Chapter 391

The tavern-inn where Leo and Lysinas were staying.

The innkeeper, Tilla, grumbled as she wiped down a dish with a cloth.

“Of all the nuisances, this is the worst.”

“What is?”

Rodia, who was helping her put away the dishes, tilted her head.

“Kyle and Lysinas.”

Tilla shot a glare toward Leo and Lysinas, who were talking in a corner of the tavern.

“We’ve lost all our customers because of those two.”

Kyle, the Surviving Hero, and Lysinas, the Fool.

They were both overwhelmingly powerful, so it was rare for anyone heading to the battlefield to protect Guardslone not to have received their help at least once.

But Kyle, who carried the jinx of his comrades dying, and Lysinas, who charged into the most dangerous battlefields to save the world, were a pairing most people wanted nothing to do with.

Watching Tilla grumble, Rodia smiled brightly.

“I heard that even though you say that, you’re still cheering for them.”

“Huh?”

“Kyle said so. He said that even though you complain, you’re the kind of person who takes good care of people.”

“That rude brat said something like that?”

Tilla stared at Kyle like she couldn’t believe it.

“By the way, Rodia.”

“Yes?”

“You’re a dragon, so why are you always so formal with me?”

“I’m just more comfortable this way.”

Rodia beamed.

Dragons were a race with a long tradition of choosing heroes and guiding them.

That tradition had begun five thousand years ago, after the end of the Era of Calamity, and it continued to this day.

Because of that, dragons were revered as beings more sublime than other races.

Even so, it was nothing compared to their status during the Age of Gods.

Back then, when they were called the messengers of the gods, dragons were treated as beings on par with the gods themselves.

That was why Tilla could never get used to Rodia’s respectful attitude.

But for Rodia, it was only natural.

From her perspective, Tilla was someone from the distant past.

‘And she’s the one who gave the great heroes a place to rest in comfort, so I can’t treat her disrespectfully.’

Nod, nod-! Rodia bobbed her head.

Clatter, clatter-

As she put away the dishes, Tilla spoke again.

“Anyway. They look good together.”

“Who does?”

“Those two.”

Tilla flicked her eyes toward Leo and Lysinas, who were quietly discussing their plans.

“I didn’t think they’d be a good match, but seeing them talk like that… they get along well.”

“You think so too, Tilla?”

“Yes. If this were an era of peace, I might’ve mistaken them for lovers.”

“Right? Anyone can see Lysinas is the best match in the world for Kyle, right?”

“I didn’t say she was the best match in the world.”

“The two of them are clearly a match made in heaven!”

Tilla looked dumbfounded as Rodia celebrated on her own, not listening to a word she’d said.

When the dishes were done, Rodia hummed and headed over to the two of them.

“It’s a wonder you got this many people together.”

“It was difficult. Your reputation is quite infamous, after all. Still, everyone we were aiming for has joined.”

“What are you two talking about?”

Rodia quickly plopped down between Leo and Lysinas, smiling brightly.

Leo scowled at Rodia, whose orange eyes were sparkling to an uncomfortable degree.

Lysinas patted Rodia on the head.

“We were talking about the expedition in two days.”

For the past few days, Lysinas had come to find Rodia adorable.

Whatever Rodia was like on the inside, she still looked like a young dragon.

For Lysinas, it was impossible not to dote on her.

At Lysinas’s words, Rodia asked Kyle,

“How many people in total are going on this expedition to the Forest of Monsters?”

“Eleven.”

“Eleven? That many?”

Rodia’s eyes widened.

In the original history, the expedition had consisted of eight people, including Kyle and Lysinas.

Even in this desperate era, there were people who still clung to hope with everything they had.

If only the great heroes had been worthy of being called heroes, the world would have collapsed long ago.

But even so, this was a time when there were only a handful of people left who would willingly join Kyle and Lysinas.

Even Rodia—who had attempted to conquer this world several times—had tried to increase the expedition’s numbers, and failed.

With the time she had, it had been hard to change the reputations of Kyle and Lysinas.

