Adrian Lewin POV
I was happy that I'd recruited Mirella.
But the problem was — what would I even tell her?
Why did I help her?
I'll have to be cautious with this.
I can't appear too selfless or too selfish.
Honestly, I'm more worried about Lyra.
She looks like a hardworking, dedicated butler, but when she smiled at that administrator's misery, I was sure she enjoyed unnecessary things.
Maybe that's the previous lord's influence.
Hah… well, it's a little late now.
I actually planned to search for only two days — if I didn't find her, I would've left for the Empire.
But I just kept searching for her.
The question is, how did she survive the kidnapping in the novel?
Because I wasn't there to help her.
Maybe she was kidnapped and tortured — that could've twisted her?
But she wasn't exactly a villain… well, I don't know anymore.
And so, I kept going without rest.
Come to think of it — the Hero Ceremony was today. Should I…?
---
The Hero Ceremony was being held in the Emperor's palace.
Almost everyone was already present.
With the help of predictions, the Emperor had found the Hero before the Holy Sword revealed her, and he even trained her.
The sword had already accepted the Hero many days ago.
But the ceremony was more of a display — a grand event for the people to witness the Hero being "chosen" by the sword.
There wouldn't be a pillar of holy light this time, but ceremonies are ceremonies — no one came for such things anyway.
Many came to see the Hero.
Many to see the other Powerhouses.
And some to see The Twelfth Lord of the Coalition of Twelve Lords — the Monster Lord.
But he was absent. His seat stood empty.
The Emperor, still uneasy after hearing of the Twelfth Lord's feat — defeating the Thirteenth Demon General and his entire army in a single strike — finally found relief when the sword accepted the Hero.
Seeing all the Powerhouses together was a spectacle.
The Hero would meet them and perhaps learn from them.
The ceremony began.
Soon the Hero entered and lifted the Holy Sword.
But suddenly, a huge monster appeared out of nowhere.
The monster roared,
"Hahaha! So the new Hero arrives. I will take revenge for the last Hero — with this newborn whelp!"
Thankfully, it was still outside the barrier, so there was no immediate danger.
Then — a wyvern appeared in the distance, flying at incredible speed.
Someone was riding it.
A moment later, the figure vanished — and in the same instant, a young man appeared before the monster.
He had red eyes and blond hair.
Not too handsome — perhaps "average" would be the right word.
He wore expensive clothes, clearly suited for a grand occasion.
He raised his hand and made a strange gesture.
No one knew what it meant — thumb raised, finger aimed — but everyone's instincts screamed danger.
The gesture looked meaningless, yet everyone froze.
It was as if his hand alone could decide who lived or died.
And in the next instant, the monster disintegrated into chunks of meat.
The barrier shook violently, but the Powerhouses quickly reinforced it.
Most of the meat fell on the barrier, some beyond it — but at least, the city was safe.
Then, the boy vanished again and reappeared in front of the Twelfth Lord's seat — and sat down.
Everyone was standing.
He alone remained seated, like an emperor — and everyone else, mere retainers.
---
Adrian Lewin POV
I remembered — the monster that was nearly killed by the last Hero had come from another continent just to slay the new Hero before she could grow into a threat.
So, just to be sure, I started absorbing Nature Mana.
You might wonder what I'd do if I didn't need to use Apocalypse.
After all, I can't sleep with Nature Mana absorbed.
Well, I'd figure it out when the time came.
For now, since I'd be among many Powerhouses, I decided to keep it minimal — just enough to either kill the monster or be fatally injured.
If it was killed — good.
If it survived — like a coward, it would run away, just as it had last time.
And just as I neared the capital, I felt it — that enormous presence.
I teleported myself and Aero toward it.
Yes, I'd trained Aero to move in sync with my teleportation — after all, I might need to teleport at any moment.
Flash never learned that.
A lot of knights and mages targeted us, but they couldn't hit us through my teleportation.
Really — a huge monster above the castle, and you're targeting me?
I question their intelligence.
When I was far enough, I teleported closer to the monster and quickly made the "gun" sign with my hand.
I once said I could release Apocalypse however I wanted — today, I'd use my finger.
