The Player Hides His Past - Chapter 266: This is highly valued by history (1)

I knew it from the social setting.

『As the heir of a great family. In the past, Grandfel’s presence in social circles was like an oasis or mirage in the desert. Since he didn’t enjoy social events, he didn’t show up often. The day he unexpectedly appeared, he caught everyone’s attention…』

Those days.

What on earth did I think was cool…

A greatness that was not revealed.

An influence that couldn’t be hidden even if it wasn’t revealed.

Used to be criticized even for donating.

It was absolute bullshit that had no merit in the modern society.

‘But you named it the Four Heavenly Kings?!’

In addition, the contradictory naming sense was a bonus.

I looked at the four living statues.

Three men and a woman.

I recalled their names.

[Golden Maxima family]

[Forest Yugrik family]

[Cansel family of Valor]

[Acamond family of Fervor]

Living up to the title of the Four Heavenly Kings, they had a very grand name.

The statues that represented the four families bowed to me.

They called me their master!

Feeling burdened or embarrassed.

As a person, you couldn’t help but feel either one of those two.

My iron skin was beyond normal.

I talked calmly.

“I accept your greetings.”

The way I spoke was very dignified, like a family head.

I swallowed a sigh for a moment.

There was no way that this personality that lived and died by procedures would remain still.

“Raise your head.”

Raise your head.

The reason I said that was simple.

Four Heavenly Kings…

The fact that the stone statues didn’t raise their heads.

It wasn’t just about the greeting.

What could be the reason for the stone statues to tower near the mansion?

It was to protect the Lord Claude.

But the statues collapsed.

That meant they didn’t fulfill their duties.

As if to confess the fact, the stone statue of Maxima said.

“We don’t have the right.”

They don’t have the right.

If you guys don’t have the right, then what about me?

‘A person is struggling so hard to make up for his lack of qualification.’

How could you guys be less energized than me?

So raise your head.

Because of this prickly nature, I’m not going to tell you three times.

“It’s not your responsibility.”

“…?”

“This is also just the weight I have to bear.”

“…!!!!”

It was my fault.

Those words were truly spoken with pure meaning. The facial expressions of the statues that raised their heads at my words seemed unusually rich for stone statues. They looked like they were about to shed tears.

Well, it was a good thing.

[Hidden peace, Claudie’s Estate]

Now that the primordial evil knew where the estate was, I didn’t know when or with what tricks it would try to devour Claudie’s estate again. Of course, as long as I existed in Claudie’s estate. My command in Claudie’s estate was absolute.

Well, it was thanks to the setting that no one could go against it.

‘The problem is that I can’t stay here.’

I needed a watchman to fill my absence.

From dwarves to dragons, and now elves.

There were many forces on the Arcana Continent who would step forward and take on my request.

But the problem was, of course, this guy’s pride.

Could this noble pride leave housework to other people?

‘So, the status of the Four Heavenly Kings…’

No, the status of the four families, the fact that I could reverse them was a great harvest.

Of course, there was magic in it.

Unlike the badly damaged mansion.

It must have been because their remains were completely spread out on the floor.

‘Anyway, I have more things to do.’

Make Claudie great again.

In order to make that big goal come true.

Claudie’s estate would need to regain its former flory.

Just like the laborious training class quest that I always carried. It became necessary to frequently go to the Arcana Continent and manage Claudie’s estate.

By the way, regarding estate management.

‘It’s actually not my first time.’

I had enabled the [authority] function in the Yusra Kingdom and Frost. The problem was that I lacked experience because I’d left most of the work to Hakuna and Harkon respectively.

‘If I am unsure, I can ask for advice, but…’

Would that ever happen?

Grandfel was chosen as the successor to the great Claudie family at the age of seven. In other words, Grandfel had been taught various successor classes since he was seven years old.

“It’s familiar to me.”

For Grandfel, who received education for gifted children, the reconstruction of Claudie’s estate might be easy.

Especially considering that Grandfel had a brilliant mind, unlike me.

More importantly.

‘The four families.’

