Not All Heroes From Earth Are Bad [EN]: Chapter 187

Choi Hyun-seok and Park Hyun-ah left the conference room, both needing a moment to clear their heads with a short walk.

“Sis, what are you planning to do?”

At Choi Hyun-seok’s question, Park Hyun-ah scratched her head, looking annoyed.

“What choice do I have? Even if I don’t like Drasen, I have to do what needs to be done.”

In truth, there wasn’t much of a choice.

Olaven Grimier had simply laid out the situation as it stood. His words echoed concerns already circulating within Ultimum Pes.

The reason for their gathering today was to prepare for this very contingency.

“By the way, the Drasen Empire is something else. I thought the Holy Empire guys were the best,” Choi Hyun-seok admitted, still reeling from the revelation.

Until now, humanity had largely believed that the Holy Empire of Gatrein was unmatched in power.

“Actually, before the demons became such a threat, the Drasen Empire was the most feared on the continent.”

Carebe Cowell, the leader of Ultimum Pes, appeared, stepping naturally between Choi Hyun-seok and Park Hyun-ah to join the conversation.

“Gatrein values appearances. True to its name, the Holy Empire pretends to be a gentle lamb on the outside.”

“Is the Drasen Empire different?”

“Of course. My homeland, Drasen, openly trampled on the weak and flaunted its power. Fear was Drasen’s greatest weapon.”

As Carebe Cowell spoke, his eyes seemed fixed on the distant past—those days when everyone surrendered to the madness of the battlefield. Carebe Cowell himself had significantly contributed to building the Drasen Empire’s fearsome reputation.

“…And Drasen is also famous for having the best intelligence network on the continent.”

“Intelligence network?”

“Every country operates an intelligence organization, but Drasen has always been several steps ahead. Seeing them today, it seems their skills haven’t rusted. Heh…” He chuckled dryly.

Knowing the location of Ultimum Pes, which was supposed to be a secret, and piecing together various events across the continent to grasp the bigger picture demonstrated the Drasen Empire’s intelligence capabilities.

“So, your name is Choi Hyun-seok, right?”

“Yes.”

“What are you thinking of doing? Will you accept the offer?”

The ‘offer’ he referred to was from Olaven Grimier. Before leaving, Grimier had addressed Choi Hyun-seok and Abelson directly.

“There is something I want to ask of the two of you separately.”

The following words were completely unexpected.

“Please restore the Mariotte Kingdom’s royal authority.”

He wanted Abelson Mariotte to become the king of the Mariotte Kingdom.

“Currently, the Mariotte Kingdom has become a puppet of Gatrein.”

The Mariotte Kingdom was in turmoil. The king, queen, and both princes were dead, leaving a power vacuum.

Gatrein was manipulating the Mariotte Kingdom under the guise of assistance, placing a puppet king on the throne.

“If the Holy War succeeds, the Mariotte Kingdom will naturally become a vassal state of Gatrein. Before that happens, you must regain the royal authority and shake off Gatrein’s grasp.”

Abelson Mariotte’s expression darkened as he listened, clearly distressed by the crisis in his homeland.

“You are not affiliated with Ultimum Pes. I would be grateful for your help, but I have no intention of forcing you,” Carebe Cowell said with a benevolent smile.

“I will leave it to your discretion.”

“I will do it,” Choi Hyun-seok said immediately.

From the beginning, he had intended to accept this offer.

‘Abelson will definitely want to do it too.’

How could he not worry when the homeland he was born and raised in was on the verge of destruction? Especially if he was the only one who could save it?

‘If Abelson becomes king… does that mean I become the king’s husband? No. Do I become the king? Anyway, if that happens, I don’t need a mansion. The royal palace will unfold right before me…’

Moreover, this was a good opportunity to indulge in Choi Hyun-seok’s fantasies.

“Only Abelson and I will go this time. Sis, please help others to stop the Holy War.”

At Choi Hyun-seok’s words, Park Hyun-ah narrowed her brows.

“What’s with the bravado? Do you know how many Holy Empire guys are entrenched there?”

“Don’t we have very powerful support?”

“Support? Don’t tell me…” Park Hyun-ah shook her head.

“She’s undead. How can you guarantee she’ll help?”

Choi Hyun-seok was clearly thinking of asking Sarah Dunphy for help, but Park Hyun-ah didn’t want to recommend it.

To proceed with such a sensitive matter with an uncontrollable undead was too risky.

