“I… I won. You…”
“Yeah… Well done.”
Kim Deok-Sung reaches out and pets Olivia’s head.
Hearing his awkward compliment, Olivia smiles faintly and slowly closes her eyes.
Am I World Class?
A cold sweat trickled down Gares’ slick forehead.
He wipes the sweat with his gloved hand.
‘Damn it! Fuck!’
Gares cursed inwardly.
The plan was going smoothly.
Doctor Moromoro’s capture had caused some disruption in the drug supply, but that was only temporary.
With the League’s cooperation from the Soviets, they had built a drug factory in a secret city of Siberia, and mass production was about to start.
They just needed to hold on for a moment.
He would get the stupid William hooked on drugs, turning him into a puppet for the League, then use him to take over Britain, and through a marriage with Olivia, dominate France as well—this was the League’s grand plan.
Thus, they would plant Frakch at the center of the First World and, in the long run, extend the League’s reach to the United States, the undisputed superpower of the First World, which was its de facto leader.
That grand long-term plan was now crumbling right before his eyes.
‘Damn it!’
The plan to conquer Britain was the joint core plan between the League and the Soviets that the League Master, Messiah, had pursued for a long time through cooperation with the Soviets.
Recently, Messiah decided to accelerate the New World plans, making the so-called “Lion Heart Plan” to conquer Britain using William even more critical.
Now that it had failed, Gares felt he couldn’t face the Master.
Though the Master was kind-hearted and wouldn’t take his life, it only made his heart ache even more.
“I’m sorry, Master.”
Tears streamed down Gares’s face.
A world with neither gods nor demons.
A world where only humans existed.
He wanted to contribute even a single brick to the foundation of the upcoming New World.
But now, that was no longer possible.
All of this was because of that black-haired brat from Korea who couldn’t be beaten.
‘I will remember you. Black Beast.’
Kim Deok-Sung.
Gares took a step back while carving his name into his memory.
He turned William into a monster to distract the crowd, but that effect would only be temporary.
Failure of the plan was fine. But getting captured was unacceptable.
As per the Master’s principle, he had to use this brief moment to escape right here.
He needed to return to the League.
Gares infused magical energy into the emergency return device disguised as a necklace.
At that moment, just as the khaki-colored magic was absorbed by the device…
Flash!
A silver flash pierced through Gares’ necklace.
Crumble.
The emergency return device shattered.
Gares’s face twisted in shock.
Flash!
Another sparkling silver flash appeared.
“Where do you think you’re going?”
As the light faded, a cold voice struck Gares’s ears.
He turned his contorted face towards the voice.
There stood Saionji Aris, a silver-haired beautiful girl with a spear wrapped in silver sparks, glaring at him in battle mode.
Following her, Eri appeared, revealing herself from invisibility, alongside Makoto who arrived with a swirling green wind.
Lin, her ponytail dancing in the howling wind, and Kasumi, enveloped in purple magic, also made their entrance.
Finally, with a solemn expression, Yuji placed a hand on his sword’s hilt, while Ishihara aimed her gun at him.
“You are completely surrounded. You should surrender now…”
“Submit······.”
Aris’s silver eyes flash brightly.
“No, you aren’t worth my mercy. I will eliminate you right here and now, Gares.”
Fwip!
Silver lightning swirls around the tip of Aris’s spear.
Seeing this, Gares breaks into a cold sweat, grabbing the sword at his waist.
“I have no choice.”
Shimmer.
The long sword absorbs khaki-colored magic, swelling into a broad blade.
The great sword, Mogley, makes its appearance.
Clank, clank.
Khaki-colored gauntlets envelop Gares’s body.
“I didn’t want to resort to this method······.”
Gares grits his teeth.
There’s no escape.
Even Aris alone possesses the strength of an S-rank active hero, making her the strongest at Shuo Hero Academy.
With the academy’s renowned equipment supporting her, he can’t guarantee victory in a direct confrontation.
Then, at the very least, it’s wise to aim for taking one of them along as a guide to the afterlife.
