Not All Heroes From Earth Are Bad [EN]: Chapter 155

Cardinal Valda.

A hero of the Marriott Kingdom and the leader of the Royal Knights.

Even at nearly fifty, he maintained the appearance of a man in his late thirties.

His rise in mastery had not only slowed his aging but had begun to reverse it.

This was one of the prerequisites for becoming a legend.

In other words, his youthful appearance indicated that he had reached the pinnacle of the Heroic Stage and was likely to become a legend within decades.

‘How could this be…’

Cardinal Valda’s eyes were shaking.

A look of anger and bewilderment in his eyes.

As high as his level was, he was not easily shaken, but now he couldn’t help it.

‘Our Royal Knights collapsing so futilely!’

The knight Gabel, Choi Hyun-seok’s first sparring partner, fell in a single blow.

Until this point, Valda was not greatly disturbed.

Yes. Gabel was the youngest recruit in the Royal Knights.

He was chosen for his talent and future potential, so it could happen.

However, the second sparring match also did not last more than three minutes.

He was a full-fledged Royal Knight who had been with the Knights for several years.

From this point on, Valda’s expression gradually hardened.

“Haaaap!”

Finally, the last sparring began.

The sparring partner was Knight Gifford, the fifth-ranked veteran of the Knights.

Gifford seemed to fight better than the previous two, but his jaw was twisted by a surprise blow, and he lay on the floor.

‘How much time has passed?’

Upon checking, less than 20 minutes had passed for the three to be knocked unconscious.

It is an unspoken rule that martial energy is not used in sparring.

In other words, the three Royal Knights were knocked unconscious simply by being hit, without using martial energy.

And that in just 20 minutes.

‘To a nameless hero…! This can’t be!’

In fact, the image of heroes is not very good on the continent.

Especially for the established powers, heroes were like thorns in their sides.

Those who suddenly fall from the sky and call themselves heroes often turn out to be trash who have never swung a sword, so they can’t be seen in a good light.

But up to this point, it was bearable.

There were plenty of those fakes, and it was enough to ignore them.

The problem is those who really know how to fight.

Heroes who have grown to some extent and become more aware of things caused many problems.

Out of the blue, they try to reform the class system.

Or they try to become king.

As soon as they get a little stronger, they become arrogant, treating even nobles with disdain.

‘To such a hero. To have the Royal Knights fall to a nameless hero…’

If this fact becomes known, the honor of the Royal Knights will surely fall to the ground.

Cardinal Valda glared at Choi Hyun-seok.

‘It’s all because that guy used cowardly tactics.’

The hero Choi Hyun-seok does not use weapons.

A martial artist is a rare type [someone who focuses on unarmed combat].

Attacking the lower body or even tripping them, he uses cowardly tactics, so even a Royal Knight is bound to lose in sparring.

‘I need to correct his behavior properly.’

He stood before the king with a firm expression.

“Your Majesty.”

“What is it, Lord Valda?”

“I apologize for the intrusion, but how about having an additional match? I think it would be a shame to end the sparring like this.”

Valda’s tone was polite, but it contained intense anger.

From the way his eyes were shining fiercely, it was impossible not to notice.

“No. We agreed to only hold three matches of sparring from the start, so let’s stop here. Choi Hyun-seok must be tired too.”

“But…!”

“Lord Valda.”

The king looked at Valda with a calm expression.

“If you feel guilty for not properly guiding the Royal Knights, there’s no need to. You’re doing a good job.”

“…”

“Then let’s stop here for today. Thank you all for your hard work.”

The king turned away from Valda and approached Abelson.

“I thought that hero was just big, but he’s also incredibly skilled. Haha! At this rate, I can trust you to take care of him.”

“Thank you.”

The atmosphere quickly relaxed with the king and Abelson’s comfortable conversation.

Everyone laughed and chatted, flocking to Choi Hyun-seok.

They praised him, wondering where such a hero had come from.

“…”

In the corner, the Royal Knights Commander, Cardinal Valda, watched the scene with a hardened face that showed no sign of softening.

***

The king kept his promise.

He completely entrusted Abelson’s education to Choi Hyun-seok.

