episode_0002

One month after Lee Han was executed.

A grand banquet was held in the imperial palace.

The purpose of the banquet was to honor the exploits of the three heroes of the warrior party.

Celebrities flocked from all over the continent.

The ‘Great Hall’ of the Empire, which brought together not only the high officials of the Britannian Empire, but also the high priests of the Holy Constantine and the guild unions that controlled the continent’s economy, was a spectacular sight in itself.

A high-ranking nobleman muttered as he stared blankly at the chandelier hanging in the center of the conference room.

“This is the conference room that is only used once every three hundred years.”

“How can each and every material be so luxurious… Even that chandelier was cut with diamonds.”

“Heh heh…”

Even the high-ranking officials of each society looked around and exchanged glances of admiration for a moment.

“Let’s invite three heroes.”

— Squeak!

The large door in the center of the conference hall opened.

A feast of light pouring down simultaneously.

The lights guide the heroes like a halo.

Those who watch cover their eyes and admire the elaborately designed production.

Three heroes stood on a high platform.

“Ahh.”

Someone’s exclamation becomes the trigger, and the conference room fills with applause. Only after the minute hand moves five times does the applause become quieter.

Again.

Of the three, the one who walked forward was Princess Aina.

People were momentarily amazed by the majesty felt from her splendid blond hair that seemed to be embroidered with gold thread and her proudly raised chin, but Aina’s lips parted.

“Thank you for your deep hospitality. I am honored to receive applause from all of you, even though I met you one by one. I feel like I risked my life to defeat the Demon King for this moment.”

A tone of speech that suits the mood, is appropriately dignified, and appropriately playful.

The mood in the meeting suddenly lightens with laughter.

“Thanks to the three heroes, we can sleep soundly!”

“No. It’s all thanks to all of you who have supported me in both material and spiritual ways. I would like to express my gratitude.”

“Ahahaha! None of us will regret supporting this warrior party. Don’t you guys?”

Clap clap clap clap!

Thunderous applause once again fills the hall.

The Empire. Holy Constantine. And the World. Their opinions rarely come together like this.

‘It’s an opportunity.’

Aina clenched her fist.

Her goal was always the same. To seize the imperial throne. Whether it was joining the warrior party as a princess or making the decision to execute Lee Han, it was all done in the calculation of ascending to the throne.

As a result, he simultaneously gained the title of having defeated the Demon King and the fame of having prevented the plot of the traitorous warrior from another world.

‘Now that the powers of the continent are gathered, we must make sure to make a good impression.’

It’s the best flow that’s hard to catch again.

It was already felt that her line of succession had risen two or three steps.

There is only one person left before her, the First Prince.

In order to surpass him, who had been first in line for succession for over ten years and had solidified his position and those around him, it was necessary to continue this trend going forward.

That’s why this place was precious to Aina.

The speech she will be giving from now on.

That’s why I practiced it over and over again dozens of times.

Aina took another step forward.

With Claire and Aria behind her, she began her speech, almost as if she were representing the three heroes.

“I killed the Demon King with these hands.”

Waaah!

Only after the applause died down did Aina continue speaking.

“She was a being who made the continent terrified. Every time adults went out, they trembled in fear, not knowing when they would be taken by the demons. Children had to count the stars while waiting for their parents who had disappeared. It was too sad to be thankful, since there were countless stars visible from our continent.”

The room suddenly becomes quiet.

Aina raised her voice as she felt her speech was gaining traction.

“As the princess of the empire, I couldn’t just ignore these things. Let’s join the warrior party. And save the people…….”

The highest seat furthest from the podium.

Two middle-aged men were sitting, and the one wearing priest’s robes was muttering.

“It seems like Princess Aina has prepared a lot. She naturally takes the center seat.”

High Priest Julius.

One of the 13 high priests who support the Holy Father Constantine, and the highest-ranking high priest in charge of the Papal See.

“Hmm.”

The one who responded appropriately to his words was an old man with white hair and a large and sturdy physique. The Prime Minister of the Britannian Empire, Reinhard.

Although they sit side by side, the Empire and the Holy See are clearly opposing states.

High Priest Julius asks, perhaps displeased with the lukewarm response.

“Isn’t His Majesty the Empire coming?”

