Chapter 21 A Month Later

    "A month has whisked by since our valiant Heroes were called forth. How fare their progress?" the Emperor of the illustrious Empire of Light asked, his regal form settled upon the throne like a sovereign oak.

    "Their strides are nothing short of remarkable, Your Majesty. They exceed our loftiest expectations, eclipsing even our most optimistic projections," replied Oscar, the Commander entrusted with the stewardship of the Heroes'' development.

    Though barely breaching the threshold of his thirties, Oscar possessed a rare blend of talent and charisma, earning him the esteemed role of overseeing the Heroes'' ascent.

    But he wasn''t alone in his assessment.

    "Certainly, I concur," affirmed Cecilia with a sage nod.

    "And who among them stands out as the most in terms of prowess?" queried Emperor Philip.

    "Hero Jason undoubtedly emerges as the pinnacle of strength and skill. He has vanquished formidable beasts and dispatched mighty demons with aplomb. Following closely behind are Hero Sienna, Hero Aiden, and Hero Gwen. Siara Parker, Aisha Miura, and Courtney Turner also exhibit considerable prowess, with their teacher, Sarah, displaying formidable defensive capabilities," elucidated Oscar, drawing from the wealth of insights gleaned during the past month''s rigorous training.

    "A heartening revelation indeed," remarked the Emperor, his countenance suffused with satisfaction. The burgeoning strength of the Heroes augured well for their impending confrontation with the Demon King.

    "Truly, they seem to be blessed by the divine," chimed in the Empress, her voice brimming with delight.

    "Father, I believe he is a remarkable man," Adelia responded, her smile imbued with warmth. "Strong, kind, and utterly dependable."

    With a nod of agreement, the Emperor''s smile widened. "Thus, we must ensure the continuity of our realm''s prosperity, whether by their hand or otherwise. Adelia."

    "Yes, Father?" responded Princess Adelia, her visage radiant with grace.

    Oscar''s words trailed off, with anger. Though he harbored disdain for Nathan''s disrespectful demeanor, he found himself powerless to remedy the situation without tarnishing his own reputation.

    "Is this indeed the case, Cecilia?" Asked the Emperor, turning his attention to Cecilia, who shared responsibility for the Heroes'' training.

    Cecilia nodded, her expression a mix of puzzlement and concern. "Yes, Your Majesty, but there''s something about him... he doesn''t seem malicious."

    Though initially put off by Nathan''s arrogance regarding his status, Cecilia couldn''t help but notice his surprisingly amiable demeanor towards her. Despite his occasional flirtations, he never crossed any boundaries, leaving her to wonder if there might be an underlying issue, perhaps an illness, given his perpetual drowsiness.

    "I''ve attempted to address his behavior respectfully, considering his status as a Hero. However, his disregard for authority, even toward the Empire itself, is troubling. It could pose a danger in the future. I''ve refrained from taking drastic measures thus far, as per Amelia Carter''s request that her students not be coerced into combat. But..." Oscar''s voice trailed off, his frustration evident as he carefully embellished the truth, painting Nathan as a potential threat to the Empire should he fall into the wrong hands.

    The Emperor''s brow furrowed at the implication of a Hero betraying their homeland. Such a scenario was not unheard of; Khione still vividly remembered the repercussions of such a mistake.

    Despite Nathan''s apparent lack of prowess, his lineage as a Hero rendered him a potential liability.

    "There is nothing to worry about." A beautiful voice rang.

    As if on cue, the doors of the throne hall swung open once more, revealing a woman of unparalleled beauty: Khione.

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