Book 1 Chapter 936

936.

Zerev hunched his neck and hesitantly, hesitantly, watched Chen Xia drinking tea in front of him.

Chen Xia, who was sipping tea, tilted her head.

"Aren't you drinking?"

"Ah, yes! I, I will gratefully drink it, hot hot hot!"

Seeing Zerev jump up as if his palate had been burned while hastily drinking the hot tea, Chen Xia covered her mouth and laughed.

"Don't be so nervous. Even if our departments are different, you're still my senior at school. Please think of me that way."

"Yes, yes."

Despite Chen Xia's words, Zerev couldn't quite relax his expression.

He was destined to become the Emperor of Shan, not just anyone else.

That also meant he would be the Shadow King.

Zerev was from the western part of the continent.

However, he was a candidate trained by the Shadows of Shan active in the west, not a candidate belonging to a specific family or organization.

Although his official nationality was not Shan, he was practically affiliated with Shan.

In other words, for Zerev, Chen Xia was not just the emperor of another country, but an emperor to whom he had sworn allegiance.

She was a person of noble status whom he might never meet in his life, and even if he did, he would not dare to look at her.

And yet, here he was, sitting face-to-face with her, drinking tea.

'What were Shan's etiquette rules again? My teachers would scold me severely if they knew. No, is it even right to call her 'senior'? Maybe until recently… but now she's about to officially become the Emperor of Shan?'

His eyes felt like they were spinning from nervousness.

If she were a shadow candidate from another faction, like Ferena, perhaps.

But to the Shadows of Shan, the Emperor of Shan was like the heavens.

"Zerev?"

"Yes, yes! Your Majesty!"

Seeing Zerev's even stiffer reaction than before, Chen Xia gave a faint, wry smile.

'It seems like telling him to treat me casually will only make him more awkward.'

Chen Xia, muttering to herself as she watched the overly nervous Zerev, asked,

"How are your relationships with your friends at school? You seemed to be getting along well a little while ago."

"Um… Your Majesty…"

"Senior. We're talking as school seniors and juniors right now, aren't we?"

"Th-then, Senior. Please speak comfortably. You're making me too nervous…"

"……"

Seeing Zerev, who couldn't even make eye contact and was fidgeting, Chen Xia nodded.

"Then I'll speak comfortably. So? Have you made many new friends?"

"Yes. I've gotten quite close to the kids from Azonia. They're good people."

He scratched his head with an awkward laugh.

But his eyes soon grew a little somber.

"But… the worlds of heroes and shadows seem to be fundamentally different."

"Why?"

"Many things that are natural to me are frightening to my friends."

"……"

"I realized this even more painfully as I navigated the shadow world."

"Did Zerev think shadows and heroes were the same?"

"Yes. I didn't think I could become a hero… but I thought they weren't that different. Your Majesty… no, Senior. Because of you."

After Chen Xia revealed her identity, many changes occurred among the shadows.

The countless shadow candidates entering each Hero Academy were proof of this.

There were far more people than imagined who yearned for the light but were confined to darkness because they were shadows.

These changes accelerated even more after Chen Xia rose to the position of Hero as the successor of Shan.

'I wanted to let people know that shadows and heroes are not different.'

That's why she tried to lead many shadows towards the light.

However, just as there were those who wanted to go to the light, there were also many shadows who wanted to remain in the darkness.

Ultimately, there are things that heroes cannot do.

Things that someone has to do.

'Just like Lord Leo.'

Chen Xia had never deeply considered that.

She just assumed that since she had yearned for the light since childhood and dreamed of becoming a hero, other shadows would feel the same way.

But it wasn't.

'It's difficult.'

She knew there was conflict between those who wanted shadows and heroes to be the same and those who believed shadows should remain shadows.

'It's hard.'

Shadow candidates like Zerev, who want to become heroes, are also wavering.

It's clear that Zerev isn't the only one feeling this way.

'Our worlds are different. That's for sure.'

"Zerev."

"Yes."

"Your friends will accept you for who you are."

"……"

"One day, people will realize that we are not something to be feared. So…"

Chen Xia gave a wry smile to herself.

She felt pathetic for only being able to say these words now.

However, in Zerev's struggle between light and darkness, she saw her past self.

That's why she couldn't say nothing.

"Go on the path you want to take."

At Chen Xia's words, Zerev fell into deep thought.

Then he glanced at the entrance of the cafe.

This was a cafe that even first-year students could use.

"Then I'll be going now."

"What? Ah, yes."

Chen Xia waved her hand to Zerev, who was about to get up with her, and left the cafe.

As Chen Xia left, Zerev's party friends, whom he had just parted with, came flooding in.

"Hey! Hey! What's going on? You're in the magic department, how did you end up having tea with Senior Chen Xia?"

"Is that person Chen Xia of Lumern? The Water Sprite?"

"She's so pretty!"

Senze, a classmate from Lumern Magic Department, exclaimed, and then Terem and Gabram, beastmen students from Azonia, also jumped around.

"Weren't you guys going to eat with the Seirun kids?"

"They said they were going to watch a 4v4 and asked to eat next time."

Senze scratched his head.

Seeing that, Zerev said,

"You got rejected?"

"No way! It's because you weren't there!"

"But, well, if it's a date with someone like that, I guess it can't be helped."

"Yeah. That's right."

When Terem and Gabram sided with Zerev, Senze licked his lips.

