Chapter 12 : Reconvening the Hero’s Party (1)

“Demon King, do you have a moment?”

The Demon King was lying on the bed, lazily flipping through a book borrowed from the Saint. I was curious what he was reading this time—

it turned out to be the Aria Church’s doctrine manual. Was it even okay for the Demon King to read something like that?

He looked a little out of it, so I sat him up, fixed his hair, and made him sit in a chair. I say this every time, but I wish he would carry himself

with a bit more dignity. He is the Demon King, after all…

“This is important. Please listen carefully.”

I let out a short sigh and began explaining to him.

“There’s suspicious movement from the Beast King’s Legion. I heard they raided the granary

region in the eastern empire.”

“Garra’s legion?”

“Yes. We don’t know the reason yet, but the Steward has been sent to investigate.”

Since it hasn’t been officially confirmed as a rebellion, there’s no need to say it outright.

“If the Steward was sent, the Grand Commander must’ve acted.”

“That’s… true, but…”

“The Grand Commander will handle it. Talk to me again once it’s all settled.”

And just like that, the Demon King jumped back onto the bed and resumed reading. It hadn’t even been five minutes since I fixed his hair,

and he was already messing it up again. If this keeps up, I feel like I’ll be the one starting a rebellion.

“ understood…”

“The Grand Commander will take care of it. Don’t worry. If it’s really serious, she’ll contact us herself.”

“Yes… I suppose so…”

Honestly, a rebellion doesn’t make much sense. The Beast King’s Legion is made up of beastfolk,

who aren’t exactly bright, but their loyalty

surpasses that of any other unit. Something must’ve gone wrong.

“Demon King, at least change your clothes before lying down. They’re getting all wrinkled.”

“Don’t just mumble back like that…”

Looking at the Demon King acting all childish again, I shoved the unease about the rebellion into

a corner of my heart.

“Saint, a letter has arrived from the Grand Cathedral.”

“Oh, thank you for bringing it.”

It’s been a week since Alec left. After seeing him again, I had absolutely no desire to face him, so I

didn’t even go to see him off. I used the

excuse that I was sick, but who would question me? I am the Saint.

“One is from the Gold Priest… and the other has the Pope’s seal…?”

Cold. That old man never uses official seals for personal letters.

Which means… something’s happened.

“This hasn’t been announced yet, but the remnants of the Beast King set fire to the granary region

of the empire.”

That was something Erise had told me just before Alec left. I brushed it off at the time, but now…

could it really be?

I tossed aside the Gold Priest’s letter and opened the one sealed by the Pope.

They say you die from ignoring hunches. Damn it.

“Reassembly Order for the Hero’s Party… ah… my blood pressure…”

It’s only been a week since things got awkward between us. And now a reassembly? I thought I

wouldn’t have to see Alec’s face for at least a

year.

“Are there seriously no other capable people in the empire? Reassembling the Hero’s Party over

something like this?”

The Demon King’s already been defeated. I thought we were done with this. It’s only been half a year since I cracked his skull open. Just half

a year. Damn it!

“Sh*t… I can’t help cursing.”

Crying and whining won’t change anything. The reassembly order’s already issued. It has the

Pope’s seal—I can’t ignore it. That means the

damage in the east must be really severe.

Still, I’ve never fought the Beast King’s remnants before. I’ve faced beastfolk a few times, but

never the infamous Beast King’s Legion.

“They’ll bite you to death even if it kills them. They die smiling. A completely insane unit…”

That’s the image I’d always heard about the Beast King’s Legion. Even if you tear off their limbs,

they crawl to you and bite with their gums. A

lunatic army with no fear of death.

“I heard they went quiet after the Beast King died… so why now, two years later?”

I couldn’t figure it out. If they were going to go berserk, they had plenty of chances before. Why

now—half a year after the Demon King’s

defeat?

No matter how much I thought about it, there was no answer.

“I’m so tired of this…”

There was still a week before the scheduled gathering. Even with teleport magic, it would take at

least five days to reach the granary region.

