Chapter 499: IF Story - The Initial Draft (7) - The Main Heroines are Trying to Kill Me - NovelsTime

The Main Heroines are Trying to Kill Me

Chapter 499: IF Story - The Initial Draft (7)

Author: Kim Mamo
updatedAt: 2025-08-03

CHAPTER 499: IF STORY - THE INITIAL DRAFT (7)

0% “Refusing my request means there’s nothing left to say.”

Serena’s cold gaze locked onto Frey as she raised her voice, publicly condemning him.

“You are nothing but a false Hero, waiting for the perfect moment to deceive us all.”

“...”

“You had no idea that the Hero had sustained a permanent wound, did you? Well, I suppose most people here didn’t even believe the Hero was real in the first place.”

Then, for a moment, she turned her attention toward the assembled nobles.

“I was worried this information might leak, but fortunately, very few soldiers actually survived the final battle. We successfully kept it under control.”

“I don’t really know about any of that...”

As the tension in the hall thickened, Frey, who had been silent, finally spoke up.

“But there’s something you overlooked.”

“And what would that be?”

“The Hero has extraordinary regeneration.”

Serena nodded as if encouraging him to continue.

“In that footage, the Hero suffered multiple fatal injuries yet kept fighting as if nothing happened.”

“That’s true.”

“Even at the end, his back was completely impaled, but he still managed to defeat the enemy commander.”

Frey gestured toward the still-floating footage, his gaze sweeping across the room.

“This alone proves that the Hero possesses incredible healing abilities.”

“...”

“In fact, the Starlight family’s ancient records contain mentions of the First Hero’s remarkable regeneration.”

At those words, the corners of Frey’s lips curled into his usual arrogant smirk.

“So, there is no reason for me to remove my shirt here. Any wounds I sustained during the war have already—“

“Oh, the Starlight family’s records... Are you referring to this?”

“...!”

Serena pulled something from her robe, and Frey’s smirk shattered instantly.

“H-how do you have that...?”

“You see, Frey... I’m not the only one who despises you.”

In her hand was none other than the Starlight family’s secret archives.

“I have eyes and ears closer than you think.”

“...Looks like I’ll need to clean house soon.”

“No need. Your household staff has already fled, and after today, the Starlight family will be erased from history.”

Frey briefly smirked, but it quickly faded—his face turning pale.

“What are you talking about...?”

“According to this document, while the First Hero did indeed possess extraordinary regeneration, there was a limit.”

Serena’s mocking gaze bore into Frey as she began reading aloud.

“The Hero’s power burns through his own life force, allowing for a brief surge of strength. During this period, his strength and healing are amplified tremendously. However—“

“...”

“Once the ability ends, the aftereffects are inevitable.”

“Wait—“

“If the wounds are not fully healed while the ability is active, the scars remain permanently.”

Serena finally looked up from the document, her expression icy.

“The First Hero’s body bore every scar he had ever received, right up until the moment he defeated the Demon King.”

“...”

“But does your body have even the smallest scar, Frey?”

“My wounds were fully healed in battle.”

“Haah...”

Despite Frey’s persistent denial, Serena simply let out a cold sigh, her expression filled with disgust.

“You’re always the same—pathetic, deceitful, arrogant, and utterly revolting, Frey.”

“Your insults are growing excessive.”

“I was a fool to think I could have a rational discussion with you.”

With sharp, unforgiving words, Serena strode toward Frey, ready to end this farce.

“Now, remove your outer clothing. If even the tiniest scar remains, I will stake my life on it.”

“Wait.”

Frey shouted, cutting her off.

“I have another piece of evidence!”

“...What?”

As his defiant voice echoed through the hall, Serena’s icy gaze flickered with mild interest.

“Bring it in.”

“Yes, sir.”

A maid, who had been waiting in the background, stepped forward—carrying something in her arms.

“T-that is...?”

“What’s going on now?”

“This is getting more and more confusing...”

As the audience’s attention shifted, murmurs spread as they began recognizing what was being presented.

“...”

“What’s wrong, Serena? Why have you suddenly gone silent?”

Seeing Serena’s speechless reaction, Frey’s smirk returned.

“Everyone, this—“

He turned to face the assembled nobility, his confidence fully restored.

“—is the decisive proof that I am the true Hero.”

Before him, glowing faintly, was a perfectly crafted relic—the Hero’s Armament.

.

.

.

.

.

“Th-this is...!”

At Frey’s request, the Pope himself had been summoned to verify the item.

