To cut a long story short, Yuri was underestimating the Full Moon Ritual way too much.
In fact, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say she was taking this ritual far too lightly.
On the first day of participating in the ritual, after narrowly surviving several near-death situations, Yuri didn’t face any significant crises.
Well, actually, they even managed to smoothly take down that dragon-riding woman who had been provoking them.
Because of this, Yuri let her guard down completely.
Truthfully, she had forgotten that this ritual wasn’t some fair sport but rather something so perilous it could be called “war,” where participants aimed to kill each other.
“Damn, I was way too complacent. Who would’ve thought Psyche’s power could sever the contract between a mage and their hero?”
“…Sorry, if only I hadn’t fallen for that hostage trick.”
“No, Yuri, you don’t need to blame yourself. I never expected that Great Mage woman would stoop so low either.”
Sein muttered these somewhat bitter words with a slightly melancholic expression.
That was right.
A single moment of carelessness.
And because of that, Yuri and Sein lost the heroes they had summoned to Psyche.
At that point, the outcome of the competition was practically decided.
It was impossible for mere humans to defeat heroes.
So, fighting Psyche with just Yuri and Sein’s combined strength would essentially be suicide.
And both Yuri and Sein knew this better than anyone else.
Thus…
“…There’s nothing we can do. We’ll have to collaborate with another mage here.”
“Another mage?”
“Yeah. That brat controlling the Great Hero, Achemenes. If we team up with her, there might be a chance to beat Psyche, that witch.”
“Ho, so the story is unfolding this way, huh?”
“True, it has been quite a while since the Great Hero made an appearance. Finally, we’ll get to see him again!”
As the story rapidly unfolded in ways no one could predict, the viewers nodded in agreement.
After the recent sluggish storyline following the defeat of the dragon rider, who would’ve guessed it would progress like this?
Right as Ragnar once again captivated the audience, reinvigorating their interest, the viewers turned their eyes back to the TV.
“Hm?”
“Eh?”
Instantly, the viewers tilted their heads in confusion at the figure appearing on the screen.
The reason? Simple.
“…Who exactly are you?”
The white-haired girl summoning the Great Hero Achemenes asked tremblingly.
Gone was the confident smile she’d worn when challenging Yuri and Sein earlier. Now, all that remained was a fragile, anxious young girl filled with dread.
“Do you not recognize me? Am I not the very hero you know so well? Filthy half-breed.”
“No, that can’t be! There were only seven heroes participating in this ritual. But now there’s an eighth one I’ve never seen before…!”
Before the girl stood a lone man.
Even though he was merely being observed from afar through the screen, an ominous presence radiated off him, chilling everyone watching.
It felt less like observing a human and more akin to witnessing a natural disaster—eerily unsettling.
And as the viewers experienced this sensation, they couldn’t help but marvel.
Though the man standing still, merely gazing at the white-haired girl, hadn’t done anything yet, Ragnar skillfully utilized framing, angles, and background music to amplify his imposing aura and instill fear tenfold.
Without needing magic or any such thing, it was clear how human emotions could be stirred in such a manner.
While the viewers unconsciously marveled at Ragnar’s animated creation, this wasn’t the only surprising aspect captivating them.
Hair resembling gleaming platinum gold.
Crimson eyes blazing like blood.
A face so handsome it bordered on seductive beauty, surpassing mere good looks.
Upon seeing his visage, people immediately recalled someone else—a certain high-ranking imperial lady.
“…Is that Her Imperial Highness?”
“That face… isn’t that Her Imperial Highness?”
“That’s right. No, it’s identical! I attended a ‘Life and Death’ goods raffle event last time where Her Highness served as the host. The face I saw then matches this guy’s perfectly!”
Indeed.
Although the Empire’s Empress, Karlreya, wasn’t widely exposed to the public, her face became more familiar among commoners due to her role as associate director under Ragnar and hosting various events.
Now, many viewers quickly noticed the striking resemblance—almost identical—between this golden man and the Empress, save for differences in physique and hairstyle.
“…Is this a coincidence?”
“No way. Can’t be. Especially considering Her Highness is currently producing animations under Director Ragnar.”
Just as most viewers were thrown into confusion by this unexpected turn of events, the Great Hero Achemenes stepped forward protectively in front of the white-haired girl.
The golden man smirked menacingly upon seeing him.
“So, you’re here. Perfect timing; I wanted to face you as a fellow demigod.”
“■■■-!”
“I know your ability well enough. The power to guarantee thirteen victories in every type of war. Your life itself incarnated as an ability—a true hymn to humanity, unwavering and indomitable. However…”
“You picked the wrong opponent today. The one standing before you is the progenitor of all heroes and the world’s first king.”
With those words, the battle commenced between the Great Hero and the golden man.
The Great Hero’s combat style remained unchanged from the past.
Trusting in his unbeatable ability and overwhelming physical strength, he slaughtered enemies mercilessly.
This technique had proven invincible against any hero until now—but not against this man.
Swords, spears, bows, axes, shields—all the countless weapons wielded effortlessly by the golden man pierced through the Great Hero’s body with ease.
Finally…
“The ability to secure thirteen victories for your master. Impressive indeed. You deserve the victory in this fight.”
“However, the price is death. Take pride in having defeated this Hero King.”
Using a weapon imbued with the power to ensure its master’s survival, the man negated the Great Hero’s ability.
Ultimately, the Great Hero achieved victory but lost his life in the process, disappearing entirely.
“…”
“…”
Only then did the white-haired girl realize who the man truly was.
An origin far older than the Kingdom’s Knight King or the mythological Achemenes.
The legendary hero said to have established the Empire on a barren continent long ago.
Known also as the “Knight King” for his mastery over all existing weapons, his identity was none other than…
“…The Progenitor of the Empire, the Hero King.”
The voice of the dazed white-haired girl.
And with a satisfied nod, the youth gazed at her.
Crack!
The screen faded to black as the credits rolled.
Even after the TV stopped airing the animation, people were so shocked by the revelation of the Hero King’s identity that no one could tear their eyes away from the screen.
‘Hehehe…’
Meanwhile, Ragnar, cloaked in a hood like Kaizel often was, infiltrated a tavern, bursting into a dignified laugh.
He had finally introduced the Empire’s Hero King, who looked exactly like Empress Karlreya, into the anime.
Not as a heroic character, but as an arrogant antagonist who referred to humans as “half-breeds!”
What a brazen move, mocking both the current royal family and the empire’s founding ancestor simultaneously.
Surely, this couldn’t fail to provoke outrage.
But then…
“Oh my God! The Hero King was a demigod?!”
“Her Highness the Empress bears an astonishing resemblance to the Hero King! So… does that mean divine blood flows through the current royal lineage?”
“So the Empire has been ruled by descendants of gods all along?! Incredible! How could I have missed such an obvious truth until now?”
“So that’s it! Director Ragnar must have deliberately created this anime to enlighten us about this hidden truth!”
“Long live Her Highness! Long live the Hero King! Long live Director Ragnar!”
“…?”
Wait…?
This wasn’t the reaction I was hoping for…?