However, there was a condition that one Royal Knight must be present during training.

Choi Hyun-seok was a little uneasy, but unlike his worries, the Royal Knight only watched.

There was no attempt to talk or interfere.

“Are we only doing martial energy training today?”

After the training ended safely.

Abelson asked, cooling off in the breeze.

“Yes. I’m planning to refrain from sparring training for a while. Now that your skills have improved to some extent, I think it’s time to create a martial energy technique.”

Choi Hyun-seok said calmly.

But this was only the superficial reason.

The real reason he wasn’t sparring with Abelson was different.

‘If I hit the princess’s face, it won’t end with just beheading.’

If he continued the beating disguised as sparring here, even Choi Hyun-seok would not survive.

In fact, it was also true that Abelson’s skills had improved to some extent, so it was an appropriate time to learn martial energy.

“Sister! You were here.”

At that moment, a man approached.

He was a handsome man with bright silver hair and a slender figure.

Abelson also recognized him and greeted him.

“Race?”

“Yes! It’s been a while. Haha.”

Choi Hyun-seok noticed from the man’s appearance and atmosphere that he was Abelson’s younger brother.

‘Blood is thicker than water, after all.’

Seeing the handsome man who would have been called a face genius [an extremely attractive person] and dominated the idol scene if he had been born in the 21st century, he felt inexplicably jealous.

“Choi Hyun-seok, this is Race Marriott. My younger brother.”

“Nice to meet you. I’m the regular hero! Choi Hyun-seok.”

“Is this the hero who single-handedly knocked down the Royal Knights?”

“Yes. Well, haha…!”

Choi Hyun-seok laughed awkwardly.

It seemed that the rumor had spread quickly, even though it hadn’t been long since the sparring.

“Please take good care of my sister.”

Race Marriott smiled and extended his hand.

Choi Hyun-seok hesitated for a moment before shaking his hand.

It was surprising that a member of the royal family was shaking hands.

‘Is it a characteristic of this royal family to be unpretentious?’

Could it be because he was from King Valter’s bloodline?

His son also had a very unpretentious appearance.

He was an endearing figure, smiling brightly even while shaking hands.

“Sister. Then I’ll see you at dinner tonight. Brother Hogg is also coming back.”

“Brother is…”

“Yes. I’m already excited thinking about everyone gathering after a long time.”

***

That evening.

The Marriott royal family’s dinner began.

King Valter Marriott and Queen Morensen Marriott.

And the four siblings born between them.

First, Kreer Marriott.

Second, Hogg Marriott.

Third, Abelson Marriott.

Fourth, Race Marriott.

Unfortunately, the first child, Kreer, was absent because she was married to a prince from another country.

Still, it had been a very long time since the five of them had gathered, so King Valter was in a good mood.

“It tastes better when we eat together.”

King Valter said with a beaming smile.

His family love was famous enough to be known in other countries.

He had only loved his wife, Morensen, and had not met other women.

This was different from the typical nobles or royal men.

Most of them had concubines in addition to their legal wives, or illegitimate children.

Perhaps due to the influence of such a loving couple, the family dinner continued in a warm atmosphere.

“Sister. Please rest easy now. Brother and I are here.”

The fourth child, Race, said.

Abelson nodded lightly.

“Thank you.”

“It would have been nice if our eldest sister was here too. If there’s a chance, I’ll arrange a meeting.”

The king smiled contentedly at Race’s words.

“Good. If we can all eat together, I feel like I could die without any regrets.”

“Father. You’re still healthy, so you shouldn’t say things like that.”

“Really? You don’t want me to die quickly and pass on the throne?”

“Your Majesty…!”

“Just kidding. Just kidding. Hahaha!”

Queen Morensen glared at him, and King Valter laughed heartily.

At that moment, the second child, Hogg Marriott, who had been watching silently, opened his mouth.

“Race. You seem to be in a good mood today.”

“Is that so? I think I’m unconsciously excited to see my sister after a long time.”

“I don’t think so.”

Hogg’s eyes gleamed.

Race smiled with a troubled and embarrassed expression.

