Book 1 Chapter 799

As if living up to her epithet, the Witch of Flames, Reyna lunged at Leo as if to spew fire from her mouth, causing quite a commotion.

Of course, Leo easily dodged Reyna.

"Huuuuff… Huuuff…!"

Reyna, hands on her knees, panted heavily.

"Just one… hit me just once with a knuckle-rap…!"

Seeing Reyna earnestly wishing with an unusual voice, Leo let out a light sigh and approached her.

"Hit me just once."

At his words, Reyna's eyes flashed, and she raised her fist.

And then…

Thwack-!

She lightly tapped Leo's head.

It was a punishment that contrasted starkly with the way she had lunged at him as if about to spew fire from her whole body.

"This brat is messing around."

Reyna muttered, lightly dusting off her palm, while Leo shrugged, watching her.

Ron, who was watching them from a short distance away, widened his eyes in surprise.

'There's no way that guy would let himself be hit so easily by anyone?'

Of course, Leo's words were a bit rude for a first meeting.

But even so, she wasn't the type of person to tolerate being hit.

'And the Witch of Flames is also surprising.'

Reyna Zerdinger, the Witch of Flames.

A knight-class hero with overwhelming skill and achievements.

As a student of Seirun, she had met Reyna a few times.

Especially since she had a deep connection with Ellen Lundar, the head of the Lundar family and the father of Lunia, who was a teacher at Seirun, they had even tackled the hero's world together.

Because of that, Ron was quite familiar with Reyna.

Reyna, whose bold and straightforward personality was cool and likable, expressed her anger like a fierce flame when she got angry.

It was surprising that Reyna, who had heard words that could have made her thoroughly angry, let it pass with just a light knuckle-rap.

'It doesn't seem like she's tired.'

Knowing her persistent nature, Ron could tell that she had gone easy on Leo.

"Ending it with a light knuckle-rap. It's not like you, Reyna."

Ron said as he walked over, and Reyna crossed her arms and smiled.

"He's the student council president Ron's boyfriend, right? I can't be too harsh."

"Still, you seem overly lenient. And this kid. He's incredibly annoying. You could have hit him straight in the face."

Ron said, mixing truth with jest.

"I did consider that."

Reyna glanced at Leo.

Then, with a smirk, she ruffled Leo's hair.

"He's annoying, but strangely, I can't hate him. His eyes are arrogant, but that's quite cute too."

Leo, stroking his hair as Reyna did, said calmly.

"Isn't it just because I'm like a son to you? Like a son."

"You're going to die, you know? Is that something you say to a maiden who hasn't even held a man's hand?"

Reyna grabbed Leo's hair and spoke in a chilling voice, to which Leo chuckled.

"There wasn't anyone you were interested in anyway, right?"

At his words, Reyna tilted her head.

"That's strange. You seem to know me strangely well? Have we met somewhere before?"

"Perhaps."

Reyna rested her chin on her hand and stared intently at Leo, who shrugged.

After scrutinizing Leo's face, Reyna said.

"You're going to charm a lot of women, aren't you?"

"Alright, alright. You two separate."

At that moment, Ron stepped between Leo and Reyna.

Seeing that, Reyna smiled.

"Don't worry, Student Council President Ron. He's not my type, and the age difference is too big."

Reyna said, crossing her arms.

"More importantly, he's also your boyfriend."

"He's not my boyfriend."

At Ron's words, Reyna looked surprised.

"Then what's your relationship?"

"I'm going to try and woo him from now on."

"……"

Reyna scratched her head.

"Am I getting old? Kids these days are too bold."

'We're older than you.'

Ron muttered inwardly.

Reyna said.

"I'm on my way to meet Marquis Flove. You are too, right? Let's go together."

"Yes."

Ron nodded and walked with Reyna.

"Speaking of which, why aren't Lunia, Eiran, and Cal following?"

As Ron tilted his head and looked back, Leo said.

"They're probably dealing with the Delad nobles in our stead. So you don't get caught up in troublesome things."

"Indeed."

Ron scratched his head.

Although there was a bit of a disturbance upon arrival, since they were formally visiting Delad.

