Chapter 486

Book 1 Chapter 486

486.

The situation was completely resolved once Leo overcame Tamus.

The military force that had been reanimated through the spirit magic of Tamus evaporated the moment he perished.

Stability returned to the Kingdom of Carnel as well.

With the crisis drawn to a close, a representative was sent from Lumerne to manage the aftermath.

This task fell to Hark, the student council’s vice president at Lumerne.

Hark’s expression turned grim when he was informed that deceased champions were being reanimated as undead by the Necromancer King.

His dismay grew, and he clicked his tongue upon discovering the true, corrupt nature of the Justice Guild.

Furthermore, learning that a vast majority of the leadership, including Justice Guild Master Jerome, had perished made Hark…

“Hey! Hark!”

“Wake up!”

He grabbed the back of his neck and collapsed to the floor.

As vice president, Hark had been saddled with executing all the responsibilities of the student council president.

The issue was that ever since Leo took over the presidency, monumental crises had broken out without intermission.

The global landscape was shifting at a breakneck pace.

Consequently, the expectations placed on hero candidates shifted just as fast.

An endless conflict fought through paperwork, invisible to outsiders, relentlessly tormented Hark.

The situation had deteriorated to the point where rumors claimed the current student council faced the most grueling workload in Lumerne’s 3000-year history.

Leo was transferring the entirety of this staggering administrative burden directly to him.

To make matters worse, Hark had maintained a reputation as the quintessential lazy student ever since his first year.

This trait was somewhat unavoidable, given that his mana attribute involved ‘accumulation’ through deep sleep.

Even with that condition, Hark secured the position of top honors student within his class.

Because of this innate brilliance, he demonstrated exceptional competence even while acting as the president’s surrogate.

After briefing Hark and handing over the administrative responsibilities, Leo returned to his private quarters, where Riel spoke up with great enthusiasm.

“That is exactly why Senior Hark is so incredible.”

Riel’s eyes shone with admiration.

“He possesses immense capability, and his persona is incredibly distinct! Ah! I really envy that kind of unique identity.”

“Persona?”

“Yes. Even at neighboring institutions, he is famous as Lumerne’s Sleeping Vice President.”

“He certainly accumulates a bizarre collection of titles.”

Leo murmured, finding the description rather peculiar.

Right at that moment, the door swung open and Hark stepped into the room.

“Greetings, Senior Hark!”

Riel offered a cheerful welcome.

“Right, right.”

Hark offered a hollow-eyed response to Riel before sinking into a chair directly across from Leo.

“An event of this magnitude is enough to throw the entire student council into utter chaos, yet you remain entirely unbothered.”

“Ah. The Lumerne student council is packed with exceptionally gifted individuals.”

“Yes. Quite a eloquent speech, President.”

Hark countered with an intensely solemn expression.

“Listen, I am currently navigating the second term of my fifth year. My schedule is packed, and it sets a poor example for the underclassmen if someone who is about to depart continues to govern the institution in place of the actual president. Therefore, I believe it is time for me to step down from my role as vice president. As you pointed out, our institution boasts an abundance of qualified students.”

“Stepping down? That presents a problem. Senior, you possess plenty of energy to keep contributing. The entire student body holds your administrative leadership in high regard.”

“I beg of you, grant me my retirement.”

“Stop talking nonsense. Tell you what, I will have a bed brought directly into the vice president’s office. If that arrangement displeases you, I will set things up so you can complete your duties from your personal quarters without ever stepping foot in the council hall.”

“Kuaaaak!”

“Senior Hark! Please control yourself!”

As Hark’s eyes rolled back in fury and he lunged straight for Leo, a startled Riel intervened to hold him back.

Hearing the sudden uproar, the student council members who were waiting in the corridor burst into the private room.

They promptly began restraining Hark to pull him outside.

“Appoint Elena to the vice presidency! Grant me my freedom! Let me retire… Mph mph mph!”

Hark, thrashing and resisting with all his might, was dragged down the hallway with a hand clamped firmly over his mouth.

“Leo. Just how long do you intend to run Hark into the ground?”

When an upperclassman from the fifth year inquired tentatively, a subtle grin appeared on Leo’s face.

“Right up until the exact second he receives his diploma.”

Hearing this declaration, Niel Roda, a fourth-year student serving as the council’s secretary, nodded silently and frantically scribbled a note onto his documentation log.

“Vice President Hark submitted a formal resignation, which President Leo summarily rejected. The president intends to keep him active until graduation day.”

Mmm-hmm! Niel nodded to himself, silently reflecting on his own situation.

