Book 1 Chapter 915
“You want to conquer my world?”
“Yes.”
Leo silently looked at Shau’s face, which nodded seriously. He poured wine into his glass and brought it to his lips.
The fruity scent lingered in his mouth.
The taste was smooth, but he could easily tell it was a high-proof spirit.
After downing the entire glass, Leo asked, “Why?”
Doubt flickered in Leo’s eyes. He doubted why Shau wanted to conquer his world, not anyone else’s.
“Even if you conquer my world, you won’t get any conquest rewards.”
Conquest rewards are only given for worlds where the departed reside.
He had asked Rian, the administrator of the Hero Record, why this was the case.
“The records of heroes in the Hero Record are like stories. As long as life continues, the story continues. Only when eyes close does the story end,” Rian had said, touching the records. “Only completed stories can be passed down to future generations. That is the most basic law of the Hero Record.”
There was an exception: “The owner of the Hero Record.” Leo could receive rewards regardless of which world he conquered.
“You know that, don’t you?” Leo stared directly into Shau’s dark eyes.
He was the descendant of his disciple, Bihalt. However, even as a descendant, it was difficult to find any trace of Bihalt in Shau’s appearance. Five thousand years was a long time. Though connected by blood, they were practically strangers. But…
‘Why do the eyes resemble each other so much?’
The blood Bihalt left behind must have thinned over generations. But Bihalt’s will remained clear. Even though he was once swept up in the obsession of having to be recorded in the Hero Record through shadows, it wasn’t wrong. Leo couldn’t help but pity the shadows who chose to confine themselves to darkness. And he felt guilty. Because the legacy that the shadows protected and passed down was none other than Kyle, the Hero of the Beginning, himself. He, who was the savior of the world and the primordial shadow. However, for thousands of years, the shadows suffered because of the legacy he left behind.
‘If my attitude had been different 5,000 years ago, perhaps the shadows would have received the same treatment as other heroes.’
Perhaps they would have lived lives recorded in the Hero Record, like other heroes, instead of being hidden behind history.
The gods never denied the achievements of the shadows. Rian, the administrator of the Hero Record, had said that there were many great and noble individuals among the shadows who could have had their names recorded in the Hero Record. However, they couldn’t be recorded because they themselves denied their achievements.
‘The gods considered that the greatest trial for the shadows.’
Rian’s bitter smile came to Leo’s mind. As a recorder, he also felt pity for the shadows. ‘I wish they could break free from their shells. I wish they could become proud of themselves.’
But the shadows did not. Despite sacrificing themselves for the world, they denied their achievements. Leo knew well that its origin lay with him.
‘I hunted the traitors. I simply thought someone had to do it.’
It was originally the duty of the black dragons. But it was Kyle who drew the line, saying it was not the job of Lisinas, the savior of the world. Many black dragons who lived in the age of gods lived in darkness, became twisted and corrupted in the age of disaster. They turned into enemies of the world.
Dragons considered the work of black dragons to be lowly. In essence, Kyle held the same archaic views. It was something Lisinas shouldn’t do, but someone had to. Kyle hunted traitors with that exact mindset.
Those who paint a bright future shouldn’t be cleaning up trash. Someone like himself, who didn’t care about anything, should do it. He acted with that thought. ‘I was just a cleaner.’
That’s why Leo never wanted Bihalt to help him with his work. He pushed away Bihalt, who always followed him when hunting traitors, several times. But he eventually followed and they had no choice but to work together. Even then, he always said, ‘If the world is saved, don’t do this anymore.’
‘Why?’
‘There will be plenty of other things to do.’
‘Are you quitting too, master?’
‘No.’
‘…….’
‘I can’t stand to see them live in the light.’
‘Then I too…….’
‘I’m enough on my own for this bloody work. You go and help Lisinas.’
‘…….’
‘Answer.’
‘……Yes.’
That is why, later, Bihalt, as a shadow, tore and kept Kyle’s records. Leo himself taught Bihalt that the work of a shadow was insignificant. This was why Leo felt guilty towards the shadows. That’s why he thought he had to pull Chen Xia… the shadows out of the darkness. So that they could be recognized now. That they too were heroes.
Now, many shadows were coming out into the light. They would become heroes, not shadows.
That’s why Leo couldn’t understand Shau. Leo was Kyle. As long as Leo lived, he couldn’t receive conquest rewards in Kyle’s world. Kyle’s story was ongoing. The second act had begun. Shau knew that too. Yet, Shau was trying to conquer Kyle’s world as a shadow. He didn’t seek conquest rewards. He wanted only one thing: to experience an even deeper abyss as a shadow. The shadow before him was heading into the abyss, even though a path to the light had opened. Leo couldn’t comprehend it.
When Leo asked, Shau replied with a laugh, “I believe Bihalt-nim’s feelings were not much different from mine.”
“…….”
Shau looked at the Book of Shadows. Bihalt’s record was also there. 5,000 years ago, when the world was saved. Bihalt could have chosen. To live in the light, like Berchia. Or, to live in darkness, as he did now. And Bihalt chose to live in darkness.
