CHAPTER 498: IF STORY - THE INITIAL DRAFT (6)

0% “Do you understand, Princess? Don’t be startled... Just stay calm. React normally, as if everything is fine.”

“...What exactly is all this about?”

A FEW DAYS AFTER THE GREAT WAR BETWEEN THE CLOUD KINGDOM AND THE EMPIRE.

“Is it too sudden for you? Well, even I was quite shocked when I first heard the news...”

“No, no. That’s not what I mean.”

On her way to attend the Imperial Merit Ceremony, Clana was dumbfounded by Serena, who had suddenly rushed to her with urgent news.

“Frey... is claiming to be the Hero at today’s ceremony?”

“Yes. Shamelessly so.”

Serena spoke with disgust, muttering under her breath.

“That despicable man. He’s the one who started this war, and now he dares to make such a ridiculous claim... How can he be so brazen?”

“...?”

For Serena, who knew nothing of Frey’s true identity, her reaction was natural.

Weren’t we supposed to keep this a secret...?

But for Clana, who had almost confirmed that Frey was the masked hero—the first to appear in the Empire in a thousand years—Serena’s words took on a completely different meaning.

Why all of a sudden?

Why now...?

Though she hadn’t been completely certain, Clana had assumed that if Frey was the Hero, he must have had a reason for hiding it.

That was why, despite her growing curiosity, she had held herself back for days, merely observing him from a distance.

But now, out of nowhere, he was revealing his identity.

Then why had he committed all those so-called atrocities?

And why had he hidden his true self in the first place?

“...Ugh...”

“Don’t worry.”

Hearing Clana’s uneasy groan, Serena, mistaking it for frustration similar to her own, gently patted her shoulder with a reassuring smile.

“As I said earlier, a crisis is also an opportunity.”

“...”

“If you follow my lead today, by the time this ceremony is over... you will suddenly find yourself at the very center of power.”

Clana slowly lifted her head, her curiosity now fully piqued.

“Do we already have evidence proving that Frey isn’t the Hero?”

“...What?”

“If he really is the Hero, then...”

“That’s not something you need to worry about. There is absolutely no chance of that happening.”

Clana hesitated, almost confessing the truth about Frey—

But Serena’s unwavering confidence made her swallow her words.

“We have perfect evidence on our side.”

“...Perfect evidence? What kind of evidence...?”

Serena simply smiled, offering no further explanation.

Before Clana could press further—

“It is time to enter.”

A maid standing by the entrance to the ceremony hall bowed, signaling that the event was about to begin.

“Now then, let’s go change the future of the Empire.”

“...”

“I’ll be counting on you, Princess.”

Serena checked the pocket watch on her wrist before politely nodding to Clana and striding toward the entrance.

“...Ummm.”

Though still uneasy, Clana had no choice but to follow after her.

What kind of evidence could she have possibly prepared...?

.

.

.

.

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INSIDE THE CEREMONY HALL

Present were imperial ministers, high-ranking nobles, foreign dignitaries, and even international reporters—

And seated at the highest throne—

The Emperor himself.

“Welcome, everyone. I am Serena Lunar Moonlight, commander and supreme strategist of this war.”

Serena’s voice rang out, echoing through the vast hall.

“Thank you all for attending today’s ceremony.”

Hundreds of eyes fell upon her as she bowed politely, yet—

Her demeanor had completely changed from the one she had shown to Clana earlier.

“To be honest, I didn’t expect all of you to attend.”

“””...”””

“After all, when we desperately called for reinforcements, none of you were anywhere to be seen.”

Though spoken in a low murmur, her words sent ripples through the hall.

Some individuals’ faces twisted with discomfort.

“Ahem...”

“Just get to the point.”

“Frankly, I fail to understand why the commander is even speaking at this ceremony.”

Typically, the Emperor was the one to lead the Merit Ceremony, delivering the main address.

Even for a commander, speaking before the Emperor himself was highly unprecedented.

“There is a reason for this.”

Serena’s sharp gaze silenced those who grumbled, and she resumed speaking.

“Though this war ended in our victory, in truth, it was no different from a defeat.”

“What nonsense—“

“The entire world has now seen the Empire’s true, pathetic state laid bare.”

Her cutting words sent a chill through the hall.

“Frankly, holding this Merit Ceremony at all is meaningless. From the start to the end of this disgraceful war, only a handful of people have done anything worthy of reward.”

“I—Impossible!”

“Is she out of her mind?!”

Serena’s reputation as the brilliant commander who led the Empire to victory had been soaring.

But now, speaking such dangerous words in front of the entire Empire—with the Emperor himself present—was nothing short of insanity.

“Hmph...”

The Emperor’s expression darkened as he stroked his beard.

“She won’t last long...”

“Who knows? She might be found dead by tomorrow...”

The imperial ministers, well aware of the Emperor’s infamous cruelty, bowed their heads in fear.

“What exactly are you trying to say?”

Finally, the Emperor himself broke the tense silence.

