Chapter 126
Chapter 126
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 126
Chapter Title: The Victory Feast
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[What the hell is that specific yet bizarre metaphor?]
While Mitra grumbled softly, Park Cheon-ho shook hands with the God of Cavalry. The God of Cavalry continued speaking.
"Rest for a bit. We need to wrap up the battle. We'll talk details at the victory feast."
With a cheeky wink, the God of Cavalry turned and mounted his briefly rested warhorse. His bold ascent was utterly dashing.
"Hero, I'm off to heal the wounded."
"Yes, Lucille. Thanks."
A true angel through and through, Lucille flew straight to the ramparts and began scattering healing light from her sword over the injured.
Just as the God of Cavalry had said, the battle was drawing to a close.
Victory.
A great triumph, no less—defeating two of the Four Evil Gods.
And thanks to that, it had been a battle yielding plentiful rewards.
[There's a lot to sort through.]
"Yeah."
Mitra's avatar and Demon Sword Ascension needed verification right away, after all.
"Night's going to be exciting."
At Park Cheon-ho's words, Mitra let out a tiny groan. It almost sounded like she was wriggling uncomfortably.
Stroking the golden gem out of habit, Park Cheon-ho turned his gaze back to the ramparts.
As Mitra had said, there was much to organize.
Beyond the avatar and Demon Sword Ascension, the battle had brought many gains.
Four Guardian Kings Martial Arts.
The Hero's blood beginning to awaken.
And his father's old comrade, Chris von Crisaor.
Park Cheon-ho was truly looking forward to the night.
* * *
"For the Citadel of Justice!"
"For it!"
"For it!"
As dusk fell after the battle's end, the God of Cavalry threw open a victory feast without a second thought.
The city's central ruins from the Four Evil Gods' assault needed rebuilding, and mountains of tasks awaited, but the night of victory demanded celebration.
"Hah, my arms still won't move."
"So much I want to eat, but my hands won't budge."
The Goddess of Music and Goddess of Painting leaned back in their chairs side by side, murmuring. It wasn't exaggeration—they truly couldn't twitch a finger.
The victory feast was immense in scale.
Not in a lavish palace, but across the training grounds, it felt like a street festival.
Standing on the platform overlooking the grounds, the God of Cavalry smiled warmly, then extended a hand to Park Cheon-ho waiting below.
"Come up. Time to introduce you."
Today's greatest hero was none other than Park Cheon-ho.
The God of Cavalry had matched his feats, of course, but Park Cheon-ho was the Hero, while he was merely the citadel's defender by duty.
"Cheers for the Hero who repelled the Four Evil Gods!"
As the God of Cavalry raised Park Cheon-ho's hand, soldiers and angels erupted in cheers. Their numbers rivaled twenty thousand, shaking heaven and earth.
A smile spread across Park Cheon-ho's face. Maintaining a poker face amid this was impossible.
"Applause for his angel, Lucille, too!"
The God of Cavalry hadn't forgotten Lucille. The soldiers roared even louder, and Lucille blushed crimson, beaming with childlike innocence.
"Truly grateful. We held the citadel thanks to you."
"It was everyone's effort."
"You always say the right things."
The God of Cavalry chuckled happily before personally leading Park Cheon-ho to the head table.
The Goddesses of Music and Painting lounged half-reclined, while the Goddess of Purification sat beside them, smiling contentedly.
And the final figure at the head table.
A character from his father's tales, and to Park Cheon-ho, a celebrity-like existence.
Pressing down his quickening heart, Park Cheon-ho stepped forward.
Toward Chris von Crisaor.
* * *
"Hello."
"Yeah, hi."
Chris replied stiffly, trying to play it cool.
Park Cheon-ho eyed her expression and continued.
"I've heard a lot about you."
"Y-Yeah?"
What stories?
Like, the first love thing—what was that about?
Questions swirled in Chris's mind, but she held back for now.
Park Cheon-ho smiled.
"Yeah, you're Father's first comrade."
The beautiful elf knight.
If Father's story were a novel or comic, she'd be the heroine for sure.
But regrettably, Park Cheon-ho had known Father's true heroine from the tales before even hearing them.
'Which only made me like her more.'
Park Cheon-ho smiled faintly again, and Chris managed an awkward one.
"Um, but..."
"Yes?"
"Ah, no. Just. This is good. Eat some."
Bringing up first love was too much. Pointless anyway, even if raised.
Chris nudged a plate toward Park Cheon-ho to dodge the topic.
"Ah, yes. Thank you."
[Hmm.]
She seemed to be hiding something.
As Mitra tapped into rare feminine intuition, Lucille innocently lifted a plate.
"Hero, try this too. It's delicious."
"Sure, Lucille."
Answering with a smile, Park Cheon-ho took a fried dish from Chris's plate and ate.
