The Last Place Hero’s Return - Chapter 225

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 225. The Spider and the Empress (2)
The Imperial Capital.
For the past five hundred years—no, stretching back even further—the Imperial Capital, steeped in a legacy of profound tradition and history, radiated such magnificent splendor that it overwhelmed all who beheld it.
Streets carved from white marble, and the faint, nostalgic scent of perfume drifting through the air.
Crystal-clear water perpetually cascaded from fountains scattered throughout the city, while the streets bustled with nobility adorned in resplendent attire.
The most striking structure, without question, was the colossal golden palace that dominated the center of the Capital.
It was the residence of the Empress of the Empire and the pinnacle among tens of thousands of heroes—the Empress Camelia.
“….”
A white-haired man wearing a monocle gazed upon the golden palace and exhaled a quiet sigh.
“Is everything prepared?”
Mephistopheles, the white-haired man, slowly shifted his gaze.
Where he looked, masked figures in animal disguises had gathered.
Among them, a man wearing a bear mask stepped forward.
“Yes. It is complete.”
“Then all that remains is infiltrating the Imperial Palace.”
Mephistopheles gazed at the distant golden palace, his eyes narrowing slightly.
After observing the palace for a moment, Mephistopheles turned his head toward the bear-masked figure.
He glanced around as if searching for someone, then furrowed his brow and asked.
“That person… they are not coming?”
“Correct. That person has other matters to attend to and has entrusted command of this operation to you, Mephistopheles.”
“Sigh.”
Mephistopheles exhaled a deep breath.
“Well, I understand. I’ve known for some time that the ‘Eternal Deity’ you all serve is not someone who moves so easily.”
“Everything will unfold according to that person’s will.”
“Yes, yes. I’m sure it will.”
Tsk.
Mephistopheles clicked his tongue and shook his head.
“‘Ruin’ has begun to move.”
Mephistopheles gazed at the golden palace, his lips pressed tightly together.
“Listen well, all of you.”
He continued speaking softly as he turned his steps toward the golden palace.
“We must… save Empress Camelia at all costs.”
* * *
The day after receiving the Empress’s invitation.
I left the Academy and headed toward the Warp Gate Station located within Valhalla City.
Of course, I wasn’t traveling to the Empire alone.
“You’re here?”
Elisha, who had arrived first at our meeting place, extinguished her half-lit cigarette.
“My apologies. I was delayed preparing a few things.”
“Hmm.”
Elisha gazed at me with an unreadable expression.
“…Why are you looking at me like that?”
“Oh, it’s just that I’ve never seen you dressed up so formally before, Dale.”
Elisha’s lips curled into an amused smile as she took in my neat uniform.
“Well, Iris kept nagging me about it since I’m going to meet the Empress. She said I shouldn’t wear my usual clothes.”
“Hmm. So Iris prepared this outfit for you?”
“I borrowed it from Yurina. She said it’s a style that Imperial nobles typically wear.”
I couldn’t understand why Imperial nobles all seemed to favor such ornately decorated garments with dangling accessories.
“It suits you well.”
“Ugh. You don’t need to worry about it. I know it doesn’t look good on me anyway.”
“Hmm? Who said I was worried?”
Elisha stepped closer and gently stroked my hair, a faint smile crossing her face.
“I only said it because it truly does suit you.”
There wasn’t a hint of deception in her violet eyes.
“R-really?”
“Of course, though I suppose it would have looked even better on Yuren.”
“Ugh.”
“Hehe. I’m just joking.”
Elisha chuckled and playfully pinched my cheek with the hand that had been stroking my hair.
“In my eyes, you look far more dashing than any handsome man out there.”
“…I think your eyes might be a bit off.”
“Love has a way of blinding a woman’s eyes, after all.”
Elisha turned away with a gentle smile.
“But are you sure it’s alright for me to come along? The Empress’s invitation was for you, Dale.”
“I already told you—this time, I really need the help of your Insight’s Blessing.”
I needed to understand what the Eternal Order was truly plotting.
I needed to know why Camelia had been mysteriously killed in my previous life.
To uncover the truth behind these events, Elisha’s Insight’s Blessing was absolutely essential.
“Besides, going alone would be far less reassuring than having you by my side.”
“…Does having me beside you make you feel reassured?”
“Of course.”
While all my other party members were trustworthy, none of them gave me the same solid sense of security that Elisha did.
“Hmm? Is that so? Well then…”
Elisha struggled to suppress the corners of her mouth from rising, her expression becoming somewhat awkward as she trailed off.
“The same goes for me.”
“Pardon?”
“Ahem. Ah, it’s nothing. Let’s hurry and depart. The Warp Gate Station to the Imperial Capital gets crowded, and we’ll have to wait quite a while if we’re late.”
Elisha hurried away, hiding her flushed cheeks.
I stifled a chuckle and followed after her.
Whirrrrrrr.
I arrived at the Imperial Capital via the Warp Gate Station.
True to its reputation as the mightiest nation, the splendid vista of the capital unfolded before my eyes.
“…Still as chaotic as ever.”
“Do you visit often?”
“Why would someone from a nameless Rural Village like me have reason to come here frequently? I’ve only been here a handful of times on business.”
Elisha shrugged as she spoke.
