The Lowest-Ranked Hero Has Returned Chapter 255

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Chapter 255: Summit eting (2)

“…Dale, I’m disappointed.”

Lanez looked at with a cold gaze.

I avoided her eyes and kept my mouth shut.

‘No.’

How could I resist when they’re offering to remodel the entire party house just for a simple complint?

‘And besides, it’s true that she’s beautiful.’

As I silently made excuses in my head, Callia stood up with a satisfied smile.

“I shall inform Lionel about the party house after this eting.”

“Oh… Yes.”

Ahem.

I swallowed a dry cough and quickly changed the subject.

“By the way, when will the eting take place?”

“It is tomorrow.”

“Tomorrow, huh…”

In my previous life, the formation of the Tri-Nation Alliance had taken place about ten years from now.

Thanks to Callia’s presence, the alliance was being established a full decade earlier.

‘That ans there won’t be a war with the Republic.’

Thinking back on it, I could now fully grasp how much Callia’s death had affected the continent’s political landscape in my past life.

‘At the very least… things are changing for the better.’

The stress and worries caused by the Order of Eternity seed to ease a little.

“Understood. Then, I’ll see you off—”

“Oh, right, I almost forgot to ntion. You must attend the eting as well.”

“…What?”

What did she just say?

“The eting is for Masters only. Why should I attend?”

“You already possess the skills befitting… no, exceeding that of a Master, do you not?”

“That doesn’t an I am a Master.”

The title of Master isn’t sothing granted simply for having great strength.

It requires a hero’s reputation, influence, and the power to command forces.

To be recognized as a Master, one must be in a position where their opinion holds weight in a nation’s major affairs.

‘How could a re bottom-rank student from Hero Academy qualify for that?’

I didn’t even have an official hero’s license. I was just a candidate—and the lowest-ranked candidate at that.

“Do not worry. I shall handle it.”

“…How exactly?”

“Fufu. Do you think any hero would dare question my decision?”

“……”

So she was just going to force it through with no real plan.

That was… a very Callia-like solution.

“Is there a particular reason you’re so intent on having attend?”

“The reason is…”

Callia trailed off briefly, then glanced at Lanez before continuing.

“I will tell you later.”

So it was sothing she couldn’t say in front of Lanez.

Well, I could find out later.

A summit eting, huh…

I wouldn’t be able to voice my opinion—only observe—but still…

‘There’s no reason to pass up the opportunity to see how the Tri-Nation Alliance is ford firsthand.’

The alliance would beco the backbone of the heroes’ forces in the coming war against the Demon Army.

Being able to witness the discussions leading to its formation was a valuable opportunity.

“Understood. I’ll attend.”

“Good. I shall contact you tomorrow.”

Callia stood up from her seat.

She waved lightly at and Lanez before exiting the party house.

“……”

With Callia gone, a chill filled the room, as if we had been plunged into the middle of a frozen lake in winter.

“Dale… You’re really going to the eting with Her Majesty tomorrow?”

Lanez tugged at my sleeve, biting her lip anxiously.

“I have to. It’s a rare chance to witness the formation of the Tri-Nation Alliance up close.”

“Ugh…”

Lanez understood the importance of the eting.

She looked uneasy and radiated cold air, but she didn’t ask not to go.

Instead—

“Then… You have ti until tomorrow, right?”

“…Huh?”

“Stay still, Dale.”

Lanez climbed onto , puffing out her cheeks in a sulky manner.

“To, to make sure you don’t f-fall for Her Majesty tomorrow… I-I have to… drain you dry in advance.”

The words didn’t match her bashful expression at all.

With a determined huff, she pressed her lips against mine.

“……”

Would I even be able to attend the eting tomorrow?

* * *

The next day.

After receiving Callia’s ssage, I headed to the main building where the principal’s office was located.

“Hm?”

Callia, who was waiting for at the entrance, frowned.

“Why do you look so exhausted?”

“…I had my reasons.”

I ran a hand over my face, trying to shake off my fatigue.

“Hmph. Well, as long as you don’t fall asleep inside, there should be no problem.”

“You don’t need to worry about that.”

I wasn’t crazy enough to doze off in a room full of Masters.

“Then, let us enter.”

Callia extended her hand toward .

“……?”

“What are you staring at so blankly? Escort .”

"Are you attending so kind of party or sothing?"

We're just going to a eting room. Why would she need an escort?

"Because the re fact that I wish it is reason enough."

“…Haa.”

Letting out a sigh, I took Callia’s outstretched hand.

"Fufufu. How nice."

With a light smile, Callia rose from her seat.

Still holding her hand, I walked with her toward the chancellor's office, where the eting was being held.

"Follow behind as we enter."

"Yes."

I followed Callia into the chancellor’s office.

"You're here."

