Chapter 215: A Hero’s Welcome

Jackson had a genuine opportunity to escape the shackles of the Blood Curse.

It would still exist within him, but as long as he received no orders, its presence would make little difference.

Hiding him within the clan was an excellent solution, especially with the elders’ assistance.

"I agree that hiding him within the clan is a good idea, but I think it’s only a temporary solution, considering we’re constantly under the royal family’s watch."

This time, it was Luna who spoke, pointing out the flaw in her sister’s proposal.

"It would be better for him to leave the clan’s territory immediately and disappear somewhere as far away as possible."

Luna had offered another reasonable solution to Jackson’s predicament.

"I appreciate all of you trying to help me, and I know your intentions are good, but I’m perfectly capable of deciding my own fate."

The man in question finally intervened after listening to everything the sisters had to say.

Jackson didn’t want someone else making decisions for him, and he had every right to feel that way.

Moon offered no objection.

"I apologize if I overstepped."

Luna followed her sister’s example and apologized as well.

"There’s no need to apologize. Like I said... I know you’re only trying to help."

Jackson smiled, showing no sign of annoyance, much to the sisters’ relief.

"Then let me ask you something. What do you want to do from now on?"

Moon posed the most important question of all.

Every one of us waited for Jackson’s answer.

The giant remained silent for a while before finally responding.

"I don’t know. All I ever thought about was bringing this nightmare to an end. Not once did I stop to consider what I would do afterward."

Jackson lowered his head slightly, staring at the ground.

"Deep down... I suppose I never truly believed escaping that dungeon was possible. It was a dream far beyond my reach. So... I have no idea what I should do with my future. But..."

He turned toward me.

Our eyes met, and for a moment, we simply stared at each other.

"I think I’ll stay with the Boss and stick by his side... until I’ve repaid my debt to him."

His answer caught me completely off guard.

"You don’t owe me anything. I’ve already told you, I didn’t do this for your sake. I simply did what I had to..."

"What you had to do to survive. Yeah, yeah, I know."

Jackson interrupted before I could finish, predicting exactly what I was about to say.

"You can deny it all you want, but a debt is still a debt... And besides..."

The corners of Jackson’s mouth lifted as he continued.

"I have a feeling I’ll find the answer to what I want to do if I stay close to you."

Silence settled over the group once he’d finished speaking.

This was the first time anyone had ever tried to remain by my side in quite this way.

Jackson had made it clear that he wanted to stay with me and help me in the future, using his debt as an excuse.

And to be frank... Having a monster like him at my side would make a great many things easier.

He was a King-rank hunter, after all, and possessed an extraordinary Blessing that granted him an astonishing amount of physical strength.

But...

"You’re putting your freedom at risk. The royal family might find you if you stay close to me."

He was gambling far too much.

And I hated the thought of him losing his freedom because of me...

"Don’t discourage him, kid."

Suddenly, a man’s voice reached my ears, one I hadn’t expected to hear again anytime soon.

Leaning against Jackson’s back, Asterion finally opened his eyes, albeit weakly.

"You’re awake..." I said in surprise.

"Of course I’m awake. How do you expect me to stay asleep with all that racket you’re making?"

The Uncrowned Emperor’s first words were complaints, but I wasn’t bothered by them in the slightest.

"If you still have enough strength to complain, you’ll be fine."

I’d been worried that he might die after everything he’d endured, but seeing him conscious again eased much of that concern.

"I’m not going to die anytime soon, kid. But that’s beside the point. What matters is that this man has made his decision after giving it plenty of thought."

"Do you really think he hasn’t considered the risks and everything he stands to lose? He knows perfectly well what’s at stake, yet he’s chosen to stay anyway. What you should do now isn’t try to change his mind. It’s respect his decision."

"..."

I had nothing to say in response.

He’d completely silenced me.

And once I set my emotions aside and considered the matter properly, I realized he was right.

"You talk too much, old man. I didn’t ask you to help me," Jackson complained, clearly displeased by Asterion’s interference.

The latter merely let out a hoarse laugh.

