a situation occurred.

Invitations to the party went out to the nobles of the Rodren Empire and influential commoners who operated large trading companies.

"What are you two talking about so interestingly?"

At that moment, Sasha, her face hidden by a fan, approached between the two.

The appearance of Sasha, the next emperor of the Rodren Empire, drew even more attention, which was already focused on them.

"Oh my~ all three of you are so beautiful."

"You are truly the flowers of the empire."

"You are already so beautiful, how dazzling will you be when you grow up a little more?"

Direct descendants of Zerdinger and Lewalin.

And the next ruler of the empire.

Not only that, but with three people, the top students of Lumen gathered in one place, reporters were busy taking pictures with magic artifacts.

"Come on, smile and wave."

"Why are you here? You should go to where Lis oppa and Abad are!"

"That's right, the Crown Princess should go to the successors who will lead the next empire!"

Celia and Chelsea grumbled softly so that only Sasha could hear.

Although they were in a relationship of lord and subordinate externally, they were close friends since childhood, so they were comfortable with each other.

"Aren't you being too harsh on your friend, seniors?"

As people's attention dispersed to some extent, Sasha pouted her lips.

"By the way, what is this big announcement Lis oppa was going to make?"

Sasha asked Celia with a puzzled expression.

At that, Celia wore a troubled expression and said softly.

"Lis oppa is getting married. To Torua senpai."

"What?!"

Sasha wore a shocked expression.

In an instant, as people's attention turned to them, she quickly composed herself.

"This will surely help resolve the confusion."

The marriage of the heir of Zerdinger is a joyous occasion for the empire.

Especially since the other party is the famous Torua Yan.

Those who like to create stories will surely be excited to talk about the two people who attended Lumen together as classmates.

The Elder Council incident will also be somewhat buried.

"It's a celebration. A celebration."

"Yes, it is a celebration. Because I've suddenly become an aunt."

"Oh?"

Sasha's eyes widened.

"As the next Emperor of Rodren, it is a welcome development to have no worries about the successor of Zerdinger. Hohoho!"

Sasha, who was laughing elegantly, covered her mouth slightly with her fan and wore a mischievous expression.

"By the way, Lis oppa is a man too. I thought he was just a gentleman, but to cause trouble in that way."

"He's an adult who takes responsibility."

Celia sighed softly as she brushed her hair back.

Just then.

"Oh? It's Sir Niel and Sir Matchel."

Sasha spotted Niel and Matchel meeting in the center of the party hall.

Silence flowed between the two, and then they turned sharply and went their separate ways.

Watching them, Sasha clicked her tongue.

"Sir Niel and Sir Matchel seem to be even colder to each other than before."

"I'm a little worried too. Nia unnie was recently looking at Matchel's photos. Every time I saw her, she would tear them up."

"What is that? Is it some kind of curse?"

Sasha wore a serious expression.

She thought that Niel and Matchel, who were truly enemies, would do such a thing.

Listening to their conversation, Chelsea pouted her lips and mumbled softly.

"Is it a trend to cause trouble these days…"

"Hm? What does that mean?"

"It's a thing."

In response to Celia's question, Chelsea replied shrewdly.

Celia and Sasha looked puzzled by her reaction.

"By the way."

Sasha's eyes sparkled as she looked around.

"Why isn't Leo senpai here?"

"Leo is busy with this and that. He said he might not be able to attend the party."

"Really? That's a shame. He's the topic of conversation."

Sasha expressed her disappointment.

However, on the other hand, she seemed to understand.

"Inheriting the throne is definitely a complicated matter. I heard they're even changing the country's name?"

"Yes. It's called Archi."

"Archi… beginning…"

Sasha's eyes sparkled.

"By the way, it's a little scary that Leo senpai is the king."

"Why is it scary?"

Chelsea asked with a puzzled expression, and Sasha giggled.

"You know Leo senpai's famous nickname."

"What nickname?"

"Demon King."

At Sasha's words, Chelsea and Celia's faces slightly stiffened.

It was a name given to him due to his chilling demeanor in their second year.

As Chelsea and Celia shivered, recalling Leo's seriousness at the time.

The entrance to the party hall began to stir, and Leo appeared.

Seeing Leo, impeccably dressed in a white tailcoat, Sasha clasped her hands together and shrieked, "Kya-!"

"Leo senpai!"

As Leo entered the party hall, followed by Dave and Reina, people's attention was drawn to him.

As the youngest student council president in Lumen's history and one of the most famous heroes in the world today.

Furthermore, since he became a direct descendant of Zerdinger, he had never appeared at official Rodren Empire events, so the interest in Leo was even more intense.

Celia gently pressed Sasha's shoulders, who was about to jump up and down with her hands clasped, and said.

"Maintain your dignity, Your Highness the Crown Princess."

"Why are you making such a fuss when you see him so much at school?"

Chelsea also chided her, and Sasha glared.

"You don't know because you're in the same year as Leo senpai! Even the 4th and 5th-year seniors can't easily meet Leo senpai! How could the 1st-year students?"

At that, Chelsea and Celia's eyes widened, and they looked at each other.

"Indeed, Leo oppa has little interaction with students from other years."

Until the first semester, there was a lot of interaction with the first-year students due to the mentor system.

However, from the second semester onwards, first-year students had no more opportunities to meet Leo.

Not only that.