They couldn't keep ignoring their hospitality.

It was obvious that Lunia and Eiran, Ron's right and left hands, were suitably dealing with the nobles to keep Ron from being bothered.

That would suffice.

"This is bad. The black flame pillar… it's related to the primordial evil. To think that nobles in a country where such an incident occurred are imbeciles blinded by ambition."

Reyna clicked her tongue.

She herself had been plagued by the bothersome Delad nobles as soon as she arrived.

Her personality wanted to sweep them all away, but unfortunately, she had come to this country to investigate the incident as a representative of Zerdinger and Lodren.

'I'm past the age of causing trouble as I please like I used to be.'

Reyna licked her lips.

'Are there any good men around?'

Thinking that far, Reyna glanced at Leo.

'Come to think of it, his eyes… they resemble mine a little?'

It must have been because of that that she felt a sense of familiarity.

'Hmm… If I had gotten married a little earlier, I would have had children like him or Celia.'

Thinking it was a silly thought, Reyna smiled and said.

"Anyway, now that we're in Flove territory… I do need to meet the lord… but seeing the state of the Delad nobles, I don't have high expectations."

"Don't worry about that. Marquis Flove is likely a proper person."

"You seem to know him well?"

"I heard he has a good reputation among his estate's residents. I also heard that he didn't come out to greet us personally because he has a lot of work to do sorting out the unrest in his territory."

"Huh? He seems like a decent person, then."

Reyna smiled.

A short while later.

Leo arrived at the familiar entrance to Marquis Flove's office.

A knight guarding the office asked Reyna.

"What business do you have?"

"I am Reyna Zerdinger, dispatched from the Lodren Empire. And this is Ron Orweni, the student council president of Seirun."

"Hah?!"

The knight gasped at the appearance of such prominent figures.

Reyna Zerdinger, a hero of great renown in the current generation, and the student council president of Seirun, praised as the next… no, the current strongest archmage.

The knight, who had been frozen by the appearance of two figures he could never hope to meet in his lifetime, stammered.

"I… I will inform the lord of your visit. Please wait a moment."

Having said that, the knight knocked and entered the room.

"He's been well-trained."

"That's part of it, but I also feel his respect for the lord."

Reyna and Ron murmured as they observed the knight's demeanor.

There are many strong knights in the world.

But knights who sincerely follow and care for their lord are rare.

That means the lord must treat his knights with sincerity.

'…Even if the timeline is different. Father is Father.'

Leo glanced at Reyna.

The reason Deid and Reyna didn't get married and he wasn't born.

It was probably because Reyna didn't lose her power.

She steadily became a hero.

Because of that, she wouldn't have had reasons to meet Deid.

Naturally, as she stood on the battlefield as a hero, she wouldn't have had opportunities to meet men.

In Leo's timeline as well, Reyna was an upright and righteous person.

Even if she lost her power, she was someone who saw her chosen path to the end.

The reason such a Reyna chose Deid, even though she could have become the mistress of a much better family.

It was because Deid's character was more outstanding than anyone else's.

As a lord, always thinking of his estate's residents.

It seems easy, but as a human, it's not.

'Furthermore, Father is an ordinary person.'

He wasn't born with the potential of a hero.

Just an endlessly kind and upright person.

Although she jokingly said she couldn't get married because of her personality, it was more likely that she hadn't met someone who met Reyna's standards.

As Leo was looking at the door.

The office door opened.

And with it, the simple interior of the office was revealed.

A familiar sight to Leo.

Amidst it, Deid stood and welcomed the three of them.

"I greet the great hero of Lodren and the student council president of Seirun. I am Deid Flove, who serves as the lord of Flove, though I am lacking."

At Deid's greeting, Reyna, as the elder, spoke first.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Marquis Flove. I am Reyna Zerdinger, dispatched to represent Lodren for the investigation of this incident."

"Ah. I heard you were very dignified… I am surprised you are such a delicate and beautiful person."

"Ohohoho. I am indeed beautiful."

At Deid's words, Reyna covered her mouth and laughed elegantly.

She could feel that Deid's words were not flattery or an attempt to look good, but spoken from the heart.