“If we persuade her well and take her with us, wouldn’t it work out somehow?”

“Ugh. You’re not going to listen to me anyway. Fine. Do as you please.”

***

Choi Hyun-seok listened well.

Since Park Hyun-ah told him to do as he pleased, he immediately put it into action.

“From now on, we will save the Mariotte Kingdom!”

First, he informed Abelson that he had accepted the job. Then, he immediately ran to Inemositr and proposed to Sarah Dunphy.

“Would you like to come with me to save a kingdom?”

“That sounds fun,” Sarah Dunphy accepted the offer without hesitation.

He felt strangely proud that things were progressing so smoothly.

“What are you planning to do from now on?” Abelson asked.

Choi Hyun-seok wore a confident expression.

“First, we’ll storm the royal palace.”

“And then?”

“We’ll wipe out the top brass, and Abelson will become king.”

“That’s it…?” Abelson asked, dumbfounded.

Choi Hyun-seok explained his plan.

“Isn’t Abelson the only legitimate heir to the throne of the kingdom right now?”

“Well, yes…”

“Then is there anything else to worry about? We go, sweep them away, and I declare that I am king! That’s all.”

Abelson sighed deeply.

“Succession to the throne isn’t that simple. In the first place, I’m branded as a traitor.”

“Hmm, is that so?”

Then Rachel, who was next to him, interjected.

“Of course! Hero. Do you think this is some kind of Demon King’s army? To wipe out the top brass and sit on the throne. Your way of thinking is too barbaric!”

“…”

There was nothing to say. On second thought, Abelson and Rachel were right.

‘Have I become too tainted by the Demon King’s army?’

This world where nothing is impossible with power… Could it be the influence of living in a group with the most barbaric tendencies within it? His head wasn’t working properly.

It was also largely because he didn’t know how monarchies were established in the first place.

“They are right. In matters like this, justification is important.”

“High-ranking people always value justification.”

Duke Olaven Grimier in the conference room, Sarah Dunphy here—everyone seeks justification.

Choi Hyun-seok couldn’t understand why that justification was so important.

“It can’t be helped. Without a cause, you can’t do great things. This is deeply related to human nature.”

“Hmm…”

“Anyway, it’s interesting that this girl who uses divine power was a princess. She’s the only heir to the throne now?”

Abelson slowly nodded.

“It would be best to go to your kingdom first and see what the situation is like. If we can peacefully take over the throne by using the fact that you are the rightful heir, that would be the best.”

“What if that doesn’t work?”

“Then we’ll have to take it by force.”

To seize the throne by force… Choi Hyun-seok wore a dumbfounded expression.

“Weren’t you just talking about justification and cause a moment ago?”

“Justification is important, but if you have overwhelming force, it’s not really necessary.”

“It’s like an earring if you hang it on your ear, and a nose ring if you hang it on your nose [meaning it can be used however you want].”

As Choi Hyun-seok shook his head, Sarah Dunphy grinned.

“That’s how all the principles of the world work.”

There is no absolute truth in human affairs. You just respond according to the situation at the time.

That was Sarah Dunphy’s conviction, having lived for half a millennium.

***

Lavrune Mariotte was the son of Riosa Mariotte, the younger sister of Valter Mariotte, the former king of the Mariotte Kingdom. In other words, he was Abelson Mariotte’s cousin.

“Your Majesty, the next agenda is…”

“Stop. I want to rest today.”

Only five minutes had passed since the regular report began. Lavrune Mariotte waved his hand, openly looking tired.

“Didn’t I tell you? Leave all those complicated problems to the experts.”

“However, Your Majesty’s approval is required…”

“Tsk! Didn’t I say to leave that to you too? How many times do I have to say the same thing to satisfy you!?”

“I’m sorry…” Duke Maxwin Gordon, who was giving the report, lowered his head.

Lavrune Mariotte smiled affably and patted Maxwin Gordon’s shoulder.

“Don’t think too complicatedly. If the king gets involved in every little task, it’s hard for the subordinates to work.”

“I apologize. I did not appreciate Your Majesty’s insight.”

“Then is there any remaining work?”

“That’s all for today.”

At the words that the work was finished, Lavrune Mariotte grinned.

“Then we must have a celebration.”

The celebration involved calling the beauties of the capital, drinking alcohol, and engaging in sexual activities. It was an event that Lavrune had held every single day since becoming king.

“Did you hear? If you are chosen by His Majesty, you will receive a lot of gold and silver treasures!”

