Book 1 Chapter 834

834.

The hot spring city of Retin.

Countless people were gathering in this city, which was also a world-famous tourist destination.

An unprecedented boom in the city's history.

It was because it was the founding day of the Arch Kingdom and the coronation of its first king, Leo Flov.

However, it wasn't just the coronation that drew people.

It was the gathering of distinguished heroes from all over the world.

It was rare for heroes, who could be said to be the ones who transform and lead the world, to gather in one place.

Therefore, people would not miss the opportunity to see countless heroes in one place.

As a result, the main road connecting the Warp Gate to the royal palace was crowded day after day.

Whenever heroes appeared, the cheers of the people never ceased.

"Oh! Look over there! That flag! Isn't that the Zerdinger family?!"

"Ooh. If so, the man leading the way must be Seld Zerdinger!"

"The Sword of the Lorden Empire!"

The crowd cheered.

The Zerdinger family, the pillar of the Lorden Empire, was the foremost noble family of knight heroes in the western continent.

Naturally, Seld, the current head of the Zerdinger family, was also renowned as the strongest knight in the western continent.

He was especially famous for creating legendary anecdotes that people loved.

"The strongest knight who defeated ten knight heroes ten years ago!"

"The protector of the empire who single-handedly defeated hundreds of demons in Tartarus on the western front!"

The people excitedly praised the anecdotes written by Seld.

"Brother, you're still popular with the public."

As Jisu said playfully, Seld gave a wry smile.

"The defeat of ten people was a one-on-one duel, but I don't know how it got distorted into defeating ten people alone…"

"Still, it was a consecutive duel."

Jisu and Rhys, who were by Seld's side, also drew attention.

"Then the man on the left must be Jisu Zerdinger."

"Jisu Zerdinger is no pushover either. He's not a hero, but he's skilled enough to have defeated three hero knights!"

"The young man on the right is Rhys Zerdinger, right?"

"A rising star who has been active recently!"

Finally, the attention of the people turned to Celia, who was looking at her father, uncle, and brothers with shining eyes from the rear.

"That girl must be Celia Zerdinger?"

"Wow, she's beautiful."

Boys her age stared at her, mesmerized.

If she were just beautiful, she wouldn't have received so much attention.

However, Celia was also a key figure leading Lumern's golden generation and a likely successor to the position of hero, so the public's interest was intense.

It was no wonder they were favorable to the Zerdinger family in Retin, as they were Leo's maternal relatives who would soon ascend to the throne, and they were descendants of the Tankun royal family.

As such, the public's welcome was more enthusiastic than for others.

As the direct descendants of Zerdinger at the forefront waved their hands, the cheers grew even louder.

Then.

The atmosphere behind Zerdinger began to stir.

Celia, curious about the reaction from the rear, turned her eyes.

And her eyes widened.

The attire of the people marching directly behind the Zerdinger family was somewhat unfamiliar.

Eastern attire, not western continent.

The size of the delegation was also slightly smaller compared to Zerdinger.

However, their presence was comparable to, or even greater than, Zerdinger's.

"Shan…"

"A delegation from the Shan Empire… Has it been almost a hundred years since another country sent a delegation?"

The oldest empire, the land of shadows.

The Shan Empire rarely engages in external activities.

They had recently sent a delegation to Lumern, but their last official exchange with another country was 100 years ago.

All countries from around the world would come to this coronation.

Therefore, people expected the Shan Empire to participate.

However, since they never expected them to appear in front of the public like this, the public's reaction was more one of bewilderment than cheers.

And the reason why cheers did not follow was probably the lingering fear in the public's perception of shadows.

"Who is that girl at the very front?"

"Could it be Chen Xia?"

"Ah… the Crown Princess and heir of Shan…"

The public reacted with surprise.

The most secretive royalty in the world.

The heir of Shan was right before their eyes.

Chen Xia's name had appeared in newspapers a few times.

However, unlike other potential heroes whose pictures had been published, Chen Xia's photo had never been exposed.

This was due to the influence of the Shan Empire.

Therefore, people responded with uncertainty.

"Xia!"

Celia approached Chen Xia.

"Hello, Miss Celia."

Chen Xia smiled faintly.

"Wow, you look so different when you dress up like this."

Celia admired and examined Chen Xia.

A gorgeous and flowing outfit unique to the eastern continent, made of silk.

Her hair was secured with a hairpin, and a splendid ornamental brooch stood out.

She was already very beautiful, but dressed up like this, she looked distinctly different from her usual self.

"It's like… you look so mature."

"I am older than you, Miss Celia?"

"That's right. Ah! This is an official event for Shan, would it be rude for me to speak like this?"

"Not at all. Rather, Miss Celia speaking to me has helped ease the atmosphere a bit."

As she said, Celia's friendly conversation with Chen Xia helped to relax the stiff atmosphere.

As the idea that shadows were still scary beings lingered in the minds of the public, the sight of the two friendly figures somewhat lessened their fear of Shan.

Furthermore, the harmony between Celia in the traditional uniform of the western continent and Chen Xia in the traditional attire of the eastern continent gave the people a strange sense of excitement for world exchange.

"We're going the same way, so let's move together."

"Shall we?"

Niel, the escort knight, joined Celia.

Shan officials bowed politely to Celia.

As the two began to move together, the murmuring atmosphere changed.

Chen Xia smiled gently and waved to the crowd, and cheers erupted.

***

Upon reaching the royal palace, the people of Shan and Zerdinger received a lavish reception.

Chen Xia and Celia were able to meet Leo immediately.

"Leo, did you have a good vacation?"

Chen Xia asked with a smile, and Leo replied indifferently.

"I had a good trip."

"Was it fun to play alone on a deserted island?"

