Chapter 483
Chapter Title: The Shadow's Duty
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483.
"What's with him all of a sudden?"
Leo narrowed his eyes, observing Tamus's abrupt change in demeanor.
As if in disbelief.
He suddenly looked dazed and began muttering, "No way! This can't be happening!"
"He was a lunatic before, but he wasn't acting like he'd completely lost his mind."
[By your will, the Hero title has been revoked.]
[The name of Tamus, the Knight of the Netherworld, has been erased from the Hero Record.]
"What?"
Leo's expression turned to one of astonishment at the message that had suddenly appeared before him.
It was an utterly absurd situation.
Leo instantly understood why the Knight of the Netherworld had reacted so strangely.
"How ridiculous."
Publicly, the Hero Record was known as the last gift the gods left on the mortal plane 5,000 years ago, after the end of the Age of Calamity.
In truth, however, the master of the Hero Record was the Hero of the Beginning, Kyle.
"Of course, since I'm a figure who died and vanished long ago, the gods have been in charge of the Hero Record for the past 5,000 years."
Even if they had departed the mortal plane, the gods would never have withdrawn their interest in it.
"Back in the Age of Gods, they chose the mortal plane as their playground partly out of boredom, but it was also because they fundamentally loved this world."
They could no longer intervene, but the gods were surely still watching over the world.
Thus, anyone who caught a god's eye could have their name recorded in the Hero Record.
Catching a god's eye was, in itself, an incredibly difficult feat.
But it also meant that anyone chosen by the gods could be revered as a hero, regardless of their character.
"Trying to understand the way those beings think is impossible anyway."
In this current era, devoid of gods, people held them in extremely high esteem.
Yet, among those who had actually lived through the Age of Gods, the deities were often considered nothing more than a nuisance.
That was why Leo couldn't consider someone a hero simply for being acknowledged by the gods.
"Not a single one of these people is fit to be a hero."
Leo narrowed his eyes as he looked over the members of the Justice Guild.
"But still, to think I have the authority to erase names from the Hero Record?"
Come to think of it, not only the Book of Shadows but also the records of heroes from before the Hero Record's creation had been entered into it according to his will.
"If I have the authority to add records, it's not that strange to have the authority to delete them. Still, this is an unbelievable power."
He could grant and revoke the title of Hero according to his will.
In the Age of Heroes, this was a power beyond imagination—no, it was a divine authority.
"If this gets out, won't people start worshiping me as an actual god?"
Leo let out a dry laugh.
"This is a heavy responsibility. It's not like I'm Lisinas or something."
"What an interesting conversation. You're the Hero of the Beginning?"
Jerome burst out laughing as he looked at Leo.
"Are you referring to the Great Hero, the All-Class, who passed from this world 5,000 years ago?"
"I've never once gone around claiming to be Kyle."
Leo said nonchalantly.
"He's just spouting nonsense on his own."
The moment Leo looked at Tamus.
"What have you done to me?!"
Tamus roared, his voice filled with fury.
*Gwooooooo-!*
The air trembled with his shout.
The executives of the Justice Guild flinched.
A terrifying killing intent erupted from Tamus's body.
"Hup!?"
"Kugh!"
The faces of the Justice Guild members paled at the formidable pressure he exuded.
Jerome narrowed his eyes.
"Power on par with a Legion Commander."
It was a power that rivaled the Legion Commander they had once subjugated in the World of Heroes.
"As expected of a hero who once carried an era on his shoulders. This will be a worthy kill."
"This isn't the time to be making such carefree remarks."
"What did you say?"
"He looks like more than you can handle. Wouldn't it be better to run?"
Leo said nonchalantly, crossing his arms.
Seeing this, Jerome's lips curled into a smirk.
"How arrogant. Just because you became student council president in your first year and a hero in your second, you think you're untouchable?"
A powerful spiritual energy flowed from Jerome's body.
"No matter how much you boast, you're just a kid. Overestimate your abilities so recklessly, and you won't live long..."
"Kraaaaaah!"
*Kwaaaaaang-!*
Before Jerome could finish his sentence.