“I guess I should tell the kids.”

At first, I didn’t even want to be an advisor to the Hero Club. There were only two members, so

there wasn’t much to do anyway. It had just

become a little tea party with Morgan and Rebecca.

But that short time had become so precious to me.

Morgan would listen with sparkling eyes whenever I told stories, and Rebecca, even though she

acted blunt and disinterested, always took

care of me.

Talking with the kids made me feel like I was my old self again—who I was three years ago.

“I hope it ends quickly.”

I only have about four months left at the Academy. Even if the eastern situation is resolved

quickly, it’ll probably take at least a month.

“Why did the Gold Priest even send a letter?”

I opened the one I had tossed aside, and the contents made me rip it up instantly.

That old man seriously tried to arrange a marriage meeting between me and some unknown

prince from a no-name kingdom. I didn’t need to

read any more of that.

“I was the one who stupidly brought up arranged marriage first…”

Looking at Erise, who married Alec… marriage didn’t seem like the right thing for me. I didn’t

want to live being swayed by someone else.

‘Still, I’d like to fall in love at least once.’

How could a Saint fall in love? It was nothing but a dream. For now, no one pressures me, but

eventually, that old man will nag me to enter a

political marriage.

That’s probably the only option I’ll be given.

“Kids, I have something to tell you.”

As soon as I arrived at the clubroom, I told them I had to leave the Academy for a while.

“I think I have to leave the Academy for a bit.”

“Huh? Why?”

Morgan asked in a whining tone. Honestly, I didn’t want to go either…

“Mm… I need to go to the east for a bit. If things go smoothly, I’ll be back in a month.”

“Is it dangerous…?”

Morgan looked up at me with teary eyes. I can’t look directly into those eyes anymore. Every time

I do, I remember what happened that day

and my face burns with embarrassment.

“ no, it’s not. Don’t worry.”

“I see…”

Looking at Morgan droop like that made me feel guilty. I swear I saw a tail and ears pop up…

But I couldn’t tell them. That I was going to the east to fight the Beast King’s Legion—Morgan

would definitely worry.

“Don’t worry. I’ll be back soon. Rebecca, take care of Morgan while I’m gone.”

“Of course. Don’t worry and travel safely.”

Even though Rebecca and Morgan are in the same year, Rebecca feels like the older sister. She

always seemed more mature.

“Yeah. I’ll be back soon.”

After getting their goodbyes, I returned to my room to pack. I really hope I can return quickly.

“Charlotte said she’s going to the east?”

“Yes.”

“Is it because of the Beast King’s Legion?”

“Probably… it seems that way.”

The Demon King’s voice dropped. He’s usually playful and responds to jokes, but if I joked now,

I’d be saying goodbye to this life.

“If Charlotte’s leaving the Academy, then prepare to return to the Demon King’s Castle

immediately.”

“Yes.”

“Have the Grand Commander return too. Tell her to organize a report on the Beast King’s Legion

and prepare to deliver it.”

He’s really pissed… He usually doesn’t interfere like this.

Maybe it’s because things were finally getting better with the Saint, and now that’s being

disrupted? There was a scary energy behind his

expression. Better not mess around now.

“I’ll go back to my room, then.”

“Yes.”

As the Demon King left the clubroom, the heavy atmosphere lifted. Even without his powers, he

really is the Demon King.

I immediately contacted the Steward with a communication spell to report the situation. Speed

was crucial in things like this. Delay might

lead to bloodshed.

“What? I’m busy. Keep it short.”

“The Demon King is pissed about the eastern incident.”

“…Sh*t.”

The Steward’s face turned pale. So this wasn’t just a minor accident.

“Is the Grand Commander still in the east?”

“She stepped away briefly, but she’ll return soon.”

“The Demon King wants her to return to the Castle immediately and report on the eastern

situation. He and I will arrive tomorrow.”

A summons from the Demon King. Even in the 500 years before his death, that was almost

unheard of.