Celia asked with a puzzled expression, and Leo replied indifferently.

"I went with Senior Elena."

"Ah. You went with Senior Elena… What?!"

Celia, who had nodded as if she understood, showed a surprised expression.

"Leo! You'll get into trouble if you get involved in a scandal!"

"Oh my? How disappointing. Are you saying that if I get involved in a scandal, it will ruin Leo's future?"

Celia was startled by the voice from beside her and turned her head.

Elena was there as if she had appeared out of nowhere.

"Th-that's not it. It's bad for Senior Elena too."

"It doesn't really matter to me. Besides, neither Leo nor I would be swayed by such cheap scandals."

Elena smiled faintly and looked at Chen Xia.

"I thought you would come to visit."

Chen Xia smiled, looking at the provocative Elena.

"Leo needs rest too."

"Oh? What if something happened between me and Leo?"

"I didn't think that would happen. I thought both I and Senior Elena would be the same in Leo's eyes."

"Hmm?"

"Besides, it's actually good."

"What?"

"If something happened with Senior Elena, it means it could happen with me too, right?"

"Look at this?"

Elena's lips slightly curved at Chen Xia's retort.

Just then.

The door opened and two people entered.

"Leo, congratulations."

"Hi! Hi! Cute juniors!"

It was Rhys and Torua.

"Senior Torua! When did you come?"

Celia's eyes widened, and Torua smiled faintly and reached out, pulling Celia's cheek.

"Hey! You should call me sister-in-law! Sister! In-law!"

"I'm sor-ryyyy!"

Celia flailed her limbs as Torua pulled her cheek to the point of stretching.

Torua, releasing Celia, spread her arms and looked at Elena.

"Hi! Elena! How have you been?"

Elena scowled at Torua, who was about to hug her.

"Fine or not, I'm amazed at Torua's physical condition right now? Was the reason you were taking time off publicly because of this?"

Torua had stopped public activities due to the aftereffects of the Hero Slayer's attack last time.

Elena had not heard of Torua's situation, but seeing Torua, whom she hadn't seen in half a year, was enough to surprise anyone.

At Elena's words, Torua smiled faintly and stroked her significantly swollen belly.

"Yes. It turned out that way."

At that answer, Elena scowled and looked at Rhys.

"Is the other party Senior Rhys?"

Rhys subtly avoided Elena's gaze.

"Looking at your reaction, you were already involved before graduation, weren't you?"

"Yeah. Jamua didn't even know."

"You told me to follow the school rules."

"Well, you were openly breaking the school rules, you scoundrel. We broke them secretly."

Torua shrugged.

Even the formidable Elena looked dumbfounded at that reaction.

"When did you guys start dating?"

"Since we became student council president and vice president."

"Surely from then?"

"Honey, you don't think we went wild for the entire fifth year, do you?"

Torua said with a serious expression.

"Then…?"

"Since summer vacation."

Looking at Torua, who had a refreshing smile, Elena thought seriously.

'Should I hit her, regardless of whether she's a senior or not?'

Torua was the only one who could scold Elena during her scoundrel days.

Of course, she was a troublemaker who had no excuse to be scolded at the time, but she still seemed annoying acting like this.

As Elena was contemplating seriously.

Rhys spoke to Leo.

"Leo."

"Yes."

"You know the coronation might be quite chaotic, right?"

"It won't be a normal coronation."

Leo chuckled.

Celia showed a puzzled expression at Leo's reaction.

"What do you mean?"

At Celia's reaction, Elena looked at Torua with a glare and said.

"There are always people who don't believe anything unless they see it with their own eyes."

"Huh?"

"And there are those who want to prove it."

Only Celia showed a puzzled expression, unable to understand.

Knock-knock-

There was a knocking sound.

"Come in."

Click-

At Leo's words, the door opened, and a knight entered.

"Your Majesty. A person has appeared at the city gate, requesting a duel with Your Majesty."

"A duel?"

At those words, Celia showed a bewildered expression.

However, everyone except Celia looked as if they had expected this.

"No, why a duel?"

"Most people don't know."

"Huh?"

"How great Leo is."

Chen Xia said indifferently.

"Why he was chosen by Lord Lisinas to inherit the position of King of the World."

The general public simply goes wild just because someone's name is on the Hero Record.

But there are those who are not.

Leo is not the only one who has achieved special feats in the world.

Every hero achieves special feats.

Therefore, heroes wanted to prove whether Leo, who had obtained a unique title, truly deserved it.

"It's arrogance. Well, I can understand that there are such people if they are heroes."

Torua said indifferently.

She was also someone challenging for the position of hero.

As such, she knew how difficult it was to become a hero.

Heroes whose names are on the Hero Record all perceive themselves as equal.

Unless it's a special case like Great Heroes or Heroes of Genesis.

Those who have attained the position of hero mostly consider themselves equal to the great heroes of history.

"There will be those who want to increase their fame by defeating Leo. And this coronation is a situation where the world's attention is even more focused."

"Are they really coming to someone else's coronation just because they want fame?"

Celia looked dumbfounded, and Chen Xia said.

"Heroes are special, but they are not noble beings."

"……"

At those words, Celia fell silent.

"Your Majesty, what shall we do?"

To the knight's question, Leo said.

"We must greet our guests."

"Is there really a need to fight them?"

Elena tilted her head. Leo chuckled.

"It's true that I succeeded the King of Wisdom as the King of the World. But I will be different from my predecessor."

Lisinas would have embraced the opponents gently.

But…

He was not of that caliber.

'I don't need to be the same kind of leader as Lisinas. I can't be.'

If Lisinas was a king who led heroes gently.

'I must become a king who stands at the pinnacle of all heroes.'