I Left a Hero, Returned with Power: Rhea and the Demon King's System

The group resumed their journey, and after two long days of travel, they finally arrived at the majestic Elf Kingdom. The lush greenery and ethereal beauty of the kingdom were breathtaking, but Leo's mind was elsewhere.

Upon their arrival, the King of the Elves, Sirloin, personally came to greet them—a rare gesture of respect. The group was provided with accommodations and allowed to rest for the entire day.

However, rest eluded Leo. His thoughts were occupied by Vaeloria, whom he had left in the Ausha Empire under Miasha's care. While he trusted Miasha, the weight of responsibility lingered. Now, with the meeting with the Elven King looming, another challenge gnawed at him: how to address Vaeloria's absence.

As both an emperor and Vaeloria's friend, Leo knew he owed the King of Elves an explanation. Yet, his pride and sense of strategy urged him to tread carefully. Admitting the full truth might weaken his position or complicate relations.

Leo clenched his fists as he thought to himself. I'll handle this my way. The meeting will not revolve around Vaeloria.

With that decision, he steeled himself for what was to come.

Night fell without Leo even realizing it, his thoughts too preoccupied with the weight of his decisions. It was only the sharp sound of a knock at the door that snapped him back to the present.

"Come in," Leo said, his voice steady yet distant.

The door creaked open, and a royal guard of the Elf Kingdom stepped in, bowing respectfully. "Your Majesty, King Sirloin invites you to join him for dinner."

Leo nodded silently, dismissing the guard with a wave of his hand. As the elf left, Leo rose from his chair and stared out the window, the moonlight casting a faint glow over the kingdom.

Dinner with the king. He knew exactly what awaited him—a cordial meal wrapped in layers of questions he didn't want to answer. Questions about Vaeloria, about the Ausha Empire, and perhaps things he wasn't yet ready to share.

Leo exhaled, his expression sharpening with resolve. "It's time," he muttered to himself. Steeling his mind and emotions, he prepared to face whatever awaited him at the Elven King's table.

Leo followed the royal guard through the grand corridor, his steps echoing faintly against the polished white marble floor. The towering pillars flanking him bore intricate gold designs that seemed to shimmer under the soft glow of the hall's ambient lighting. Everything in the Elf Kingdom's palace exuded elegance and purity—untouched and timeless.

At the end of the corridor stood the royal dining room doors, massive and exquisitely carved, their craftsmanship telling tales of ancient artistry. Two guards stepped forward, pushing the doors open with practiced precision, revealing the grandeur within.

Leo's eyes were drawn to the long dining table, draped in a crimson sheet that stretched its full length. More than thirty-seven dishes were meticulously arranged upon it, each one more lavish than the last. The aroma of seasoned meats, fresh herbs, and exotic elven delicacies filled the air, a subtle yet deliberate display of wealth and hospitality.

At the far end of the table, King Sirloin sat, his regal posture accentuating the authority he carried. Upon seeing Leo enter, the Elven King raised a hand, a graceful motion beckoning him forward.

Leo stepped in with calm confidence, his gaze briefly scanning the feast before settling on Sirloin. He approached with measured steps, his demeanor unshaken as he prepared himself—not just for dinner, but for the conversation that would inevitably come.

"It has been a long time, Leo. How are you doing?" Sirloin spoke, his tone soft yet carrying the weight of years past.

"I'm doing well, Sirloin," Leo replied with equal calm, offering a respectful nod.

"Let's sit and have dinner first. I hadn't expected you to come directly to my kingdom," Sirloin said, gesturing to the seat across from him. His voice remained composed, but there was a subtle curiosity behind it.

Leo settled into his seat, his expression carefully neutral. "As an emperor, I can't ignore matters that are brought to me—especially when rumors spread as they have. You know as well as I do, Sirloin… we all share a weak spot for Vaeloria."

At the mention of her name, Sirloin's expression faltered. The Elven King's face grew heavy, his eyes betraying the grief he tried to suppress. Vaeloria—his daughter, the Princess of the Elves and a knight of their people—her name alone was enough to cast a shadow over the room.

Silence lingered for a moment as Sirloin turned his gaze downward, as if searching for solace in the fine grains of the table. "Vaeloria…" he whispered, the pain in his voice unmistakable. "She was my pride… and my burden."

Leo watched the Elven King carefully, his own emotions held in check. He knew this sorrow too well—it was the weight of leadership and loss intertwined. And though Leo carried many titles, in that moment, he remained silent as a friend, giving Sirloin the space to grieve.

Leo's voice softened, his gaze distant as he spoke, "About Vaeloria… I really don't know everything. But one thing I do know—she was a warrior who stood against the higher demon, Muka."

Sirloin's head lifted slightly, his grief-filled eyes meeting Leo's.

