Demon King: Hero, don’t run away!

After repeatedly checking to ensure everything was foolproof, Yang Yu delegated the task of guarding the Isolation Room to Bai Jin, then approached the two fallen magicians, personally closing their eyes.

Although he hadn’t told them the real plan, the original plan was still a life-or-death one, and Yang Yu was immensely grateful they were willing to cooperate.

Thanks to brave people like them, this world hadn’t fallen too soon.

The sky gradually darkened, and snowflakes began to fall.

After briefly explaining the situation to the remaining magicians, Yang Yu prepared to check the situation outside the city.

Just as he took a step, suddenly, a sound as grating as nails on a chalkboard echoed in Yang Yu’s ears.

A mission notification, as intrusive as a large pop-up ad, abruptly invaded Yang Yu’s vision:

[Special Urgent Mission: Save the Village of Heroes]

Someone intends to attack the Village of Heroes. Please return to Serti immediately and save the Village of Heroes.

Task Requirement: Successfully rescue the Village of Heroes.

Task Reward: ???]

The mission consisted of only a few lines, but every word carried an indescribable urgency.

One wave had barely subsided when another one rose.

Someone dared to target the Village of Heroes while he was far away in the Luo Ze Empire!

How could he rush back? Even if he did, would he make it in time?

Clenching his hands tightly, Yang Yu swiftly calmed himself. Agitation was useless and wouldn’t change the facts; it would only disturb his thoughts.

”Bai Jin, contact the Sethis Kingdom for me!”

Bai Jin, diligently rechecking the Isolation Room, saw Yang Yu’s serious expression and without hesitation took out the crystal ball to contact the Sethis Kingdom.

After a period of waiting, Bai Jin finally connected with a messenger soldier from Sethis.

”Sir Yang Yu, do you need...”

Before the messenger could finish, Yang Yu stated his request:

”Quick, transfer me to His Majesty the King. It’s urgent—someone plans to attack the Village of Heroes!”

The messenger dared not delay, and after layers of permissions, Yang Yu finally saw the sleepy-eyed Aite Serti, yawning.

The outpost where Yang Yu was and the royal capital of Sethis were in different time zones; while night was just falling over the outpost, it was already bedtime in the Sethis capital.

Aite Serti was preparing for bed when he heard Yang Yu’s words and rushed over.

...

...

In the Sethis Kingdom, the sky was sparkling with stars, and a gigantic island floated in the sky, drifting among the clouds.

The entire island was protected by an extremely sacred barrier, so even high-level magicians couldn’t see or use magic to sense its existence.

This enormous island was home to the legendary Village of Heroes. Only descendants of ancient heroes could live there.

The Village of Heroes was established by the first hero, specifically to safeguard the power of the brave warriors who defeated the Demon King.

Whenever a Demon King invades, the Village of Heroes selects the next hero from the candidates, sending them into the world for training and entrusting them with the task of saving the world.

This time was no different.

About four or five years ago, the sages of the Village of Heroes prophesied the imminent arrival of the Demon King in this world, and they chose a hero, endowed him with the power of the brave, and sent him off to train outside the village.

Now, this hero had finished his training and, as the Elder Council of the Village of Heroes expected, successfully retrieved the Holy Sword.

The Elder Council summoned the current hero back, intending to inform him about matters regarding the confrontation with the Demon King, so he could, like heroes before him, fend off the Demon King threatening the world and bring peace back to it.

But...

This meeting had been unpleasant right from the beginning.

The Leader of the Elder Council was quite displeased with the current hero for reporting to them so late:

”Do you truly consider yourself this world’s hero with this demeanor?

Vorquis, do you realize just how many lives were lost during the times you dawdled?

This Demon King’s offensive is no ordinary threat; had you come sooner to report and pick up the items we prepared for you, the situation wouldn’t have unfolded this way.

Shouldn’t you adhere primarily to our directives, following the collective will of heroes? Can’t you even remember such a trivial matter?

All these years away from the Village of Heroes, is this all the growth you have accomplished?”

I’m sorry, it’s my fault.

At first, due to my selection as a hero, I was probably arrogantly overconfident, failing to fulfill my hero duties well, which caused my initial strength atrophies.

After recognizing that, I’ve constantly endeavored to improve myself, and successfully acquiring the Holy Sword is a testament to my efforts.

I know that’s still far from sufficient.

Over the past six months, I haven’t ceased to ponder how I can become stronger, how I can become a qualified hero.

...Contemplating how to truly defeat the Demon King.

I’ll prove to you that I can defeat the Demon King and become a true hero.

Regarding the delay, after receiving your request, I hurried back non-stop.

Perhaps some time was delayed in settling my companions, but I believe this is completely within the understandable range.

”You, this group of exalted elders, are just like before.”

A vague voice chimed in Verquis’s ears, directly confronting the Elder Council.

Verquis couldn’t ascertain whose voice it was, but it felt extraordinarily familiar to him.

As Verquis was trying to recall whose voice it was, every elder sitting high above displayed a furious demeanor.

Verquis didn’t understand why these elders were acting so, yet he vaguely felt the issue revolved around himself.

Dear elders...

As Vorquis was trying his best to pacify the council, suddenly, a searing pain pierced into Vorquis’ body.

His consciousness blurred again, and that familiar-sounding voice echoed once more beside his ear:

”The current Elder Council is completely different from the previous one.

Yet, even after hundreds of years, some things haven’t changed.

Still... so repulsive.

How long do you intend to disguise yourselves as justice?

The origin of the Power of the Brave—

Some of you know internally, don’t you?

This power inherently doesn’t belong to you, nor to the goddess, nor is it a racial essence of humanity.

Everything you’ve declared to the outside is all lies!

This power was stolen by you.

This portion of power, including that of the Holy Sword’s...

should have been a part of the Demon King’s powers.

If any connection exists, perhaps it’s the use of materials not from this world in crafting this power.

And this became the medium for angels to steal and transfer this power.

What a laughable act.

Two powers originally stemming from the same source—

Now contest against each other.

Answer me!

Those who genuinely know the internal affair.

The ’Power of the Brave’ I currently possess, what is its true purpose!

What right do you have to occupy this power?

Aren’t you the real thieves?”