Book 1 Chapter 965

A white wolf howls.

A golden aura burst from the Brave held by Arion.

Arion, with glowing golden eyes, pursued the Skeleton King.

Two timelines overlapped in Arion's golden eyes.

The first was the present.

The second was the future.

Whoosh-!

Moving at an imperceptible speed, Arion swung his sword.

Gold light drew a trajectory in the air.

KWA-GA-GA-GA-GA-NG-!

The Skeleton King's resurrected body was destroyed again.

Barely protecting its core, the Skeleton King wore an expression of shock.

'He sees the future?!'

It was impossible.

Even Erebus, with his countless powers, could not do this.

Just being able to see the near future, even if not the distant future, was a chilling ability.

It was, quite literally, the realm of gods.

No, it was a realm far beyond that of gods.

"How dare this beast…!"

*Snap-*!

Before he could even finish speaking, Hell Kaiser's face was split in half again by a golden flash.

Whoosh-!

Arion once again kicked off the ground and pursued Hell Kaiser.

A clear future could be seen.

'What is courage, anyway?'

Arion weaved through demons and monsters, pondering the question.

He had wondered for a long time.

What courage truly was.

Why his friends called him brave when he was always so timid.

At critical moments.

It must be because he could become courageous.

'Then why could I?'

The courage that arises when there is nowhere to run.

Why could he never do that?

He pondered, but the conclusion was one.

'It's probably because I'm a coward.'

Arion was afraid of many things.

But after facing death.

He was freed from those countless fears.

On his final journey, he was the first to entrust his burden to his friends before closing his eyes.

Then, countless ages passed, and with Leo's help, he could see the future.

And he gained the fortune of an opportunity to overcome his past wounds.

Arion had nothing left to lose.

But Arion was still a coward.

'Perhaps… it's because I saw the future.'

The blue sky he could not see in life.

The dazzlingly bright sun.

The beautifully shining moon in the night sky.

And the starlight that captivated his eyes.

The future was illuminated by countless sights Arion had never seen.

So many times he felt regret for not being able to experience them.

But before that, he felt fear that this beautiful world might be lost.

Even though it was a future he could not enjoy… he felt fear that those who would live in that future might have it stolen.

'I am a coward.'

*Snap-*!

In the wake of Arion's passage, demons and monsters fell, spewing blood.

There was no hesitation in his sword.

His solitary act of shaking the battlefield was almost that of a war god.

'But I am also a hero.'

Burdened by the title, people of the future called him a hero.

Even though he didn't deserve to be called that.

At the final moment.

He sacrificed himself to save his comrades.

But wasn't that also a result of him running away?

'But… I can't just bow my head and do nothing.'

The burdensome epithet of hero.

Even the words that he was a symbol of unfitting courage.

He had to bear it all.

'Kyle is still fighting.'

For his friend who was still fighting alone, Arion decided to muster his courage.

Arion still didn't know what courage was.

But he knew what he had to do.

In a future he could not live in.

Arion, reborn as a true hero, stopped his charge.

Before him stood the terrified Skeleton King.

The source of fear comes from the unknown.

And the current Hell Kaiser could not comprehend the beast before him at all.

Traveling back in time.

There was no way the current Hell Kaiser could understand the hero perfected in the distant future.

"What… what are you?"

To Hell Kaiser's question, Arion grinned.

"A hero."

*Flash-!*

A golden sword strike descended upon Hell Kaiser's head.

With Arion's power far exceeding expectations, Hell Kaiser in the world of heroes met his death.

"How is it? The feeling of facing death?"

To Arion's taunting question, Hell Kaiser thought as his consciousness faded.

'This guy, why has his tongue become so similar to the heroes who survive?'

***

"My word…"

Lisinas covered her mouth.

Her gaze was fixed on Arion, who had defeated Hell Kaiser.

'Is that… Arion?'

The timid demeanor he always had was gone.

Arion, reborn as a complete hero, was the very image of an ideal hero.

Kyle also opened his eyes wide upon seeing this.

As for Agon, his sword-holding hand trembled.

