Chapter 218
The conference room sank into heavy silence. Only Lydia had a smile plastered from ear to ear.
The Hero's Journey. An outdated notion from a bygone era. Unlike the past, when humanity's future had been entrusted solely to a handful of transcendent beings, Lydia's 300-year reign had forged a structure that no longer required heroes.
There was no need—or reason—to leave everything to a hero party. Thus, the Hero's Journey signified a shift to total war—an all-out offensive.
Of course, Sisilia, vice-captain of the world's strongest knight order, understood that perfectly. And she wasn't the type to gamble with the lives of her precious comrades on a whim.
Sisilia had seen a path to victory. Proof of that lay in Lydia's instincts smiling upon her direction.
"You've always shown up at the most unexpected times, throwing everyone into chaos. Same as always."
Lydia rose from her throne and approached Sisilia with measured steps, extending her hand.
"Shall we take a stroll?"
And so, Lydia and Sisilia ended up walking through the gardens.
"Sisilia, you have no idea how long I've awaited this moment."
Lydia shared many stories. Sisilia simply listened. After all, it was the Sword Princess's duty to indulge the whims of a pretty-hearted old lady who'd lived 300 years.
"Whenever a city developed, the demons would swoop in like harvesters reaping ripe rice fields, stripping everything away. The devastation I witnessed in those reclaimed territories... I can't even put it into words."
Lydia had spent 200 years purging demons from within the kingdom. Once the territories were fully reclaimed and defensive lines established, some demons—unable to return to the Demon King Castle—carved out their own domains. Those became the origins of the dungeons.
But as Sisilia listened, one question arose.
"I heard the Windsor Knights weren't as strong back then. I know the current generation is considered the strongest in history. Could they really drive out the demons with that level of power?"
Lydia flashed a cryptic smile, knelt, and plucked a single lily.
"Never wondered why I can summon beings from other worlds?"
'Because you're a dragon, Your Majesty.' Sisilia barely held back the quip and replied, "No idea."
"Because 150 years ago, I already summoned one from another world."
Sisilia's already wide eyes grew even larger at this revelation.
"You've heard of Cheonma since you went east."
Lydia wore a wry smile, reminiscing.
"He might be the closest thing to the hero you adore. After all, he'd already slain a Demon King once."
"...!"
Sisilia's eyes sparkled with excitement.
"How tall was he? What did he look like? His abilities?!"
Lydia sighed at Sisilia suddenly charging in like an eager puppy.
"What good does knowing that do? ...Still, his abilities might help when facing the current Demon King."
In truth, Lydia had called Sisilia here to share this story. Though that era's Demon King and the present one were distinct, knowing countermeasures could prove useful.
"The hardest part against the Demon King was that no power worked on him. No matter how mighty the magic or sharp the blade, nothing could land a decisive blow."
"But Cheonma was different. True to his name, 'The One Who Embodies All Evils,' it was laughable even now. The invincible Demon King, immune to every force, was utterly helpless against power like his own."
Cheonma wielded demonic powers. But Lydia didn't believe that was the sole reason it worked.
"The Demon King probably doesn't take damage from the power of this world's inhabitants."
She spoke gravely.
"Sisilia, neutralize the Demon King with force—then leave the finishing blow to the Users."
Of course, she didn't know Sisilia was one of those 'otherworldly beings.'
But Sisilia kept silent. No need to say it. She'd planned to do exactly that from the start.
The hero party claims the Demon King. Sisilia Windsor steps in afterward.
Still, one oddity nagged at her.
"But I heard Your Majesty stripped the hero of his status and flew into unprecedented rage. Why?"
"...After slaying the Demon King, he vanished. Right before my eyes."
-I've upheld my duty. Now, time to conquer the Central Plains.
Lydia still couldn't forget it.
"He returned to his original world. Probably gained some enlightenment after defeating the Demon King."
"...So Users can return home if they defeat the Demon King."
That's why Lydia had kept it secret. She'd once bet everything on an otherworldly being—and been betrayed.
"I regretted it endlessly. Liannen Kingdom had fought demons for ages before my regency. Centuries of reports vanished overnight with that name, Cheonma. If we still had them..."
It would have helped Sisilia immensely.
Lydia felt guilty but stared firmly at Sisilia.
She hadn't considered Sisilia might abandon them like Cheonma after slaying the Demon King. Her instincts knew Sisilia had no such intent.
But if Sisilia saw the Demon King as her endpoint, disaster.
All that resolve would crumble.
"No need to worry."
Sisilia smiled brightly.
"My goal lies beyond the Demon King."
Lydia sighed in profound relief. The Demon God dwarfed even the Demon King.
"...That's what I wanted to hear."
Lydia stood on tiptoe, stroking Sisilia's head. Sisilia knelt obligingly for easier access, thinking:
'Martial arts tales are epic sagas of battling rice thieves.'
Fascinating stuff. If chance allowed, she'd love to see his face—and snag some loot(?).
"Sisilia."
Lydia, who'd been petting her at length, grew somber. She gently tucked the lily into Sisilia's hair.
"It'll be a long journey."
"...!"
This was Lydia's official endorsement of Sisilia's Hero's Journey—and a pledge of the Liannen Empire's full support.