“My daughter is also quite beautiful… How should I send her to the capital?”

The rumor had already spread throughout the country: If you sleep with the king in the capital, you will receive enough money to live on for the rest of your life. Thanks to this rumor, girls who were considered beautiful from all over the country flocked to the capital, Skolbon.

‘The country is going crazy.’

After the royal family died overnight, the Mariotte Kingdom was falling into a deep abyss every day.

The newly appointed king was foolish and devoted all his attention to acting as a puppet of the Holy Empire of Gatrein. As a result, all the wealth of the country flowed to Gatrein without anyone knowing.

The reason why beauties were flocking to the capital was also because of this. Taxes were rising, and all the wealth was flowing to Gatrein, so it was only natural that the lives of ordinary people were becoming difficult. They, too, were giving up in despair.

They flocked to sleep with the king in order to grab even the last lifeline, because if they didn’t, they would have no choice but to starve to death with empty stomachs.

‘At this rate, it’s only a matter of time before a rebellion breaks out.’

Even now, the movements of the nobles were unusual. Each of them was putting forward someone with Mariotte blood to take the next king’s seat. There had been as many as three assassins this week alone who had come to assassinate the current king, Lavrune Mariotte.

But that fool didn’t even have a shred of awareness.

“Assassination? Don’t worry! We have the Holy Empire of Gatrein! With the blessing of God, there’s no way we’ll be harmed by some assassination, right?”

Maxwin Gordon was frustrated with this situation, but there was nothing he could do, because the Deusis Order [a religious order] had completely taken control of the Mariotte Kingdom. Even the most powerful noble was just a naked human in front of the halo of the Deusis Order.

“Then, Lord Gordon, I’ll be…”

Just as King Lavrune Mariotte was about to leave his seat, a servant rushed in.

“Your Majesty! Cardinal Vincenzo has arrived!”

“A cardinal?”

“Yes! He says he wants to have an audience with Your Majesty right away…”

Originally, in order to meet the king, it was customary to announce the visit several days in advance and wait for permission.

“It’s been a while, Your Majesty,” Cardinal Vincenzo said, ignoring such procedures and bursting into the audience chamber, accompanied by fully armed holy knights of the Deusis Order.

“Haha! You are welcome to visit anytime, Cardinal,” Lavrune Mariotte laughed heartily, as if not caring.

“So, what brings you here?”

“I have something important to tell you. Could you dismiss the people around you?”

“Of course.” Lavrune Mariotte ordered the guards and servants guarding the surroundings.

“Listen. I have something important to discuss with Cardinal Vincenzo, so everyone go out.”

“Your Majesty. Reconsidering dismissing the guards…” Maxwin Gordon pleaded to leave at least the royal knights, but Lavrune shook his head.

“Is the Cardinal going to harm me? Don’t worry about nothing and go.”

“I obey your command…”

After a while, even the servants and royal knights all left the audience chamber. However, the Gatrein holy knights did not budge from their spots. Deusis Order priests and armed holy knights remained in the king’s audience chamber.

It was clearly a wrong situation, but no one pointed it out.

“Well, let’s talk now. What brings you here, Cardinal?” Lavrune Mariotte leaned back on the throne and asked.

Cardinal Vincenzo nodded instead of answering. Then the holy knights moved and dragged Lavrune down from the throne.

“W-What is the meaning of this!?”

“Insolent fellow…! How dare you hold your head high in front of the messenger of God,” Cardinal Vincenzo’s face was distorted fiercely, unlike before.

Only then did Lavrune lower his head and tremble.

“I-I’m sorry… I was out of my mind for a moment…!” Lavrune knelt down and bowed his head to the floor.

Cardinal Vincenzo ignored him, passed him by, and naturally sat on the throne.

“Lavrune Mariotte, don’t forget who you owe your meager king’s seat to.”

Cardinal Vincenzo placed his foot on Lavrune’s head.

“You are Gatrein’s dog. Your role is to bark when told to bark and roll when told to roll.”

The holy knights who restrained Lavrune pressed down even more fiercely. Lavrune felt the pain and opened his mouth with difficulty.

“I-I will keep that in mind…”

“I told you, I’ll give you as many women and as much alcohol as you want, so don’t do anything until I give you an order.”

“Yes! I really didn’t do anything as you said…”

“Then what is this?” Cardinal Vincenzo threw a piece of paper.

Lavrune Mariotte’s face contorted as he looked at the paper that had fallen to the floor.