The Last Place Hero’s Return - Chapter 279

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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 279. War (3)
“What in the world is this…?”
Raonel Ryu—known among Republic citizens by the epithet “Sage” for his dignified and solemn demeanor—stood with his mouth agape as if a fly might venture inside, having utterly forgotten his duty to maintain the dignity and decorum befitting his position as Chancellor.
His jaw hung slack, a portrait of utter bewilderment.
“You… what exactly are you?”
Raonel’s eyes trembled as he fixed his gaze upon the Candidate before him.
Dale Han.
I had long known that despite his Academy grades, he far surpassed the level of an ordinary Candidate—a true powerhouse concealing his full strength.
I was aware he had never revealed his complete capabilities.
But.
‘Surely there must be limits, even to such power!’
The mana output he displayed now vastly exceeded even Master-tier levels.
No.
It was far more than merely surpassing “Master-tier strength.”
The sheer magnitude of mana he wielded—something even the Empress, revered as a demigod, could never dare approach.
An awe-struck wonder overwhelmed him, as though he stood before the vast majesty of untamed nature itself.
“With war against the Demons looming at our doorstep, does my identity truly matter?”
In truth, I had no leisure to speak of being a regressor, of harboring the Primordial Flame and the power of the World Tree within my body, and all the rest.
‘Even if I had the time, it’s information I cannot speak of carelessly.’
Even if I were to stretch the point and confide in Camelia or Raonel,
‘I cannot reveal before the Pope of the Seven Star Church that I possess the power of the Primordial Flame.’
Unlike with Iris—a relationship of absolute mutual trust—revealing to Pope Marian that I harbor the power of the Demon God would invite needless suspicion.
In any case,
I had attempted to deflect the conversation by using the war as a pretext,
“While I concede your point about the current situation’s urgency, the power Dale possesses transcends all reason. I cannot simply overlook it.”
Raonel’s eyes burned with an iron resolve—he would not relent until he uncovered the truth of my identity.
‘Damn.’
As expected.
I had revealed far too much for a single deflection to suffice.
“Tell me. How did you come to possess such tremendous mana? Depending on your answer, I may have no choice but to exclude you from this operation.”
“…”
What should I do?
[Excluded from the operation, Dale.]
As I furrowed my brow in contemplation, Camelia’s scoff echoed through the chamber.
[How amusing, Raonel.]
“…What?”
[This operation cannot even be conceived without Dale Han. And you speak of excluding him? Can you activate the warp gate in his stead?]
“…”
As though struck by her words, Raonel’s expression hardened into rigid silence.
“However, I cannot entrust such a critical mission to someone whose identity remains unverified.”
Thousands of Candidates’ lives hung in the balance.
Without understanding Dale’s true identity or how he possessed such tremendous magical power, we couldn’t proceed with the operation—luring the Demons into the Academy, activating the warp gate, and allowing the Candidates to escape.
[I shall vouch for Dale’s identity.]
“…You’ll vouch for him?”
[Should the Candidates fall victim to Dale’s negligence or betrayal during this operation, I shall bear that responsibility in place of the Empress.]
“Ha, bear responsibility? Are you planning to step down from the throne?”
[If necessary, I shall do so.]
“…!”
Raonel’s eyes widened in shock.
By her usual manner of speech and outward demeanor alone, Camelia seemed to regard all things in the world as beneath her feet, treating them like insects.
But Raonel, who had known her for so long, understood better than anyone.
How much she had sacrificed to protect the Empire’s people.
How much effort she had invested to sit upon the throne of “Empress,” bearing the weight of thousands, tens of thousands of lives upon her shoulders.
And yet.
She would wager even that seat for a mere Candidate?
“…I haven’t the faintest idea what’s happening here.”
Raonel turned to look at Dale with complicated eyes.
[Raonel, I agree with Camelia as well.]
“…Even you, Pope Marian?”
[Iris told me so. Dale the Candidate… well, he is a Candidate, isn’t he? She said he is a Hero blessed by the Seven Gods. I lack the Seven Eyes to verify the truth myself, but if a Saint vouches for a Hero, shouldn’t we place our faith in him?]
“….”
First the Empress, now the Pope as well.
“Sigh. Very well. I’ll set aside my questions about Dale the Candidate’s identity for now.”
Raonel exhaled deeply and nodded.
“Then I’ll make preparations to activate the warp gate before the Demons’ assault begins.”
Creak.
Raonel rose from his seat and approached me.
“Dale the Candidate.”
He drew near and extended his hand.
The operation to use the Candidates as bait and draw in the Demons.
Perhaps he was thinking that the Candidates might be sacrificed because of my choice.
I could see his outstretched hand trembling faintly.
And yet.
“Please… protect the Candidates.”
Raonel did not withdraw the hand he had extended toward me.
