Do Heroes Need Welfare Too? - Chapter 109

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 109

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The title conferment ceremony was held in the capital due to Adam having no proper territory.

“I shall bestow upon you the rank of Earl in recognition of your achievements.”

Contrary to expectations of receiving a baronet title, it was actually an earldom.

However, it was not lacking as a title to bestow upon the Hero who saved the world.

The Emperor was displeased but had no choice but to grant the title.

The Duke of Evant himself had made a move.

Until now, there had been no connection between Heroes.

They merely shared the mission of being chosen by God and having to kill the Demon King to save the world.

Therefore, although Evant was a family that had produced six Heroes, they showed no movement in ostracizing Adam.

However, rumors began circulating in society.

Stories that the Emperor was disrespecting the Hero, and that this included Laurence Evant who was the sixth Hero, eventually reached the Duke’s ears.

Kyrillos clicked his tongue, saying that if he had heard such rumors in his youth, he would have immediately drawn his sword and cut out the tongue of whoever was spreading such nonsense.

However, the Duke of Evant, who had become seasoned with age, simply pressured the Emperor.

While he might reign over others as Emperor, the Duke was an exception.

The Emperor who had ascended to replace the Former Emperor who died suddenly had questionable legitimacy.

Thanks to this, the nobles’ power had grown strong, and the Duke of Evant’s already high prestige soared sky-high.

In the end, the Emperor had no choice but to commend Adam’s achievements and quell the rumors.

Adam knelt before the Emperor.

It was a similar scene to that day long ago.

However, this was not done solely to humiliate him, but to receive a rightful title.

The Emperor slowly rose and placed his sword on Adam’s left shoulder.

Looking at the Emperor’s face, it seemed like he might put force into the sword and strike Adam down, but he couldn’t do so with watching eyes present.

“I commend your achievements.”

After the brief words ended, the Emperor withdrew his sword and placed it on the cushion brought by an attendant.

Then he moved away without giving the Hero a single glance.

As if he didn’t want to stay in that place for him even a moment longer.

“Waaah!”

As the Emperor left, the commoners who had been watching the Hero with shining eyes raised their voices.

The commoners threw flowers they had brought one by one, blessing Adam.

It was the birth of a new noble with a completely different atmosphere from other nobles who had solemnly watched conferment ceremonies.

Adam received their cheers in bewilderment.

While other nobles wouldn’t dare lay hands on his body, he was that Hero.

The commoners ran up to him one by one.

Adam, who was initially startled by the sudden situation, soon skillfully made eye contact with each child who was seeing the Hero from fairy tales for the first time.

“Hero!”

“Please take this!”

A man holding a child approached Adam.

The child in his arms reached out and placed a flower crown on his head.

“Congratulations!”

“Hero, congratulations.”

“I want to use this opportunity to truly thank you.”

Someone offered him freshly baked bread, while another handed him a pretty stone that wasn’t a jewel but was precious to them.

Adam bashfully accepted their kindness slowly.

It was a contrasting move from the past when he wouldn’t accept the young ladies’ handkerchiefs.

Perhaps it was because it was pure goodwill without visible ulterior motives or desires to impress him.

Iberis, who was watching the scene warmly, paused at an intense gaze.

‘Huh?’

She stopped walking because she discovered the Emperor glaring at Adam with burning eyes as if he would devour him.

However, he quickly turned away.

‘It should be fine… right?’

The sight of him still unable to leave and spilling his anger toward Adam was quite amusing.

But the Emperor also seemed to have nothing he could do right now as he moved his body busily.

The number of people who could interfere with his plans as Emperor, including Adam, could be counted on one hand.

However, the Elderly High Priest also participated in Adam’s noble title conferment ceremony.

The Elderly High Priest, who stood before the Emperor who was about to leave, smiled pretending to be good-natured.

The Emperor had his back turned, so she couldn’t see his face.

However, even from afar, they didn’t seem to get along as expected.

Rather than both smiling, fierce reactions flowed out as if they might start a sword dance at any moment.

