Chapter 225 – The Departing Hero

After the awkward situation passed, the emperor broke the silence.  

“What a shame. If you had become our new hero, it would’ve saved us a lot of trouble.”  

“Perhaps it’s for the best. Since Sir Egar is a hero from another world, we might end up having two heroes. Besides, we’ve already sent people everywhere to find a new hero. Good news should come soon.”  

The chancellor’s attempt to console the emperor made sense.  

Given the unprecedented situation of a hero being stripped of their title by the gods, it was unthinkable that the empire or the temple would sit idle.  

They were undoubtedly searching for a new hero, just as they had for the previous one.  

If the chancellor was right, a more capable hero might be chosen, greatly aiding the fight against the Demon King. Yet, the emperor’s disappointment remained evident.  

“The problem is, we don’t have enough time…”  

At the emperor’s words, the chancellor nodded gravely.  

True, even if the gods chose a new hero, there was no guarantee they’d be found immediately.  

They might not even be in the empire, and even if they were, locating them now wouldn’t be easy.  

Though the Demon King’s forces were in disarray, half the empire had already become a nest of undead.  

It was a miracle the capital hadn’t fallen.  

In such chaos, finding a new hero was no simple task.  

And with our warning about the time limit, the emperor’s concern was justified.  

After a moment of contemplation, the emperor turned to Yelena.  

“At least a few weeks… So, can we assume we have a month or two?”  

Yelena answered cautiously.  

“…You should confirm with others, but in my opinion, the injured Demon King will need at least two months to create another gate.”  

But the emperor wasn’t looking for a cautious answer.  

“Of course, I’ll consult other mages. But you’re the one who faced the Demon King and disrupted his magic—you’d know best.  

This needs to be certain. If we’re late, the Demon King will invade before we’re ready.”  

Under the emperor’s repeated questioning, Yelena placed a hand over her heart and answered firmly.  

“Yes. I swear on my mana as a mage. The Demon King won’t cross into this world for two months.”  

As she spoke, her mana radiated outward.  

She had invoked the Mage’s Oath—a solemn vow among mages, adapted from ancient temple covenants.  

Breaking it would disrupt her magic, a risk few were willing to take.  

The emperor and chancellor looked stunned.  

The Mage’s Oath wasn’t something ordinary mages could perform—only archmages of the highest skill could wield it.  

“Another surprise. As expected of a hero’s party. Very well, we’ll proceed with a two-month deadline.”  

With the emperor’s decision made, the chancellor immediately stood to relay the orders.  

Once the chancellor left, the emperor sighed and addressed us.  

“You’ve done well. It seems I’ve only now gotten the chance to thank you properly. I’m grateful for everything you’ve done for Ea. And I ask that you continue to do your best. Remember—countless lives depend on you.”  

Words of gratitude and encouragement from the emperor himself.  

Anyone else would have been overjoyed.  

If Hoffman had been here, he might have shed tears.  

But he was already gone—his remains resting in a spatial-expansion pouch. Among our surviving comrades, no one else would weep at the emperor’s words.  

Though meaningless to us, the emperor’s speech signaled that now was the time to make my move.  

“Thank you for your kind words. In that spirit, may I make a request?”  

The emperor nodded, pleased.  

“Of course. What do you need? As the emperor, I give you my word.”  

Just the answer I’d expected.  

Judging by his expression, he was glad I had something to ask for.  

After all, this was a hero’s request—and not just any hero, but one from another world, unrelated to Ea or the empire.  

Moreover, I was a free knight from a distant kingdom.  

Granting my request would create a bond between the empire and me.  

As long as my request wasn’t outrageous, the emperor would likely agree.  

Unfortunately, my request was a bit unusual.  

“Once this is over, I’d like a small territory. A fief in a kingdom far from the empire—perhaps one of the ruined lands like Possen.”  

The emperor looked puzzled. This wasn’t what he’d anticipated.  

But for me, this was the perfect moment to realize my dream.  

Most of the kingdoms ravaged by the Demon King’s forces had been imperial satellites. If the territory was small, the emperor could easily grant it to me.  

And as a lord appointed by the empire, the local nobility wouldn’t dare challenge me.  

Since it wouldn’t be imperial land, I’d avoid getting tangled in imperial politics.  

