Late at night.
The group was all deeply asleep. Since entering the Hero’s World, they had been through such hectic times that falling into a deep sleep was hardly surprising. Even Berkiya, who had just returned from training and was exhausted, was sleeping so soundly that she wouldn’t have noticed if someone carried her away.
Thud!
Leo, who had been sleeping in the same room as Kal, got up and stepped out of the door. He sat at the dining table in the living room and looked out the window. A quiet darkness had settled over everything.
“This silence is actually comforting. There was a time when I used to hate it endlessly.”
With thoughts of the past, Leo lost himself in reminiscence.
“The Hero Record we have now is the Battle for Guardstron.”
[Objective: Stop the Giant King.]
As Leo gazed at the strategy objective that appeared before his eyes, his expression darkened.
The Battle for Guardstron.
Through repeated victories against Tartarus and by eliminating several Legion Commanders, the world had kindled the Ember of Hope.
However, during this battle for Guardstron, they suffered tremendous losses.
“While Tartarus too had taken severe blows…”
The world, which had barely managed to secure hope, met with an immense despair once again.
The invasion by the Giant King back then was that formidable.
“The power of each Legion Commander has changed as well.”
The Era of Catastrophe.
The time when Erebus was still alive.
The scale of Tartarus back then was on another level compared to now.
The period when the world was on the brink of destruction was also, conversely, Tartarus’s zenith.
The strength of the legions led by the Legion Commanders was incomparably greater than it is now.
“Back then, there were also more powerful demons. But decisively, the scale was different.”
When a single Legion Commander moved, endless legions of demons would follow.
During the invasion of Seirun by Silatuna last year, the scale of the army she led was, in comparison to now, almost cute.
“Decisively… the Legion Commanders had powers back then.”
Legion Commanders’ Powers.
This was a unique ability bestowed upon the Legion Commanders by Erebus.
Without these powers, the Legion Commanders are already monstrous, but these powers amplify them into catastrophic fears.
These powers no longer exist among the Legion Commanders of this era.
“Because Erebus is gone.”
Powers are the strength of Erebus, not that of the Legion Commanders.
Erebus was eliminated and sealed by Kyle.
As a result, the Legion Commanders lost their powers.
But things are different now.
“The Giant King lost his army when he invaded Guardstron.”
However, Guardstron almost fell during that invasion.
“If Guardstron had fallen… I don’t even want to imagine it.”
Leo shook his head. The current era possesses the miracle of the Hero Record.
This divine gift, which allows the inheritance of hero power to birth new heroes, exists in this time.
Because of this, the current era has far more heroes than during the Era of Catastrophe.
But the Era of Catastrophe was different.
There were Great Heroes, but there were not nearly enough supporting heroes.
“In a certain sense, our situations have reversed with the Legion Commanders’.”
Even now, the Legion Commanders still possess immense power.
There are only a few heroes who can face them one-on-one. Perhaps only Melina.
But the legions following the Legion Commanders have lost their strength.
“The Legion Commanders’ true power lies in their legions. While individual heroes may not be threatening to them, many heroes can become a tremendous threat.”
The invasion of the Giant King happened due to the strength imbalance caused by Kyle, Lissinas, and Luna being absent.
And that invasion is approaching soon.
“Many people will d*e.”
Leo looked at the city’s landscape with a heavy expression.
Depeser also lost his life during the last battle.
“He died saving Berkiya.”
Though this is painful history to people of this era, for Leo, it was an event where many familiar faces lost their lives.
“And… the situation is even worse now.”
Leo’s face hardened.
The upcoming Battle of Guardstron would not proceed as it did in reality.
“There are now two Giant Kings in this era.”
Leo clenched his fists.
To disrupt Dwenno’s Hero Record, the Giant King has entered the Hero’s World.
Even back then, they barely managed to stop him.
What if there were two Giant Kings?
“Guardstron… will fall.”
Leo clenched his fists tighter.
The result after defeat was clear.
Dwenno’s Hero Record would undoubtedly burn and vanish.
