Book 1 Chapter 631

631.

After subduing Zorro.

The Lodren Empire was in an uproar.

The first was the shock caused by the news that the Hero Slayer, believed to have been subdued long ago, had revived and become active, and the other was the Zerdiger Elder Council, which was revealed to have been colluding with that Hero Slayer.

"Seriously. It's a disgrace to the family. A disgrace to the family!"

Celia clenched her fists, her face showing her anger had not subsided.

Watching Celia, Chelsea, who was standing next to her with her arms crossed, sighed softly.

"Because of that, His Majesty the Emperor even hosted this imperial party after such a long time."

Zerdiger was the linchpin of the Lodren Empire.

Therefore, if Zerdiger wavered, the repercussions would spread throughout the entire Lodren Empire.

Currently, Zerdiger was busy with the aftermath of expelling the Elder Council.

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

The Elder Council was certainly a powerful faction within Zerdiger, but not the entire force led by the Elder Council caused problems in this incident.

Those who were punished were, to be precise, the leading figures, the heads.

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

Celia shivered.

The entire empire might have been engulfed in war.

In any case, contrary to external perception, Zerdiger's internal situation was stable.

The problem was external.

The rumor that a traitor had emerged from Zerdiger spread like wildfire throughout the entire empire.

Zerdiger is a family that has been the sword and shield of the empire since the beginning of Lodren's history.

As such a dishonorable incident had occurred in Zerdiger, the citizens of the empire could not help but tremble with anxiety.

The world was currently in an unstable situation overall.

Rumors begot more rumors, and eventually, there was a high probability that the entire empire would be shaken.

That's why the Emperor of Lodren hosted a party to announce Zerdiger's continued strength before such a situation could arise.

Party invitations went out to the nobles of the Lodren Empire and even to influential commoners who operated large merchant guilds.

"You two, what are you talking about so entertainingly?"

Just then, Shasha, her face hidden by a folding fan, approached the two.

With the appearance of Shasha, the next emperor of the Lodren Empire, the attention that was already focused on them intensified even further.

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

"They are literally the flowers of the empire."

"They're already so beautiful now, imagine how dazzling they'll be when they grow up a little more?"

The direct descendants of Zerdiger and Rwaleen.

And even the next ruler of the empire.

Not only that, but when these three, who were the top of their classes at Lumerne, 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 and Abbad are!"

"Exactly, the Crown Princess should go to the successors who will lead the next empire!"

Celia and Chelsea grumbled softly, just loud enough for Shasha to hear.

Publicly, they were in a lord-vassal relationship, but privately, they were comfortable friends, having been so since childhood.

"Aren't you two being too harsh on your friend? Seniors."

As people's gazes somewhat dispersed, Shasha pouted.

"By the way, I heard Brother Lis is making a big announcement. What is it?"

Shasha looked at Celia and asked with a puzzled expression.

At her words, Celia made a troubled expression and spoke softly.

"Brother Lis is getting married. To Senior Torua."

"What?!"

Shasha's face showed a look of utter astonishment.

As people's gazes momentarily turned to her, she quickly composed her expression.

"Certainly, the chaos will subside."

The marriage of Zerdiger's successor was a joyous occasion for the empire.

Especially since the other party was the famous Torua Yan.

People who loved making up stories were clearly going to excitedly chat about the tale of these two who attended Lumerne together as classmates.

The Elder Council incident would also surely be somewhat buried for now.

"It's a joyous occasion. A joyous occasion."

"Yes. It's a joyous occasion. Because I've suddenly become an aunt."

"Oh?"

Shasha's eyes widened.

"As the next Emperor of Lodren, not having to worry about Zerdiger's successor is a welcome development. Hohoho!"

Shasha, who had been laughing elegantly, covered her mouth slightly with her fan and made a sly expression.

"By the way, Brother Lis is certainly a man after all. I thought he was just a gentleman, but he went and caused such a huge incident in that regard."

"He's an adult who knows how to take responsibility."

Celia, pushing back her hair, sighed softly.

It was then.

