The Lowest-Ranked Hero Has Returned
Chapter 292

[Translator - Night]

[Proofreader - Gun]

Chapter 292: Interlude – The Fall of the Saintess

Through the gossipmongers of the continent, through the heroes’ communities, and through whispers among the trainees…

The video spread like wildfire across the continent, like a spark falling into a dry forest and engulfing an entire mountain range.

It was only about ten seconds long, but it contained a message so shocking it could turn the entire continent upside down—

The problem was that it wasn’t just one video.

Starting from the Masters, to the Spider with the Cursed Eye, the Saintess, and the heir of the Sun’s Sword—

Videos that maliciously branded all sorts of famous individuals as “the Demon God” began spreading so quickly that no one could tell which was the original.

Before long, the videos containing this shocking content became a sort of trend among heroes.

From crudely imitated clips to high-quality videos nearly indistinguishable from the real thing, dozens—hundreds—were created.

—Now, you are the Demon God.

That line, muttered by Amon as he lay dying, spread even to the general population without divine stigma.

It became such a widely used catchphrase that even ten-year-old children on the street could be heard mimicking it.

“This is everything that happened within just five days of the video spreading.”

Professor Elisha let out a short chuckle as she played a video taken on the streets of Valhalla City.

In it, children were laughing and yelling at each other: “You’re the Demon God!” “No, you’re the Demon God!”

“…Honestly, I didn’t expect it to be this effective.”

“It’s all thanks to the Alberts.”

The content was sensational enough to go viral without the help of the Albert family, but—

Turning it into a meme—that was where the Alberts played a huge role.

‘Once something becomes a meme, it doesn’t grow by addition, but by multiplication.’

And once a meme takes hold, it becomes nearly impossible to distinguish truth from fabrication.

“Still, I’m relieved. When Dale’s video came out at first… I felt so hopeless.”

Iris exhaled a sigh of relief, placing a hand on her chest.

Yurina nodded and turned her gaze toward me.

“By the way, how did you convince the Masters? It couldn't have been easy to persuade Pope Marianne or Sir Johann.”

“Oh, I’m curious about that too. Those two wouldn’t just sit by after hearing Dale became the Demon God…”

“That’s, uh…”

I trailed off and awkwardly avoided their gazes.

How could I possibly admit in front of my party members that—

When words failed, I resorted to physical persuasion (?)

“Well… something like that.”

“Hm. The way you're dodging the question makes it clear you did do something.”

“Hmm~ I’ll ask Sister Camellia about it later then.”

“…Damn it.”

Right.

I forgot Camellia was still around.

Ahem.

“By the way… since when did you and Camellia become close enough for a ‘sister’ thing?”

“Oh, back when we went to the hot springs together. She said she wanted us to be on more comfortable terms.”

“I heard she was terrifying, but… she turned out to be a really nice person once we talked.”

“Y-Yeah. She doesn’t even try to… hog Dale all to herself…”

The lovers, clearly having grown closer to Camellia, looked much more relaxed compared to when they first met her.

‘That’s a relief.’

Given Her Majesty’s personality, I had worried about whether she’d get along with the others, but it looked like I didn’t need to.

“St-Still… I-I thought Dale was going to be in big trouble because of me…”

Tearing up, Lanez tugged at my sleeve with trembling fingers.

‘Even though I said it’s fine, she’s still like this.’

Well, I suppose this shy, anxious side of hers is part of Lanez’s charm.

“I-If everyone had insulted Dale… I would've frozen them solid and… k-killed them all…”

“….”

Uh, yeah.

Ch-Charming, right?

“Well, everything’s fine now, so don’t worry.”

“O-Okay, Dale.”

“Here, no more tears.”

I gently wiped the tears from her eyes, and she gave me a blushing, bashful smile.

“Hehehe… I love you, Dale…”

Lanez nestled into my arms like a puppy, rubbing her cheek against me.

If she had a tail, it’d probably be wagging wildly right now.

Smiling faintly, I stroked her head as she snuggled in close.

Ahem.

“Anyway… has there been any movement from the Order of Eternity since then?”

Professor Elisha sat down next to me, glancing at Lanez in my arms with a slightly envious look.

“No, not yet.”

Since the victory ceremony, the Order of Eternity had been silent.

And thanks to that—

The Hero Academy had resumed normal classes.

“…But who knows how long that will last.”

We all knew this peace wouldn’t last forever.

“There’s no way they’ll just sit still.”

“…Candidate Dale.”

“But still, we’re one step closer.”

Yeah.

Just one more step—and the life I had longed for…

Amid the endless snowfields, amid the raging blizzards…

The life I’d always yearned for would finally be mine.

“So let’s hang in there just a little longer.”

“…Hmm…”

“Hmm? What’s wrong?”

“No, just… that sounded like a very ominous line.”

Ah.

