Not All Heroes From Earth Are Bad [EN]: Chapter 116

“What are you talking about!?”

Pope Orban IV shouted.

Considering he usually never raised his voice, no matter how angry he was, this was an extremely rare sight.

It also meant that the matter at hand was serious.

“Cardinal Elrond has disappeared!”

Cardinal Elrond.

The Pope’s closest confidant, the man who had carried out and succeeded in numerous great undertakings.

In his youth, he was certainly brilliant.

But as he aged, he seemed to lose his sharpness at some point.

Recently, Elrond had made a series of major mistakes.

In the end, the Pope secretly ordered:

“Confiscate Cardinal Elrond’s property and execute all those belonging to his family.”

To eliminate Cardinal Elrond.

To thoroughly crush him along with his family.

Of course, they weren’t handling things recklessly.

Superficially, the established scenario was that Cardinal Elrond would be exposed for treason and executed.

The evidence had been perfectly fabricated, so all that remained was execution.

But suddenly, Elrond disappeared.

“How could that possibly happen? He was supposed to be under 24-hour surveillance!”
“I’m sorry… I really have nothing to say but that he suddenly disappeared.”

The man reporting, Ciaran, was also going crazy.

He belonged to the hounds that handled the dirty work of the Gatrein Empire [a powerful and secretive organization].

His martial prowess was almost heroic, and his subordinates were all highly skilled.

‘A strongman who could immediately become the commander of a knight order in a decent territory was keeping a 24-hour watch. It’s impossible to escape surveillance…’

Cardinal Elrond had literally disappeared.

Those who watched felt as if they had been possessed by a ghost.

“Haa… this has become troublesome.”

“I’m sorry.”

All Ciaran could do was lower his head.

Only then would the punishment in the name of repentance be reduced even a little.

The Pope furrowed his brow and opened his eyes sharply.

“What about Cardinal Elrond’s family? His relatives?”
“They are all as they were. Only Elrond has disappeared.”
“First, proceed with the incident as planned, excommunicate him, and then execute him *in absentia*. The story is that Cardinal Elrond fled after his treason was exposed. Do you understand?”

“Yes.”

The Pope suddenly seemed to remember something and asked.

“Ah, what happened to the informant that Cardinal Elrond planted in the Demon King’s army? Did you establish a solid connection?”
“That… I can’t figure out what kind of communication network he had. It seems he contacted Elrond directly, but I don’t know how…”
“So, that also failed.”

Ciaran’s head lowered once again.

Pope Orban IV looked at him with an unpleasant expression.

After staring at Ciaran for a long time, he opened his mouth.

“I’ll ask one last thing. I trust this has been resolved satisfactorily.”

In that instant, Orban IV’s eyes gleamed coldly.

“How is the matter of dealing with the Gourmet progressing?”

The Gourmet.

A figure from the past who suddenly became the focus of all human interest and concern.

Ciaran was not surprised by the mention of dealing with her and answered calmly.

“It’s going smoothly. Everything you’ve instructed is proceeding without a hitch.”
“This matter is of a different magnitude than anything before. You must not fail.”
“I will keep that in mind.”

It wasn’t just a verbal answer.

Ciaran sincerely believed that this operation would absolutely not fail.

***

Guardrack Castle.

Inside the office with the sign ‘3rd Legion Commander’s Office’ on the wall, Hemis was communicating with someone.

“So. To summarize.”

Hemis tapped the table with her finger and continued.

“You’re going to divert attention with a general offensive. And in that gap, you want me to take care of that bearded guy, is that it?”
-Yes. We will keep you informed of the location of Basel Scott of the Drasen Empire in real-time.

Basel Scott.

The man Hemis called the bearded guy was one of the legendary figures of the Drasen Empire.

“You managed to find his location. Those legends are usually boastful and hide without ever coming out.”
-It took quite a bit of effort to track him down, thanks to you.

“Anyway, I understand. I like this order. It’s been a while since I’ve gotten one I like.”

