Chapter 391: Triumph (5)
Eugene always relished attention and recognition, even from his previous life. Whether the praises were genuine or inflated, he accepted them as long as they weren't harmful.
But now, after twenty-one years of life as Eugene Lionheart, thirty-eight years as Hamel Dynas, and an uncertain period as Agaroth, he came to a stark realization: even he had limits.
He was humiliated. This was horrible. The sheer embarrassment felt unbearable. He wished the ground would open and just swallow him up. He wanted to find a hole to hide in.
Had he ever faced such a mortifying moment since he was born, or rather, since the dawn of his memories? His grip tightened on the railing as his body shook uncontrollably.
'Sh-Should I... flee?' Eugene considered genuinely.
Up, down, right, left…. Everywhere he looked, praises filled the air. The sky was ablaze with fireworks, and citizens who came to watch the parade waved flowers and glow sticks while shouting out in joy.
"Sir Eugene!"
"Eugene Lionheart!"
"The Hero!"
Their voices drowned out even the booming of the fireworks. People not only lined the streets but also occupied every rooftop in sight. It wasn’t only rooftops either. Wherever there existed a space that could be occupied, people had flocked to it. Their figures stretched in an unbroken line all the way to the royal palace.
"I put in quite the effort," came a voice from above. Lifting his eyes, Eugene found Melkith El-Hayah. She was merged with her Signature, Infinity Force, in the form of a giant elemental being.
She chuckled while rubbing her nose, "That’s how it should be, right? The route for the march should be straight, don’t you agree? Turning here and there through the winding capital streets would have been tedious for everyone."
Eugene just decided to stay silent.
"So, the great Melkith El-Hayah, the White Tower Master, stepped in! Oh, I mean, the other wizards did their part. Look, the knights following from behind contributed too. But the one who exerted the most power was yours truly, Melkith El-Hayah,” she explained with a puffed chest.
It wasn’t hard to imagine. Melkith had contracts with three spirit kings: thunder, fire, and earth. Using the power of the Earth Spirit King, It would not have been hard for her to reshape the very ground and buildings to clear a path from the harbor to the palace.
"Why do you have such a long face? Stand tall, wear a bright smile, and wave to the crowds like this!" Melkith suggested before exaggeratedly lifting both her arms and waving energetically.
Fortunately, unlike her form in the primeval forest, this spirit giant wore clothing — a dress that seemed to embody both the passion of fire and the zing of thunder.
With a flourish, she gathered petals showered from the rooftops and concentrated them over the Platinum Lion.
Eugene was getting more embarrassed by the second.
He gritted his teeth. A deluge of countless petals poured from above… but he thought it was for the better. The rain of petals was obscuring the adoring faces around him. Somehow, that felt slightly comforting — the innumerable petals meant his twisted expression remained hidden from the crowds.
"Eugene, enjoy this," a voice called from his side.
Eugene wasn't the only one to have ascended that ostentatiously ornate Platinum Lion. Alongside him stood figures who might be considered the comrades of the Hero: the Saint and the Archwizard. Sienna flashed him a sly grin while flicking her hair back.
"You've earned these cheers and praises, my apprentice," she said with a teasing air.
"It seems you're accustomed to this, Lady Sienna?" Eugene responded after a slight pause.
"Hehe, of course, I’m used to it! Your beautiful mentor here has vanquished four Demon Kings up to this point. Such processions are familiar territory,” Sienna said with a laugh.
This parade evoked a spectrum of emotions in Sienna.
Some three hundred years ago, the parade she celebrated with Hamel had been modest in comparison, reflective of the somber times they lived in.
When she returned after sealing the pact with the Demon King of Incarceration, an even grander parade had welcomed them. Yet, none among the four heroes had truly enjoyed that festivity after returning. The weight of their responsibilities had not permitted them to.
"But now… we can truly enjoy it," she whispered. Her eyes were glistening with tears as she smiled.
Even without words, Eugene could sense the tumultuous emotions Sienna was experiencing. The same went for Kristina, for within her resided Anise, who was experiencing the same or even greater emotions.
