Chapter 456
Chapter Title: Heirs and Revelations
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The world was shaken by the anomalous event that occurred in the Delad Kingdom.
The communication and spatial magic systems of the western continent were momentarily paralyzed.
Along with that, ominous dark clouds covered the sky.
The world was gripped by fear at the phenomenon, which seemed like a recurrence of the disaster from 3,000 years ago.
After the gravity of the situation became clear, Dragonia issued a call to arms for all heroes.
In response, the world's Hero Guilds and Hero Associations began to move.
The world was seized with tension, keeping a close eye on the movements of Tartaros.
The heroes who grasped the situation watched with frayed nerves.
Thus, the dawn shrouded in despair and fear passed.
By the time morning broke.
The anomalous event had vanished completely.
Many heroes who had been taking the situation seriously felt a mix of relief and bewilderment.
Then, astonishing news was delivered.
News about Erebos spread throughout the world via newspapers.
Just as everyone was feeling a sense of dread.
Another piece of news arrived.
The people of the world were ecstatic at the news that the Brave Hero Ar-on had appeared and subjugated the resurrected Erebos.
Following this, pilgrimages began.
After the major incident, the training camp schedule was quickly wrapped up.
Some returned home to begin their respective vacations, while others remained at the Flove family's estate.
Late one night, two days after the training camp ended.
Karl, Lunia, Ar Tune, Eiran, and Driana were gathered in a guest room, talking.
"See? This is why a person has to be thoroughly prepared, right?"
Karl grinned as he took items out of a box one by one and placed them on the desk.
Seeing this, Lunia narrowed her eyes.
"What are those now?"
"What do you mean, what are they? They're statues."
What Karl had taken out were none other than palm-sized statues of Ar-on.
The incredibly detailed statues of Ar-on were striking various cool poses.
"You think I'm asking because I don't know? Why did you make so many of them?"
"Why ask the obvious? To sell them."
"Are you crazy? You're going to use a Great Hero as a means to make money? Do you want to be arrested for blasphemy?"
Lunia wore an expression of disbelief.
In elven society, using the Progenitor of the Nebula to make money or satisfy personal greed would get you arrested for blasphemy.
Since it involved exploiting a great hero of their race, the crime was considered severe and was punished harshly.
"It's illegal among elves, right? But not for beastmen."
Karl grinned slyly.
"Aha! So beastman society has no such law."
As Eiran nodded in admiration, Lunia crossed her arms and scoffed.
"Hmph! Even if there's no such law, I doubt the beastmen will let you get away with using Sir Ar-on as a business venture."
"Tsk, tsk, tsk. I told you. A person has to be thoroughly prepared."
With a smug look, Karl pulled a piece of paper from his pocket and showed it to Lunia.
After reading it, Lunia had a sour expression on her face.
It was a contract stating that Karl had Ar-on's personal permission to make and sell statues of him.
"When did you get permission for this?"
"Hah, the moment I knew Sir Ar-on had come from the World of Heroes, I had a feeling! What with the pilgrimages and all, it was bound to be a huge hit. Now that I have Sir Ar-on's endorsement, I can sell them for a high price to wealthy tourists! Especially the beastmen! Mwahahahaha!"
"Why do you love money so much? As far as I know, you already have considerable wealth for a student. Besides, with your abilities, you'll be able to acquire plenty of riches after graduation."
"I'm curious too. I know you're an unabashed materialist, but I also know you're a pretty decent guy. You're not the type to obsess over wealth beyond what's necessary."
At Driana's words, Lunia also nodded and looked at Karl.
When Eiran also showed a curious expression, Karl scratched his head awkwardly.
"You guys know I'm not cut out to be a hero or hold any kind of great position."
"True."
"Yeah, you're right."
"N-No, that's not true. I'm sure you could do it, Sir Karl."
Driana and Lunia answered immediately, while Eiran, at a loss, tried to console Karl.
"Thanks, Eiran. For putting it so nicely. You're different from this foul-tempered elf and dwarf."
At Karl's words, Lunia's eyes flashed.
Ignoring her, Karl spoke.
"I aspire to be a supporter, but I don't want to just help you in battle."
Karl shrugged.
"Whether it's necessary equipment, materials, or potions. I want to help you by getting everything I can. To do that, I think I'll need a lot of money."
"How much are you planning to save?"
"Enough to buy at least one country?"
Lunia and Eiran's eyes widened as they looked at Karl's meaningful expression.
"You were thinking deeper than I thought."
"That's so reassuring, Sir Karl!"
Lunia and Eiran were impressed.
"Karl! You truly are my wonderful friend!"
Driana, on the other hand, was delighted and threw her arms around Karl.
Looking down at her, Karl said.
"I have zero intention of sponsoring your artwork."
At his words, Driana's face scrunched up.
"Why be so cheap? How can a man who plans to buy a country be so small-minded! If you sponsor me, who will follow in Sir Dweno's footsteps to become a great artist, your name will be remembered for generations to come!"
Seeing Driana revert to her usual way of speaking, Karl said.
"If I sponsored your art activities, Sir Dweno would probably grab me by the collar and tell me he wouldn't let me off easy. And I'd rather bury that money in the ground than sponsor your art."
