Chapter 483

Book 1 Chapter 483

“What is the meaning of his sudden transformation?”

Leo narrowed his eyes as he observed the abrupt shift in Tamus’s behavior.

It was a display of utter disbelief.

The man suddenly began rambling to himself, crying out, “This cannot be! It is impossible!” as though he had completely lost his sanity.

‘He was erratic a moment ago, but he certainly didn’t seem to have entirely lost his mind like this.’

[The hero designation has been annulled in accordance with your intent.]

[The name of Tamus, Knight of the Netherworld, has been expunged from the Hero Record.]

“What?”

Shock registered on Leo’s face at the unexpected notification materializing before his eyes.

An entirely preposterous turn of events.

Leo instantly comprehended the reason behind the sudden, bizarre reaction from the Knight of Twilight.

‘This is completely absurd.’

To the public, the Hero Record is believed to be the ultimate parting gift bestowed by the deities upon the mortal realm following the conclusion of the Age of Calamity five millennia ago.

In reality, however, the true master of the Hero Record is Kyle, the Hero of Beginnings.

‘Well, given that I am a figure who had already perished and vanished, it was the deities who maintained the chronicles within the Hero Record over the past 5000 years.’

Even after departing from the mortal realm, the deities had clearly not lost their fascination with it.

‘Back in the Age of Gods, the deities selected the mortal realm as their playground partly out of boredom, but fundamentally because they held a deep affection for it.’

Though prohibited from direct intervention, it was evident that the deities continued to observe the mortal realm.

Consequently, anyone who found favor with the deities could have their name carved into the Hero Record.

Earning the favor of the deities is an exceptionally arduous feat in itself.

Yet it meant that those selected by the deities could be venerated as heroes, completely irrespective of their moral character.

‘It is impossible to comprehend the methodology of those beings’ thinking in the first place.’

In this current era devoid of deities, the gods are profoundly venerated.

Conversely, among those who actually coexisted during the Age of Gods, the deities were frequently viewed as a major inconvenience.

For that reason, Leo could not deem someone a genuine hero merely because they had received a deity’s endorsement.

‘Not a single individual present here is fitting to be called a hero.’

Leo narrowed his eyes, surveying the assembly from the Justice Guild.

‘But even so, do I truly possess the jurisdiction to strip names from the Hero Record?’

Reflecting upon it, not only the Tome of Shadows but also the chronicles of ancient heroes prior to the creation of the Hero Record were documented within the Hero Record in accordance with Leo’s intent.

‘If I possess the authority to record, it is not entirely illogical that I would hold the authority to delete. Even so, it is an astonishing degree of jurisdiction.’

He could confer and strip away hero titles strictly according to Leo’s intent.

During the Age of Heroes, this was an inconceivable power—no, an absolute authority.

‘If this reality ever comes to light, will I not truly be worshipped as a deity?’

Leo offered a bitter chuckle.

‘The weight of this authority is immense. It isn’t as if I am Lysinas.’

“An amusing dialogue. You claim to be the Hero of Beginnings?”

Jerome erupted into laughter, fixing his gaze upon Leo.

“Are you addressing the legendary savior who perished 5000 years ago as ‘All-Class’?”

“I have never gone around announcing to anyone that I am Kyle with my own mouth,” Leo stated with total indifference. “That fellow is merely spouting delusions on his own initiative.”

The very instant Leo shifted his gaze toward Tamus—

“How dare you inflict this upon me!” Tamus bellowed in pure fury.

Goooooooh-!

The atmosphere vibrated violently at his scream.

The high-ranking members of the Justice Guild recoiled.

A horrifying, murderous aura surged outward from Tamus’s physical form.

“What!?”

“Urgh!”

Faced with the overwhelming pressure he radiated, the expressions of the Justice Guild members shifted drastically.

Jerome narrowed his eyes.

‘A level of power comparable to a Legion Commander.’

It was a force matching the Legion Commander they had previously managed to suppress within the hero’s world.

“Truly, a display befitting a hero who once shouldered the destiny of an epoch. It will be an opponent well worth crushing.”

“This hardly seems like the moment to be uttering such carefree remarks, wouldn’t you say?”

“What?”

“You people look entirely incapable of managing this. Wouldn’t it be wiser to flee?” Leo remarked with utter nonchalance, folding his arms.

Observing Leo’s demeanor, a smirk curled the corners of Jerome’s mouth.

“How incredibly supercilious. Simply because you ascended to student council president during your initial year and became a hero in your second, you believe there is nothing beyond your reach, do you?”

A potent spiritual energy began to radiate from Jerome’s body.

“Regardless of how much you boast, in the end, you are a mere child. If you recklessly overrate your own capabilities, your lifespan will be cut exceedingly short…”

“Kuaaaaaah!”

Kwaaaang-!

Before Jerome could even finish his thought—

Tamus, drawing a weapon from an extra-dimensional space, lunged directly at Leo.

A massive blade enveloped in a pitch-black aura crashed into Leo.

Hwiooooooooh! Kwagagagagang-!

With immense force, Leo was sent hurtling through the air, crashing violently into the earth.

