Lea's Runaway Flight

The hero woke up after just three days of sleep there, but reality hadn't changed. The Century Herb had fallen to delisting status, and the open clearing of my nest was piled mountain-high with those once-precious herbs. The Century Herbs that the heroes from outside had brought. I picked one up and shook off the dirt before munching it down, and the taste was exactly the same as before.

"Nah, it's even tastier."

"Century Herbs are sweet. They're even used in food."

"Tasty."

"Agreed."

"...If only it didn't taste good."

If the effects were the same or even a bit better but the taste sucked, that would've been some small comfort. But this was a perfect upgrade over the old Century Herbs—no words for it. I ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠chewed on the remaining root and gazed outside. There were still quite a few heroes milling around beyond the nest, and just by eye, there had to be about 500 of them. I climbed up a bit higher for a better look, and the ones who spotted me started waving frantically.

"It's day three already—when's she gonna wake up... Oh?!"

"Oh!"

"She came out!"

"Lea! Century Herbs right here!"

'Hasn't decreased much at all.' It'd only been three days, but I figured some would've trickled away in that time. Even after all that chaos, this many heroes were still hanging around. I plopped down on my usual rock perch. The heroes buzzed even louder at the sight of me, but I quietly closed my eyes and thought.

'Heroes.' Immortals, proxies of the goddess, saviors of the world, fearless, numb to pain... Even the heroes from generations before, or the ones before that—ones I never met—probably weren't this bad. This was the first time I'd seen heroes bulldozing through like absolute maniacs. I'd tried blasting breath to block their ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠visits and handing out tough quests (which were actually easy), but it was all for nothing. If anything, word that I was giving out easy quests spread like wildfire, drawing even more heroes. No point in persuading them anymore. Not that I'd ever feel like bothering with the hassle anyway.

"Don't you all have stuff to do?"

"Huh?"

"Give us something to do!"

"So cute!"

"Lea! Lea! Lea!"

These guys showed zero signs of leaving, so...

"Fine."

I decided to keep it simple. Gulp. I swallowed the last bit of Century Herb root and stood up.

"Heroes live there. Lea's going away."

"Huh?"

"Clean up the nest while you're at it. If it's a mess when I get back, you're dead."

Flap. I shot up into the sky.

"Nearby mountains, huh..."

At Lea's nest, now abandoned. Haring closed the gallery and spread out a map. The shocking news of Lea's sudden departure stunned not just the users outside the nest, but her disciples too. And why not? She'd woken up, scarfed down one Century Herb, then vanished into thin air moments later. Sure, she'd said she'd come back before leaving, but dragons lived hundreds, even thousands of years. Lea had mentioned napping for years at a time multiple times before, so it was obvious it'd be at least three years—probably way more—before they saw her again.

"No way!"

Three years without Lea? Unthinkable horror. Haring could barely handle three weeks, let alone three months—three years would straight-up kill her with Lea deficiency. And as a dragon's disciple, she needed steady quests and guidance to grow; a three-year gap was way too long. With a sigh, Haring headed to where the other disciples were gathered. They all seemed to share her panic, feverishly guessing where Lea might've gone.

"Where do you think she went?"

"Not far, knowing Lea's personality."

"Yeah, probably."

Lea was a dragon who hated leaving home more than anything. No way she'd flown to another continent or the central continent outskirts. Plus, she'd flown off in human form, probably to hide her location—couldn't have gotten far like that.

"Another mountain or canyon maybe?"

"A mountain..."

"Yeah. Sleep's the most important thing for Lea, after all."

"I agree."

Everyone nodded. Variables aside, the most suspicious spot was the nearby mountains. Few humans went there, and it suited Lea perfectly.

"Let's split up then. Three mountains nearby—pairs should cover it."

"I'll take this one."

"I'll go here."

"Me and NyaNya this way!"

"If you find her, don't announce it. She might move again."

"Obviously."

"Okaay~"

And so Lea's disciples split into pairs and left the nest, off to track down their suddenly vanished master. Countless other users made the same guesses and mobilized too. And just like that, three months passed.

....

"Where are you..."

"Lea~"

"Come out already~~~!!"

Lea remained unfound.

Three months later. Legion Capital, Royal Knights' training grounds.

Evan—the sole hero user to finally earn knighthood, a top ranker, and vanguard of the pro-gallery—clenched his fist. Nearly a year of grueling journey. He'd poured over 16 hours a day into Prolazia, pushing hard. After slaying the Ogre Lord, he'd cleared the newly unlocked main quests, growing stronger step by step. His mana cores had reached two. He'd clawed back into the top 5 ranks. Now he wasn't just some hero—he was recognized by the Royal Knights.

Most crucially, he'd earned the trust of the Royal Knights' captain, Adella Measis.

A grin he couldn't hide spread across Evan's face as he bowed his head and dropped to one knee.

"You are now a knight of the Royal Knights. But since you're a hero, this is only provisional. Don't get arrogant—strive harder."

"Yes, Captain!"

"Follow me. I'll show you your quarters."

Evan trailed after the captain, taking in the surroundings. He'd toured the palace a bit during quests, but openly wandering the interior like this was a first. Golden corridors brimming with ornate decorations. And oddly, he could feel a mystical flow of mana coursing through them.

'Feels kinda hot somehow...'

As he followed Adella down the hall, he spotted maids bustling in the distance. They were carting food covered on silver trays—five-layer carts, all packed to bursting. And there were six of them. If this weren't the palace, he'd swear they were prepping for a restaurant rush. Evan glanced at Adella ahead. She seemed used to it, stepping aside for a passing maid pushing a cart. Protocol demanded the maid yield to Adella's higher status, but for some reason, Adella pressed herself against the wall.

"Please go ahead."

"My apologies."

Evan mimicked her, hugging the wall, and the maid bowed hastily before wheeling past.

"Some banquet tonight?"

"......"

"That's enough food for all the royals and nobles together..."

"Not a banquet."

"Huh? Then all that food is for..."

"...None of your concern. Just follow."

"Ah, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠yes, ma'am."