Chapter 480

480.

[Indeed, a situation of that nature is unfolding in the northeastern section of the continent at this very moment.]

Mel exhaled a heavy sigh.

[As for the Justice Guild, the blame lies with me. My failure to oversee them properly has resulted in tarnishing your sight and hearing, Leo.]

“There is no need for you to express regret to me regarding that matter.”

Leo replied in a composed tone.

It was the break of dawn.

Leo was currently in contact with Mel.

The early hours of autumn carried a distinct chill.

Leo took a sip of warm tea made from wild flora he had gathered within the woods.

[Would it be wise to deploy other champion factions or perhaps Lumern?]

“No, a single misstep could trigger an internal conflict. Ultimately, Justice possesses massive influence. Initiating a public intervention would be unwise.”

Leo possessed sufficient strength to dismantle the Justice Guild entirely.

Without question, a solitary command from Leo could summon covert operatives across the globe.

Furthermore, the Dragon Lord functioned as Leo’s de facto representative.

Yet, despite that capability, losses would inevitably occur.

Particularly if the individuals involved lacked rational comprehension.

‘It is wisest to avoid any self-destructive conflicts while the Necromancer King remains at large.’

“Revealing their duplicity to the world will suffice to yield the desired outcome.”

Mel signaled her agreement with a nod to Leo’s assessment.

“The most pressing matter at present is overseeing the champion burial grounds scattered across the globe.”

[Indeed, if the populace discovers that the Necromancer King is reanimating legendary champions as thralls, global panic will ensue.]

“That is undeniable.”

Leo let out a deep breath.

Since ancient eras, the undead had been regarded with profound loathing and scorn by living society.

But what would transpire if a legendary figure, whose exploits were immortalized in the Hero Record, was turned into a walking corpse?

‘The reputation of that champion would be utterly ruined.’

If that individual possessed no remaining lineages in the mortal realm, the issue might end there.

However, if the scions of that champion had established a dominant lineage, the repercussions would be severe.

The dignity of their progenitor would be dragged through the mud.

‘That circumstance by itself would incite immense discord throughout the world.’

Leo sighed heavily once more.

‘I must devise a method to safeguard the dignity of those champions who are resurrected as the undead.’

Leo focused his gaze intently.

“Anticipating the worst possible outcome, which champion would pose the greatest threat as an adversary?”

[The most perilous prospect is Tamus, the Knight of the Underworld. Particularly when you consider that the territory you occupy was formerly beneath his jurisdiction… it is highly probable that the Necromancer King aims to resurrect him as a thrall.]

The gravity in Mel’s tone caused Leo to look perplexed.

“Is the Knight of the Underworld truly that formidable? The accounts I encountered suggested he was merely an uncooperative individual driven by resentment toward the Heroes of Genesis, correct?”

Leo manifested a doubtful expression.

“Furthermore, there are scarcely any accounts regarding him left within the Hero Record.”

It was a common occurrence for an ancient warrior to lack documentation in the Hero Record, given that innumerable archives had perished over time.

Because Leo possessed minimal knowledge regarding the true nature of Tamus, he found Mel’s intense apprehension bewildering.

[You are aware, Leo, that prior to the ascension of the Heroes of Genesis, he was widely regarded as the most potent warrior across the land during that epoch.]

“I am.”

[His strength was so immense that Rodia herself viewed him as a potential member for the Heroes of Genesis. In truth, he was a companion who journeyed alongside Rodia during her campaign across Lisinas’s world.]

“Rodia did?”

Dragons were entities responsible for designating champions.

And the specific Rodia whom Leo had interacted with directly possessed immense intellect.

She was an astute dragon, fully deserving of her status as the heir to Lisinas.

If a being of Rodia’s stature chose to travel with an individual, their capability was beyond question.

[In point of fact, it is documented within Rodia’s personal recollections that he wielded enough raw power to stand as an equal to the Heroes of Genesis when the great peril returned.]

“How did a warrior of that caliber come to abandon the world in its hour of peril?”

[The chronicles state that the Knight of the Underworld subdued the realms of legendary figures, yet he failed to claim a solitary triumph prize.]