And yet, the number had increased by three.

When she saw the list, Rodia burst into a cheer.

“That’s amazing!”

“It was tough, thanks to Kyle.”

“Huh?”

Seeing Lysinas sigh even after gathering more comrades than in the original history, Rodia looked flustered.

Leo answered in a flat tone.

“The people who didn’t want to join because of me finally agreed after I spoke to them.”

“I see. Just how rotten is your personality, Kyle…?”

“You’re not wrong, but that’s still annoying. You’ve been getting way too bold these past few days, haven’t you?”

Squeeze-!

“Ow! That hurts!”

Leo grabbed Rodia’s head and twisted. Rodia grimaced.

Watching them, Lysinas burst out laughing.

“You two are really close. It’s like… a father and daughter.”

Rodia’s eyes went wide. Leo grimaced.

“I’m not old enough to have a daughter this big.”

“No, you’re not. But the way Rodia treats you like a great adult, and the way you treat her like a child… it makes me think of that.”

“I want you to be my mom, Lysinas!”

Lysinas looked troubled.

“I’m sorry, but I’m not old enough to have a child either.”

“To her, you probably look old.”

“You haven’t said anything rude for the past few days, but I guess your true nature can’t be helped.”

Lysinas said it with a laugh, looking at Leo with genuine sincerity.

Her face was smiling gently, but veins stood out on her slender forearm, and her hand was gripping Leo’s collar hard.

When the commotion settled, Lysinas headed outside, saying she would bring the expedition members.

“Dad, so when are you marrying Mom?”

“How long are you going to keep up that creepy little kid act?”

“Rodia wants a little brother or sister too.”

“If you keep messing around, you might actually get hit for real.”

At Leo’s warning, Rodia clicked her tongue.

“Tch!”

“Why are you so excited all by yourself?”

“Tilla said you and Lysinas are a match made in heaven!”

Leo looked toward the counter. Tilla only shook her head, expression blank.

“If that stubborn fool Seiren heard this, even she’d have to admit it.”

“Admit what?”

“That the most perfect pair is Lysinas and you, Kyle!”

Rodia declared, eyes wide.

Leo looked at her like she’d lost her mind.

Rodia’s story was simple.

After confirming Luna and Lysinas’s feelings through Hero Record, the two of them had argued over which pairing was better.

“You guys waste your time on that?”

“It’s a very important issue, you know! Damienne was on my side, but that Azonia brat was on Seiren’s side! And Lumene was a coward and stayed neutral!”

Leo let out a deep sigh at the thought of his hubae burning that much mental energy on something so pointless.

“Seiren, that wench, even abused her writing skills to publish some weird novel to brainwash people. What a vicious brat.”

“…So that’s why you guys were calling each other idiots and morons?”

Rodia yelped as Leo pinched her cheek, making her flail.

Just then, the inn door opened, and ten people walked in.

Leo’s gaze turned toward them.

All familiar faces.

People he’d fought alongside.

And…

‘The ones who died early on.’

It wasn’t because they were weak, or because their will was lacking.

It was simply that the battlefield they had shared had been unimaginably harsh.

Rodia’s playful mood vanished. Her expression tightened.

Thud. Thud. Thud.

The nine people, excluding Lysinas, took their seats.

Most of their eyes were on Leo.

“So it was true.”

A woman sat beside Leo and smiled.

“Kyle, I heard you were joining Lysinas’s journey, but I never imagined it until I saw it with my own eyes.”

A woman in light armor, with brown hair and green eyes.

Arlene Prilene.

“It’s been a while.”

“Hmm. We met on the battlefield before last, so it hasn’t been that long, but… it has been a while, Kyle.”

Even though she looked puzzled, Arlene played along.

“Hmph. A journey with the Surviving Hero.”

An elven mage with a sword-scar over one eye smiled coldly, her gaze sharp.

“I wonder if we’re not all going to die.”

“Hahaha! Perik, you say that, yet you sit right next to Kyle. Were you moved by what Kyle said earlier?”

