Chapter 459

Book 1 Chapter 459

459.

Unrolling the missive sent by the monarch of the Rodlen Empire, Leo began to read.

The surrounding crowd held their breath, intently observing Leo’s face as his eyes scanned the handwritten parchment.

“What does it say? What words did His Imperial Majesty write to you?”

Standing right beside him, Celia questioned eagerly, unable to hide her impatience.

“What is all the commotion about?”

Hearing Leo’s completely indifferent tone, Celia’s face twisted into an expression of sheer exasperation.

“How can you possibly remain this detached?”

While it was true that students from Rumerun were universally held in high esteem and given exceptional treatment wherever they traveled, receiving a personal, handwritten communication directly from the Emperor of Rodlen was an entirely different matter.

The Emperor of Rodlen held absolute dominion over the Western Continent, possessing a level of power that dwarfed that of ordinary rulers governing solitary realms.

This stood in stark contrast to the Xan Empire. Though the Xan Empire matched the Rodlen Empire in sheer national strength, it was widely referred to as the Land of Shadows because it rarely participated in global affairs and preferred to operate in utter secrecy. The Rodlen Empire, conversely, made no effort to conceal its immense might, actively employing its grand influence across the globe, extending far past the borders of the Western Continent to affect the entire world.

“Well? What are the contents?”

Prompted by Avard’s inquiry, Leo slipped the parchment back inside its casing before offering his response.

“It is an offer to enlist in Imperium, the premier hero guild of Rodlen.”

“What did you say?”

“Are those truly the words written there?”

Gasps of astonishment echoed from the surrounding students.

Meanwhile, Reina merely gave a knowing nod, as if she had anticipated this exact outcome.

“Wow, this is truly incredible, isn’t it? Even though he holds the title of the youngest student council president, he is still fundamentally a student. Yet he is being extended an invitation to join—and by none other than Imperium?”

Karl blurted out in amazement.

The Imperium Guild.

Operating as a specialized hero organization directly under the jurisdiction of the Rodlen Imperial Family, it stood as virtually the sole hero guild active within the Western Continent.

Its sheer capability and global standing were rivaled only by Twilight of Rumerun, which was widely celebrated as the supreme hero guild of mankind. Furthermore, Imperium had secured an endless array of legendary triumphs while battling on the perilous borders of Tartarus.

“This is truly exceptional. For Imperium to go so far as to alter their strict entry regulations just to accommodate him is completely without precedent,” Chloe remarked, her voice laced with wonder.

Typically, the Imperium Guild strictly limited its roster to individuals whose achievements had already been cataloged within the Hero Record.

It was renowned worldwide as the solitary association where every single member had officially attained the rank of an acknowledged hero.

Even figures like Jiss Zerdinger and Rozes Rwarin, who had arrived acting as direct emissaries for the Emperor and held substantial authority within the imperial hierarchy, were not listed in the ranks of Imperium because they had not yet earned the formal title of a hero.

“Unbelievable… Even Imperium is eager to secure Leo, who is currently just a prospective hero. But what could compel them to take such an aggressive step? The class president is a member of the Zerdinger family regardless, so wouldn’t his enrollment in Imperium happen naturally once his studies are completed?”

“There must be a pressing motivation forcing Imperium to act with such urgency. Still, isn’t it technically against the rules to enter a hero guild while enrolled as a student?”

As Iliana voiced her skepticism, Nella let out a quiet sigh.

“How much longer do you plan on obstructing our passage?”

“I am currently delivering an official dispatch from His Imperial Majesty, the illustrious sovereign of Rodlen. Watch your tongue and show respect.”

“Do you honestly believe the grand standing of a mortal monarch carries any weight with me?”

From the corridor outside, a haughty voice drifted in, accompanied by the sounds of a heated argument.

A few moments later.

The commotion outside intensified until the entrance was abruptly thrown open, and an exceptionally handsome elf stepped into the room.

The gathered students stared in wide-eyed astonishment at the newcomer.

Eiran’s expression darkened with anxiety, while Lunia knit her brows in evident displeasure.

“A highly aggravating individual has just arrived.”

“Is he someone well-known?”

Ar inquired quietly after overhearing Lunia’s muttered complaint.

Beside him, Karl swallowed hard before speaking.

“Isn’t that man Amadeus, the Crescent Blade?”

“The Crescent Blade?”

“The famous hero associated with Stella Illuminos?”

Murmurs of shock rippled through the assembled youths.

Amadeus Glyce, known widely as the Crescent Blade.

He was a prominent figure within the elven hero guild known as Stella Illuminos, representing a fresh generation of champions whose name had been etched into the Hero Record a mere three years prior.

Among the younger elven heroes, his reputation was unparalleled.

This fame, however, stemmed largely from his radical devotion; he fiercely adhered to the doctrines of Luna and Seirun, constantly glorifying the monumental legacies they had established.