Gares pulls a syringe from his pocket and jabs it into his thigh.
“Ugh, ghhhhhh······!”
His pupils dilate after injecting the potion.
Overwhelming magic surges from the magic core in his chest.
Feeling the omnipotence brought by the temporary amplification of the drug, Gares shouts in a solemn voice.
“Good! Come! You scum of Shuo! I will take you all to the afterlife! For the New World! For Him! I will gladly sacrifice this life!!”
“That won’t happen.”
Aris calmly interrupts his proclamation.
Fwip, fwip, fwip!
Aris’s entire body is engulfed in silver lightning.
Her silver eyes gleam with radiance.
Aris’s splendid silver hair rises into the air with static electricity, blooming like a flower.
“As the Student Council President of Shuo Academy, I will handle you myself.”
“You’re the one who’s going to die. Silver Queen!”
As Gares roars, his great sword, Mogley, clashes with Aris’s lance, Othegine.
Boom!
A deafening sound reverberates, shaking the ground.
*
The engagement ceremony held at Notre-Dame Cathedral ended in complete catastrophe.
Gares’s escape was thwarted by Aris and the cooking club crew, and he was arrested on the spot, sent to the hero prison overseen by the French Hero Association.
William’s criminal activities were confirmed to be true after joint investigations by West Germany, the U.S., France, and the U.K., and despite a lack of physical evidence, links to the hostile nation, the Soviet Union, began to emerge.
Thanks to this, the prestige of the Stuart royal family and the U.K. plummeted.
The engagement was naturally canceled, William was expelled from the royal family, and he was denied burial in the royal cemetery.
With the announcement of individuals involved in the coup plot, British politics fell into chaos, leaving them unable to see even an inch ahead.
On the other hand, Olivia’s status soared to new heights for stopping William’s rampage and preserving the security of France and the rest of the First World.
I was bedridden for half a day due to aftereffects of a gauzuntau.
All this happened just four days after Olivia had been lying unconscious.
French Imperial Hospital.
I now found myself in the special ward of this crucial national facility, responsible for the health of the Bonaparte imperial family that governs France.
I see Olivia lying on the bed.
She looks like she’s dreaming peacefully.
“You’re here again today, Master’s master. Are you that worried about the lady?”
Bella, Olivia’s maid, asks with a blank expression.
Worried? Me?
“No, not really······. The doctor said she’d wake up within a week. I’m not too concerned.”
They said it was a temporary magic exhaustion from the backlash of true name liberation.
That should be right.
Compared to how I barely awakened my true name liberation after bonding with the Black Prince and the experience of forced true name liberation in the original volume 14, asserting it at this quick a point is nothing short of impressive.
Plus, unlike the original, it’s not Durandal but Flamberge.
According to the setting book, abilities of true name liberation depend on what the sub-weapon is.
While Durandal’s true name liberation appeared in the original, Flamberge’s never did.
I never thought I’d witness it like this.
[You’re not being honest, partner. You’re worried too, aren’t you?]
The Black Prince speaks within my head.
Worried, my foot.
When have I ever.
Why would I worry about the main heroine, who is a genius unlike me and who will become powerful enough to stand toe-to-toe with the protagonist in the final arc?
Why should I worry about the main heroine becoming as strong as me?
It’s much more constructive to worry about my own future.
To be honest, I wasn’t completely unconcerned, but I wasn’t seriously worried like the Black Prince said either.
[You know, bro, I totally get you, man.]
Bro?
Are you calling me bro?
I just got chills.
‘Don’t call me bro. It really gives me the creeps.’
Honestly, words aren’t to blame.
If there’s any blame, it’s on those web novels that twisted humanity.
It was the first time I realized that the word “bro” could feel so horrifying.
Since that day, I found myself unable to laugh at BL jokes involving “otokonoko” characters and female characters from light novels.
[Why, why not?]
‘If there’s something like that, just don’t do it when I say so.’
[Alright. Partner. Tch.]
The Black Prince clicked his tongue in reply.
I couldn’t tell whether he was a great hero or just a kid.
