Chapter 249

249

“The Book of Shadows…?”

Shau looked upon the Hero Record before his eyes with an expression of disbelief.

This wasn’t a mere page or fragment but one of the five complete Hero Records known to exist in the world.

3000 years ago.

After the Rebirth of Catastrophe, the Hero Record was split into five parts.

Since then, all races had been filling the pages of the Hero Record with their own records.

But now, a sixth Hero Record had appeared.

And it was called the Hero Record of Shadows.

For a moment, he wondered if it was a fake.

However, Shau, as the emperor of Shan, had seen the Hero Record many times before.

There was no denying that the Hero Record before his eyes was genuine.

With trembling hands, he turned the pages.

And upon seeing the name recorded on the very first page, he found himself unable to breathe.

[Hero of Beginning, Kyle]

The first page of the Hero Record labeled as the Book of Shadows.

There, the name of the Hero of Beginning, Kyle, was inscribed.

Shau touched Kyle’s name with his finger.

Waves rippled across the page of the Hero Record as Kyle’s records appeared.

‘This is…’

Shau’s eyes wavered.

‘So the identity of the first Shadow was… the Hero of Beginning?’

5000 years ago.

Ever since the Hero Record had first appeared on earth.

The first record of Shadow that Biar had separated from the Hero Record and entrusted to her descendants.

The owner of that mysterious record, whose name had been unknown, was none other than the Hero of Beginning, Kyle.

“The Great Hero… was a Shadow?”

Shau looked at Leo with an expression of disbelief, to which Leo responded.

“In the old days, there probably wasn’t such a distinction between heroes and shadows.”

Shau turned to look at Leo.

“Someone had to do it, so the Hero of Beginning did.”

“……”

Shau closed Kyle’s record and turned the page.

When he saw the name Biar, his grip tightened.

Upon seeing the title “Book of Shadows,” he thought, ‘could this be… the Hero Record of Shadows?’

Not just Biar.

This was the record of the Shadows who lived in the darkness and never hesitated to make sacrifices for the sake of the world.

All the recorded activities of Shadows, carefully gathered by Shan over a long period, were inscribed in the Hero Record.

“Why… all of a sudden?”

“Maybe it’s the gods’ little whim. Or else…”

Leo smiled at Shau.

“Perhaps it’s a sign that it’s time to stop wallowing in self-pity.”

“……”

“Gods won’t recognize someone who doesn’t even believe in themselves.”

“Ho ho… ho ho ho…”

Shau covered his face.

“HAHAHAHAHA!”

He couldn’t help but laugh.

The sharp criticism from the Hero Applicant, who believed they didn’t understand the shadows, struck too close to the bone.

Shadows enter the darkness for various reasons.

Some are born into it, while others choose the path of a Shadow for personal reasons.

All of them step into pools of bl**d with unshakable conviction.

And none of them regret it.

But…

‘They eventually lament the fact that they are not recognized by the gods.’

Some blame the gods.

Some close their eyes in despair over their fate as Shadows.

Even those who don’t feel this way often view themselves as disconnected from the glory of the gods.

Shau was no different.

‘That’s right. The gods wouldn’t recognize such people.’

Even though the history of Shan spans thousands of years, the obsession with the Hero Record persisted alongside the deep-rooted belief that they could never become heroes.

There was an unshakable fixation on achieving recognition in the Hero Record through the ways of Shadows.

‘A contradiction.’

He had known this, yet denied it all along.

It wasn’t until after seeing the Hero Record that he could truly admit it.

“I was foolish.”

Shau clenched his fists.

And then he looked at Leo.

“Leo, what is thy true identity?”

Shau had already received reports about Leo.

‘They said he moved like a Shadow in the dark. Moreover, he broke the ancestor’s seal.’

The aura seal that only the true heir of Biar could have broken.

‘The identity of the first Shadow was the Hero of Beginning, Lord Kyle. And Leo Flove is the second class of Ours since Kyle.’

Shau’s narrowed his eyes.

‘Furthermore, when Leo Flove touched it, the nameless Hero Record regained its name. And when he touched it… Shadows finally found their place on the Hero Record. Could this all be a coincidence?’

Since the Era of Heroes began.

