CHAPTER 88: THE KINGDOM’S HERO

Throughout my past life, the highest Cadre Magivore I ever witnessed was Cadre 4.

And, even then, I was merely a Mid-Rank Knight at the periphery of battle, not one of the main characters who ended up subduing it.

I did hear rumors of a Cadre 5 Magivore, and I know it took the efforts of the entire Kingdom to finally defeat that monstrosity. I didn’t get the full details of it, since the Kingdom’s situation was a lot different back then than it is now, but it must have been the Thorn Overseer Vine.

It claimed the lives of millions of people.

Only thanks to the efforts of the Royal Knights, as well as the Kingdom’s elite, did they manage to finally defeat the creature and bring safety back to the Randalorion Kingdom.

But, at what cost?

The Civil War... the Sarvosia Kingdom invasion... and the Magivore attack...

The Randalorion Kingdom’s ruin was set in stone.

I wasn’t very concerned about the Magivore attack after my return because I simply knew nothing about it, only hearing murmurs and rumors. But, I did know it was still far ahead in the future and wouldn’t be of any significance in the present.

I was wrong.

Cadre 5 Noble Plant Type Magivore, Thorn Overseer Vine, attacked Count Winchester’s land and was stopped by the surviving forces—mostly the efforts of The Wandering Nine—led by the First Rate Scholar and Hero of the Randalorion Kingdom...

... Javier Aditi.

That’s what they’re all saying.

I tried to bring up Brad and his sacrifice, but the nature of the Kingdom’s politics has caused his role in the battle to be largely underplayed.

Naturally, I know the cause.

It’s because Brad is a Druid, and he used Druid Arts in the battle... something the Kingdom has chosen to suppress in its broadcast of information. Druids are extremely rare, and their powers are either sought out or feared as a result.

Look at Brad as an example.

A man like him was able to control a Cadre 5 Magivore all on his own.

Sure, the effects were only temporary, and it was at the cost of his life, but he still managed such a feat. What if he had malicious intentions? If he used that power to launch an attack at the Randalorion Kingdom, would it not be disastrous?

This is the thought process that most people have about Druids and their power.

It... is too dangerous.

Cadre 5 Magivores exist as the limit of what humanity can handle. Anything beyond that Cadre is on another level entirely, capable of wiping out a Kingdom.

If Brad could control a Cadre 5 Magivore, it isn’t difficult to imagine that there could be far more impressive Druids out there who can control even more powerful ones. The more you think about it, the more you can understand the Kingdom’s hesitance to place him as the face of the Kingdom.

But, I cannot accept it!

I promised Brad that I would remember him... and that his sacrifice would be remembered. As such, I couldn’t simply let the Kingdom get away with trivializing his accomplishment.

Because of this, we ended up reaching an agreement.

A sort of impasse, if you will.

Brad has finally been given a portion of the honor he is due, but so has the rest of the Wandering Nine by extension. In the end, all of us have been collectively recognized as the heroes of the Kingdom, and not him alone.

Of course, this means I’ll have to give up most of the rewards that come with being recognized as the Kingdom’s top hero, but I don’t care.

My friends were there too, and without them... we would not have won.

Even though Brad deserves the most honor, I have decided to settle for the recognition of our entire group—the Wandering Nine.

Even with Brad dying, we have refused to change our name.

But, Brad’s death isn’t the only thing that has changed with our group and its members.

Rupert lost one of his arms.

Even with the effects of Potions, due to the dense mystical elements of the Magivore, it can’t be recovered. As such, he will be forced to live the rest of his life as a one-armed cripple.

For a Fabricant like him, that is an immense loss.

However, it isn’t as bad as Austin, who is now paralyzed from the waist down thanks to the incredible damage he has suffered from this experience. It’s honestly a miracle that he is still alive, and, believe it or not, things could have actually turned out a lot worse for him.

He would have suffered permanent brain damage, turning him into a living vegetable, if Esther hadn’t made it to him in time.

Then there’s Nathania... who ended up suffering a miscarriage.

Sigh...

We actually wanted to exclude her from this mission, but she insisted on tagging along, promising not to engage in any combat at all. Since her specialty is defense, we were sure she would be fine, even if she tagged along.

But... the situation ended up being so dire, and the pressure was so great.

She ended up losing her child.

Even with Shamanic Arts and the Spells at their disposal, Fernand and Nathania could not recover their child.

In the end, they simply had to accept the ugly truth.

The rest of us were lucky, hence we got off easy—only suffering injuries that could be treated with sufficient Potions and enough rest.

Still, it’s obvious that our group will no longer be the same as it used to be.