Yeah.

Definitely sounded like a death flag.

“Well, it doesn’t really apply to me, though.”

What meaning would a death flag even have in front of me?

“Heh. Now that you mention it, I suppose so.”

Professor Elisha gave a small laugh and nodded.

“Then for now… we can just enjoy this calm before the storm.”

Leaning in close, Professor Elisha whispered in a voice thick with heat.

Her eyes burned with barely concealed desire.

“Hmm… s-should we?”

"W-Well, yeah. In swordsmanship, relaxing your body is just as important as swinging your sword, after all."

It wasn’t just Professor Elisha.

Iris and Yurina were also swallowing dryly, their eyes burning with desire.

‘Everyone’s eyes look… dangerous.’

Sensing a bad premonition, I quickly tried to get up from my seat.

Squeeze.

"Dale… where do you think you’re going?"

I was immediately stopped by Lanez, who had been resting in my arms.

"D-Dale… did you know? I-It’s been almost a whole month… since we’ve done it…"

"……."

Just like Lanez said.

After the recent war, I’d been unconscious for two weeks, and right after that, the whole video incident exploded, leaving me no time to spend with my girlfriends.

"S-So unfair… Y-You’ve only been with that empress, sister Camellia…"

"No, that’s not what happened…"

[Translator - Night]

[Proofreader - Gun]

"I don’t even have any photos left to use as, as side dishes anymore!"

"……."

Side dishes?

What the hell are you even talking about, Lanez.

"Sister Lanez right."

Iris crossed her arms and narrowed her eyes.

"Lately, Dale, you’ve been spending a lot less time with us, haven’t you?"

"That can’t be helped…"

"Oh, so now that you’ve caught us, we’re just fish in a barrel, huh?"

"N-No! That’s not it at all!"

Their piercing gazes came at me from all directions.

"Ugh. Fine."

It seemed I had no choice but to dedicate some time to my lovers today.

"But…"

I hesitated, glancing at Iris, Yurina, Lanez, and Professor Elisha.

Sure.

Spending time with my girlfriends wasn’t a bad idea.

It’s not like I could do anything until the Leader of Eternity made his move anyway.

The problem was—

‘With who?’

Camellia wasn’t here, so she was out of the equation.

But among the remaining four, who was I supposed to choose?

"Dale, you’ll be with me today, right?"

"Hmm. Didn’t Yurina just have a training session with Dale not too long ago?"

"T-That was just training!"

"Still, you did spend time together."

"T-Today… I was the one who brought it up, so I’m the one who’ll be with Dale…!"

Lanez pulled on my clothes with fierce eyes, refusing to yield today of all days.

As the atmosphere grew increasingly hostile between the starved predators—

"Why fight among ourselves?"

The radiant wisdom of the Saintess sparkled.

"We can all just do it together, right?"

"W-What."

"A-All, a-all together…?"

"Ohh, I hadn’t thought of that."

The devotees marveled at the Saintess’s insight.

"Um, Iris…? As much as I love you all, this is a bit much for me…"

"Dale, kindly shut your mouth."

"……."

Why are you like this to me?

"Fufu. Well, this is something you brought on yourself, Dale."

Iris smiled sweetly, delivering an irrefutable argument.

"Ugh… are we really doing this all together…? T-This is so embarrassing…"

"But you’ve done it before, Yurina."

"S-Still…"

Yurina fidgeted, clearly embarrassed.

"So you want to sit out?"

"N-No, I don’t want that either!"

"Fufu. What about the others?"

Iris turned to Lanez and Professor Elisha, who had yet to experience a “group round.”

"I-I don’t mind… as long as I get to be with Dale…"

"Hmm…"

Lanez nodded with shining eyes, while Professor Elisha hesitated, caught between her dignity as a teacher and her rising desire.

"Haa. I suppose there’s no choice."

Suppressing her growing lust wasn’t easy for her either.

"Well then…"

"Sh-Should we… take a bath first?"

Dragged off to the bathhouse like a cow headed to slaughter, I followed my lovers.

"Wait, are we really doing this all together?"

I’m seriously going to die.

"It’s okay, Dale."

Iris gave me a benevolent smile and continued.

"Even if you die, we can just bring you back."

"……."

Suddenly, a memory from the past flashed through my mind.

—Don’t ever say your life is cheap.

The Saintess had once whispered gently as she caressed my cheek.

—To me… your life is more precious than any other.

Right.

She had definitely said that.

That my life was more precious than anything else!

So why…

"Oh right, speaking of which, I got a stamina booster from Professor Jade. He said it’s extremely potent, though it might have some aftereffects… but you’ll be fine, right Dale?"

How… How did things end up like this?

"Khff."

Hot tears rolled down my cheeks as I looked upon the fallen(?) Saintess.

[Translator - Night]

[Proofreader - Gun]