There had never been anyone like this young boy.

As Shau looked into Leo’s crimson eyes, he noticed a slight smirk curving up the corners of Leo’s lips.

The smile seemed playful to Shau, but it wasn’t the innocent grin typical of someone Leo’s age.

It was an adult-like smirk, yet somehow it carried an air of intimidation.

“……!”

Shau’s eyes widened.

But then he closed them.

After taking a deep breath, he stood up from his seat.

As if accepting his decision, Shau bowed his head.

“Thou art… not only of Shan… but a benefactor to all Shadows.”

Shau spoke with a trembling voice.

“If Shan’s strength is ever needed, let me know. We will stake everything to aid thee.”

“Thank you for your kindness.”

Leo bowed slightly and exited the throne room.

Plop…

Shau collapsed into his seat, looking down at his sweaty hands.

He had uncovered an incredible secret.

‘…A deity. The God of Shadows.’

Shau laughed bitterly.

He had realized the reason why the times were starting to move.

‘The world is about to face a great upheaval.’

The hunt for the Demon Queen.

And the birth of the Shadow’s Hero Record.

‘And the revival of the Great Hero.’

If this truth were to become public knowledge, it would undoubtedly lead to great chaos.

‘For now, it might be best to keep the Book of Shadows a secret.’

Even with the existence of the Hero Record, it would be extremely difficult to bring the Hero’s World into fruition through the Book of Shadows.

Shadows often vanish from the world without leaving even a trace for their descendants.

Therefore, the keys to unlocking the Hero’s World were few.

‘But gradually, more heirs will arise.’

Shau’s eyes gleamed.

‘Until Leo Flove begins his true mission, Shan will remain his Shadow.’

With this thought in mind, he raised his head.

Plod…

When Shau looked at Chen Sia standing in the moonlight, he gave a wry smile.

“I’ve done you a great wrong.”

“Isn’t this the path I chose?”

Looking at his daughter’s gentle smile, Shau placed the Book of Shadows down.

“This foolish father of mine should have no more to say, but… chase your dreams nonetheless.”

“That’s my intention.”

“But do remember one thing.”

Shau looked straight into his daughter’s eyes.

“Shan will one day become yours. Do not ever forget this fact.”

“Yes.”

Chen Sia smiled gently and disappeared into the darkness.

Watching her retreating figure, Shau looked toward the moonlight.

“Is dawn approaching for the Shadows?”

*

“Aaah! I have failed to witness Lord Leo’s exploits with my own eyes! How can I feel such despair!”

“Will you quit overreacting already?”

In Leo’s room, Fritz was banging his head on the floor while Jane looked at him with a disdainful expression.

It was said that Tartarus had vanished without a trace after Sian’s d*ath in Leo’s hands.

‘I assume it means there’s more loss than gain staying there with Sian gone.’

Leo opened the pocket dimension and retrieved bandages and potions onto the desk to treat his wounds.

Seeing this, Fritz immediately jumped to his feet.

“Lord Leo, the honor to cure your wounds shall be mine—!”

Just then, there was a soft knock on the door followed by the entrance of Chen Sia.

“Princess!”

Jane approached Chen Sia with a bright smile.

“It’s a relief to see that you’re safe!”

“It’s a relief to see that you are safe as well!”

Chen Sia patted the tearful Jane’s head kindly and then turned her gaze toward Fritz.

“You, too, I see, you’re safe.”

“Thanks to Lord Leo.”

Fritz bowed deeply.

Smiling at the two of them, Chen Sia then turned to Leo.

“You seem much better.”

“Thanks to Lord Leo.”

With a bright smile, Chen Sia addressed Fritz and Jane.

“Could the two of you give Lord Leo and I a moment alone?”

“Yes, Your Highness!”

“I have a duty to treat Lord Leo’s wounds…”

“How dare you contradict me! Come along!”

Jane grabbed Fritz by the collar and dragged him away.

Fritz tried to shake off her grip but, having the power of a Department of Knights member, she was stronger than the Department of Magic’s Fritz.

“Your brute strength is atrocious!”

“You done talking already?”

“Not yet, actually?”

Jane glared fiercely and Fritz smirked icily in return.