The Wandering Nine... will likely be disbanded soon.

Experiencing the terror of that Cadre 5 Magivore still gives me nightmares, and I have over seventy years of life experiences. I can only imagine how traumatic that event was for the rest of the team members and the few others who survived apart from our group.

Many of them will either retire or choose safer missions, unable to fall into such risk again.

I don’t expect them to try anything dangerous for a while.

But... despite all of this...

... We are still a family.

I’m glad.

I was afraid that this experience would cause us to drift apart, but the contrary has happened. It has only brought us closer together.

There is no resentment at all among us, and we all empathize with each other.

Truly... I am so glad.

Even though Brad is no longer with us, I will ensure that his legacy lives on.

I haven’t forgotten my promise to him.

Someday...

... I will fulfill it and ensure that his death wasn’t for nothing.

Then there’s the matter of the flute.

Thankfully, no one was conscious when he gave it to me. I have chosen to hide it, keeping it safe from the untrustworthy grasp of the Kingdom. In my report, I lied that it must have been an Expenditure-type Armament, destroyed after a single use.

Thankfully, they believed me.

I was afraid that they would subject me to more intense interrogations or force me to drink Potions that would compel me to speak the truth, but that didn’t happen.

I have no idea how to use the Armament, though, and after seeing what became of Brad after using it, I don’t intend to. I simply wish to return it to his people, or perhaps the Vey’lithars, when I find their Sanctuary.

Until then, I will keep it with me and guard it with my life.

With the demise of the Cadre 5 Thorn Overseer Vine, our payment for defeating the creature came in abundance. Count Winchester truly did not stint on rewards, and the Kingdom even stepped in to offer more rewards.

However, as expected, we were not allowed to harvest the Magivore or keep its resources for ourselves. Instead, the Kingdom moved in and took all the valuable pieces from it.

That includes the Sovereign Thorns, used in Binding Spells, as well as the Overseer Core—a Rank 5 Special Resource that can be used to make an A Grade Armament, or even be used as a major ingredient for a Grade 6 Masterwork Potion.

Needless to say, the parts of the Thorn Overseer Vine are very valuable and too rare to be given to independent workers.

There isn’t even a market for any Special Resource above Rank 4, which means we wouldn’t even have been able to sell it anyway. And making a Potion or Armament with such materials is far above any of our areas of expertise.

Leaving it to the Kingdom, in exchange for countless other usable rewards, was the right choice.

Then, for the final news—

"Dahlia and I have been invited to the Royal Palace on behalf of our group for a Celebration Party, where they plan to publicly acknowledge our efforts and grant us an official Title," I announce the news to my colleagues after gathering everyone together.

As expected, they gawk in shock

After all, this is incredible news—a very big deal.

Right now, the Wandering Nine is recognized throughout the Kingdom, but we still possess unofficial positions in the Kingdom. However, with a title comes official roles, responsibilities, powers, and even land.

We will essentially be revered as part of the Kingdom’s upper echelon.

But... not quite.

In actual terms, we will essentially be dogs on a leash, at the beck and call of the High Nobles and Royals, without the ability to refuse as Mercenaries.

We’d be no different from Knights.

After discussing with everyone, we have chosen to refuse the Title, but we will be taking the other rewards that will be given. For example, a lot of foreign envoys will be in attendance, so this will increase our reputation and allow us to freely travel to other Kingdoms and continue our activities there.

Money and Resources will also be given to us in abundance.

But, of course, this official Title situation has to be avoided and rejected at all costs.

"There’s a reason only Dahlia and I have been invited. Even though they say it’s so we can represent the team, it’s actually because we’re the only ones with ties to Nobility."

Dahlia is the daughter of a Duke, and I... well, I’m me.

Everyone else in the group doesn’t have that advantage, and the fact that the High Nobles and Royals are unwilling to compromise shows their stance and view of us. Even though we have been elevated to the level of heroes, they still clearly look down on us.

The moment we become uncontrollable or grow too popular, they will be the first to cut our wings. That is simply the brutal world of politics.

"I’m not going." Dahlia scoffs, shrugging casually without a care in the world. "I’ve cut ties with my past already, and I no longer wish to be involved with that life."

A wry smile forms on my face.

I would be lying if I said I didn’t expect this response.

"Looks like it’s just me that will be attending. Don’t worry, I’ll represent everyone properly..." I smile confidently, hiding my deep sigh.

I know the Kingdom will use this as a chance to bring me to the limelight, pushing Javier Aditi as the center of attention so that my face will become publicly recognized as the ’Hero.’

But I can’t help it.

If this will bring me and my friends the greatest benefit, then I will gladly do so.

