Book 1 Chapter 826
826.
The campus of Lumen Academy, where most of the students had left for Rumeria City.
Leo, who had toured the empty school, returned to the student council president's office.
Chen Xia, who followed Leo into the student council president's office, said.
“Young Master Leo, what is your vacation schedule?”
“I’m going on a trip for a week during the vacation to clear my head.”
“Ah, I see.”
“After that, I expect to be busy with preparations for the coronation.”
The throne of the Resentung region, currently vacant.
Leo, a descendant of the Tungkun royal family, which was called the Duchy of Swords, is about to be crowned as the rightful heir to the throne of the Resentung region.
Originally, this coronation was a very grand event.
It was an occasion to formally declare the founding of a new kingdom under the name of Arhi.
Moreover, the one to sit on the throne was Leo Plov, the youngest student council president of Lumen and a hero.
That's not all.
He is officially recognized as the successor to Kyle, the Hero of Beginnings, and possesses the characteristic of pure mana, which can be called the natural enemy of Erebus.
That alone had earned Leo constant praise from the public.
It was originally a grand event attended by the highest-ranking authorities of all human nations.
However, due to an incident a few months ago, Leo's status became even more special.
The King of Beginnings, Leo Plov.
That was how Leo was currently assessed.
The frequency with which the Deviant incident was mentioned by people had significantly decreased over time.
However, stories about Leo, who was chosen as the successor by Rishinas, the King of Wisdom, and ascended to the position of King of the World, continued without end.
Of course, even with Rishinas's recognition, not everyone acknowledged Leo.
Especially among those with strong desires for power, there would certainly be some who did not recognize Leo.
There would be quite a number of powerful individuals who perceived any presence above them as a problem for their authority and power.
After all, the world is full of all sorts of human types.
'Even so, Young Master Leo cannot be publicly denied in this situation.'
Chen Xia thought to herself.
He has the absolute support of the majority of the world.
Since Melina has already officially supported Leo, it is difficult to go against her will.
Now, there is no one in this era who doesn't know the name Leo Plov.
As such, it's not simply the birth of a small hero kingdom.
It has literally become a coronation that the entire world is paying attention to.
It will likely be an event attended not only by the authorities of the human race but also by high-ranking officials from various other races.
Of course, Chen Xia will also participate as the next successor to the Shan Empire.
“You’ll become even busier once you become king.”
At Chen Xia's words, Leo lightly clicked his tongue.
“I have no intention of ruling. And no intention of acting like a king.”
“Of course not? Because Young Master Leo is the king. The New Arhi Kingdom will surely be an era of peace and prosperity.”
Chen Xia smiled brightly.
“Still, once you become king, it will be difficult to escape the duties of a king.”
At that, Leo chuckled.
“You should worry about your own country. In terms of land area, yours is much larger than mine.”
Just because he is the King of Shadows doesn't mean he doesn't properly fulfill the role of an emperor.
No, when viewed purely as monarchs, most emperors of Shan throughout generations have been excellent.
They are beings who have guarded the shadows of the world with their conviction for thousands of years.
As such, they could not become emperor without meeting the rigorous qualifications.
Chen Xia, who will ascend to be the next emperor of Shan, also bears a weight no less, if not more, than Leo.
At Leo's words, Chen Xia smiled faintly.
“Am I the same as someone who bears the weight of the entire world? In a sense, isn't even the Shan Empire something Young Master Leo bears?”
Leo, sitting down, propped his chin and said indifferently.
“Once Erebus is subjugated, I'll just give the throne to anyone. I could even give it to Celia.”
From a genealogical perspective, Celia is also royalty of the Arhi Kingdom.
At Leo's words, Chen Xia said.
“Sir Sys wouldn’t like that, would he? He works solely for Young Master Leo, so wouldn’t he want Young Master Leo’s child to be the next king?”
“So what? Are you going to give birth to one?”
“If possible.”
Leo looked at Chen Xia with a dumbfounded expression.
“After all, the Shan Empire also needs a successor.”
Chen Xia smiled faintly, then stood up straight.
And raising her hand, she pressed it against her chest and said.
“From the moment Young Master Leo pulled me out of the endless darkness, I vowed. To live for Young Master Leo.”
Chen Xia looked directly into Leo’s red eyes and said.
“I will live my entire life as your shadow. Of course, I won't abandon my public duties. But when you need me, when you want me. I will always put you first.”
Chen Xia smiled faintly.
“From the moment I took the hand you offered me, I was yours.”
It wasn't because he was a benefactor who had shown her kindness.