Because of this intense fervor, he was notorious for being an extreme elven supremacist.

“It will turn into a massive headache if he decides to confront Leo and claim he refuses to acknowledge him,” Lunia grumbled, her concern deepening.

It was common knowledge by now that Leo had previously been granted a magical staff by Seirun himself, effectively designating him as Seirun’s legitimate successor.

Even so, within the echelons of elven society, certain factions obstinately denied this reality, loudly proclaiming it to be an aberration.

Unsurprisingly, those factions were entirely comprised of radical supremacists.

If the notorious Amadeus shared those sentiments, he was highly likely to voice them openly.

‘If a person who has actually achieved the rank of an official hero stirs up a dispute now, when Leo’s status as Seirun-nim’s rightful heir has already been publicly validated, it will trigger an immense diplomatic crisis.’

Determined to intercept Amadeus before things escalated, Lunia stood up.

Eiran also rose from his seat, filled with profound unease.

‘The Crescent Blade absolutely cannot be permitted to display insolence toward Leo-nim.’

Aware of the grand truth that Leo was secretly the Hero of Beginnings, Eiran was practically sick with anxiety.

Bracing himself, Eiran prepared to intervene by any means necessary should Amadeus attempt to commit an act of ignorance.

Amidst the palpable tension in the room, Amadeus advanced with measured, deliberate steps directly toward Leo.

“If you have matters to discuss with Leo Flobe, I suggest you wait your turn like everyone else.”

Jiss stepped forward, openly showing his irritation as he blocked the elf’s path.

Amadeus merely sneered, contemptuously brushing Jiss aside to position himself right in front of Leo.

Just as Jiss’s temper was about to flare violently at the blatant disrespect.

Thud—!

The entire room froze, everyone staring blankly at the completely unexpected scene unfolding before them.

“It is a profound privilege to look upon you. I am Amadeus Glyce, the Crescent Blade. Leo Flobe-nim, meeting you in person brings me the ultimate joy.”

Dropping down to a single knee, Amadeus offered a deeply reverent and respectful salutation to Leo.

This was by no means the sort of conduct an older individual would typically show to someone far younger.

Furthermore, Leo was still considered a mere candidate, whereas Amadeus was an officially recognized hero.

Whether considering age or public standing, Amadeus held the superior position.

Yet, despite all of that, the elf maintained the highest level of formal deference toward Leo.

And above all, Leo was a human being.

“It is a pleasure to meet you as well. However, what is the reason for addressing me with such profound formality?”

“Leo-nim stands as the revered Seirun-nim’s chosen successor. For any elf, rendering the utmost devotion to Leo-nim is basic duty. Please, speak to me without any reservation.”

Amadeus raised his head to look at Leo, his gaze burning with an unshakeable intensity.

‘What is going on with his expression?’

Staring down for a brief moment at the elf whose eyes were practically vibrating with an intense, gleaming brilliance, Leo clicked his tongue inwardly.

Individuals of this specific elven archetype were notoriously immune to logical arguments or standard conventions.

Recognizing this trait instantly from his vast experience, Leo decided it was best to simply go along with it.

“Very well, I shall speak plainly then.”

A bright smile broke across Amadeus’s face upon hearing Leo’s casual acceptance.

“So, what brings you here to find me?”

“I have journeyed here specifically to present this communication to Leo-nim.”

Reaching into his garments, Amadeus pulled out a sealed envelope and presented it respectfully to Leo.

The exterior of the missive was stamped clearly with the official emblem of Stella Illuminos.

Watching this transpire, Jiss and Rozes both narrowed their eyes in suspicion.

“The leadership of Stella Illuminos earnestly requests that Leo-nim grace our ranks.”

Amadeus’s eyes flared with passion.

“Stella Illuminos is the very guild established by the great Seirun-nim! Without question, it stands as the most appropriate and deserving home for Leo-nim!”

“Ah, so that explains why the representatives of Imperium hurried over here so quickly.”

“For Stella Illuminos to actively attempt to bring the class president into their organization… this is an earth-shattering development.”

“Given that Leo is the recognized heir to Seirun-nim, it makes logical sense, but… it is incredibly startling nonetheless.”

Stella Illuminos.

Among all the organizations belonging to the elven race, it was viewed as the most elite and prestigious guild in existence.

While it did not enforce a policy where every single member had to be a confirmed hero like Imperium did, it was widely regarded as the single most exclusive guild to enter on the planet.

Their enrollment was strictly restricted to elves, and even then, only a minute fraction of the elven elite were ever granted entry.

The revelation that they were willing to cast aside their sacred regulations to recruit a human like Leo was nothing short of staggering.

“Leo is a citizen belonging to the Rodlen Empire. It is only proper that he affiliates himself with Imperium, our empire’s own organization. For what reason would he ever choose to align with an elven guild?”

