Victor's voice comes from outside. "Conan, are you awake?"
Conan replies, "I'm awake. Wait, I'm coming."
Conan starts putting on his clothes. He equips his sword and armor and goes outside. They meet with Victor and head toward the city gates.
Celaria Royal Palace…
King Fernand was sitting at the head of his table in his room. In front of him stood General Lorand and the commander of the Celaria army, General Markus. Fernand casts a deep look at them and begins to speak. "What news is there about the movements of the devils, Markus?"
Markus replies, "My king, according to the information we have, the devils have not begun their attack yet. They are simply within their own territories. But there is a strange activity."
Fernand asks, "Strange? What exactly do you mean?"
Markus answers, "My king, even though they are not making any movements, we have encountered traces of demonic creatures deep within the Misty Forest."
Lorand says in a surprised and excited manner, "When you say demonic creature… do you mean the Hell Envoy!?"
Markus replies, "Yes, Lorand. We examined the traces. Unfortunately, they were the traces of a Hell Envoy. But the traces were very deep inside."
Lorand, "That means…"
Fernand interrupts, "You are thinking correctly, Lorand. This already means that the Demon Lord has been successfully awakened. The beings from 500 years ago are now breathing the same air as us!"
Markus, "My king, we are waiting for your orders. We have restricted the movements of the adventurer groups that go deep into the forest. And in order not to cause confusion, we are not informing anyone about this either. We are simply waiting for the next steps."
Fernand replies, "Completely close the entrances and exits to the Misty Forest. I do not want some fool dragging that demonic creature into the city!"
Fernand then asks, "How is the Hero's training going, Lorand?"
Lorand takes a breath for a moment and then begins speaking again. "My king, as you ordered, I accelerated the training and personally participated in the training sessions. Compared to the first days, there is some progress. But…"
Fernand interrupts, "Lorand, do not drag out your words. Speak clearly."
Lorand replies, "My king, that child only has a legendary profession."
Fernand asks, "What do you mean, Lorand?"
Lorand answers, "His combat abilities have improved, but he is very lazy. He does not realize the seriousness of the situation in front of him. The party beside him is more inclined toward training and learning. They display somewhat better abilities than him. But at this rate, it will take a long time for the Hero to learn."
Fernand, "Lorand, the Hero is our only salvation. If necessary, we must even tolerate his whims. But he must fully learn how to use his power."
Lorand replies, "He can understand how to use the power, it is simply that his combat skills are very weak."
Markus, "Do not misunderstand me, Lorand, you are capable. But perhaps we should send the Hero to Master Ardin. He can train students like this better."
At that moment Fernand strongly objects. "If I hand the Hero to that sadistic old man, he will not return a hero to us, only the remains of one. Remove that thought from your minds!"
Markus replies, "Understood, my king."
Fernand continues, "Do not hold your trainings in the Misty Forest anymore, Lorand. Even if you are with them, the party is very weak. Serious problems could occur."
Lorand answers, "As you command, my king. I will find another suitable place."
They end their conversation there.
One month passes after this discussion.
The closing of the Misty Forest causes protests from many adventurers. In order not to create greater panic, no one is told why it was closed. This silence soon begins to ignite rumors among people about the devils. However, since no one knows any exact information, it does not turn into loud chaos.
The training of Conan and Victor continues as usual according to their daily routine. Even Victor, who used to complain and struggle at the beginning, slowly becomes accustomed to the heavy training. Conan's combat abilities had improved greatly. Ardin was not only training their combat abilities, but also teaching them about the surrounding world. He shared all the knowledge he knew about terrifying beings and the devil army. He was preparing them from every aspect for the battle that stood before them.
Ardin calls Conan and Victor to him. They come to Ardin. Ardin begins speaking to them seriously. "Recently I spoke with Lorand. A new danger is approaching."
Conan replies, "This is the reason the Misty Forest was closed."
Ardin, "You are thinking correctly, Conan."