Let’s think about the grand setting again.

I wasn’t sure, but.

Even if the Arcana Continent was devastated, they would probably be fine. Considering that I hadn’t heard from them so far… They seemed to exist faithfully in the setting, just like Claudie.

‘…But I am not happy at all.’

I just didn’t want to meet them.

The reason was simple.

I didn’t want to be called the Master of the Four Heavenly Kings!

This was enough for now.

I was worried about my immediate destination.

‘But I have no choice but to go.’

Visit Sisley and Claudie’s estate.

It didn’t end perfectly, but it was a new beginning…

Since both purposes had come to an end.

It was time to stop by Antonium according to the procedure.

‘I have to meet Kitch.’

Indeed.

The capital of the Empire.

Where the legend of Dark Dragon Lee Hoyeol was reverberating.

To that Antonium…!

Reality and the Arcana Continent were different.

Thanks to Eunaxus roaring out the Dragon Fear, the Emperor and other Arcanains must have known. The fact that I, Lee Hoyeol, was the survivor of Akshan. Even the fact that I was the legendary Dark Dragon!

Therefore.

“I will come back soon.”

I was sent off by the stone statues.

From the first step of leaving Claudie’s estate.

I couldn’t help but feel concerned.

What kind of humiliation awaited me this time…?

*

The news came.

“Your Majesty, expeditionary forces have found survivors!”

“Holdemwood has been restored!”

“I heard the Demon King’s Castle in the East collapsed last night!”

It was a complete turnaround.

The legend floating around the continent saved the Empire from falling into the abyss of despair. The Dark Dragon that the dragons cried out. It was thanks to the unbelievable news that the Dark Dragon was the last survivor of Akshan.

The Emperor laughed.

‘Can I feel rewarded a little with this?’

Back when he was a prince.

He hated learning the art of speech so much.

He never thought he would see the light in this way.

Antonium.

It could never be said to be peaceful.

Even the soldiers who had just returned had injuries, both large and small. However, unlike before, the faces of the people were full of life. It was the first time he had seen it since the demons of the Demon World appeared on the continent.

The Emperor did not waste the opportunity given to him.

No matter how great a legend was.

It was undeniable that it would fade over time.

Moreover, the opponent was demons.

Considering their innate cruelty, it seemed when they got tired of their fear, they would resume their activities.

“Rebuilding the fallen walls must be the top priority. Listen to Nash William. I will grant him the command of the Imperial Mage. Use Antonium’s mages to build walls in the recaptured area.”

“I will follow your orders, Your Majesty.”

“I will also grant access to the Imperial Palace’s underground treasury.”

“…!”

Underground treasury

The eyes of the retainers who were listening widened.

The items stored in the underground treasury were the best treasures in the Empire.

As well as the Arcana Continent.

“You may use as many potions and magic tools as you need while performing your mission.”

It was a bastion of the Empire that must be saved until the very end.

Even when Antonium was in crisis, the underground treasury hadn’t been opened.

The meaning of opening the underground treasury was simple.

This meant that this was an opportunity that must be used even if it meant taking out funds they had saved up.

Nash said, suppressing his pounding heart.

“I will surely accomplish my duty, Your Majesty!”

Nash succeeded in leaving the palace before his respected brother.

But Nash didn’t have the presence of mind to think of Bensch.

His legs just itched.

The moment Nash suppressed his impulse.

A cautious voice followed.

“Your Majesty, I am sorry but.”

“Say it.”

“Please reconsider that judgment.”

“…!”

Nash’s face stiffened.

What kind of lightning bolt was this?

Were they trying to stop him from leaving?

Glare–

Nash unconsciously glared.

However, it was a clear misunderstanding.

In the first place, why hadn’t Antonium collapsed until now?

It was because everyone gave their lives for the Empire.

It also meant that it was an opinion from a different perspective for the sake of the Empire.

The man who spoke also guessed the Emperor’s intention.

But they had to remain calm.

The Empire was clearly inferior.