"Yeah, I guess it can't be helped. So? What did you talk about?"

Seeing the three male students clamoring, Zerev wore a troubled expression.

Meanwhile, Chen Xia, who was watching them from outside the shop, moved her steps.

'I should hear the thoughts of other shadows too.'

The conflict among shadows.

When she asked for advice on the matter, Leo told her to figure it out herself, like giving her an assignment.

She felt a little resentful about that.

But.

'I can't rely on Lord Leo forever.'

A long time ago.

'Just as my ancestors walked their own path as shadows. I too must find the answer myself. As Lord Leo said, I'm not a child anymore.'

Recalling Leo, who shone like the sun, Chen Xia looked at the moon in the night sky.

'I may not be able to be the sun for the shadows, but perhaps I can be the moon?'

***

Ferena glared at the lollipop being held out to her with suspicious eyes.

"What is this?"

"A gift."

Kael replied nonchalantly to Ferena's question.

"Hmph. Do you think a mere lollipop can gain the favor of someone from the Hergin family like me?"

"This is a homemade candy I made. It's incredibly expensive."

"It's still just candy, no matter how expensive."

While grumbling softly, Ferena accepted the lollipop without complaint.

And she put it in her mouth.

Then, like biting into a highly sweet fruit, the fruity flavor filled her mouth.

At the same time, it wasn't overly sweet and gave a refreshing feeling.

"…It's delicious."

Ferena put the lollipop in her mouth with a curt voice.

'Why does my sister like this commoner so much?'

Thinking of her proud sister, Ferena had an expression of disbelief.

'My sister could easily marry a king of a country or the successor of a hero's noble family.'

Indeed, considering the influence of the Hergin family and Elizabeth's own abilities, it was entirely possible.

'Is it her taste? It doesn't seem like it.'

Glancing up and down at Kael, Ferena asked,

"So? You said the student council president called for you. But why did you come to see me?"

"To get acquainted."

Kael said with a look of obviousness, and Ferena tilted her head.

"What do you want to get acquainted with me for?"

"Because we might become family after graduation?"

Ferena stared blankly at Kael.

Seeing Ferena, Kael put on an awkward expression.

"Did I get ahead of myself?"

"…It seems your feelings for my sister are sincere."

"Of course. If you don't like it, I'll work hard to make you like it."

"You've misunderstood. Even if my sister marries Senior Kael, I don't particularly mind."

"Oh? You were looking favorably upon me?"

"No. It's just that I'm not in a position to object to my sister's decision."

Ferena smiled brightly.

"If Senior Kael truly becomes a son-in-law to the Hergin family, well, then it would be appropriate for me to become acquainted with Senior Kael as well."

"That doesn't sound like becoming acquainted as family."

Kael gave a wry smile.

"Yes. I will deal with anything that harms the family my sister will build. Senior Kael, if nothing else, is an excellent commander and strategist, right?"

"……"

"Assist my sister and use me well. I'll be looking forward to it."

She was smiling brightly, but there was an unsettling chill about her.

Seeing that, Kael recalled his conversation with Elizabeth.

'I want her to aim to be a hero too. So, you do something about it.'

'What can I do?'

'You're good at encouraging others.'

'Heh. Well, I did make girlfriends like that.'

He had puffed up with Elizabeth's praise and told her to just trust him, but.

'It won't be easy.'

Chewing on the lollipop, Kael offered Ferena another new lollipop.

Ferena, who took the lollipop without a word, put it back in her mouth.

'I should consult with Siah.'

Thinking to himself, Kael said to Ferena,

"Well then, future sister-in-law. Shall we go?"

"…You're truly shameless."

Though she had an expression of disbelief, Ferena extended her hand to Kael.

"…Why?"

"Escorting a lady. It's basic etiquette, isn't it?"

"I'm not good with that sort of thing."

"If you're going to be the future son-in-law of our family, you need to be well-versed in etiquette."

At those words, Kael escorted Ferena.

"So? How are you planning to get acquainted with me?"

"What do you like?"

"My sister."

"Oh. We like the same thing!"

Kael put on his characteristic easygoing expression.

Ferena grumbled, looking at him with a blank stare.

Kael smiled and continued to talk, and Ferena responded with a prim reaction, yet she answered.

'The conversation is more enjoyable than I thought.'

Ferena glanced at Kael, who was smiling kindly.

"Senior Kael, your school life wasn't smooth sailing either, was it?"

"How could it not be, that I became a hero?"

Kael shrugged and sighed.

"If you just do nothing and suddenly get caught up in a Hero Dungeon, there's nothing more bewildering than that."

"Isn't it good luck, since others can't go even if they want to?"

"It's good luck for someone with the ability to clear it. For me, it's a disaster. A disaster."

Shuddering, Kael surveyed his surroundings.

As they walked and talked, they had unknowingly arrived at the deserted outskirts of Reysar.

"Imagine being suddenly dropped into a world like that of a great hero."

[Hero Record Open. World of Archon. Chapter: Destruction of Reysar]

"Like this."

"Hmm. It certainly would be bewildering."

"Right?"

Kael, who had shaken his head, stiffened.

"Huh?"

Ferena's face also became similar to Kael's.

Their gazes met in the air.

"Agh! Seriously!"

Kael hastily took a notebook from his pocket and threw it.

Whoosh-!

Thud-

The notebook Kael threw fell to the ground, and the two of them vanished.