Editor : Amethyst00



With most of the students having departed for Lumeria City, the campus of Lumene Academy lay nearly empty.

After taking a quiet stroll around the deserted grounds, Leo returned to the student council room.

Trailing behind him, Chen Xia stepped in and asked, "Master Leo, do you have any plans for the break?"

"I'm planning to go on a trip for about a week to clear my head."

"Ah, I see."

"After that, I'll probably be busy preparing for the coronation."

The throne of the Lezentan region, currently vacant.

Leo, of the Tonkan royal bloodline once known as the Duchy of the Sword, was the rightful heir to that throne, now set to be crowned.

The coronation had always been a major event to begin with.

It was the formal declaration of the founding of a new kingdom—Arhi.

And the one to sit upon that throne was none other than Leo Plov, the youngest student council president in Lumene's history, and a hero.

More than that.

He was officially recognized as the successor of the Hero of Beginnings, Kyle, and possessed the unique attribute of pure mana—Erebos's natural nemesis.

Even before, he was praised continuously by the people.

And this coronation, attended by the highest-ranking leaders of all human nations, was already a grand affair.

But after the incident a few months ago, Leo's status had become something else entirely.

The King of Beginnings—Leo Plov.

That was how the world now spoke of him.

While talk of the Davienne Incident had slowly faded over time, stories of Leo's rise—chosen by the Wise Queen, Lysinas, and crowned as the King of the World—had not stopped.

Of course, just because he had Lysinas's recognition didn't mean everyone acknowledged him.

Among those consumed by ambition, there were surely many who could not accept Leo.

There would always be those who considered the very existence of someone above them a threat to their authority.

Such is the way of the world—filled with every kind of human.

'Still, no one dares openly deny Leo-doryeong anymore.'

Chen Xia thought quietly.

He had already gained overwhelming support from the world.

Now that Melina had declared her public support, going against it was nearly impossible.

There was no one left who did not know the name Leo Plov.

This wasn't just the birth of another minor kingdom of heroes.

It had become a coronation that would capture the attention of the entire world.

Not just the rulers of the human nations, but likely dignitaries from every race would attend.

Naturally, Chen Xia herself would attend as the next heir to the Xian Empire.

"When you become king, you'll be even busier."

To that, Leo clicked his tongue lightly.

"It's not like I'm planning to rule. I've no intention of playing king."

"Of course not. Because it's you, Leo-doryeong. The New Arhi Kingdom will surely flourish."

Chen Xia gave a gentle, sunny smile.

"But even if you don't wish to rule, you won't be able to avoid the duties of a king."

Leo gave a dry chuckle.

"Worry about your own country. If we're comparing landmass, yours dwarfs mine."

Just because one was the King of Shadows didn't mean they didn't properly rule as emperor.

No, in fact, as rulers, the emperors of Xian had always been exceptional.

They were the guardians of the world's shadows, upholding their ideals across millennia.

That legacy ensured that only those who truly met the requirements could rise to the throne.

And Chen Xia, destined to be the next emperor of Xian, bore a weight no less than Leo's—perhaps even heavier.

At Leo's words, Chen Xia smiled slightly.

"Am I the same as someone who carries the whole world on his shoulders? In some ways, even the Xian Empire rests in your hands, Leo-doryeong."

Leo leaned back in his chair and rested his chin on his palm.

"Once I wipe out Erebos, I'll hand the throne to anyone. Maybe I'll just give it to Celia."

By bloodline, Celia was also a royal of the Arhi Kingdom.

At that, Chen Xia replied, "I don't think Sir Sith would like that very much. He works solely for your sake, so he likely hopes that your child will inherit the throne one day."

"So? You planning to bear one, or what?"

"If it's possible."

Leo looked at her, utterly dumbfounded.

"Your empire needs an heir too, doesn't it?"

Chen Xia gave a soft smile, then stood up straight.

Placing a hand over her heart, she said,

"From the moment Master Leo pulled me out of the endless darkness, I vowed—I would live for your sake."

She looked directly into Leo's crimson eyes.

"I will live my life as your shadow. Of course, I won't abandon my external duties. But if you need me, if you want me—I will always put you first."

Her smile deepened.

"From the moment I took the hand you extended to me—I was yours."

