“A month has whisked by since our valiant Heroes were called forth. How fare their progress?” the Emperor of the illustrious Empire of Light asked, his regal form settled upon the throne like a sovereign oak.
“Their strides are nothing short of remarkable, Your Majesty. They exceed our loftiest expectations, eclipsing even our most optimistic projections,” replied Oscar, the Commander entrusted with the stewardship of the Heroes’ development.
Though barely breaching the threshold of his thirties, Oscar possessed a rare blend of talent and charisma, earning him the esteemed role of overseeing the Heroes’ ascent.
But he wasn’t alone in his assessment.
“Certainly, I concur,” affirmed Cecilia with a sage nod.
“And who among them stands out as the most in terms of prowess?” queried Emperor Philip.
“Hero Jason undoubtedly emerges as the pinnacle of strength and skill. He has vanquished formidable beasts and dispatched mighty demons with aplomb. Following closely behind are Hero Sienna, Hero Aiden, and Hero Gwen.
Siara Parker, Aisha Miura, and Courtney Turner also exhibit considerable prowess, with their teacher, Sarah, displaying formidable defensive capabilities,” elucidated Oscar, drawing from the wealth of insights gleaned during the past month’s rigorous training.
“A heartening revelation indeed,” remarked the Emperor, his countenance suffused with satisfaction. The burgeoning strength of the Heroes augured well for their impending confrontation with the Demon King.
“Truly, they seem to be blessed by the divine,” chimed in the Empress, her voice brimming with delight.
With a nod of agreement, the Emperor’s smile widened. “Thus, we must ensure the continuity of our realm’s prosperity, whether by their hand or otherwise. Adelia.”
“Yes, Father?” responded Princess Adelia, her visage radiant with grace.
“What are your impressions of Hero Jason?” the Emperor asked, turning his attention to his daughter.
“Father, I believe he is a remarkable man,” Adelia responded, her smile imbued with warmth. “Strong, kind, and utterly dependable.”
“Excellent. I intend to arrange a betrothal between you and him. Your offspring shall be the future stewards of our Empire. The union of our lineage with that of a Hero can only usher in an era of prosperity for our realm,” declared the Emperor with conviction.
Adelia’s acquiescence was swift and serene. “If it is your wish, Father,” she replied, her demeanor betraying no hint of reluctance. In truth, she harbored no reservations; the notion of an alliance with Jason had seemed an inevitability from the outset. Ever since her father had first urged her to forge a connection with him, she had discerned his intentions.
It was not merely a matter of personal preference, but also her duty as a Princess to comply.
“Have you made progress in your rapport with the Hero? What is your assessment of his likely response?” inquired Philip, his tone expectant.
“Undoubtedly, Father. Hero Jason holds me in high regard,” affirmed Adelia without hesitation. Indeed, Jason’s fondness for her had been palpable, evident in the lingering glances he cast her way. She had noticed his weird gazes drifting occasionally to her bosom, yet she chose to feign ignorance.
Convincing herself of his affections was effortless; she was certain he would readily accept the proposal, perhaps citing his obligation to his classmates as justification.
“Wait, Father! What about me?!” The sudden intrusion of Prince Geoffrey disrupted the solemnity of the hall. “I am the Crown Prince! Shouldn’t my progeny be next in line for the throne?”
“Calm yourself, Geoffrey,” admonished the Emperor, his voice steady yet tinged with resolve. “Indeed, you bear the title of Crown Prince. However, thus far, you have yet to secure an alliance with any formidable female Heroes from the opposing faction. Meanwhile, your sister Adelia stands poised to bear offspring with Hero Jason, the most formidable among them.”
While Prince Geoffrey was slated to ascend the throne next, Emperor Philip was steadfast in his determination to ensure the next generation boasted a lineage imbued with the robust blood of Heroes like Jason.
Yet, despite Geoffrey’s undeniable charm and handsome visage, his efforts to court the likes of Sienna, Siara, Gwen, and Aisha, the most formidable female Heroes, had thus far met with frustration. Whether due to their steadfast resolve or existing affections, the task remained elusive for him.
“I… I will succeed in winning one of them over, just you wait!” declared Geoffrey, his departure punctuated by an air of indignation.
An awkward silence settled over the hall until the Empress gently broke it. “Oscar, are you planning to take them into the forest again today?”
“Yes, Your Highness. We intend to venture deeper this time, given their considerable progress,” affirmed Oscar. However, a shadow crossed his countenance, betraying a hint of concern.
“What troubles you, Oscar? Speak your mind,” commanded Philip, his brow furrowing with concern.
“It pertains to a certain Hero, Your Majesty. Hero Nathan,” began Oscar, his tone tinged with exasperation. “For the past month, he has shown little inclination to participate in our morning training sessions. When he does grace us with his presence, he arrives tardily and displays minimal effort.
His lack of focus is evident, and he frequently embroils himself in altercations, necessitating intervention from myself, Cecilia, or his fellow Heroes.”
Oscar’s words trailed off, with anger. Though he harbored disdain for Nathan’s disrespectful demeanor, he found himself powerless to remedy the situation without tarnishing his own reputation.
“Is this indeed the case, Cecilia?” Asked the Emperor, turning his attention to Cecilia, who shared responsibility for the Heroes’ training.
Cecilia nodded, her expression a mix of puzzlement and concern. “Yes, Your Majesty, but there’s something about him… he doesn’t seem malicious.”
Though initially put off by Nathan’s arrogance regarding his status, Cecilia couldn’t help but notice his surprisingly amiable demeanor towards her. Despite his occasional flirtations, he never crossed any boundaries, leaving her to wonder if there might be an underlying issue, perhaps an illness, given his perpetual drowsiness.
“I’ve attempted to address his behavior respectfully, considering his status as a Hero. However, his disregard for authority, even toward the Empire itself, is troubling. It could pose a danger in the future. I’ve refrained from taking drastic measures thus far, as per Amelia Carter’s request that her students not be coerced into combat.
But…” Oscar’s voice trailed off, his frustration evident as he carefully embellished the truth, painting Nathan as a potential threat to the Empire should he fall into the wrong hands.
The Emperor’s brow furrowed at the implication of a Hero betraying their homeland. Such a scenario was not unheard of; Khione still vividly remembered the repercussions of such a mistake.
Despite Nathan’s apparent lack of prowess, his lineage as a Hero rendered him a potential liability.
“There is nothing to worry about.” A beautiful voice rang.
As if on cue, the doors of the throne hall swung open once more, revealing a woman of unparalleled beauty: Khione.
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