'Arion…'

Agon looked at his disciple, who had ascended to an immeasurable level, and smiled faintly.

'You've really… grown so much.'

The moment he thought that.

*Thump-*!

Azonia landed on top of the city wall.

"Master… Ah. Lord Agon."

Azonia smiled awkwardly and looked at Agon.

"…"

Agon muttered as he looked at Azonia, whose brown hair had inexplicably turned golden.

"Yes. It was you… Azonia."

"Huh?"

Azonia looked flustered.

"You came to save me and the children, time and time again… Yes… So that's how it was."

At his reaction, Azonia's eyes widened.

Demian, who was being carried by Azonia, also looked surprised.

Just then.

*Thump-*!

Leo landed next to Azonia, carrying Luna and Dweno on his shoulders.

"Hoo."

"Kyle! Is it really okay to leave Arion alone?"

Luna asked. Leo replied,

"Yes. He is mentally complete now."

"What does that mean?"

"It means he remembers the future too. So don't worry. He'll come back leisurely."

Leo reassured Luna, knowing Arion's ability to see the future.

"I see. So you were the surviving hero?"

Agon nodded, looking at Leo.

At those words, Leo looked at Agon with a slightly surprised expression.

"You came with Arion, didn't you?"

"Lord Agon, your memories…?"

"Yes. They've returned. It's strange."

Agon muttered, looking down at his hands.

In the memories that resurfaced, Agon and the orphanage were saved.

Of course, he knew it was false.

Like a dream.

But…

"Thank you."

"…"

Even if this was a lie.

This feeling was real.

"Thanks to you… I was saved."

"…"

To Agon's thanks, Leo said,

"It seems like thanks can be given after everything is over."

Leo looked at Erebus, who was letting out a roar.

GOOOO-OOO-OOO-!

KU-GU-GU-GU-GU-NG-!

The ground cracked, and black magma erupted.

Seeing that, Leo opened his mouth.

"Azonia, Demian."

"Yes, Lord Leo."

"Can you stop the demons of Tartarus with Lord Agon?"

Arion had dealt with the Skeleton King.

Moreover, even Erebus was not summoned in his complete form.

But even so, the current situation was not good.

An enormous number of demons and beasts were still targeting Lysar's castle walls.

Furthermore, even if the ritual was not performed and he could not use his powers, his opponent was Erebus.

If they were careless, they could be defeated in an instant.

To Leo's words, Demian replied,

"Lord Kyle. Instead of asking if we can stop them, just tell us to stop them."

*Thud-*!

Demian slammed the blade of the axe he was holding onto the castle wall.

"We will hold them off until the Great Heroes return after vanquishing that damned fellow."

His words, revealing his resolve, were like a painting.

"If only there was a canvas," Dweno grumbled, stroking his beard.

"Wow! You're so reliable! You said he was like my direct junior, right? Don't I have any juniors?"

Luna asked with sparkling eyes. Leo replied instead,

"Yes."

"What? Really, what kind of person are they? Have you met them?"

Luna asked with wide eyes. Leo nodded.

"Just like you."

"Like me?"

"Yes."

"Hmph. They must be incredibly smart and beautiful."

"I think you're insulting them?"

"Pfft!"

"Kch!"

Azonia and Demian couldn't help but burst into laughter.

Luna glared at them.

Just then, Lisinas and Kyle approached the section of the castle wall.

"Ah! Lisinas! Mission complete…"

Luna smiled brightly and waved her hand.

But Lisinas didn't reply and instead ran and delivered a dropkick to Leo's solar plexus.

Then, she climbed on top of the fallen Leo and shook him by the collar.

"You damn human, you're toying with me!"

Seeing Lisinas growling ferociously, Dweno said,

"Whoa. Whoa. Calm down, Lisinas. You'll really kill him."

Dweno calmed her down as he pulled her away.

Luna crouched beside Leo and smiled sweetly, looking down at his face.

"What?"

"See? I'm better than you, that violent dragon, right?"

"You and Lisinas."

Luna was about to retort when Leo said,

"The future must be quite peaceful."

Kyle said, with a hint of sarcasm.