Sisilia was thrilled it came so easily.
"But bittersweet too. Look at me a moment?"
"Why?"
Lydia caressed Sisilia's cheek.
"I won't see this adorable face for quite a while. Might as well memorize it now."
"...Your Majesty."
Sisilia's expression softened wistfully. Then she tilted her head.
"I'll drop by now and then."
"...But you just said Hero's Journey?"
"Trains exist. One day invested, and I'm here."
Sisilia blinked, then recoiled in shock.
"N-No way... You thought Hero's Journey meant a 10-year trek...?"
Lydia's face flushed crimson.
"H-How archaic. Even with 300 years and a generation gap..."
She mumbled, beet-red.
"S-Stop."
Too embarrassing.
"...Even I get shy sometimes."
Lydia Bellatus Liannen. 320 years old, but with a girl's heart.
The operation codenamed 'Hero's Journey', which will determine humanity's future, has commenced.
This operation may last a year, a decade, or even pass to the next generation.
Yet its conclusion heralds peace upon the world.
Prime proposer: Sisilia Windsor.
Total command: Lydia.
Details classified top secret—known only to the Empress herself.
Not even Sisilia knows.
But laying the foundation falls to Sisilia's capabilities alone.
"You all will embark to subjugate one of the Four Heavenly Kings—Lumia of the White Night—at her fortress on the northern plateau."
Sisilia first ordered the hero party northward. They couldn't take a Heavenly King yet, but the journey would build experience.
She'd mapped the optimal route to Lumia, ensuring they'd pass through key spots.
By journey's end, they'd be unrecognizably stronger.
"The full Windsor Knight Order deploys via magic engineering train to the northern front. Restore breached defenses and eliminate nearby Demon King remnants."
The entire order dispatched to the front lines. Terezia's defense went to Erterion and Chiron. The enemy didn't know Chiron's arm had healed.
Any assault on Terezia would shatter against the Sword Sovereign's blade beyond Death's Boundary.
"Wait, what about our cute vice-captain?"
"Escorting the hero, naturally."
"...So you send us to war while you enjoy a fun trip?"
Jerryway grumbled jealously. (He'd lost his fortune last night in 'Hell's All-In Poker Rules.')
"Sisilia-sama, we know you're serious. You and I will handle infiltrated Demon King remnants. Most are north, but some linger elsewhere."
-Hero babysitting, assuming that.
Some remnants would overwhelm the hero party. Sisilia planned to clear obstacles like a doting parent bird.
Squander a chance to spectate the squishy hero party's tales firsthand? Unthinkable.
"Listen well, Sisilia."
On the day Sisilia's Hero's Journey began, Chiron wrapped a thick muffler around her, lecturing earnestly.
"Visit at least once a month. And beware men. Get pregnant suddenly, and you die—he dies too."
"...Do I seem that loose?"
Sisilia reeled for multiple reasons.
Chiron sermonized for 30 minutes (five hours yesterday). Mostly unreasonable: Don't get scammed and cry, don't follow strangers with food, etc.
"Take care. Even colds."
"...I'm the Sword Princess, Dad. No colds."
"The girl who groaned for three days says that."
"Right, miss. Northern colds are brutal."
'...That was Instant Death, not a cold.'
But Sisilia smiled at Chiron's worried gaze and the maids' concern.
"Don't sell Nix for cash! Got it?"
Her heart warmed; she felt a bit grown.
"Then, I'm off."
Stepping out, Sisilia's steps were heavy with worry—yet thrilled beyond measure.
Hero party adventure!
'I'll witness it. Them slaying the Demon King together, rejoicing. That's all I need—then I can face the Demon God smiling.'
With modest hopes and worries, Sisilia headed to the hero party.
Thud.
Arriving, she dropped her travel bag.
"Why so late? We've been waiting."
No squishy hero party—instead, lolicon prince Edward stood before the carriage, sour-faced.
Alarming: not ceremonial garb, but full battle armor—like heading to war. Luggage in hand, ready to go.
"...No way."
Edward smirked.
"Exactly as you imagine."
He nodded at the carriage. Through the window: Saint Seraphina and Beatrice (Sisilia's emergency snack) chatting merrily.
"...Where's the hero party?"
"Sent ahead. Oh, rally point's set—don't worry."
Sisilia vanished like wind. Edward snagged her nape at perfect timing.
"...Only Dad's faster at this."
Dangling from Edward's height, Sisilia went limp. He grinned villainously.
"Cost a fortune in booze to learn."
"...That's why you let the order move freely."
"Amusing, watching you scheme to tag along with Users."
"Play dirty, and I deploy my secret weapon."
"Try me."
Sisilia froze blankly—then thrashed wildly.
"No! Hate it—I wanna go with the hero party!"
Rare sight: Sisilia yelling. First tantrum like a kid since 14.
Edward, dumbfounded:
"...That averse to traveling with me?"
"Yes! You're not the hero! Waaah! Let gooo—!"
Edward sighed, set her down, and boarded the carriage. Sisilia sniffled, looking up.
"Cry and tantrum all you want—it changes nothing. I'll slay the Demon King, achieve the impossible. Protecting you? Bonus."
Edward removed his glove, offering his hand.
"So now, who is the hero?"