Chapter 631

631.

After the eradication of Zorea.

The Rodren Empire was in an uproar.

The first shock came from the revelation that the Hero Slayer, who was believed to have been eradicated long ago, had resurrected and was active again. The other shock was the revelation that the Elder Council of Zerdinger was colluding with the Hero Slayer.

“Really, it’s a disgrace to the family. A disgrace!”

Celia clenched her fists tightly, her face showing she was still boiling with anger.

Seeing Celia like this, Chelsea, standing beside her with her arms crossed, sighed softly.

“It’s because of this that His Majesty the Emperor hasn’t hosted an Imperial Party like this for so long.”

Zerdinger was the backbone of the Rodren Empire. Hence, when Zerdinger is shaken, the effects ripple throughout the entire Rodren Empire.

Currently, Zerdinger is preoccupied with tidying up after the expulsion of the Elder Council. However, the situation is not as chaotic internally as one might expect.

The Elder Council was certainly a powerful faction within Zerdinger, but in this incident, it wasn’t the entire force led by the Council that caused trouble. Those punished were, in fact, specifically the leaders at the top.

“If it had escalated into a civil war… it would have been unbearable.”

Celia shuddered. The entire empire might have been engulfed in turmoil.

Anyway, contrary to what people outside might think, Zerdinger’s internal situation was stable. The problem lay outside.

The rumor that a traitor came from Zerdinger spread throughout the entire empire.

Zerdinger was a family that had been the sword and shield of the Rodren Empire since its inception. So, with a disgraceful event occurring in such a family, the citizens of the empire couldn’t help but tremble with unease.

The current world situation was already unstable. Rumors begot more rumors, and there was a potential for the whole empire to be shaken.

Therefore, the Emperor of Rodren held a party to announce Zerdinger’s resilience before such a situation arose. The invitations were sent to not only influential nobles but also wealthy commoners who operated great trading companies.

“What are you two talking about with such excitement?”

At that moment, Shasha appeared between them, partially covering her face with a veil.

The appearance of Shasha, the next crown princess of the Rodren Empire, only drew more attention than it already had.

“Oh my, all three of you are truly beautiful.”

“Truly, you are the flowers of the empire.”

“If you are already this beautiful now, how radiant must you be when you’ve grown a bit more?”

The direct lineages of Zerdinger and LeWalyn, and even the next ruler of the empire, were present. Moreover, the three of the top students in their year from Lumeran were gathered in one place, making even the journalists busy capturing the moments with magic artifacts.

“Come on, wave and smile.”

“Why are you here? We should go where Ris and Abad are.”

“Yeah, the crown princess should go to the future leaders of the empire.”

Celia and Chelsea muttered under their breaths where only Shasha could hear.

Publicly, they maintained a respectful relationship, but privately, they had been friends since childhood, so they acted casually around each other.

“Are you not being too stingy with your friend? Senpai.”

Once the attention of the crowd had lessened somewhat, Shasha pouted her lips.

“Anyway, I heard that Ris senior is going to make a major announcement. What is it?”

Shasha asked Celia, raising an inquisitive eyebrow.

At this, Celia made a troubled expression and whispered softly.

“Ris is getting married. To Senior Toluah.”

“What?!”

Shasha’s expression turned wide-eyed in shock for a moment before quickly composing herself as all eyes turned to them.

“Clearly, this confusion will be resolved.”

The marriage of Zerdinger’s heir is a joyful occasion for the empire. Particularly, the other party is none other than the famous Toluah Yan.

People who love to spin tales would undoubtedly talk excitedly about the story of these two classmates from Lumeran attending school together.

The Elder Council incident would certainly be somewhat overshadowed for now.

“Joyous news, indeed.”

“Yeah, joyous. I became an aunt all of a sudden.”

“Really?”

Shasha widened her eyes.

“As the future emperor of Rodren, not having to worry about Zerdinger’s heir is a welcome relief. Hu-hu-hu!”

With an elegant smile, Shasha slightly covered her lips with her veil and wore a cunning expression.

“Nevertheless, Senior Ris is a man. I thought he was all proper, but he went and caused trouble.”

“He knows how to take responsibility.”

Celia brushed her hair back and sighed softly.

At that moment,

“Ah? Isn’t that Sir Niel and Lady Marchel.”