Wiping cold sweat from his forehead, he declared—

“It—it’s real! This is genuine Hero’s Armament!”

With the Pope’s official proclamation, the hall erupted into chaos.

“So, what now, Serena?”

“...”

“Can you take responsibility for all the slander you’ve thrown at me?”

Amidst the uproar, Frey stepped right up to Serena, extending a hand.

“If not, then from this moment forward—“

“Ah, I apologize.”

Without hesitation, Serena struck his hand away with her fan.

“I was simply too dumbfounded to speak.”

“What?”

“That’s a fake.”

Serena’s flat declaration made the Pope recoil in outrage.

“What nonsense is this?! This is undoubtedly authentic!”

“Serena, are you accusing the Pope of lying?”

Frey mocked her with a smirk.

“Are you saying that the most holy figure in the world—the leader of millions of believers—is fabricating this?”

“Yes, exactly. Right here, in front of everyone, I am accusing both you and the Pope of perjury.”

Her calm, unwavering statement made the Pope flinch and turn toward Frey.

“L-Lord Frey, I... I swear that—“

“Interesting. Then surely, you must have proof to back that up?”

As the Pope hesitated, Frey cut him off and challenged Serena.

“Saintess, if you would, please.”

Serena, glaring directly at Frey, spoke in a commanding tone.

“The Pope is lying.”

The voice that rang through the hall belonged to Ferloche.

“The Church currently has no means to verify the authenticity of the Hero’s Armament.”

“S-Saintess, what are you saying...?!”

“The Church’s knowledge of the Hero was lost centuries ago.”

“Lies! The Hero’s records have been perfectly preserved!”

“Are you saying the Saintess is lying? A Saintess who would lose her divine power if she so much as uttered a single falsehood?”

“If the Saintess speaks the truth, then surely there’s been some misunderstanding. We can verify it at any time.”

Thus began a fierce debate between Serena and the Pope.

“With your false, fabricated evidence?”

“Blasphemy! Watch your tongue!”

“Hah... This is tiresome.”

The argument continued to escalate—

Until—

“Then let’s prove it right here, right now.”

“Fine. I will summon the priests immediately—“

“No need.”

Serena’s decisive tone signaled the beginning of the end.

“Because we have the most undeniable proof right here.”

With those words, she turned her gaze toward someone in the crowd.

- Rustle...

A figure slowly rose from among the spectators.

“...!!!”

Gasps of shock and recognition filled the hall.

“...Aria.”

“Brother.”

Frey’s only remaining blood relative—his younger sister, Aria was now walking toward him.

“It’s time to end this.”

.

.

.

.

.

“Frey Raon Starlight cannot wield Stellar Mana.”

Serena’s resolute voice rang out across the hall, brimming with absolute confidence in her victory.

“No matter how much I searched through the Academy’s records or questioned those around him, there is not a single trace of him ever using Stellar Mana.”

“N-no, that’s not true! I—“

“Shut up, Frey. Just hearing your voice makes me want to vomit.”

Frey, desperate to defend himself, was silenced in an instant by Serena’s overwhelming killing intent.

“If you’re truly innocent, why don’t you demonstrate your Stellar Mana here and now?”

“...”

“Of course, you can’t. Because you’re a fraud.”

Serena grabbed Frey by the collar, whispering her scathing accusation, before shoving him backward.

He collapsed to the floor, completely powerless.

“I think you’ve realized it now—the fate that awaits you.”

With not a shred of sympathy, she glared down at him like he was nothing more than an insect before turning to Aria.

“But, everyone—there is someone here who can wield Stellar Mana.”

“...”

“It has been proven—both through the ancient records and the testimony of the Tower Master—that the Hero’s Armament reacts to Stellar Mana.”

As soon as she finished speaking, Aria took a deep breath and stepped forward.

“Brother... is it really true...?”

“Then, if you would—please demonstrate it for us, Lady Aria.”

“...”

She hesitated, her gaze lingering on Frey for a brief moment, before biting her lip and turning away.

- Shaaaaaa...!

A cascade of Stellar Mana poured from Aria’s body, washing over the Hero’s Armament that Frey had presented.

“”...””

A profound silence descended over the hall.

“As expected.”

Breaking the long, suffocating stillness, Serena smiled victoriously.

“There’s no reaction at all.”

As she had declared, the artifact Frey had brought remained lifeless, merely absorbing the brilliant glow of the Stellar Mana.

“Because the fake relic you brought is worthless.”

“T-this is a setup!”

With cold sweat beading on his forehead, Frey gasped for breath, his panicked voice barely a whisper.