A cold menace flickered in Leo’s eyes.
“I can’t let that happen.”
As he looked at the view outside the window, Leo made a resolve.
“No matter what, we will stop it.”
If Tartarus has a Giant King, then Guardstron has Leo.
“I won’t let history repeat the same tragedy.”
“What are you thinking about so seriously?”
Puff… Puff…
Arhon looked at Dwenno, who had a pipe in his mouth, and asked.
“I was thinking about the kids who came to Guardstron today.”
“Oh, them?”
Arhon smiled.
“That’s good, isn’t it? With kids like that, they’ll surely be a big help when facing Erebus in the future.”
“True.”
Thud!
Dwenno shook off the ash and continued.
“But this kid, Leo, is supposedly amazing. He reminds me of Kyle.”
“Maybe it’s because he’s a master of all classes?”
“Partly that, but… there’s just something about him. He feels like Kyle.”
“Hmm…”
Dwenno paused and remembered Leo.
“Isn’t destruction really the essence of flames?”
Recalling Leo’s words, Dwenno tilted his head thoughtfully.
“Hmm… intriguing.”
Stroking his beard, Dwenno said.
“Arhon.”
“Hmm?”
“Would you consider teaching those kids?”
Upon hearing those words, Arhon’s eyes widened.
“There are a few kids I want to teach too.”
With a meaningful smile, Dwenno watched Arhon, who thought for a moment and nodded.
“Alright.”
“Good. Then I’ll also be busy for a while.”
“Why?”
“Cause I need to make something.”
Dwenno stood up.
“Specifically, weapons to gift to those children of hope.”
The next morning.
“Leo, you’ll definitely make a good husband.”
At Kal’s words, Berkiya nodded.
“Yeah, he’s a good cook.”
“Berkiya-sama helped too, though.”
“That’s true!”
Berkiya proudly puffed her chest out.
“But Eiran also helped. She’s so kind.”
Berkiya affectionately patted Eiran’s head and glanced at Driana.
“Driana’s stew was delicious too. Though she carved the vegetables strangely.”
“That’s art. Thank you for the compliment.”
“Art? They look like mashed monster shapes.”
Kal scooped up a potato from the stew and squinted at it.
Driana lightly hit Kal’s back with her small hands.
“Not so good at jokes, huh?”
“Ugh?! ”
Kal rolled around on the floor in agony beyond imagination.
After barely recovering from the pain, Kal looked at Lunia and Ar.
“Good job, you two.”
Kal tried to suppress a chuckle.
“Though just staying still was probably the extent of your help.”
“Kal, let me tell you one thing…”
Lunia smirked and elegantly reached out her hand.
Then, grabbing Kal’s collar, she showed a ferocious expression.
“I’ve stopped pretending to be the top student. Don’t mess with my temper, or you’ll know the consequences.”
“To think stopping the act makes you a thug; that’s strange.”
“Ang? You have a problem with my real self?”
“EEK?!”
Seeing Lunia’s intimidating presence, Kal screamed.
As Kal panicked, Ar extended her claws.
“Should I scratch you instead of that tree? My claws are itchy.”
“I’m too squishy to enjoy scratching!”
Just as Kal screamed…
“Eat your food and stop it.”
Leo, who had finished cooking, sighed and placed the food on the table.
Berkiya quickly grabbed a plate and began eating while saying,
“It’s a familiar taste, somehow.”
As Berkiya, with a surprised face, ate the food Leo made, others also helped themselves to satisfy their hunger.
At that moment, a knock came from the door.
“Yes, I’ll open it.”
Kal went to the entrance.
“Good morning.”
When Arhon, who entered through the door, was seen, Ar jumped out of her seat.
Arhon glanced at the sheepish smile on Ar’s face while Eiran and Kal pushed down her excited shoulders.
Remembering yesterday’s incident, Eiran and Kal forcibly sat her down.
Seeing this, Arhon showed a slightly nervous expression.
Just as Ar started to twitch her body like a cat spotting her prey…
Thud!
“I’ve told you not to grab the tail of a lady!”
