The Lowest-Ranked Hero Has Returned
Morning broke over the imperial palace.
I stretched while lying on an enormous bed, big enough for five or six people to roll around in and still have space left.
“Ughhh.”
Maybe it was because the sleeping arrangements were too luxurious all at once.
Even though I felt like I had gotten enough sleep, I somehow felt even more exhausted.
‘I knew it—I’m really not used to this kind of luxury.’
Perhaps it was because I had spent most of my thousands of years, including my past life, sleeping on dirt floors or cheap beds.
The sheets, soft as if I were lying on a cloud, actually felt uncomfortable.
“Now, let’s see....”
The first thing I did upon waking was meditate.
I closed my eyes, slowly drew up my mana, and observed my inner world.
‘The amount of Primordial Flame I can control has increased significantly.’
Just like when I had absorbed the ember before, the amount of Primordial Flame I could wield at will had increased so dramatically that the difference was undeniable.
It felt like I had ignited a hardened lump of oil that had been stuck in place.
The massive amount of mana flowing through my body made it hard to believe that, in my past life, I had such a pitiful amount that people mocked me with the nickname “Rabbit Han.”
“With this much mana....”
Even ‘Infernal Blaze,’ which was infamous for its extreme mana consumption, could now be used in real combat.
‘I actually used it this time, too.’
For all its absurd mana consumption, Infernal Blaze’s power was on an entirely different level from any other technique I had mastered.
‘For a moment... I felt like a god within that domain.’
It was still a technique I couldn’t fully control—a technique I could only use when the Primordial Flame went berserk—akin to the ‘Incarnation of Fire’ state.
Of course, if I had to compare the two in terms of sheer power, I would choose the Incarnation of Fire without hesitation.
‘But that’s not a technique I can use at will.’
The fact that I could now use Infernal Blaze, which had previously been too costly in terms of mana consumption, was already a tremendous achievement.
‘Even though this wasn’t the original reason I came here.’
My real goal—tracking down the remnants of the Order of Eternity—had become unclear again after Mephisto and the Order of Eternity disappeared from sight.
‘The Archbishop of Destruction and the Order of Eternity....’
I still needed more information on those two.
Knock, knock.
“Hm?”
As I was lost in thought, a knock came at the door.
When I opened it, I found Professor Elisha standing there.
“Did you sleep well, Candidate Dale?”
“Yes. What about you, Professor?”
“Hmm... The bed was actually too comfortable, to the point of being unsettling.”
“Haha. I felt the same way, actually.”
“More importantly, are you feeling alright? You absorbed that massive flame entirely....”
Professor Elisha looked at me with a worried expression.
“I’m fine.”
If anything, I felt almost too good.
“That’s a relief.”
Professor Elisha gave a slight smile and nodded.
“Then let’s head to the reception room together.”
“The reception room?”
“ Empress Camellia has summoned you.”
“Ah, I see. Understood.”
I nodded and followed Professor Elisha to the reception room.
When we entered, Empress Camellia was lounging casually on her long throne, just as she had been the first time I saw her.
“You’re here.”
Gone was the teary-eyed woman from yesterday—now, she was back to her usual composed demeanor.
“I must express my gratitude once again for what happened yesterday. Thanks to you, we were able to root out the Apostle of Destruction who had infiltrated the palace.”
She straightened from her lounging position and bowed her head respectfully.
“...Huh.”
“.......”
Empress Camellia, bowing her head to someone else?
Even seeing it with my own eyes, it was hard to believe.
‘I expected the future to change after my regression....’
But I never thought I’d live to see the Empress bowing her head.
“Hmm. By the way....”
Just moments ago, she had been displaying formal gratitude.
Now, as if that had never happened, she resumed her usual air of arrogance, lazily crossing her legs.
“What exactly is the relationship between you two?”
“...Excuse me?”
What kind of question was that all of a sudden?
“It’s hard to believe you’re just teacher and student. You seem far too close for that.”
“.......”
So she noticed.
“It’s a misunderstanding.”
Caught off guard, Professor Elisha quickly shook her head.
“Cadet Dale and I are not—”
“We’re lovers.”
“D-Dale!”
“There’s no reason to hide it, is there? It’s not against school regulations or anything.”
“Ugh... That’s true, but....”
Professor Elisha trailed off, looking uncomfortable at the idea of openly admitting, in front of the Empress no less, that she had gotten involved with her own student.
“Oh? Lovers, huh....”
Empress Camellia narrowed her eyes as if she didn’t quite like the idea.
“How long have you been together?”
“It hasn’t been very long in terms of time, but....”
“Hmm. I see.”
