Book 1 Chapter 841

The day before the coronation of the Archy Kingdom.

In Retin, which would become the kingdom's capital, a pre-coronation eve party was held.

It was a party for those invited for the coronation.

"Wow, this is my first time at a party like this!"

Kal exclaimed, crossing his arms.

This pre-coronation eve party was held in the vast plaza in front of the royal palace where Leo had been dueling heroes just a few days prior.

This party, hosted by the new Archy Kingdom, was different from previous kingdom-hosted parties.

Anyone, regardless of status, could attend the pre-coronation eve party.

Shasha, the next empress, attending as a representative of the Lodren Empire, the conqueror of the western continent.

Chen Xia, the next emperor of the Shan Empire, the eastern continent with the most ancient history.

Even commoners who had traveled to Retin with great difficulty to witness the coronation.

Everyone enjoyed the party equally, without regard for rank or status.

Some of the royalty and nobility seemed bewildered by this type of party, as if they were not accustomed to it.

However, no one raised an objection or dared to express displeasure.

Leaders representing other races also did not express any dissatisfaction or displeasure with the party.

Rather, they seemed to be enjoying it.

Even more so, the being seated in the sole place of honor here.

The presence of the Dragon Lord Melina seemed to not allow for such complaints.

The reason Melina was the only one seated in the place of honor was simple.

"So, in front of the King of the World, everyone is equal, regardless of gender, age, race, or status."

Chloe, who was next to Kal, exclaimed.

Chelsea nodded in agreement.

"That's right. This world is essentially the world that Lissinas saved."

Although Leo succeeded in eradicating Erebus in the final battle, that battle would not have been possible without Lissinas beforehand.

The reason Lissinas was recognized as the one and only King of the World until now was because the gods acknowledged Lissinas's influence.

Melina was effectively sitting in that position as Lissinas's proxy.

Although it had already been passed down to Leo, the official announcement had not yet been made.

It would be announced together at the coronation tomorrow, and from then on, Leo would officially ascend to the position of King of the World.

"Actually, that's a bit of a funny story too."

Chloe muttered with a wry smile, and Kal shrugged his shoulders.

"Isn't it a kind of show?"

"By the way, is it true that nothing happened between Leo oppa and Elena senpai?"

At Chelsea's question, Kal nodded.

"Yes."

To that answer, Chelsea and Chloe let out sighs of relief.

"But Kal, weren't you supposed to come with either Elizana or Duran? They're arriving today."

Chloe asked with a puzzled expression.

Due to family schedules, Chelsea and Chloe arrived today, the day before the coronation.

Similarly, Eliza and Duran were also arriving today.

However, Kal had arrived much earlier.

As Chloe asked with a puzzled expression, Kal's face darkened.

"No. Well, you see, the atmosphere between them was so intense."

After the closing ceremony.

Until they reached the warp gate, the two had been fiercely fighting over Kal.

"Kal! You've really made it! Seeing those two fighting so fiercely over you!"

Chelsea said with a mischievous laugh, and Kal laughed sadly.

"In the end, I said I'd come alone."

"Did those two just let you go so easily?"

"The Prince just lightly clicked his tongue, but Eliza…"

"With that personality, her pride must have been hurt, so she must have glared at you like she wanted to kill you, right?"

"No. She didn't say anything at all."

"That's surprising."

Chelsea's eyes widened.

"What are you talking about so entertainingly?"

"Leo oppa!"

Chelsea smiled brightly.

"You look handsome today."

Chloe also admired Leo's meticulously chosen outfit.

"You two look amazing today too."

"I put some effort into it. How is it?"

Chelsea smiled faintly and did a little spin.

Her pure white dress fluttered.

"Cute."

"Not pretty?"

Chelsea pouted slightly and grumbled.

Leo smiled faintly at that and looked at Chloe.

Chloe was wearing a sky blue dress that clung to her body and highlighted her figure.

"It suits you. You look mature."

"Thank you."

Chloe's face reddened slightly, and she turned her head.

"I do look a bit older."

*Thwack*!

"Gah!"

Kal, who had been teasing from the side, was hit in the elbow and rolled on the floor.

Leo, laughing at the sight, asked curiously.

"By the way, what were you talking about?"

"Kal's love story."

"It's not like that, is it?"

Chelsea said with a playful laugh as Kal got up, rubbing his nose.

"It is not."

Chelsea laughed playfully.

Leo also laughed playfully at that sight.

"It must be tough being a popular guy, huh?"

"You too? And you're the real popular one, so what are you talking about."

Kal gestured with his eyes to the surroundings.

"Princesses from various countries and high-ranking nobles are looking at you with fiery eyes, you know?"

As he said.

Now that the coronation was imminent.

There were more than a few people who had come here aiming for the position of queen of the Archy Kingdom.

"I'm jealous, popular guy."

Kal poked Leo in the side with his elbow.

Leo chuckled at that and looked towards one side of the party venue.

"It's Eliza."

At that, Kal straightened his hair and adjusted his clothes.

"I'll be back in a moment."

Watching Kal approach Eliza, Leo said to Chelsea and Chloe.

"See you in a bit then."

"Yes."

"Have a good time."

Knowing he was busy, Chelsea and Chloe did not keep Leo any longer.

Leo headed to where Melina was.

"Ah, the weight of the crown truly feels heavy."