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

Shasha spotted Niel and Machel, who had run into each other in the middle of the party hall.

A silence fell between the two, then they abruptly turned around and went their separate ways.

Seeing that, Shasha clicked her tongue.

"Sir Niel and Sir Machel seem to have grown even colder towards each other than before."

"I'm a little worried too. Sister Niel has been looking at Machel's photo recently. And every time I see her, she rips the photo up, doesn't she?"

"What's that? Is it some kind of curse?"

Shasha made a serious expression.

She certainly felt that Niel and Machel, who were practically archenemies, would be capable of such a thing.

Listening to their conversation, Chelsea pouted and mumbled softly.

"Is causing trouble in fashion these days…?"

"Huh? What does that mean?"

"It's just something."

Chelsea answered Celia's question with a prim tone.

At that reaction, Celia and Shasha exchanged puzzled looks.

"By the way."

Shasha's eyes sparkled as she quickly scanned her surroundings.

"Why isn't Senior Leo visible?"

"Leo is busy with various things. They said he might not be able to attend the party."

"Really? That's a shame. He's the talk of the town."

Shasha looked disappointed.

But at the same time, she wore an expression of understanding.

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

"Yes. The name is Arhi."

"Arhi… 'beginning'… "

Shasha's eyes sparkled.

"By the way, Senior Leo being a king is somewhat scary."

"Why scary?"

When Chelsea looked puzzled, Shasha giggled.

"Senior Leo has that famous nickname, you know."

"What nickname?"

"The Demon King."

At Shasha's words, Chelsea's and Celia's faces subtly stiffened.

It was a name he earned thanks to the terrifying display he showed during his second year.

As Chelsea and Celia shivered, recalling Leo's serious demeanor back then.

The entrance to the party hall began to grow noisy, and then Leo appeared there.

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

"Senior Leo!"

People's attention focused on Leo as he entered the party hall, accompanied by Dave and Reina.

He was the youngest Lumerne student council president ever, and one of the most famous heroes in the world today.

Furthermore, since he had not appeared at any official events of the Lodren Empire even after becoming a direct descendant of Zerdiger, interest in Leo was bound to be even more fervent.

Celia gently pressed down on Shasha's shoulders, who looked like she was about to jump up and down with her hands clasped, and said.

"Maintain your dignity, Your Imperial Highness."

"We've seen him plenty at school, why such a fuss?"

When Chelsea also chided her, Shasha glared.

"You two don't know because you're in the same year as Senior Leo! Even the 4th and 5th-year seniors can't easily meet Senior Leo! How much harder would it be for 1st-years?"

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

"Indeed, Brother Leo has little interaction with other years."

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

But from the second semester, the first-years' opportunities to meet Leo disappeared.

Not only that.

Even the seniors couldn't easily see Leo.

The status that seniors hold at Lumerne is powerful.

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

Among the senior years, the only ones who currently interact informally with Leo are Lil of the 4th year and Elena of the 5th year, who are the representatives of their respective years.

"Just being able to laugh and chat with Senior Leo is an enormous privilege! A privilege! Ugh! I'm so jealous! If I had known this, I would have entered the academy in the same year as you two!"

Watching Shasha's genuine frustration, Celia sighed as if saying "there's no helping her."

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

It was while the three of them were chatting.

"You were all here."

Leo approached.

"Senior Leo~"

Shasha smiled brightly and waved to Leo.

The surrounding nobles were surprised by the Crown Princess's rare bright smile.

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

"If I feel like it."

"Ah. That chic demeanor. So cool."

As Shasha made a soft groan, Celia whispered to Chelsea.

"Can Shasha really become emperor?"

"She's good at acting demure, so wouldn't it be fine?"

Shasha, whose eyes narrowed as she looked at her childhood friends dissing her, secretly tried to stomp on their feet.

Of course, the two of them were not so easily taken advantage of.

While the three girls growled unseen, Leo looked around.

"Where's Abbad?"

"I'm here. You're late?"

"I was escorting my mother."

"Ah."

Abbad, who approached with a smile, said to Shasha.

"Shasha. His Majesty was looking for you."