‘I must find a way to sever ties with this student council before I reach my fifth year, no matter what it takes.’

“Senior Niel, are you contemplating an early exit from the council?”

“H-eek? M-master?”

Niel froze in absolute terror as a voice resembling the grim reaper echoed from directly behind his shoulder.

‘H-how on earth? Has Master Leo mastered telepathy or something?!’

“Oh, absolutely not! Why would I ever want that? It is my absolute privilege to support Master. Ahahahahaha.”

Niel offered a strained, awkward laugh while shaking his head vigorously.

Observing Niel’s panicked reaction, Leo offered a calm smile.

“Entry into this circle is entirely voluntary, but departure is not a matter of personal choice.”

The complexions of the surrounding fourth-year students, Riel included, drained of color upon hearing those words.

Meanwhile, the fifth-year students could only manage a grim, hollow chuckle.

‘It isn’t just Hark; every single one of us is trapped working until graduation day.’

Having successfully delegated all pressing responsibilities to his upperclassmen in the council, Leo enjoyed a period of uninterrupted relaxation.

He sat comfortably beneath the shade bordering the training grounds, casually turning the pages of a book.

Taking charge of the situation, Riel assembled the orphan soldiers across the training fields, captivating them with chronicles of legendary champions.

True to her reputation as a class representative, Riel’s academic marks in heroics ranked at the absolute apex of her class.

Because her repertoire was filled with such thrilling accounts, the orphan soldiers remained completely spellbound by her words.

“The citizens of the Kingdom of Carnel don’t appear to harbor a very positive view regarding heroes.”

Anyas remarked quietly as he walked up to Leo’s side.

“It makes perfect sense given how the Justice Guild utterly abandoned them to their fate. Still, because of your intervention, that sentiment isn’t universal anymore, is it?”

“Even so, we operate from the dark.”

“Like I mentioned previously, what relevance does that hold? Your only duty is to perform flawlessly within your designated roles.”

Leo replied, keeping his gaze locked onto the pages of his book.

“What is the status of the transitional arrangements?”

“To begin with, operations are underway to de-escalate the conflict. Within the boundaries of the Kingdom of Carnel, the reigning monarch and his chief ministers are slated for removal, clearing the path for Crown Prince Jeremin to ascend the throne.”

Throughout the recent catastrophe, Jeremin demonstrated that he possessed the true qualities required of a ruler.

The populace had completely withdrawn their allegiance from the current monarch, making Jeremin’s ascension a straightforward transition.

Even though he was a normal individual devoid of extraordinary supernatural talents, his selfless devotion to safeguarding the inhabitants of the capital—putting his own survival on the line—had carved a profound impression into both the local citizens and the hidden operatives.

“As hidden operatives, interfering with international leadership transitions goes against protocol… but given that the public already views us as heroic figures, it shouldn’t provoke much opposition.”

Anyas offered a subtle smile.

Providing covert assistance to secure his path to the throne was a unilateral choice made by Anyas.

Leo merely offered a quiet chuckle while keeping an eye on Anyas.

“As I have mentioned time and again, I am not some remarkable figure. My brother is the one who truly embodies greatness!”

Riel announced with vibrant energy to the gathered orphan soldiers.

“But the palace guardians mentioned that you possessed the visage of a divine entity, Commander?”

When a young orphan soldier raised a hand to pose the question, Riel shook her head in dismissal.

“As I explained before, I lack any divine status. If there is someone present who truly mirrors a deity, it is my brother sitting right over there!”

The collective attention of the orphan soldiers shifted entirely toward Leo.

Anyas began clapping his hands in agreement upon overhearing the exchange.

“Most perceptive, Lady Riel. Elevating Sir Leo to divine status shows you possess truly remarkable insight!”

Leo simply clicked his tongue in exasperation as he watched Anyas applaud with such exaggerated enthusiasm.

“The three of you, so this is where you were hiding.”

Jeremin called out as he walked onto the palace training grounds.

“Word reached me that you intend to depart tomorrow morning. Is that information accurate?”

Riel nodded gently to confirm Jeremin’s inquiry.

“Yes. Our highly efficient upperclassmen are currently managing the lingering details. It is time for us to journey back to the academy and re-center our focus onto our education.”

“Ah, I haven’t even been able to express my gratitude properly. In that case, I shall organize a banquet for this evening. It will be as spectacular as humanly possible…!”

Riel offered a soft smile before stepping forward to place her index finger gently over Jeremin’s lips as he spoke in a panicked rush.

“Sir Jeremin, surely you recognize that tending to the populace shattered by this conflict must remain your absolute priority?”