When Jiss stepped forward to voice his stern objection, Amadeus rose from his kneeling posture, the corners of his mouth curling upward into a mocking expression.

The respectful demeanor he had displayed while bowing before Leo vanished instantly, replaced by a thoroughly arrogant and disdainful grin.

“Would it not be infinitely more appropriate for Leo-nim, who commands the legacy of Seirun-nim, to take his rightful place within Stella Illuminos?”

A suffocating friction began to build between the two men.

The mood in the room had been volatile ever since the elf rudely forced his way through the doors.

Now, with both sides actively clashing over which faction would claim Leo’s allegiance, the air grew incredibly thick, feeling as though the slightest spark would cause a violent explosion.

The onlookers watched the confrontation with bated breath.

In the midst of this brewing storm, Leo, who had quietly resealed the document, broke the silence.

“I don’t actually have any intention of aligning myself with either Imperium or Stella Illuminos, you know.”

Everyone in the room stared at Leo, completely dumbfounded by his declaration.

He was casually rejecting invitations from two legendary organizations that every aspiring warrior on earth could only dream of entering.

“Wait, are you planning to seek entry into Twilight instead?”

“No, that is not it.”

“Then which organization do you intend to join?”

As the bewildered students stared at him in utter confusion, Leo calmly revealed his plan.

“I intend to establish my own.”

“What?”

Exclamations of utter shock reverberated through the room.

“Well, isn’t that a grand idea? Perhaps we should just set one up right now while everyone is gathered?” Chloe remarked, looking at Leo as if he had just casually suggested forming a basic school club.

“An individual cannot simply build a hero guild out of thin air just because they feel like it. In order to register one, you must first possess the fundamental prerequisite.”

“Are you referring to the requirement where one must officially attain the rank of a hero?”

“Precisely.”

Chloe gave a firm nod confirming Leo’s statement.

Naturally, Leo was already well aware of those structural demands.

However…

‘That is merely a matter of instructing Melina to alter the foundational accords.’

To begin with, Leo’s identity had already been recorded within the pages of the Hero Record under his true persona, Kyle, the Hero of Beginnings.

Furthermore, it occupied the absolute opening page.

There was zero possibility that the record would register his identity a second time.

For Leo, attempting to fulfill the conventional criteria through standard means was highly problematic.

‘I briefly contemplated registering the organization under a different founder’s name, but ultimate authorization for creating a hero guild resides with Dragonia anyway, does it not?’

And the supreme ruler governing Dragonia was none other than Melina, the Dragon Lord.

To an ordinary person, the concept of rewriting global treaties just to found a personal guild would seem like pure insanity.

‘But what is truly impossible? If a path does not exist, I will simply force one open.’

Leo was precisely the type of individual capable of bending such absolute realities to his will.

‘The ideal path would involve me securing a fresh hero title under this name, but that presents severe complications.’

Deep within the subterranean reaches of Rumerun.

At the absolute focal point of the Forbidden Archive, surrounded by countless ancient relics and slumbering testimonies of past legends, rested the Human Hero Record.

Whenever a mortal achieved the status of a true hero, their name would spontaneously manifest upon these pages.

Only an individual chosen directly by the Dragon Lord was permitted to serve as the overseer of this sacred domain.

The grand archivist of Rumerun.

Decitian was currently stationed at the threshold of the Forbidden Archive, his face a mask of solemn stillness.

Flap—!

Abruptly, the heavy, closed bindings of the Hero Record began to turn on their own.

Witnessing this phenomenon, Decitian immediately dropped to his knees.

Having spent centuries guarding the secrets of the Forbidden Archive, he understood the gravity of this event.

This was a manifestation of divine will.

It signified the exact moment a magnificent champion, having accomplished a monumental deed acknowledged by the heavens, was having their identity engraved into the sacred text.

Flap-flap-flap—!

The ancient pages shifted rapidly, fluttering in rapid succession.

Thud—!

At last, the movement ceased as the absolute final page settled open.

Whoosh—!

Accompanied by a radiating brilliance, letters began to materialize upon the parchment.

Decitian trembled with profound awe as he bore witness to the magnificent light signaling the emergence of a new savior.

After a brief period, the radiant glow subsided.

Decitian, who had remained perfectly motionless in a posture of deepest reverence while the writing was inscribed, slowly stood up and approached the ancient ledger.

His eyes widened in absolute bewilderment.

Normally, the Hero Record was filled with a dense amount of information. It detailed not only the chosen names of the champions but also the grand epithets granted to them by the divine entities, alongside a meticulous chronicle of the legendary feats they had performed.

Consequently, every page of the chronicle was typically packed with text.

Yet, what he looked upon now was entirely pristine, save for a single line.

There were no grand titles bestowed by the deities, nor were there any descriptions of heroic triumphs.

The vast space held nothing but a solitary name.

[Leo Flobe.]