“Understood. I’ll choose to believe that.”
Bella said with a faint smile.
Her expression screamed disbelief.
Anyway, both the Black Prince and Bella weren’t planning to listen to me, so it was pointless to talk my head off about it.
Might as well keep quiet.
Sighing, I turned on my phone.
With nothing to do, I might as well do some web surfing.
Just as I mindlessly opened the YouTube app.
[The proud global K-hero Kim Deok-Sung spreading beyond Asia to the world! K-hero saves France and the UK from the traitorous prince after Japan! “There’s no stopping Kim Deok-Sung!”]
[Kim Deok-Sung has finally done it! The world marvels at K-hero Kim Deok-Sung’s accomplishments in France! Reasons why K-hero Kim Deok-Sung receives world-class praises! “Kim Deok-Sung has saved the UK, France, and the entire First World. He is already world class.”]
[Reasons why the superpower Soviet Union, which tried to dominate the world, cried and fell before Kim Deok-Sung’s prowess?! The true might of K-hero Kim Deok-Sung that even the superpower Soviet Union had to surrender to! CIA anonymous insider interview “Soviet heroes will be on their knees begging for their lives when they meet Kim Deok-Sung.”]
[(International Reaction) A compilation of emotional thank-yous from France and the UK over Kim Deok-Sung’s victory in the Battle of Paris! “Kim Deok-Sung, he saved the princess and our motherland France. He’s a hero of France like the Black Prince.” “If it weren’t for Kim Deok-Sung, the UK would have been caught in the traitorous prince’s plot. We shed tears for his efforts stopping the scheme.” Europe is in the throes of the Kim Deok-Sung craze!]
[Reasons why world citizens are going wild for K-hero Kim Deok-Sung now!! The rightful heir to the Five Crowns Black Prince is K-hero Kim Deok-Sung?! “The lawful owner of Durandal and the true heir to the Black Prince is none other than Mr. Kim Deok-Sung. We, France, are deeply grateful to Mr. Kim Deok-Sung.” Global media praising the mayhem that is K-hero Kim Deok-Sung!]
[Rescued by K-hero Kim Deok-Sung, the UK Prime Minister and the French Emperor kneel in tears eating kimchi and bulgogi, declaring blood brotherhood with Korea! “Korea is now a brotherly nation.” Even the US President has his sights set on Kim Deok-Sung?!]
[(Shock Confession) Why did the French princess kick the British prince’s proposal and claim to be the personal maid of Kim Deok-Sung live on worldwide broadcast?! Has K-hero Kim Deok-Sung even enchanted the platinum princess Olivia?! Did the British princess fall for Kim Deok-Sung too?! A deep analysis of the irresistible charm K-hero Kim Deok-Sung possesses that draws Western beauties like cake!!]
[(Warning: Anger Alert) Jealous Japanese netizens making ugly comments about Kim Deok-Sung’s accomplishments! Japan’s embarrassing current state, getting berated by world citizens for poorly chosen words! “Kim Deok-Sung is already a world-class hero, and we cannot understand the inferior responses from Japan.”]
As soon as I opened YouTube, a dizzying, nationalistic thumbnail popped up on the main page.
There was even a thumbnail with a sweat droplet synthesized on the face of the Soviet Secretary.
I’m going crazy.
This insane nationalism makes me feel embarrassed every time I see it.
Just as I was about to close the YouTube app,
A video popped up with a thumbnail I’d never seen before thanks to the algorithm.
[Hello, I’m a British girl. I started YouTube inspired by Kim Deok-Sung’s achievements. Korean viewers, I look forward to your support!]
A British girl?
As if the nationalistic YouTube wasn’t enough, now there’s a foreign YouTuber aiming for nationalistic coins?
Looking at the thumbnail, she seemed embarrassed herself, covering half her face with a mask.
Half of her face was covered by the noodles.
Well, it’s not something you can easily do when you’re sober.
It feels like the end of the world.
No need to look any further.
I close the YouTube app and open the portal site.
But the reactions from the portal site and major domestic media articles were no different from the nationalistic YouTube videos.