Seniors also couldn't easily see Leo.

The status of seniors in Lumen is powerful.

However, even that status inevitably faded after Leo rose to the position of a hero.

Among the senior grades, the only ones who interact with Leo without restraint are Lil, the representative of the 4th grade, and Elena, the representative of the 5th grade.

"Being able to chat and laugh with Leo senpai is a great privilege! A privilege! Ugh! I'm so jealous! If I had known, I would have enrolled in the same year as you!"

Seeing Sasha genuinely resentful, Celia sighed as if she couldn't stop her.

'Come to think of it, she was a member of Leo's fan club.'

As the three were chatting, Leo approached.

"Everyone was here."

Leo approached.

"Leo senpai~"

Sasha smiled brightly and waved at Leo.

The nobles around were surprised by the rare radiant smile of the Crown Princess.

"Leo senpai! Please dance with me during the dance time!"

"If I feel like it."

"Ah. That chic demeanor. It's cool."

As Sasha moaned, Celia whispered to Chelsea.

"Can Sasha become the emperor?"

"She's good at pretending, so maybe she can?"

Seeing her childhood friends dissing her, Sasha glared.

She tried to secretly step on their feet.

Of course, they were not people who would be easily tricked.

As the three girls bickered out of sight, Leo looked around.

"Where is Abad?"

"I'm here. Am I late?"

"I came with my mother."

"Ah."

Abad, who approached with a smile, said to Sasha.

"Sasha. His Majesty is looking for you."

"Ugh? At a time like this?"

Sasha wore a resentful expression.

"Leo senpai! Don't forget to dance!"

Saying that, Sasha grabbed the hem of her dress and ran away.

After Sasha left, Leo confirmed that there was no one else listening and opened his mouth.

"It's not certain yet."

"Hm?"

"From the third year onwards, there might be new subjects and missions at Lumen related to Tartarus."

At that, the faces of the three people turned serious.

"How should we prepare?"

"History of the legions."

"History of the legions?"

Celia furrowed her brow.

Legions clearly referred to the legion commanders of Tartarus and the legions that followed him.

"Can't you tell us more details?"

"It's not definite yet."

Leo also knew very little about the records of the legions.

'I'll have to talk to Rian.'

"Inform all the students through the communication network."

At that, Celia nodded.

"From the third year onwards, you'll be actively involved in missions, so a busy school life will begin. Get plenty of rest."

Hearing Leo's words, Celia chuckled.

"I'm prepared."

"I can't let you and Cal go ahead alone. I'll catch up in the third year."

Leo smiled at Abad's words.

"I'm looking forward to that."

"By the way, it's surprising that we're chasing after Cal."

Chelsea held her head and shook it.

As Leo smiled faintly at her, dance music began to play.

In response, people began to dance the waltz.

Naturally, the eyes of Rodren nobles of Leo's age began to turn this way.

At those gazes, Abad chuckled and took a step forward, extending his hand.

"Shall we dance one song, my lady?"

Celia looked at Abad's outstretched hand, smiled faintly, and took it.

"Gladly."

The two walked towards the center of the ballroom.

Seeing them, amazed gasps burst out from here and there.

It was a surprising sight to see the two, famous for being rivals, dancing.

Watching them, Chelsea clicked her tongue.

"This will cause another stir, won't it? Hmm?"

As Chelsea grumbled, she widened her eyes at the hand extended before her face.

"You looked like you wanted to dance."

At that, Chelsea, whose eyes were like a rabbit's, looked up at Leo, then smiled bashfully, took Leo's hand, and went out to the ballroom.

"I've always felt this, but Leo oppa dances well."

"I learned it as part of etiquette."

"It's more than just learning etiquette."

"Learning from Luna also played a big role."

"Ah."

Chelsea nodded as if she understood.

"By the way, why did you decide to change the name of Tunkun? Knowing Leo oppa's personality, he would have left it as it is."

Chelsea asked with a puzzled expression, and Leo chuckled.

"It was the name of our subjugation team from long ago."

"Hm?"

"The name of the Erebus Subjugation Team was Archi. It was named by Lisinas."

"Ah."

Chelsea nodded in surprise.

'The name of the Erebus Subjugation Team was Archi?'

The party names of great heroes were secrets that remained unknown to history.

Chelsea couldn't help but be surprised to learn the name.

Admiring the fact that she had learned something new, Chelsea suddenly asked.

She intended to fulfill her personal desires this time.

"Did Lisinas-nim dance well?"

Leo chuckled at the sudden curiosity.

"No."

"Wow~ that's surprising."

"He was a terrible dancer who was only strong."

Chelsea looked surprised at Leo's words.

"When I talk to Leo oppa, I learn a lot of surprising things about the great heroes."

"Really?"

"Yes. I was also surprised that Lisinas-nim was surprisingly good at deceiving others. Oh, speaking of which."

Chelsea smiled as if she had remembered something.

"Last time, in Dragonia, Leo oppa and the Wisdom students cast a Nightmare on me, remember?"

"Yes. You said you met Lisinas there."

It was Leo's intention to make Lisinas's illusion appear.

Nightmare forces one to fight the person they least want to fight, but the illusion can also be determined by the caster's intention.

"When I told that Lisinas-nim he was uglier than his portrait, he got a little angry. Is that Lisinas-nim's true personality?"

At that, Leo asked.

"He got angry?"