Former Hero, Solo Play Oriented-Chapter 173
Suddenly, an overwhelming army of demons began to sweep across the continent of Astria, devastating human nations in an instant.
The scale and organization of the demonic forces were unlike anything recorded in the continent's history. They moved in formation and launched coordinated attacks. Skilled in stealth, the demons first assaulted the royal palaces of each nation, exterminating high-ranking nobles and royal families.
With their central figures gone, the human nations did not last long. The strongest empire was the first to fall, followed by the gradual collapse of the kingdoms, one by one.
The Holy State in the heart of the continent, holding the main seat of the Supreme Church and unified under the Pope, managed to endure for a considerable time. However, it too eventually fell. The decline in divine power, which had weakened steadily since the godlike beings' war five centuries ago, greatly impacted this outcome. Fortunately, only the remote churches led by high priests and the main temple perched on high cliffs remained safe.
When the Holy State was destroyed, a colossal being descended from the sky.
An angel with black wings.
Humankind who witnessed it called him the "Demon King."
It seemed that the Demon King, who had descended into the mortal world, had meticulously planned humanity's downfall for centuries, only now choosing to strike.
The assassinations of royal family members and the initial assault on the strongest empire.
The demonic beings that had previously appeared on the continent were strong but never invaded with such organized strategy or long-term planning.
However, the Demon King with black wings knew this world intimately.
Was that "Demon King" truly a being from the demon realm?
---
"Descent of the Demon King...!"
This chapter is updat𝓮d by freēnovelkiss.com.
Chris, who had only read about these events, could not easily imagine the sight.
But—
"An angel with black wings."
She had seen something similar in the records before.
The ancient temple of Verbeia, where she had witnessed a golem.
'Archangel Dominion' and 'Fallen Angel Valiel.'
"Valiel had black wings."
A being witnessed by the ancient dwarves during the angelic war 1,500 years ago.
The layout of the instance dungeons presented in *Asteria Online*, her adventures with Rain, and the centuries-old records scattered across this library.
These facts allowed Chris to piece together the identity of the Demon King.
Most likely, it was the fallen being who had slaughtered the higher angels during that war, the fallen angel who had become the Demon King. He had joined forces with the invaders from another realm to destroy this continent.
Why such a divine being had fallen remained an open question, but Chris continued to read.
---
**Prince Bernhardt von Alpharion.**
When he turned twelve, the Kingdom of Alpharion fell.
Most royal families perished, but Bernhardt survived due to his sword training deep in a remote valley with knights from the Roeide family.
As he gazed upon the burning royal capital, young Bernhardt swore through tears of blood.
He would save humanity standing on the brink of annihilation and restore the Kingdom of Alpharion.
Thus, the exiled prince Bernhardt, along with the Roeide family knights, became the cornerstone of humanity's resistance.
Fortunately, Bernhardt was not the only surviving royal. Prince Leonel of the sister nation, Betarion, also joined the resistance.
Meanwhile, Bernhardt’s sword master, a legendary figure known as "■■■," left after clashing with the head of the Roeide family but returned about two years later, accompanied by a girl.
---
'Master ■■■.'
Bernhardt’s sword master.
The swordswoman of the Hero’s party. A hero of humanity.
The name had been erased. Even from records such as these.
But now Chris knew that name. Not only Chris but many others, thanks to the public announcement from the Roeide Duke’s family.
"Melissa."
With Chris's soft murmur, the name of the master was etched into history once more.
[Master Melissa]
Chris felt a strange sensation and turned her attention to the mention of the 'girl' in the records.
[The girl's name was ■■.]
[I decided to record the name she wrote for me as it was.]
[If anyone can read this, I have cast a spell that will bring them closer to deeper truths.]
---
“Wait, what?”
The name of the girl wasn’t erased like Melissa’s. It was clearly written but oddly distorted.
This wasn’t the script of Astria.
Beep.
Chris turned off the holographic translation function.
Seeing the letters with her own eyes, she gasped.
To Chris, who had lived in South Korea for many years—
The writing was unmistakably familiar.
“H... Hangul!”
The girl’s name was written in Hangul.
Chris read it aloud.
“...Rain.”
With that, Chris's body was enveloped in the blue light that burst from the book.
---
■■’
A small silver-haired girl picked up a stick and drew strange patterns on the ground amidst the resistance camp.
Bernhardt watched her draw and, on a whim, spoke to her.
“What are you drawing?”
“......”
“Haha, you don’t have to tell me if you don’t want to.”
He scratched his head awkwardly, embarrassed.
The young prince of a fallen kingdom, Bernhardt.
He found himself deeply intrigued by the quiet girl his master, Melissa, had brought.
