Chapter 456

456.

The world was shaken by strange events that occurred in the Delrad Kingdom. The communication and teleportation magic networks of the western continent suddenly collapsed. Along with this, ominous dark clouds covered the sky. The phenomenon was eerily reminiscent of the Rebirth of Catastrophe that happened 3000 years ago, and the world was swept with terror.

Once the severity of the situation was revealed, Dragonia issued a proclamation calling for all heroes. Following this, the existing Hero Guilds and Hero Association around the globe began to mobilize. The world braced itself with heightened tension, keeping a close eye on any suspicious movements from Tartarus.

As heroes gathered to analyze the situation, the world was enveloped in despair and dread. But as dawn broke…

…the anomaly mysteriously disappeared. Many of the gathered heroes breathed sighs of both relief and confusion.

Then, shocking news spread across the lands:

<3000 Years of Fear! The Primordial Evil Has Returned!>

News about Erebus quickly reached everyone through newspapers, sparking widespread panic.

But another announcement soon followed:

<The Awakening of the Brave One After 5000 Years! The Rebirth of Another Legend Following the Forefather of the Star Cloud and the Comet Wizard!>

Word spread that the brave Aron had appeared and vanquished the resurrected Erebus. This ignited excitement across the world, and pilgrimages to sacred lands commenced. The training camp that followed the crisis was soon concluded, with some returning home for vacation and others staying behind at the Flove Family estate.

Two nights after the conclusion of the training, late into the evening, Kal, Lunia, Ar, Eiran, and Driana had gathered in a guest room to chat.

“Really, people should prepare thoroughly, don’t you think?”

Kal, with a cheerful grin, pulled out something piece by piece from a box and placed it on the table.

Lunia blinked at the sight.

“What’s that?”

“What else, it’s a statue.”

Kal had pulled out a palm-sized statue of Aron, intricately crafted in various heroic poses.

“So? Do we look stupid? Why do you need so many?”

“Why ask what’s obvious? I’m going to sell them.”

“Are you nuts? You want to use a Great Hero as a cash machine? You could be charged with impiety!”

Lunia looked astounded, because in theElf society, profiting off the ancestor Star Cloud or any sacred figure counted as impiety, punishable by severe penalties.

Using the name and legacy of such heroic figures was seen as a major crime.

“It’s illegal among Elves, but Beastmen don’t think so, right?”

Kal grinned mischievously.

“Oh! So apparently, Beastmen don’t have such laws.”

Eiran nodded in amazement, but Lunia, crossing her arms, sneered:

“Hmph! Even if there’s no exact law, Beastmen won’t tolerate someone using Aron as a commercial means!”

“Tsk tsk tsk. I keep telling you. People must prepare thoroughly.”

Kal, looking smug, pulled out a piece of paper from his pocket and handed it to Lunia. Lunia read it and looked surprised.

It was a contract signed by Aron himself, permitting Kal to sell the statuettes.

“How did you get his permission?”

“Hmm… The moment I knew Aron had come from the Hero’s World, it just clicked! I instantly felt this was going to be a big hit! The Sacred Pilgrimage. Rich tourists, especially Beastmen, will pay well for this!”

“Why do you love money so much? As far as I know, you already have considerable wealth even as a student. Besides, with your capabilities, you’ll make plenty of money after graduation.”

“I agree. I know you’re quite materialistic, but you’re also a pretty good guy, so I didn’t think you’d obsess over money like this.”

Driana’s words made Lunia nod in agreement, and both of them looked at Kal.

Eiran also wore a curious look, prompting Kal to awkwardly scratch his head.

“You know, I’m not material for a grand position or heroism or anything. I’m not cut out for such greatness…”

“Right,” they agreed.

“Yeah, true.”

“Ah, no, Kal sir can definitely ascend to greatness.”

Driana and Lunia replied quickly, while Eiran hesitated a bit and then reassured Kal gently.

“Thank you, Eiran. Your kind words are appreciated. You’re different from this rude Elf and Dwarf.”

Kal’s statement made Lunia’s eyes flash with irritation.

Ignoring her reaction, Kal continued.

“I’m aiming to be a SUPPORTER, but not just in combat. I want to help beyond that.”

Kal shrugged.

“I want to provide everything I can—weapons, materials, potions, whatever’s needed—to support you all. To do that, I’ll need a lot of money.”

“How much do you intend to gather?”

“At least enough to buy a country.”

Kal’s serious expression made Lunia and Eiran gawk.

“Wow, unexpected depth here!”

“Solid decision, Kal sir!”

Both Lunia and Eiran were amazed.

“Kal, you’re truly a great friend!”

Driana, on the other hand, hugged Kal enthusiastically.

“Absolutely no intentions of funding your art projects, though.”

This made Driana pout.

“Why must you be so petty? If you sponsor me, the future great artist to succeed Lord Dwenno, your name will go down in history for generations!”