Victor asks, "The devils are approaching!?"
Ardin replies, "No. Something worse!"
Victor says in shock, "What!? The Demon Lord!?"
Ardin answers, "The Demon Lord and the devils are somewhat similar to humans. At the very least, they can speak and express their thoughts. But this time the approaching being is a terrifying creature called the Hell Envoy. The only way I can explain it is that it is far more powerful and dangerous than even a dragon. That is why not only the adventurers, but even the Hero's party has moved their training away from the forest."
Conan asks, "So this creature is that dangerous!?"
Ardin replies, "Conan, the powers of that being are at the highest level. Even I cannot face it one-on-one. Facing it means instant death. Its power comes from the demonic aura in this world. The only thing that can kill it in this world is the power of the legendary hero's aura. Even that only weakens it. Then it is killed with a strike."
Conan, "Since the current Hero is not fully prepared yet, the kingdom is right to be worried."
Victor asks with concern, "I cannot understand. You are speaking as if the kingdom fears not a creature, but the Demon Lord himself."
Ardin answers, "Victor, when a new Demon Lord appears, the Hell Envoy emerges because of the power of that Demon Lord's aura. That means the creature before us possesses the same aura as a Demon Lord."
Conan says worriedly, "Then that means if the current Demon Lord is the 500-year-old Zeryon, then this Hell Envoy…"
Ardin replies, "Yes, Conan. Even though the Hell Envoy is a creature, its power is equal to that of ordinary Demon Lords. Because throughout history Zeryon has been one of the most dangerous Demon Lords."
Conan and Victor look at each other with worry.Ardin concludes his conversation with them. They head toward the city. In the city they say their goodbyes and each of them heads to their own home.
The next day – Celaria Royal Palace…
Elena begins putting on servant clothes again.
Laura, "Princess, you spoke with your father. I think we should leave this matter to them. It is very dangerous for you to go to those streets again."
Elena looks seriously at Laura. "Laura, even if my father is dealing with this matter, I must witness it with my own eyes."
Laura says worriedly, "Princess, I think you have forgotten what happened the last time. Going there again is very dangerous."
Elena replies, "By the way, there has also been no news from the warriors who protected us during the last trip. If we meet them again, it would be very good. At least this time I could properly thank them."
Laura sighs deeply and puts her hand on her head. "As you wish, princess."
They secretly leave the palace again in the same way. Elena and Laura already knew the streets and began walking through them. They observe the people and truly witness some of the aid her father had provided. But at the same time Elena's eyes were also searching for someone else.
At that moment she sees two warriors walking in front of her. She immediately begins walking toward them.
As soon as she approaches them she speaks, "Kael…" The warriors turn around.
One of the warriors says, "Miss, how can we help you?"
Elena sees that the people in front of her are different warriors.
She asks them, "There is a warrior named Kael here. I was looking for someone tall, with black hair and black eyes. About a month ago he was on guard here."
The guard thinks for a moment.
The guard replies, "Kael… No, miss, I do not know someone like that. But if you are asking about the guards who were here a month ago, they are currently at the city gates."
Elena asks, "At the city gates!?"
The guard replies, "Yes. They had been sent here as punishment. I do not know their names exactly. But they are not warriors. They are simply gate guards. Most likely they are not the people you are looking for."
The guard finishes speaking and continues on his way again.
Laura says, "Princess, maybe they were from the army. Now they are probably in training. Because someone with such strong combat ability would never be a gate guard."
Elena replies, "There is a way to confirm that. We are going to the city gates."
At the same time, Conan and Victor were standing guard at the city gates. At that moment a voice is heard from behind. "Kael…"
Conan thinks to himself. "Kael!? Why does that name sound so familiar to me!?"
Suddenly he turns around and sees Elena standing in front of him. With a feeling of embarrassment and surprise Conan says, "Lisa!?"
At that moment an order comes to them. "Open the gate! General Lorand and the Hero's party are going to training!"