"It has been a while since we’ve seen each other in person, Callia."

"Your Majesty, it is an honor to see you."

Inside the room, Chancellor Lionel, Pope Marianne, and Johann Basilio all stood up.

"Huh? Why is Candidate Dale here…?"

Chancellor Lionel looked surprised to see following Callia inside.

"I brought him as my escort."

"What? Candidate Dale as an escort? No, more importantly, don’t tell you plan to let him attend the eting?"

[Translator - Night]

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"Is there a problem?"

"Is there a problem? Of course, there is!"

Chancellor Lionel was well aware that Dale’s skills were leagues above other candidates.

That was precisely why he had been granted the unprecedented title of Special Assignnt Candidate in the 500-year history of the Hero Academy.

However…

"No matter how skilled Candidate Dale may be, he’s still not at a level to sit in a eting among Masters, is he?"

"Not at a level to sit among Masters, you say…"

Callia let out a small chuckle and turned to look at Chancellor Lionel.

"You don’t even know the true level of the candidate from your own school, do you?"

"What?"

Lionel frowned, looking puzzled.

How could she say he didn’t know Dale’s level?

"Are you suggesting Candidate Dale is at the level of a Master?"

He did acknowledge Dale’s extraordinary talent, but no matter how great, there was no way he could compare to Masters.

"Fufu. Think whatever you wish."

Callia simply shrugged and looked around at the assembled Masters in the room.

"In any case, I will personally vouch for Dale’s identity. If anyone has an issue, say so directly."

“…Haa. There’s no reasoning with you.”

"Hoho. That’s so like you, Callia."

Pope Marianne let out a wry smile and nodded.

"Understood. If Callia insists, I will allow Candidate Dale to observe the eting. However…"

"He will not interfere with the eting, so there is no need for concern."

"Very well, then."

Pope Marianne smiled warmly and nodded.

"Dale… Dale, huh…"

A man in white plate armor with golden hair—The Sword of the Holy Nation, Johann Basilio—turned his gaze toward .

"Do you know ?"

"I thought your na sounded familiar… Ah, yes, I heard it from Camilla."

"Ah."

Now that he ntioned it, I recalled that The Sword of the Holy Nation had been personally training Camilla during the winter break.

"Haha. I never expected to et Candidate Dale here like this."

Johann smiled with interest and extended his hand toward .

"Nice to et you. I am Johann Basilio, leader of the Seven-Star Knights."

"Dale Han. It is an honor to et the Sword of the Holy Nation."

"Hahaha. No need for such formality… But I must say, you look quite different from what I heard."

"Pardon?"

What on earth did he hear about ?

"Ah… Um… Well, that is to say…"

Johann looked slightly awkward as he averted his gaze.

"That you’re a troublemaker… who recklessly charges into any situation without hesitation… and a shaless womanizer."

"……."

What the hell.

Now that I heard it out loud, I couldn’t even refute it.

"Haha. I suppose Camilla and you are quite close, which is why she talks like that. You know how close friends tend to badmouth each other more."

‘Ah, so that’s what it was.’

"By the way, how is Camilla doing these days? I heard she’s training under you, Sir Johann."

"She’s been astonishing. I always knew she had talent, but I never imagined she would grow this much in just a year."

Johann added with a satisfied smile,

"At this rate, I have no worries about the next Sword of the Holy Nation."

‘Judging by his reaction, she must be doing well.’

Among my party mbers, Camilla had the least innate talent, so I had been worried about her.

But it seed she was progressing just fine.

"That aside…"

Callia frowned as she looked around the room.

"That person hasn’t arrived yet?"

Even though the Empress herself was present, one individual was still absent.

"Hmm. He sent word that he arrived yesterday, but…"

Lionel sighed deeply, shaking his head as if this wasn’t the first ti.

"That scoundrel is probably…"

BANG!

Before Lionel could finish his sentence, the door to the eting room burst open, and an old man strode in.

"Wahahaha! I had a few drinks in Valhalla City and lost track of ti! My apologies!"

A wave of alcohol hit us the mont he entered.

An elderly man with dark gray hair, holding a bottle of liquor, let out a hearty laugh as he walked into the room.

"Well, well! How long has it been since we’ve all gathered? It’s good to see you all! Hahahaha!"

"……."

Unbothered by the cold stares around him, he took a swig from his bottle.

"Oh? There’s a new face here."

The old man’s eyes glead as he looked at .

"Nice to et you. I am the Falling Blossom Sword… No, wait, the Bottom-Rank Master… Yeah, that title suits better!"

Chuckling to himself, he rocked his shoulders in laughter.

"I am Khalid Han, the Bottom-Rank Master."

With a sly grin, Khalid tilted his half-empty bottle toward .

"So, how about it? Care for a drink?"

[Translator - Night]

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