< Chapter 68 - National Foundation Day Ball >
Chapter 68 – National Foundation Day Ball
A tree with deep roots is not shaken by the wind.
This was also a saying that applied to the country, and as a great nation with vast territory and strong national power, the Kingdom of Seilun had truly great potential. It was to the point where it would not even flinch at something so trivial.
‘That’s why I made a big deal out of it.’
Enough to shake even deep-rooted trees.
‘Just like how even the healthiest person cannot endure a series of serious illnesses.’
The demon followers prepared three events to bring down the kingdom of Seilun.
‘One is the great invasion of the north by the barbarians.’
The horrors of war cover the wild lands and the North, causing great tribulation.
It directly destroys the North.
‘The other one is the royal family massacre incident.’
By annihilating the royal family in the center, the Kingdom of Seilun is turned into a headless beast.
At the same time, it destroys the royal road’s barrier and opens the gates of hell, maximizing the chaos in the center.
‘The last one.’
The final plan to plunge the South into the abyss of destruction.
In the original, all three of these were successful, which led to the miserable downfall of the Kingdom of Cailun.
‘And the seven plagues that followed.’
The infernal trick that brought down the Argon Empire following the Kingdom of Seilun.
After a long adventure spanning the second half of Heroes Chronicles 2, the main characters eventually succeed in repelling all seven disasters.
But it was truly a victory full of wounds.
The Argon Empire had already been destroyed, and the entire continent had been reduced to ashes in the flames of war.
‘It would have been fortunate if it had ended here.’
That didn’t happen.
Because the Great Summoning has begun.
A gate was created connecting the three worlds of Hell, Earth, and Heaven, and through this, the demons of Hell and the angels of Heaven appeared directly on Earth.
The overlords of Hell wanted to subdue the Earth and use it as a forward base for their attack on Heaven.
The archangels of heaven wanted to stop the forces of hell from earth, not from heaven.
The lives of humans, the masters of the earth, were not important to either side.
‘Armageddon.’
The great war between heaven and hell.
The clash between the divine beings caused the destruction of the earth, and countless humans met their deaths.
‘Apocalypse.’
There was no more human country.
Humanity was left with less than a tenth of the number of survivors before the fall of the Kingdom of Cailun, and those who managed to survive were barely able to eke out a living in famine, fear, and terror.
‘Hero Chronicles 3 is set several years after Armageddon.’
A story about finding hope once again in a world reduced to ashes.
‘Yeah, it’s good, as long as it’s not complete despair.’
But it was not a ‘future’ that could be tolerated.
The Pleiades was no longer a world beyond the monitor, but the real world where Uder himself was born and raised.
‘One of the three has already been blocked.’
Although the Wild Lands suffered great damage, unlike the original, they maintained their power, and the northern part of the Kingdom of Cailun was able to completely avoid the war.
‘On the other hand, the devil’s eye suffered a severe blow.’
Not only did they lose nearly a dozen mid-level mines, but even the high-level mine Haragen was killed.
‘Here comes the gates of hell.’
The relics that could open the gates of hell were the Devil’s Eyes – no, there were only a handful of them among the entire group of Devil’s followers, and increasing that number was not easy. So, blowing one of them away in vain was no exaggeration to say that it was a greater blow than losing the Mines.
‘Even Kreimler couldn’t come down to earth.’
The great demon of hell who killed Count Bayer and Gale in the original work.
Yuder closed his eyes for a moment and let out a deep breath. It was because he was filled with relief and joy at having saved his father and brother.
“And the royal family massacre.”
The flow of the original was as follows.
Immediately after the ball, which could be considered the grand finale of the National Foundation Day celebration, ended.
The Black Moon, the hunting dog of the Guardian King, causes terrorism throughout the royal capital, and the Guardian King uses this as an excuse to gather the royal family in an emergency shelter hidden underground in the palace.
‘And annihilation.’
Not only King Henry II, but also his brothers and children.
To cut off the blood of the Holy King and nullify the barrier of the royal capital.
‘What happens next is even more spectacular.’
The Guardian Duke, who retrieved the Holy Sword Claude Solas, which was the core of the barrier, does not leave the capital just like that.
He appears before the nobles who are bewildered by the sudden ‘disappearance’ of the royal family and the disappearance of the barrier, and leads the search for the royal family, while also attempting to cause greater chaos by drawing demon followers into the royal capital where the barrier has disappeared.
‘In the end, he gets defeated by the playable character······.’
By then, the capital had already lost all of its functions as a capital.