Shasha noticed Niel and Marchel in the middle of the party.

A silence passed between them before they abruptly turned and walked away in opposite directions.

Witnessing this, Shasha clicked her tongue.

“Sir Niel and Lady Marchel seem colder with each other than before.”

“I’m also a little worried. Recently, Senior Niel has been looking at pictures of Marchel. And every time I see her, she tears them in half right in front of me.”

“Is that a kind of curse?”

Shasha wore a serious expression.

Indeed, with people like Niel and Marchel, anything was possible.

Listening to their conversation, Chelsea stuck out her lips and muttered softly.

“Is causing trouble becoming a trend lately…”

“Hmm? What do you mean by that?”

“Something like that.”

Chelsea replied loftily to Celia’s question.

This reply left Celia and Shasha clueless.

“Anyway,”

Shasha looked around with sparkling eyes.

“Where is Senior Leo?”

“Leo is busy one way or another. They said he might or might not be able to attend the party.”

“Oh? That’s disappointing. He’s the one everyone’s talking about.”

Shasha frowned in disappointment.

But at the same time, she nodded in understanding.

“Succeeding to the throne is indeed filled with complicated stories. I heard the name of the country will change, right?”

“Yeah, to ‘Arhi.'”

“Arhi… a beginning…”

Shasha’s eyes gleamed.

“Anyway, Senior Leo being a king kind of feels scary.”

“Scary? Why’s that?”

As Chelsea made a puzzled face, Shasha giggled.

“Senior Leo has a famous nickname, you know.”

“What nickname?”

“Dark Demon King.”

At Shasha’s words, Chelsea and Celia’s expressions stiffened slightly.

It was a name given due to the terrifying presence he showcased in the second year.

As they recalled Leo’s genuine demeanor back then, Chelsea and Celia shuddered.

Just as they were shuddering, the entrance of the party began to get noisy, and then Leo appeared.

Seeing Leo dressed in a perfectly white dinner jacket, Shasha clasped her hands together and let out a ‘kyaa!’

“Senior Leo!”

Entering the party venue with Dave and Reina, Leo drew all attention.

As the unprecedented youngest Student Council President of Lumeran and currently one of the most famous heroes in the world, combined with the fact he hadn’t appeared in any formal events of the Rodren Empire since becoming the direct lineage of Zerdinger, it was inevitable that the interest in Leo would be more intense.

Celia pressed down on the shoulders of ShaSha, who was about to jump around with her hands clasped.

“Maintain your dignity, Her Highness.”

“Why all the commotion if you see him at school regularly?”

As Chelsea also pointed it out, ShaSha glared.

“You don’t get it since you’re in the same grade as Senior Leo! Even upperclassmen, like 4th and 5th years, rarely get to meet Senior Leo! How about 1st years?”

At that, Chelsea and Celia widened their eyes and looked at each other.

“Indeed, Leo-senpai doesn’t interact much with other grades.”

Until the first semester, there were many exchanges with the 1st years because of the mentor system. But starting from the second semester, occasions for 1st years to meet Leo disappeared.

Not only that.

Even the seniors found it hard to regularly see him.

In Lumeran, the standing of seniors is quite powerful.

However, even their standing couldn’t measure up since Leo became a hero.

Among the seniors, currently, only Lil of the 4th year and Elena of the 5th year interact with Leo freely.

“Just being able to laugh and joke around with Senior Leo is a tremendous privilege. A privilege! Ugh! I wish I had graduated the same year as you two!”

Watching Shan truly regret it, Celia sighed helplessly.

‘Come to think of it, she was a member of Leo’s fanclub.’

As the three of them were chatting,

“There you all are.”

Leo approached.

“Senior Leo~”

Shasha waved enthusiastically, beaming, which surprised the surrounding nobles who rarely see such a bright smile from the Crown Princess.

“Senior Leo, please dance with me during the dance time!”

“If I feel like it.”

“Ah. That suave demeanor. So cool.”

As Shasha let out an admiring sigh, Celia whispered to Chelsea.

“Would Shasha make a good Emperor?”

“Since she knows how to put on a good show, maybe it’ll be alright.”

Upon hearing this, Shasha shot daggers with her eyes and tried to stomp their feet from behind.

But as expected, the two friends would not fall for such tricks.