“He permitted the global crisis to unfold simply over a petty grievance like that?”

[…The matter was not entirely restricted to that reason.]

“What else was there?”

Mel paused momentarily in uncertainty, then manifested a miniature dimensional gateway to transfer a volume directly to Leo’s position.

It was a component of Rodia’s personal recollections, preserved within the Dragonian vaults and accessible solely to the Dragon Lord.

‘This differs from the historical record I perused previously. Is this more akin to a personal journal?’

The text Rodia had compiled in the past bore the distinct impression of a formalized chronicle, brimming with calculated presentation.

‘It was overflowing with vanity. That conceited reptile.’

Leo clicked his tongue in distaste, recalling his past encounter with Rodia, before opening the journal.

He proceeded to scan the passages rapidly.

Before long, narratives pertaining to the Sovereign of Tarim, Tamus, came into view.

‘A phantom evoker? A commander of innumerable phantoms?’

Prior to attaining knighthood, he was a potent phantom evoker, directing an entire military order composed of spectral entities, utilizing the relics of fallen champions as conduits.

‘This capability mirrors that of Lisinas.’

Leo felt a sense of admiration.

It became clear why Rodia had viewed Tamus as a viable champion to preserve existence.

Nevertheless, aside from references to his martial prowess, numerous passages conveyed deep apprehension.

[Much like Lisinas initially welcomed Kyle as a comrade, I likewise chanced upon a human as my foundational ally. Yet he diverged greatly from Kyle. While Kyle possessed an unrefined demeanor… Tamus harbors a vainglorious nature and a malicious temperament. Am I capable of steering him toward righteousness?]

Rodia’s primary source of anxiety centered around the disposition of the champion Tamus.

Subsequently, she aligned with the legendary combatant Azonia, followed by the extraordinary sorcerer Seirun.

Thereafter, Demian the Indomitable entered the fold.

In contrast to the concerning behavior of the Knight of the Underworld, Rodia’s assembly flourished in strength, liberating numerous champion realms.

Yet, unlike his peers who accepted triumph prizes from the domains of extraordinary champions, Tamus ultimately obtained nothing.

In the midst of these circumstances, a pivotal event transpired.

[On this date, I encountered a human designated as Lumern. He stands as a champion who liberated Kyle’s domain entirely on his own.]

Rodia exhibited a notably enthusiastic sentiment regarding her introductory encounter with Lumern.

Far more so than during her introductions to her other allies.

“Hold on a moment.”

Leo, detecting a specific sentiment radiating from the script, diverted his gaze from the journal to look at Mel.

“Is it possible that Rodia… harbored affections for Lumern?”

[Indeed. She appears to have experienced infatuation upon their very first meeting.]

“Is that so? Was Lumern conscious of this development?”

[The journals of the Heroes of Genesis are preserved within Dragonia. Upon reviewing Lumern’s personal accounts, it appeared he recognized Rodia’s sentiments. Consequently, he experienced great anxiety.]

“What caused his anxiety?”

[Seirun additionally possessed romantic feelings for Lumern. Is that not a dramatic turn of events?]

Leo emitted a mirthless chuckle.

“He must have found himself in quite a predicament, without a doubt. Knowing the temperaments of Rodia and Seirun, they must have pursued him with significant intensity.”

[On the contrary, neither individual openly pursued Lumern.]

“Were they acting uncharacteristically reserved? Well, our deceitful reptile and that boisterous, long-eared elf could be surprisingly reserved at times.”

[In truth… Rodia and Seirun. It appears they failed to comprehend the exact nature of their own sentiments regarding Lumern. Only Lumern discerned the truth.]

“…”

Leo’s countenance darkened significantly.

[Leo?]

Mel appeared disquieted.

‘Unbelievable. So those troublesome girls, who remained oblivious to their own emotions—let alone the feelings of others—had the audacity to label me an ignoramus or a blockhead with such preposterous assertions?’

Recalling the pair who had glared at him in reproach, accusing him of failing to comprehend the emotions of Luna and Lisinas, Leo ground his teeth in irritation.