It was just…
'I just fell for you.'
“Why are you saying something like that?”
At Leo’s words, Chen Xia replied.
“Because I don’t want to regret it.”
Leo knew well the meaning of that statement, "I don't want to regret it."
Because the two women who had loved him must have deeply regretted it.
“And because I don’t want Young Master Leo to be sad either.”
When he belatedly learned of Rishinas’s and Luna’s feelings.
For Leo, that too was sadness.
“Crucially.”
“Crucially?”
“Young Master Leo is such an idiot who can’t understand unless you say things like this…”
Leo immediately put Chen Xia in a headlock.
“You’ve gotten a bit older, and now you’re getting endlessly cocky.”
“H-Help! Help!”
Chen Xia struggled, urgently tapping Leo’s arm, thud-thud-thud!
After being punished by Leo for a long time, Chen Xia, freed from Leo, said.
“Anyway. I wanted to convey my feelings. Not because you are the world’s savior, but simply because you are you, because you are precious to me.”
“Really?”
“Yes, so Young Master Leo, I want to make you happy.”
“Happiness, huh…”
Leo chuckled.
Watching him, Chen Xia gave a slight bitter smile.
Chen Xia knew.
That the current Leo was not living a happy life.
That's not to say he was living an unhappy life.
The reason Leo wasn't happy.
'It's because there's work to be done.'
The task of completely subjugating Erebus is not an exaggeration to say it is Leo's everything.
It couldn't be helped.
'Young Master Leo was born with the unique power to defeat Erebus.'
Whether it was fate or destiny.
Leo had no choice but to confront Erebus.
'For Young Master Leo… this world must be his everything.'
More precisely, it was proof that he had risked everything with his comrades.
To protect the world.
He had to watch the sacrifices of friends more precious than the world itself.
From Leo's perspective, he could never turn away from that world.
'Even if he receives his family's love… even if he laughs and chats and has fun with his friends… Young Master Leo won't be able to fully enjoy that time.'
She dared not claim to perfectly understand Leo's feelings.
But as Chen Xia had lived in darkness, she could somewhat imagine.
The existence of Erebus was etched into Leo like a curse.
'And… even if Erebus is subjugated, the empty space won't be filled.'
There are no other great heroes besides Leo.
That is the truth.
Feeling a void in a corner of his heart, Leo would have to live his entire life.
Chen Xia hated that.
The man before her had the right to enjoy the world more than anyone else.
He was a person who deserved to be happier than anyone.
That's why Chen Xia wanted the man, Leo Plov, to be happier than anyone else.
Someday, when all tasks were accomplished.
She wanted to create a place where Leo's weary soul could rest.
'I hope you can fully enjoy happiness.'
That was Chen Xia's biggest goal.
Leo, who had been chewing on the word happiness, closed his eyes.
And said.
“I seem to have made you worry.”
When he broke up with Rishinas and ascended to the position of King of the World.
He tried not to show it, but Chen Xia seemed to have implicitly felt it.
“Thank you.”
“It's my job.”
“Still, come back when you've grown more.”
“I’m an adult now, aren't I?”
“You?”
Leo chuckled and lightly tapped Chen Xia’s forehead.
Chen Xia made a sulky face for a moment, then smiled faintly.
“Well, alright. I'll make it so you can't live without me later, so be prepared.”
“Tsk. How brazen.”
Leo frowned and slumped into the student council president's chair, pressing his temples.
This cheeky brat was giving him a headache.
Chen Xia, watching him, smiled brightly and asked.
“So, where are you going on your trip?”
“I’m going to a deserted island.”
It wasn't Leo who answered.
Chen Xia looked behind her.
Elena was leaning against the suddenly open student council president's door, arms crossed.
“Just the two of us.”
“Just the two of you?”
Elena curved up the corners of her lips, watching Chen Xia narrow her brows.
“Yes, little one.”
“…!”
Chen Xia’s eyes twitched at the provocative remark.
“By the way, unlike you, I'm an adult.”
“I've had my coming-of-age ceremony too, you know?”
“Yeah, right. But you haven't graduated yet, have you? So you're still a child.”
“Senior Elena, aren't you also pre-graduation?”
“Yes. But I'm in my final year.”
Leo, who had been quietly listening to the childish conversation between the two, said.
“Adults don’t call themselves adults. You annoying brats.”
Then, Elena’s and Chen Xia’s sharp gazes pierced Leo.
Receiving their stares, Leo turned his head to look out the window.
And seeing the distant scenery, he muttered to himself.
'I want to go home.'