Book 1 Chapter 841

841.

The day before the coronation of the Kingdom of Arhi.

A pre-coronation festival was held in Retin, which was to become the capital of the kingdom.

It was a party for those invited to the coronation.

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

Kal exclaimed, crossing his arms.

This pre-coronation festival was held in the gigantic plaza in front of the royal palace where Leo had dueled with heroes just a few days ago.

This party, hosted by the New Arhi Kingdom, was different from previous kingdom-hosted parties.

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

Empress-to-be Sasha, who attended as a representative of the Rodren Empire, the hegemon of the western continent.

Emperor-to-be Chen Xia of the Shan Empire in the eastern continent, which boasts the most ancient history.

Even commoners who had struggled to come to Retin from the countryside to see the coronation.

Everyone enjoyed the party equally, without regard for status.

Some royals and nobles looked bewildered, seemingly unfamiliar with this type of party.

However, no one dared to raise an objection or express discomfort.

Even those who were leaders representing other races did not express dissatisfaction or discomfort with this party.

Instead, they seemed to be enjoying the party.

Furthermore, the sole occupant of the seat of honor here.

The presence of Dragon Lord Melina seemed to forbid such complaints.

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

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

Chloe, who was next to Kal, exclaimed.

At her words, Chelsea also nodded, humming.

"That's right. This world is as good as the world saved by Lisinas-nim."

While Leo succeeded in subduing Erebus in the final battle, that battle could not have taken place without Lisinas before then.

Lisinas was recognized as the one and only King of the World because the gods acknowledged her influence.

Melina was, in a way, sitting in that seat as Lisinas'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 tomorrow's coronation, 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.

"Isn't it a kind of show?"

"By the way, nothing happened between big brother Leo and senior Elena, right?"

Kal nodded at Chelsea's question.

"Yeah."

At that answer, Chelsea and Chloe sighed in relief.

"But Kal. Weren't you coming with either Eliza or Duran? They're coming today."

Chloe asked with a puzzled look.

Due to their family's schedule, Chelsea and Chloe arrived today, the day before the coronation.

Similarly, Eliza and Duran were also scheduled for today.

But Kal had said he'd been there much earlier.

As Chloe asked with a puzzled look, Kal's expression clouded.

"No. Well, you see. The atmosphere between those two was just so fierce."

After the end-of-semester ceremony.

The two had fiercely competed for Kal until they arrived at the warp gate.

"Kal! You've certainly risen in the world, haven't you? Seeing those two fighting so fiercely over you!"

Chelsea said with a mischievous grin, and Kal gave a sorrowful laugh.

"In the end, I told them I'd come alone."

"And those two let you go willingly?"

"The prince merely tutted lightly, but Eliza…"

"Given her personality, and her pride being hurt, she must have glared at you as if to kill you, right?"

"No. She just didn't say anything?"

"That's unexpected."

Chelsea's eyes widened.

"What are you talking about that's so interesting?"

"Big brother Leo!"

Chelsea smiled brightly.

"You look great today."

Chloe also admired Leo's dressed-up clothes.

"You two look amazing today too."

"We put some effort into it. How do we look?"

Chelsea smiled faintly and twirled lightly.

Her pure white, one-piece dress fluttered.

"Cute."

"Not pretty?"

Chelsea pouted slightly and grumbled.

Leo smiled faintly at her, then looked at Chloe.

Chloe was wearing a sky-blue, form-fitting dress that accentuated her figure.

"It suits you well. You look mature."

"Thank you."

Chloe's face flushed slightly as she turned her head a little.

"I guess I do look older."

Thwack-!

"Ugh!"

Kal, who had been teasing next to her, got hit by Chloe's elbow and rolled on the floor.

Leo, who had been laughing at the sight, asked curiously.

"Anyway, what were you talking about?"

"Kal's love life."

"It's not that!"

As Chelsea grinned mischievously, Kal rubbed his nose and stood up.

"It is too."

Chelsea chuckled playfully.

Seeing her, Leo also smiled playfully.

"Must be tough, being so popular?"

"Even you? And what's with you, being the truly popular one?"

Kal gestured with his eyes around them.

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

It was true.

With the coronation approaching now.

There were more than a few who had come here hoping to become the Queen of the Arhi Kingdom.

"I'm jealous, popular guy."

Kal poked Leo's side with his elbow.

Leo chuckled at his words and looked at one side of the party hall.

"That's Eliza."

At that, Kal tidied his hair and clothes.

"I'll be back in a moment."

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

"See you in a bit then."

"Okay."

"Have a good time."

Knowing he was busy, Chelsea and Chloe didn't hold onto Leo's time any longer.

The place Leo headed was where Melina was.

"Oh dear. The weight of the crown truly feels heavy."

Melina sighed softly, looking at Leo.

Currently, the crown Lisinas had placed on Leo's head was on hers.

