Dante was summoned to the world of Velora to save it from the Demon King and the fiend's ever-growing armies alongside nine others. They became the Ten Heroes who defeated the great evil and were worshipped by the people.
While on the back to the Sunreach Empire after the great battle, to take part in the celebrations happening all across the world. It was all organized by Emperor Marcus Sunreach alongside the other rulers who wanted to thank them.
He felt a nagging unease ever since leaving the Demom realm in the far north. The air seemed heavy, charged with something unspoken. His companions avoided his gaze, their eyes darting away, leaving him bewildered.
Social dynamics had always been a mystery to him, and the group's behavior only deepened his confusion. Dante turned toward his girlfriend, Ashley, who had always helped in situations like this, just like back in school.
''What's wrong with everyone, Ash?'' he innocently questioned. ''They're acting like someone's killed my cat and won't tell me.''
The blonde girl glanced in his direction, an unknown expression crossing her face for a split second, which resembled pity or something else. She ignored his query, shook her head, and quickly changed the subject.
''So what's the only Gold Rank in the empire going to do now, the Demon King's dead?'' she asked. ''I heard the nobles are worried about your power; they say you're getting too strong for the empire to handle.''
Dante was confused even more by her words; she already knew what the plan was. He shook his head and responded. ''Have you forgotten already? I wanted to get a small house in the south, as we explore the world.''
He glanced out the window and finished talking. ''I still remember your promise about taking the next step once everything was over.''
After Dante spoke, he turned his head only to find her acting strange; compared to her usual bubbly personality, especially since he killed the Demon King, but she blamed it on exhaustion.
Currently, the carriages are traveling along the King's Road that leads to Highreach City, the heart of the empire on the Eldoria Continent. Seconds later, Ashley's infectious giggle broke the rhythmic sounds of the wheels.
''Sorry, babe, I'm just exhausted and can't think straight,'' she muttered.
Ben, ever the instigator, reached over and ruffled Dante's brown hair from behind as he gave the young woman a knowing look. ''Come on, buddy,'' he teased, his grin wide. ''We'll get drunk when we roll into the capital. I hear the taverns are overflowing with the finest mead this side of Eldoria.''
He was about to reply, but his friend continued. ''And who knows? Princess Serene's got her eye on you. Word is, she's been asking about the dashing hero who saved the empire in its time of need.''
Following that, Ben winked, then shot a playful glance at Ashley. ''Also, Ash here wouldn't mind a sister wife, would ya?''
His girlfriend's cheeks flushed, but her lips curled into a coy smile, her eyes sparkling with a mix of amusement and something unreadable. Dante's gaze flickered toward her, catching the subtle nod she gave Ben.
'What the fuck is wrong now?' he thought.
Ashley was usually the jealous type, quick to stake her claim using a sharp quip or a touch of his arm whenever another woman came close. The nod felt out of character, and a faint unease stirred in his chest, like a shadow passing over his heart.
Something wasn't quite right, but Dante chose to ignore the lingering feeling, chalking it up to their long journey and exhaustion due to the fight. Ben clapped him on the shoulder, his voice dropping to a more serious tone.
''Must feel wild, though, being the only Gold Rank. The whole empire's gonna roll out the red carpet for you,'' his best friend said.
Ben concluded with a knowing smile. ''Bet they'll be chanting your name in the streets.''
His best friend's words had an odd edge, and Dante noticed a peculiar glint in his eyes, pride, certainly, but also something veiled, as if he were concealing a thought too heavy to speak.
The mention of his rank sent a familiar thrill through him. Three years of tough trials, battling beasts, unraveling ancient curses, and defending the lands had forged him into something extraordinary.
A Gold Rank, a title whispered with awe and envy, marked him as a mage of unparalleled power. Thanks to the Sunreach Empire being the strongest and richest on the continent was able to fund his growth.
Over time, the entire realm celebrated him as a hero, but the mantle sometimes felt heavier than the spoils in his pack. 'I need to stop worrying, it was only a dream,' he thought while shaking his head.
After all, Dante trusted his friends implicitly; the ten of them had been through too much together for him to question their motivations. They had journeyed side by side, their bond forged in all the fights along the way.
It had all begun when they were fifteen and summoned to the world during the first day of classes after winter break, thanks to a powerful spell the Imperial Mage cast to bring the group here.
They were bound together and set on this path to fight monsters, bandits, and all kinds of horrifying things to save the world. All of them had turned eighteen, celebrating their coming of age amidst the chaos of their quest.
Now, as they reveled in their final victory, he let the moment wash over him, allowing the joy of their triumph to drown out the nagging doubt. His friend's faces glowed with pride, and for now, that was enough to quiet the unease in his heart.
Dante rested his eyes as his body was still recovering from mana overuse during his fight against the Demon King. 'Too bad the injuries were too much for Fiona to heal after the Demon Princess attacked me once her father was dead,' he wondered. 'She should be able to, she's S Rank after all.'
Before falling asleep, he heard some of the group whispering about something, but couldn't make out what they were saying. Following that, the journey back to the capital took some time.
Highreach City was the gleaming heart of Sunreach, stretched out in front of them. Nestled at the continent's heart, the empire's most powerful and prosperous city shone as a beacon of grandeur.
Its markets pulsed with life, while its walls and defenses proclaimed strength against the outside world. He had always loved the King's Road as it wound through many beautiful landscapes, lush valleys dotted with ruins.
Rolling hills kissed by the golden light of the afternoon sun, and rivers that shimmered like veins of liquid crystal. Sometime later, Dante woke up, and the earlier unease lingered faintly, but his friend's laughter kept it at bay.
Yet, as the city's silhouette began to rise on the horizon, that faint whisper of doubt crept back into his mind, urging him to stay vigilant, but he shoved that aside as they entered the city and were guided toward the palace.
As the carriage halted outside, the imperial guard stood in formation, lining the entrance. Ashley emerged alongside Fiona, Jess, Beth, and the other heroes. Dante watched the others leave as Jason slapped him on the shoulder.
''Come on, bro,'' the tall boy said with a strange smile, pulling him outside. ''We need our strongest fighter in front, the crowds will love you.''
''You know what they say,'' another young man, Michael, whispered so only he could hear. ''The people? They love their heroes, parade them through the streets, and sing their praises to the heavens. But deep down? They're addicted to watching them crash and burn. The higher you climb, the harder they cheer for your downfall.''
His so-called friend paused, letting the words settle, his grin widening as if he'd just revealed some cosmic truth. ''So, what do you say, buddy? Let's not disappoint the crowd.''
When hearing those words, a chill gripped his entire being, a primal warning that something was amiss. 'Fight, my boy!' his father's voice echoed in his mind.
Dante's instincts screamed, urging him to act before his mind could fully process the others moving around him. Mana surged through his veins, a torrent of raw energy coalescing around his clenched fist.
With a roar of defiance, he swung, his fist connecting against Michael's chest in a thunderous collision. The impact unleashed a resounding clap that reverberated through the air like a storm breaking.
The force sent him hurtling backward, his body carving a fleeting arc before crashing to the ground in a cloud of dust. Dante's heart pounded, adrenaline fueling his every move as he pivoted toward Jason, his next target.
His muscles tensed, ready to unleash another strike, but before he could close the distance on Jason, an invisible weight slammed into him. Gravity itself seemed to betray him, pinning his limbs with a force that rooted him to the spot.