"Judging by how absent-minded you are. It's hard to believe it's me."

Luna's eyes widened at Kyle's muttering.

"Kyle. This isn't absent-mindedness, it's being mellow. Look. Try to relax your eyes like your future self. It'll look much better."

"You want me to make that stupid expression?"

Kyle chuckled.

Leo, watching him, brushed off the dust and stood up.

Then, looking at Lisinas, Luna, and Dweno, he wore a genuinely apologetic expression.

"I'm sorry."

"What?"

"Seeing myself from a third-person perspective, I realized you guys must have suffered a lot. Even looking at myself, I'm an annoying person."

"You've matured."

"Ahahaha!"

Dweno exclaimed, and Luna clutched her stomach, laughing heartily.

"Lisinas. Say something to this guy."

At Kyle's words, Lisinas wore a sulky expression, then took Leo's hand.

And said with a slightly relaxed face,

"It's fine if you know now."

Kyle contorted his face.

Just then.

Whoosh-!

With a golden flash, Arion returned.

"Guys! I'm back!"

"Arion, are you injured anywhere?"

Lisinas examined Arion from head to toe.

She worried if Arion, who had returned alone from the front lines, was injured.

"Yes. I'm fine, Lisinas. What should we do now?"

Arion, answering with a clear smile, asked Lisinas.

To that, Lisinas glanced at Leo.

"Why are you looking at me?"

"You know the future."

"Even if I know the future, this is something I don't know, so I don't have the answer either."

Leo said, looking at Erebus.

"Isn't finding the answer the leader's role?"

"…"

At those words, Lisinas looked at Erebus.

"Arion, you'll be at the very front. Dweno and Kyle, cover Arion. The center will be Luna and me. The rear… Leo, you take care of it. Let's subjugate him."

Everyone nodded at Lisinas's formation.

As everyone prepared to fight Erebus.

*Swish-*

Leo handed a sword to Kyle.

"What is this?"

"It will be helpful to you now."

What Leo handed over was none other than Posteritas.

Kyle received the sword, handed to him by his future self, with a puzzled expression.

Then his eyes widened.

"This…?"

"It's a sword made by Dweno for us."

"Don't you need it?"

"Me?"

Leo chuckled.

"I suffered much more than you. I don't need it as desperately as you do."

"…You are definitely annoying."

At those words, Leo chuckled.

Then, he pulled something out of his subspace.

"Do you have that in the future too?"

A worn-out, tattered black cloak.

"Yes."

*Flutter-*!

Leo put on the cloak.

The cloak, fluttering in the wind, caught the eyes of Lisinas and Luna.

"I feel relieved when I wear this."

Leo looked at Lisinas and Luna.

"Because I can feel their feelings."

The cloak, made with the wish that they would no longer be hurt.

He didn't know it then, but he was grateful for that feeling alone now.

As Leo looked at them and smiled faintly, Luna mumbled dazedly,

"Lisinas."

"Why?"

"Why did he become so cool? Doesn't it seem like he'll be charming a lot of women in the future?"

"…He was cool from the beginning."

"You're blinded by love."

"Hmph."

"Anyway, he seems like he'll charm a lot of women, so I'm worried."

"…"

Lisinas did not reply.

Luna also said no more.

It was because they felt a surge of emotion at his gaze, which looked at them with such affection.

Just then.

"Feelings? Snap out of it. You seem to have forgotten with time, but don't you remember how he used to nag incessantly even if it tore a little?"

Kyle said, frowning.

At those words, Lisinas and Luna felt their moods plummet instantly.

"…"

Leo, who had been looking at them, said to Lisinas and Luna,

"I'm sorry."

"What? Why are you apologizing? Did I say something wrong?"

"I'm really sorry."

Leo, completely ignoring his past self grumbling beside him, spoke with sincerity.

Dweno said, watching him.

"Arion."

"Why?"

"Don't resemble that idiot anymore."

"Why?"

"When an adult tells you not to, you say 'yes'."

"Dweno, you sound like an old man."

"…That damned guy finally ruined the child."

Dweno lamented, looking up at the sky.