Leo continued, his tone carrying both sorrow and reverence. "She didn't just fight. She conquered. Before that battle, she had already defeated the Second Demon Lord and his entire army. She carried wounds no one could imagine, yet she never stopped. She fought until the very end."

The room fell silent, save for Leo's steady voice. "Vaeloria isn't just a warrior, Sirloin. She is a hero—a war hero. She gave everything she had to protect those around her. While others escaped, she stayed behind. She faced an entire army alone and, ultimately, fought against Muka himself."

Sirloin's hands trembled faintly as he clutched the table's edge, his jaw tight with unspoken emotion. Leo's words hung heavy in the air like the memory of a battle scar.

"She didn't die as a princess," Leo added quietly. "She lived and died as a legend."

Sirloin's voice trembled as he spoke, his emotions betraying the calm facade he tried to maintain. "Leo, I… I just acted on my emotions. When I received that letter, I let hope cloud my judgment. I forgot that you, too, were her close friend, and that you did everything you could to save her."

He paused, his gaze falling to the table as his hands tightened into fists. "I let myself believe—no, hope—that my daughter might still be alive. If there was even a chance, I wanted to see her… hear her voice again, even just once."

The weight of his words lingered in the air, filled with raw grief and longing. "I didn't mean to hurt you, Leo. I know you carry your own burdens. I just… after hearing of her death, after losing her, I was desperate. And then that letter came—claiming she lives, and that you…" Sirloin exhaled sharply, struggling to finish the thought. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to accuse you or doubt your intentions."

Leo's expression remained calm, though his eyes softened with understanding. Sirloin's pain was a mirror of the grief that still echoed within Leo's own heart. A moment of silence stretched between them—two leaders, bound by their respect and love for the same warrior who had given everything.

"It's okay, I have another matter I want to discuss with you, Sirloin. I trust you," Leo began, his tone serious. "The Spirits—I heard they stayed out of the entire war. Is it possible to contact them? I've also heard the Elves have two trades with the Spirit Kingdom, and that their kingdom lies beyond the Red Moon Empire."

Sirloin leaned back, his expression clouded with thought. "Well, Leo, the current war is not something that just began 2,000 years ago. This conflict between humans and demons? It's the thirty-sixth war. The battles between our races have raged for over a thousand years."

Leo's eyes narrowed slightly as Sirloin continued. "Legends say the Spirit Kingdom once helped the Demon King in a past age. For reasons unknown, they chose to side with him in one of the earliest wars. Since then, the Spirits have kept their distance, refusing to intervene—whether for humans or demons. Some say they guard a secret, something powerful enough to alter the fate of the world."

Leo listened carefully, his mind racing. "And the trade you spoke of?"

"Yes," Sirloin replied. "The Elves still maintain two trades with the Spirit Kingdom: knowledge and rare materials. But they are elusive, Leo. Even for us, reaching their kingdom is nearly impossible. It lies beyond the Red Moon Empire, a land tainted by curses and shadows. Crossing through there is a trial on its own."

Leo's gaze sharpened, his determination unwavering. "If there's even a chance to contact the Spirits, I'll take it. I don't care how dangerous the path is."

Sirloin sighed heavily, meeting Leo's determined gaze. "Then tread carefully, Leo. The Spirits do not take sides lightly. To earn their audience, you must prove yourself in ways that no battlefield can prepare you for."

"Is this the secret matter you speak of, Leo?" Sirloin asked, his tone steady but filled with curiosity.

"No, Sirloin," Leo replied calmly. "I've sent Edward to the Red Moon Empire with a letter written by me."

"What? The Red Moon Empire? Why?" Sirloin blurted, his composure cracking as the name echoed through the room.

Leo's expression darkened slightly, his voice quiet yet resolute. "I think the war is going to end soon. But this isn't just about the war; it's about what comes after. I have my reasons... and a suspicion that someone close to me may betray me."

Sirloin's brows furrowed, and he leaned forward. "Betray you? Leo, you're the Emperor—"

"Which is exactly why I must be prepared," Leo interrupted, his voice firm but laced with concern. "The tides of power bring uncertainty, Sirloin. I don't say this lightly. You need to hear me—if, for any reason, I do not return from a war, you must be ready to act."

Sirloin's expression grew solemn as he took in Leo's words. "You speak as though you're expecting the worst."

Leo nodded slightly. "I plan for peace, but I prepare for betrayal. Trust is fragile in times like these. Sirloin, if anything happens to me, I'm counting on you. You must hold the line—protect your people, the Elves... and ensure my plans for the future are carried through."

Sirloin sat back, his face grave. "You're placing a great burden on me, Leo."

"I place it on you because I trust you," Leo replied, his gaze unwavering. "You're not just an ally—you're a leader who understands what's at stake."

Sirloin sighed, the weight of Leo's words settling heavily upon him. "Then I will do as you ask. But promise me this, Leo—you won't fall so easily. Your empire and the world need you."