"It didn't feel heavy at all to me?"

"Honestly, it feels like my neck is aching from the pressure."

"It was originally yours, officially, wasn't it?"

As the crown had been passed down through generations of Dragon Lords, it was originally Melina's as well.

At Leo's words, Melina hunched her shoulders.

"Even Lord Rodia didn't dare to wear it, you know."

"From what I see, you're a much better Dragon Lord than that Rodia fellow."

"Don't joke around."

As Melina looked flustered, Leo made a nonchalant expression.

"I'm not joking. At least you're more mature than that damned lizard. And not arrogant either."

At his words, Melina gave a wry smile.

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

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

"Brother. Are you the King of the Beginning?"

The boy asked with an innocent face.

"Yes, I am."

Leo replied with a faint smile.

At that answer, the child's eyes widened, and he held up a fairy tale book he was clutching in one hand, asking, "Then are you going to defeat the Demon King like Lord Kyle in this book?"

The book the boy held up was 'The Hero of the Beginning' fairy tale book.

As Leo saw it and was about to answer.

"Oh dear! Mile. What rudeness to His Majesty? Your Majesty! I apologize!"

A commoner hurriedly bowed to Leo.

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

"Your, Your Majesty. Why are you speaking formally to me…?"

"If a young kid speaks informally, they look ill-mannered, you know."

"Even though he's the oldest person here."

Melina muttered softly, then met Leo's eyes and abruptly turned her head away.

Leo reached out and ruffled the child's hair.

"Little one. Who's your favorite great hero?"

"Lord Arion!"

"Why?"

"He's so cool!"

The child's eyes sparkled.

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

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

"Really?"

Leo chuckled softly, then picked up the child and placed him on Melina's lap.

Then he looked around.

"Kids. This big sister here is going to read you fairy tale books about the great heroes. Gather 'round, everyone."

"This big sister doesn't look like a grandma."

Leo burst out laughing.

At the mention of "great heroes' fairy tale books," children who had attended the party with their parents gathered, their eyes filled with curiosity.

Regardless of status or race, they were drawn by Leo's voice and approached without even realizing it.

Seeing this, Melina lightly snapped her fingers.

Then chairs suitable for children were summoned.

"Everyone. Which hero's story would you like to hear? Raise your hand and tell me."

Melina asked with a bright smile.

Enchanted by Melina's gentle demeanor, the children's eyes lit up as they raised their hands and began to name the stories they wanted to hear.

When the children's parents looked restless.

"Don't worry about it."

Leo smiled faintly.

"Dragon Lords like children too."

A moment later, Melina's story began.

Even those who had initially looked flustered at Melina using magic to vividly depict the great heroes and humorously read them a fairy tale, soon relaxed their expressions.

Chloe, watching the scene, murmured.

"Seeing that…"

"Hm?"

Chelsea looked at Chloe.

"How should I put it, it's like I can see what kind of country… no. What kind of world Leo wants to create."

"A world that seems to come straight out of a fairy tale."

An era where all races cooperate to lead the world.

At Chloe's words, Chelsea smiled faintly.

"Yeah. You're right. It's preposterous."

"…That's why it has value, I suppose."

"Exactly."

"It feels like it would never be boring to be with him. Like magic."

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

Something she would never get tired of.

But now, Leo's existence suddenly felt like magic.

Arhi.

A country whose name means "beginning" in dragonic.

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

***

Dawn on the coronation day.

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

All the drunkards gathered and happily drank.

As it was a joyful day, no one fought.

Currently, this place could be said to be the center of the world.

It was a festival where countless races gathered and heroes representing them assembled, and also a sacred day to announce the birth of the King of the World.

Fighting while drunk on such a day was utterly nonsensical.

"To the great King of the World!"

"To the King!"

Meanwhile.

A man walking through the back alleys curled the corners of his lips as he watched the drunkards.

"Fools. They're enjoying themselves, unaware that this place will soon turn into hell."

He was a beast-man.

"They will realize when the Dark King reveals himself here. How foolish the hope they believe in is…"

Hiccup- Hiccup- The man let out an unpleasantly insane laugh and vanished into the darkness.

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

Swoosh-!

Soon, the man's presence disappeared.

"His way of speaking is annoying, should I just cut him down now?"

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

To the half-elf's grumbling, the man beside him said, "There's no need to needlessly alert the enemies. We've detected the movements of Hero Hunters and demons within Retin, so we can eliminate them all at once tomorrow."

"That would be efficient."

The half-elf, Shadow Anyas, hummed a tune and looked at the dawning sky.

Watching the darkness recede, Anyas curled the corners of his lips.

To Anyas, the Hero Hunters, who had betrayed the world and were forced to hide in the darkness, acting as if the darkness were their own world, was utterly ridiculous.

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

'Everyone has a plausible plan. Until they get punched in the face.'