Jerome’s expression altered instantly at the spectacle.

‘I failed to perceive the strike. Did he employ spatial translocation?’

It was an assault executed at a velocity that far surpassed Jerome’s visual perception.

“Our adversary is a hero who once carried the weight of an entire era. Let us react as though we are confronting a beast of the Legion Commander tier.”

Following his command, the high-ranking members of the Justice Guild swiftly shifted into an organized formation.

They were veteran heroes who had triumphed over innumerable hero worlds.

As individuals who had endured and triumphed over countless tribulations, they preserved their composure even when facing Tamus, who brandished world-bending power.

“Ought we to treat him as an adversary possessing capabilities on par with a Sword Saint?”

Jerome gave a firm nod in response to Chain’s inquiry.

“Precisely.”

Flash-!

Innumerous spirits of light materialized in the open air.

“In that case, shall we carry out our justice?”

Kwaaaang-!

Leo’s physical form, which had plummeted to the earth, plowed deeply into the soil.

“Kyaaaaaak!”

“W-what is happening?”

Adjacent structures crumbled into ruins, and panicked shrieks resounded from every direction.

Thud-thud-thud-!

As Leo hauled himself upward, the clatter of descending debris filled the air.

“He is undeniably powerful.”

Crack—

Leo rolled his stiff neck from side to side, emerging from the pile of wreckage.

The location where Leo had been flung was none other than the royal palace grounds.

The countenances of everyone present were frozen in sheer astonishment upon witnessing Leo, who had descended directly from the heavens.

“Lord Leo!”

Crown Prince Jeremin hurried over to Leo’s side.

“What is transpirng?!”

“Crown Prince Jeremin. An ideal moment.” Leo offered a broad grin, recognizing the familiar individual. “The Knight of the Netherworld has been reanimated as a member of the undead, as it turns out.”

“The Knight of the Netherworld?”

Jeremin’s features contorted in utter confusion.

He was also well aware of the legend of the Knight of the Netherworld.

Indeed, it was a hero that no resident of the continent’s northeastern region could possibly be ignorant of.

Nevertheless, the assertion that a hero from three millennia ago had been reanimated as an undead thrall was incredibly difficult to accept.

Jeremin, initially bewildered, quickly adopted a solemn expression.

“What course of action should we pursue?”

He had only recently crossed paths with Leo.

However, Jeremin, as a crown prince destined to govern at least one realm in the future, possessed an excellent discernment of character.

He recognized that Leo was not someone to utter absurd falsehoods.

“If circumstances deteriorate, this entire metropolitan capital could be reduced to a barren wasteland.”

“The entire metropolitan capital?” Jeremin’s face washed over with shock.

“Indeed.”

‘That individual is far more powerful than the Sword Saint.’

Equating Tamus to Sword Saint Kalian in terms of heroism was an utter fallacy.

It was an action tantamount to a slight against Kalian.

Yet as a pure warrior, Tamus was indisputably formidable.

If a proper confrontation ensued against such a version of Tamus, the total annihilation of a city would be a mere afterthought.

“Yes, we must evacuate the metropolitan residents to the most secure location available.”

“I shall take charge of the military forces and guide the inhabitants to safety,” Jeremin stated with total resolve.

“You realize you could perish in the process?”

“The survival of the inhabitants takes precedence.”

Leo offered a quiet laugh, studying Jeremin, who had responded with such unwavering resolve.

“I find you quite agreeable.”

“I have received reports that a legion of the deceased is advancing outside the metropolitan walls. How should we manage that situation?”

“There is a perfectly suited individual to command the military forces for that task. Lil.”

-Indeed, Master!

“You hail from a martial lineage, so you have undergone instruction as a military strategist, have you not?”

-I have, albeit imperfectly. Naturally, it pales in comparison to Master. Ah, there remains so much to absorb from Master…

Leo completely disregarded Lil, who was once more diminishing her own worth, and turned his attention back to Jeremin.

“May I assign the defensive command over to Lil?”

“To Lil? I would need to formally solicit military jurisdiction from His Majesty…”

“Are you referring to Lil, the prospective hero?”

At that precise instant, a haughty tone cut through the air.

King Carnell was approaching, flanked by a cohort dressed in pristine white armor and flowing robes.

“The Justice Guild?”

It was only then that Leo displayed a hint of bewilderment.

“A short while ago, the Justice Guild proclaimed their intention to deliver our realm from the assault of the malevolent Tartaros,” King Carnell declared with absolute assurance.

Witnessing this display, Leo let out a hollow chuckle.

“Father. Even with their aid, we are obligated to relocate the inhabitants to a secure area.”

“Hmph. Cease your foolish chatter. The valiant champions of the Justice Guild, under the guidance of Light Seeker Jerome, will suppress the Knight of the Netherworld, that phantom from antiquity. Relocating the metropolitan inhabitants recklessly will merely generate unnecessary pandemonium. Justice Guild operatives deployed across the capital are currently pacifying the populace. Do not take reckless actions!”

Following King Carnell’s declaration, one of the present Justice Guild operatives chimed in.