"Ugh? Of all times?"

Shasha wore a frustrated expression.

"Senior Leo! Don't forget to dance with me!"

Saying that, Shasha grabbed the hem of her dress and scurried away.

After Shasha left, Leo confirmed there were no eavesdroppers nearby and opened his mouth.

"It's not certain yet, but."

"Hmm?"

"From the third year, new subjects and missions related to Tartarus might be introduced at Lumerne."

At his words, the three people's faces turned serious.

"How should we prepare?"

"The history of the legions."

"The history of the legions?"

Celia furrowed her brows.

"Legions" clearly referred to Tartarus's legion commanders and the legions that followed him.

"Can't you tell us in more detail?"

"Because it's not certain yet."

Leo also knew little about the legions' records yet.

'I'll have to talk to Lian.'

"Use the communication network to inform all the students."

At his words, Celia nodded.

"From the third year, you'll be fully engaged in missions, so a hectic school life will begin. Get enough rest."

Hearing Leo's words, Celia let out a small laugh.

"I'm prepared."

"I can't let just you and Kal get ahead. I'll try to catch up in our third year."

Leo smiled at Abbad's words.

"I look forward to it."

"By the way, to think we'd be chasing after Kal."

Chelsea clasped her head and shook it vigorously.

It was then, as Leo smiled faintly at the sight.

Dance music began to resound.

In sync with it, people began to dance ballroom dances.

Naturally, the gazes of Lodren nobles Leo's age began to turn towards them.

At that gaze, Abbad chuckled, took a step forward, and extended his hand.

"May I have this dance, Lady?"

Celia looked at Abbad's extended hand, then smiled faintly and took it.

"Gladly."

The two moved to the center of the ballroom.

Seeing that, exclamations of surprise erupted from all over.

It was an astonishing sight to see two people, famous for being archenemies, dancing.

Chelsea clicked her tongue, watching them.

"That's going to cause another stir. Huh?"

Grumbling, Chelsea's eyes widened as she saw a hand extended in front of her face.

"Because it seemed like you wanted to dance."

At his words, Chelsea, whose eyes were wide like a rabbit's, looked up at Leo, then smiled shyly, took Leo's hand, and walked out to the dance floor.

"I've felt it before, but Brother Leo dances very well."

"Because I learned it through etiquette."

"This isn't just the level of someone who learned it through etiquette, is it?"

"Learning from Luna also contributed a lot."

"Ah."

Chelsea nodded, as if she understood.

"Come to think of it, why did you decide to change Tungkun's national name? With Brother Leo's personality, I thought he'd leave it as is."

When Chelsea made a puzzled expression, Leo chuckled.

"It's the name of our old subjugation squad."

"Huh?"

"The name of the Erebos Subjugation Squad was Arhi. Lysinas named it."

"Oh."

Chelsea nodded, astonished.

'The Erebos Subjugation Squad's name was Arhi?'

The names of the Grand Heroes' parties had been a secret, not even remaining in history until now.

Having learned that name, Chelsea couldn't help but be surprised.

Chelsea, who had been marveling at the fact that she had learned something new, suddenly asked.

She intended to satisfy her personal curiosity this time.

"Did Lord Lysinas dance well?"

Leo chuckled at the sudden curiosity.

"No, he didn't."

"Wow~ That's unexpected."

"He was surprisingly clumsy, despite being strong."

Hearing Leo's words, she made a curious expression.

"Talking with Brother Leo, I get to learn a lot of unexpected sides of the Grand Heroes."

"Really?"

"Yeah. I was also surprised that Lord Lysinas was surprisingly good at deceiving others. Oh, come to think of it."

Chelsea smiled, as if remembering something.

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

"Yes. You said you met Lysinas there."

It was Leo's intention for Lysinas's illusion to appear.

Nightmare makes one fight the person they least want to fight, but the illusion could also be set according to the caster's intention.

"When I told Lord Lysinas that he was uglier than his portrait, he subtly got angry, didn't he? Is that Lord Lysinas's true personality?"

At her words, Leo asked.

"He got angry?"