"Why would the meaningless act of burying money in the ground be more beneficial?"
"At least the people of the world wouldn't have to see your terrible creations."
"That's actually a valid point."
Lunia chimed in, agreeing with Karl.
Seeing this, Driana raised her fist, and Eiran, horrified, tried to stop her.
"By the way, what's with that cat over there?"
In the Flove family estate.
In one corner of the room, Ar Tune was silently staring down at the broken Brave.
"She must be sad that Sir Ar-on left."
As Eiran spoke worriedly, Lunia and Driana exchanged glances, nodded, and approached Ar Tune.
"How long are you going to be depressed?"
"Indeed. Don't think too much about Sir Ar-on."
At their words of comfort, Ar Tune rose from her spot.
She then entered the room with her head bowed.
"Hey, Ar Tune. Don't be too sad..."
"Don't touch me."
Ar Tune spoke coldly, avoiding Lunia's hand as she tried to touch her shoulder.
At that attitude, Lunia froze for a moment, then narrowed her brow.
"Even so, isn't your attitude a bit too cold?"
"How dare you try to touch me!"
Her mood suddenly shifting, Ar Tune swished away, dodging Lunia's hand.
Lunia stared blankly at Ar Tune, who now wore a triumphant expression.
"I, Ar Tune, was personally acknowledged by Sir Ar-on as his successor! I'm on a different level from you all! A different level!"
At Ar Tune's reaction, Karl leaned back on the sofa and spoke languidly.
"Did you guys really think she'd be moping around?"
Hearing Karl's words, Driana narrowed her brow and asked.
"So? What's this about being on a different level?"
"Lunia, did Lady Luna ever call you her successor? No, right? Driana, you neither, right? It's just me. I'm the one who was acknowledged as a successor by a Great Hero!"
Hmph-! Ar Tune laughed, closing her eyes and nodding her head, "Mmm-hmm-!"
"Ah~ successor. What a beautiful sound."
Muttering the word as if savoring it, Ar Tune's eyes then shot open.
"Does it make sense for someone like me to be on the same level as you?! This is my era now!"
At those words, Lunia and Driana looked at each other and nodded.
Driana went behind the tail-swishing Ar Tune and held her still.
"Ready? Lunia."
"Of course, Driana. Hold her tight. I'm going to hit her hard."
"Aim for the solar plexus."
"Nyaaaaaaah?!"
Watching the three of them cause a ruckus, Karl asked Eiran.
"You're not going to stop them?"
"At this point, there's no use trying, is there?"
"You've grown."
Karl said with admiration, then muttered pitifully as he watched the three.
"Lady Luna, Sir Ar-on, and Sir Dweno would be so sad if they saw this."
"Why?"
"Wouldn't they be sad to see the kids being called their successors acting like this?"
"Somehow, I don't think they'd be sad."
As Eiran scratched her cheek, Karl paused for a moment before nodding.
"I guess you might be right."
The two of them had already lost many of their illusions about the Great Heroes.
"By the way, Sir Leo hasn't come out of his room."
"Right. Could you go check on him? I'll handle these guys."
"T-To Sir Leo's room? At this hour? By myself?"
Eiran, visibly flustered, blushed.
Watching her embarrassed state, Karl scratched his cheek and asked.
"Should I go with you?"
"I'll go alone."
With those words, Eiran quickly left the room.
Watching her leave, Karl muttered.
"She's definitely grown."
***
His room in the estate's mansion.
It was a spacious room, incomparable to the one in the capital's mansion.
This was characteristic of the homes of provincial noble families.
Because the land was vast, the rooms were unnecessarily large.
Sitting in a chair by the window, Leo gazed at the full moon and tossed back the alcohol in his glass.
In his past life as Kyle, he had often enjoyed drinking, but since being reborn, he hadn't partaken much. It wasn't because he was young, nor was it due to school rules.
'It's because there's no particular need to drink.'
The Great Heroes all drank frequently.
And not just the Great Heroes.
All the heroes who lived in that era drank often.
It was to forget, even for a moment, the difficult times.
'Well, that Luna and Dweno really just drank because they enjoyed it.'
Resting his chin on his hand, Leo let out a small laugh and spoke.
"Stop hesitating and come in."
He was already aware that there was a guest at his door.
And of course, he knew who that guest was.
At Leo's words, the small presence flinched, then the door opened cautiously and a face peeked in.
Then, with a gentle smile, she asked.
"Brother Leo, what are you doing?"
"Just thinking."
The visitor was none other than Chelsea.
At Leo's reply, Chelsea entered the room, closed the door, and approached his side.
Her eyes widened when she saw the bottle of alcohol in front of him.
"You're drinking?"
Leo simply smiled in response.
Looking at him, Chelsea hesitated.
Seeing her, Leo gestured to the seat in front of him.
Chelsea sat across from Leo and watched him in silence.
Even under her gaze, Leo continued to look out the window without a word.
The soft moonlight pouring in from outside made Leo's white hair shimmer.
After watching him for a moment, Chelsea took a deep breath as if she had made up her mind.
"Brother Leo."
"Yes."
As Leo replied while pouring a drink, Chelsea hesitated before speaking.
"I heard from Sir Ar-on. That you... are the Hero of the Beginning, Sir Kyle."