“Yes.”
I grasped his weathered hand and nodded.
* * *
“I still have matters to discuss with the Chancellor regarding this operation, so Dale the Candidate, please return to your quarters first.”
After parting ways with Elisha, I returned to my room.
“Ugh.”
My vision swam for a moment.
With unsteady steps, I made my way to the bed and collapsed onto it.
‘As expected, using the Divine Form state drains me rapidly.’
That said.
The Tree of Creation and the Primordial Flame.
These were powers that only appeared in mythology, and the technique could only be unleashed by combining them—such aftereffects were inevitable.
Bzzzzzzt.
“Hmm?”
As I lay sprawled across the bed, the Hero Watch on my wrist vibrated.
‘A video call?’
I activated the Hero Watch, and a holographic window materialized, revealing Camelia lying on what appeared to be a sofa, gazing at the screen.
[Can you talk for a moment? Ah, of course, even if you have other matters to attend to, you must speak with me.]
“….”
No.
If that’s how it is, don’t ask in the first place.
“I’m available to talk.”
[How fortunate.]
Camelia leaned her face closer to the screen, her gaze fixed intently upon me through the display.
“…Why are you looking at me like that?”
[Well, it’s been so long since I’ve seen your face that I was simply indulging in the moment.]
“Didn’t we just see each other in the conference room?”
[Hmm. But that wasn’t a situation where I could appreciate you properly, was it?]
Camelia smiled faintly, her eyes tracing my features as though savoring them.
No.
Being stared at so intently was rather embarrassing.
“Ah… now that I think about it, thank you for earlier.”
I hastily changed the subject, hiding my flushed cheeks.
[Hmm? Thank me?]
“Didn’t you vouch for my identity?”
I had known before that she trusted me, but I never imagined she would stake her position as Empress itself to defend me.
[Hehe. I didn’t do it solely for you, you know.]
Camelia shrugged and continued.
[Isn’t it true that without you, there would be no one to carry out this operation?]
“That may be true, but….”
[I did it for the greater good.]
For the greater good, she said.
“I don’t think that’s something to dismiss so lightly. I know well how much responsibility you carry as Empress.”
It was too significant for her to brush aside so casually.
Perhaps it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to call it her very life itself.
[I see… Yes, you know well about the Empress…]
Camelia frantically adjusted the Hero Watch.
On the screen that appeared, a modest room unbecoming of the title “Empress” came into view.
[He, hehe. Ehehehe.]
Laughter flowed through the Hero Watch.
It was an unusually vacant laugh, unlike her usual demeanor.
[Ahem.]
The screen returned.
Beyond the screen, Camelia’s cheeks were faintly flushed.
[If that is so… then I wish for one form of compensation.]
“Compensation?”
[Yes.]
Compensation, she said.
Because of what happened before, indecent imaginings suddenly filled my mind.
“…What sort of compensation do you wish for?”
[Once this matter is resolved…]
Camelia paused for a moment, then took a short breath and opened her mouth.
“Ah, like last time, licking feet or being stepped on—I’d rather not—”
[—I wish you would tell me about yourself.]
“Huh?”
[About you… I wish to know. Unlike those close to you, the Empress does not know who you are, what life you have lived, or how you came to possess such formidable power.]
“…”
No.
If she says it like that, what does that make me for jumping to conclusions about feet and stepping, Empress?
[…Can you tell me?]
Camelia looked at me with an expression slightly fearful of rejection.
An involuntary smile escaped me at that expression—one that could never be called that of an ‘Empress’.
[Why, why are you smiling?]
“Haha. It’s nothing.”
I nodded and continued speaking.
“Understood. Once this matter is resolved… I will tell you everything about myself.”
[Ah…]
Camelia exhaled a short exclamation and suddenly stiffened her expression.
“What is the matter?”
[No, it’s just… your words just now… they sounded somewhat ominous.]
Huh? Ominous?
‘Ah.’
Now that I think about it, it does sound like some kind of death flag.
“There is no need to worry about that.”
A death flag, indeed.
At least, it was a word that held no meaning for me.
[Hmm. I’m not sure where such confidence comes from… but very well.]
Camelia smiled faintly and nodded her head.
[I shall await the day when I come to know everything about you.]
Camelia rose from her seat.
[For now, I must focus on preparing for war.]
“Yes.”
[Ah, that’s right. Separate from the reward I mentioned earlier, if you demonstrate sufficient valor in this coming war, I shall bestow upon you a commendation befitting an Empress. Do keep that in mind.]
“….”
No.
That’s a bit….
* * *
Not many days passed before we began our frantic war preparations behind the scenes.
Boom! Crash!
“D-Demons! An enormous number of Demons are gathering before the Academy…!”
The war with the Demons had begun.

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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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