Necromancers are frantically stationing troops in the apocalypse.

Chapter 1037, Week of Courage

Brittany's fingertips trembled slightly as she gripped her phone tightly.

A public commitment to nurturing heroes...

Just hearing those words, I could almost foresee the storm that would rage throughout the entire Kingdom of Yeko when this news was announced during Courage Week.

Heroes... that's the pinnacle that countless people can never reach in their entire lives.

Even with the best efforts of royalty and nobility, the Kingdom of Yeke, and indeed the human race as a whole, has failed to cultivate its own heroes.

And now, Wu Heng is going to make this kind of thing public as a 'reward'?
"My lord... are you serious?" Brittany's voice was very soft, as if her voice had been too loud and shattered the dream.

Wu Heng smiled and said, "Of course it's true. The original plan also included a plan to cultivate heroes."

Unlike directly training level 18 professionals.

In the Kingdom of Yeko, the selection process starts from childhood and takes longer.

Brittany's eyes brightened, and she quickly moved closer, giving him a light peck on the lips before saying, "Then you can't be biased. You promised me and Sister Wenmansha that you would become a hero first."

Wu Heng smiled and pinched the tip of her nose. "Don't worry, no one gets priority as much as you two!"

Brittany nodded in satisfaction. "On behalf of the kingdom, I thank you for your support, Your Excellency..."

As the two were talking, the ghosts flew back with them.

The three ghosts remained invisible, while Little revealed herself. "Princess, when does Courage Week begin?"

Brittany said with a smile, "Everything is almost ready, and it will officially begin the day after tomorrow."

"Oh! It's finally starting," Xiao Xiao said.

Wu Heng asked, "Where is the venue arranged? The enemy might make a move, so we don't want any casualties."

Brittani took out a map from her spatial ring and explained, "The location is the East Training Ground outside the city. It's far from the city and residential areas, so if there's any danger, people can be evacuated quickly."

Wu Heng glanced at the blueprints and analyzed, "If the enemy is really the Holy See, it shouldn't affect ordinary people. After all, they still have the identity of an orthodox church, and we also need to pay attention to the association's attitude."

Brittany nodded in agreement.

Then, pointing to a spot on the map, he said, "This is the viewing platform. The ministers are on the second floor. I will be watching from the third floor, and you will be on the fourth floor."

Wu Heng raised an eyebrow and said, "Separate my position from yours, all of you are in the same building. If a battle breaks out, you won't be able to escape."

“They probably wouldn’t dare kill a kingdom’s king and all his high-ranking officials!” Brittany said.

"Be careful, so as not to hurt the child." Wu Heng squeezed her hand.

Brittany nodded. "Alright, we'll have someone change the work tomorrow and move the venue."

"Yes!" Wu Heng nodded in agreement.

The two chatted for a while when there was a knock on the door. A maid announced that dinner was ready.

Brittany still had dinner brought to her room.

The door opened, and the servants filed in carrying trays of food, set the table, and then left.

Wu Heng and Brittany sat down at the long table, chatting and eating.

……

"Sir, we have obtained the venue address and construction blueprints!"

The heavy wooden door was suddenly pushed open, and a mercenary rushed in, followed by several priests who stood at the door but did not come in.

Inside the room, three men in black robes slowly raised their heads, their faces obscured by shadows beneath their hoods.

The figure near the door took the blueprints and casually asked, "What about the detailed information?"

The mercenary quickly replied, "According to the information from our inside sources, the third floor of the building is where Queen Brittany will observe the ceremony, and upstairs..."

He paused slightly, then continued, "The upstairs area has also been decorated, and the standards are no lower than those for the Queen."

The three people in the room stared at each other, their eyes meeting, and the air seemed to freeze for a moment.

The man in black robes on the left chuckled, "Well done. Keep an eye on things and report back immediately if there's any new information."

The mercenary bowed deeply, then silently withdrew, and the heavy wooden door closed again.

In the silence, the black-robed man in the center slowly spoke, tapping his knuckles on the table, "Britanni herself has shown up, and there's still such vigilance upstairs... There can't be anyone else but Wu Heng."

The black-robed man on the left sneered, "I thought he wasn't coming! Now it seems this kid is just more cautious."

The person on the right chimed in, "Now that we know his location, let's make some preparations to ensure this matter is completed smoothly."

The other two nodded in agreement.

……

Two days later, inside the sleeping quarters.

