The Second Salvation Myth of a Retired Regressed Hero

“Would you like to become a king?”

The words that stunned everyone echoed through the meeting area.

The guild masters who had been roaring at Haineken fell silent, focusing on the conversation between the two.

“…What do you mean?”

“Exactly as I said.”

Haineken flashed his signature smile, baring his teeth like a tiger. Deep wrinkles creased his thick, scarred face.

“The Vielorn Royal Family has fallen under the Demon Lord’s control.”

Gasps and sharp intakes of breath overlapped around them.

Haineken calmly recited the bombshell news.

“The coup regime that seized Vielorn 20 years ago were the Demon Lord’s pawns.”

“The Demon Lord grew wary after witnessing two boss monster killers and the Martial Saint and Lion King they had nurtured. They deemed boss monster killers the greatest threat to eliminate preemptively, no matter the cost.”

“But immediate assassination was impossible due to the Holy Stones.”

“Putting aside the entry blockade on Commanders and suppression of demonic abilities, the Holy Stones’ barriers severely hindered the Demon Lord’s forces from gathering intel within the alliance. Their demonic communication methods became useless within the barriers.”

“Thus, for their grand scheme, they formed an independent intelligence and assassination organization operating within the allied forces.”

“Audaciously, the Kingdom of Vielorn itself became just that.”

“They had been working towards it for decades and eventually succeeded in taking over Vielorn’s royalty. The coup was merely a means to that end.”

“Vielorn had been abnormally obsessed with intelligence-gathering to detect the boss monster killer’s existence early on.”

“The assassin who tried to kill you – Vielorn’s Minister of Finance – was part of the Demon Lord’s direct assassination squad, the strongest assassin currently in their forces. He even survived fighting Sir Enoch over 100 years ago, albeit in a weakened state due to the Holy Stone.”

“The Kingdom of Vielorn itself existed as a tool to assassinate you alone.”

No one could speak until Haineken finished. It was an unbelievable, horrific, shocking revelation.

An entire kingdom had fallen to the Demon Lord, all to kill a single Doyun. It was like a play that left not just students, but instructors and guild masters alike speechless.

And yet, it wasn’t a play. This was the harsh reality facing the alliance.

After finishing, Haineken looked into Doyun’s eyes.

‘As expected.’

Calm. Surprised at the unexpected news but not flustered. Quickly accepting and analyzing the situation.

A composure akin to a still pond reflecting a clear mirror.

Haineken’s leather-gloved fist clenched tightly in excitement. His lips curled into a ferocious grin he couldn’t contain.

‘This brat is precisely the talent suited for my grand vision.’

The talent hunter Haineken was convinced coming here had been the right choice.

To rebuild the fallen Vielorn and realize his long-envisioned utopia. And for the birth of the Third King to protect the alliance, after the Martial Saint and Lion King.

Doyun was truly a perfect candidate.

After gathering his thoughts, Doyun asked Haineken,

“…Your intention in bringing armed forces?”

“I will stage a coup.”

His full-body armor shone with resplendent luster, like a tiger’s thick, impenetrable hide.

“Here, I will rendezvous with reinforcements from Skeletonia and march directly to Vielorn’s capital.”

“News of a Hero mobilizing military forces, as well as the information you revealed here, will quickly reach them. They will undoubtedly attempt to stop you from the border onward…”

“Stop me?”

His javelin’s blade exuded a chilling aura, seeming to pierce anything like a tiger’s razor-sharp fangs.

“I am a Hero. Haineken.”

For a moment, Doyun had forgotten the meaning behind the “Hero” title he had learned in class, having grown too familiar with Haineken.

“Hero” (Războinic) was a title bestowed upon the strongest, bravest, and most righteous individual in a nation.

“None in Vielorn.”

The singular existence capable of single-handedly turning the tides of battle and confronting the Demon Lord’s Commanders – the allied forces’ dire nightmare. Not an individual, but a weapon of war itself.

“Can stand against me.”

That was a Hero.

Haineken let out a scornful chuckle.

“Vielorn is a nation of cowards. Well, most nations far from the frontlines breed such disgraceful lot. Utterly different from the valiant nation of Muspelheim. If I command the gates open, not even the border guards will dare obstruct me.”

“I’ll pierce straight through to the capital, leaving only the siege of the royal castle remaining.”

“I’ve experience sabotaging castle gates. Once we arrive, the gates will open wide. If the gates open, nothing in Vielorn can withstand my guild’s small combat force. No siege necessary – by tonight, the purge of the entire royal family will be complete.”

“…”

“The reinforcements from Skeletonia and your senior’s army marching from the northwest are merely precautions should my plan fail and a siege commence. If all goes according to plan, they won’t need to intervene.”

Doyun shuddered briefly at this man’s sheer ruthlessness. He was truly a seasoned hunter.

This was a hunt. Haineken was hunting Vielorn’s royalty.

“What did you mean by me becoming a king?”

“With this opportunity, I intend to realize the utopia I’ve long dreamed of in Vielorn.”

Haineken puffed out his broad chest, his eyes flickering with resolve.

“The Martial Saint’s nation of Labyrinth. The Lion King’s Muspelheim. The alliance’s strongest powers and the only nations where the monarch holds the Hero title.”

Ah. Sighs of realization emerged from the crowd. Everyone except the students had instantly grasped his intentions.

“Surely you can’t mean…!”
“Indeed.”

Haineken grinned, glancing at the one who had spoken.

