- The journey back to the academy was a somber procession.
- The students huddled together, their faces pale and their movements slow, a testament to the event's horrors.
- Leon, however, walked in a daze, his mind replaying the minister's confession.
- The man's calm, almost clinical, reveal—that the Principality had orchestrated the demon attacks to create a diversion for their true goal: the capture of the saintess—felt like a cold, heavy stone in his gut.
- The weight of this secret felt immense, too dangerous to share, especially when he didn't know who else in the kingdom was involved.
- Back within the academy's walls, news of the demon attack had already spread like wildfire.
- The public was in a state of panic, and all eyes turned to the academy's supposed hero
- The original protagonist of the story. The hero, once celebrated for his charisma and power, was now burdened with the immense pressure of public expectation.
- He was expected to be not just a fighter, but a beacon of hope and a symbol of reassurance, a role that seemed to chafe against him but no one knows the truth besides me.
- The days that followed were a whirlwind of recovery and academic reorganisation.
- Leon, Rose, Noah, and Anna were surprised to learn that Olivia and William were in their same class.
- This discovery solidified their budding friendship, turning a shared experience of survival into a deep-seated camaraderie.
- Olivia, with her cheerful demeanor and powerful spells, and William, a steadfast paladin whose unwavering faith was as strong as his Shield and sword, became integral parts of their group.
- The academy, recognising the students combat experience and cohesion, giving them special combat training.
- This move was a clear indication that the institution was now taking the demon threat more seriously, shifting its focus from theoretical study to practical combat, and the disappearance of the student points.
- As they began their new training regimen, Leon's secret remained a constant companion.
- He trained harder than ever, his every move fueled by a dual purpose: to grow even stronger and to uncover the full extent of the Principality's plot.
- His fiancée, Rose, remained blissfully unaware of the true nature of the events, and Leon struggled with the guilt of keeping her in the dark.
- The war had just begun, and Leon was a soldier on a secret front.
————————————————–—————————–
—— Rose's Perspective
- Rose watched Leon from across the academy courtyard, her brow furrowed with concern.
- He moved with a weariness that went beyond mere physical exhaustion.
- Since their return from the chaotic demon battle, a palpable distance had grown between them.
- His usual bright eyes held a shadowed intensity, and the easy smile she cherished had become a rare and fleeting thing.
- She had heard the whispers, of course. Tales of a powerful demon, an S-rank they called it, he fought.
- But when she tried to talk to Leon about it, he'd offer only vague assurances, his gaze often drifting away as if preoccupied by something unseen.
- The news of the widespread demon attacks had sent ripples of fear through the academy and the kingdom.
- The hero, typically a figure of hope for humanity, seemed strained under the weight of expectation.
- Public appearances were carefully orchestrated, his speeches filled with promises of protection, but Rose couldn't shake the feeling that something more sinister was at play.
- The atmosphere felt thick with unspoken anxieties.
She worried about Leon.
- He was strong, yes, and a capable fighter, but the darkness she sensed within him now was different, heavier than any battle fatigue.
- She longed for him to confide in her, to share whatever burden he carried, but the words seemed locked behind a wall she couldn't breach.
- The carefree days felt like a distant memory, overshadowed by the chilling events and Leon's perplexing daze.
End of Rose's perspective.
——————————————————————————
— The Principality's Shadowy Conclave
- In the opulent, yet heavily guarded, chambers hidden beneath the Principality's capital, two figures stood before a grand, intricately carved table.
- Lord Valerius, his aged face a mask of cold authority, steepled his fingers as he addressed the younger man, Minister Eldrin.
- "The report confirms the S-rank demon was eliminated, Minister," Valerius stated, his voice a low, gravelly murmur. "A regrettable loss of resources."
- Eldrin bowed his head slightly. "Indeed, my Lord. The boy, Leon, proved more capable than anticipated. His interference was... unexpected." A flicker of annoyance crossed his usually composed features.
- "Unexpected, perhaps, but not insurmountable," Valerius countered, his gaze sharp.
- "The demonstration of power served its purpose. Fear has taken root in the populace, and the hero is struggling under its weight. Our true objective remains unchanged."
- Eldrin nodded. "The saintess. Preparations are proceeding as planned. The unrest we've sown will provide the perfect cover for her extraction. The kingdom's focus is on the visible threat, the demons, while our more subtle operations continue unimpeded."
- "Precisely," Valerius affirmed, a thin smile gracing his lips. - "The boy's interference was a minor setback. He believes he has struck a blow against us, unaware that he has merely trimmed a branch. The tree of our ambition remains strong, its roots running deep within this complacent kingdom. Soon, the saintess will be ours, and the dawn of a new era, an era of Principality control, will break upon this land."
- Eldrin's eyes gleamed with fervent agreement. "And what of the boy, Leon, my Lord? He possesses a keen intellect and has demonstrated surprising strength. Should he be... addressed?"
- Valerius considered this for a moment, his gaze distant. "Not yet. Let him remain a small, confused piece on the board. His focus is on the surface, the demons. He will not see the deeper game until it is far too late. For now, our efforts are concentrated on securing the saintess. Once she is in our grasp, the rest will fall into place. The hero's fall, the kingdom's submission… and perhaps," a hint of cruel amusement entered his voice, "we shall even find a... unique purpose for the boy's unexpected talents."
- A chilling silence filled the chamber, broken only by the distant sounds of the city, oblivious to the dark machinations unfolding beneath its very foundations.
- The Principality's heads were undeterred, their gaze fixed firmly on their ultimate goal, their plans moving forward in the shadows, fueled by ambition and a ruthless disregard for the chaos they had unleashed.