“This is a place where heroes should shine. His Majesty has taken care not to let his light obscure the heroes with a castle deeper than the sea.”

“I guess he didn’t come out because the king didn’t come.”

Anyway, even though he’s still young, he still looks like a hundred-year-old fox.

Reinhard ignored Julius’s words and listened to the princess’s speech.

The long but immersive speech had already reached the point where the otherworldly warrior had betrayed him.

“Lee Han! That guy was the devil’s spy. He constantly harassed us during our journey to the devil. The three of us gathered evidence that he was definitely the devil’s spy, and this eventually led to a trial…!”

They frame Lee Han and firmly label him a traitor. In the process, they cleverly distort Lee Han’s achievements as their own.

Those who have not seen the truth simply believe.

Only the experienced have vague doubts.

“Do you think that is true? I also watched the trial, but there are many suspicious parts.”

Reinhard clicked his tongue at High Priest Julius’s words.

“It has to be true.”

“The city is surrounded by people who call her the princess of the empire. Someone with a cold nickname.”

“Isn’t that the same for you? The saint’s appearance must be rare even for the Seonghwangcheong area.”

“Well. That’s right.”

Truth doesn’t matter in politics.

The only thing that matters is whether it is profitable or not.

Therefore, politicians must be able to lie freely.

Because lying is beneficial in most cases.

‘Of course. Sometimes it holds me back.’

This is what happens when you get caught up in a battle over truth.

If lies are exposed to the world, the achievements built on lies will crumble like a castle built on sand.

“If what they say is false, then they are building a castle on sand. But that sand is unbreakable sand.”

“Why is that?”

“Don’t you know? The warrior of the other world is dead.”

The princess’s speech ended with perfect timing.

Waaah-!

Explosive applause and cheers.

Considering that they are all at the top of their class, each and every one of those applause is worth its weight in gold.

A castle of gold is built on the land of heroes.

Looking at the beginning, Reinhardt came to his conclusion.

“The dead have no voice. Now the era of the three heroes will begin.”

◆

Applause erupting before our eyes.

‘… it’s okay.’

Aina clutched her trembling heart.

It was a heart that didn’t tremble even when stabbing the Demon King.

But now that everything is successful and bearing fruit, my heart is racing.

The one cheering over there is the Imperial Finance Minister.

The one who stood up from his seat was the leader of the agricultural guild, Igail, who could starve millions to death with just one word.

Even the cold, cold Reinhardt was applauding.

‘iced coffee.’

It didn’t even raise suspicions about Lee Han, which was what I was most worried about.

The three heroes knew best that the process of executing Yi Han in a trial was close to a mob law.

‘But it was the right thing to do.’

Aria, Claire, and even Aina herself.

Everyone agreed to Lee Han’s execution.

There was an unfortunate incident where Lee Han, who was about to be executed, sprinkled candles as his last will.

Because of that will, there was a rift between Aria and Claire, and it was a heart-fluttering experience.

We agreed to stay together at least this time.

‘I like it anyway.’

No matter what situation arises, Aina just uses it.

To get one step closer to the throne.

And now, the throne was just a few steps ahead of her.

Just one person needs to pass.

A man clapping his hands in front of the podium, pretending to be nice. The First Prince.

It was a wall that seemed impossible to overcome…

‘Five years should be enough.

Aina smiled and waved to the audience.

“Thank you.”

It was a pure smile that conveyed happiness as it was.

The most powerful men on the continent are applauding him.

The throne is his.

That was the moment when Aina became certain.

“I can’t agree!”

Someone poured cold water on it.

The room suddenly becomes quiet.

A woman wearing a turban stood up.

“Lee Han is not that kind of kid! I swear it!”

Her violent scream.

One of the people nearby asks,

“Who are you to say such things?”

At those words, she unravels the turban surrounding her head.

Pointed ears are revealed.

“… Elf?”

Someone muttered.

But there was no certainty in that muttering.

The ears were pointed, but one end was half-cropped.

She had the splendid blond hair characteristic of elves, but it was so short that it did not cover her neck.

However, her deep and mysterious eyes proved that she was an elf.

“I, Serena. I was once a member of the warrior party. ”

There is a commotion all around.

Serena continued speaking without paying attention.

“I swear on the honor of the elves. Lee Han would never betray a human.”

The corners of Princess Aina’s mouth trembled.