Chapter 157: The Last Hero
Around the time Lily, Subordinate-chan, and the swordsman Louise arrived at the entrance to the Gran Federation—
In the northern reaches of the continent, within the halls of the Garcia Kingdom.
“Hero Saionji-sama. Captain of the First Special Unit and her three subordinates have reached the Federation’s border.”
“I see. Smooth as expected,” came the calm reply. “As one would expect from Captain Lily. I’m truly grateful that they volunteered to serve as escorts for the Hero party.”
The one speaking was the Hero known as Saionji.
Lily’s current mission was clear: to protect the three-member Hero party undergoing training in the Federation.
According to intelligence reports gathered by royal spies, both the Eldorado Empire and the Mondo Duchy — nations that had each lost their own Heroes early on — had dispatched assassins to the Federation. Their aim was simple: weaken the military power of the Garcia Kingdom by eliminating its Heroes.
Blissfully ignorant of the Demon race’s creeping advance onto the continent and the looming resurrection of the Demon King, those two nations concerned themselves only with stifling the Kingdom’s rise.
Saionji lowered her gaze, her voice heavy.
“If we Heroes were to be assassinated as things stand… this continent would surely fall under the Demon King’s rule.”
Among humanity, only Heroes could stand as true rivals to the Demon King.
History had proven it.
More than that, deep within their hearts, the people of the continent believed — perhaps irrationally, yet fervently — in the light of the Hero.
The problem was that no one yet knew of the Demon King’s revival.
“Then why not formally announce the Demon King’s return?” someone suggested cautiously.
“It would be meaningless,” Saionji replied at once. “The Kingdom has no standing to make such an announcement. No one would believe us. At best, they would treat it as a baseless rumor. At worst, it would plunge the continent into further chaos and intensify skirmishes between nations.”
She was not wrong.
In recent years, the Garcia Kingdom’s conduct had been… questionable.
To bolster its strength, it had broken a thousand-year blood pact and summoned Heroes.
It had abused the Heroes’ prestige to demand tribute from its vassal states.
Its army — steeped in royal propaganda — had used force against neighboring countries.
Its image, put mildly, was abysmal.
Frankly speaking, it was understandable that the Empire and Duchy would send assassins.
If the current Kingdom announced the Demon King’s resurrection, the situation would only deteriorate.
“To formally declare such a matter…” Saionji continued quietly, “the only one qualified would be the Empress who reigns over the Astoria Empire. The sovereign of the strongest nation on the continent — one that overwhelms other great powers without even possessing a Hero. A ruler blessed with intellect, charisma, and beauty alike. The Crimson Monarch whose name resounds across the world — feared, and revered. Yes… only she could make such a proclamation.”
(Ahh… if only I had been summoned by the Empire instead… it might have been easier…)
The thought slipped through her mind like a forbidden sigh.
Since her summoning, this sixteen-year-old girl had borne pressure wholly disproportionate to her age.
She was tasked with restoring a kingdom already rotting at the core — and preparing for a Demon King’s return.
In her position, a single miscalculation could cost thousands… tens of thousands… of lives.
And yet, she endured.
“Frankly, this Kingdom has no room for error. We must repel the assassins, force the Empire and Duchy to abandon their efforts, and focus on nurturing the growth of the three Heroes. For now… we endure.”
“Yes!”
(I’m counting on you, Captain Lily. You are one of the few within this Kingdom I can still trust.)
◇◇◇
Meanwhile—
For reasons unknown, the trio of beauties found that the gathered adventurers instinctively made way for them. Like water parting before a ship’s prow, they slipped effortlessly into the Adventurers’ Guild Headquarters.
Though it bore the title of “headquarters,” it was still a fully functioning guild.
To the left of the first floor stood the reception area for clan-related matters.
Directly ahead lay the general reception desks.
To the right — dominating the space — was a massive tavern. It served as both a resting place and an information hub for adventurers.
Spacious did not begin to describe it.
The sheer scale of the interior, coupled with the thick heat of countless hardened warriors, made it feel as though this building alone could claim the title of the world’s most vibrant guild hall.
Above the first floor were the administrative offices overseeing guild branches across the entire continent.
And at the very top resided the Grandmaster.
“Mmhm, mmhm. The architect who designed this place truly understood,” Esther murmured approvingly.
“No matter how powerful they become,” Lena said with a small laugh, “adventurers are still adventurers. Even those who dive into the greatest dungeons still need a tavern in the end.”
Lena’s gaze drifted toward the clan reception desk.
“Stingray-san, what exactly is a ‘clan’?”
“In simple terms, it’s a gathering of adventurer parties.”
“A gathering of parties…?”
“Yes. It’s not something you see much outside dungeon cities, so it’s a bit difficult to explain…”
And then—
“For such a troubled maiden, I shall provide enlightenment!”
A boy roughly Ryu’s age appeared seemingly out of nowhere.
The moment he raised his voice, a subtle murmur rippled through the surrounding adventurers.
Perhaps he was famous.
Lena blinked skeptically.
“Umm… and you are?”
“I am Asagiri Kaito — the Hero representing the Garcia Kingdom!”
(I can’t wait to see their shocked faces. Maybe they’ll even fall for me on the spot!)
“““Ohhh.”””
Their reaction was… underwhelming.
The Hero who had grown accustomed to overwhelming others with that single declaration nearly slipped on the spot.
“Eh?! Well… never mind. Anyway, about clans—”
Before he could continue, a furious-looking girl materialized behind him.
“You idiot! Don’t go hitting on pretty ladies the second I take my eyes off you!”
“Geh—!”
She kicked him squarely in the ribs. He collapsed to the floor.
“I’m so sorry, ladies,” she said with a polite bow. “This complete fool caused trouble again.”
“It is fine, it is fine,” Esther waved it off. “He may be overly enthusiastic, but I can tell he is not ill-natured. By the way, what brings you here?”
“We were summoned by the Grandmaster today.”
“Ohh~ impressive for ones so young.”
“No, that’s thanks to the Kingdom’s support… Ah, it’s almost time. We should go! Thank you!”
The Hero girl dragged the groaning Kaito toward the stairs, ascending to the second floor.
“Quite the storm they were,” Esther observed.
“The girl seemed responsible,” Lena nodded.
“To be summoned by the Grandmaster… Heroes truly are in a class of their own,” Stingray said thoughtfully. “Well — excluding Ryu-sama and the others, of course.”
“Gyau.”
(They smelled… special!)
Was it the scent unique to those from another world?
Or the faint resonance shared by those bound by fate to the Demon King?
The answer remained unclear.
Just then—
“Hey, you three.”
“Ryu-oniisan!!!”
He approached with casual ease.
“Did something happen?”
“We just spoke with the Heroes from the Garcia Kingdom.”
“…They didn’t say anything strange, did they?”
“No! They were nice people!”
“Hmm…”
“Ryu,” Esther said, folding her arms. “Don’t bully the Heroes too much. They are, after all, the continent’s last remaining Heroes.”
“Understood. But if they act against us, that changes things.”
“That I permit,” Esther replied without hesitation. “Frankly, with you and Ryoma around, even the Demon King is manageable.”
The matter of the Heroes was set aside — for now.
At last, Stingray cleared her throat timidly.
“Um… may I finally explain the clan system used in dungeon-city Adventurers’ Guilds…?”