I reign supreme in the Western fantasy world for eternity.

"What do you mean?" Ji Tian frowned. "You didn't ask me anything back then. Also, you said 'say goodbye to everyone' yourself. That's all. The person across from you is about to speak."

Mason's voice, tinged with concern, came from the other end, "Alex, what's wrong? You suddenly 'ah' and then started spacing out. Is it a side effect of 'releasing' the Holy Sword?"

Alex snapped out of his daze and looked into Mason's fiery red eyes, which were filled with concern, and suddenly felt a little amused and exasperated.

"It's not a side effect, it's... it's my master. He just told me something in a very special way."

"What is it?" Mason frowned. She subconsciously felt that the so-called "master" who had taken Alex away from her was not a good person.

Alex decided to tell the truth, "He said... the Wind Spirit Moon Shadow Sect does not prohibit marriage, as long as it does not affect cultivation, so... you can come with me."

He suppressed his inner joy and tried his best to keep his tone calm.

Mason was slightly taken aback by his words. She stared at Alex's face, as if to confirm whether he was joking. One second, two seconds, three seconds.

Her face flushed bright red instantly, burning from the base of her neck all the way to the tips of her ears, even redder than her hair.

"You—you—you bastard—"

She suddenly stood up, causing her chair to tip over with a loud crash, startling the guests at the surrounding tables.

Why didn't you ask sooner?

"Uh, sorry." Alex subconsciously touched his nose. "I forgot to ask... Hey, why did you take out your wand?"

Mason had already drawn the staff inlaid with a huge ruby ​​from his waist, the tip pointing at Alex, orange-red light flashing between the staff. "You idiot—! You've ruined my life these past two days—!"

"Calm down, Mason, this is a restaurant, don't hurt anyone!"

"You're still thinking about others at a time like this! Don't worry, don't underestimate the magical control of this outstanding graduate of the Royal Capital Magic Academy!"

With that, a scorching fireball exploded at the tip of the staff, as large as a head, instantly illuminating the entire corner. The fireball roared towards Alex's chest.

Alex, knowing he was in the wrong, did not dodge. He was pushed back half a foot by the impact, his shirt was scorched, but there was only a red mark on his skin, which meant that Mason had not hit him hard.

The diners at the surrounding tables all turned to look, and the waiter stood frozen in place with his plate, unsure whether he should go forward.

Mason had already stood up, his staff still pointed at Alex, his eyes slightly red: "Do you know how I've spent the last two days? I thought you were going to become an ascetic, I thought I'd never see you again, and then you tell me—you just forgot to ask!"

Alex looked down at the scorch mark on his chest, brushed off the dust, and replied sincerely, "It's my fault. I'll remember next time."

Mason raised his staff again. "You want a next time?!"

Alex immediately changed his tune, saying, "There won't be a next time."

Mason glared at him for several seconds, then finally snorted, put away his staff, sat back down in his chair, and turned his head away from him.

But Alex noticed that her fingers, which were gripping the staff, were still trembling slightly.

"Um...would you like to order more?"

"...Order! The most expensive one!"

……

"Master, Master, those two are acting so awkwardly." As soon as she saw the hero and his teammates enter, Lilith quietly hid behind Ji Tian, ​​only peeking out to observe. She immediately saw through their relationship and then chuckled foolishly, "But... I love watching."

Ji Tian nodded, a rare occurrence for him. "I also enjoy watching this."

…………

The following day at noon, as the First Legion's banner appeared on the horizon, a deep horn sounded from the walls of Kolde.

The black eagle banner fluttered in the morning breeze, the imperial double-headed eagle embroidered on it pointing skyward, its talons holding lightning and a sharp sword.

Below the flag stood rows of soldiers in dark blue uniforms, their armor gleaming, their rifles like a forest, their steps perfectly synchronized—they were clearly veterans.

Unlike the exhausted and disheveled remnants of the Third Army, the First Army was the elite of the Empire, the king's sharpest sword, and had never tasted defeat in seventy years.

