CHAPTER 84: CHAPTER 84: THE HERO LOVES THIS WORLD [4]

Kael closed his eyes.

Then he slowly opened them.

And then, what entered his vision was a sight he could never forget.

...

18.

That was the number of spears that had successfully pierced Tharok’s huge body.

Drip...

Drops of blood dripped onto Kaelus’s clothes.

"Why..."

His eyes were filled with hopelessness and soullessness.

Tharok should have been able to dodge those spears.

But...

"Why... did you protect me?"

Tharok smiled gently, looking at Kaelus with affection.

"...Because... we are... friends... And friends should... help each other."

He was indeed the kindest person Kaelus had ever met.

"Die, you bastards!"

Not far away, Dix was fighting all four captains of the demon king’s army alone, and at the same time.

He had gone completely insane after losing five comrades in less than an hour.

Tharok glanced at Dix, then turned his gaze to Kaelus:

"I’m done for, Kaelus. So... please go help Dix."

Kaelus clenched his fists so tightly that his nails dug into his flesh.

Just like Dix, Kaelus was about to go berserk.

"Do you know why... I, someone with this personality... decided to become... a hero?"

"...Isn’t it to protect the world?"

Tharok smiled lightly.

"No."

He shook his head.

"My dream... was to live a peaceful life with my fiancée. But, unfortunately... she was killed by the demon king’s army right in front of me..."

"..."

"That’s why... I swore with my life that I would personally behead that damn demon king."

"..."

"...But it seems like I no longer have the chance."

"..."

"So Kaelus, can you... do it for me?"

Kaelus pursed his lips.

A glimmer of determination flashed in his eyes.

"I swear to you."

Hearing what he wanted to hear, Tharok’s smile became even brighter than before.

"In that case... what are you waiting for? Go help Dix."

Kaelus had promised.

"...I will."

Kaelus stood up, gripping the hilt of his sword.

"Thank you for everything. And... I’m sorry."

"..."

Tharok didn’t respond.

Perhaps he had already met their four comrades and his fiancée by now.

"...Farewell."

Tharok was a tanker.

And the last thing he did before he died was to protect Kaelus.

Protect the world’s hope.

***

Kael’s eyes closed.

Then, once again, they gently opened.

A new scene.

The end of the demon king.

Dix was leaning against a crumbling wall, panting, clutching the wound on his arm.

Meanwhile, Kaelus was coldly glaring at the demon king.

The one who was now retreating and pleading with him.

"Please don’t kill me! I swear I won’t kill humans anymore, so can you please spare me?"

"Tsk."

Uncomfortably, Kaelus clicked his tongue.

A man who had killed thousands of people was now begging like a beggar in front of him?

It felt horrible.

Kaelus took a step forward.

His sword flashed with a deadly light, just like his eyes.

"Are those your last words?"

"Please, spare my life... I’m willing to be your slave..."

"..."

Kaelus didn’t reply, only raising his sword high.

Understanding that he would die anyway, the demon king had no intention of acting anymore.

As if he had suffered a lot, he shouted:

"Damn it! Do you think that even if you kill me, everything will return to normal?!"

"..."

"Fuck you! There will never be eternal peace! And even if I die, a new war will break out!"

"..."

"You humans are just a bunch of trashy bastards! Admit it!"

With a headache, Kaelus sighed.

"We are peace. And as long as we live, as long as there are people who remember us, peace will always be there."

Just like that, Kaelus swung his sword down.

And with that, an era of death and bloodshed ended.

***

"Hey Kaelus, what do you think if we create 7 kingdoms to represent the 7 heroes?"

"What the hell?"

Kaelus lost his balance, almost falling off the float, and then being crushed by the people below who were shouting their names.

"Where did that idea come from?"

He sat down in front of Dix, opened a bottle of high-class wine, and poured himself a glass.

It was just one of the rewards they received after defeating the demon king.

Dix shrugged indifferently.

"I’m just saying, and if you agree, we’ll make it happen. After all, my authority now is even greater than all the kings in the world."

"..."

"They wouldn’t dare refuse my proposal, no matter how unreasonable it is."

"Wow, that’s really presumptuous. But I like it."

Kaelus said in a joking tone.

"So, what do you think of that idea?"

He curled his lips.

"Of course I agree. I want to remember Veyra, Sunny, Amon, Ragnar, and Tharok too."

"Then it’s decided."

Dix gave out a smile.

"Oh right, do you want to be the king of a kingdom too?"

"...!"

Kaelus choked.

Wine spilled from not only his mouth but also his nose.

"No way! It’s too much trouble!"

But even so, in the end, Kaelus still became a king.

Just like that, 7 new kingdoms were established.

Dicathen.

Voidveil.

Eldrathor.

Sylvandar.

Aetherforge.

Nethervale.

And Lumindra.

***

10 years later.

Under the genius guidance of Dix, the Voidveil kingdom became an empire.

And Dix, from a hero who saved the world, became the emperor of the world’s strongest empire.

In terms of both strength and economy.

"Long time no see, huh? It’s been almost 2 years since we’ve sat together like this."

Sitting in a beautiful garden, enjoying the beautiful weather today, Kaelus, the king of the Dicathen kingdom, sipped his tea, sneaking a glance at Dix.

The traces of aging were clearly visible on his face.

It seemed that even the legendary hero must surrender to time.

"Haha! You look really old! Even older than me!"

Unable to hold back, Kaelus burst out laughing.

"Alright, alright, you’re always the most handsome."

Dix sighed helplessly.

"How can someone with a childish personality like you lead a kingdom like Dicathen?"

"I told you, don’t underestimate me."

Kaelus paused, wiping away the nonexistent tears from the corners of his eyes.

"So, what did you call me for this time?"

Dix smiled.

"Can’t I just see my best friend?"

Kaelus waved his hand.

"Stop talking nonsense. Get to the point."

He could see through Dix easily.

"Sigh. Am I that bad at lying?"

"Maybe. So, what happened?"

"..."

The smile on Dix’s face had disappeared.

His eyes had also become more serious.

Realizing this change, Kaelus also sat up straight.

"Is something really wrong?"

He swallowed.

"I know my body better than anyone else, Kaelus."

Finally, Dix opened his mouth.

"And I could feel myself dying."