The Hero Who Returned From Death Quits

4 – EP1. Dawn Approaches

A place filled with people. Extravagant chandeliers and ornaments adorned every corner, and the attire of the people seemed to compete for who could be the most dazzling like peacocks.

But the atmosphere was low, sinking as if submerged in the depths of the ocean.

“Did you say that the hero has betrayed us?”

The elderly man with white hair wearing a crown spoke, and his voice resonated throughout the palace chamber.

A plump-cheeked man with rosy cheeks stood up abruptly and spoke.

“Yes, although I don’t want to believe it, considering the circumstances, his betrayal seems highly likely. If we consider the testimony of soldiers who claim that the hero hesitated to kill the witch, and his attitude when given orders to prepare for war against the witches.”

The old man with white hair brushed his beard with a hand adorned with rings.

“Hmm…”

“Furthermore, the hero’s body bears markings that are commonly seen on those who collaborate with the demon king, and considering that the holy sword was shattered, it is possible that the sword refused to be wielded by him due to his involvement with the demons.”

The plump man finished speaking, and the old man, the emperor, pondered for a moment before speaking.

“Lord Luderan.”

“Yes.”

The red duchess stood up.

“As a comrade, what kind of person was the hero, Angel Leonhardt?”

The red duchess asked.

“He was…an exemplary and considerate man. Well, at least that’s how he appeared. However, after facing Grandidis, who was a commander in the demon king’s army and striking a blow against it, there were times when his judgment seemed inexplicable.”

Then, a thin man got up and spoke.

“Then, isn’t it possible that the hero started colluding with the enemy after facing Grandidis? The analysis concluded that the staff officers clearly did not reveal any information about Grandidis to the hero, and that led to a defeat.”

A middle-aged man with a bushy beard stood up and spoke.

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“But wasn’t the hero never meant to be the supreme commander? The staff officers were ultimately meant to assist, and it was analyzed that the hero wasn’t given enough say in the strategic meetings.”

The thin man retorted.

“Then are you saying that the empire’s top strategists should have relied on him, an ignorant countryside-born hero, and not even a citizen of the empire? Moreover, not revealing essential information just because he has less say is unfair.”

The emperor spoke.

“Enough.”

Then, everyone suddenly fell silent and took their seats.

“Even so, it’s a bit strange that the hero was perfectly fine and suddenly started collaborating with the enemy. Do we have any information about his whereabouts?”

The emperor gestured and a man with one eye closed, who held the position of head of the empire’s intelligence agency, stood up.

“Your Majesty… I humbly report that according to our investigation, there seems to be a significant discrepancy between what Duchess Luderan witnessed and the actual hero.”

The emperor nodded.

“Continue.”

“According to the information gathered by our intelligence agency, it was revealed that several people who mysteriously disappeared were actually not found dead.”

–

“Sein Ludran twisted his expression and stood up.

“What is this?” he asked.

“The hero, in fact, was a rather greedy individual. According to the testimonies of some, he demanded money from the weak and resorted to violence or even murder if they did not comply. Perhaps, when he came from the countryside to the imperial capital, greed began to take root in his heart.”

“Good heavens, a hero engaging in such deeds!”

“Even a lowly commoner, not an imperial citizen, might have expected such.”

Amazement and horror erupted among the people. The revelation of the true nature of the hero, whom they thought was a savior of the people, left them unable to contain their astonishment.

“Furthermore, he did not stop at mere plunder and murder; he forcibly abducted women as well. Every night, he secretly kidnapped women and raped them, and the victims were too afraid to speak up, fearing that no one would believe that the hero could commit such acts.”

As the voices of the people revealed their shock, he began to speak more vehemently as if he were growing excited.

“In other words, the hero was already corrupt, and when the demons tempted him, he could not resist and collaborated with them. That is the opinion of our intelligence department.”

For a while, the people in the audience remained silent. No, they couldn’t speak. No one could easily find words to say in the face of such astonishment.

“But, but the hero eventually killed the Demon King, did he not?”