“In reality? Dwenno himself will grab me by the collar and scold me for daring to sponsor such monstrosities. And your artworks would be more useless than burying money in the ground.”

“Then what is so great about burying money?”

“At least people won’t have to endure your horrifying art then.”

“Actually… that makes sense.”

Lunia chimed in, agreeing with Kal.

This made Driana raise her fist in anger, but Eiran quickly interrupted.

“By the way, why is that cat acting so strange?”

At the Flove Mansion, in one corner of the room, Arga sat quietly staring at the broken Brave.

“Aron’s departure seems to have affected her.”

Eiran expressed concern. Lunia and Driana exchanged glances and then moved closer to Arga.

“How long are you going to be sad?”

“Right. Don’t just pine after Aron.”

Their words of comfort prompted Arga to rise from her seat and walk inside silently, her head bowed.

“Hey, Arga. Stop being so sad…”

“Don’t touch me.”

Avoiding Lunia’s attempt to comfort her, Arga said coldly.

“Isn’t that a bit too cold, even if you’re upset?”

“Who dares touch me?”

The mood abruptly shifted. Arga evaded Lunia’s touch with a confident sneer.

Lunia stared blankly at her.

“I, Arga Tune, have been personally acknowledged by Aron as his successor! My level surpasses yours completely!”

Kal, leaning back on the sofa, responded indifferently.

“Did you guys honestly think she’d be sad?”

Hearing this, Driana frowned.

“Alright. What do you mean by ‘level’?”

“Have you, Lunia, ever been directly told by Lady Luna that you’re her successor? No, right? And you, Driana? Neither, right? Only I have! I am the only one acknowledged as a successor by the Great Hero!”

Arga grinned smugly, closed her eyes, and nodded.

“Ah~ Being a successor? What a wonderful title indeed!”

Savoring the word, Arga quickly opened her eyes and declared dramatically.

“Can you imagine me stooping to your level?! This is my era, now!”

Lunia and Driana exchanged looks and nodded in agreement.

Driana, sneaking behind the confident Arga, grabbed her so she couldn’t escape.

“Ready, Lunia?”

“Of course. Hold her tight. I’ll deliver a powerful blow.”

“Hit her in the stomach.”

“NYAAHHHH?!”

Amid the ensuing chaos, Kal turned to Eiran.

“Aren’t you going to intervene?”

“At this point, it wouldn’t do much good.”

“Looks like you’ve matured.”

Kal marveled as he watched the scene. However, he muttered to himself.

“Lord Lunia, Lady Aron, Lord Dwenno would be sad seeing this.”

“Why?”

“Wouldn’t you be sad seeing your successors behaving like this?”

“Actually, I think they wouldn’t be too concerned.”

Eiran scratched her cheek, making Kal pause for a moment. Then he nodded.

“That’s a good point.”

Their illusions about Great Heroes had been shattered quite a bit.

“Anyway, Lord Leo hasn’t left his room.”

“Exactly, could you check? I’ll deal with these two.”

“H-His room? In this late hour? Alone?”

Seeing Eiran visibly embarrassed, Kal teased.

“Should I come with you?”

“I’ll go by myself.”

Leaving the sentence behind, Eiran rushed out of the room.

Kal watched her leave and muttered.

“Definitely matured.”

*

In his room at the estate, Leo sat in a chair by the window gazing out at the full moon, sipping wine from his glass. Compared to the capital’s residence, the estate’s room was much larger, a common trait for nobles in rural areas where space wasn’t an issue.

At the window, Leo took a deep drink of the wine, which he often enjoyed in his previous life when he was Kyle. However, in this reincarnation, he rarely drank. It wasn’t about immaturity or breaking school rules; simply, he no longer felt the need.

“All the Great Heroes were heavy drinkers.”

Not only the Great Heroes—most heroes in the age he once lived in were heavy drinkers too. They drank to escape the pain, even if only momentarily.

“Though that Luna kid and Dwenno drank because they actually loved it.”

Supporting his chin, Leo chuckled softly to himself and spoke aloud.

“Stop hesitating and come in.”

He had sensed the guest at the door and, of course, knew exactly who it was.

The small sound at the door faltered before carefully opening up, followed by Chelsea quietly peeking in and asking.

“Leo, what are you doing?”

“Just thinking.”

It was Chelsea. As Leo responded, Chelsea stepped in, closing the door behind her and approaching him.

Seeing the bottle of wine in front of Leo, her eyes widened.

“Are you drinking?”

Leo simply smiled instead of answering. Chelsea hesitated under his gaze, and Leo gestured for her to sit. She sat across from him, silently looking at him.

Despite Chelsea’s steady gaze, Leo kept looking out of the window, where the silver moonlight illuminated his white hair beautifully.

Gathering her resolve, Chelsea sighed deeply and broke the silence.

“Leo…”

“Hmm?”

Still pouring his wine, Leo glanced at Chelsea, who hesitated before speaking.

“Aron told me… Leo, you… You’re the Hero of Beginning, Kyle… right?”