Tamus pulled a sword from a subspace and charged at Leo.
The greatsword, wreathed in jet-black Aura, descended upon Leo.
*Fwoooooosh! Kwagagagang-!*
With the impact, Leo was sent flying straight into the ground below.
Jerome's expression changed drastically at the sight.
"I couldn't even see the attack. Did he use spatial movement?"
It was an attack so fast it far surpassed Jerome's perception.
"Our opponent was once a hero who carried an entire era on his shoulders. Treat him as a Legion Commander-class monster."
At his words, the Justice Guild executives quickly fell into formation.
They were veteran heroes who had conquered countless Worlds of Heroes.
As veterans who had experienced and overcome countless trials, they were able to maintain their composure even in the face of Tamus's transcendent power.
"Should we consider him an opponent on par with the Sword Saint?"
Jerome nodded in response to Chain's question.
"Yes."
*Flash-!*
Countless spirits of light were summoned in the air.
"Then, shall we execute justice?"
***
*Kwaaaaaang-!*
Leo's body slammed into the ground, carving out a crater.
"Kyaaaaaah!"
"Wha- what was that?"
Nearby buildings crumbled, and screams echoed from all directions.
*Rumble-!*
As Leo pushed himself up, the sound of falling stone fragments filled the air.
"He's definitely strong."
*Crack-*
Leo rolled his stiff neck from side to side as he rose from the rubble.
The place he had been sent flying to was none other than the royal palace.
Just as everyone stared in shock at Leo, who had just fallen from the sky.
"Sir Leo!"
The crown prince, Jeremin, rushed over to Leo.
"What's going on?!"
"Crown Prince Jeremin. Perfect timing."
Leo smiled upon seeing a familiar face.
"The Knight of the Netherworld has been resurrected as an undead."
"The Knight of the Netherworld?"
Jeremin looked perplexed.
He, too, had heard of the Knight of the Netherworld.
In fact, any inhabitant of the northeastern continent would know of the hero.
But the claim that a hero from 3,000 years ago had been resurrected as an undead was hard to believe.
After a moment of bewilderment, Jeremin's expression turned serious.
"What should we do?"
He hadn't known Leo for long.
But as the crown prince destined to one day lead a nation, Jeremin had a good judge of character.
He knew Leo would never speak idly.
"If we're unlucky, this entire capital could be razed to the ground."
"The entire capital?"
Jeremin looked horrified.
"Yes."
"He's stronger than the Sword Saint."
Comparing him to the Sword Saint, Kalian, as a hero was preposterous.
It was an insult to Kalian's very being.
However, as a knight, Tamus was undeniably powerful.
A proper fight against someone like Tamus could easily wipe a city off the map.
"Yes. We need to evacuate the people of the capital to the safest possible location."
"I will command the soldiers and evacuate our people to safety."
Jeremin said with a resolute expression.
"You could die, you know."
"The lives of my people come first."
Leo smirked, looking at Jeremin's determined reply.
"I like you."
"I heard that an army of the dead is invading from outside the capital. What should we do about that?"
"There's someone suited to command the soldiers for that. Lil."
-Yes, Master!
"You come from a military family, so you've received training as a commander, haven't you?"
-It's inadequate, but I have. Of course, it's nothing compared to you, Master. Ah, there's so much to learn from you...
Neatly ignoring Lil's self-deprecation, Leo turned back to Jeremin.
"Can I entrust command of the defense to Lil?"
"To Lil? I will request military authority from His Majesty..."
"Lil? Are you referring to the hero candidate?"
An arrogant voice cut in.
King Kanel was approaching, accompanied by a group clad in white armor and robes.
"The Justice Guild?"
Leo looked on with a puzzled expression.
"A moment ago, the Justice Guild declared that they would save our nation from the vile attacks of Tartaros."
King Kanel said in a confident voice.
Seeing this, Leo let out a dry laugh.
"Father. Even so, we must evacuate the people to safety."
"Hmph. Do not speak such foolishness. The brave heroes of the Justice Guild, led by Jerome the Light Seeker, will subjugate the Knight of the Netherworld, a specter of the past. A hasty evacuation will only sow chaos among the capital's citizens. Members of the Justice Guild have already been dispatched throughout the city to reassure the people. Do not act rashly!"