Chris watched him quietly before asking.
"So... how's Father doing?"
"Yes, he's well. I don't know his recent status... but he returned to Phaien."
"To Phaien?"
"Yes, the Demon Lords revived..."
"Huh..."
Chris blinked in surprise, but wasn't truly worried.
She knew how strong 'that man' had become later on. And 'that woman' was by his side.
No way he'd lose.
'Wish that person had come instead.'
If the one summoned to the Labyrinth World had been that person, not her.
Wouldn't an experienced Hero have saved it already?
As Chris drifted into old fantasies, the son of that person—appearing in his stead—sparkled with eager eyes.
"How long have you been in the Labyrinth World, Chris?"
"About six years. I was summoned like you. Started at three stars, I think?"
"I was one star."
"The system's a mess."
As Chris clicked her tongue, Lucille flinched.
"Th-That..."
"Kidding. I don't set the rankings."
Chris laughed, finding Lucille's reaction adorable.
She wasn't usually this quick to smile, but oddly, around Park Cheon-ho and Lucille, they came easily.
[Hm... but doesn't she have a guardian angel?]
Mitra noted suddenly. Every hero they'd met in the Labyrinth World had one, yet Chris was alone.
Park Cheon-ho had wondered too, but couldn't ask outright.
Lucille was always with him wherever he went. Same for Lucillia and Silikiel.
Hero and guardian angel.
Always together.
"Mine died in battle. Been solo since."
Chris said casually, catching the brief curiosity in Park Cheon-ho's eyes.
"I'm sorry."
"Nah, ancient history. Not your fault."
A familiar question, besides.
"Here, have a drink first."
"Thank you."
As Park Cheon-ho accepted the cup politely, Chris felt an odd sensation.
Too young for a brother, yet nephew-like.
Just then, the somewhat sidelined Goddess of Purification spoke up.
"Chris, what's next? Traveling with the Hero? I'll stick with you per big sis's orders."
Without a guardian angel, Chris roamed the Great Labyrinth freely like a freelance knight.
She'd thought only as far as meeting Park Cheon-ho—never beyond, or discussed it. A natural question.
"I... hmm... What do you think, Cheon-ho?"
At Chris's question, Park Cheon-ho brightened instantly.
"I'd be honored if you joined us. Truth is... I want to learn from you."
"Learn?"
"Four Guardian Kings Martial Arts... I want to learn it."
That man's martial art, Four Guardian Kings Martial Arts.
Chris tilted her head.
"Don't you already know it?"
"I... only the basics."
"You used Primeval Fist."
"That was... imitating you."
"Imitated me and pulled it off?"
"Yes."
Chris fell silent at his answer, blank-faced for a moment before bursting into hollow laughter.
"You're just like your father."
"Pardon?"
"Whatever. I learned it from your father anyway. Makes sense to pass it to you."
"Thank you."
"Looking forward to it."
"Yes, Chris."
"Chris is too formal... We're fellow disciples, so call me Senior Chris from now on. Technically, we're both your father's students."
"Got it. Senior Chris."
In Father's tales, she'd been far more reserved and shy, but real-life Chris seemed far warmer and kinder.
"Here, another round."
"I'll pour this time."
"Sure."
"Hero, me too."
Cups clinked, and the feast stretched into the late hours.
Past midnight, nearing dawn.
"Hero..."
Mumbling in her sleep, cheeks rose-tinted, Lucille stirred. Park Cheon-ho tucked her into bed with a small smile, then sank into the Goddess of Bathing's tub.
He'd promised her a daily bath.
Plus, there was something he couldn't postpone.
[Ooh. That eager to see?]
"Very."
[Ugh.]
Mitra groaned in protest but didn't refuse, as expected.
To Park Cheon-ho, as vital as Four Guardian Kings Martial Arts.
Avatar and Demon Sword Ascension.
Park Cheon-ho closed his eyes.
And met Mitra in the mental world.
* * *
[Hidden Quest 'Rampart Defense' completed.]
[Became Ally of the Righteous Gods Lv2.]
[Level up.]
The woman with golden eyes possessed lofty beauty.
Intellectual gaze, sharp and refined as a single blade.
If the Goddess of Healing was queenly elegance, this golden-eyed woman was saintly purity.
Like a flower on a cliff—admired from afar, untouchable, a being above the clouds.
The golden-eyed woman embodied that, and so did the mid-to-late teens girl before him.
She who would grow into the golden-eyed woman.
Yet as an immature girl, her aura differed—somewhat? No, quite a bit. Her pure beauty matched, but...
[Hm. You've come.]
Mitra faced Park Cheon-ho, groaning softly.
Welcoming him in the mental world was always a joy, but anxiety over what was to come was unavoidable.
As Mitra huddled her shoulders and fidgeted, Park Cheon-ho softened unwittingly and said.
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