Anise had spent her entire life revered as the Saint. As such, she was familiar with such adulation.
Yet, she had never truly reveled in such accolades by herself.
For her, the true celebrations weren’t ones she experienced as the Saint, but rather ones shared with her comrades.
Feeling these emotions from Anise, Kristina found courage and strength from deep within.
Kristina also had a desire for celebrations. She had celebrated the festival of Faithful Anise’s birth by watching the fireworks with Eugene. That had been a great festival, but it wasn’t anything as grand as the celebration of a Demon King’s subjugation.
What she was about to do wasn’t out of her selfish desires. She was acting for Anise and for Sienna.
She suddenly reached out to grasp Eugene's hand. With her other hand, she simultaneously guided Sienna's hand into his grasp.
"For victory!" she shouted while raising her hand high. Along with it, Eugene and Sienna's hands soared into the air after hers.
Lowering her intertwined hand, Kristina shouted again, "For victory!" Caught off guard, Sienna hastily mimicked her.
"For victory!"
Caught between the two, Eugene quickly joined in their triumphant chant, even if a little awkwardly.
"Whooooo!"
The crowd responded with fervent cheers. To them, Eugene Lionheart was a figure so beloved that even his slightest gesture would be met with adoration. It was to the degree that he would be greeted with a fervent cheer even if he lowered his pants and defecated in public.
"Kyaaaaa!" Melkith also joined in her giant form by lifting her massive arms. The sight of this giant elemental being cheering prompted the entire expeditionary force to echo the sentiment.
Behind the Platinum Lion, Carmen, Ciel, and Dezra were riding on a lion-shaped float. Carmen clasped hands with Ciel and Dezra before raising their hands and cheering in unison.
Further behind, Princess Scalia, with teary eyes of admiration, shouted alongside Prince Jafar, Ortus, Dior, and Maise. Another float carried Ivik, who cheered along with other mercenaries. The procession continued, each subsequent float filled with figures, both from the expedition and esteemed knights from various nations, all joining in the grand salute.
"Such blind devotion," The Emperor of Kiehl muttered. His face was contorted with conflicting emotions.
He wanted to retain his imperial dignity and refrained from joining the raucous cheer. Yet, witnessing the likes of the Kings of Ruhr and Aroth and even the pope raising their arms in jubilation, he worried about seeming out of place in the crowd's eyes.
With a resigned sigh, he subtly raised his arms.
He had to ponder, ‘The balance of power on this continent is shifting.’
Having slain a Demon King, the Hero was no longer a mere figurehead….
While it was uncertain how this era would unfold once the promise made by the Demon King of Incarceration ended, but if the Oath were to persevere, it would signify the Hero Eugene Lionheart's triumph in ushering in an age of peace. If that were to take place, the Kiehl Empire could no longer retain the Lionheart family within its boundaries.
Even now, the empire was indebted to the Lionheart family and catered to their whims, but it would only worsen in the future.
If the Hero declared open war against Helmuth, the fanatics of the Holy Empire would rally while shouting martyrdom.
Ruhr would join in as the descendant of the Brave Molon, and the Kingdom of Aroth would not defy the will of the Wise Sienna….
"...For Victory!"
Surrounded by zealous festivities, the emperor made a resolve. His face was now reflecting a steadfast determination. He raised his arms higher than before. He would stand with the Hero.
There was a storm of change enveloping the continent. If he wanted to protect the empire, the emperor would need to take the first step to stand behind the Hero.
Would the Hero be able to vanquish the Demon King of Incarceration and the Demon King of Destruction? Could the continent, when united, face the demons of Helmuth head-on?
The answers were uncertain, but anyone present could gauge the direction the tides of history were turning.
"For Victory!"
The emperor decided to place his faith in the Hero.
***
The resplendent procession concluded as it reached the royal castle of Shimuin. However, the roars of the crowd persisted outside its walls. A few zealous ones, numbering in the hundreds, even tried charging the castle gates or scaling its walls, only to be repelled by protective magic.
Waaaa— Woaaaaah!
Eugene dismounted the Platinum Lion while ignoring the deafening cheers.