[South Korea’s pride, Kim Deok-Sung. Stopped the British coup attempt at the Battle of Paris and saved both France and Britain!]
[President Kang’s local statement in France: “What I did was just a little assistance. All the credit for the Battle of Paris belongs to Mr. Kim Deok-Sung… I was honored to witness his exploits on the ground. He embodies South Korea.”]
[Anonymous French official: “If it weren’t for Kim Deok-Sung, France might have been doomed. We thank him. Truly the successor of the Black Prince.”]
[Anonymous British official: “We had no idea about William’s coup plan; without him, Britain might have faced its biggest crisis since World War II.”]
[Global media praises Kim Deok-Sung… “He’s already world-class. Another level. That day, Kim Deok-Sung protected the entire free world.”]
[K-Pop idol Yoo Se-Ra exclusive interview: “My rival was Olivia; I want to sing and reach her ears with more effort.”]
[(Photo) Dreams★ do come true! Gwanghwamun Plaza filled with cheers for Kim Deok-Sung, an estimated total of around 1 million people packed the plaza… When Kim Deok-Sung won, the cheering crowd cried and embraced each other while a giant Taegeukgi appeared in Gwanghwamun Plaza.]
[Honestly, isn’t the main girl Shinozaki Rin? LOL I’m totally supporting the Japan-Korea couple ㅋㅋ]
[- What are you talking about? The best girl in the region is Eri-Rin, LOL]
[- You guys are still shoving others as the main girl even after the Battle of Paris? The undisputed main girl is Princess Olivia, LOL]
[- Stop with the main girl cup already; isn’t senior Kasumi the main girl?]
What?
Main girl?
What the heck are they talking about?
[At this point, isn’t it accepted that Kim Deok-Sung is world-class? Honestly, if Kim Deok-Sung isn’t world-class, who the heck is? LOL Should I hit the recommend button for those who acknowledge the shining Deok-Sung as world-class?]
[Recommended 11213434324] [Disapproved -1]
[Agreed]
[Cho Yong-pil, Orgasm, Choo Shin-soo]
[Using a cheat key;; this is the only time]
[Did you really want to be a popular post like this? LOL]
[I can’t help but hit recommend;;]
I’m world-class?
This is ridiculous.
My face feels hot.
If I keep watching this crazy nationalism, I might lose my sanity.
I can’t stand it.
I post anonymously on the community.
[I know Kim Deok-Sung’s achievements are impressive, but he isn’t world-class yet, right? Objectively speaking, he’s not even active duty but a student; why all this world-class talk already;;;]
As soon as I write it, I get bombarded with downvotes as if running macros.
[Upvotes 0] [Downvotes -234324234234]
[Are you crazy?]
[Is the Japan-fan here again? LOL Go back to your country!]
[Who’s trying to defame our shining Deok-Sung?]
[How low can you go?]
[Did you really want so many downvotes?]
[This is just trolling]
[0 stars]
[Let’s get out of here]
Below that is an endless stream of hateful comments.
I want to join the keyboard war, but with this level of firepower, it’s impossible to fend for myself.
I’m going crazy.
Sigh, I’m avoiding it because it’s dirty, not because I’m scared.
This is definitely a strategic retreat.
As I think this and close the internet browser…
Click.
Olivia’s finger moved.
I quickly shoved my smartphone away.
My gaze turns to Olivia.
“Ugh.”
A moan escapes her lips, and soon Olivia’s blue eyes slowly open.
Olivia Napoleon Bonaparte.
She finally came to her senses.
If you can’t escape, enjoy it.
Olivia rubs her eyes.
She slowly lifts herself halfway and looks at me.
“Y-You…?”
Olivia’s eyes widen.
Her blue eyes tremble.
I had thought of a few things I wanted to say when she woke up, but facing Olivia’s face makes my mind go blank.
I don’t know what to say.
[Well, she seems fine, so that’s a relief. I can breathe easy now.]
The Black Prince’s relieved voice echoed in my head.
“Miss, are you feeling alright?”
