The Lowest-Ranked Hero Has Returned
“...Dale, I’m disappointed.”
Lanez looked at me with a cold gaze.
I avoided her eyes and kept my mouth shut.
‘No.’
How could I resist when they’re offering to remodel the entire party house just for a simple compliment?
‘And besides, it’s true that she’s beautiful.’
As I silently made excuses in my head, Camellia stood up with a satisfied smile.
“I shall inform Lionel about the party house after this meeting.”
“Oh... Yes.”
Ahem.
I swallowed a dry cough and quickly changed the subject.
“By the way, when will the meeting take place?”
“It is tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow, huh...”
In my previous life, the formation of the Tri-Nation Alliance had taken place about ten years from now.
Thanks to Camellia’s presence, the alliance was being established a full decade earlier.
‘That means there won’t be a war with the Republic.’
Thinking back on it, I could now fully grasp how much Camellia’s death had affected the continent’s political landscape in my past life.
‘At the very least... things are changing for the better.’
The stress and worries caused by the Order of Eternity seemed to ease a little.
“Understood. Then, I’ll see you off—”
“Oh, right, I almost forgot to mention. You must attend the meeting as well.”
“...What?”
What did she just say?
“The meeting is for Masters only. Why should I attend?”
“You already possess the skills befitting... no, exceeding that of a Master, do you not?”
“That doesn’t mean I am a Master.”
The title of Master isn’t something granted simply for having great strength.
It requires a hero’s reputation, influence, and the power to command forces.
To be recognized as a Master, one must be in a position where their opinion holds weight in a nation’s major affairs.
‘How could a mere bottom-rank student from Hero Academy qualify for that?’
I didn’t even have an official hero’s license. I was just a candidate—and the lowest-ranked candidate at that.
“Do not worry. I shall handle it.”
“...How exactly?”
“Fufu. Do you think any hero would dare question my decision?”
“......”
So she was just going to force it through with no real plan.
That was... a very Camellia-like solution.
“Is there a particular reason you’re so intent on having me attend?”
“The reason is...”
Camellia trailed off briefly, then glanced at Lanez before continuing.
“I will tell you later.”
So it was something she couldn’t say in front of Lanez.
Well, I could find out later.
A summit meeting, huh...
I wouldn’t be able to voice my opinion—only observe—but still...
‘There’s no reason to pass up the opportunity to see how the Tri-Nation Alliance is formed firsthand.’
The alliance would become the backbone of the heroes’ forces in the coming war against the Demon Army.
Being able to witness the discussions leading to its formation was a valuable opportunity.
“Understood. I’ll attend.”
“Good. I shall contact you tomorrow.”
Camellia stood up from her seat.
She waved lightly at me and Lanez before exiting the party house.
“......”
With Camellia gone, a chill filled the room, as if we had been plunged into the middle of a frozen lake in winter.
“Dale... You’re really going to the meeting with Her Majesty tomorrow?”
Lanez tugged at my sleeve, biting her lip anxiously.
“I have to. It’s a rare chance to witness the formation of the Tri-Nation Alliance up close.”
“Ugh...”
Lanez understood the importance of the meeting.
She looked uneasy and radiated cold air, but she didn’t ask me not to go.
Instead—
“Then... You have time until tomorrow, right?”
“...Huh?”
“Stay still, Dale.”
Lanez climbed onto me, puffing out her cheeks in a sulky manner.
“To, to make sure you don’t f-fall for Her Majesty tomorrow... I-I have to... drain you dry in advance.”
The words didn’t match her bashful expression at all.
With a determined huff, she pressed her lips against mine.
“......”
Would I even be able to attend the meeting tomorrow?
The next day.
After receiving Camellia’s message, I headed to the main building where the principal’s office was located.
“Hm?”
Camellia, who was waiting for me at the entrance, frowned.
“Why do you look so exhausted?”
“...I had my reasons.”
I ran a hand over my face, trying to shake off my fatigue.
“Hmph. Well, as long as you don’t fall asleep inside, there should be no problem.”
“You don’t need to worry about that.”
I wasn’t crazy enough to doze off in a room full of Masters.
“Then, let us enter.”
Camellia extended her hand toward me.
“What are you staring at so blankly? Escort me.”
"Are you attending some kind of party or something?"
We're just going to a meeting room. Why would she need an escort?
"Because the mere fact that I wish it is reason enough."
“...Haa.”
Letting out a sigh, I took Camellia’s outstretched hand.
"Fufufu. How nice."
With a light smile, Camellia rose from her seat.
Still holding her hand, I walked with her toward the chancellor's office, where the meeting was being held.
"Follow behind me as we enter."
"Yes."
I followed Camellia into the chancellor’s office.
"You're here."
"It has been a while since we’ve seen each other in person, Camellia."