"This Platinum Lion shall be gifted to you, Sir Eugene," King Oseris, who had followed closely behind, said with an obsequious smile. Eugene looked up at the lion with a complicated expression.
This glittering float… signified more than the sheer value of its materials. It symbolized the journey of this era’s Hero, from slaying a Demon King to leading the victory procession. Considering that Eugene still retained the divine might and divinity of his past self as the God of War, the float had the makings of a holy relic in the future.
"…You're not suggesting that this is the only token of gratitude, are you?" Eugene inquired after composing himself.
The question seemed to catch Oseris off guard as his eyes widened with surprise. "Pardon?"
"Before any feasting, let's first discuss the distribution of the rewards," Eugene said, asserting his position.
Heeding his words, the palace’s council chamber was quickly filled with many people. Those present included leaders of various nations, including King Oseris, as well as the main players of the expeditionary force. Ortus, Maise, Ivik, and Carmen were present as well.
"Alright then," Eugene began as he entered the chamber, opting to remain standing. He awaited everyone to settle before stepping into a prominent spot for all to see. "It may sound presumptuous coming from my own lips, but from start to finish, I bore the brunt of defeating the Demon King."
He cast a look at Ortus, who nodded unflinchingly in agreement. "Mister Eugene's statement holds true. Without his intervention, we would not have marched against the Demon King. Rather, we would have chosen to return to Shimuin. In our absence, the newly risen Demon King of Fury would have… grown stronger while expanding her influence. She would have become almost an insurmountable opponent."
"Well, it would have been possible to defeat her, though harder. We would have suffered dozens of times compared to our current losses,” Eugene continued. "But such a sacrifice would have been borne not just by Shimuin but by the powers of all nations."
He took off his cloak and draped it over a chair. "Wouldn't you all agree? None of you leaders… would have denied support for subjugating a newly risen Demon King, right? Since it wasn’t as if I would’ve been calling for war against Helmuth.”
"You are my comrade," Ivatar declared as if he had been waiting for his turn. "If you had called upon me, I would have crossed seas for you, even if I had been alone in my stance."
"Ruhr feels the same. To follow in the footsteps of our kingdom's founder, the Brave King, is an immense honor and destiny for me," pronounced Aman.
The King of Aroth started, "As long as the Wise Sienna stands by the Hero, Eugene Lionheart…." Pausing at Sienna's displeased glance, he quickly amended, "…No! Even without the Wise Sienna, the wizards of Aroth who revere her would have rallied for Mister Eugene."
The pope chimed in, "There are no apostates in Yuras afraid of the crusade. If the Hero called, I, Aeuryus, would've become a knight of the holy order, dedicated to serving you."
"Kiehl would've acted similarly had we deliberated… beforehand," the Emperor of Kiehl added. He had already made the decision to trust the Hero.
Though he declared his support, if he was truly placed in such a spot, he would have… deliberated numerous excuses. But that was already something under the bridge, and there was no point in thinking of such things.
"More than anyone," Gilead, seated among the leaders, interjected, his gaze unwavering. "The Lionheart clan would've been the first to follow you."
Eugene perceived unshakeable trust in Gilead’s steadfast gaze. Even if the whole continent were to turn against him, the Lionhearts would stand by his side.
With a mix of pride and humility, Eugene chuckled.
"With such endorsements...." Rolling up his sleeves and stretching out his muscular arm, he declared, "I would like to boldly lay claim to my due."
Letters began to form in thin air before him.
"I want to say this in advance, but I won't negotiate with you all. I’m simply making a demand... and I believe I've earned the right to do so," Eugene began.
Shimuin will dispatch the Hammer Island Dwarves to the Lionheart estate. All costs related to their work will be covered by Shimuin, and Eugene Lionheart will directly negotiate with the dwarves in regard to which master craftsmen will be dispatched.
"You're free to decline... but I would appreciate it if you didn't. For the sake of our continuing good relationship," he added.
