The Hero’s Arrival

Chapter 21 – The Hero's Arrival

The forest was silent, save for the gentle rustling of leaves swaying in the breeze. In the center of a secluded clearing, two figures lay intertwined—Edric and a breathtakingly beautiful girl. The girl, completely bare, was curled up on top of him, her delicate arms wrapped around his torso as she slept soundly. Their bodies glistened in the dim morning light, evidence of the intense passion they had shared the night before.

I know what you're thinking. Who is she? How the hell did I, of all people, end up with such a gorgeous woman in my embrace?

Well, let me take you back to how it all started.

---

A week passed in the blink of an eye.

My understanding of swordsmanship had improved significantly, though I wouldn't dare call myself a master just yet. My instructor, "Sweetie"—whose actual name was Regulus—turned out to be far more skilled than I expected. A well-ranked swordsman with an impressive reputation, even among the Imperial Knights.

At first, I thought he might go easy on me since I was the sole heir of the Ainsworth family. But no. The bastard showed no mercy.

"Young master, you still have time before inheriting your father's position. But I don't have time to waste. If I show any softness to you, Lady Talia will kill me."

Talia stood at the sidelines, nodding with approval. That damn fox.

Through sheer effort, I endured his brutal training. By the final day, I even managed to land a solid strike on him, almost defeating him. Almost. But experience trumped everything, and he quickly turned the tables on me.

Meanwhile, the mansion was in an uproar.

The reason?

The Hero was coming.

Leon Astrea, the shining beacon of justice. The one blessed by the gods. A true warrior, both in power and reputation. He wasn't just strong—he had charisma, influence, and a following that made him nearly untouchable.

And, of course, he was Safina's beloved brother.

---

The long-anticipated moment finally arrived.

The hero's party stepped into the grand halls of the Ainsworth mansion.

A party of five.

Leon Astrea – The Hero. A holy swordsman wielding divine power. Handsome, noble, but dangerously blinded by his ideals.

Amelia Fairwind – A knight and healer, standing firmly by his side. Stoic, disciplined, and unwavering in her loyalty.

Sylphie Moonshade – The mysterious elf archer, her piercing gaze scanning the room with calculated coldness.

Iris Emberflame – A hot-headed fire mage, her very presence radiating an intense, fiery aura.

Rael Voss – The cursed swordsman, a silent and enigmatic presence, watching everything unfold.

From the moment Leon stepped inside, his eyes locked onto me.

Before I could even greet him—

SMACK!

A powerful slap landed across my face.

The impact made my vision blur for a second. The entire hall fell into stunned silence.

"I will kill you."

His voice dripped with hatred.

The so-called welcome party had turned into complete chaos.

---

I could feel the atmosphere shift dangerously.

My mother—Seraphina—stood still, her eyes dark and stormy. If not for my father's firm grip on her wrist, she would've drawn her sword right then and there to cut Leon down.

But even my father, usually composed, had his hand on the hilt of his blade.

If Leon struck me again—**if he even tried—**this would no longer be a mere family dispute.

Another slap.

The second strike hit just as hard as the first.

Pain shot through my jaw, but I kept my stance.

My slaves—Safina, the succubus, and even the ogre girl—were seconds away from launching a full-scale attack on the hero. Their eyes burned with fury, their bodies tensed like predators ready to strike.

Leon raised his hand for a third slap.

That's when Rael Voss stepped in.

A single, effortless movement. A steel grip on Leon's wrist.

"Enough."

Rael's voice was low, calm, but carried an unmistakable weight.

Leon turned his head sharply. His rage was still there, but he hesitated.

---

On the other side of the hall, a soft crash echoed.

A silver tray, once carrying a set of refreshments, clattered onto the marble floor.

The cause?

Safina.

She had dressed beautifully for the occasion, eager to see her brother after so long. A gentle, warm smile had graced her lips—until she saw him strike me.

"Hey, Leon!"

Her voice rang through the room, sharp and filled with disbelief.

"What are you doing!?"

Leon flinched. He turned to her, his anger briefly replaced with confusion.

Safina hurried forward, her eyes darting between me and him.

"Why are you attacking Master Edric? He's changed. He's not the same as before!"

Leon's face twisted in frustration.

"Not the same? Safina, don't be naive!"

His gaze burned into mine.

"This man bullied you for years! He humiliated you, tormented you! And now you're defending him!?"

But Safina didn't back down.

She bit her lip, her hands trembling slightly, but she stood her ground.

"Yes. He was horrible before… but he's different now. He treats me with kindness."

Leon clenched his fists.

"You're just being manipulated."

His voice was quiet, but the venom in it was unmistakable.

---

I straightened my posture, ignoring the lingering sting on my face.

This was expected.

Leon loved his sister. Worshipped her, even.

To him, I was nothing more than a villain. No matter what I said, no matter what I did, he had already made up his mind.

But…

I wasn't the same Edric from before.

If he thought I'd just stand here and take his beatings forever, he was dead wrong.

I dusted off my coat, tilting my head slightly with a smirk.

"Leon."

He snapped his gaze back to me.

"You're free to hate me. I won't stop you."

His expression hardened.

"But if you want to raise your hand against me again…"

I leaned forward just slightly.

"Then make sure you have the strength to do it."

For the first time since he arrived, Leon hesitated.

The atmosphere grew heavier. A battle of wills had begun.

My mother was watching.

My father was watching.

The hero's party was watching.

And most importantly—Safina was watching.

In that moment, something changed.

Leon stepped back, but the fire in his eyes remained.

This wasn't over.

Not by a long shot.

And I wouldn't have it any other way.