A beastman warrior with an enormous build dropped into a seat next to the elf. Allox roared with laughter.

“Hmph. Don’t lump me in with a simple-minded beastman. I only came to help Lysinas. I’m sitting next to this guy because I’m curious why this pessimist had a change of heart.”

Rodia stared at Perik and Allox, surprised.

‘Aren’t these the ones Lysinas tried to recruit, but who refused in the end?’

They were the people Lysinas had pleaded with by any means, only to fail to change their minds.

“How did you persuade them?”

Rodia asked with a small smile. Leo answered like it was nothing.

“I was in a party with those two—and Arlene Prilene—for a short while. We split up because our ideas didn’t match.”

“Kukuk! He was so damn cynical we had no choice but to part ways! Looking back, it was a good thing we did!”

Allox threw an arm around Leo’s shoulders.

Leo only sipped his drink.

“…I felt it earlier, but you’ve changed.”

Allox tilted his head.

Then Lysinas spoke.

“First of all, this gathering is to get to know each other before we set out.”

Lysinas smiled brightly.

“But it’s also to drink and have a good time before we risk our lives.”

“Sounds good!”

“We live for the drink!”

Wahahaha! Laughter boomed through the tavern, loud enough to rattle the walls.

No one in Guardslone wanted to get involved with Kyle and Lysinas.

But once they chose to join forces, none of that mattered.

This was an age where life and death hung by a thread every moment.

Once they decided to stand together, they didn’t care who their companions were.

This could be their last feast.

For themselves.

And for the world.

Everyone raised their glasses.

“Before we start, I’d like to ask the Surviving Hero about this expedition.”

A slightly playful jeer cut in.

All eyes turned to Kyle.

Kyle rose from his seat.

“I don’t mean to be a wet blanket, but.”

Leo spoke calmly.

“I just received information about the Gluttony King.”

A silence fell at once.

Gluttony King Jormungandr.

The strongest of the legion commanders.

“There’s information that he’s moving between Guardslone and the Elven Forest.”

Murmurs spread through the tavern.

“What? Where did you hear that?”

Lysinas asked, face tense.

“Through a personal route. It’s probably reliable.”

Everyone’s expressions hardened.

Leo looked at them and continued.

“It might be best to postpone the expedition and prepare for a potential encounter.”

“Is that what you’re suggesting?”

Allox asked, arms crossed.

“No.”

Leo replied evenly.

“I’m saying we should subjugate him.”

“What?”

Eyes widened all around.

“The Gluttony King doesn’t lead a legion. The reason we’ve had trouble dealing with him is that he always moves with another legion commander.”

Jormungandr was the strongest legion commander, his power beyond imagination.

Even so, traveling alone was dangerous.

Even if Jormungandr tried to move alone, if he intended to attack somewhere, another legion would be there to support him.

‘Five thousand years ago, that’s why we didn’t avoid the fight.’

For the expedition, running into Jormungandr was a massive crisis.

But it was also a chance to subjugate the strongest legion commander.

Lysinas had chosen to fight rather than flee, and Kyle and the others had followed her will.

A battle reckless beyond reason.

Yet somehow, they had miraculously brought down the Gluttony King, and that victory became the opening of hope.

“So I’ll say it. Anyone who wants to back down, back down here and now.”

At his words, everyone stared at Leo.

“If what you’re saying is true,”

Allox grinned.

“my heart’s pounding!”

“Utterly reckless.”

Perik clicked his tongue, but he didn’t move.

No one stood to leave.

Leo knew it too.

That none of them would back down.

“A battle with Jormungandr! That’s worth risking my life for!”

Allox shouted.

Leo watched them and thought,

‘Five thousand years ago, they all died. But… not this time.’

Even if he saved them here, it didn’t mean they’d all make it back alive.

But these were people who had risked their lives for the world.

People who had become the foundation of hope without ever living to see it.

‘I don’t want to watch them die again.’

Leo clenched his fist.

‘This time… I will save them.’