A small and frail-looking man stood up and said. The leader of the intelligence department stared at him intently.

“Even if he bears responsibility for this recent defeat, how can you say he collaborated with the demons when he killed the Demon King?”

The man continued, his voice trembling.

The leader of the intelligence department replied.

“It’s a simple story, isn’t it? There is no guarantee that collaborating with the demons means collaborating with the Demon King.”

“Right?”

The small man looked at him with a bewildered expression.

He spoke as if frustrated.

“Grandis, Grandis. The one he collaborated with was not the Demon King but Grandis. Perhaps Grandis joined forces with him to become the Demon King.”

He began to smile ever so slightly.

“Lady Beatrice, forgive me for the impertinence, but I must ask. You mentioned that the hero vehemently opposed pursuing Grandis, correct?”

“…Yes.”

Her sky-blue eyes grew darker and seemed to be lost in thought.

“And when he faced other commanders, he simply killed them without hesitation, didn’t he?”

“Yes.”

“Where can you find more convincing evidence than this?”

The Emperor smiled.

“Very well, you have done your part. Please be seated.”

“Yes.”

The leader of the intelligence division, with a mischievous smile on his lips, sat down.

“…However, I believe that I lack some evidence.”

A bearded man with disheveled facial hair stood up again and spoke.

“To be honest, most of it is in the realm of speculation, isn’t it? It’s not that I doubt the intelligence division, but I feel that there is a lack of evidence.”

At that moment, a young blond man stood up confidently with a smug smile on his face.

“I can explain that.”

The bearded man stared at him intently.

“There is no doubt that the fact that the Holy Sword has been broken is the biggest evidence. When will the Saintess and the hero fulfill their duty?”

Beatrice stood up with her silver hair swaying and spoke.

“After the ceremony to return the Holy Sword to the Holy Land is completed.”

“That’s right. However, he broke the Holy Sword. He didn’t even start the ceremony, let alone finish it.”

The bearded man furrowed his brow and spoke.

“But isn’t it possible for even the Holy Sword to break, since it is still a sword made by humans?”

“Are you placing the Holy Sword on the same level as a sword made by humans?”

The bearded man’s face turned red, and he closed his mouth.

“Well, if the gods see the sword they created with their own light in the same category as a human-made sword, then there’s nothing we can do. However, as soon as the Holy Sword broke, the mark of demonic magic appeared.”

The young man with blond hair smirked confidently.

“Yes, it means that the hero has lost his protection. I have never heard of losing protection before the hero abandons his duty. That’s strange.”

The Emperor smiled and spoke.

“Indeed, looking at the situation, it would be difficult to deny that he had some kind of corruption or wickedness.”

The people who had secretly supported the hero’s cause instantly changed their gaze.

“But in the end, he made a significant contribution by killing the Demon King. That’s why, as a slight punishment, I command that he be banished as soon as he wakes up.”

“No, Your Majesty!”

“It is too lenient of a punishment for a criminal!”

Ironically, those who argued that the hero should be severely punished were the ones who had previously supported him, and they were even more fervent.

“hehehe, let’s just leave it at this.”

The Emperor smiled, satisfied with something, and adjourned the council.

…

The hero’s comrades trembled with betrayal. They thought he was moral and a good person. But now they were hearing that behind their backs, he had committed all sorts of despicable acts and even conspired with the enemy?

“Beatrice said.

“I never knew that the hero chosen by the gods would do such a thing.”

She shook her shoulders. As she had the closest relationship with the hero as both a warrior and a saint, she couldn’t help but feel the greatest sense of betrayal.

Sain patted her on the shoulder.

“Don’t blame yourself too much. We were all deceived.”

Peria said,

“Pretending to be kind and all, it was all hypocrisy…”

Lena couldn’t even speak, she was just angry. The royal unit she brought had trusted the traitor and met their downfall. She trembled with her own foolishness.

And so, they all suppressed their anger and desire for revenge.

A few days later, the hero regained consciousness.