“Those insufferable brats! The subsequent time our paths cross, I shall shave their scalps entirely bare!”

Mel recoiled slightly, observing Leo’s fierce demeanor.

Referring to the legendary Heroes of Genesis as “brats” and vowing to strip them of their hair.

These were astonishing declarations that only a supreme champion could utter.

Leo suppressed his internal fury as he resumed scanning the journal.

The succeeding passages detailed the following:

‘The Knight of the Underworld coveted Rodia’s affections. Consequently, he harbored deep resentment toward Lumern. Pivocally, owing to that friction, he separated from the assembly and was ultimately banished… subsequently declining to assist during the climatic confrontation against Erebus?’

Leo let out a cynical laugh.

‘Is this individual utterly deranged?’

He abandoned his duty when the existence of civilization hung in the balance, blinded entirely by envy.

‘How profoundly narcissistic can a single person be?’

Leo shut the volume with an expression of profound cynicism.

“The accounts indicate that following the era where the Heroes of Genesis vastly eclipsed his reputation and the public mocked him, the Knight of the Underworld fell into a rage. Subsequently, he initiated a lethal contest against Lumern, which culminated in his demise via decapitation. The Tarim Empire suppressed this narrative to conceal the ignominy of their founding sovereign, imploring Dragonia to obliterate the Hero Record concerning the termination of the Knight of the Underworld.”

It appeared the Heroes of Genesis likewise desired that the Knight of the Underworld, who had formerly been their ally, might at minimum retain an honorable legacy for future generations.

‘Well, in this day and age, he has transformed entirely into an object of derision.’

Leo brought to mind the reputation of the Knight of the Underworld.

He recalled certain disciples of Lumern deriding him as the ‘Corrupted Knight of the Underworld’.

In the current epoch, he was recognized as an entity of tremendous capability, yet fundamentally categorized as a renegade who turned his back on existence for personal survival.

In a sense, he had earned that ignominious reputation.

‘Nevertheless, given a temperament of that nature, it would be simple for him to degenerate and align with the Necromancer King.’

It was at that precise moment, while Leo focused his thoughts on the Knight of the Underworld, that a change occurred.

Goooooooh—!

A malevolent vitality erupted.

Leo tilted his head skyward to observe the firmament.

‘The signature of the Necromancer King.’

Discerning the origin of the vitality, Leo focused his gaze and rose to his feet.

[Leo?]

Mel addressed Leo, her tone laced with anxiety.

“It appears an individual has arrived to see us.”

“To state it accurately, he likely presumes you are the intruder.”

Leo shifted his gaze toward the individual speaking from his flank.

“Grand Duke of Funeral Rites.”

“A significant period has elapsed, Leo Flobe, or rather—”

Artkan offered a profound genuflection toward Leo.

“Hero of Genesis, Kyle.”

Leo lifted his hand slightly.

“Presenting yourself before me suggests you harbor a desire for demise, does it not?”

Gooooooh—!

A terrifying vitality radiated outward from Leo’s form.

Artkan’s gaze intensified as he perceived the immense lethal intent.

‘My purpose was to assess the scale of the Hero of Genesis’s capability under the direction of Hell Kaiser, yet…’

The energy Leo currently manifested was extraordinary.

‘The contemporary tier of Legion Commanders would be effortlessly overwhelmed.’

Granted, a Legion Commander lacking specialized dominion was merely a potent fiend commanding numerous thralls, yet they remained entities capable of drowning civilization in terror.

Artkan inclined his head further.

“I would welcome a confrontation with Kyle… however, on this occasion, I function merely as an escort.”

“An escort?”

“A separate entity desires an audience with you. You may regard him as a successor from a distant generation.”

[Every inhabitant residing within this domain, heed my words.]

At that precise instant, a monumental voice reverbered throughout the metropolis.

[I, Tamus, the sovereign of Tarim and your rightful ruler, have returned. Prostrate yourselves and offer reverence this instant!]

The declaration, saturated with crushing dominance, caused the entire metropolis to tremble.

Leo observed the spectacle above and remarked.

“I have never claimed a successor of that description.”