Morning light streamed through the glass windows into the changing room.

Brittany stood before the mirror, stretching out her arms, as her maids tied silver sashes, symbols of royal power, around her neck.

The royal robe, embroidered with gold threads, shimmered with a magnificent luster in the sunlight.

“East Training Ground…” Brittani’s voice was as light as a feather falling to the ground. “It was the masterpiece of the second king when he moved the capital to ‘Chelu’. The nobles’ manors were razed to the ground, and earth and stone were piled up to create this training ground that could hold ten thousand troops.”

The maids continued to put the jeweled necklace on her, their movements slow and gentle.

Wu Heng stood on the other side, where four young maids were dressing him in an elaborate mage's robe, which was exactly the same as the statue in the temple, with silver embroidery patterns shimmering in the morning light.

This one was also prepared for him by Brittany, who said it would be more distinctive and would make people think of the Spirit Revelation Cult at a glance, rather than the leader of the association.

"Did those nobles agree to demolish the manor?" Wu Heng asked, raising his arm in cooperation.

The young maid who was helping him get dressed took the opportunity to pinch his strong forearm, and was immediately slapped lightly by her companion with a red face as a warning.

Brittany laughed and said, "Our ancestors back then must have been much more charismatic."

He turned slightly, and the accessories on his body made a crisp clinking sound. "Four camera props have been set up on the entire arena. The footage from here will be broadcast live in various squares throughout the city, which will also prevent overcrowding or any accidents from happening here."

"That's good too, and more people will watch." Wu Heng nodded.

The camera and the screen were both provided by him to Brittany; this live broadcast method was much more convenient than watching in person.

Wu Heng continued, "What was the first trial you mentioned yesterday?"

Brittany smiled slightly and said, "The first challenge this year is the 'Blind Sword Trial'."

"It sounds like it's different every year?" Wu Heng asked curiously.

“Of course it’s different. If it were the same every year, there would be no point in practicing in advance.” Brittany nodded slightly, a strand of golden hair slipping from her forehead and being gently brushed back by her maid.

Brittany continued, "Contestants need to be blindfolded and carry a sword to walk across a three-meter-high log bridge to the other side. There will be various obstacles along the way. As long as you can get across, you pass the first level. It's actually quite easy."

Wu Heng raised an eyebrow, having understood the exam content.

A height of three meters is nothing for professionals, but walking in a straight line blindfolded, with various obstacles along the way, becomes quite difficult.

This is not only a test of perception, but also a test of character.

“This time, the participants are children aged ten to fifteen, all above level eight, totaling over three hundred.” Brittany’s voice suddenly lowered a few decibels. “There should have been more…”

He took a deep breath and continued, "Last year's civil war caused many families to lose trust in the royal family, and some families do not recognize my succession, so the number of people affected has decreased compared to previous years."

“Things will get better, and you will become the greatest king in the kingdom’s history,” Wu Heng said with a smile.

“That’s what I think too,” Brittany smiled.

In terms of simply raising children to become heroes, he has already surpassed all previous kings. The Kingdom of Yeko has never had the experience of raising heroes, whether he himself becomes a hero or he actually raises heroes for the kingdom, something that no previous king has achieved.

Soon, Brittany put on the crown, and Wu Heng also put on his divine robes.

“It’s time to go.” Brittany took Wu Heng’s hand and they walked outside together.

Along the way, the guards and attendants bowed one after another.

The two, dressed in their finest attire, boarded the carriage and headed to the training ground.

……

"Make way! Hey you carrying the stool!"

The tall, thin man weaved through the crowd like an eel, the folding stool tucked under his arm occasionally bumping into the waist of those around him.

Behind him followed a chubby companion, panting heavily, who was also carrying a normal wooden stool in his arms.

"The announcement says this black stone slab can really project images?" The fat man stood on tiptoe and peered at the huge screen hanging in front of him. The morning light shone on it, casting a bluish glow on the faces of the audience in the front row.

The skinny man slammed the stool on the ground. “After the Queen ascended the throne, she came up with a lot of new things. I heard they were all learned from Treasure Island. Moreover, the Week of Courage is very important in the Kingdom of Yeke. How could it be left here if it’s not useful?”

“I feel that the Queen is still too impatient. She has really messed up the kingdom a lot lately, with new policies being issued every few days. I can hardly remember what was issued before,” the fat companion continued.

"We were a bit too hasty."

The two sat down on the spot as they talked.

