Ramiris floated midair, arms crossed with her usual pouty expression, but this time there was a glimmer of fondness in her eyes.
"Hmph! You better come visit sometime, Velsun! And don't go blowing up more of my mechas next time!"
I smirked. "No promises."
She puffed out her cheeks in protest, but I could see she was smiling behind the act. "Fine! Just don't die out there. Not that someone like you could."
I gave her a small bow of gratitude. "Take care, Ramiris."
With that, I turned around. Karlos and Zalario followed without a word, and Reinhart—his body still glowing faintly with the light of the Hero Egg—walked behind us with a new weight in his steps. A heavy power... but an even stronger resolve.
As we reached the edge of the chamber, the magicules of the labyrinth shimmered around us like mist. I gave Ramiris one last glance over my shoulder, and she waved lazily from the air, muttering something like, "Stupid dragon acting all cool…"
"Alright," I said, voice calm and sure, "Let's go."
With a wave of my hand, space shimmered and twisted open — a teleportation gate now active.
One hero reborn, and a new legend just beginning.
We stepped through.
"Alright guys," I said, stretching a little as the last traces of the teleportation shimmer faded behind us. "Let's head back to Solara. We definitely need to throw a party for our one and only… Reinhart, the Chosen Hero of Solara."
Karlos and Zalario both smiled with approval.
"Absolutely, my lord," Karlos said with his usual crisp tone, already imagining the arrangements, no doubt.
Reinhart just scratched the back of his head with a shy smile, clearly not used to the spotlight yet. I smirked at his reaction.
We took to the skies—Zalario to my right, Karlos to my left. I felt the wind rush past me, the sky welcoming us like always.
But a second later, I noticed something strange… our formation was one short.
I blinked. "Wait… where's Reinhart?"
Looking down, sure enough, there he was—on the ground, just standing there with an expression so dry it might as well have been toast.
"Reinhart, why aren't ya comin'?" I called out, already half-suspecting the answer.
He looked up at me, a bit tired and very much unimpressed. "Lord, you forgot again…" he said with a deadpan expression that made even Zalario chuckle softly.
"High humans can't fly. Even if I'm a Chosen Hero now."
I blinked. "Ah… right."
A tick mark formed on his forehead as he crossed his arms. "This is the third time, Lord Velsun."
"Yeah, yeah…" I muttered, rubbing the back of my head awkwardly. "Karlos, carry him, will ya?"
"Yes, my lord." Karlos dove down wordlessly.
Reinhart let out a long, suffering sigh as Karlos picked him up again like a sack of royal potatoes.
And thus began his humiliating airborne journey, once again.
Zalario flew closer and whispered with a grin, "We should really teach him how to fly someday."
"Yeah… but not today," I smirked.
"Reinhart the Chosen Hero," I called down to him dramatically, "Ruler of the skies—just not on his own yet."
"I hate all of you," Reinhart muttered under his breath as we soared back toward Solara.
We all chuckled, the wind carrying our laughter as we soared through the skies toward Solara. The city gleamed beneath us, golden rooftops catching the sunlight like a sea of fire and gold. After a few minutes, we landed on the palace grounds, the guards bowing as we passed through the grand entrance.
Without wasting time, we headed straight for the throne room.
I took my seat, the familiar comfort of power wrapping around me like a cloak. I raised my hand and called out to one of the soldiers at the door.
"Summon Darius and all council members immediately."
The soldier bowed and sprinted off.
One by one, they began to arrive.
Belmor—greedy, loud, but damned loyal when it counted. I'd never trust him with a coin purse unattended, but I'd trust him with my life.
Seris Halden, the iron-willed commander of our border defenses. Always sharp, always armored—even in court, like she was ready to take on a war at any moment.
Sister Arlen, the head priestess of the Sun Temple. Regal and serene, but her faith could move mountains… or start crusades.
Thalor, our royal historian—who honestly looked like he was history. I swear the guy has dust older than some kingdoms clinging to his robes.
Elira, minister of health, soft-spoken but brilliant. She's saved more lives in one year than most generals ever do in a war.