It wasn’t because of the Emperor and Elderly High Priest’s expressions. They acted as if treating close friends they hadn’t seen in years, but the expressions of their respective subordinates behind them were changing moment by moment.

The first to frown were the High Priests, and when the Elderly High Priest opened his mouth next, it was the Emperor’s attendant whose face turned deathly pale.

In the end, the Emperor was the first to back down and passed by him.

It seemed he planned to ignore and leave since both the Hero and now the Elderly High Priest were bothering him.

The Elderly High Priest laughed at that sight and greeted him.

The Emperor’s footsteps, stomping more heavily than before, were clearly filled with rage for anyone to see.

The attendants hurriedly followed behind him.

‘Hmm. Verbal sparring, battle of wills. The Elderly High Priest won both.’

Watching the Elderly High Priest smile in victory was quite entertaining.

The Emperor being in trouble was always an amusing spectacle.

Just then, her eyes met with the Elderly High Priest who was looking this way.

He seemed to recognize her as he smiled with his eyes, and Iberis also bowed her head in courtesy.

When she raised her head, the Elderly High Priest’s gaze was already directed toward Adam.

It was a pleased smile like looking at a well-raised son. However, in his eyes was hidden desire he couldn’t quite conceal.

Iberis paused at a small realization that suddenly occurred to her.

‘As expected, the Elderly High Priest’s attitude wasn’t purely innocent goodwill.’

With those who had truly pure goodwill beside Adam, the contrast made it clearly visible.

What the Elderly High Priest possessed was not small desire.

It was probably desire that Adam was also aware of.

“Iberis.”

“Hero!”

Iberis ran to Adam.

Although the first congratulatory words were taken by others, she wanted to have his last moments.

Iberis spoke with sincerity.

“You were truly magnificent. Congratulations, Hero. You’ve finally reclaimed part of what belongs to you.”

“Thank you, Eve.”

Adam smiled gently.

Iberis was concerned about the Elderly High Priest who would be watching them from afar. Did Adam know that the Elderly High Priest had attended?

Since all previous Heroes had been nobles, it was unusual for the Elderly High Priest to come to his title conferment ceremony.

Wasn’t he someone of such high status that he rarely showed his face even to those who came to worship?

The commoners acted as if they had gained glory just from seeing the Elderly High Priest from a distance. They said everything was the Hero’s blessing and God’s grace.

Thanks to this, Adam’s position became more solid, but having seen the Elderly High Priest’s desire, she couldn’t be entirely pleased.

“Eve, is something wrong?”

“No. I was just thinking for a moment.”

Adam, who was quite perceptive, looked worriedly at her gloomy face.

She couldn’t add to his worries on such a good day.

Iberis quickly pointed to the flower crown on his head and said.

“The Hero and flowers really suit each other well.”

“Ah, you mean this?”

The child who had placed the flower crown on him was a familiar face.

The child called Edna was still being held by her parents, looking at Adam with sparkling eyes.

The child’s parents also kept bowing their heads to him in greeting.

“The child prepared it, they said.”

Adam took down the flower crown that had been placed on his head.

Iberis brushed off the petals remaining on top of his head.

Pink petals fluttered down to the floor.

It was a shame since it would have suited him if he kept wearing it.

His face was delicately pretty too, so strangely enough, it matched well with the flowers. Iberis watched with a regretful expression as he removed the flower crown.

“I think it would suit Eve better than me.”

Adam suddenly placed the flower crown gently on top of her head.

Since the flower crown tilted slightly and covered her eyes, she couldn’t properly see what expression Adam was making.

However, the corners of his mouth that curved up smoothly clearly showed he was in a good mood.

“Pretty.”

His delicate red lips moved in a graceful arc.

Looking only at Adam’s lips gave Iberis a strange feeling, so she quickly adjusted the flower crown on her head.

Only then could she see his face completely.

Ah, perhaps she shouldn’t have looked after all.

His gaze was so ticklish that Iberis pressed her lips tightly together.

Even though he hadn’t said anything at all.

It was just that the way he looked at her was so blatant it was embarrassingly difficult to bear.

Iberis could only fidget with the innocent flower crown.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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