———— "Day of Red Dusk".
After the battle of the Imperial City had ended, this was the name the people of the world had given to that day.
What was originally just a battle akin to internal strife within the Empire, in the end involved an event significant enough to influence the entire world, leaving no one with any doubts about the extraordinary nature of that day.
On that day, Moro, the Imperial Concubine who had reigned for ten years, was overthrown.
On that day, the legendary treasure of the Empire was awakened.
On that day, a large-scale magic ceremony that had been in planning for ten years occurred, turning the sky pitch black and the earth blood red.
Also on that day, nearly half of the Imperial City was destroyed, and the Empire almost met its end, and although the chief culprit was vanquished, it undoubtedly caused a towering tidal wave of terror throughout the world, raising a great uproar, prompting the Human Realm, Divine World, and even the Demon Realm to send their representatives to understand the situation.
Without a doubt, everything that happened on that day would be recorded in the annals of history and would also mark the beginning of a crucial step in the world order that was to follow.
At the same time, the people gradually came to know one thing.
That was, after a thousand years, a Hero had once again appeared in this world.
Human Realm, Mitra Kingdom.
In the royal chambers of the King, Anxi, Liya, Aridia, and Shanai—the group of four—were all present.
Anxi was looking at a piece of parchment with recorded intelligence, her expression changing unpredictably.
Not only Anxi, but Liya, Aridia, and Shanai, who had also received the news, all wore somewhat complicated expressions.
The four of them looked at each other in turn, and finally, Anxi was the first to speak.
"What do you all think of this?"
Anxi's question was met with a moment of silence.
The others were speechless, as if they genuinely did not know what to say.
Only Liya managed a wry smile.
"That guy, really hid it well."
Liya's mood appeared very difficult to describe.
It wasn't just Liya; even the usually cold Aridia felt the same.
"...Is this intelligence accurate, Your Majesty?"
Aridia asked with a deep voice.
"It's about ninety percent certain."
Anxi also managed a wry smile.
"Is that so?" murmured Aridia: "So, it was the true Hero who defeated me, not someone else."
Hearing this, Shanai couldn't help but speak out.
"Could there be some mistake?" Shanai looked incredulous, continuing, "Logically speaking, it shouldn't be possible for a Hero to appear in this world again."
"Indeed." Liya also spoke very calmly: "The Great Secret Rite for Hero Summoning has been sealed. This was declared by the Supreme God Ominis in front of everyone a thousand years ago, and the Goddesses of the Divine Race also said that at the frontier of the Divine World, there indeed exists a Sealed Land, and within it lies the Great Secret Rite for Hero Summoning. Apart from the Supreme God Ominis, no one else can break through the seal to enter."
Under such circumstances, for a Hero from the Otherworld to appear again in this world seemed completely out of place.
Anxi understood Liya and Shanai's skepticism.
"I've already made contact with the daughter of the Lazahad family who arrived at the Royal Capital, questioning the president of the adventurer's guild who first came into contact with Lord Beizut, including Vivian from the Lazahad family; I've confirmed it with her as well."
Anxi sighed, saying so.
"Although those two did not give me a clear answer—probably not wanting to expose his identity without Lord Beizut's consent—they have already hinted and admitted that the previous identities claimed for Lord Beizut were falsified by them on their own initiative."
Previously, Shane was known as an adventurer from Lamiqion City in Marquis Mula's Domain, who had come out of the orphanage sponsored by Riley Lazahad.
This was the identity Riley had provided for Shane.
Therefore, the world believed Shane hailed from Lamiqion and was a common adventurer who had risen to fame within the Old Demon Clan Faction known as the "Slaughterer Faction."
Now, since Riley had already hinted that this identity was forged, it implied that Shane's identity was no longer as simple as it had seemed before.
Moreover, in the battle of the Imperial City, tens of thousands of people had witnessed the brilliance of the Holy Sword.
Thus, Shane's identity could now be confirmed.
"No matter how illogical, the Hero has indeed appeared, that is a fact."
As Anxi said this, she turned her head to look towards the grand entrance.
"Did you already know about this, Luoqi?"
Anxi's words made everyone turn their attention to the direction of the grand entrance.
There stood the matchless Princess, who had arrived quietly.
"It looks like you all know already."
Luoqi spoke with an emotionless face.
On her, a faint sense of oppression was forming.
Liya spoke with a mix of surprise and uncertainty.
Aridia and Shanai both caught their breath simultaneously.
The pressure emanating from Luoqi at that moment, though subtle, was enough to make even Shanai and Aridia feel threatened.
"Your Highness, you..."
Aridia was quite astonished.
As Luoqi's tutor, he was unaware of when Luoqi had grown to the point of being able to exert such pressure on him.