“La- Lady Riel.”

“I shall look forward to receiving word that you have transformed into a magnificent monarch, Sir Jeremin.”

Jeremin blinked stupidly at Riel as she delivered a subtle wink, before he finally managed to find his voice.

“Lady Riel, I pledge that you will receive a personal invitation to my royal investiture.”

“The honor would be entirely mine!”

“Wo- would it be acceptable if I sent correspondence? What I mean is… I want to keep you updated on the welfare of these youths.”

“Of course! That would bring me immense joy. You can count on receiving prompt replies from my end as well.”

Jeremin’s expression cleared instantly.

“It brings me such happiness to gain a new companion! We are bound to become excellent friends, Sir Jeremin!”

Yet moments later, upon absorbing the full context of Riel’s words, his posture visibly deflated.

Watching the interaction unfold, Leo could only click his tongue.

“She can be incredibly cruel without realizing it.”

“Lady Riel’s reputation precedes her. Her striking looks combined with an incredibly righteous and approachable demeanor make her immensely celebrated among the student body at Lumerne and neighboring institutions alike. She has actually been the recipient of numerous romantic proposals.”

“Is that so? I’ve never caught wind of such talk.”

“That is because she completely deflects them in that exact manner without even noticing it.”

“Understood. Still, how are you so well-acquainted with these social dynamics?”

“For a hidden operative, monitoring the personal details and social circles of an active hero candidate is standard procedure.”

Leo simply clicked his tongue once more at Anyas’s explanation.

With that, their objectives within the borders of the Kingdom of Carnel reached their conclusion.

Upon rendering their return to the institution, Leo and Riel submitted their comprehensive deployment accounts before retreating to their respective residential halls.

The sky was still dark with the early morning hours.

When Leo stepped across the threshold of his quarters, the space was entirely devoid of life.

Even though a monumental series of events had transpired, the actual duration Leo allocated to his practical field assignment had been incredibly brief.

Consequently, Leo secured the distinction of being the first second-year student to successfully conclude his operational assignment and return to campus.

Stepping into the communal area of the dormitory, Leo shook open a morning broadsheet.

Periodicals detailing international developments are distributed to the Lumerne residential halls at the start of every day.

‘There is no coverage of the recent conflict as of yet.’

The collapse of the prominent Justice Guild.

The reanimation of fallen champions into undead thralls.

And the subsequent striking of identities from the legendary Hero Record.

The simple collapse of an entity like the Justice Guild on its own was guaranteed to trigger a massive geopolitical shockwave.

‘Yet when weighed against the two impending crises on the horizon, this is minor news.’

The resurrection of the fractured remains of Erebus would undoubtedly manifest as a cataclysmic event, shattering a global order that typically remained unphased by standard disruptions.

‘I will need to coordinate with Mel to ensure precautions are properly executed.’

Leo let out a quiet sigh as his eyes scanned across the text of the periodical.

“Hm?”

His gaze locked onto a particular segment that dominated an entire section of the print, announced in bold, sweeping typography.

A small smile touched his lips.

“You managed to pull it off at last.”

The feature focused heavily on Lunia of Seirun.

The text provided an extensive account detailing how Lunia had successfully forged a binding covenant with the ancient Phoenix.

Furthermore, the publication confirmed her appointment as the incoming student council president representing Seirun.

“Every individual is carving out their own path of advancement.”

Leo smiled warmly at the thought.

Flap-flap-!

The window panes rattled open as a low-tier avian wind spirit creature glided into the room.

Beep beep beep-!

The elemental creature dropped a document directly into Leo’s hands before spinning around to depart just as abruptly as it had arrived.

Observing the creature’s departure, Leo broke the seal to scan the message with a trace of curiosity.

‘An official directive to meet with the headmaster?’

Shwaaaah-!

Deep within an isolated sylvan territory tucked away in the eastern reaches of the land mass.

This particular woodland remained completely isolated from the expansion of human civilization.

A crisp, seasonal breeze swept through the canopy.

Rustle- Rustle-

The crisp crunch of decaying foliage crackled beneath oncoming footsteps.

The distinct sound of fracturing leaves drifted softly through the quiet air.

The ambient melody of a seasonal woodland.

Rustle- Crunch- Soft crunch- Soft crunch- Soft crunch- Soft crunch-

The cadence of the arriving woman’s stride shifted noticeably.

Treading upon delicate, rejuvenating tufts of flora.

A verdant vernal landscape materialized before her eyes.

Before long, the woman lowered herself with deep reverence before one of the twin burial markers.

“I… I have returned. Master.”