Book 1 Chapter 826

The Lumern Academy campus, where most students had departed for Lumera City.

Leo, who had circled the empty school, returned to the student council president's office.

Chen Xia, who followed Leo into the office, spoke.

"What are your plans for the break, Leo?"

"I'm going on a trip for a week to clear my head."

"Ah."

"After that, I'll be busy with coronation preparations."

The throne of the Resentong region was currently vacant.

Leo, a descendant of the Tongkun royal family, known as the Duchy of the Sword, was awaiting his coronation as the rightful heir to the Resentong throne.

Originally, this coronation was already a grand event.

It was a ceremony to formally declare the founding of a new kingdom under the name Arhi.

Moreover, the one ascending to the throne was Leo Flov, Lumern's youngest student council president and a hero.

Not only that.

He was officially recognized as the successor to Kyle, the Hero of the Beginning, and possessed the pure mana attribute, which could be considered Erebus's nemesis.

This alone had led to Leo being continually praised by the populace.

It was originally a grand event attended by all the highest-ranking powers of all human nations.

However, an incident a few months prior had made Leo's status even more special.

Leo Flov, the King of the Beginning.

This was how Leo was currently evaluated.

As time passed, the frequency with which the Debian incident was mentioned by people had noticeably decreased.

However, stories about Leo, chosen as the successor by Lisyus, the King of Wisdom, and ascending to the position of World King, continued to circulate.

Of course, even with Lisyus's recognition, not everyone acknowledged Leo.

Especially among those with strong desires for power, there were undoubtedly those who did not acknowledge Leo.

The number of rulers who perceived a problem with their authority and power simply by having someone above them would be quite significant.

The world was filled with all sorts of human beings.

'Even so, it's not a situation where Leo can be outwardly denied.'

Chen Xia thought to herself.

He had the absolute support of the majority of the world.

Since Melina had already officially supported Leo, it was difficult to go against her will.

Now, in this era, there was no one who didn't know the name Leo Flov.

Therefore, it was not merely the birth of a small heroic kingdom.

It had literally become a coronation that the entire world was watching.

It was likely to be an event attended not only by human rulers but also by high-ranking officials of each race.

Of course, Chen Xia, as the next heir to the Shan Empire, would also be participating.

"You'll be even busier when you become king."

Leo let out a light scoff at Chen Xia's words.

"I have no intention of ruling. I have no intention of being a king."

"Of course. Because you are the king, Leo. The new kingdom of Arhi will be a time of great peace."

Chen Xia smiled brightly.

"Still, once you become king, it will be difficult to escape your royal duties."

Leo chuckled at her words.

"Worry about your own country. In terms of landmass, yours is much larger than mine."

Being the King of Shadows didn't mean one didn't rule properly.

In fact, when viewed solely as monarchs, the emperors of Shan had historically been excellent.

They were beings who had protected the world's shadows with their beliefs for thousands of years.

As such, one could not become emperor without meeting the qualifications.

Chen Xia, who was to become the next emperor of Shan, had to bear a burden no less, and perhaps even greater, than Leo.

Chen Xia smiled wryly at Leo's words.

"Am I the same as someone who carries the weight of the entire world? In a sense, isn't the Shan Empire also something you carry?"

Leo, sitting, rested his chin on his hand and said indifferently.

"Once Erebus is dealt with, anyone can have the throne. I could even give it to Celia."

By lineage, Celia was also royalty of the Arhi kingdom.

Chen Xia said at Leo's words.

"I don't think Sir Sys would like that. He works only for you, Leo. Wouldn't he want your child to be the future king?"

"So what? Are you going to give birth?"

"If possible."

Leo looked at Chen Xia with an expression of disbelief.

"After all, the Shan Empire also needs an heir."

Chen Xia smiled and stood up straight.

Then, she placed her hand on her chest and said.

"From the moment you pulled me out of endless darkness, I vowed to live for you, 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 neglect my public duties. But when you need me, when you want me. I will always put you as my priority."

Chen Xia smiled.

"From the moment I took the hand you extended to me, I belonged to you."

It wasn't because he was a benefactor who had given her grace.

It was simply…

'I fell in love with him.'

"Why do you say that?"