The one who gave the order to her, the Legion Commander, Demon King Tegrad, said in an indifferent voice.

-I’m glad you like it.

“But it’s strange. Suddenly becoming so aggressive.”
-Didn’t you cause this? Now that it’s come to this, I plan to push it properly. We can’t just keep repeating the push and pull forever.

“Good thinking. I’m glad to see you back as the Demon King I knew. Ohohoho!”

Hemis laughed in her unique high-pitched voice.

As if she was really happy that the Demon King had returned.

-Then I’ll end the communication here.

“Wait a minute.”

In an instant, Hemis’s laughing voice changed and lowered.

“Don’t you have anything else to say to me?”
-What do you mean?

The Demon King asked in a puzzled voice.

Then Hemis’s lips twisted slightly.

“I was just wondering if you would give me some encouragement. It’s been a while since I’ve received a formal order, right?”
-I see. Come back safe.

“Yes. Next time, I’ll come back with Basel Scott’s head.”
-I’ll be looking forward to it.

With that, the communication ended.

The communication device went dark.

Hemis stared blankly at the device for a while.

“Lady Hemis.”

A middle-aged man’s voice was heard next to her.

Hemis turned her head and looked at the man who spoke to her.

Surprisingly, he looked like Cardinal Elrond, whom the Pope was so desperately searching for.

“What are you planning to do?”

Cardinal Elrond asked.

Hemis didn’t answer and kept her mouth shut.

She tilted her head back and looked at the ceiling.

Glossy black hair fell long down her fair and slender neck.

“…”

Hemis didn’t move for a long time in that state.

There was a strangely desolate atmosphere.

It was different from her usual self, who always joked around in a seductive voice.

“Well…”

Hemis finally opened her mouth.

“I guess it’s time for me to leave too.”

“…”

“Prisch. Thank you for your hard work.”
“It is nothing. It has been an honor to serve Lady Hemis.”

At that moment, the man called Prisch, Cardinal Elrond, changed his appearance.

Sssrk-

Cardinal Elrond’s skin peeled off, revealing a demon with a tall height and sharp features.

“Can I ask you for one last favor?”
“Anything, please command me.”

Hemis took out two documents from the drawer.

“Deliver these to Reidrun and Motem. I could tell them myself, but… I think this is just easier.”

“Understood.”

“And Choi Hyun-seok…”

Hemis paused for a moment as if contemplating something.

“Keep a close eye on Choi Hyun-seok. I’m not telling you to do anything in particular. Just how he grows in the future. And how he dies if he dies. I want you to confirm it.”
“… May I ask why?”

Prisch couldn’t help but ask.

His lord, Hemis, was not one to have such interest in humans.

Until now, he had been acting as Cardinal Elrond and causing incidents centered around Choi Hyun-seok, but Prisch thought it was all just for his lord’s amusement.

“Reason? Well… why is that?”

Hemis tapped her lips with her fair white finger.

“Just curious? Maybe… I’m getting old and developing some affection.”

“Such words…”

“Just kidding. Ohohoho!”

Hemis laughed for a long time, wondering what was so funny.

After a while.

Hemis, who had barely calmed down, continued.

“Anyway, will you do it?”

“Understood.”

“Good! Then shall we start moving?”

Hemis got up from her seat.

Her face had a deep smile on it as usual.

***

Night, when everyone was asleep.

Rahel, who woke up from her sleep, frowned.

“Snore… Puhuu… Snore…!”

Bobo was snoring in his sleep.

The snoring was so loud that the barracks seemed to be ringing.

“Ugh! I can’t sleep because it’s so noisy!”

Rahel stomped her feet and approached Bobo.

“Quiet…! Let’s get some sleep!”

Rahel fearlessly kicked Bobo’s nose!

It was a confident blow, but the result was not very good.

Thud.

Bobo didn’t wake up and was still snoring while dozing off.

“Ouch! I think my foot hurts more.”

