Chapter 1 Hero? Are You Worthy?

"Dear, it's time to take your medicine!"

She was clad in a pure white dress, her saintly face heart-stoppingly beautiful.

Rose Vesper, the Holy Daughter of the Holy Court!

Her small hands held a bowl of medicine as dark as ink, she knelt beside Qin Chu's bed.

The damage caused by the Dark Witch Shaye Nikolass was so severe that even the strongest healing magic techniques of the Holy Court had little effect; after drinking medicine for over a month, his injuries had not improved at all.

Perhaps, he might never recover.

As if sensing Qin Chu's thoughts, a hint of crimson spread across Rose Vesper's fair cheeks, "I'll feed you."

"Our hero needs to recover quickly, the world cannot be without a hero!"

Rose Vesper brought the medicinal soup to her lips, took a small sip, then leaned down under Qin Chu's astonished gaze. A fragrant breeze wafted as her cherry lips pressed against Qin Chu's mouth, making his chest feel as if it were being pressed down by something.

One sip after another... he drank all the bitter medicine in a daze, and it seemed to become exceptionally sweet.

This was a very innocent and shy girl, who had become bold enough to do something she would never do on a normal day in order to make him drink the medicine and recover quickly.

Qin Chu felt a burning sensation in his chest and wanted to take this opportunity to confess his love to Rose Vesper again.

When the war was still ongoing, Qin Chu had a strong affection for Rose Vesper. He had expressed his feelings, but at the time, she had gently rejected him while blushing, caressing his face, saying that it wasn't the right time to talk about these things during the war, and they should wait until the world was at peace.

Even though he was rejected, Qin Chu felt certain that Rose Vesper must like him as well.

Now the war had ended, and the world was at peace. If he confessed now, surely Rose Vesper wouldn't refuse, right?

But, as the words reached his lips, Qin Chu hesitated.

Was he, in his current state, worthy of Rose Vesper? With his injuries that seemed incurable, even if by chance he didn't die, he would likely have to spend his life bedridden. To Rose Vesper, he would be nothing but a burden.

He gave up on the idea of confessing his love, showing a tender expression on his face. As long as Rose Vesper could live happily, nothing else mattered.

Just then, Rose Vesper suddenly stepped back, creating distance from Qin Chu. Disgust twisted her once gentle face into a grimace.

Her delicate hands vigorously wiped her lips, her slender neck moving as though she might vomit at any moment.

"Damn it, disgusting!"

Her demeanor was the complete opposite of her previous tenderness. Was this really the same person?

With a creak, the room door opened, and two figures walked in.

Members of the Hero Team, the Crimson Valkyrie Catherine, and a short-statured old man.

They fixed their eyes on Qin Chu.

They had once rejoiced and celebrated together, but now their gazes were filled with mockery and pride.

Were they being manipulated by some force? Why were they looking at him like this?

Qin Chu wanted to speak but realized he had lost the ability to talk, unable to utter a single sound. He felt as if a weight of millions of tons pressed upon him, making it hard to breathe.

"Rose Vesper, you've worked hard," Catherine's soft voice soothed, kissing someone you didn't love must have been awful.

Rose Vesper carefully wiped her mouth with a handkerchief, then threw the handkerchief far away, "It doesn't matter, all this is for Lord Jie Luo."

Jie Luo? The First Generation Brave?

Qin Chu's eyes suddenly widened.

Staring at the man lying on the bed, shocked, the lofty Rose Vesper released a scornful cold laugh, "You seem very surprised? Compared to Lord Jie Luo, you're nothing but a pig. But cheer up, at least you're somewhat useful, your blood will open the gates of resurrection for Lord Jie Luo."

"Consider it your final contribution to this world."

Did this man still not understand the situation? Or could he not accept reality?

Did he really think she had fallen in love with him?

Ten years ago, the Sky Dome Continent suddenly spawned a massive number of demons, against which humanity was powerless, and bodies were strewn everywhere.

The Thirteen Sages summoned the First Generation Brave, a man of such charm that Rose Vesper fell for him at first sight, hopelessly in love.

Many times Rose Vesper wanted to offer herself, who was supposed to serve the Divine, to Mr. Brave, but he always said there was no hurry, that they would marry after the war ended.

And then, Lord Jie Luo died.

Qin Chu was the Second Generation Brave Warrior, while Rose Vesper and others remained members of the Hero Team.

But they never truly accepted Qin Chu; in their hearts, only one person deserved the title of hero, and that was Jie Luo. They loathed the notion of Qin Chu daring to be a hero, feeling the very word 'hero' was desecrated.

If it weren't for the fact that the Sky Dome Continent needed the power of a hero, they would not even pretend to be amiable.

Every moment by Qin Chu's side was sheer agony, even having to wear smiles, creating an atmosphere that they were the best of companions—it was pure torture.

They even wanted to point at Qin Chu's nose and sneer, "Hero? Are you worthy?"

Qin Chu had slain the Eternal Monarch, sealed the Dark Witch, and expelled all demons to the Abyss. His fame had peaked among humans. This infuriated Rose Vesper even more. Jie Luo was the only one who could be Lord; this man was utterly unworthy.