The moment we stepped outside the Warp Gate Station.
“Are you Dale Han?”
A knight clad in armor bearing the Imperial Palace insignia approached us.
“Yes, that’s correct.”
“Might I see Camelia’s invitation letter?”
“Here it is.”
The knight examined the invitation and saluted with crisp precision.
“Thank you for cooperating with the verification process! I shall escort our distinguished guest safely to the Imperial Palace!”
Distinguished guest, he said.
According to Raonel, she had quite the willful personality, yet she was treating me with proper courtesy?
“Please follow me.”
“Of course.”
“By the way, who is the person beside you?”
“A professor who came with me.”
“Uninvited outsiders are not…”
“If she cannot accompany me, I’ll simply return.”
“Hmm… One moment, please.”
The knight’s expression grew troubled as he activated his Hero Watch and exchanged messages with someone.
“Professor Elisha Baldwin… is that correct?”
“Yes.”
“Understood. Please come along.”
Following the knight’s lead, we arrived at the Imperial Palace.
A palace constructed of gold and towering gates standing sentinel at its entrance came into view.
‘So this is truly the Imperial Palace.’
At least ten or more magical formations were inscribed upon the gates alone.
Each one was a formidable barrier powerful enough to defend a fortress.
‘With defenses like these, the news about the Eternal Order targeting the Imperial Palace hardly seems concerning.’
The security was so impeccable that even the word “impenetrable” fell short.
‘The real problem is that Mephistopheles is backing the Eternal Order.’
The Archbishop of Depravity, Mephistopheles.
As a Demon Human specialized in infiltration and disguise, he possessed unparalleled skill in neutralizing protective barriers like these.
‘If it’s Mephistopheles… he could manage it.’
I clicked my tongue as we passed through the densely inscribed gates.
“We’ve arrived.”
I arrived at a massive platinum door after navigating through the labyrinthine corridors of the Imperial Palace.
The knight who had guided me from the Warp Gate Station bowed respectfully and stepped back, his duty fulfilled.
Creak.
As I approached the door, the platinum gateway blazed with light and swung open.
Beyond the platinum threshold lay an enormous hall.
At first glance, precious gems and masterpieces were scattered about like common trinkets in a marketplace.
“Hmm.”
At the far end of the hall, which was as expansive as a sports field.
A woman reclined upon an excessively elongated chair that could hardly be called a throne.
A platinum-haired woman draped in gossamer-thin garments like sleepwear.
Her languid gaze, as though sleep might claim her at any moment, fixed upon me.
“Are you the Candidate from those rumors?”
“….”
I had no idea what rumors she referred to.
“Yes, I am Dale Han.”
I offered a light bow toward the Empress.
In that instant, Camelia’s expression twisted slightly.
“…Dale. Kneel.”
Elisha grasped my arm and knelt on one knee like a knight swearing fealty.
“Ah, my apologies. I am unfamiliar with Imperial etiquette.”
Just as I was about to follow Elisha’s example and kneel.
“Rise.”
Camelia’s voice fell softly.
“I am not so narrow-minded as to demand propriety from one who has not been taught it.”
“….”
“Besides… I summoned only you.”
The Empress’s gaze shifted toward Elisha.
“Who are you?”
“I am Elisha Baldwin, instructor to Dale. It is an honor to serve you.”
“Elisha… Elisha Baldwin, you say… Ah yes, now I recall.”
Camelia continued in her drowsy voice.
“Are you the ‘Spider of Ill Omen’?”
“I am ashamed to say that is indeed how I am known.”
“I heard you were from the Empire.”
“…I am merely from a nameless Rural Village.”
“Hehe. Whether you hail from a Noble House or a humble village matters not to me.”
Camelia plucked a grape from the table beside her chair and placed it in her mouth.
“After all, everything in this world save myself is nothing but insignificant vermin.”
“….”
“In any case.”
Camelia nodded toward Elisha and continued speaking.
“I have no interest in you. Step back.”
“…Yes.”
Elisha rose and retreated toward the door.
“So… your name is Dale Han, correct?”
“…”
I knew I stood before the Empress, but her arrogant dismissal of Elisha—treating her like a mere servant—kindled an irritation I couldn’t quite suppress.
“…Yes.”
Sigh.
All right, I’d endure this.
I would endure it.
“Hmm… it’s difficult to judge from mere appearance.”
Camelia regarded me with a languid expression before letting out a yawn.
“Indeed, it seems better to verify with my own eyes rather than rely on rumors.”
“…Verify, you say?”
Snap.
Camelia flicked her fingers.
Rumble, rumble, rumble!
As if an earthquake had struck, the hall trembled, and iron-clad knights materialized from the floor itself.
The armored knights drew their blades and surrounded me in an instant.
“Come now, show me your tricks before your Empress.”
Camelia tilted her head, a languid smile playing at her lips.
“…Hah.”
I surveyed the iron knights encircling me and released a deep breath.
Whoooosh.
As I slowly kindled embers around me, I glanced at Elisha—her expression flustered, her composure shattered—and then at Camelia, who gazed down at me with eyes gleaming with amusement.
‘Tricks… so she wants tricks.’
Very well, if that’s what she desires, I’ll give her a performance.
One she will never forget.

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