The previous Luoqi was also excellent, but without unleashing the Holy Sword or using a Unique Skill, it was not possible for her to exert pressure just by releasing a bit of aura.
Now, Luoqi had managed to do so.
This surprised Aridia and shocked Shanai.
Anxi seemed to think of something, her expression changing unpredictably once more.
At the same time, Anxi also realized why Luoqi would release pressure here.
"Don't worry." Anxi spoke as if resigned: "Even knowing that Lord Beizut is the Hero, I have no intention of doing anything."
Anxi saw what was happening.
This visit from Luoqi was for no other reason than out of concern for Shane.
For the sake of Shane, Luoqi went to the extent of exerting the harsh oppression on her own father, elder sister, mentor, and others like them.
"He is still my son-in-law, your fiance, a noble of the kingdom, the famous Count of Beizut. All of this won't change." Anxi spoke gravely, "Rather, having the true Hero become one of our Land of the Brave, and marrying into the line of the Descendants of the Brave, I'm actually more than pleased."
Anxi demonstrated that stance.
It couldn't be helped.
This was not only for the sake of Luoqi or for the Mitra Kingdom but also for Shane.
"His identity has been exposed, and he will surely face many challenges, right?" Luoqi firmly looked at Anxi and continued, "I wish that when that time comes, this nation will not only fail to stand by his side but also not kick him when he's down."
Luoqi made her stance abundantly clear.
"But, Your Highness, on the side of the Demon Clan..."
Shanai couldn't help but want to say something.
However, Luoqi interrupted her.
"I don't care about the attitudes of the other powers." Luoqi said with utmost determination, "I just want to let you know that I'll stand by his side. If the kingdom fears the Demon Clan, then you might as well not interfere."
Even if the kingdom did not stand with Shane, Luoqi would follow Shane's steps without any hesitation.
"Consider this a warning," Luoqi said unabashedly, "I don't want to be an enemy of my own country, so don't push me."
Her words caused the expressions of Anxi and the others to inadvertently shift.
After leaving such words behind, Luoqi turned and left without any hesitation.
After all, with those words, she had made a direct challenge to her own kin and country.
It was merciless, cold, and could be considered treasonous, as if biting the hand that fed her.
But this was Luoqi's choice.
Therefore, Luoqi wouldn't stay any longer, nor did she have any face to stay; she left with resolve.
Anxi couldn't help but sigh.
"What should we do now, Father?"
Liya hesitated for quite a while before finally consulting Anxi.
Anxi asked Liya in return.
Actually, Liya's position was quite firm as well.
"I, like Luoqi, want to stand by his side," Liya quietly spoke her mind.
Although she was shocked by Shane's true identity, Liya had not forgotten that Shane was her benefactor, her patron.
Previously, Liya had sworn that, under any circumstances, she would offer Shane and Luoqi her support.
Even now, that had not changed.
"Alright," Anxi nodded and spoke gravely, "Since that's the case, let's place our bet on that young man."
After all, Anxi's stance was also very firm.
He was of the Human Race, a Descendant of the Brave, the King of the Land of the Brave, the legitimate supporter of the Hero.
With this in mind, his choice was self-evident.
"Issue the orders to closely monitor every action of the Demon Clan, especially the Demon Race Embassy. Report immediately on any activity, and should any anomalies arise, act at once to stop them," Anxi looked toward Aridia and commanded, "This task is yours to execute personally, Aridia."
"Yes," Aridia nodded deeply.
Taiger Forest, Elf Country.
When Sophie received the message, she was so shocked that she was speechless for a long time.
"He... he's actually the Hero?"
Leiya and Nia too were astounded and still found the news hard to believe.
Around them, the members of the Elf Corps were also present.
Carole was rendered speechless.
Genom had been muttering this phrase for the umpteenth time.
The members of the Elf Corps were likewise struck with immense shock, unable to find words.
After a long while, Sophie was the first to exhale deeply.
"No wonder the Nuadra Goddess favored him so much..."
Sophie felt a complex mix of emotions.
Leiya and Nia hesitated, unsure of what to say.
Sophie looked at them both, pondered a moment, then spoke up.
"Although it's a shocking revelation, Shane Beizut is a friend recognized by our Elf Clan. If this friend is also the Hero whom the Human Race has looked up to for countless years, then what we should do requires no hesitation."
"Pass the message along."
"Tell the children of the Elf Clan to be ready for war at any moment."
"Remember, keep a close eye on the movements of the Demon Clan."
Upon receiving Sophie's orders, everyone present bowed their heads in agreement.
Scenarios similar to that in the Mitra Kingdom and Elf Country were unfolding throughout the various nations of the Human Realm on that day.
The entire Human Realm was filled with an indescribable sense of tension.
A storm was on the horizon.