Chapter 64: Hero(1)

"Why did you called me... King Ruth?"

· ....Just call me Ruth.

Luke was baffled for a moment before asking.

"Okay, Ruth. How did you manage to call me? Wasn't magic forbidden in your kingdom?"

Ruth frowned.

· I... Captured some mages roaming around the kingdom so I thought I should use them...

"Haa...."

Luke sighed. Ruth heard this and started to get nervous.

· Sorry, did I call you at the wrong time?

Luke looked at Ruth with a surprised expression.

'Did he just say sorry? Nah, that can't be. Ruth... THE Ruth is saying sorry? Is it almost the end of the world?'

"Uh, no... I am not that busy...? So, why did you call me?"

· Well, there is a problem in our kingdom and I don't know what to do. You are the first person that comes to my mind.

Luke blinked.

'Wait... So you are saying that you thought of me, a foreigner, to meddle in your kingdom's affairs?! Just how irresponsible are you?!'

Luke wanted to go to the other side of the screen and yank Ruth's hair, but he suppressed it and asked him in a calm voice.

"What is the problem?"

Ruth's face remained emotionless, like what he's famous for.

· I knew that I could count on you, my friend.

"Stop doing that. What's your problem?"

Ruth's expression then turned serious. Luke had a bad feeling about this.

· Actually, there is a weird disease spreading around the kingdom right now. We tried to ask for help at some temples, but they refused.

"Wait... Disease?"

Ruth nodded.

· It just suddenly started after we finally burned the monsters' corpses a week ago. We noticed a cloud of black smoke coming from the fire while we were burning the corpses. We thought it was just ordinary smoke... but once we got in contact with the smoke, the body part that made contact with the smoke turned black.

Luke's body stiffened up. He then immediately shot an urgent question.

"How many are infected?!"

Ruth was slightly surprised at Luke's sudden shout. He then immediately answered.

· A-almost all of us... I was not infected because my body was naturally strong, so...

'Idiot! This is not about who's body is stronger than who! It's withered souls you dumbass!'

Luke slammed the desk in front of him and talked to the surprised Ruth with urgency.

"Confine your people in their houses for a while! Make sure that they won't come outside! The remaining smoke must still be in there! In addition, make them cover their faces with cloth! The current situation is dangerous!"

Ruth's eyes widened and he nodded like an idiot.

· Okay, I'll do as you say.

Luke frowned. Seeing how idiotic of a response Ruth gave him means that he'll not take any further steps than what Luke just asked.

"I'm going there tomorrow! Just do as I say for now! Give me your coordinates!"

Ruth nodded and gave his coordinates based on what the captured mage was saying to him. He then looked at Luke.

· T-thank you, my friend.

"Thank me later after we solve this issue."

Ruth looked at Luke blankly. Even though his face is blank, his mind is filled with admiration.

· O-okay.

Luke sighed.

"I'm hanging up. I'll arrive there tomorrow morning."

Luke hung up the communication device and sat back in his chair. He then massaged his head. There is so much to do...

'Damn it, now I have to help him.'

Luke sighed. He needed to help the Gron kingdom come back to its feet or else his plans would crumble. He can't risk losing an important key player in any future wars.

"Hey! Are we going to help them?"

Luke frowned at Nash's excited voice. Boy, he sure hope that he has the same enthusiasm as Nash. But his schedule is fucking packed right now. Who will he save first? The slaves? Or the Gron people?

'Fuck it, why not both?'

Luke then pulled out the magic communication device that he had gotten from Lance. Nash immediately understood and connected the call. He then saw Lance's deeply frowning face.

· Hey, why do you call me-

Luke has no time to play with words with him. He got straight to the point.

"Your highness, I need to go to Duke Wervey's territory ASAP."

Lance blinked a few times before asking.

· Excuse me? You want to....?

"I need to go there now."

Lance then looked at Luke with suspicion.

· Why?

Luke frowned and started to explain the situation. After explaining, Lance's eyes widened in shock.

· Wait... You are friends with King Ruth? You are kidding me, right?