‘We have to stop it before that.’
Any necessary measures had already been taken to the extent possible.
He neutralized the Black Moon, the mastermind behind the terrorism, and forced the aides who were helping the Duke of Guk to carry out the massacre of the royal family to step down from the front lines.
‘It is impossible to catch the Guardian in advance.’
Although I became friendly with the royal family, this friendship only lasted for a fortnight at most.
It would not be an exaggeration to say that he had dedicated his entire life to the Kingdom of Seilun, and it was impossible to compete with him.
‘In the end, we have no choice but to solve it on the spot.’
The moment the Guardian King reveals his true colors, he stops him and saves the royal family.
It was truly a tightrope-walking operation.
‘But I have to do it.’
Taking a deep breath, Yuder looked at the plan and map in front of him.
Things that a patriot can do in the current situation.
Countermeasures for each of these.
‘It’s like chess. If you capture the king, you win.’
But this meant that they had to capture the king in order to win.
Therefore, Uder also prepared measures to capture the king and the guardian of the nation.
‘Overly dependent and… imperfect, though.’
It was impossible to set traps in advance in the palace, let alone anywhere else.
Therefore, the only thing that can be achieved is a head-on confrontation.
‘In order to defeat the Ten Swordsman, the Guardian of the Nation, you also need the Ten Swordsman.’
Count Bayer and the First Sword.
And Count Chase, who has the same amount of force as the two men.
The problem was that none of the three could be completely open about what had happened.
‘Only a certain amount of promise is possible.’
Anything beyond that had to be dealt with directly on site.
‘Anyone can accompany you and go to the National Guard.’
I knew what my former colleagues would say if they saw my current plan, but for now, this was the best I could do.
‘There are too many strong people in the royal road.’
Not only on this side, but also on that side.
There were also those in the Royal Guard and Royal Magic Corps who were touched by the Duke of Gukje.
In particular, there were several disciples of the Duke of Hoguk in the Royal Guard.
‘On the day of the National Foundation Day, there are four out of ten people staying in the capital.’
The remaining six were unable to attend for reasons such as keeping a close watch over the situation, as was Count Hresvelg.
‘Father and Jeilgeom on this side, Hogukgong on the other side. Chilsalgeom is better than nothing.’
Seryu, the Seven-Slaughter Sword, one of the Ten Swords.
She came from that distant Eastern Continent and was truly a wind-like being.
Because he had a wandering spirit, he could not settle down in one place and wandered around the Kingdom of Seilun. Unlike Jeilgeom, who belonged to an organization called Geommun, Seryu did not even belong to any group.
‘A synonym for random encounters where you can’t even guess when, where, or how they will appear.’
Judging from the fact that his name was on the guest list, he seemed to be in the capital, but it was unknown whether he would actually show up at the ball.
‘I tried to contact them in advance, but that was impossible.’
After investing time in the most reliable material, I was busy with log master activities and going to tea parties.
‘Of course, I did search while there was no gap······.’
It was impossible. I even put in a request to the Blue Moon, but in the end I was unable to find the Seven-Slaughter Sword Seryu.
‘Well… I guess I’ll just have to let it go since he’s a guy who’ll be helpful in some way.’
In any case, he was a member of the Ten Swordsmen and was loyal to the Kingdom of Seilun.
Just like Jeilgeom, he was not the type of person to ignore the crisis facing the royal capital.
‘In the end, the key is the confrontation between the Ten Swordsmen.’
The best would be to act together with both Father and Jeilgeom to stop the Guardians, but if even just one of them could work together, it would be possible to stop the Guardians.
‘Because both of them are likely to be stronger than the Guardian King in a one-on-one fight.’
As Jeilgeom said, no matter how great the Ten Swordsman was, the decline in physical abilities due to aging was inevitable.
‘If we create a one-on-one situation, we win.’
Yuder took another deep breath and looked at the plan again, checking the details.
In a situation where the enemy’s tactics were not clearly known and even history was greatly distorted, it was a crude plan that had to rely on improvisation for almost everything.
‘but.’
Even so, there was meaning in preparing.
If you’ve ever thought about the situation even just once when an emergency arises, you’ll be able to respond more calmly.
“Tomorrow night.”
A night of great battle that will decide the fate of the royal capital.
And at the same time, a night where a hugely anticipated event awaits.
‘National Foundation Day Ball.’
Uder covered his face with both hands and spoke to himself.
‘Yeah, I know.’
How crazy it was to expect to dance with Cordelia at the ball.