Chen Xia replied to Leo's question.

"Because I don't want to have regrets."

Leo knew well the meaning of not wanting to have regrets.

The two women who had loved him must have deeply regretted it.

"And I don't want you to be sad either."

When he belatedly understood the feelings of Lisyus and Luna.

It had been sadness for Leo too.

"And most importantly."

"Most importantly?"

"You're an idiot who won't understand unless I say it like this…"

Leo immediately put Chen Xia in a headlock.

"You're getting too bold just because you're a little older."

"H, surrender! Surrender!"

Chen Xia struggled, patting Leo's arm frantically.

After being punished by Leo for a long time, Chen Xia, freed from his grasp, said.

"Anyway. I wanted to convey my feelings. Not because you are the savior of the world, but simply because you are you, and you are precious to me."

"Is that so?"

"Yes, so Leo, I want to make you happy."

"Happy…"

Leo chuckled.

Chen Xia gave a slight wry smile as she watched him.

Chen Xia knew.

That the current Leo was not living a happy life.

However, he was not living an unhappy life either.

The reason Leo was not happy.

'It's because there is something he must do.'

The complete subjugation of Erebus was, in many ways, Leo's everything.

It was unavoidable.

'Leo was born with the unique power to defeat Erebus.'

Whether it was fate or destiny, Leo had no choice but to fight Erebus.

'For Leo… this world is everything to him.'

More precisely, it was evidence of having risked everything with his companions.

To protect the world.

He had to watch his friends, more precious than the world, be sacrificed.

From Leo's perspective, it would be impossible to turn away from that world.

'Even if he receives the love of his family… even if he spends enjoyable times laughing and chatting with his friends… Leo wouldn't be able to fully enjoy those moments.'

She dared not claim to fully understand Leo's feelings.

However, having lived in darkness, Chen Xia could imagine it to some extent.

The existence of Erebus was imprinted on Leo like a curse.

'And… even if Erebus is defeated, the void won't be filled.'

There were no other great heroes besides Leo.

That was the truth.

Leo would have to live his life with a sense of emptiness in his heart.

Chen Xia hated that.

The man before her was someone who had the right to enjoy the world more than anyone else.

He was someone who should be happier than anyone else.

That was why Chen Xia wished for the man named Leo Flov to be happier than anyone.

Someday, after accomplishing all his tasks.

She wanted to create a place where Leo's weary soul could rest.

'I hope he can fully enjoy happiness.'

That was Chen Xia's greatest goal.

Leo, savoring the word "happiness," closed his eyes.

Then he said.

"You've made me concerned."

After parting with Lisyus and ascending to the position of World King.

Though he tried not to show it, Chen Xia seemed to have sensed it indirectly.

"Thank you."

"It's my duty."

"Still, come back when you're more grown up."

"I'm an adult now, aren't I?"

"Are you?"

Leo chuckled and tapped Chen Xia's forehead.

Chen Xia, who had a slightly sulky expression for a moment, smiled.

"Well, okay. I'll make it so you can't live without me later, so be prepared."

"Tsk. Such cheekiness."

Leo scowled, slumped into the student council president's chair, and pressed his temples.

He had a headache because of this audacious little girl.

Chen Xia, watching him, asked with a bright smile.

"So, where are you going on your trip?"

"I'm going to a deserted island."

It wasn't Leo who answered.

Chen Xia looked back.

Elena, with her arms crossed, was leaning against the now open student council president's office door.

"Just the two of us."

"The two of us?"

Seeing Chen Xia frown, Elena's lips curled upwards.

"Yes, little one."

"…!"

Chen Xia's eyes twitched at the provocative remark.

"For your information, I'm an adult, unlike you."

"I had my coming-of-age ceremony too!"

"Yes, you did. But you haven't graduated yet, have you? So you're still a child."

"Aren't you, Senior Elena, also before graduation?"

"Yes. But I'm in the graduating class."

Leo, who had been listening to the childish conversation between the two, said.

"Adults don't call themselves adults. You damn brats."

Then Elena and Chen Xia's sharp gazes were fixed on Leo.

Under their gaze, Leo turned his head to look out the window.

And murmuring to himself while looking at the scenery far away.

'I want to go home.'