“Snore, Puhuu!”

“This mutt, really…!”

Rahel glared at Bobo and shifted her gaze to Choi Hyun-seok.

“How is the Hero sleeping in this situation?”

When she went closer, she saw Choi Hyun-seok wearing earplugs.

“Ugh… not there…!”

He seemed to be dreaming something as he was mumbling in his sleep.

“Being proactive is good, but this is too fast…!”

The content of his sleep-talking was a bit strange.

No matter how she looked at it, it didn’t seem like he was dreaming a dream that suited the title of Hero.

Rahel looked down at Choi Hyun-seok with the most pathetic expression she could muster.

“Tsk tsk~ The future of the world is bleak. I, Rahel, am the only one to trust.”

Rahel shook her head.

“Snore… Puhuu…!”

“Kkyaa! I’m stressed!”

Just as she was screaming at the snoring that was coming again.

Someone knocked on the barracks door.

Knock knock.

“Who is it at this hour?”

Rahel fluttered her wings and flew to the door.

“Who is it?”

When she asked at the door, an answer came.

“It’s Abelson.”

“Go away.”

Abelson ignored her and yanked the door open.

Rahel was startled and pushed the door back.

“Eek…! I told you to go away! Why are you opening the door!?”
“I need to talk for a moment…”
“You’re planning to attack the Hero at night, aren’t you? Do you think I wouldn’t know!”

Rahel, pushing the door with all her might until her face turned red.

Her strength was quite strong, so Abelson’s arm also strained.

“This is not the time to joke around.”
“No way! I can’t sell the Hero to the witch…!”
“That’s not it! It’s an important story!”

At that moment, when they were pushing and pulling each other with the door in between.

“Step aside.”

A deep male voice was heard from behind.

At the same time, a loud bang! was heard, and the door swung open.

Thanks to that, Rahel, who was behind the door, flew to the wall and crashed into it.

“Ugh… which bastard is it…!”

When she raised her head, she saw a muscular giant with red skin.

Rahel smiled urgently when she saw Reidrun.

“Ah hot… Hello. Squad, no. Mr. Reidrun. Haha…!”

She was a dedicated fairy who knew how to practice the strong-weak principle properly, just like the Hero.

“Choi Hyun-seok is sleeping.”
“Yes! Shall I wake him up?”

Reidrun nodded.

Rahel quickly flew to Choi Hyun-seok.

“Ah, that’s a sensitive…”

Amidst the commotion, Choi Hyun-seok was still lost in his delusions and continued to spout nonsense.

Just then!

Rahel snapped her fingers lightly, and cold water poured down from the air.

“Uwaaaak! Shit! What is it!?”

The first thing Choi Hyun-seok, who was startled and woke up, saw was Rahel smiling at him in front of him.

He snatched Rahel at the speed of light.

“You want to die, don’t you? Huh!? What an important moment it was!”

He was shouting with his eyes wide open, ready to use Promot 3rd stage [likely a powerful ability] to blow his head off right away.

Rahel calmly pointed to the side with her chin.

“Hero. Over there.”

“What’s wrong with over there… Hello! Mr. Reidrun!”

Choi Hyun-seok jumped up and bowed.

“Mr. Abelson is here too. Haha!”

Even if he laughed heartily while soaking wet, it didn’t look very good.

It was even more so because Reidrun and Abelson had already heard Choi Hyun-seok’s sleep-talking.

Choi Hyun-seok coughed for no reason and continued.

“Ahem, ahem. It seems late. What brings you here?”
“Choi Hyun-seok. You must leave Guardrack Castle with the Saintess right now.”
“Yes? Guardrack Castle, you mean?”

Suddenly telling him to leave the castle in the middle of the night.

Just as Choi Hyun-seok was making a bewildered expression.

Reidrun shook his head.

“I misspoke. It’s not Guardrack Castle.”

Reidrun’s voice lowered even further.

“Leave the Demon King’s army right now, Choi Hyun-seok.”