At the king's words, a member of the Justice Guild spoke up.
"The Guild Master and our executives will soon deliver news of their victory."
At those confident words, Leo glanced up at the sky.
"I wouldn't be so sure about that."
*Gwooooooooooo-!*
A storm of Aura erupted from the Knight of the Netherworld.
The storm of Aura completely vaporized a knight-class hero who was holding the front line, leaving no trace behind.
"Hah!"
"Hup?!"
Gasps of shock erupted from the Justice Guild members.
*Fwoong-!*
Then, the Knight of the Netherworld swung a golden greatsword he had pulled from a subspace.
*Thwack-!*
And someone's head went flying.
"Gah!"
"Ch-Chain!"
A mage hero renowned across the continent.
Even Chain, the vice guild master of the Justice Guild, had lost his life.
Seeing this, terror spread through the ranks of the Justice Guild.
As the atmosphere grew grim, King Kanel spoke urgently.
"Heroes of the Justice Guild! You must hurry and aid them..."
But before the king could finish, the members of the Justice Guild began to flee in haste.
"H-Hey! Wait!"
King Kanel called out to them desperately, but they were already gone.
"Just as expected from those who became heroes by farming karma."
Leo narrowed his eyes.
To think they'd flee without a second thought, even while holding the title of Hero, just because their leaders had fallen so easily.
"Did the gods know these people were such trash when they made them heroes? They have terrible taste."
"Y-Your Majesty. What are we to do now?"
one of the ministers asked, his face a mask of bewilderment.
King Kanel's body trembled.
"To the warp gate! Now! Secure the treasures!"
King Kanel shouted frantically.
Jeremin stepped in front of the king, blocking his path.
"What are you doing! Out of my way!"
"Father, may I take command of the military?"
"Nonsense at a time like this! Move!"
"Since you won't be using it, why not pass that military command to your son?"
Leo stood beside Jeremin.
King Kanel flinched at Leo's cold smile and shouted.
"Do as you please! Now get out of my way!"
At his words, Jeremin bowed his head, and Leo stepped aside as well.
"Then, Crown Prince. I'll leave the ground to you. I'm going to take care of him."
"If you join forces with the Justice Guild, can you defeat him?"
"They'll probably just run. Or die."
Leo said nonchalantly.
"Alone... you intend to fight a monster like that? This kingdom has no connection to you, Sir Leo. So why?"
Jeremin asked, his expression bewildered.
Fighting the Knight of the Netherworld, a foe even the Justice Guild couldn't stop, was a suicidal act by anyone's measure.
No one would blame Leo for retreating here.
In fact, most would probably prefer the promising young hero to preserve his own life.
And yet, Leo intended to face this colossal threat head-on.
To Jeremin's question, Leo replied nonchalantly.
"If there are those who threaten, there must also be those who save."
"Is that your creed as a hero, Sir Leo?"
"No, it's something a friend of mine said."
Leo smiled faintly.
"He didn't really consider it a creed, either. It was more like... a principle of nature, I guess?"
"A principle of nature?"
"Yes. That's how balance is maintained, isn't it?"
Is there any special reason for the evil that threatens people's lives today?
If not, then there's no special reason needed for the good that saves them.
That's just how the world works.
"And he said that a hero is someone who stands against that reasonless evil for no reason at all."
It's not being special that makes you a hero.
The simple act of showing goodwill is what makes you special.
Leo chuckled and said.
"Anyas."
At Leo's call, shadows led by a figure named Anyas emerged.
Jeremin was startled by their sudden appearance.
"Your orders."
"Do what the heroes couldn't."
"Sir?"
Anyas, who had been bowing her head, looked up at Leo in confusion.
"I told you, didn't I? A shadow's job is to do what heroes cannot."
Leo smiled.
"Countless heroes have abandoned this city."
Leo grinned.
"So, it's obvious what the shadows must do, isn't it?"
"You mean..."
"It's time for you, the shadows, to protect the city these heroes have abandoned."