Melina sighed softly as she looked at Leo.

Currently, a crown that Lissinas had placed on Leo's head was on hers.

"It didn't feel particularly heavy?"

"I feel like my neck is aching from the sheer pressure."

"It was originally something that officially belonged to you."

Since this crown had been passed down to the Dragon Lords from generation to generation, it originally belonged to Melina.

At Leo's words, Melina hunched her neck.

"Even Lady Rodia never dared to wear it."

"In my opinion, you are a far more excellent Dragon Lord than that Rodia fellow."

"Don't joke around."

As Melina became flustered, Leo put on a nonchalant expression.

"I'm not joking. At the very least, you are more mature than that damned lizard. And not arrogant."

At that, Melina gave a wry smile.

Just then, someone tugged at Leo's trouser leg.

He turned his head to see a human child, about five years old, looking up at him.

"Oppa, are you the King of Beginnings?"

The boy asked with an innocent face.

"Yes."

Leo replied with a faint smile.

With that answer, the child's eyes widened, and holding up a fairy tale book he had been holding, he asked.

"Then, are you going to defeat the Demon King like Lord Kyle in this book?"

The book the boy held up was a fairy tale about the hero of beginnings.

As Leo was about to answer, seeing that.

"Oh dear! Mile! How dare you be so rude to His Majesty? Your Majesty! I apologize!"

A commoner hurriedly bowed his head to Leo.

"It's okay. Don't worry about it."

"Y-Your Majesty, why are you speaking so casually to me…"

"It looks rude for a young child to speak so familiarly."

"And you're the oldest person here."

Melina muttered softly, then met Leo's gaze and quickly turned her head away.

Leo reached out and stroked the child's head.

"Little one. Who is your favorite great hero?"

"Lord Aron!"

"Why?"

"Because he's cool!"

The child's eyes twinkled.

"Then why do you have Kyle's fairy tale book?"

"My dad is stingy, so he only buys one fairy tale book."

"Is that so?"

Leo chuckled softly and placed the child on Melina's lap.

Then he looked around.

"Little ones. This grandma here will read you fairy tales about the great heroes. Everyone gather around."

"This noona doesn't look like a grandma."

Leo burst out laughing.

Hearing the words "fairy tales of great heroes," the children who had accompanied their parents to the party gathered with curious eyes.

Drawn by Leo's voice, they approached without realizing it, regardless of their status or race.

Seeing that, Melina flicked her fingers lightly.

Then, chairs for the children to sit on were summoned.

"Everyone, which hero's story do you want to hear? Raise your hands and tell me."

Melina asked with a bright smile.

The children, captivated by Melina's gentle demeanor, raised their hands with shining eyes and began to say which stories they wanted to hear.

As the children's parents became restless watching them.

"Don't worry about it."

Leo smiled faintly.

"Because even Dragon Lords like children."

A moment later, Melina's story began.

Even those who had been looking surprised at Melina, who used magic to vividly depict the great heroes and read the fairy tale books to the children in a humorous way, soon relaxed their expressions.

Chloe, watching the scene, muttered.

"Seeing that sight."

"Hmm?"

Chelsea looked at Chloe.

"It's like I can see what kind of country… no, what kind of world Leo wants to create."

"A world that seems like it came out of a fairy tale."

An era where all races harmoniously lead the world.

Chelsea smiled faintly at Chloe's words.

"Yeah, that's right. Absurd."

"…That's why it has value, I guess."

"Right."

"Being together, I don't think I'll ever get bored. Like magic."

For Chloe, the world was an infinite realm of exploration.

Something she felt she would never get tired of.

But Leo's existence, unexpectedly, felt like magic.

Archy.

A country that means "beginning" in the dragon language.

A new era that would shake the world was about to begin.

***

Dawn on the coronation day.

The pre-coronation eve party had ended, but its fervor had not cooled.

The drunken patrons were all gathered, happily drinking.

There were no fights, as it was a joyous occasion.

It could be said that this place was the center of the world at present.

It was a festival where countless races gathered, along with the heroes who represented them, and a holy day announcing the birth of the King of the World.

To fight while drunk on such a day would be an oxymoron.

"To the great King of the World!"

"To him!"

Amidst this.

A man walking down a back alley smirked as he looked at the drunken patrons.

"Foolish ones. They enjoy themselves without knowing that this place will soon turn into hell."

He was a beastman.

"When the Dark King reveals himself here, they will realize… how foolish their hope is…"

The man, letting out a disturbing, cackling laugh, disappeared into the darkness.

"As long as we lurk in the darkness, there will be no hope."

*Whoosh*!

The man's presence soon vanished.

"His words are annoying, should I just take him out now?"

At that moment, an annoyed voice was heard from the roof of a building in the back alley where the man had been.

The half-elf grumbled, and the man next to him said.

"There's no need to unnecessarily make the enemies wary. We've detected the movements of the Hero Hunters and demons within Retin, so we can eliminate them all at once tomorrow."

"That is efficient."

Anya, the half-elf, hummed a tune and looked at the sky as dawn broke.

Anya, seeing the darkness recede, smirked.

The way Hero Hunters, who had betrayed the world and were forced to hide in the darkness, acted as if darkness was their world seemed laughable to Anya.

After all, they, who had lived in darkness since birth, were the true masters of darkness.

'Everyone has a plan that sounds good. Until they get hit.'