Amelia the Level Zero Hero

Chapter 213

“It is the [Hero King] Kallistus Kal, Amelia. And he is after your life.”

The dragon’s words echoed in the magically expanded common room of Bucky’s Out of this World Restaurant. Arthur’s brows snapped together when he heard what was said.

The former Lich King was not well-versed with much of the political climate of the Laxo of today. The continent had changed by a substantial amount since he had last walked this earth ten thousand years ago. But as a bartender, he overheard quite a lot of conversations between chatty merchants or tired adventurers.

A few things of note that had changed was how there was no longer a Church of the World System. There was no central authority that proclaimed the gospels of the Angels or spread the various Class paths that could be chosen. Certainly, the Adventurer’s Guild laid out a handful of beginner guides on how to progress as a [Warrior] or a [Mage], and there were also a few manuals or encyclopedias written out there, but there was nothing as in-depth as what Arthur had studied back when he was a [Priest].

There were also a few monasteries and temples out there, however most of them were unrelated to each other. Stand-alone places of worship run by a single [Abbot] or a group of [Priests].

But the most peculiar thing he had learned was just how unified the continent was compared to before. While Arthur had managed to bring together most of Laxo info an alliance to defeat him, they had all been under dozens of different banners. After all, this was shortly after the fall of the Grand Nova Empire, so humankind was still basking in its newfound freedom.

Meanwhile, in the present day, there were only two real nations that ruled Laxo. The first was the Astrad Kingdom which encompassed about a third of the continent, and the second was the Kingdom of Kal which had conquered over half of the continent.

And it was the Kingdom of Kal which the [Hero King] Kallistus Kal ruled. The very same one who was after Amelia’s life.

That piqued a lot of questions in Arthur’s mind. For example, why was the [Hero King] after Amelia? But that wasn’t even that important of a question, to Arthur.

More importantly, he wondered how was Kallistus Kal supposed to be related to the Void. Arthur knew he was not supposed to eavesdrop into this conversation. But he needed to know more.

After all, if this was true, then why was the [Hero King] even affiliated with the Void? It didn’t make sense to Arthur in a variety of different ways. First of all, [Heroes] were specifically chosen by the World System to carry out good. They were like [Paladins] or the like.

Arthur knew just how morally righteous [Heroes] could be. After all, he had been defeated by one ten thousand years ago.

But that wasn’t just it. Ignoring the World System’s bearings into the requirements to be a [Hero], Kallistus Kal was also said to be an otherworlder. He was someone who had been brought into Vacuos from another world.

Why would he have any reason to side with the Void?

It puzzled Arthur. Even more so than the fact that Kallistus Kal seemingly wanted Amelia dead. That wasn’t nearly as confusing to the former Lich King. Amelia was a cause of many problems. It was expected that she would make enemies here and there.

And whether or not it was true, the dragon used this fact to appeal to Amelia’s emotions. To plead for her help. To get her to stop the Void.

“The [Hero King] is after your life, Amelia,” he said as he held the brown-haired woman’s gaze. “And if he isn’t stopped, this life of yours that you have built— everything all around you— it may all be destroyed.”

She went silent as she heard the dragon’s words. For the first time since Arthur had met her, she looked contemplative. Her gaze darkened, and she lowered her head.

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The Elder Dragon continued as his booming voice shook the room. “I understand you are tired of fighting. You made as much clear to me when we first met. However, your life will be filled with even more battles that you do not want if you do not do something about the [Hero King].”

Arthur chewed his lips, hearing this speech. He wondered what could have happened to lead a [Hero] down such a path. All he could think of when he heard of a [Hero] was a face that was burned into his memory, even from his past life as the Lich King.

The great [Hero] Leon.

Such a valiant man. A kind man. Someone who embodied everything that it meant to be a [Hero]. Meanwhile, Kallistus Kal had somehow… become like Arthur.

What went wrong?

“In time, he will become a vessel that can hold even the Fal-Deus,” the dragon continued in a low voice. “When that happens, even all the Archangels of the heavens will not be able to stop him. And he will come after your head first and foremost.”

Arthur’s head reeled as he heard the dragon’s speech. His heart ached, but he didn’t understand why he felt this way. All he knew was that he felt like that something needed to be done.

It touched the former Lich King. It reached for something within him, calling him to take action. Even though it wasn’t directed his way.

Meanwhile, as for how it affected Amelia?

The Elder Dragon finished, “That is why you must act now. That is why you must face him. That is why you must stop this resurgence of the Void.”

And the brown-haired woman fell silent. She sat before the loomed shadow of the dragon, before she closed her eyes. Lowering her head, she shifted uncomfortably in her seat

“Yeah, that’s all nice and all…” Amelia said as she scratched the back of her head. “But I already knew all that.”

And the Elder Dragon just blinked. “…what?”

—--

Grat-ra’zun went on a long rant telling me about how the [Hero King] was after me. And certainly, while I admired his effort in trying to convince me to do something about the war and the Void… it was all for naught. After all, he didn’t tell me anything I didn’t already know.

“Kallistus Kal is after your life, Amelia!” the Elder Dragon exclaimed, rising above me with round eyes. “You do not understand—”

“Actually, I do understand,” I said in response as I raised a finger. “I’ve already been told this… twice.”

“Twice?” Grat-ra’zun paused. “But who could’ve…?”

“Here is your tea, Ms Amelia,” a voice piped up from the side, cutting off the Elder Dragon.

I turned to face the man standing next to the table. He was dressed like a butler in a fully-tailored suit, and he carried a tray with some biscuits and a teapot. He had pointed ears, green hair, along with a calm face, completely unperturbed by the hulking dragon standing next to him.

“Thank you, Jax,” I said with a smile, and he set down the drinks and snacks.

“Indeed, thank you, Jax—” Grat-ra’zun nodded politely, then paused. His eyes snapped wide open as he stared at the Forsaken Archer. “Wait… Jax the Forsaken Archer? What are you doing here?”

“I apologize, Mr Grat-ra’zun, but I do not understand your question,” Jax replied formally as he adjusted his tie. “I believe you were the one who told me to seek her out a few months ago.”

The Elder Dragon blinked a few times. “That… that I did. But I didn’t think you found her because you never returned. However, that doesn’t explain anything. Why are you dressed like this? Why are you working here?”

And Jax paused. His eyes flickered towards me, before he cleared his throat.

“Ms Amelia is paying me in duels to work here,” the elf said with a smug look on his face. “One duel a month. A fair wage, I would say.”

“…I wouldn’t really call it fair, but sure,” I muttered from the side. “Anyways, Jax did a good job. He did find me. And he did warn me about the [Hero King]. But he wasn’t the only one. A friend of mine back in Windrip told me the exact same thing.”

“And yet, you’re doing nothing,” Grat-ra’zun said, uncomprehending.

“No,” I corrected him, crossing my arms as I leant back in my seat. “Kallistus Kal has done nothing to me. He hasn’t even tried to come after me like you guys keep saying. So, if I’m being honest, I’m starting to doubt the validity of this whole story.”

The Elder Dragon drew back, sputtering in shock. “Are you accusing me of lying?”

“Look, I am not accusing you of intentionally lying. But, for the sake of argument, let’s assume you’re telling the truth.” I shook my head as I sat up in my seat. I locked eyes with the Elder Dragon, and I asked the simple question I asked Noele before, “What do you want me to do about it?”

And Grat-ra’zun couldn’t offer me a quick response.