The location here is pretty good; you can't squeeze in any further.

Behind the two, more and more people gathered, and the square was packed like a sardine can.

The VIP viewing area.

"I heard that the sickly one from the Rothschild family also participated."

A silk glove lightly covered the corner of her mouth, and an agate ring shimmered in the sunlight. Several noblemen in fine clothes stood under a specially set-up pavilion, and maids brought them chilled drinks.

The old man leaning on the snake-headed cane beside him chuckled, "After all, this year is the Queen's coronation, and I heard that the reward for the winner is even greater, so many people are sending their children here to try their luck."

Courage Week is for children aged 10 to 15.

Many people get stuck at the age of 15 and then participate in the Kingdom's Week of Courage, where they have an advantage in both level and physical fitness.

However, with various rumors circulating this year that the support will be even greater, many families are sending their people over to try their luck and familiarize themselves with the environment.

“But I’ve also heard some things,” one of them said, leaning closer.

The old man with the snake-headed cane lowered his voice, "You mean the Holy See?"

"Hmm! Let's see how long Brittany can stay in this position..."

……

The edge of the stands.

"Is Lord Edwin also interested in these children's contests?" the young bard asked softly as he approached.

The old man chuckled and pointed to the screen in the distance, "Come watch the game, and also check this out."

"Can this thing really let you see the arena?" someone asked.

"The technology from Treasure Island is quite common there. It must have been borrowed by Her Majesty the Queen from there," the old man replied.

Everyone nodded, their expressions showing that they knew it was true.

As they were talking, a shout came from behind them, "The list has appeared, anyone want to arrest it?"

"Get rich overnight, if you miss this chance, you'll have to wait until next year..."

As soon as the shouts rang out, the surrounding crowd surged forward.

Even if you don't bet on it, see who has a chance to win.

……

East Training Ground.

The entire viewing platform was rearranged.

The kingdom's officials were seated from bottom to top. The first and second tiers were occupied by the kingdom's officials, while the third tier held important officials of the Royal Council, as well as some members who had survived the royal struggles.

The fourth floor is where Brittany is located.

He sat regally on a magnificent throne, draped in royal robes and wearing a crown.

A personal maid stood beside him, while behind him were two tall, cloaked skeleton attendants.

The ministers who had witnessed the palace's forced abdication of the eldest prince knew that the terrifying power of these two towering skeletons was such that even level 18 and 19 professionals were no match for them.

On the open ground of the training ground below.

A formation of three hundred children resembled a vibrant wheat field under the sunlight.

Dressed in uniform training leather armor and holding unsharpened wooden weapons, they waited with a mixture of curiosity and nervousness for the exercise to begin.

Just then, footsteps sounded behind the Queen.

A messenger announced that after listening to the report, the young maid leaned close to Brittany's ear and whispered, "Your Majesty, it's almost time."

Brittany nodded, and the little maid turned and ordered, "The time has come. Have the skeleton turn on the camera."

The order was quickly relayed, and the skeletons draped in black cloaks around the venue began adjusting the cameras. At the same time, the entire scene was displayed on the screens in various parts of the square.

At the same time, all the screens in the squares lit up.

East District Plaza.

The image suddenly appeared on the screen, silencing the noisy crowd. Someone pointed and said, "That, that's my granddaughter..."

A completely different commotion erupted at the observation deck in the aristocratic district.

"Look at the parliamentary seats..."

As the camera panned across the powerful officials, the dignitaries watching from the sidelines noticed some unusual figures in their seats.

Then, the camera shifts again, and Brittany appears on the entire screen.

She stood on the high platform, sunlight shining on her golden crown, her gaze gentle yet firm.

"Young warriors, today is not a contest of victory or defeat, but a testament to growth."

"The swords in your hands may not be heavy enough, but your hearts, courageous, sincere, and fearless, are the sharpest weapons."

"May you hone your will in battle, forge friendships in clashes, become better versions of yourselves, and contribute to the future of the kingdom!"

Then, instead of announcing the start immediately, he slightly raised his hand and pointed to the building beside him.

The camera was turned around again.

Just as everyone was wondering why the event hadn't started after the Queen had finished speaking, a figure appeared in the camera's view.

She wore a magnificent robe and had black hair and black eyes.

And just like that, they appeared in everyone's sight.

In an instant, the entire kingdom erupted in excitement.

“Wu Heng…, a deity worshipped by the Lingqi Sect.”

(End of this chapter)