As much as they are using us... We are also using them.

Until, eventually, we no longer have to.

Brad has shown me it is possible—true freedom is attainable if I choose to bear hope in my heart.

And that is what I have decided to do.

So to hell with this Kingdom’s acknowledgments and its politics.

I choose my own path.

But... at least for this current moment, I will bask in it.

All in the pursuit of freedom!

***********

"You really did it, Javier..."

A deep voice echoes out within a simple, but refined room. It is filled with pristine furniture and grand decorations that ooze chivalry and knightly glory.

The man who speaks has a cleanly cut raven black hair, with graying streaks running across both sides. His well-trimmed beards accentuate the maturity of his face, and despite the age evident in his countenance, his eyes twinkle like those of a little child.

With a hand fervently holding a letter, he sends his gaze traveling to once again read its content for the umpteenth time. Every time his eyes catch his son’s name, his heart bursts with pride, and his smile broadens.

"You proved me wrong. Disregarding what I, and everyone else said, you followed your own path and have achieved great success in the end." Damon Aditi nods in acknowledgment, not ashamed to recognize his own defeat.

In the end, his son, Javier, accomplished everything he said he would.

No, he did even more.

The Aditi Household is flourishing, experiencing prosperity that has never graced its doorstep since its inception. Now, there’s even a chance for it to become a High-Rank Knight Household.

Damon Aditi would never have expected something like this to happen.

Not in his lifetime.

Not by a son he considered average at best.

"But... it looks like I have a habit of being wrong about everything." A gentle smile plays on his face as he casts a glance at a portrait in the room.

It is of him and his wife.

He recounts all the mistakes he made and how he nearly lost everything at some point in his life.

But, because of a single conversation he had with his son that fateful night...

"So much has changed since then."

He closes his eyes, raising his head, and reminisces while smiling.

In the end, he managed to mend things with his wife, delaying their eventual divorce by a year so he could change. A year has passed now, and she still hasn’t left him, proving that somehow... his feelings must have gotten through to her.

Then, there are his children.

Both of them are currently in the Aditi Household, visiting temporarily to share the news of Javier’s accomplishments before eventually departing once more.

Selicia has become a Knight, and she’s currently training under Sir Jerome Sirius.

Craig... well, he is forging connections and currently acts as a Senior Manager in Javier’s Company. He still holds interests in the arts and often hosts concerts to perform, but Damon can see his accomplishments in the world.

All of his children are faring so well... and all because they chose their own paths.

"Am I glad?" He whispers. "Am I relieved that they didn’t listen to me and chose to do what it is that they wanted to do in the end?"

Damon isn’t certain.

He thinks back to his past and how he had no choice but to help his mother.

"If... perhaps if things were different... could I also..." He stops himself before saying anything he would regret. Words are things one can’t take back, and despite how much his perspective has changed, he does not wish to linger in regret.

His path, his choice, was right.

But now... he sees that the path his children have taken isn’t wrong either.

This is simply life.

And, despite his very conservative mind, and his hesitance to fully embrace the changes of the world, Damon Aditi is certain of one thing:

"I’m proud of you..."

CREAK...

A loud, steady sound echoes from the door leading to his room.

"Hm...?" Damon snaps out of his reverie, mild surprise flashing in his eyes. "Honey, is that you?"

Only a few people can enter his room without knocking.

Even his children usually follow protocol, and Javier—the sole Heir to the Household—isn’t an exception to this. The only one within the Household who dares open the door without knocking is Janith, his wife.

And, just as one would expect, her face slowly appears from behind the door.

"Oh, it’s you. Why did you open the door like tha...t?"

Damon stops.

His voice falters at the last word, and he feels a sudden lump stuck in his throat. Both in response to the sight he witnesses as well as deep, unimaginable grief.

Grief... and dread.

Janith’s face indeed pokes from behind the door, but not the rest of her body.

As her yellow blond hair dances softly in the air, with her jade green eyes wide open, her skin continues to pale as blood drips down her severed neck.

Then, without warning, someone else emerges from the door, holding Janith’s head as though it were nothing but a lifeless vase. With the apparel of a traveler, his brown cloak flutters gently, just like his blond hair, as he walks in with a composed demeanor.

He flashes a friendly smile, his crimson eyes warmly sparkling with delight.

Then, with a warm voice that floats in the air like a melodious song, he sends an eerie greeting to the dazed man who has just become a widower.

"Hello."

[A/N: Shit is about to get real now! Also, fun fact... the way the mysterious Leviathan says "Hello" reminds me of Pennywise in "IT: Part 2 Trailer" when he appears to that girl with the fireflies and offers the same greeting."]