“I can’t fool you, brother. I was originally going to tell you after dinner, but…”

Race looked at the king’s expression.

The king nodded to indicate that it was okay.

“There has been friction with the Gatrein Empire in the Biden territory for several months, hasn’t there?”

Biden territory.

The only place in the Marriott Kingdom that borders the Holy Gatrein Empire.

The incident began when a large-scale gold mine was discovered in Biden.

The gold mine was clearly the Marriott Kingdom’s, but the Holy Empire claimed that the gold veins extended into their land as well and insisted on taking a share.

The scale of the gold mine was so large that it quickly turned into a war of nerves between countries.

Now, they had reached a point where they could not back down due to pride.

“The Holy Empire has given up the gold mine. They say they will completely recognize it as belonging to the Marriott Kingdom.”

“Oh! That’s really good!”

King Valter’s face lit up.

Frankly, engaging in a war of nerves with a giant empire was quite a burden.

But he couldn’t help but be happy that the empire had decided to back down.

However, the second child, Hogg Marriott, did not smile.

In a situation where he was competing with his younger brother Race for the succession to the throne, he couldn’t be happy that his younger brother had resolved such a big issue.

“What trick did you use?”

“Use a trick? It’s just that my sincerity got through. Didn’t I go to Gatrein every day to ask? Haha!”

“Don’t be ridiculous. The Gatrein Empire never gives up its own interests. If they can’t have it, they burn it. But they’re giving up a gold mine of that size? It doesn’t make sense….”

“Stop.”

King Valter raised his hand.

“It’s a pleasant dinner with Abelson after a long time. Hogg. Don’t spoil the atmosphere.”

“I’m sorry.”

After that, the dinner became lively again.

King Valter and the fourth child, Race, mainly led the conversation.

Queen Morensen and Abelson also smiled, chiming in appropriately.

It was a moment when they realized that they had returned to their family’s embrace after a long time.

One thing that bothered them was that the second child, Hogg’s, face was not good.

He had a stiff expression throughout the meal and eventually got up from his seat.

“I’m not feeling well, so I’ll get up first. I’m sorry.”

“Okay. Go and rest.”

“Yes.”

Hogg’s retreating figure, after bowing his head, looked particularly dark.

***

That night.

Abelson couldn’t fall asleep.

‘Why is my heart beating so fast…’

Her heart was beating strangely fast.

A feeling of unease.

All threats had disappeared since coming to the royal palace.

And her family’s embrace, which she had returned to after a long time, was more than warm.

Yet, what was this ominous feeling?

“Kyaaaaaa-!”

It was then.

A piercing scream echoed from outside the door, soon turning into a commotion.

“Wh, who is it!”

“Stop them!”

“Kuaaaak!”

Abelson jumped up from the bed.

Grasping the high-quality mace that the king had gifted her, she glared at the door.

‘An enemy? Who on earth is invading the royal palace…’

Even as she pondered, the commotion grew closer and closer.

Thud-!

The door opened, and a blood-soaked maid rushed in.

“Princess! You must escape…. Keheok!”

A darkly painted sword pierced through the maid’s stomach.

Blood gushed from the maid’s mouth.

Swaak-!

The sword was pulled out again.

Someone kicked the maid away.

Step… Step…

Three people appeared.

All of them were wearing black hoods and masks.

“Who are you?”

They exchanged glances with each other and then raised their swords.

They didn’t seem to have any intention of answering.

The masked men spread out and slowly approached.

Abelson gripped the mace even more tightly.

‘I won’t give up… I’ll do everything I can.’

At that moment, as she was prepared to face death.

“You cockroach-like bastards dare to…!”

Choi Hyun-seok appeared, sprinting down the hallway at an incredible speed, and extended his fist.

The masked man didn’t panic and swung his sword to meet it.

He seemed to be planning to cut Choi Hyun-seok in half along with his fist.

But…

Clang!

The fist shattered the sword and struck the masked man’s face.

The guy, whose face was caved in with one blow, collapsed to the floor.

Choi Hyun-seok stomped on the head of the fallen guy and glared at the remaining two masked men.

“Next.”