“If you weren’t so excited and twitchy, I wouldn’t have grabbed it.”
Leo dryly said as he pulled Ar’s tail.
After calming Ar, Leo handed food to Arhon.
“Ah, thanks.”
Arhon ate it, and his expression relaxed.
“This taste… it’s so familiar.”
Seeing Arhon and Berkiya enjoying the meal, Leo smiled and asked.
“What brings you here so early?”
“Yeah. I want to make a suggestion to you all.”
“Suggestion?”
Leo tilted his head.
To that, Arhon nodded.
“Yep, I want to teach you all some martial arts.”
Hearing this, everyone’s eyes widened.
“You two. I can’t say I’ll teach you well, but would you like to learn from me once?”
Arhon looked at Ar and Eiran and said.
“Yes! I want to learn! Please teach me!”
Ar excitedly screamed, and Eiran responded with a trembling voice.
“It’s an infinite honor.”
Seeing their reactions, Kal showed an envious expression.
“How cool.”
Seeing such a Kal, Arhon smiled.
“Kal, right? And Lunia, Driana. Dwenno said he will personally teach the three of you.”
“What?”
“D, Dwenno-sama?”
Kal was surprised, and Driana showed excitement.
Lunia, on the other hand, looked bewildered.
‘Was this what Leo mentioned in the test?’
Being able to learn something from a Great Hero.
For Hero Candidates, there could be nothing greater than this honor.
“What about Leo?”
Hearing Lunia’s question, everyone’s gaze turned toward Leo.
Accepting all those stares, Leo smiled.
“I’ve got something else to do. Don’t worry about me.”
“Something else?”
Ar tilted her head.
“That’s right. I’ll handle the preparations.”
Upon hearing Leo’s words, everyone’s expressions changed.
They realized what preparation Leo was talking about.
“Hoping you’ll learn as much as you can.”
After breakfast, everyone except Leo left the house.
The party members looked at Leo with slightly worried eyes, knowing they would face the Legion Commanders in this Hero’s World.
Especially Luna, Eiran, and Kal, who had actually experienced the terror of a Legion Commander, had heavy expressions.
‘This is an opportunity for them. There’s much they can learn from Arhon and Dwenno.’
Their teachings might also serve as a stepping stone for them to make a great leap as heroes.
Leo stepped out of the house.
‘First, I need to prepare to counter the guy named Gias who entered the Hero’s World.’
With two Legion Commanders, the current Guardstron forces can’t possibly defend against the invasion.
‘But there’s a vulnerability with this Gias who has come here to burn the current Hero’s World.’
Leo narrowed his eyes.
‘The past version of himself can’t see this guy.’
A Legion Commander’s real terror arises when paired with the legion that absolutely obeys their commands.
When moving with the legion, it’s no exaggeration to say that’s when the Legion Commander’s true power is unleashed.
Two Giant Kings in the current era.
But the Giant King’s legion remains unchanged from before.
‘He can’t team up with his past self either. The guy is operating alone.’
Leo narrowed his eyes.
Giant King Gias, despite his monstrous figure, is extremely cautious and suspicious by nature.
If the past Gias were to meet another Gias…
‘He’d try to k*ll him for sure.’
Moving from the future to the past is impossible.
If something abnormal were to happen, eliminating that abnormality is the way of the Giant King.
The past Gias would undoubtedly refuse to trust his future self.
‘That means they can be defeated individually. Which means it’s not impossible to overcome.’
Tock-Tock,
Walking through the streets of Guardstron,
The people’s faces were gloomy, but hope flickered in their eyes.
A little later, Leo turned to a secluded road.
The area was clear in his mind as he walked through the streets of Guardstron.
A little later,
After the crowd had completely disappeared, Leo stopped in front of a shabby mansion.
‘Lissinas’ mansion.’
![[TS] The Protagonist is Conquered](https://i3.wp.com/novelhitam.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/1743806812-5548-TS-The-Protagonist-is-Conquered.png?resize=85,105 "[TS] The Protagonist is Conquered")