“Because someone had to do it.”
“Yes. But that is something to be done as a hero.”
“Indeed. In the future, heroes who coexist with light and darkness will appear, just as you did.” Shau laughed with genuine joy. “It’s not even the distant future. My daughter will surely become like that. That must have been our original form.”
“Right. Then why do you try to live as a shadow?”
An era where heroes and shadows become blurred is coming. Those who reject becoming heroes, being swept up solely by the sense of duty as shadows, will disappear. The life of a thorough shadow will be a path no one needs to take. Because an era will come when heroes are shadows and shadows are heroes.
Despite that, Shau intended to walk that path. “Because the primordial shadow told me I was not wrong.” Shau said with a proud smile. “If it wasn’t wrong.” Shau’s gaze fell upon the Book of Shadows. “The path my progenitor walked.” Faith filled Shau’s eyes. “The path countless ancestors walked.” Finally, Shau raised his head, his gaze meeting Leo’s. “I want to walk it. And I will say.”
“What?”
“That the primordial shadow has no reason to feel sorry for us.”
“……”
“If Bihalt knew that the primordial shadow felt sorry for the shadows, he would have made the same choice as me.” Shau said forcefully. “Therefore, as the last Shadow King, I want to reach the highest realm. That is why I want to overcome your trial.” So that he could proudly declare it was his own choice.
“But you could die if you fail?” While the hero’s world is not a hero dungeon, escape is possible in crisis situations. However, the trials Kyle experienced were so intense that even escape was difficult. “That is why I handed over the throne to my daughter.” Shau laughed heartily, poured wine into his glass, and downed it with gusto. “Still, you’re as disobedient as Bihalt.”
“Hahaha! Isn’t that because you’re his descendant! Here, have a drink.” Shau laughed cheerfully and poured wine into Leo’s glass.
They drank and drank, emptying several bottles of strong liquor. As the wine bottles lay scattered, Leo said, “Is the challenge after the succession of the emperor?”
“Yes.”
“You’d better prepare thoroughly. You could really die if you’re not careful.”
“Don’t worry. I have no intention of dying.”
“……”
“I definitely intend to see my grandchildren’s faces.”
Shau, now quite drunk, said, “So, speaking of which. Once I become emperor, isn’t securing a successor the most urgent task?”
“Is that so?”
“How about forming a marital alliance with Arhi and Shan? Now that you’ve ascended the throne, you need strong allies, don’t you think?” Shau said seriously. “I’m not just saying this because she’s my daughter, but isn’t she truly beautiful? Arhi will surely have excellent successors. Oh, if you have someone else in mind for Arhi’s queen, I don’t mind much. After all, isn’t there a saying that heroes are lecherous? Actually, I wanted to have many concubines myself…”
Seeing Shau talking nonstop, Leo frowned and said, “Aren’t you leaving now?”
“What’s wrong with Shiya? She’s a child with no shortcomings.”
“Elsie. Please see the guest out.”
At Leo’s words, Elsie giggled and ushered Shau out. Shau continued to brag about his daughter like a doting father until he left the room.
Finally, Leo, who had quieted down, tidied up the wine bottles and headed for his bed. Then Elsie returned. “Did Emperor Shau leave?”
“Mm. He went towards the Knight Department dormitory.”
‘Is he going to see Shiya’s face before he leaves?’
***
“…….”
Shiya, who was tossing and turning in bed, involuntarily opened her eyes to the scent of alcohol that tickled her nose.
“Kyaa—Huh?!”
Then, seeing Shau looking down at her face, she screamed. Of course, Shau covered Shiya’s mouth so it didn’t become a loud noise. Even Shiya, who had trained in the dark, couldn’t help but be startled when she saw the Shadow King who had appeared without a trace.
“Father! What are you doing here!”
“I came to meet the King of the Beginning.”
Shau, who had been smiling brightly, said with a serious expression, “Shiya, after infiltrating here, I realized that with your skills, you could sufficiently infiltrate the King of the Beginning’s room.”
“…….”
At those words, Shiya got out of bed, pressed her temples, and said, “What kind of father tells his daughter to secretly go into a man’s room?”
“It’s more common than you think.”
“…….”
“You know the world is dirty, don’t you?”
Shiya sighed deeply. “In that sense.” Emperor Shau took out a bottle from his pocket and handed it to Chen Shiya.
“……What is this?”
“Alcohol. Alcohol is the best way for men and women to become close.”
“Thank you for your concern.”
“Ah, of course, it’s drugged too.”
“…….”
“Just kidding. By the way, Shiya.”
“What is it again?”
“Your pajamas are still childish. I worry because you’re not young yet. After all, men…”
“I’ll take care of myself, so please leave.”
“Hey! I don’t trust you!”
“Leave! Please!”
“Remember this! Shiya! History is often made by nights and alcohol! Even with you, when I was on a mission with your mother and had a drink…”
“Leave!”
Chen Shiya, with a cold expression, chased Shau out the window. Shiya, who had collapsed onto the bed, sighed deeply.
‘He’s been acting like this particularly since he said he’d pass on the throne.’