Chapter 455

455.

The Hero Candidates erupted in cheers at the legendary feat of the hero unfolding right before their eyes.

The enormous threat that sought to destroy the world had vanished right before them.

They had just witnessed, firsthand, a page of legend being written.

Watching the cheering hero candidates, Aron smiled.

“Of course, it’s Lady Aron!”

Ar called out as they ran up.

Aron extended his hand while watching Ar’s joyful face, beaming with a wide smile.

“Thank you.”

“Huh?”

“Your voice allowed me to awaken.”

At that, Ar’s face turned bright red with embarrassment.

“Lady Aron, what you said just a moment ago…”

When Chelsea hesitantly asked, Aron turned around and winked at her.

At that, Chelsea silently nodded her head.

“Ar, Chelsea. Let’s go take care of the wounded now.”

“Yes!”

With a robust response, Ar and Chelsea returned to the castle.

It had been a fierce battle that lasted through the night.

While Aron was battling Erebus intensely, the hero candidates were also holding back an overwhelming force of demons that could rival an entire army, with only a few people.

There were many injured.

The hero candidates, who had been cheering in the joy of victory, quickly snapped out of it, and proceeded to treat the wounded.

As Ar walked back toward the castle, Chelsea slightly turned her head and looked back.

She could see Aron following and Leo walking beside him.

Aron extended his right fist toward Leo, who was walking on his right.

Leo chuckled and lightly tapped it with his left fist.

It looked like the bond of old, close friends and comrades.

‘Really, Brother Leo… You truly are the Hero of Beginning.’

As she watched, Chelsea realized the truth in Aron’s words from earlier.

Clomp… Clomp…

“Kyle, I’m sorry.”

“What for?”

“I couldn’t repay your trust.”

Aron said while looking at the rising sun, pushing the darkness away.

“During the final battle, I pretended to be brave, but in truth, I was shaking uncontrollably. I had seen the future.”

“The future?”

“Yeah. I knew that we would lose that battle. I was going to suggest that we retreat. However, if we fled, I saw that you and Luna would d*e.”

“…So you chose to d*e in our place?”

“Yeah. And then I gave up.”

“You never gave up until the very end.”

“…”

“Not like baggage or something. We’ve never doubted you even once.”

At Leo’s words, Aron smiled.

“I understand now. Don’t worry too much.”

“Does this look like worrying to you? I’m scolding you for figuring it out so late, you idiot.”

Seeing Leo’s scrunched-up face, Aron scratched his head.

“If Lady Luna were here, would she have struck you?”

“Would one strike suffice?”

“Definitely not.”

Shaking his head and laughing, Aron looked down at the Brave sword in his hand.

Brave had returned to its broken original form.

“Draveno’s flames flared up just earlier.”

“I know.”

Aron recalled the flames of Draveno responding to his aura.

“The flames reacted to help you.”

Leo hadn’t done anything.

Nonetheless, Draveno’s flames burned naturally.

Perhaps when Aron had summoned the courage to step forward, Brave responded to assist its master, even if it was a broken blade. It temporarily returned to its original form using the creator’s power to fulfill its duty.

“That’s the kind of armament crafted by Draveno.”

“Yeah.”

Armaments that respond to the user’s will.

That’s why Draveno is called ‘God’s Blacksmith,’ and why Leo and Aron always trusted completely.

Clomp… Clomp…

The two had approached near the castle wall.

Looking at such an Aron, Leo stopped walking.

“Still, how did you manage to return?”

When Leo pulled Aron out of the Hero’s World, he had almost depleted his divine power, though it wasn’t entirely exhausted, which is why he believed without a doubt that Aron would return.

But Leo was curious about the method.

At Leo’s question, Aron smiled.

“I foresaw the future.”

“The future?”

“Yeah. Seeing the future clearly allowed me to reach the divine realm, albeit for a brief moment. It feels like I’ve gained divine power as a result.”

At Aron’s words, Leo whistled.

He had already known it was impressive.

In the long history, there might not have been anyone who possessed mythical strength comparable to Aron’s.

Even so, he never imagined that Aron would reach the point of divine foresight, touching the realm of the future.

“Amazing. So what future did you foresee?”

“The future I saw wasn’t of great importance.”

“Huh?”

“The future can change depending on what I do, after all.”

Looking directly at Leo, Aron firmly said,

“So, Kyle, all you need to do is take heart and move forward.”

“Is that so? That’s the hardest thing.”

At Leo’s words, Aron gave a bitter smile.

They had already reached right in front of the castle.

Leo stopped in his tracks.