"Do I look like the type that seems to be joking?"

· .....I guess you are not joking. Holy shit. Uhm... Okay... Uh. Ah, fuck it! Go teleport here, you asshole!

It seems that Lance finally understood the weight of the situation. Luke hung up and dashed out of the room. He then focused his attention on the two individuals he was looking for.

"Spencer! Liam!"

"Hmmm?"

"Brother? What's wrong?"

Luke didn't answer and grabbed both of their wrists. They were both shocked.

"Hold up, why are you touching me?"

"Brother, is there something wrong? You look agitated."

Luke didn't answer and instead spoke to Nash.

"Nash! Teleport!"

"Okay!"

Nash then conjured up a teleportation portal, through which they teleported to the front of Lance, who was sitting in his chair. Lance looked at the two people held by Luke and sighed.

"I have prepared a last-minute envoy. Get your arse moving and come with me."

Luke nodded and went outside the palace. It is now early in the afternoon, so all the staff is looking at Luke and Lance, who are walking with urgency, with curiousness, and worry. But unfortunately, they had no time to notice that and kept walking. Spencer and Liam just followed the two with confused expressions on their faces.

They then all went outside. Luke flinched when he saw an army lined up outside the palace. Luke then looked at Lance beside him with shock. Lance then explained while sighing.

".... I said it was fine to have only a few knights as envoys, but the captain of the second royal knights' brigade and the knights themselves were so enthusiastic that there was nothing I could do."

Luke then flinched when he heard the captain of the second knights' brigade shouting.

"We will ensure the safety of young Master Luke Viscellete! We will obey your commands!"

"Haaa!"

The knights then shouted in unison. If anyone sees this, they might think that they are preparing to go to war or something. Luke sighed.

"Fine, I'll take them."

"...Are you sure?"

Lance asked with worry. Luke ignored him and walked forward. Spencer and Liam followed behind him. Then Luke spoke up.

"We will teleport to the Wervey territory."

The knights were confused at first, but they nodded energetically. In front of them was the hero of the kingdom. What possibly could go wrong?

"Spencer."

"Uh..... Okay?"

· I'll help with the teleportation too!

Both Spencer and Nash then created a large teleportation circle. The knights looked at Spencer with shock. It seems that the rumors are true that Spencer is almost at the level of an archmage. They somehow felt strong for some reason. They didn't know why Luke was in a rush, but they were sure that there must be a reason.

Luke and his companions teleported to the front of Duke Wervey's mansion. Luke then saw Norman standing in front of him while catching his breath. It seems like he was in a rush preparing himself since Lance suddenly said that Luke will come right away. Norman finally caught his breath and looked at Luke with a frown. He appeared to be in a state of distress.

"Young master Luke. Welcome to our domain."

"The slums."

"Pardon?"

"I want to go to the slums."

Norman's eyes widened. It is the same for the knight captain, the knights, Spencer, and Liam. Norman then laughed with a hint of confusion.

"Hahaha... Why would the young master want to go there?"

"....I want to go there. Take me there."

"O-okay!"

Norman reflexively put his hand up in the air. He doesn't know why Luke is acting so weirdly, but he finds himself dumbly playing along with it. Luke nodded blankly and turned around. He then looked at the captain of the second knights' brigade, who was looking at him with a dumbfounded expression.

"Sir, please follow me. Knights, follow me too."

"Y-yes, sir!"

The captain and the knights saluted and followed behind Luke, who was marching towards the slums. Norman trailed behind him, concerned. Luke then heard Liam's worried voice.

"Brother? Is something wrong?"

Luke didn't answer and just arrived in front of the slums. He then spoke.

"Surround the slums."

"P-pardon?"

"Surround the slums."

The captain and the knights looked at Luke with shock. The captain was confused, but when they saw Spencer and Liam start to surround the slums, the captain finally gave them an order.

"Surround the slums!"

"Yes!"

The knights then started to surround the slums. The people in the slums looked at the knights surrounding them with panic and shock. Norman then shouted at Luke.