‘But… I can’t help it, right?’
Because it was a ball I had to attend anyway.
The incident occurred after the ball was practically over.
Well then······can’t I enjoy it a little?
‘further······.’
Because it’s the first time.
Dancing with Cordelia at a formal event.
“I want to see Cordelia.”
Uder said it without realizing it, and soon laughed bitterly.
‘It’s serious.’
In many ways, really.
“Cordelia.”
Yuder said it out loud once again and closed his eyes.
I imagined what she would look like tomorrow.
&
“miss.”
Despite Dahlia’s call, Cordelia did not respond and pretended not to hear.
Why is it like that?
Did I suddenly go through puberty?
“miss?”
Dahlia called again, and Cordelia pursed her lips.
Judging from the reaction, it seems like you haven’t heard it, but are you dissatisfied with something?
‘I know what you’re complaining about, though.’
Dahlia chuckled, cleared her throat, and spoke in a gentle tone.
“Baron Chase?”
“Yes, Baron Chase. Not the noble Cordelia, but Baron Chase.”
When Cordelia answered with an ahem, Dahlia eventually burst out laughing.
“Are you that good?”
“Yeah, I love it.”
Since it’s not someone else but Dahlia, I can be honest.
As Cordelia spoke excitedly, Dahlia hugged Cordelia tightly as if she could no longer bear it.
“Our cute little girl.”
“miss?”
“Cute Baron.”
“Ahem, ahem.”
Cordelia answered cutely and hugged Dahlia tightly.
Sometimes, Dahlia feels more like an older sister to me than Adelia, so when we share warmth like this, it feels like I’m being held in my mother’s arms.
“Wow, really. I’m so excited.”
“what?”
“The ball is tomorrow. My lady… no, how beautiful the Baron will be. How surprised people will be when they see the Baron. I really want to see you dancing with Prince Yuder.”
“Ahem······.”
What’s the big deal?
“How about Dahlia? Dahlia is beautiful too. She would be really pretty if she dressed up.”
“Thank you, even if it’s just empty words.”
“Seriously. Aren’t the other knights just waiting to dance with you tomorrow?”
“Thank you for even just saying that.”
“No, really?”
“Yes, yes, of course it’s true.”
Dahlia smiled maturely and said while gently caressing Cordelia’s cheek.
“Now, it’s time for our Baron to go to bed. You know you can’t stay up all night because your heart is pounding at the thought of Prince Yuder, right?”
“Am I a child? And don’t I get excited thinking about Yuder and lose my mind?”
“Yes, yes, I guess so. I’m sure you will. That’s right.”
“I hate Dahlia.”
“Really? Do you really hate me?”
When Dahlia met her eyes and spoke, Cordelia had no choice but to surrender.
“I’m telling you, I feel like I’m starting to resemble Yuder these days.”
“It’s because the Baron is so cute.”
Should we say that it is both a question-and-answer and a foolish question-and-answer at the same time?
“Anyway, go to sleep now. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
Dahlia pushed Cordelia onto the bed, covered her with the blanket, and stroked her head.
Certainly, it was Dahlia’s actions and affection that went beyond that of an escort knight, almost like that of an older sister.
And that’s why.
Cordelia grabbed Dahlia’s hand as she turned away.
I licked my lips as I faced Dahlia, who was looking at me as if asking what was going on.
“miss?”
“No, just that. Dahlias grow well too.”
“Yes, Miss. Good night.”
Dahlia smiled brightly and left the room, and Cordelia watched her back for a while before closing her eyes.
‘dahlia.’
Tomorrow isn’t just the National Foundation Day Ball.
There’s going to be a real commotion.
Because there is no way the Guardian of the Nation would step down like this.
The devil’s hand will also do something.
‘Don’t get hurt.’
Don’t overdo it and get injured.
I didn’t think about things like Dahlia’s death on purpose.
Because I was afraid to even imagine it.
‘The Royal Family Massacre.’
We have been continuously preparing to stop it.
Cordelia and Uther were able to prevent even the ‘war’ that broke out in the wild lands, so they should be able to prevent this as well.
But why is that?
‘I feel a little, a little uneasy.’
A bit of unfounded anxiety.
An unidentifiable ominous feeling that began to appear after the sword banquet, as if there was a thorn stuck in my throat.
‘Is it because history has changed?’
It was after the Sword Banquet that they began to seriously thwart the Black Moon’s terrorist plan.
‘It’ll be okay though.’
Because I prepared a lot in advance.
Because I’ve done everything I could with Yuder.