“Aron, while fighting the Piece of Erebus this time…”

“Kyle, can I borrow a fragment of your Hero Record for a moment?”

Interrupting Leo’s words, Aron said.

Looking puzzled, Leo handed over the fragment of his Hero Record.

Aron took a deep breath as he looked down at his fragment and moved towards the castle.

“It’s Lord Aron!”

“Lord Aron!”

“Brave hero!”

The Hero Candidates cheered for Aron.

Aron entered the castle that Melina had made.

Leo followed behind.

Heroes-in-training crowded around Aron.

Notably, many students from Azonia were even in tears.

“Everyone,”

Aron began,

“Even amidst such a desperate situation, thank you for fighting so bravely without losing your courage.”

“Lord Aron, it wouldn’t have been possible without you.”

“We could fight because you gave us courage!”

To the heroes’ responses, Aron shook his head.

“Courage isn’t something we receive from someone else. We all have it within ourselves.”

Aron lightly tapped his chest as he smiled.

“Even without me, you would have stood firm against Erebus.”

At that remark, the students looked deeply moved.

“Thank you truly.”

“Huh?”

“What do you…?”

“For letting me feel reassured.”

Aron smiled gently.

“5000 years ago, the heroes who fought alongside us then. 3000 years ago, the heroes who protected their era alongside the Hero of the Cataclysm. Now, I know… there are you.”

“Lord Aron…”

“It’s your turn now.”

At the words of the Great Hero, the Hero Candidates were struck silent.

Everyone instinctively sensed that the miracle’s end was approaching.

“Can we truly accomplish it?”

Then Vanir, the former president of Azonia’s student council, asked.

“Can we dare accomplish what the heroes of the Era of Catastrophe and the Rebirth of Catastrophe did?”

The Hero Candidates, who had confronted a chilling catastrophe that day, could not shake off the overwhelming despair.

Moreover, Erebus’s piece had just been defeated by Aron, who would soon disappear.

It wasn’t just Vanir. Most of the heroes present must have felt the same way.

After pondering Vanir’s question, Aron glanced back at Leo and spoke while making eye contact with him.

“Without a doubt, it will be tough ahead. We might not be able to protect everyone, and we may falter in the continuous trials.”

Aron smiled at Leo and then turned back to the aspiring heroes.

“But still, you’ll accomplish it. Because you’re courageous people.”

He spoke with firmness as he passed on words that Leo had once shared with his younger self to the young hero candidates.

“I guarantee it.”

At his words, everyone clenched their fists tightly.

Whoosh!

Afterwards, a golden light poured out from Aron’s body.

“Guh?”

“Lord Aron?!”

Blinded by the intense light, everyone shut their eyes tightly.

“Ugh?!”

Just as Ar was about to close her eyes,

“Ar.”

“Lord Aron?!”

Ar’s eyes snapped open.

Aron stroked her head and handed her the broken Brave.

“This sword has always given me courage. Even though it’s broken… I hope you’ll have it.”

“Are you… leaving?”

“Yeah.”

Wiping away the tears welling up in Ar’s eyes, Aron mumbled.

“Friends might’ve felt like this.”

“Huh?”

“Reliable but… worrying at the same time. Everyone must have been uneasy.”

“What…?”

“It’s just my way of saying you’re like a little sister to me.”

Aron grinned and took a step back.

“I’ll be waiting for you.”

Aron said to Ar.

“To stand on the same battlefield someday.”

With nothing more to say, Aron turned around without hesitation.

There’s no need for further words.

“Yes!”

That confident cat would race forward without hesitation.

The final place Aron headed was where Leo and Melina stood.

Neither of them were affected in the slightest by the light emanating from Aron.

Leo, seeing Aron approach, spoke.

“Aron, you can remain in this time.”

Looking worriedly at Aron, Leo continued,

“While fighting Erebus’s piece, you obtained divine power. You could easily find whatever you want to do here—”

“But I’ve already found what I want. Kyle.”

Aron shook his head.

“If I continue to stay in the current world, it’d be a waste of that power.”

With a firm nod from Aron, Leo clenched his fist.

“Besides, you know that my Hero Record fragment already has its limits.”

Aron glanced at the Hero Record fragment he had received earlier from Leo.

The fragment, nearly burned away,

It could crumble at any moment.

Perhaps, once Aron disappeared, the fragment would also burn up and vanish.

“In this state, maintaining my presence in the current world would consume a great deal of divine power. You should save that power to fully purge Erebus someday.”

“…”

“Kyle, you understand. Not only me, but even you have things you can’t do sometimes. When the powers of Lissinas, Luna, and Draveno are needed, they will create a path for us. That’s why we must never waste them recklessly.”