"What do you think you are doing?! Surrounding the innocent people of the slums for no reason!"

Norman was angry, extremely enraged. First, he decided to come here and Lance suddenly warned them at the last minute. Second, he pleaded he wanted to go to the slums, and now... He is surrounding it?

Luke just ignored Norman and spoke his next order.

"Arrest the people of the slums."

"What?!"

Norman shouted and was about to grab Luke's collar, but Liam blocked him. Liam gave him a threatening glare which made Norman shut his mouth in fear. The knights then hesitated but followed his orders in the end. The people struggled and shouted, but Luke didn't even bat an eye. It's because they don't deserve it.

· Luke, these are not poor slum people! They are very skilled assassins! They are at least below Lina's level! And I can also sense people below the ground! Let me check it out!

"Let me go!"

"Just what are you doing?!"

"Help!"

Luke glared at the so-called slum people with a death glare. This made the assassins, under the guise of poor people, shut up in fear. They could feel a heavy aura surrounding Luke. His presence was very intimidating, so they chose to shut up. The knights then gathered them all together and encircled them tightly. They then looked at Luke.

'Is it okay for a hero to do this?'

'This seems so wrong.'

'Should we stop him?'

The knights looked at each other but stopped and just looked straight. Since they said that they'd follow Luke's orders, then they had to abide by him, no matter how weird his orders were. Luke ignored them and spoke to Spencer.

"Spencer, create a shield dome around the slums."

Spencer frowned but soon nodded. He then created a transparent dome around the slums. The knights then surrounded the dome. Only Luke and Liam were inside. Luke then could feel Liam grabbing his shoulder. When Luke looked at him, he then saw Liam's grim face.

"Brother... There are people below here. Lots of them. Is this what I think it is?"

Luke nodded.

'As expected, he's smart. He already understands what's going on.'

Liam's grip became tighter. He appeared to be enraged. They then both heard Nash's voice in their heads.

· Dad! Liam! This is so cruel! There are starving children and adults underground! A-and some of them were dead!

Luke and Liam's faces turned grim. They then looked at each other. Liam stepped outside the dome. His face crumpled. He then looked at the ground with intense eyes. The knights around him look at him nervously as Liam's animosity is leaking furiously. Just what is going on here?

Luke looked down at the ground and talked to Nash as he walked towards the center of the slums.

"Nash, protect them. I'm going to destroy the ground."

· Okay! Leave it to me! I'll protect them!

Luke then opened and closed his arms as if he was exercising. The knights were looking at him as if he were weird, while the assassins were looking at him nervously.

Luke finished exercising and then kneeled on the ground. He then lifted his fists up.

"Haaap!"

Booooommm!

With the power of [Herculean Strength] and [Shifting Earth] Luke easily broke the ground. Cracks started to crawl towards the knights. The knights took a step back in shock. They then saw the ground falling one by one. The wooden houses on top of the ground all crumbled and fell away.

"Everybody duck!"

"Waaah!"

All of them then ducked. They then lifted their heads and saw the dust covering the inside of the dome. Spencer deactivated the barrier and the dust started to scatter. He then shouted in worry.

"Luke? Luke!"

Luke didn't answer. Liam and Spencer then started to get anxious.

Swoosh! Swoosh!

They all then flinched when they heard the wind. The dust then flies away in an instant. They all closed their eyes and opened them again to see Luke flapping his white wings above a massive hole. They saw Luke looking down at the hole so they also looked down.

"Oh my god!"

"This! What is this?!"

"How cruel!"

The captain and the knights looked at the children and adults trapped inside the hole. Their faces are dirty and some corpses are lying beside them. They wanted to puke. Such terrible things... Just how could this be?

"Guard the assassins."

The captain looked up at Luke, who was still flying above the hole. He then saw Luke glaring at the people in the slums. People's faces started to turn white and their whole bodies were shaking. The captain finally gets what's going on and grits his teeth.

"Knights! Tie them up! Don't let even one of them escape!"

"Yes!"