And then, I fired the "gun."
Or should I say… Apocalypse.
The force, as always, was immense.
The monster was shredded into chunks of flesh.
The barrier trembled, but thankfully, the Powerhouses supported it.
It all happened so fast, I hadn't even fallen a millimeter yet.
I spotted my seat, teleported in front of it, and sat down.
Hmm?
Why is everyone standing?
They were all staring at me.
Well, it was too late to stand now — I might as well ignore it.
Eventually, everyone else sat down too.
The Hero continued, and the ceremony finally ended.
Now everyone could mingle.
I saw two people first — the Elf Queen, or rather, Sylwen's mother, and one of the Five Elders of the Mage Tower — Seraphina's mother.
Both were Powerhouses.
Some faces I recognized; some I didn't.
The Elf Queen and Seraphina's mother approached me — separately.
I stood up before they reached me.
The Elf Queen said,
"Twelfth Lord, I've heard of your might — and even glimpsed a bit of it today. It's reassuring to have such strength against the demons."
I replied, shaking my head,
"It isn't enough — not against those two."
Seraphina's mother joined in and said,
"Well, we have the Hero now."
I nodded.
"That's true. But it'll take time before she's strong. She's still a seedling that must be protected."
Both nodded.
Then I heard a rough voice —
"Boy! You're the youngest Powerhouse. My body tingles just hearing the rumors about you!"
I shivered and turned.
I already knew he was there, but still — the Thunder God.
A man who fought barehanded, wreathed in lightning.
Fast. Brutal. Unstoppable.
I wondered if I could completely evade him even with Sixth Sense and Omniscient.
I replied,
"Age doesn't matter — not in a world where death can come any second."
He was stunned for a moment — then burst out laughing.
"Hahahahaha!"
Everyone turned.
It was rare to please the Thunder God — they were all surprised.
He said,
"I like you, boy. I had my doubts about you being a Powerhouse — not anymore."
Well, of course you like me — you said the same thing in the future.
I said that line so he'd favor me.
He's far stronger than the Elf Queen or Seraphina's mother.
I need his help — and he helps only those he likes.
I said politely,
"I'm honored. Please visit my castle sometime."
He laughed, nodded, and left.
I met other Powerhouses afterward, then noticed the Hero near the Emperor.
I suddenly got an idea about the future — but decided not to approach for now.
Later, I went to the garden.
I sensed someone approaching, though I was looking at a flower.
When it felt appropriate to acknowledge them, I turned — and saw the Empress approaching.
She came up to me and said,
"Nice to meet you, Twelfth Lord."
I smiled.
"It's an honor to be in the presence of such beauty."
Honestly, I didn't know how to treat her.
I might be of equal standing now, but I'd never been educated for it.
Forget being a king — I wasn't even a noble.
She looked slightly confused, though she didn't show it.
Then she said,
"Thank you. Actually, I wanted to thank you for dealing with that monster."
I shook my head.
"It was more a matter of who would kill it rather than if anyone could."
She smiled.
"But it was still you, right?"
I laughed lightly.
Then, I felt a small presence — and a weak punch hit my back.
I turned to see a little girl.
She looked strikingly like the Empress — that meant…
The girl glared.
"Hey, gardener! Stay away from my mother!"
I blinked.
Gardener??
She continued,
"I read in historical accounts that a gardener once made a previous Empress fall in love with him using magic — and then took her away!"
I'm pretty sure that never happened.
She added,
"He used her… to drink milk!"
…Milk?
I looked at the Empress — her face was bright red.
Wait. Don't tell me.
Those weren't historical accounts — those were adult books!
I quickly said,
"I'm not a gardener."
She frowned.
"Really? Then why were you looking at a flower?"
What should I say now?
I blurted out,
"I was stealing it."
The Empress blinked in confusion.
The girl, however, looked enlightened.
"Oh! So you're a thief!"
I nodded seriously.
She said proudly,
"I read in historical accounts how you worked for the Empire!"
I said,
"I must leave now — I have work to do."
She nodded.
And I left.
The Empress, however, now had a lot to deal with.
Well… that's not my problem.