Click—

Once the door closed, leaving them alone, Chen Sia blinked her large eyes and spoke.

“Shall I help treat your wounds?”

“Are you?”

Leo took off his shirt.

After the incident, Chen Sia had promptly received healing from a healer, but Leo had not been given the same chance due to his meeting with Shau.

From the grand funeral to the undead of shadows and Sian.

Leo’s body was in a sorry state, with dried bl**d crusts covering various areas.

Seeing this, Chen Sia gently washed his body using water aura.

After helping Leo sit on a chair, she opened a potion bottle and soaked a cloth.

“I wish I had the healing aura of Miss Nella.”

“You’re not one to lament the lack of certain abilities.”

“Just now, a thought crossed my mind. Water aura has the attributes favorable for awakening healing abilities.”

She gave a wry smile as she carefully dabbed at Leo’s wounds on his back.

“Looks like Lord Leo will sustain quite a few injuries in the future.”

“You will too. If I have it, it’ll help. But don’t worry too much about me. You’re you.”

‘Despite everything, I’ll always wish to stay right behind Lord Leo.’

Hearing Leo’s words, Chen Sia silently smiled inside.

“Thank you for stopping Sian, Lord Leo.”

“It was just something that had to be done.”

Had Sian been left unchecked, he would have grown into a villain threatening many heroes.

And however necessary, it was bitter to witness kin having to eliminate kin.

“You don’t need to thank me.”

“Oh, no. There are many more things to be thankful for.”

Chen Sia’s voice slightly trembled.

“Thank you… for confirming my dreams that I even denied myself.”

Chen Sia’s hands stopped.

“Thank you, for showing me the light that guides me forward.”

It may have been nothing to Leo.

But Leo had pulled Chen Sia out of her darkness.

“Lord Leo is my benefactor.”

“I don’t need such grand words. They’re burdensome.”

Leo responded with nonchalance.

At that words, Chen Sia couldn’t help but burst into laughter.

Though they had known each other for a year now, he was such an uncaring individual.

Chen Sia continued her task.

After carefully cleaning Leo’s wounds with a potion-soaked cloth, she applied potion onto a bandage and wrapped it around Leo’s torso.

‘When I first met him, there wasn’t much difference back then.’

Around this time last year, she had a conversation with Leo.

A year ago, Leo too had a more youthful demeanor.

But now, looking at him again after some time, she felt he had grown significantly over the past year.

‘Why did Lord Leo come for me?’

Curiosity rose anew.

Because they were friends?

‘That must be the primary reason.’

Even so, her heart skipped a beat.

‘Or could it be because I’m more than a friend to him?’

She had grown close to Leo over the year.

“Why did Lord Leo come for me?”

She asked, hinting at a degree of hope.

At this, Leo looked back.

Chen Sia smiled faintly upon meeting his eyes.

“How arrogant.”

“Huh?”

Taken aback by the unexpected response, Chen Sia felt perplexed.

“Have you lived so much to be arrogantly uttering such limiting remarks like you can’t become a hero?”

Chen Sia looked disgruntled.

“I am older than Lord Leo.”

“So what? Acting like a child but boasting seniority.”

Leo grinned slightly before standing up.

“Is that why you came for me?”

Watching Leo nod while showing an annoying smirk, Chen Sia sighed.

“I feel drained by a reason more absurd than expected.”

Chen Sia stood up wearing a dazed expression.

Seeing this, Leo lightly tapped her forehead with his finger.

“Younger minds should dream freely.”

Chen Sia, shocked by the unexpectedly strong tap, covered her forehead and took a few steps back.

At this moment, the morning light began to glow.

Bathed in the bright morning light, Leo appeared to be smiling maturely.

Even though he was her junior, he was treating her quite condescendingly, which made her cheeks flush immediately.

“Lord Leo, do you realize how much you look like a grumpy old man right now?”

“Yeah, I suppose I do appear to be an old man.”

“It’s not that… It’s just…”

‘Is it because he emits this sort of gentlemanly scent…? He’s so… dignified…’

Somehow, Leo, standing against the dawn, felt intensely provocative, and Chen Sia found herself laughing helplessly.

‘Maybe I prefer older types…?’