As the three girls subtly bickered, Leo looked around.

“Where’s Abad?”

“I’m right here. I’m late.”

“Because I was escorting Mother.”

“Ah.”

Abad, approaching with a smile, spoke to Shasha.

“Shasha, His Majesty is looking for you.”

“Ugh? Why now?”

Shasha made an irritated face.

“Senior Leo, don’t forget that you promised to dance!”

After saying this, Shasha grabbed her dress and pranced off.

Once Shasha was gone, Leo checked for any eavesdroppers and began speaking.

“It’s not certain yet, but starting from the third year, there might be new subjects and missions at Lumeran related to Tartarus.”

“Hmm?”

“At this point, it would be good to prepare by studying the history of the legion.”

“History of the legion?”

Celia furrowed her eyebrows.

By “legion,” it was undeniably referring to Tartarus’ legion commanders and the legions under their command.

“Could you tell me more details?”

“Because nothing is certain yet.”

Leo also knew almost nothing about the record of the legion.

‘Rian is the one I can discuss with.’

“Use the communication network to inform all students.”

At this, Celia nodded.

“Starting from third year, you’ll be on active missions, so be sure to take adequate rest.”

Hearing Leo’s words, Celia smirked.

“I’m ready.”

“I can’t let you and Kal get ahead too much. I’ll catch up in third year.”

Upon Abad’s words, Leo chuckled.

“That sounds promising.”

“Still, it’s a shock that we’re chasing after Kal now.”

Chelsea held her head and shook it, looking flummoxed.

Seeing this, Leo smiled faintly.

As the dance music began to play, people started dancing.

Gradually, the glances of Rodren nobles of Leo’s age began to drift toward them.

At this, Abad smirked, stepped forward, and extended his hand.

“Would you do me the honor of one dance, Lady?”

Celia, looking at the hand Abad extended, grinned and took it.

“Gladly.”

As the two moved toward the dance floor, surprised exclamations erupted from all around.

It was a surprising sight to see the two famous adversaries dancing.

Chelsea, observing the scene, clicked her tongue.

“Because of this, there will be even more talk. Hmm?”

While grumbling, Chelsea widened her eyes upon seeing a hand extended in front of her face.

“Since it looked like you wanted to dance.”

At those words, Chelsea, whose eyes turned into bunny-like circles looking up at Leo, smiled widely and took his hand, stepping onto the dance floor.

“Even though I noticed it before, Senior Leo is a good dancer.”

“Learnt through etiquette.”

“Saying that, you’re on another level beyond just learning through etiquette.”

“Luna taught me quite a bit as well.”

“Ah.”

Chelsea nodded as if understanding.

“Come to think of it, why change the kingdom’s name? Considering Senior Leo’s character, I would’ve guessed you would’ve left it as it was.”

Upon Chelsea’s curious inquiry, Leo smiled.

“It was the name of the old eradication team we belonged to.”

“Hmm?”

“It was called Arhi—named by Lissinas. The eradication team for Erebus.”

“Ah.”

Chelsea nodded in surprise.

‘The eradication team for Erebus was called Arhi?’

The name of the party for the Great Heroes had remained a secret in history.

Knowing this name, Chelsea couldn’t help but be shocked.

Being amazed by learning something new, Chelsea suddenly asked,

“Why not ask Senior Leo about something personal? Did Senior Lissinas dance well?”

Unexpected curiosity struck Leo, and he chuckled.

“Not really.”

“Wow~ That was unexpected.”

“He was kind of clumsy and strong.”

Hearing this, Chelsea showed an expression of interest.

“Talking with Senior Leo, I often find unexpected sides of the Great Heroes.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes. It was surprising that Lissinas was good at deceiving others. Oh, now that I think about it.”

Chelsea giggled, recalling.

“Didn’t you and the Wisdom students from Dragonia fight against a Nightmare the last time?”

“Yeah. You mentioned you met Lissinas there.”

The illusion created by Nightmare was Leo’s intention.

Nightmare forces you to fight the person you least want to fight, but the illusion can be guided by the caster’s intent.

“Since you insulted the portrait of Senior Lissinas as unattractive, he subtly got angry, wasn’t that Senior Lissinas’ true character?”

At this, Leo questioned,

“Did he get angry?”