The Last Place Hero’s Return - Chapter 255

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

Chapter 255. Summit Meeting (2)
“…Dale, I’m disappointed.”
Lanez turned to me with a cold gaze.
I deliberately avoided her eyes and kept my mouth shut.
‘No.’
She said she’d remodel the entire Party House if I just gave her one compliment about her beauty—how was I supposed to resist that?
‘Besides, it’s true that she’s beautiful.’
As I continued making excuses in my mind, Camelia rose from her seat with a satisfied smile.
“I shall inform Raonel about the Party House matter after this meeting concludes.”
“Ah… yes.”
Ahem.
I swallowed a silent cough and changed the subject.
“By the way, when will the meeting be held?”
“Tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow, then….”
In my previous life, the Three Nations Alliance was formed roughly ten years from now, so Camelia’s existence alone had accelerated the alliance’s formation by a full decade.
‘The war with the Republic won’t happen either.’
Looking back now, I could truly appreciate just how profoundly Camelia’s death had influenced the continental politics of my previous life.
‘In any case… things are changing for the better, aren’t they?’
The stress and worries I’d been carrying because of the Eternal Cult Leader seemed to be easing somewhat.
“Understood. Then I’ll take my leave….”
“Oh, I nearly forgot to mention—you must attend the meeting as well.”
“Pardon?”
What was she talking about?
“Why would I attend a meeting with only Masters present?”
“You already possess strength more than sufficient to be called a Master—nay, even greater than that, do you not?”
“That doesn’t make me a Master.”
The title of Master wasn’t something one could earn through raw power alone.
It required renown and reputation among Heroes, the influence and authority one commanded, and much more besides.
To become a Master, one needed to reach a position where they could voice opinions on matters of national importance.
‘How could a mere bottom-ranked student from Hero Academy possibly claim such a seat?’
A candidate without even an official Hero license, and worse—the lowest-ranked candidate in my entire year. How could someone like that possibly qualify?
“Don’t worry about that. I shall handle it myself.”
“…What do you mean by handling it?”
“Hehe. Do you truly believe any Hero would dare object to my word?”
“….”
So she was essentially planning to bulldoze through without any real strategy.
It was typical of Camelia, if anything.
“Is there a particular reason you’re insisting on my attendance?”
“The reason is….”
Camelia trailed off for a moment, then glanced sideways at Lanez before continuing.
“I’ll tell you later.”
It seemed like something difficult to say in front of Lanez.
Well, I could hear the reason later anyway.
‘A Summit Meeting.’
Of course, even if I attended, I could only observe—I wouldn’t have a voice in the actual proceedings.
‘But there’s no reason to pass up the chance to directly witness how the Three Nations Alliance is formed.’
The Three Nations Alliance would become the cornerstone of the Heroes’ forces in the coming war against the Demon God’s armies.
Being able to observe what discussions took place at the meeting to establish the alliance was a valuable opportunity.
“Understood. I’ll participate as well.”
“Good. Then I’ll contact you again tomorrow.”
Camelia rose from her seat.
She gave a light wave toward Lanez and me, then stepped out of the Party House.
“….”
The Party House, now that Camelia had left.
A chill filled the space as if I’d submerged myself in a frozen lake on the depths of winter.
“Dale… so tomorrow you’re going to the meeting with the Empress…?”
Lanez tugged gently at my collar, her lips pressed into a thin line.
“I have to. It’s not every day I get to witness the Three Nations Alliance being formed.”
“Uuu….”
Did Lanez understand how important this meeting was?
Though her expression was clouded with anxiety and she exhaled a chilling aura, she didn’t voice any objection.
Instead.
“So… we have time until tomorrow, right?”
“Huh?”
“Stay still, Dale.”
Lanez climbed onto me, her cheeks puffing out adorably.
“I… I need to make sure the Empress doesn’t… doesn’t steal you away… so I should… squeeze you dry beforehand…”
A fierce(?) declaration that clashed entirely with her bashful expression.
Lanez exhaled a determined breath through her nose and pressed her lips together.
“….”
I wondered if I’d actually make it to tomorrow’s meeting.
* * *
The next day.
After receiving Camelia’s message, I headed toward the Main Building where the Headmaster’s Office was located.
“Hmm?”
Camelia, who had arrived first and was waiting at the entrance, narrowed her eyes at me.
“Why do you look so haggard?”
“…There were some circumstances.”
I splashed water on my face, trying to shake off the exhaustion that weighed on my mind.
“Hmm. Well, as long as you don’t fall asleep in there, there’s no problem.”
“You needn’t worry about that.”
I wouldn’t be mad enough to doze off in a conference room filled with Masters.
“Then let’s go in.”
With those words, Camelia extended her hand toward me in a graceful gesture.
“…?”
“Why are you staring so blankly? Come now, escort me properly.”
“Wait, are we attending some kind of party gathering?”
An escort for a meeting? That made no sense.
“The reason matters little—that I wish it is reason enough.”
“…Sigh.”
I exhaled and took the hand Camelia offered.
“Hehe. Splendid.”
Camelia rose from her seat with a faint smile.
I followed her toward the Headmaster’s Office where the meeting was to be held, her hand still in mine.