Alric, minister of education, with Mira Talwen trailing him like a shadow—his assistant and the real engine behind his work if I was being honest.
Then came Garren Holt, minister of agriculture. Stern, practical, smelled vaguely like dirt—but that man knew how to feed a nation.
And finally, Myra—the ever-curious, ever-blunt head of the research department. If anything exploded unexpectedly in the castle, it was probably her fault.
Once they were all gathered, Darius strode in last. Tall, weathered, and still carrying the presence of a king even after stepping down for me.
He looked at me with a raised brow. "Lord, you're back from your journey so soon?"
I nodded. "Yeah. And this time, we've returned with something big." I smirked and glanced over to Reinhart.
"Come on, Reinhart," I said with a grin. "Tell your uncle, the former king of Solara, what his nephew has become now."
All eyes turned to Reinhart.
He swallowed hard, then stepped forward.
Reinhart took a breath, straightened his back, and stepped forward before the gathered council. His silver blade—now glowing faintly with its newly evolved power—hung at his side, and the gentle aura of divine light still clung to him like a halo.
"I... I've become a Chosen Hero," he said clearly, his voice steady despite the weight of the declaration. "Recognized by the superior spirit of light, blessed within the Dwelling of Spirits itself, and confirmed by Lady Ramiris, Queen of Spirits."
For a moment, the hall fell completely silent.
Then Darius blinked. "A... a Chosen Hero?"
Sister Arlen gasped, her eyes wide. "By the sun... a true hero, in our lifetime..."
Belmor was already muttering calculations under his breath, probably trying to figure out how this could benefit trade routes or taxation.
Thalor slowly leaned forward, eyes glittering with ancient awe. "The hero lineage begins anew..."
The rest of the council murmured in disbelief and amazement.
I couldn't help it—I smiled, pride swelling in my chest.
"That's right," I said. "Reinhart of Solara has gained the Hero Egg and received the blessing of the spirits. He now stands as a disaster-class threat—Rivaling many top level threats. And his unique skill, Astral Edge, has evolved into an Ultimate Skill."
"And that's not all," I added, turning to Darius with a grin. "His blade has already evolved into a legendary weapon. Soon enough, it might even become god-grade."
Darius looked stunned for a moment—then let out a booming laugh.
"That's my nephew!" he said proudly, walking over and slapping Reinhart's shoulder. "You've made your bloodline proud today, boy!"
Reinhart smiled—modest and humble, as always.
I rose from my throne.
"Prepare the city. Tonight, Solara celebrates the birth of its hero."
The moment I made the declaration, the room buzzed with excitement. I stood tall at the center of the throne room, my voice clear and unwavering:
"From this day forward, the day Reinhart was chosen by the spirits shall be recognized as a national holiday. It shall be called Hero's Dawn. Let every citizen of Solara remember this as the day our future changed."
Thalor, the ever-diligent historian, looked up from his scrolls with a nod, his ancient eyes gleaming. "It shall be recorded, my lord. Hero's Dawn—the day the chosen hero of Solara rose."
I turned to the others, a confident smile tugging at my lips.
"Come on now, let's not waste any time. Prepare the streets, light the fires, summon the bards! Tonight, we don't just celebrate Reinhart—we celebrate what he means for Solara's future!"
The council burst into motion. Karlos and Zalario exchanged knowing grins and rushed to oversee the preparations. Darius barked orders to the guards, while Sister Arlen offered a prayer to the sun god, her hands glowing faintly with divine magic.
I caught Reinhart's eye. The poor guy still looked overwhelmed—but beneath it, there was something else.
Resolve.
"You better get used to the spotlight, Reinhart," I said with a chuckle. "This is your city now as much as it's mine."
He gave a sheepish smile. "I'll try not to disappoint you, my lord."
"You won't," I said simply.
Then I stepped out of the throne room, the echo of celebration already beginning to stir beyond the palace walls. Fireworks, drums, cheers—it was just the beginning.
Tonight, Solara would shine like never before.
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