“Your Majesty, comprehensive recapture and restoration is realistically impossible. At this moment, thanks to the legend of the Dark Dragon, the demons are not active at all, but… As your Majesty knows, hasn’t the magical eye opened its eyes again?”

It was true.

The eyes of the demons that had disappeared from the night sky for a while began to appear one by one.

Unlike before, they didn’t seem to be looking down on them in disdain.

From the way the eyes rolled around, they seemed to be wary.

“I feel the same as Your Majesty. I also want to save the Empire and its people as quickly as possible. But the more you do, the more it puts Antonium in danger.”

Antonium had already used up a lot of resources in the fierce battle. The number of soldiers was not even a tenth of what it used to be, and those who survived could not be called elite.

“Even if you build a castle wall using magic, it would be useless if you don’t have the troops to protect it. However, if Antonium’s troops are deployed to the recaptured city, even the smallest attack would affect Antonium.”

“Hmm.”

The Emperor smoothed his chin.

As Nash was restless.

A wedge was driven in.

“Legends will always be just legends, Your Majesty.”

The Emperor’s eyes narrowed.

He couldn’t help it if the Empire was blamed for its lack of competence.

But if Hoyeol, who was like the benefactor of the Empire, got criticized.

He couldn’t just turn a blind eye to it.

The retainer bowed his head.

“Adventurer Dark Dragon Lee Hoyeol, his greatness cannot be described in words. But he will always be a stranger. He is a being from a completely different world…!”

It wasn’t meant to be demeaning.

As he had said.

The man also knew that if it wasn’t for Hoyeol, the Empire would have collapsed long ago. However, they had to look at reality with a cool head.

“After the day they cried out the name of the Dark Dragon, the dragons never appeared on the Arcana Continent again. The demons overheard Your Majesty’s proclamation, so they are probably still thinking like that.”

“What do you mean?”

“Look, aren’t legends ultimately just rumors?”

“…!”

Indeed

Dragons and dwarves professed it, and the Emperor himself declared it.

But if the entity itself wasn’t here.

It would be just a circulating rumor.

“As your Majesty knows, the time that adventurer Sir Hoyeol can stay on the continent is extremely limited. That will also have a significant impact on the legend being forgotten.”

Of course, the legend of the Dark Dragon was still the greatest legend.

However, the problem was that the opponent was the demons.

They were a race who forgot their fear because they couldn’t understand their place.

“…”

Both Nash and the Emperor turned silent.

The man who was speaking made up his mind and clenched his fist.

Then he continued speaking in a firm voice.

“I am not trying to deny the legend, nor am I saying we will not rebuild the Empire. I ask Your Majesty to take slow, but sure steps.”

Nash swallowed a sigh.

It was unfortunate, but that was not without reason.

No, in a way, it was an extremely cool-headed decision.

At last, it was an opinion that would change the Emperor’s mind.

“Your Majesty, just as you brought the residents of Dredsen into Antonium. Wouldn’t there be a way to welcome the rescued people into Antonium? These are people who have survived so far under extreme circumstances, so they will quickly adapt to unfamiliar environments.”

The silence continued.

‘…Indeed, was I too hasty?’

The moment when the Emperor was about to break his silence and open his mouth.

All of a sudden.

“…?”

Darkness fell over the Imperial Palace.

It was the middle of the day.

And considering the number of windows in the Imperial Place of Antonium.

This shouldn’t have happened.

Nash murmured in surprise.

“…Is it them?”

Was it the dwarves’ Iron Castle?

That was the first possibility he thought of.

But he soon realized that wasn’t them.

No matter how big the dwarven ship was.

It wasn’t big enough to cover the sun completely.

In that case, then…

What could completely block the sun in the sky?

Soon, everyone found the answer to that question.

There was one.

A presence so great that you couldn’t completely expose all of it even if you tried.

Even if it didn’t ask you to know.

Even if it didn’t shout.

It was a one-of-a-kind existence that everyone couldn’t help but notice.

“Your Majesty, that’s…!”

Indeed.

A legend.

No, a living legend.

“Unbelievable.”

A dark dragon was crossing the skies over Antonium.