“Stand behind me and follow inside.”
“Yes.”
I entered the Headmaster’s Office in Camelia’s wake.
“You’ve arrived.”
“It’s been quite some time since we’ve met in person, Camelia.”
“Your Majesty, it is an honor.”
As we entered, Raonel, Pope Marian, and Johan Basillio rose from their seats.
“Hm? Why is Dale here…?”
Raonel’s expression shifted to one of surprise as he watched me follow Camelia inside.
“I’ve brought him as my escort.”
“What? Dale as an escort? But setting that aside—surely you don’t intend to have him observe the meeting?”
“Is there a problem with that?”
“There’s nothing but problems!”
Raonel was well aware that Dale possessed capabilities far beyond those of ordinary candidates.
That was precisely why he had granted Dale the unprecedented position of Special Candidate in the Hero Academy’s five-hundred-year history.
However.
“No matter how exceptional Dale may be, he simply isn’t at the level to participate in a gathering of Masters, is he?”
“Not at the level to participate in a gathering of Masters, you say…”
Camelia let out a soft chuckle and turned to face Raonel.
“You don’t even properly understand what level your own candidate has reached.”
“What?”
Raonel’s eyes narrowed in confusion.
He didn’t understand what level Dale had attained?
“Are you suggesting Dale has reached Master rank?”
While he held Dale’s abilities in high regard, surely they couldn’t compare to those of a true Master.
“Hehe. Figure it out yourself.”
Camelia shrugged her shoulders and glanced around at the Masters gathered in the Headmaster’s Office.
“In any case, I’ll vouch for Dale’s identity, so if you have complaints, speak them directly.”
“…Sigh. There’s truly no stopping you.”
“Hoho. How very like Camelia.”
Pope Marian offered a wry smile and nodded her head.
“Understood. If Camelia insists to this degree, I shall permit Dale to observe the meeting. However….”
“I won’t disrupt the proceedings, so there’s no need for concern.”
“Yes, I’m counting on you.”
Marian nodded with a warm smile.
“Dale… Dale, you say….”
The gaze of Johan Basillio, a golden-haired knight clad in white plate armor and bearer of the title Sword of Holy Nation, turned toward me.
“Do you know of me?”
“I’d heard the name somewhere before, and it turns out I learned it from Camilla Bediche.”
“Ah.”
Now that I thought about it, the Sword of Holy Nation had been personally instructing Camilla Bediche during this winter break.
“Haha. I never expected to meet the Dale I’d only heard about in conversation here of all places.”
Johan’s eyes gleamed with interest as he approached me and extended his hand.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m Johan Basillio, Commander of the Seven Star Knights.”
“I’m Dale Han. It’s an honor to meet the Sword of Holy Nation.”
“Ahaha. There’s no need for such formality… but your impression is quite different from what I heard from Camilla Bediche.”
“Pardon?”
What on earth had she told him?
“Ah… well, you see….”
Johan offered an awkward smile and averted his gaze.
“Stubborn and… whenever something happens, you recklessly charge in alone without hesitation to resolve it, and you’re a lecherous womanizer who lusts after women….”
“….”
What is this.
Now that I heard it directly, I couldn’t refute any of it.
“Haha. I think I said something strange because Camilla and I are so close. You know how it is—close friends tend to insult each other more, don’t they?”
“Ah, I see.”
“By the way, how is Camilla doing these days? I heard she’s been receiving instruction under you.”
“It’s remarkable. I knew Camilla Bediche had talent from the start, but I never imagined she’d grow to this extent in just one year.”
Johan added that the position of the next Sword of Holy Nation would likely be secure, his smile brimming with satisfaction.
‘From his reaction, it seems she’s doing well.’
Among my party members, Camilla Bediche was the one who lagged behind in pure ‘talent,’ so I’d been secretly worried, but it appeared she was growing at a respectable pace.
“By the way….”
Camelia, who had been surveying the room, furrowed her brow.
“That one still hasn’t arrived?”
One person who had yet to appear despite the Empress’s arrival.
“Hmm. I did receive word that he arrived yesterday, but….”
Raonel sighed deeply as well, shaking his head as though this was far from the first time something like this had happened.
“If it’s that fellow, he’s probably….”
Creak!
Before Raonel could finish his sentence, the conference room door swung open and an elderly man stepped inside.
“Ahahaha! I got a bit carried away with a drink in Valhalla City and completely lost track of time! My apologies!”
The moment the door opened, the sharp aroma of alcohol wafted through the room.
An elderly man with thick gray hair, a bottle of liquor in one hand, burst into hearty laughter as he entered the conference room.
“My, it’s been quite a while since I’ve seen all of you! Good to see you, truly! Hahahaha!”
“….”
The old man tilted his bottle and took a long swig, seemingly oblivious to the cold stares directed at him.
“Ho, there’s a young man here I haven’t seen before?”
The elderly man’s eyes sparkled as he turned to look at me.
“Pleased to meet you. I’m the Falling Blossom Swordmaster… no wait, the Last-Ranked Master… yes, that suits me far better!”
The old man chuckled to himself, his shoulders shaking with amusement.
“Last-Ranked Master, Kalid Han, they call me.”
Kalid Han tilted his half-empty bottle toward me with a sly grin.
“How about it—care to join me for a drink?”

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