“I intend to seat one of the Hero candidates on Vielorn’s throne.”

The talent hunter Haineken eyed Doyun with covetous eyes.

“Of course, I won’t immediately make you king. As impressed as I am with you, crowning a dimension traveler who arrived just two months ago would be sheer madness.”

“I understand.”

“I will choose several talented youths as candidates and educate them. And the process will be made transparently public to all citizens. The most complete one shall become the next king and Hero. The rest will become Vielorn’s warriors or ‘Courages’ (勇者), sharp blades protecting the king and Vielorn alongside the Hero.”

“Are you including me among those candidates?”

“Yes. That way, while learning at the royal castle under me, you’ll also accrue legitimacy. I’ve already located and secured a distantly related woman with ties to the royal lineage yet far removed from the throne to provide legitimacy.”

“My, you’ve even scouted potential consorts already?”

“A woman with an extremely ample chest. You’ll be quite pleased.”

“You seem excessively fond of your juniors.”

“Hmm… I suppose hips are more to your tastes?”

He glanced at Sophie behind Doyun. Upon his words, Sophie started in shock, blushing furiously as she lowered her head.

“Hmm… The one I’ve prepared seems a bit lacking in that regard. Troubling.”

Laughter briefly rippled through the crowd.

Sophie had abruptly been branded as Doyun’s potential consort in front of the instructors, fellow students, and Skeletonian dignitaries, fidgeting with her ample hips as her ears and face flushed crimson.

“For education, I intend to enlist the aid of senior Heroes. Once they hear my plan, they likely won’t dismiss it as a foreign affair but support it wholeheartedly, as it concerns the alliance.”

Those listening marveled at his scheme. Not one, but multiple Hero candidates systematically trained by numerous Heroes. And a king selected through competition between them.

If truly realized, Vielorn’s future would be as secure as Labyrinth’s and Muspelheim’s.

“I will… excise Vielorn’s rotten heart and make it a great power.”

As he spoke of his utopia, he seemed invigorated by the hope resonating within him.

“But if you join, the other candidates may not stand a chance. There would be no worthier successor.”

“Your flattery skills have improved considerably.”

“Moreover, you manipulative bastard would likely excel at politics too.”

Doyun and Haineken chuckled. The hair-trigger atmosphere pervading the meeting area had completely dissipated.

Haineken’s armed forces, initially seeming an outright invasion of the Cradle, now represented proud allies marching forth for a shared cause to them all.

“However, I won’t be able to focus much on you for a while. I’ll be extremely busy. Just today, I must behead the royals, announce the truth to the citizens, initiate the appointment of a regent king… ah, I already have a headache.”

“You have my sympathies for the hardship.”

“But it will be rewarding work for Vielorn and the alliance.”

Haineken extended his hand towards Doyun.

“Well? Disciple Han Doyun.”

He looked into Doyun’s eyes with grave solemnity.

“Will you join me and become Vielorn’s Hero and King?”

It was a historic moment. Everyone in the meeting area focused on Doyun.

The World Tree offering 10,000 gold coins and a stable growth environment?

Or the glory of becoming the Third Martial King after the Martial Saint and Lion King, protecting the alliance?

All held their breaths, watching Doyun’s choice.

Meanwhile, Eloah bit her lip in vexation.

‘No…’

Without the royal family’s support, Haineken’s financial terms fell short of their offer.

But the position of the next generation’s Hero and glory of a Martial King carried value incomparable to mere money – something she as a mere guild master could not guarantee.

Was she about to lose him like this?

‘I don’t want that…’

She really didn’t want that. She didn’t want to lose him.

Eloah recalled her promise with the Hero 100 years ago.

During the farewell dinner before departing for the Great Demon War, the Hero had linked their pinkies and promised to return without fail.

But he had failed to keep that promise.

Never returning. Never ruffling her head again, even 100 years later.

‘But… I definitely…’

Eloah trembled, lowering her head as tears welled in her eyes.

Of course, projecting the Hero onto Disciple Han Doyun was sheer folly – her own delusion.

But… she didn’t want to lose that lingering attachment she had painfully yearned for over a century, that nostalgia for the Hero… It was an unreasonable tantrum, but she truly felt that way.

She forcibly raised her head. Tears glistened in her eyes, threatening to spill over at any moment.

She had to say something. Had to hold onto him somehow.

She absolutely could not let him slip away again.

Her throat contorted violently as she forced it open, straining to hold onto him.

“I…!”

But then,

“…Huh?”
“Mmm…”

Haineken and Eloah simultaneously let out bewildered sounds.

Doyun had picked up a pen and signed the World Tree’s contract.

Seeing that, the onlookers sighed for their respective reasons.

“May I ask your reason?”

Haineken asked Doyun with evident disappointment in his eyes.

It wasn’t an utter loss. Doyun was merely one of the candidates, and if he didn’t become king, another would. Haineken’s aspirations would ultimately be fulfilled regardless.

Still, he felt immense regret. With Doyun, not only could he reach the Hero’s mantle, but perhaps even surpass the Martial Saint and Lion King as the alliance’s strongest.

Then the moniker of Three Kings would no longer be a dream.

Doyun answered Haineken with a hint of apology,

“That’s because…”

He glanced at Eloah’s large, moist eyes seeming to ask what was going on, and said,

“I’ve already promised the World Tree’s Guild Master.”

A promise.

‘Ah…’

Upon those words, Eloah’s heart pounded violently.