For someone seeking a comfortable retirement, it was the ideal choice.  

Of course, I couldn’t explain my real reasons to the emperor or anyone else.  

Instead, I offered another justification.  

“If it’s a territory in the western kingdoms, it’ll be close to the Demon King’s dungeon. Should anything happen, I can act swiftly.”  

The emperor’s confusion faded into understanding.  

“So that’s your reasoning… I’d heard your temperament differed from past heroes, but a hero is still a hero. In that case, I can’t refuse.”  

Nice! I knew it would work.  

Of course, my explanation was just an excuse.  

If we failed to defeat the Demon King, the world would end. If we succeeded, the dungeon would become nothing more than a deserted ruin.  

To ask for land nearby to “guard” it—no one would believe that if I weren’t a hero.  

Thankfully, I was, and my words made for a perfect pretext.  

“After making a mage swear on her mana, it would dishonor me to give you only a verbal promise.”  

“Understood. I’ll prepare a formal decree.”  

“Thank you.”  

A verbal promise would’ve sufficed, but I had no reason to refuse an official document.  

Seeing my genuine gratitude, the emperor seemed pleased and asked again.  

“Is there anything else you need?”  

I almost declined, having gotten what I wanted most, but there was one more thing.  

“Weapons for the fight would be helpful. Unfortunately, my sword and armor were destroyed battling the Demon King.”  

“Of course. Ordinary gear won’t suffice against the Demon King. I’ll have the imperial vault opened for you. Your entire party may equip themselves anew. Before leaving the palace, head to the vault—my daughter will guide you.”  

The imperial vault?  

The emperor had outdone himself.  

We wouldn’t be able to take anything we wanted, but the items there would hardly be ordinary, especially for a fight against the Demon King.  

My companions’ eyes sparkled at the news.  

Though they didn’t seem to have additional requests, even they were eager to see the treasures of the imperial family.  

With our audience concluded, we left the office alongside the former hero and the saintess.  

Once outside, the former hero—now a squire—walked beside me, chattering cheerfully.  

The young boy seemed almost relieved to have lost his title.  

“Of course, if I’d fought better, the gods might not have taken it from me. It’s my fault for failing in battle.”  

Though he wasn’t entirely without regret, his satisfaction outweighed it.  

“The title was always too much for me. I gave it my all, but it wasn’t a role suited for a squire like me.”  

As we walked, he talked animatedly until it was time to part ways. With a bright smile, he bowed to me.  

“I won’t be able to enter the palace so easily now, or speak with you like this. But I’ll still fight my hardest as a squire to protect the world.”  

In contrast to his cheerful demeanor, the saintess beside him wore a somber expression.  

The way she looked at him with sadness made her feelings clear.  

I’d sensed it before—the saintess, the princess, hadn’t accompanied the young hero just because of her role.  

She genuinely cared for him.  

But now that he was no longer a hero, she would have to let him go.  

She’d be paired with the new hero, and in time, likely married to someone the emperor or temple chose.  

If she refused, she’d have to live out her days in the temple as the saintess.  

Either way, her ties to the former hero were severed.  

It was tragic, but there was nothing I could do.  

Besides, I had my own problems to worry about.  

The boy bid us farewell, then turned to the saintess—his final goodbye.  

Not as a hero, but as a squire, he placed a hand over his heart.  

“Thank you for everything. Though it was often difficult, it was the most splendid and happiest time of my life. From afar, I’ll pray for your well-being, Your Highness.”  

With that, he turned and walked out of the palace.  

It seemed he’d stayed only to confirm my status as the hero.  

The emperor’s indifference to him and the saintess’s assignment as our guide were likely meant to separate them.  

The boy was gone.  

As he turned away, the princess reached out unconsciously, her hand hovering in the air before falling back.  

She stood there, staring blankly after him.  

Neither I nor my party rushed her.  

Her thoughts were plain enough without words.  

After a moment, the girl—no, the saintess—turned back.  

True to her upbringing as a princess, she composed herself.  

Though her eyes were slightly red, no tears fell.  

“I’ll guide you to the imperial vault.”  

Her voice was cold as she spoke, then led us down the palace corridor—away from where the boy had gone, deeper into the palace.