Chapter 459

459.

Leo unfolded the letter from the Emperor of the Rodren Empire.

As everyone watched Leo read the letter, which was written in the Emperor’s own hand, they all wore tense expressions.

“What is it? What did His Majesty say to you?”

Celia asked hurriedly from beside him.

“Why are you so worked up about it?”

At Leo’s indifferent tone, Celia let out an exasperated sigh.

“It’s because you’re bizarrely calm about this.”

Lumeran students are respected and treated well wherever they go.

But even so, receiving a personally written letter from the Emperor of Rodren is a different matter entirely.

The Emperor of Rodren is an absolute ruler of the western continent, whose power dwarfs that of most kings.

Rodren Empire uses its power openly and aggressively, unlike the mysterious Shan Empire – also known as the Land of Shadows – which possesses similar power but prefers stealth and secrecy.

Rodren’s influence extends not just throughout the western continent but across the entire world.

“So? What does it say?”

At Abad’s question, Leo neatly folded the letter back into its envelope before answering.

“The Emperor is inviting me to join the Hero Guild, Imperium, of Rodren.”

“What?”

“Is that true?”

Gasps of surprise erupted around the room.

Reina nodded, unsurprisingly.

“Wow, this is huge! Even though you’re the youngest student council president, you’re still just a student, and yet you’re being invited to join? And it’s Imperium too?”

Kal exclaimed.

Imperium Guild.

Operating under the auspices of the Rodren Royal Family, it is technically the only Hero Guild in the western continent.

Its power and influence make it the second-strongest hero guild, after Lumeran’s Twighlight. In the frontline battles against Tartarus, Imperium has achieved countless feats with the second-most heroes.

“This is quite extraordinary. For Imperium to change its guild recruitment criteria is unprecedented.”

Chloe said in astonishment.

Imperium Guild only allows individuals listed on the Hero Record to join.

Among all the guilds in the world, Imperium is the only guild whose entire membership has achieved the status of heroes.

Even Giese Zerdinger and Rogez LeWalyn, who arrived as imperial envoys and hold important positions within the empire, are ineligible for membership since they haven’t yet earned the title of hero.

“Wow, so even Imperium wants you, despite you still being a hero candidate. But why such extraordinary measures? Isn’t it natural that our class president, as part of the Zerdinger family, would naturally join Imperium after graduating?”

“Imperium must have had its reasons for acting quickly. Although, how can a student join a hero guild anyway?”

As Illiana raised a point, Nella sighed softly.

“How long do you plan to block our path?”

“I am delivering His Majesty the Emperor of great Rodren’s letter. Please maintain some decorum.”

“Do you truly believe the authority of a human emperor extends to me?”

From outside, raised voices could be heard, one of them carrying an air of arrogance.

Moments later, the calm was interrupted as the door burst open. A strikingly handsome elf entered the room.

The students stared in surprise.

Eiran looked uncomfortable, and Lunia slightly frowned.

“This is quite the fool.”

“Is he someone important?”

At Lunia’s murmured comment, Arga inquired. Kal, standing nearby, swallowed nervously.

“Isn’t it Crescent Moon Sword, Amadeus?”

“The Crescent Moon Sword?”

“He’s the hero from Stella Illumin.”

The students exchanged astonished looks.

Crescent Moon Sword, Amadeus Glais—a hero belonging to the elf hero guild Stella Illumin. Three years ago, he earned a place in the Hero Record, becoming a symbol of the new generation.

He was renowned among the new generation of elven heroes.

This was because of his fanatical adherence to the teachings of Luna and Seirun and his zealous celebration of their legacy.

As a result, he was notorious as a rigid racial supremacist.

“Wouldn’t it be problematic if he says something ridiculous like, ‘I do not recognize him’?”

Lunia’s brow furrowed, reflecting her concern.

It was famously known that Leo had been named the official successor of Seirun by receiving her staff.

However, in elven society, there were still elves who denied this fact, insisting it was a mistake.

Considering these elves were all extreme racial supremacists, it was plausible that someone as infamous as Amadeus might say something like this.

Lunia stood up, determined to prevent Amadeus from doing so.

Eiran, visibly uneasy, also rose.

‘If the Crescent Moon Sword offends Leo, it would be a disaster.’

Eiran’s unease was palpable, knowing Leo was the Hero of Beginning.

If Amadeus, who was already a hero, dared to refute Leo’s legitimate claim as Seirun’s successor, a significant issue would arise.

Lunia stood up with the intent to intervene if Amadeus stepped out of line.

Everyone tensed as Amadeus approached Leo.

“Shouldn’t you wait your turn to speak to Leo Flove?”

Giese stepped in front, his displeasure evident.

Amadeus merely smirked, shoved Giese aside, and stood before Leo.

Just as Giese was about to react angrily—

Snap!

Everyone looked on in stunned silence.

“For the first time, I have the honor to meet you, Leo Flove. My name is Crescent Moon Sword, Amadeus Glais. It is an infinite honor to stand before you.”

Amadeus dropped to one knee and greeted Leo with exceptional respect.

This was behavior that typically wouldn’t be extended by an elder to someone younger.

Not to mention, Leo was still a hero candidate, and Amadeus was already acknowledged as a hero.

In terms of both age and external status, Amadeus ranked higher.

Yet without hesitation, Amadeus acted with the utmost decorum toward Leo.

And to top it off, Leo was human.