“I did not grant you this time to tarnish the dignity of the Empire.”

His calm tone carried an unmistakable warning.

“I apologize, Your Majesty.”

For any normal person, this would have been the moment to fall to their knees and beg for mercy—

But Serena did not flinch.

“What I meant to say is—despite everything, a single individual emerged at the end of this war who is truly deserving of merit.”

The Emperor tilted his head slightly, intrigued.

The entire audience watched her with growing curiosity.

“Please, direct your attention to the recorded footage.”

Suddenly...

The hall was plunged into darkness.

“W-what is this?!”

“Protect the Emperor!!”

“Guards! Secure the hall!”

“...Silence. Everyone, remain seated.”

Though the imperial officials caused a brief commotion, the Emperor’s languid voice was enough to silence them in an instant.

- Bzzzzzz...

In the ensuing dead silence, the recording crystal projected its footage for all to see.

“M-my god... Is that even possible?”

“The Ice Princess is formidable, but the one facing her... That man isn’t human.”

“Even with his back impaled, he moves as if it’s nothing...”

The footage displayed none other than the battle between Icy and the masked warrior.

“Even if all of our knights attacked him at once, they wouldn’t stand a chance.”

“Until now, there has never been a warrior capable of defeating the Cloud Kingdom’s princess.”

“The new strongest warrior has appeared.”

The hall, which had been deathly silent moments ago, suddenly erupted into murmurs.

Serena, taking note of the growing clamor, gestured for the footage to stop before addressing the crowd once more.

“None of you—who remained safely tucked away while the war raged on—would know this.”

“But the only reason the Empire won this war... was because of this one man.”

Her words had grown sharper and more direct, carrying an undisguised scorn—but this time, no one dared to refute her.

“Thus, this Merit Ceremony should be dedicated solely to him. That is why I stand here today.”

Most of the attendees remained fixated on the frozen frame of the masked warrior, caught mid-swing, exuding an aura of absolute power.

“So then, who exactly is this man?”

Amid the lingering tension, the Emperor’s voice rang out, intrigued.

“A warrior of this caliber... I have a guess.”

“You are correct.”

Serena, briefly glancing at the Emperor, gestured once more—restoring light to the darkened hall.

“His true identity is none other than... the Hero.”

The moment the words left her lips, a shockwave rippled through the gathering.

“More precisely, he is the Second Hero, the true successor of the First Hero, appearing for the first time in a thousand years.”

“I-it can’t be...!”

“So... it wasn’t just a legend...?”

The imperials shuddered, while the representatives of foreign nations grew visibly tense.

“We were about to fully back the Cloud Kingdom...”

“This changes everything.”

For centuries, the title of ‘Hero’ had been considered little more than an old myth—but his reappearance carried world-altering implications.

“Wait... if the Hero has returned... does that mean the Demon King will too?”

“S-surely not...”

“But if the Hero could return... then what’s stopping the Demon King from doing the same...?”

As unease spread among the attendees—

“That is not the point I was making.”

“Huh?”

The Emperor, a sly smirk curling at his lips, spoke over the rising tension.

“I was referring to the face beneath that mask.”

“...”

“Rather than just the title of Hero... I believe I already know his true identity.”

The moment those words left his mouth—Serena’s expression froze over.

“Is that not the case, Frey?”

Wearing an undisguised smirk, the Emperor turned to his side—calling a name.

“...”

With unmistakable arrogance, Frey rose from his seat.

“I suppose I cannot deceive Your Majesty after all.”

As all eyes shifted to him, Frey boldly declared—

“Indeed. I am the Hero seen in that recording.”

A long silence followed.

“Really, it should come as no surprise. After all, I am the sole living descendant of the Hero’s lineage—Frey Raon Starlight.”

“You wretched insect.”

Within the hushed hall, Serena’s icy glare locked onto Frey.

“You make me sick. Just hearing you speak makes my stomach churn.”

“Oh?”

“You are nothing but a fraud, a despicable man who has deceived everyone until now.”

Serena’s blazing gaze fixed on Frey, causing him to snort derisively.

“Can you take responsibility for those words?”

“By the time this ceremony ends, you will face a miserable downfall.”

Frey, seemingly amused, stroked his chin before taunting—

“Then why don’t you prove it?”

“Gladly.”

The hall fell into breathless tension, no one daring to intervene.

“...Would you mind removing your shirt for a moment?”

“What?”

“Surely, you know that the Hero sustained a severe wound on his back during the war?”

“...!!!”

For the first time, Frey’s expression faltered.

“That’s...”

“Take off your shirt, Frey.”

“...I refuse.”

“Ha! Just as I thought.”

As Serena stepped forward, a mocking sneer graced her lips—

The crowd murmured, sensing that something was seriously wrong.

“Why... why are you lying?”

Among the growing whispers, only Clana, her head bowed, trembled as she murmured—

“Frey... I saw it myself... There was a wound on your back.”

A storm was brewing—one that would decide the fate of both the Emperor’s faction and the Princess’s supporters.