The city gate slowly opened, and the drawbridge descended with a dull thud.

Marshal Rhein Kleist rode a tall black warhorse, his silver-white hair peeking out from under his helmet. His face was chiseled, and the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes looked as if they had been etched by wind and sand.

He was wearing a dark blue marshal's uniform, his chest covered with medals, each representing a victory in a battle.

Behind him followed dozens of officers, three archmages, and the main force of the First Legion.

The Patriarch stood at the city gate, his silver robes fluttering gently in the morning breeze.

Behind him stood dozens of Knights Templar, clad in silver armor and white robes, holding long spears, standing as still as pines.

The Patriarch nodded slightly and said, "Marshal Kleist."

"Patriarch." Rhine dismounted with a swift and decisive motion, not at all like a man over seventy years old.

His boots clicked crisply on the cobblestones. "How's the situation?"

The Patriarch's voice was calm, as if he were stating something unrelated to himself: "The Third Legion has withdrawn, suffering heavy losses. The entire Mage Corps was wiped out, and General Mike is seriously wounded. The Demon King's vanguard has been cleaved in two by the hero who unleashed the Holy Sword... and the hero is still alive."

Rhine already knew all this through his scouts, so he didn't ask for details. His gaze swept over the crowd and landed on a young figure by the city wall.

Golden hair, white shirt, and a simple, antique-style longsword hanging at his waist. The scabbard is undecorated, with only a golden pattern extending from the scabbard opening to the scabbard tip.

"Hero." Rhine walked over and stood in front of him.

Alex turned around, looked at the veteran general of the Empire, and bowed slightly, saying, "Marshal."

He also held this marshal in high esteem, who had dedicated most of his life to the human kingdom.

The two stared at each other for a few seconds, neither of them saying a word.

This is an unspoken understanding among intelligent people; no small talk or formalities are needed, only confirmation of each other's identities and positions.

Rhine finally spoke, his tone tinged with pity and anger at the Third Legion's incompetence. "I need an explanation, one that won't embarrass the kingdom too much. The capital is waiting for news, the nobles are waiting for news, the entire kingdom is waiting for news. I can't tell them, 'The Third Legion is full of useless trash, and in the end, only heroes will be able to save the day, otherwise the entire Western Frontier will be doomed.'"

Alex glanced at the soldiers still repairing the fortifications on the distant city wall, then at the citizens peeking out of their windows inside the city.

"They're not useless, they deserve to be saved... What do you want me to say?"

"The truth, but not entirely the truth." Rhine's gaze fell on the reforged sword at Alex's waist. "The Third Legion needs dignity, the soldiers need to know their sacrifices were worthwhile; the Hero Squad needs to be remembered; as for why the Holy Sword broke, and how it broke..."

He paused.

No explanation is needed.

Alex nodded; he understood what Rhine meant.

The truth is too complicated and too bizarre for ordinary people to understand.

What the public needs is a simple, clear story that puts them at ease.

"Then let it be this way—the Hero Squad and the Third Legion joined forces to hold off the Demon King's vanguard, annihilating the enemy at the cost of the Holy Sword breaking and the Hero Squad disbanding."

Rhine stared at him for two seconds, his lips twitching slightly, as if he was quite satisfied with this young hero.

"The Holy Sword is broken, the Hero Squad is disbanded." He repeated the sentence. "Are you sure you want to say that? Disbanding means you no longer exist as a 'Hero'."

"I know."

"You don't care about your reputation, status, honor...?"

Alex glanced down at the sword at his waist, then looked up into the distance at the wasteland ravaged by the holy sword.

"These are not the things I care about."

Rhine remained silent for a long time, seemingly having a much better impression of the hero. "Alright, I will report this to the capital... Would you be willing to become my successor?"

………………

A huge thank you to [宇琦西莉卡] for the generous donation! I'll be adding an extra chapter tonight.

Thank you everyone for your support!