This ominousness may simply be a fear of an unknown future.
‘Let’s protect it.’
The royal family. The royal road.
Everyone, including Yuder.
Cordelia closed her eyes and tried to sleep. As Dahlia had said, she needed to go to bed early so she could prepare for tomorrow.
however.
1 minute, 2 minutes, 5 minutes, 10 minutes.
Cordelia finally opened her eyes again. She had no choice.
‘I can’t sleep!’
Because I was both afraid and excited for tomorrow.
Because I kept seeing myself dancing with Yuder, who was all dressed up.
‘What kind of picnic are you, little kid?’
Cordelia, who had been beating herself up, closed her eyes tightly again, but soon had no choice but to admit it.
I’m saying that I can’t sleep because my heart keeps pounding.
‘Anyway, it’s Yuder that’s the problem, Yuder.’
Unlike Cordelia herself, she must be sleeping soundly right now.
Cordelia, her lips pouting for no reason, turned in the direction of Uther’s room and closed her eyes with a slight annoyance.
‘miss you.’
Anyway. Yeah. I miss you.
‘What am I saying?’
Cordelia let out a small laugh, took a deep breath, and then concentrated on sleeping again.
Because tomorrow was a really important day.
I couldn’t allow my condition to deteriorate by staying up all night because of my heart rate.
‘now.’
For tomorrow.
Cordelia suppressed the ominous feeling in her chest and slowly took a deep breath.
I tried to sleep.
&
The morning dawned.
A morning that is the same as always, but at the same time different from always.
In the end, Yuder, who had stayed up all night with his eyes wide open, snickered at Cordelia, who had the same pale face.
“You couldn’t sleep?”
“I just lost some sleep… What about you?”
“Me too, just a little bit.”
Uther and Cordelia eventually looked at each other and smiled, while Maia and Dahlia looked at the two and thought.
‘You’ve been feeling groggy since morning.’
‘Ugh, I thought I wouldn’t be able to sleep well.’
But I understood.
Even Dahlia herself was so nervous that she had trouble sleeping, so how much more so must Cordelia have felt.
On the day of the National Foundation Day Ball.
A day of truly long-awaited event.
After finishing breakfast, Uther and Cordelia started preparing.
Final operational review and combat equipment check.
And then there’s the matter of decorating each other.
Time passed quickly in my hectic state and it was already late afternoon.
Yuder, who was standing in front of the carriage and looking up at the sky that was gradually starting to turn dark, suddenly smiled bashfully.
“Why, why, why.”
Cordelia is coming towards us.
She hasn’t changed into a fairy dress yet, and hasn’t turned into an angel, but she’s still the most beautiful woman in the world.
A face with makeup that was more elaborate than usual, an expression that was both shy and strangely expectant. And her hair was even nicely styled.
Uther looked at Cordelia with a slightly absent mind, and Cordelia, feeling a strange sense of satisfaction at the sight, pursed her lips and glanced at Uther.
Cordelia raised the corners of her lips at the sight of Uther, who was as well-dressed as she was.
Green eyes that were mysterious yet refreshing, and a face that was beginning to show strength instead of weakness.
A black tuxedo that goes well with the hair and a suit fit that is no exaggeration to say is perfect based on a sculpted body.
‘You mean he was handsome?’
No, that’s not all.
Cordelia came closer to Uther, listening to his heartbeat that had begun to pound without her noticing, and Uther naturally raised his hand.
“Let’s go together.”
“Yes, Baron.”
The two people who spoke theatrically almost simultaneously chuckled and climbed onto the carriage.
The distance from the annex to the main palace is only a few minutes.
But during that time, which felt much longer than usual, Uther and Cordelia remained silent instead of making small talk.
We just held each other’s hands tightly and focused on each other.
The sound of our hearts beating became one.
Even their breathing, which had been different at first, became unified as if it were one person.
A strange tension.
A head that gradually cools down, unlike a hot heart.
It wasn’t strange.
Now the two were advancing to the arena of victory.
“Hey, Yuder.”
“Oh, Cordelia.”
“Good job.”
“you also.”
The day of the long-awaited ball and the decisive battle that will determine the fate of the capital.
The carriage stopped, and the two took one last deep breath. They looked at each other and smiled confidently.
“let’s go.”
The two men who spoke at the same time got out of the carriage and looked at the large and beautiful main palace.
Two hours until the National Foundation Day Ball.
The time of the final battle has arrived.
&
< Chapter 68 - National Foundation Day Ball > End