"Your Majesty, it is an honor to see you."
Inside the room, Chancellor Lionel, Pope Marianne, and Johann Basilio all stood up.
"Huh? Why is Candidate Dale here...?"
Chancellor Lionel looked surprised to see me following Camellia inside.
"I brought him as my escort."
"What? Candidate Dale as an escort? No, more importantly, don’t tell me you plan to let him attend the meeting?"
"Is there a problem?"
"Is there a problem? Of course, there is!"
Chancellor Lionel was well aware that Dale’s skills were leagues above other candidates.
That was precisely why he had been granted the unprecedented title of Special Assignment Candidate in the 500-year history of the Hero Academy.
However...
"No matter how skilled Candidate Dale may be, he’s still not at a level to sit in a meeting among Masters, is he?"
"Not at a level to sit among Masters, you say..."
Camellia let out a small chuckle and turned to look at Chancellor Lionel.
"You don’t even know the true level of the candidate from your own school, do you?"
"What?"
Lionel frowned, looking puzzled.
How could she say he didn’t know Dale’s level?
"Are you suggesting Candidate Dale is at the level of a Master?"
He did acknowledge Dale’s extraordinary talent, but no matter how great, there was no way he could compare to Masters.
"Fufu. Think whatever you wish."
Camellia simply shrugged and looked around at the assembled Masters in the room.
"In any case, I will personally vouch for Dale’s identity. If anyone has an issue, say so directly."
“...Haa. There’s no reasoning with you.”
"Hoho. That’s so like you, Camellia."
Pope Marianne let out a wry smile and nodded.
"Understood. If Camellia insists, I will allow Candidate Dale to observe the meeting. However..."
"He will not interfere with the meeting, so there is no need for concern."
"Very well, then."
Pope Marianne smiled warmly and nodded.
"Dale... Dale, huh..."
A man in white plate armor with golden hair—The Sword of the Holy Nation, Johann Basilio—turned his gaze toward me.
"Do you know me?"
"I thought your name sounded familiar... Ah, yes, I heard it from Camilla."
"Ah."
Now that he mentioned it, I recalled that The Sword of the Holy Nation had been personally training Camilla during the winter break.
"Haha. I never expected to meet Candidate Dale here like this."
Johann smiled with interest and extended his hand toward me.
"Nice to meet you. I am Johann Basilio, leader of the Seven-Star Knights."
"Dale Han. It is an honor to meet the Sword of the Holy Nation."
"Hahaha. No need for such formality... But I must say, you look quite different from what I heard."
"Pardon?"
What on earth did he hear about me?
"Ah... Um... Well, that is to say..."
Johann looked slightly awkward as he averted his gaze.
"That you’re a troublemaker... who recklessly charges into any situation without hesitation... and a shameless womanizer."
"......."
What the hell.
Now that I heard it out loud, I couldn’t even refute it.
"Haha. I suppose Camilla and you are quite close, which is why she talks like that. You know how close friends tend to badmouth each other more."
‘Ah, so that’s what it was.’
"By the way, how is Camilla doing these days? I heard she’s training under you, Sir Johann."
"She’s been astonishing. I always knew she had talent, but I never imagined she would grow this much in just a year."
Johann added with a satisfied smile,
"At this rate, I have no worries about the next Sword of the Holy Nation."
‘Judging by his reaction, she must be doing well.’
Among my party members, Camilla had the least innate talent, so I had been worried about her.
But it seemed she was progressing just fine.
"That aside..."
Camellia frowned as she looked around the room.
"That person hasn’t arrived yet?"
Even though the Empress herself was present, one individual was still absent.
"Hmm. He sent word that he arrived yesterday, but..."
Lionel sighed deeply, shaking his head as if this wasn’t the first time.
"That scoundrel is probably..."
BANG!
Before Lionel could finish his sentence, the door to the meeting room burst open, and an old man strode in.
"Wahahaha! I had a few drinks in Valhalla City and lost track of time! My apologies!"
A wave of alcohol hit us the moment he entered.
An elderly man with dark gray hair, holding a bottle of liquor, let out a hearty laugh as he walked into the room.
"Well, well! How long has it been since we’ve all gathered? It’s good to see you all! Hahahaha!"
"......."
Unbothered by the cold stares around him, he took a swig from his bottle.
"Oh? There’s a new face here."
The old man’s eyes gleamed as he looked at me.
"Nice to meet you. I am the Falling Blossom Sword... No, wait, the Bottom-Rank Master... Yeah, that title suits me better!"
Chuckling to himself, he rocked his shoulders in laughter.
"I am Khalid Han, the Bottom-Rank Master."
With a sly grin, Khalid tilted his half-empty bottle toward me.
"So, how about it? Care for a drink?"

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