“How do you do? Still, why the formalities?”

“Lord Leo, you are the official successor of the noble Seirun. As an elf, it is only proper to pay respect to you. Please allow me to speak comfortably with you.”

Amadeus looked unwaveringly into Leo’s eyes, his gaze clear and sharp.

‘Why do his eyes seem so strange?’

The clarity in Amadeus’s gaze was disconcerting, but having met many of this type before, Leo merely clicked his tongue.

These kinds of elves are generally impossible to reason with or communicate logically. Acknowledging that reality, Leo moved on.

“Then I’ll speak more freely. So why did you come?”

“To deliver you this letter.”

Amadeus retrieved an enclosed letter from his robes and handed it to Leo. The letter bore the guild mark of Stella Illumin.

Seeing this, both Giese and Rogez exchanged narrowed glances.

“Stella Illumin wishes for you to join us, Lord Leo.”

Amadeus’s eyes glimmered with excitement.

“Stella Illumin was founded by Lady Seirun! There is no more fitting hero guild for Lord Leo than Stella Illumin!”

“So that’s why Imperium acted.”

“Stella Illumin wants our class president, too? This is a big event.”

“It’s shocking, but not surprising if you consider that Leo is the successor to Lady Seirun. Still, it’s quite the impact.”

Stella Illumin.

Among all the elven hero guilds, it is considered a prestigious institution.

Unlike Imperium, where all members must be heroes, entering Stella Illumin is in many ways more difficult. Only elves may join, and of those, only an extremely select few are chosen.

Breaking such a long-standing tradition just to recruit Leo made it all the more shocking.

“Leo belongs to the Rodren Empire. It’s only right that he join the Imperial Guild, Imperium. How could he ever join one from the elves?”

As Giese stepped forward to object, Amadeus, who had risen from his bow, curled his lips into a smug, arrogant smile.

“Doesn’t it seem far more appropriate for Lord Leo, successor of Lady Seirun, to join Stella Illumin?”

A tense atmosphere began to swirl between the two.

Since Amadeus barged into the room so rudely to begin with, the situation was already tense.

The conflict over which guild Leo would join only exacerbated the situation. The room crackled with tension.

Everyone’s expressions were strained.

In the midst of the tension, Leo, who had just resealed the letter, spoke up.

“I don’t intend to join either Imperium or Stella Illumin.”

At these words, everyone’s eyes widened in surprise.

How could anyone turn down membership offers from guilds that everyone longed to join?

“Are you planning to join Twilight, by any chance?”

“No.”

“Where, then, do you intend to join?”

As everyone watched with baffled expressions, Leo spoke.

“I was planning to create my own.”

“What?”

Everyone looked at Leo in astonishment.

“Great timing. Why not start one now?”

Chloe commented as she observed Leo’s calm demeanor, as if he were creating just another club.

“Hero guilds aren’t something you can simply create on a whim. First, the necessary qualifications must be met.”

“Being recognized as a hero is one of those qualifications?”

“Exactly.”

At Chloe’s nod, Leo understood.

Certainly, he was aware of the qualification requirements.

But…

‘If I just ask Melina to modify the agreement, that could work, right?’

Leo was already listed as the ‘Hero of Beginning,’ Kyle, on the Hero Record, right at the very first page.

There was no way his name would appear again.

To Leo, it wasn’t clear if fulfilling the qualification was possible.

‘Even if I delegate the founding to someone else, the authority to approve the creation of a hero guild still lies with Dragonia, doesn’t it?’

And the highest authority in Dragonia, none other than Dragon Lord Melina.

To everyone else, asking to modify an agreement to create a hero guild might sound absurd.

‘But is there anything in this world that can’t be done? If it’s not possible, just make it possible, simple as that.’

Leo was the type of person who could pull off such impossible tasks.

‘The best-case scenario would be earning the title of hero myself, but that might be difficult. Hence…’

*

Deep within Lumeran.

At the very center of the Forbidden Library, where countless heroes’ relics and records lay dormant, rested the human Hero Record.

When a new human hero is born, their name is inscribed here.

Only a select few, appointed directly by the Dragon Lord, can serve as the Librarian of this sacred place.

The Librarian of Lumeran.

While Desitian, with an expressionless face, guarded the entrance to the Forbidden Library, suddenly—

Rustle!

The closed Hero Record spontaneously opened.

Upon noticing this phenomenon, Desitian dropped to his knees.

Having tended the Forbidden Library for a long time, Desitian knew.

This was indeed the Divine Revelation.

The moment when a pure-hearted hero, acknowledged by the Gods for their great deeds, is inscribed into the Hero Record.

Rustle, rustle, rustle!

Countless pages flipped in rapid succession.

Thump!

Finally, the last page opened.

A burst of bright light illuminated the room as a name began to emerge, announcing the birth of a new hero.

Overcome with awe and reverence at the glorious moment, Desitian trembled.

As the light faded, Desitian, who hadn’t moved an inch throughout the process, approached the Hero Record on his knees with utmost devotion.

Upon closer inspection, Desitian’s eyes widened.

The Hero Record is traditionally filled with information: names of heroes, the epithets granted to them by the Gods, and records of their great achievements.

Because of this, it is usually packed with text.

But now, it was completely blank.

The only thing written there, with nothing else—no epithet, no divine title, no record of achievement—was just a single, solitary name.

[Leo Flove.]