'He's a good person.'

She could tell at once.

There are many bad nobles in the world.

But there are also quite a few good nobles, even if not as many as bad ones.

Reyna had met many such good nobles.

But even so, Deid's first impression was quite memorable.

A gentle and soft impression.

A warm atmosphere.

'He's like a gentle breeze.'

Reyna, feeling a strange liking for Deid's first impression, continued the conversation.

"You have diligently recorded every eyewitness account from the estate's residents."

"Yes. It is a very important matter."

A shadow fell over Deid's face.

"I hope nothing bad happens."

"Don't worry about that. We are here to resolve it."

At Deid's words, Ron said in a serious voice.

"You are reassuring."

Deid smiled gently.

Ron smiled softly, looking at Deid.

'He's a good person… is this the kind of person who is a father?'

Having already heard about the life Leo Flove had lived, Ron carefully observed Deid.

In terms of judging people, no one among the great heroes could compare to Lisinas.

It was inevitable.

His discernment saved a world on the brink of destruction.

However, through countless experiences, Ron had also gained the insight to see through people, though not to the same extent as Lisinas.

In Ron's eyes, Deid was a "good" person.

'A good person…'

Ron muttered inwardly.

'…So people like this were living in this world.'

As Ron stared blankly at Deid.

Leo thought inwardly.

'Lisinas gambled everything for people like my father.'

Kind and good people.

People who live ordinary lives but have the ability to warm those around them.

They may not have a significant impact on the world, but they can lead the world in the right direction, even if only in small ways.

Leo sipped the tea served for guests.

'People think powerful heroes lead the world.'

Leo put down his teacup and looked at Deid.

'That's half true and half false.'

In the past, Leo, as the last great hero, bore the hope of the world.

It wasn't something he wanted.

He had merely carried the wishes and aspirations of his friends.

But at the moment he thought 'I cannot win' in the final battle.

What came to mind wasn't just memories with his comrades.

'Many people I met and parted with in my life.'

Many people with whom he shared bonds even in the cesspool of the age of disaster.

It wasn't extraordinary events that came to mind.

It was the kindness and warmth that had been shown to him in ordinary, everyday life.

'When I thought I had failed, for some reason, those thoughts gave me strength.'

The thought that he wished there were more such people in this world.

Even after being reincarnated, he didn't understand for a long time why that thought lingered.

But through Deid, Leo understood the reason.

'That was also why Lisinas tried to save the world without expecting anything in return.'

Many people who had unknowingly influenced his life.

He had tried to save the world to repay and protect the kindness they had shown.

'Seeing my father, I was able to understand Lisinas's heart.'

Heroes are those who represent ordinary but good people.

They are guided by them to lead the world to a better place.

'Even I was influenced and saved the world.'

Closely, through the bonds shared with the great heroes…

Distantly, through the kindness of nameless people…

The existence of people like Deid made Leo feel as if his past hardships were somewhat compensated.

And the reason he didn't immediately go to where Erebus had revived with Ron was also this.

'I wanted that brat Luna to meet her father.'

In Leo's view, Luna was trapped in the past.

It wouldn't just be Luna.

'Arion too… Lisinas too…'

Arion, whom he met when he first arrived.

Lisinas, whom he met indirectly through Lumern's students.

'Perhaps Dwenoo too.'

Leo closed his eyes.

Trapped in the past.

No.

More precisely, their time of death… they might have been stuck in the time when they passed on their burden.

'…It must be guilt.'

They must have blamed themselves for having no choice but to pass on their burden and pain.

Because they were like family, he knew them better than anyone.

Despite their strong mental fortitude…

They were ultimately flesh-and-blood beings.

'Arion and Luna… you can tell by looking at Lisinas.'

Even the hero candidates, who were brilliant gems, couldn't properly see them.

How could they have properly seen the world they had saved?

Leo glanced at Ron.

Ron was staring at Deid vacantly, as if lost in thought.

'Discard those thoughts of saving the world for my sake or whatever. I have no intention of saving the world for you anymore either.'

Leo looked out the window.

'I will save the world for myself.'