Camellia glanced down at Professor Elisha from her throne before curling her lips into a satisfied smile and nodding.
“Do you remember the proposal I made before?”
“...Are you referring to your suggestion that I join the palace after graduation?”
“Forget that proposal.”
Camellia leisurely reached out and pointed at me.
“Become mine. I will place the world in your hands.”
“...What?”
What the hell is she talking about?
“Hm. Do you not understand my words?”
Empress Camellia furrowed her brows as if frustrated.
“I am telling you to end your relationship and become my consort.”
“...What?”
Wait.
What kind of crazy development is this?
‘She wants me to become the Empress’s consort?’
So basically, she’s asking me to marry her.
“...Hold on a moment.”
As I struggled to grasp the unexpected turn of events, Professor Elisha stepped forward.
“What do you mean by ‘end your relationship’?”
“Take it literally. The man who will be my consort cannot have another woman.”
“...Ha.”
Professor Elisha let out a hollow laugh, her eyes sharpening.
“I didn’t know Her Majesty was so inconsiderate.”
“Inconsiderate...? That is a word more fitting for you.”
“...What do you mean?”
“Let’s compare.”
Crossing her arms leisurely, Empress Camellia continued.
“I have tens of millions of imperial subjects, vast lands, immeasurable wealth, and supreme power above all. Not to mention the strength of the Seven Gods.”
What do you have?
“......”
Professor Elisha bit her lip hard.
She had no wealth, no military might, no power.
Comparing herself to Camellia was laughable—she fell short in every way.
“R-relationships between people aren’t determined by ability....”
“Oh? Do you truly believe that?”
Heh.
Camellia let out a quiet chuckle.
“Come to think of it, you barely participated in the battle this time, didn’t you? No... rather than ‘barely,’ should I say you ‘couldn’t’?”
“......”
Elisha’s shoulders flinched at Camellia’s words.
It was true that she had recently shown remarkable growth, but she couldn’t intervene in the battle between Melina and Dale.
The difference in their levels was simply too vast for her to step in.
“Actually, I’m curious about something.”
Camellia smirked.
“Do you really think you are a match for Dale?”
“That’s...”
Elisha faltered, unable to respond.
As Camellia pointed out, Dale had long since risen beyond her reach.
“......”
‘I’m not a match for him.’
The words lodged in her heart like a thorn.
For a moment, the faces of Iris, Yurina, and Lanez flashed through her mind, but among them, none seemed more ‘ill-suited’ for Dale than herself.
Iris was a saint blessed by the gods.
Yurina had unmatched natural talent.
Lanez had the power to freeze half the continent.
And compared to them, she was....
“Well, I believe I’ve said enough for you to understand.”
Camellia shrugged and turned her gaze to Dale.
A triumphant smile graced her lips, as if the outcome had already been decided.
“So, which will you choose?”
The Spider and the Empress.
Both women’s gazes locked onto me.
“...Ha.”
I let out a short sigh and took a step toward Camellia.
If I had to choose between the two...
There was no need to hesitate.
“I choose...”
I spoke my answer.
And in that moment, the fates of the Spider and the Empress diverged.
An empty audience chamber.
Dazzling lights illuminated priceless works of art, their worth immeasurable.
“...Ha.”
Camellia let out a quiet laugh—not in her usual half-reclined posture, but sitting up straight on her throne.
Snap.
With a light flick of her fingers, a bottle of liquor floated from a corner of the chamber and flew toward her.
It was the same kind Dale had brought yesterday.
She had tried it once before but found it too bitter to ever seek out again.
Pour.
Amber liquid filled the crystal glass.
“...Was such a firm rejection really necessary?”
Muttering to herself, Camellia unconsciously pouted her lips.
Yes, she admitted she had treated Elisha harshly.
But could she have done otherwise?
“This was... my first time.”
The Empress.
The continent’s number-one-ranked hero.
The vessel of the Seven Gods.
Among the many titles she bore, there was one she never liked.
The Iron Woman.
It was a nickname given to her because she had kept all men at a distance for so long.
“...Ha.”
A deep sigh escaped Camellia’s lips.
‘I thought no man on this continent would refuse the position of my consort.’
Even if he had a lover, if their relationship wasn’t long-established, she expected him to sever ties and come to her.
After all, every man she had met before would have abandoned not just their lover but even their wife for a chance to stand by her side.
That was why she had deliberately belittled his lover, emphasizing their differences.
“...So this is heartbreak.”
Camellia sighed again and took a sip of the liquor.
“...Bitter.”
[PR/N: Author needs to stop forcing this. Dale needs to be single again.]

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