“But…”

“Stop worrying about me.”

Aron flashed a mischievous grin,

A smile that uncannily mirrored Leo’s.

“Can’t stay an eternal worrisome younger brother, can we?”

At Aron’s words, Leo gave a wry smile.

“We’ll meet again.”

“Yeah.”

Leo nodded.

Aron then turned to Melina and spoke.

“Melina, take good care of Leo, will you?”

“Yes, Lord Aron. I shall assist Lord Leo with all my best efforts.”

“That’s good.”

After patting Melina’s head, Aron climbed up the castle wall.

Whoosh!

Eventually, the golden light faded.

Everyone looked around, searching for Aron with their gazes.

“Ah! There he is!”

They finally noticed Aron standing with his back facing them atop the wall.

While everyone watched Aron,

With his back still turned, Aron raised his right hand, giving an enthusiastic thumbs-up.

Turning around, he flashed a confident smile and said,

“I’ll definitely return!”

He disappeared in a bright light, leaving those words.

Everyone stared blankly at the spot where Aron had vanished.

And then…

UWAAAAA!

Everyone cheered loudly.

Leaning against the castle wall with folded arms, Leo looked bemused.

“Learned something late, huh?”

“Huh?”

“Talking to myself.”

With his eyes closed, Leo reminisced about the old days.

*

“How do you become someone who always instills trust like me?”

Luna, with her arms folded, held her head high with a proud grin.

To which the young Aron simply replied,

“Luna isn’t always reliable. In everyday life, you’re not dependable. Just during battles…”

“HUH?!”

At the blunt truth from Aron, Luna’s eyes bulged.

Startled, Aron quickly retracted after realizing,

“…You’re always reliable.”

“So, so!”

Regaining her prideful composure, Luna said,

“Special lesson in trust-giving from Lady Luna! Step one: Show confidence no matter the situation!”

“Showing confidence?”

“A prime example is that obnoxious, impudent smile from Kyle.”

“That obnoxious, impudent smile?”

“You know what I mean, right?”

And Luna smirked.

“Ahhh! I think I get it!”

“Right? Obnoxious, right? Impudent, right!?”

“Who’s obnoxious and impudent?”

“You.”

Infuriated by Luna’s comment, Kyle attempted to give her a knock on the head.

But Luna wasn’t someone to be easily caught.

She nimbly dodged while Kyle frowned at her.

“What are you doing?”

“I’m learning how to instill trust, from Luna.”

“From her? You’d be better off learning from Draveno.”

“Am I not better than that pervert?”

Seething, Luna lunged at Leo.

Kyle pushed her face away with his palm and asked,

“Alright, let’s say I learn to smile. What’s next?”

“Once you’ve learned the look of confidence, next comes the posing. Dazzle people with dramatic flair, strike a cool pose, and deliver a slick line—that’s how you win them over. Let me demonstrate.”

Luna brushed her hair back with a cool look and declared,

“Prepare yourself, here I come.”

Then she glanced at Kyle alluringly.

To which Kyle turned to Aron and asked,

“You get what this is?”

“What about it?”

“They call it striking a pose.”

“You b*stard!”

With wide eyes, Luna tried to hit Kyle with her staff.

Kyle quickly fled.

Yelling loudly while wielding her staff, Luna chased after Kyle.

Watching all this, Aron fetched a mirror, trying out a stern expression or striking some impressive poses.

The young Aron found the mannerisms and postures of Kyle and Luna quite stylish.

“What are you doing, Aron?”

When Lissinas approached and asked, Aron smiled happily.

“I’m imitating Kyle and Luna. I want to be like them—someone who instills trust in others.”

“You’re already a person people can trust, Aron.”

Lissinas smiled faintly and replied.

“But…”

When Aron was about to say something, Draveno interrupted,

“Let me offer a piece of advice, Aron.”

“Hm?”

Nodding, Aron listened as Draveno nodded toward somewhere.

Over there, Luna was choking Kyle, and Kyle was pulling Luna’s ear in retaliation.

“If you follow those idiots, you’ll become just like them.”

“Who’s calling who an idiot? You old pervert!”

“Who’re you calling stupid!? You’re the crazy old man!”

Upon hearing this, Leo (Kyle) and Luna rushed over and struck Draveno on the head.

“Idiots with sharp ears.”

Staring blankly at the bickering trio, Lissinas said quietly,

“Aron.”

“Hm?”

“You must never become like them. Understand?”

Seeing Lissinas’ vaguely melancholic expression, Aron nodded.