“The Guild Master and the high-ranking members will imminently bring word of our triumph.”

Faced with those confident words, Leo cast his gaze toward the heavens.

“I find that outcome highly improbable.”

Gooooooh-!

A tempest of concentrated aura erupted from the Knight of the Netherworld.

The swirling vortex of energy instantly vaporized one of the vanguard knight-tier heroes, leaving absolutely nothing behind.

“Ah!”

“What!?”

Gasps of utter horror erupted among the ranks of the Justice Guild.

Whoosh-!

Directly after, the Knight of the Netherworld slashed a shimmering golden greatsword retrieved from an extra-dimensional space.

Thwack-!

And a person’s head was severed from their shoulders in an instant.

“Ah!”

“Ch-Chain-nim!”

A celebrated sorcerer hero recognized across the continent.

Even Chain, the Vice Guild Master of the Justice Guild, had been instantly slain.

Witnessing this, absolute terror consumed the ranks of the Justice Guild.

As the situation deteriorated rapidly, King Carnell spoke up in a frantic rush.

“Champions of the Justice Guild. Ought you not to quickly intervene and assist them…?”

Before King Carnell could even finish his utterance, the members of the Justice Guild turned and rapidly began to retreat.

“H-hey, you lot!”

King Carnell called out to them in sheer desperation, but they swiftly vanished from sight.

‘Should I consider this behavior typical of individuals who accumulated worldly merits merely to claim the title of hero?’

Leo narrowed his eyes.

Even as their leadership collapsed defenselessly, to think they would flee without a second thought while holding the designation of a hero.

‘The deities must have recognized what garbage they were and chosen them as heroes precisely for that reason, yes? Their preferences are truly wretched.’

“Y-Your Majesty. What course of action do we take now?” one of the ministers inquired with a panicked expression.

King Carnell’s physical frame shuddered violently.

“Proceed to the Warp Gate immediately! Assemble the royal valuables!” King Carnell barked out in absolute panic.

Jeremin stepped forward, blocking King Carnell’s path.

“What is the meaning of this! Move aside at once!”

“Father, may I assume control of the military forces?”

“Absurdity in a crisis like this! Move aside!”

“You have no intention of utilizing the military forces anyway, so why not relinquish the authority to your son?”

Leo stepped up to stand beside Jeremin.

King Carnell, recoiling slightly upon catching sight of Leo’s icy smirk, vociferated.

“Do precisely as you please! Just move out of the way!”

At his declaration, Jeremin bowed his head respectfully, and Leo likewise shifted his position.

“In that case, Your Royal Highness. I entrust the ground forces to your care. I shall go handle that fellow myself.”

“If we coordinate our efforts with the remnants of the Justice Guild, can we bring him down?”

“They will most likely continue to flee. Or they will perish swiftly,” Leo remarked in a casual tone. “You truly intend to confront such a monstrosity entirely on your own…? This realm shares no ties with Lord Leo, does it? Then for what reason?”

Jeremin’s features were twisted in pure astonishment.

Engaging the Knight of the Netherworld, an entity that even the Justice Guild proved incapable of halting, was a suicidal endeavor by anyone’s metrics.

Surely no one present would offer a word of criticism toward Leo if he chose to withdraw.

In fact, the majority of people would likely prefer for the exceptionally gifted Leo to preserve his own life.

Yet, Leo was choosing to square off against this monumental peril.

Leo responded with total nonchalance to Jeremin’s inquiry.

“If there exist entities that bring ruin, there must likewise exist entities that offer salvation.”

“Is that Lord Leo’s personal credo as a hero?”

“No, it is an observation once shared by a companion of mine.” Leo offered a subtle grin. “He did not precisely view it as a credo either. If anything, perhaps it was simply a guiding rule?”

“A guiding rule?”

“Indeed. Does it not bring balance to the grand scheme of things?”

Was there ever a profound rationale behind the malice that jeopardizes the present state of humanity?

If not, then it stands to reason there would be no profound rationale required for the benevolence that preserves those very lives either.

Because that is precisely how the world maintains its equilibrium.

“And he noted that individuals capable of confronting that baseless malice without requiring a reason are the true heroes.”

They are not deemed heroes because they possess inherent uniqueness.

Because the mere capacity to extend genuine goodwill is already an extraordinary trait in itself.

Leo, letting out a soft laugh, spoke aloud.

“Anyas.”

At Leo’s summons, the collective shadows, guided by Anyas, materialized from the darkness.

Jeremin gasped slightly at their abrupt appearance.

“Awaiting your orders.”

“Accomplish what the designated heroes failed to do.”

“Pardon?”

Anyas, who had been bowing her head respectfully, raised her eyes toward Leo in sheer bewilderment.

“Did I not previously state that shadows execute what heroes cannot?” Leo smiled gently. “A multitude of heroes have forsaken this metropolitan center.” Leo’s smile broadened significantly. “Therefore, the task remaining for the shadows is entirely obvious, wouldn’t you say?”

“That implies…”

“It signifies that the moment has arrived for you, the shadows, to safeguard this metropolis that the heroes have abandoned.”