The sword at her hip, glowing faintly gold even through its scabbard—
Was that the Holy Sword?
This girl was likely the ‘Hero’ that appeared in historical records.
In an age overflowing with war orphans, his sword master must have taken her in because she believed this child, wielding the Holy Sword, was humanity’s savior.
However—
Bernhardt tilted his head.
“Is this tiny girl really? How old are you?”
“......”
She was so small.
Children her age grew rapidly day by day.
Though Bernhardt was only fourteen, his rigorous sword training had brought him to the stature of an adult.
Suddenly feeling unsettled, Bernhardt examined her face closely.
Large, deep eyes the color of obsidian, harboring emotions so profound that his young mind couldn’t fathom them. Despite being about his age, she had the eyes of someone who had weathered many storms. Her silvery hair shone brilliantly, partially covering one of those deep eyes.
Yet, her soft, youthful cheeks were in stark contrast to her mature gaze.
Yes—
The reason Bernhardt was so drawn to her wasn’t just because she held the Holy Sword.
This girl was strikingly beautiful.
As Bernhardt stared, the girl seemed to sense his gaze and turned her head slightly, showing a hint of anxiety.
The barely perceptible but clearly negative reaction sent a pang through Bernhardt’s chest.
“Oh, uh! I’m sorry! Should I not look?”
Despite his hardened body from years of training and his rapid growth at fourteen, he was still just a boy at heart.
Bernhardt waved his hands nervously and backed away. For all his height, he was no different from any other boy his age.
---
Footsteps approached.
“Bern, what are you doing? ...Huh?”
“L-Leon!”
The blond boy known as Leonel von Betarion, a prince of the fallen Betarion Kingdom and a member of the resistance, had come looking for Bernhardt.
Though they had their skills, they were still young, and the great families’ retainers led humanity’s resistance.
Leonel’s eyes widened when he saw the girl that Bernhardt had been watching. She looked at them with uncertain eyes as he bowed slightly and spoke politely.
“Please, Lady, do not be anxious. We are princes... Ouch!”
Thud!
“Why did you hit me!?”
“Are you crazy? You still think you’re a prince!?”
“But we’re going to rebuild it, aren’t we?”
“She’s anxious because of you! Look at her waist.”
“......!”
At Bernhardt’s whisper, Leonel’s gaze fell to the Holy Sword at the girl’s side.
The two boys looked at her from a distance and whispered cautiously.
“A Hero? Is she really?”
“I don’t know. Master Melissa brought her, after all.”
“Master Melissa von Roeide? I heard she left after clashing with the head of the Roeide family. Has she returned?”
“It looks like she’s just passing through. Anyway...”
Bernhardt saw the look in Leonel’s eyes and realized they were thinking the same thing.
“She’s incredibly pretty, isn’t she? How old do you ◈ Nоvеlіgһт ◈ (Continue reading) think she is?”
“Judging by her height, about ten? Four years younger than us, so...”
Bernhardt gave Leonel a disapproving look.
“...Leon, what are you thinking? Anyway, is this tiny girl really the Hero, the savior of humanity recorded in history?”
“But considering the Holy Sword she carries...”
Bernhardt sighed deeply.
He didn’t know the extent of her abilities, but she didn’t seem built for battle.
Was humanity really meant to place its hopes in such a small girl?
---
“Hey, princes! What are you doing over there?”
A confident voice called out as a beautiful woman with a blue ponytail and a radiant smile approached them.
It was none other than the legendary Master and Bernhardt’s sword instructor, Melissa von Roeide.
The girl who had been drawing on the ground ran to Melissa’s arms, hugging her tightly. Melissa held her with a motherly smile.
The girl’s obsidian eyes, which had looked wary when she glanced at Bernhardt and Leonel, now shone with affection.
Bernhardt couldn’t contain his curiosity and asked Melissa.
“Master Melissa, is this girl...?”
Melissa nodded, confirming the suspicion that had been forming in both boys’ minds.
“A Hero...!”
“We’re only stopping by for introductions today. We’ll be operating separately from the resistance
.”
“Won’t you meet with the head of the family?”
“Hmph, that old man and I are already done.”
Melissa scoffed and, holding the girl close, walked past the resistance camp.
“Um, Hero!”
Bernhardt, feeling an inexplicable sense of loss, called out to the girl. Still in Melissa’s arms, she turned her head slightly to look at the boys.
Bernhardt gathered his courage and asked.
“Could we at least know your name? I’m Bern, and this is Leon.”
Melissa’s eyes twinkled as she smiled.
Moments later, the girl’s small mouth opened, and a sweet, melodious voice emerged.
“...Rain.”
Then, she raised a tiny finger and pointed to the drawing she had made on the ground.
“That writing—it’s my name.”