"Consider it payment for carrying me on your back. Like you, I hate being indebted to others, and I prefer settling my debts as quickly as possible."

"Can’t argue with that logic, old man."

Jackson laughed as well, having little choice but to accept Asterion’s support.

As for me, there was nothing left to do but respect both their wishes.

"You can stay by my side as long as you want. You’re stronger than me, after all. I couldn’t keep you away even if I tried."

"Haha! That settles it, then! Take good care of me from now on, Boss!"

With another slap powerful enough to split my back in half, the matter was finally settled.

"Now that you’re finished talking, can we leave? This old man might claim to be strong, but he’s still in critical condition."

Luna interrupted, reaching over to pinch her grandfather’s side.

The Uncrowned Emperor, that mighty man, let out a pained groan.

It was a sound that even the Golden Knight’s attacks had failed to draw from him, yet his granddaughter had managed it with a single pinch.

"I’m on the verge of death, sweetheart. Please have a little mercy on me."

The grandfather pleaded with his granddaughter, but Luna remained unmoved.

"Weren’t you the one who said just a moment ago that you weren’t going to die anytime soon?"

Asterion was at a loss for words.

Defeating Jackson had been considerably easier than facing Luna.

"How ruthless..." I remarked from the sidelines, realizing that this girl could be frightening in her own way.

"Don’t let her strict attitude fool you... Big Brother."

Chai approached and whispered into my ear.

"She acts tough, but she spent a really long time healing him with magic, and you could tell how worried she was. She looked like she was about to cry at any moment."

"That sounds just like her."

I smiled, realizing that I was beginning to understand what kind of person Luna truly was.

And not just her.

I was beginning to understand every single person standing around me.

In fact, almost every meaningful relationship I’d formed since arriving in this world could be traced back to these people.

"Let’s get out of this place and never come back."

Jackson took the lead, and everyone began following him.

At long last, it was time to leave.

But I stepped in to stop them.

"Hold on, everyone. There’s still something we need to discuss before we return to the outside world."

My serious tone immediately drew everyone’s attention.

...

...

...

Clearing Old Ashvarn meant that the Mother Flame had finally been restored to its former glory, burning brighter than ever before.

The Heart Clan had escaped the worst possible outcome, surviving a genuine catastrophe.

And it was all thanks to a group of heroes.

Those heroes were finally about to return after spending several months trapped in what had been nothing short of hell.

One by one, their figures began emerging in the distance.

The outside world was waiting for them.

At the front was a tall young man supported by a girl and a young boy.

Raiden, accompanied by Alicia and Chai.

Behind them came two young women leaning against each other for support.

Everyone recognized one of them immediately.

Moon Heart, the commander of the Third Hunting Squad.

The other was her younger sister.

Following them was a young man with a strange black arm, supporting an elderly man who had lost one of his own.

But that old man was someone everyone knew.

The Uncrowned Emperor.

These were the heroes who had brought the nightmare to an end.

And the outside world had prepared just one thing to welcome them home.

"ALL OF YOU, HALT!!!"

The moment they drew close enough, a man’s harsh voice thundered through the air, stopping them in their tracks.

Out of nowhere, spears thrust forward.

Dozens of them surrounded Ethan and his companions, while scores of armored knights stood ready with swords in hand, prepared to strike at the slightest movement.

The hunters who had survived Old Ashvarn stared in disbelief at the hostility directed toward them.

Their shock only deepened when a knight clad in silver armor stepped forward, looking considerably stronger than his peers.

"Do not attempt to make another move. Otherwise, every last one of you will die."

The silver knight spoke with unwavering authority as he drew an enormous greatsword.

The hunters recoiled at his words and the threatening aura surrounding him.

All except one.

"What the hell is the meaning of this?! I’m asking you, Gass!!"

The one-armed old man roared furiously.

The silver knight smiled.

"Glad to see you can still speak like a human being, Asterion. That makes things easier for us."

"All of you are under arrest until the royal family decides otherwise."

And that was how the long-awaited heroes were welcomed home.