The knights then started to tie the assassins up. All the knights glared at them, which made the assassins shake even more in fear. They probably know by now, that they're all dead after this is over. They then heard Luke speaking.

"Pull the people below up. Also, bury the dead people properly."

The knight's fists were tightly clenched. For a moment earlier, they almost doubted Luke. They are so ashamed that they even have the face to doubt the hero that saved their lives. They are shameful. They then looked down at the ground, unable to say anything because of shame. They then heard Luke's calm voice.

"What's wrong? The people below need your help the most. They need someone to assure them that they are now safe. And I bet that the royal knights could do a good job of doing that."

The knights bit their lips and raised their heads to Luke, who was looking at them calmly. They then all shouted. This is most likely the loudest shout in their entire career.

"YES!!!"

The ground shook with their shouts, but Luke just smiled. He then looked down at the children and adults looking up at him from the hole. He then smiled gently.

"Don't worry, you are all safe now."

The people below then started crying. The children cried so loudly that it affected the knights who were climbing down the hole. As the knights listened to the cries of the children and adults, tears began to fall from their eyes.

Joy, pain, sorrow, anger... They released it all.

Being locked up in the dark underground with no food and water is like living in hell. They all cried day and night to the point that their tears ran out. They have no idea where they are or where they are going; all they know is that death awaits them around every corner.

However, all of a sudden...

The ceiling of the darkroom was being destroyed. And when they looked up, they saw an angel staring down at them. They thought that they were all dead and an angel was here to pick them up, but no... They were alive. They survived.

Spencer and Liam just looked at this with dark expressions. They then saw Luke flying towards them. Luke landed beside them and deactivated his wings. They then looked down at the people hugging each other below. Spencer then spoke.

"Why didn't you tell us from the start?"

"I was in a hurry."

Spencer just sighed. He should have known that whenever Luke leaves the castle, bad things begin to happen. Well, not exactly a bad thing, but all his actions and plans were always on a large scale that made him and his group worry about it sometimes. He then heard Liam's relieved voice.

"But thank goodness you didn't cough up blood this time."

· He's right, dad! I'm relieved!

Luke smiled. He really didn't cough up blood this time. And that is an achievement. He felt stronger.

"Yeah, this- cough!"

Drops of blood fell down from Luke's mouth. He then flinched when he felt intense stares all around him. He looked around and saw the captain, the knights, and the rescued slaves looking at Luke with shock. He then looked at Spencer and Liam and saw their grim and dark faces while looking at him. Luke started to get nervous.

"A-hahaha, it seems like I choked out some of the apple juice I drank earlier...."

"Brother...."

Luke flinched when he heard Liam's cold voice.

"Y-yes?"

"Don't ever use your powers again. If you want me to destroy the ground, I'll destroy it."

'The whole land will disappear if I let you do the job.'

Luke wanted to say that but couldn't because he heard Spencer speaking.

"You don't have to push yourself. Dumbass."

"But I am fine though?"

· You are obviously not fine!

Luke then wiped the remaining blood on his chin and put his hands in the air for Liam, Nash, and Spencer to see that he was fine.

"See? I am completely-"

"T-the young master coughed up blood!"

"Call the doctor!"

"Healer! Healeeeerrr!!"

Luke frowned and looked at the panicking knights. He tried to calm them down.

"Hey, hey! I am fine! Don't panic! Treat the rescued people first!"

The knights stopped and looked at Luke with teary eyes.

"What a true hero!"

"Even though he is hurt, he is still looking out for the people!"

Luke frowned. His mood was very bad today.

"Get all back to work."

"Yes!"

The knights then get back to work with determined expressions. Luke just sighed and faced the shocked Norman, who was still trying to process what was going on. Luke approached him and spoke to him in a very serious voice.

"Duke Wervey, I believe we must talk."

Norman came back to his senses and looked at Luke with an extremely serious face. He then looked around and saw some people from the territory gossiping while looking at the situation. Norman gritted his teeth. He is in no shape to say no right now. And, he needed to know what was going on.

"... Yes, come with me."