Shimuin will erect statues of the Hero in the central parts of its two largest islands, Shedor and Larupa. These monuments will not be commercialized for tourism. Similarly, a commemorative gate celebrating the victory over the Demon King will be built. Likewise, it will not be commercialized for tourism. After the statues' construction, the royal family will hold a thanksgiving ceremony in front of them once a month.
"What?!" Oseris exclaimed, his mouth agape. The royal family paying tribute to a statue!? Moreover, in Shimuin, which wasn't even a theocratic state?
‘Deifying the hero...’
The pope was taken aback. He snuck a discreet glance at Kristina, who was sitting nearby. Noticing his gaze, she gave a subtle nod as a signal for him to remain silent.
"If you do not like it, you don't have to comply," Eugene continued nonchalantly.
"No... it's not about liking it… but…," Oseris began.
He recalled their earlier conversation. If he wanted, Eugene Lionheart could mobilize the armies of multiple nations. But even without the military might of the nations, Eugene alone could have brought Shimuin to its knees.
"This…. This… isn't a request but... a threat, isn't it?" Oseris ventured cautiously.
"I didn't intend it that way... but if you perceive it as such, there's little I can do," Eugene's eyebrows quirked slightly. "Really now, the word 'threat' sounds so distasteful. Do you genuinely believe that's what I'm doing?"
"Well, no, but—" King Oseris was interrupted.
"Am I really threatening Your Majesty? Did I not clear out pirates on your coastlines on your behalf? Did I not defeat a Demon King? And yet, you accuse me of such? This is truly, truly disheartening," Eugene said. "Did I ask for the throne? No. I simply asked for two statues for my efforts and for someone from the royal family to occasionally give thanks. Is that too much to ask?"
"No.… Well, no… but—"
"Then why are you raising your voice at me?" Eugene interrupted once more.
Beads of sweat began to form on Oseris’ forehead. He was cornered. Before he could muster a response, Princess Scalia, who had been sitting beside him, stood up abruptly.
"I will do it!" she declared.
"S…Scalia?" Oseris gasped.
"I will do it! On behalf of our kingdom, representing our royal family, I will offer tributes to the Hero’s statue!" she shouted eagerly.
Her eyes were burning with determination. The raging fire in her gaze was undeniable. Both Oseris and Jafar were stunned into silence with their mouths agape. They could do nothing but stare at the fervent Scalia.
"Very well," Eugene responded. He was not the least surprised by Scalia's intervention; he'd expected as much. He began to list his subsequent demands without waiting for Oseris's reply. "Regarding the spoils we've collected this time….”
He wasn’t greedy for them in the least. His only demand was that they were to be divided fairly and transparently according to people’s contributions.
"I ask to borrow two of Shimuin's national treasures: the Exids,” he demanded.
"What…? Excuse me?" Oseris sputtered.
"You already possess three of them, do you not? Sir Ortus uses one, and, to be frank, there's no real user for the remaining two. It’s not like Your Majesty is going to don them for battle, either, right? Well, if you decide otherwise, I will promptly return them. I can promise,” continued Eugene.
Oseris’ face reddened to the point of near combustion, his breaths short and ragged.
The Exids?
The treasures crafted from the heart of dragons, symbols of Shimuin's royal lineage?
And Eugene wanted to borrow two?
"Why not simply lend them?" The Emperor of Kiehl remarked with a sly grin. "As Mister Eugene stated, Oseris, you won't be wearing an Exid onto the battlefield."
To speak so lightly of another nation's treasures! Oseris shot a glare at the emperor.
"The Light would surely delight in the offering," the pope commented with a benevolent smile. That word — "offering" — made Oseris’ heart flip. Offering? Whose permission gave it that status!?
"Fine.... I'll.... I'll lend them," Oseris conceded. He was overwhelmed and outnumbered. He sank back into his chair while replying in a feeble tone.
These were things Eugene believed he rightfully deserved.
"And lastly," Eugene began, knowing this was pushing his luck, "Didn't you all say earlier? If I had asked for help with the Demon King's subjugation, you would have supported me without hesitation?"
With a confident smile, he continued, "Doesn't that mean, in essence, you would uphold my requests using royal decrees?"
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