Leo gave a faint smirk, though the concern in his eyes remained. "I don't intend to fall, Sirloin. But if I do... I'll ensure my enemies regret every moment they dared challenge me."

While they were talking and eating, the doors of the royal dining hall suddenly burst open, and a royal guard entered in haste. He bowed deeply, and Sirloin gave him a solemn nod to proceed.

The guard's voice was urgent and grim. "I bring dire news. Riverlot City has been completely destroyed. We believe all the citizens of that region are dead due to a Nest Crystal explosion."

Leo's eyes widened in disbelief as he slammed his hand onto the table. "What?! How could this happen?!"

The guard hesitated before continuing, "Lord Leo, we have confirmed it—it was indeed a Nest Crystal explosion. Everything and everyone… melted like ice under the sun. We suspect the Dark Elves and the Dark Clan are behind this."

A flash of memory hit Leo—a loyal knight and lord of Riverlot City came to mind. "Abird Japson…" he murmured softly, his chest tightening. "What about the lord of Riverlot City?"

The guard's face grew graver. "We believe no one survived, Your Majesty. Two hundred thousand lives—gone. Their bodies melted into nothing."

A heavy silence fell over the room, broken only by Leo's muttered words. "The Nest Crystal… we once used it against Rance Republic State. It destroyed everything—wiped out their entire region. That's how we won that war. Perhaps… this is the price for the evil we wrought."

Sirloin's gaze darkened as he spoke. "The Nest Crystal bomb was a creation of Rance Republic, but we seized the information through our spies. How, then, did the Red Moon Empire and their allies acquire it?"

The guard interrupted, his voice even tenser. "Your Majesties, there's more. The Xing Fu Empire has begun advancing on our borders, and the Red Moon Empire has launched a full-scale assault on Ausha Baja City. Their emperors have personally joined the battlefield."

Leo's expression hardened, his tone sharp and resolute. "So they're trying to end this war quickly." He rose abruptly from his chair. "Sirloin, I need to ask a favor. Allow me to use the teleportation device."

Sirloin nodded without hesitation. "Of course, Leo. You'll have access to it immediately."

The guard cleared his throat again. "Lord Leo, the situation grows worse. With both emperors in the fray, our forces are struggling to hold their ground. If this continues…"

Leo's eyes burned with intensity as he clenched his fists. "Then I must go. They've made their move. Now it's my turn."

Sirloin placed a hand on Leo's shoulder, his voice low but firm. "Be careful, Leo. This war is no longer about victories—it's survival."

Leo nodded, his resolve unshaken. "I know. But I won't let this spiral any further. Not while I still breathe."

After leaving the dining room, Leo headed directly toward the teleportation chamber, his mind racing with the latest developments. On his way, he encountered his core companions—Abuld, the war minister; Matthews, the first division unit captain; Andro, the second division unit captain; and Robert, the seventh division unit captain.

Abuld spoke first, concern etched on his face. "Your Majesty, have you eaten dinner? It's late, and you'll need your strength."

Without breaking stride, Leo shook his head. "I didn't have time, Abuld. Let's save the feast for after the war. Right now, the battlefield is our priority."

Abuld nodded, quickly briefing him. "Our intelligence suggests the enemy forces are focusing on the border between the Ausha Empire and the Elf Kingdom. Demon King Dons has personally arrived in Baja Ausha City, while Emperor Athan has been spotted leading forces in the Memumara area. Where should we focus our efforts first?"

Leo's eyes glinted with determination. "Sirloin will handle Emperor Athan. I trust his forces can hold the Memumara region. As for me," Leo's voice hardened, "I will deal with Demon Emperor Dons myself."

The group exchanged solemn glances, understanding the gravity of the decision. "Then we'll prepare to support you at Baja Ausha City, Your Majesty," Matthews said, saluting.

Leo nodded. "Good. Ready the troops. Time is against us."

As the teleportation device activated, filling the room with a radiant glow, Leo's companions stepped onto the platform, ready to depart. However, Leo paused, staying behind for a moment.

From his coat, he retrieved a sealed letter and handed it to the royal guard who had been silently following him since his arrival in the Elf Kingdom.

"Give this letter to your King, Sirloin," Leo instructed, his voice steady and commanding.

The guard, though momentarily taken aback, nodded solemnly. "It will be delivered without fail, Your Majesty."

Leo gave a brief glance toward the guard, his expression unreadable. Then, without another word, he turned and stepped into the teleportation device. The light intensified, and in an instant, Leo was gone.

Sirloin gripped the letter tightly, his voice a grave whisper.

"The strongest hero versus the strongest Demon King.

A peace seeker versus a peace lover.

This battle will decide fate itself."

He gazed into the distance, the weight of destiny pressing on his shoulders. "Leo, may your strength guide us all."