Volume 2 Chapter 20-2 [Kingdom SIDE] The King's Toast
"The truth is, it was the Adventurers who defeated the Demon Lord."
Thirdly, the Demon Lord was brought down not by gods or bloodlines, but by Adventurers.
"As a king and a permanent council member of the world conference, I understand this."
Perhaps, in this place, Valzeil acknowledged the 3 facts that should be recognized.
"I know what you seek: to reevaluate the status of Adventurers and to create the framework of Court Adventurers. And to provide funds for the reconstruction to the affected nations. These 2 things, I am aware."
He repeated their demands once more through Valzeil's lips.
"And now, I shall declare──"
He closes his eyes once, then opens them.
"Know shame!"
A red aura of intimidation bursts forth.
By its might, the hundreds who 'had gotten too comfortable' sank back into their seats.
"Ah, uhm..."
"Uh, ugh..."
It doesn't matter.
Among the Adventurers, there are those who could fell a dragon.
Among the refugees, there were those of high nobility.
Every immigrant here believes in their own justice.
But it doesn't matter.
Against 'King' Valzeil, there is no winning argument.
"You misunderstand. Greatly misunderstand. Let me enlighten you. Starting with the refugees. You fled here. You came after defeat. The 'world conference' stands on the oath to be independent from the gods and to protect the people. Among you, there seem to be nobles and knights!"
Yes, it's about the 'principle' at its core.
The refugees are indeed victims.
However, among them are also nobles and knights who broke their oath to protect and fled here.
"The common folk too! If you think you have no duty to fight, you are shamefully mistaken! Even without the courage to wield a sword, there were many things you could have done. There are still so many choices you could make!"
What Valzeil will not tolerate from them is...
That is...
"So, instead of thinking what they *can* do, you're just egged on by everyone around you──and hiding behind the so-called 'law' that says they *must* support──complaining and finding fault. Didn't any of you feel shame?"
It's true that there's a law to support them.
But when loudmouthed refugees start blabbering about it, acting as if that law gives them the right, nobody's going to be swayed by that empty bravado.
"If you regret your powerless past, then go home──nothing, no country of yours──let it fade away! Live your worthless life without regrets in that powerless land."
That's reckless talk.
But... the truth is, most of these so-called 'refugees' aren't just riding high on their arrogance.
Even when the world conference can't say a word, most of them are still trying to do something.
I don't see these 'supportive refugees' as the same as the others gathered here.
Sure, many don't even know what to do next──but even they aren't shameless enough to say such overbearing things without feeling shame.
"Next comes the Adventurers. You lot, flaunting that the Hero defeated the Demon Lord──that now it's the age of Adventurers, huh? Don't be ridiculous. Only I, the king of the Bloodline Nation's Permanent Council Member, have the authority to recognize that. It's through the Luster Report──and its master──that I grant recognition."
Just 17 girls, radiating that kind of intimidation...
And you have to understand how brutal that was.
More than anything... the Demon Lord's power is *absolutely* unbreakable.
Those enchanted by her have only one option: kill her.
That's right──many had to take lives.
They believed killing the Demon Lord would break her spell, yet many couldn't bring themselves to make such a painful choice, while others berated the heroes who carried out ruthless ' eliminations'.
Now, with proof that the Demon Lord's enchantment *can't* be broken, no one is justified in criticizing.
But the world forced all that horror onto young girls──pushed them into the darkness of a nightmare they should never have faced.
"We should thank them all we want. Praise their deeds. The hero's master will never forget what they did! But tell me──what *could* you do? What *were* you doing? Listen, the truth is──nothing different from anyone else. You did nothing special."
The era of Adventurers?
He just scoff at that notion.
That's Valzeil's unwavering belief.
"The hero fights alone──no help, no allies──throwing away fortunes that even kings can't dream of, tirelessly pushing for a better world! That's the real scale of what they do. And you call yourselves 'the same'? Thinking that? That's why the world stays cheap."
During the press conference, Valzeil praised the hero openly.
Showing off that they had mastered intimidation──hinting at endless possibilities.
Still, the world remains painfully cheap.
"I will never acknowledge the Court Adventurers. No special treatment, minimal support for those harmed. None of you have the right to criticize me! If you want me to change my mind, if you want to move my heart──first, grow as people!"
With that, Valzeil dropped the intimidation.
The tense air eased──those who had been holding their breath, like the thousand who couldn't breathe properly, were now gasping raggedly.
"...Ranza, call the guard. Throw these guys out."
"Yes, sir."
Ranza saluted sharply before turning to leave the stage.
Watching him go, Valzeil also stepped back from the platform.
"...So, this is 'sweeping them all up,' huh? I get it now."
Valzeil murmured, nodding to themselves, satisfied.
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