Even when Heroes attacked, he fought alone. He never summoned us. The Grand Commander

must be getting chills down her spine.

“Well, I’m hanging up. Good luck.”

“Yeah…

I ended the call as the Steward screamed in despair.

Seeing her pale, terrified face was a little satisfying… but also pitiful. The Castle will be in chaos

once we return.

After reporting, I quietly left the clubroom. Somehow, this felt like it had grown way bigger than

expected.

After using teleportation circles and traveling by carriage, on the fifth day, I arrived at the ruined

granary region in the east.

The golden wheat fields once called “the Emperor’s treasure” were gone, replaced by ashes and the

smoke from burning beastfolk corpses.

“This is… horrible.”

I reached the temporary command post, a cluster of tents, and imperial knights came to greet me.

“Saint Charlotte, it’s an honor. I’m Restian, serving as the operations staff officer for this mission.”

“Nice to meet you, Officer Restian. I’m Saint Charlotte.”

After a brief introduction, I entered the tent he guided me to—and saw Karl and Sierra already

there.

“Karl, Sierra.”

“Oh, Charlotte. You’re finally here.”

“Am I late?”

“Not at all! Alec and Erise haven’t even arrived yet!”

Should I be relieved that I don’t have to see Alec’s face yet, or mad that the damn Hero’s dragging

his feet? Either way, I felt unsettled.

“Charlotte. Can we talk for a bit?”

“Karl?”

“Just a short time. Please.”

He led me to a quiet tent far from others. It was rare to talk to Karl alone. No—this was the first

time in three years. He’d always been devoted

to Sierra.

“What’s this about, Karl? Just the two of us?”

“Ah… Erise told me. That you talked with Alec at the Academy.”

“I see…”

Just thinking about that moment made my chest tighten.

“The one who told Alec to go to the Academy… that was my idea.”

“I heard. From Erise.”

“I wanted to apologize. That’s why I asked to speak with you.”

Karl was always prideful. So this was the first time he’d ever apologized to me directly. Sierra

must’ve changed him.

“You’re totally whipped by Sierra, huh.”

That hit a nerve. The once-proud Karl now whipped by carefree Sierra… Marriage is strange.

“So, I’m sorry—”

“It’s fine.”

“Charlotte?”

“It’s fine. Really.”

Yes. It’s fine now. Whether you apologize or regret it, it doesn’t matter anymore.

I don’t expect anything from you anymore.

“Okay… if that’s how you feel.”

“Yeah. It’s fine.”

“Damn… all I can do is apologize.”

Karl seemed to realize what I was thinking. He was always perceptive. He probably noticed I was

drawing a line.

“Let’s just catch up. How’s life at the Academy Alec forced you into?”

“Are you trying to start a fight?”

I told Karl about Morgan and Rebecca, the kids I met at the Academy. That they were good kids.

Morgan with her sparkling eyes, and

Rebecca, who pretended not to care but always looked after me. I told him about other students

too.

Karl listened and reacted like he was genuinely happy.

“Well… I guess Alec got what he wanted, in part.”

“What do you mean?”

“He just wanted you to meet good people at the Academy.”

“Who does he think he is?”

“Haha, exactly.”

…Still, I did meet good people. Morgan and Rebecca were the best part of the Academy.

“Enough about me—what about you, Karl? Why haven’t you held your wedding yet?”

“Ah… Sierra wants to do it next spring.”

Karl shared his story too. He once argued with Sierra and only sent a letter, so she shot him with

an arrow. Since then, he always apologizes

in person.

“Sierra turned you into a real man. Is this the power of love?”

“Guess so.”

Suddenly, Karl got all serious and said something stupid.

“I’m going to propose to Sierra again after this mission ends…”

“You know people die after saying that, right? Especially in war.”

“Then you’ll have to save me!”

I never knew I could joke around like this with Karl. After three years, it felt new.

We returned to the command tent, and Alec and Erise had finally arrived.

“Charlotte…”

“Ah… f**k.”

The moment I saw his face, I cursed out loud. You really are something, Alec.