“That’s the real Hero’s Armament! It’s been passed down through my family for generations—“

“How is it that you’re still this shameless?”

Serena didn’t even bother to look at him.

“It’s about time I properly introduced someone to you all.”

At this point, everyone’s attention had long since abandoned Frey.

“The true Hero—the one who saved the Empire.”

“My god...!”

“Is it... that person?!”

“Serena planned this all along...”

All eyes turned toward the grand entrance, where a masked figure stood—glowing with an undeniable radiance.

“Stop.”

And then—

“Stop this.”

Frey’s lips twisted into an eerie smirk for the briefest moment.

“Please... stop this...”

Only one person saw it.

Only Clana, her fists clenched so tightly that blood dripped from her palms, saw the true expression beneath Frey’s defeated facade.

.....

- Shaaaaa...!

As Aria’s Stellar Mana surged over the new arrival’s armor, intricate constellations emerged, glowing brightly.

“The patterns match perfectly—with both the Tower Master’s replication and the historical records.”

“Ah...”

“This confirms it.”

Serena observed the entranced crowd, a satisfied smile playing on her lips.

“The Hero we should support is none other than this person.”

The moment she signaled, imperial guards flooded the hall as if they had been waiting for this exact moment.

“And the disgusting fraud who impersonated the Hero—and the Pope who conspired with him—must be punished accordingly.”

“W-wait! Lady Serena, this is a misunderstanding—“

“Take them away.”

Without any further argument, the guards seized both Frey and the Pope.

“Let go.”

Frey shook off the guards’ grip, his teeth clenched, as he began walking forward on his own.

“I’ll walk myself.”

The guards looked to Serena for direction, and she merely sneered.

“Leave him be. Let him cling to his last scraps of dignity.”

“B-but...”

“Frey—walk yourself out of the palace and feel it for yourself.”

With slumped shoulders, Frey staggered forward, hundreds of eyes burning into his back.

“Feel the weight of your sins, the suffering that awaits you.”

“...”

“Be consumed by fear and despair—and disappear quietly.”

As if in response, mocking laughter and venomous whispers began to spread from all directions.

“Frey had it all... and now he’s done for.”

“They won’t execute him, though. He’s still nobility.”

“Maybe not, but he’ll live a fate worse than death.”

One after another, scornful voices tore into him as he walked.

“Hmph.”

But no one noticed the faint smile on his lowered face.

“It’s been a while since I’ve seen moonflowers.”

No one heard his quiet murmur as he stepped through the palace gates.

.....

“I pledge my loyalty to only one person.”

With Serena at his side, the newly anointed Hero addressed the crowd.

“I will lay down my life for that person, follow only their commands, and dedicate my existence to them.”

Whispers spread like wildfire through the audience.

“A Hero’s oath of loyalty...!”

“Whoever they choose will wield power equal to the Emperor.”

“Obviously, it’ll be the Emperor himself.”

“Of course.”

As the murmurs died down, the Hero finally spoke.

“The one I pledge myself to is...”

The Emperor, intrigued, stroked his chin as all eyes turned toward him.

But then—

“...that person over there.”

The Hero pointed somewhere completely unexpected.

“...”

The person seated in that direction was Clana.

“I saw you on the battlefield, fighting alone.”

As the hall fell into stunned silence, the Hero slowly approached Clana.

“While most nobles fled and the royal family hid in safety, you alone walked into war.”

All eyes turned to the fifteen-year-old girl, their expressions shifting.

“That is why the only one worthy of my loyalty is you.”

“...”

“Will you accept my oath?”

Reaching Clana, the Hero knelt, extending a hand toward her.

The Emperor scowled, while some gasped in awe.

“Incredible...!”

“To think one so young...”

But amid the whispers, others were already plotting.

“This changes everything.”

“Come to think of it... Clana never belonged to any faction before.”

“If we want to back her, we should move quickly.”

However—

“You.”

Only one person remained unfazed.

“Who are you?”

“...What?”

Clana’s eyes burned with a quiet fury.

“You’re not Frey.”

“...!”

At that moment, she cared about nothing else.

“P-Princess!? Where are you going!?”

“Wait, Your Highness!”

.....

“...Guh!”

Frey staggered through the empty corridors, before collapsing to the ground.

“Who...?”

His body trembled, his breathing ragged, as he turned toward the sudden assailant behind him.

“Haa... haa...”

“...!?”

His eyes widened in shock.

“Talk to me, Frey.”

Her knees scraped and bleeding, her breath uneven, Clana stood before him—her voice trembling.

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