It wasn't just because he had saved her.

Simply put—

'I fell for him.'

"Why are you telling me this all of a sudden?"

Leo asked, and Chen Xia answered, "Because I don't want to regret it."

Leo understood what she meant by not wanting to regret.

The two women who had once loved him had surely lived with deep regret.

"And because I don't want you to feel sorrow, either."

When he learned of Lysinas and Luna's true feelings too late…

It had brought Leo sorrow.

"And ultimately—"

"Ultimately?"

"Master Leo, you're an idiot who wouldn't get it unless I spell it out for you—"

Leo promptly put her in a headlock.

"Look at this brat, thinking she can climb all over me now that she's older."

"I surrender! I surrender!"

Flailing, Chen Xia slapped Leo's arm rapidly.

After receiving a thorough punishment and finally escaping, she caught her breath and said,

"Anyway. I just wanted you to know how I feel. Not because you're the world's savior—but because you're you. Someone important to me."

"Is that so?"

"Yes. So, Leo-doryeong. I want to make you happy."

"Happy, huh…"

Leo gave a small chuckle.

Seeing his expression, Chen Xia smiled bitterly.

She knew it.

That Leo was not living a happy life right now.

Though it wasn't as if he lived in sadness either.

The reason he couldn't be happy—

'Because there's something he has to do.'

The total eradication of Erebos—that task consumed everything about Leo.

He had no choice.

'Because Master Leo was born with the only power that can defeat Erebos.'

Whether it was fate or destiny, Leo was bound to face Erebos.

'To Leo… this world is everything.'

To be exact, it was the proof of everything he had staked with his comrades.

To protect the world—

He had to witness the sacrifice of friends more precious than the world itself.

Leo could never abandon this world.

'Even if he's loved by family… even if he laughs and plays with friends… Leo can never truly enjoy those moments.'

Chen Xia couldn't pretend to understand Leo's feelings completely.

But having lived in darkness herself, she could imagine it, at least a little.

Erebos's presence was engraved upon Leo like a brand.

'And even if he defeats Erebos… the void won't be filled.'

There are no other Great Heroes—only Leo.

That is the truth.

With that emptiness lingering in his heart, Leo would live the rest of his life.

Chen Xia hated that.

This man—he had more right than anyone to enjoy the world.

He deserved to be happy more than anyone.

That's why she wished for Leo Plov's happiness more than anything else.

Someday, when all is fulfilled—

She wanted to give him a place where his weary soul could rest.

'I hope you can truly know happiness.'

That was Chen Xia's greatest wish.

As he quietly mulled over the word happiness, Leo closed his eyes.

Then he spoke.

"I've made you worry."

When he parted with Lysinas and rose to the throne of the world—

He thought he had hidden it well, but Chen Xia had sensed it.

"…Thanks."

"It's my role."

"Still, come back when you've grown up more."

"I'm already an adult."

"You?"

Leo gave a wry smile and tapped her on the forehead.

Chen Xia briefly pouted, then smiled again.

"Well, fine. Someday, I'll make it so you can't live without me—so be prepared."

"Tch. Cheeky little brat."

Leo frowned, plopped into the student council chair, and pressed his fingers to his temple.

This impudent little rascal was giving him a headache.

Watching him, Chen Xia beamed.

"So? Where are you going for your trip?"

"An uninhabited island."

The one who answered wasn't Leo.

Chen Xia turned to look.

Leaning against the now-open door of the student council room, arms crossed, stood Elena.

"Just the two of us."

"The two of you?"

Chen Xia narrowed her eyes, and Elena curled her lips into a smirk.

"That's right, little girl."

"…!"

Chen Xia's eye twitched at the provocation.

"Unlike you, I'm actually an adult."

"I've already had my coming-of-age ceremony."

"Sure, but you haven't graduated yet, right? So you're still a kid."

"Senior Elena hasn't graduated either."

"True. But I'm in the graduating class."

Listening silently to their childish argument, Leo finally muttered, "Adults don't go around saying they're adults, you damn brats."

Both Elena and Chen Xia's sharp gazes shot toward him.

Feeling their glares, Leo turned his head and looked out the window.

And as he gazed into the distance, he mumbled to himself—

'I want to go home.'