Aiming Towards The PARADISE (2)

The promised «PARADISE».

In the novel's narrative, the hero who successfully conquers the ultimate adversary of the Waves of Calamities is destined to ascend to what's known as PARADISE, a fabled realm of reward.

However, a crucial detail outlined in the novel reveals the existence of a pivotal key necessary to unlock the door that grants access to this PARADISE. This key, integral to reaching the ultimate destination, was said to reside within junior after accidentally stumbling upon an unknown place, or which was later called the Ruin.

Naturally, you might be pondering the outcome following junior's demise... Well, it signaled to one conclusion. Given that the very key required for access rested within him, its disappearance was concurrent with his passing.

This fact consequently leads to a solemn realization. Even if a coalition of heroes were to collectively triumph over the final adversary, their journey towards PARADISE would remain fruitless.

All is VAIN.

This truth harks back to a time when junior found himself ensnared within a ruin. The narrative forewarned that once the ultimate adversary was vanquished, the entire world would still succumb to one direction — DESTRUCTION. The sole means of survival was to attain PARADISE.

Yet, with junior's departure, the path to this salvation is irrevocably barred.

Inevitably, every soul is condemned to meet its end.

NO ONE WILL EVER GET THEIR HAPPY ENDING.

"I'm finished here. Do not follow me any further," I stated, walking past Aria, who appeared unable to meet my gaze.

Even though I felt a desire to continue speaking, it appeared that an eavesdropper had been present throughout the entire conversation...

I chose not to concern myself with identifying the eavesdropper's identity, as it held no consequence whether they revealed the truth to others.

Why, you ask?

Simply because no one would be inclined to believe them.

Though, in the unlikely event that someone did place credence in their words, it would bear no consequence, as from this moment onward...

I quit being a HERO.

***

(Julius POV)

"Hey, Julius!"

At the sound of my name being called, I pivoted to see who was hailing me.

"Leon!" My recognition was swift, the hero from our earlier encounter. His demeanor was evidently jovial.

As Leon closed the distance between us, he casually slung his arm across my shoulders, his laughter carrying an infectious energy. "Great job out there. Without your efforts, I'm not sure how many of us would have made it through."

I let out an awkward chuckle, discomforted by being lauded for something I hadn't actually accomplished. "You might be giving me a touch too much credit..." I replied modestly, attempting to downplay the commendation... Maybe, I shouldn't have accepted Saber's request. Not that I can do about it now, I've already accepted it.

A heavy sigh escaped my lips, laden with a mixture of relief and unease. Observing my exhalation, Leon delivered a firm slap to my back, the impact prompting a sudden bout of coughing. "Hey!" I managed to protest, my voice strained.

"Come on now! Why the long face? This is a day for celebration. Why the gloom?" Leon grinned, his enthusiasm palpable.

However, I remained silent, my gaze shifting as I caught sight of a familiar figure in the distance.

"Saber..." The name escaped my lips involuntarily, spoken more to myself than anyone else. Inadvertently absorbed in my thoughts, I failed to register Leon's attempts to capture my attention.

"Apologies, I must take my leave," I announced abruptly, relinquishing my glass of wine to Leon before he could react. Without waiting for a response, I set off in the direction of Saber.

An inexplicable urge drove me to inspect his current status, an action that seemed unusually urgent.

As I delved into his status, a distinct anomaly leaped out at me, evident in an instant.

=====

𝗡𝗮𝗺𝗲: Saber Gladiolus (Temporary)

𝗥𝗮𝗻𝗸: D-

𝗝𝗼𝗯: [N/A]

𝗧𝗶𝘁𝗹𝗲: [??? (Locked)]

[𝗛𝗣: 900/900]

[𝗠𝗣: 1,200/1,200]

𝗔𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀:

- [N/A]

𝗔𝘁𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗯𝘂𝘁𝗲𝘀:

- 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗴𝘁𝗵: 15

- 𝗩𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆: 7

- 𝗔𝗴𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆: 11

- 𝗦𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗲𝘀: 13

- 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲: 100

=====

His abilities is gone, and his status dropped tremendously except for his intelligence... Did he lost his blessings?!

Panic began to fill my heart from what I saw.

In the midst of my turmoil, I spied Maximus stepping in front of Saber, his progress stalling as he reached Saber's side. Words were exchanged in hushed tones, though Saber's expression remained unchanged.

"Saber..." My voice faltered as I addressed him, my apprehension palpable.

At my utterance, I detected Saber muttering something under his breath, his demeanor far from its usual self.

"You!!"

Without warning, Maximus drew his sword and launched a swift strike toward Saber.

Saber adeptly evaded the assault, but not without consequence. The blade grazed his right eye, inflicting a gash that immediately began to bleed.

Panic rippled through the nobles in close proximity as chaos erupted. Swiftly, the heroes surged forward, overwhelming Maximus and forcing him to the ground.

Lady Eveline swiftly attended to Saber, assessing his condition before redirecting her gaze towards Maximus.

"You wretch!" Her hand moved instinctively to her weapon, a lethal intent in her eyes. However, before she could draw her sword, Saber intervened, his hands restraining her wrist to prevent her from doing so.

"I'll f*cking kill you if I ever get my hands on you!" Maximus's voice boomed, his struggles fierce as he attempted to break free from the grip of the three heroes restraining him.

"I don't know what the hell are you talking about, but attacking people all of the sudden... Are you out of your mind!?" One of the heroes' voice rang out, his grip firm as he prevented Maximus from breaking free.

"You! Explain yourself!" The same hero directed his attention toward Saber.

Saber, his hand pressed against his wounded eye, underwent a visible shift in countenance, his demeanor transitioning from cold to empathetic. "Maximus approached me suddenly, hurling insults about my absence during the Boss Monster fight. I tried to apologize, but without warning... he attacked me."

"You lying piece of sh*t! I swear, I'll cut your tongue out in your sleep! I'll make sure to slice your body into shreds!" Maximus's threats fueled Lady Eveline's evident ire. Her desire to engage him in combat was palpable, yet Saber's firm grasp on her wrist restrained her.

As Seraphina made to approach, Saber forestalled her advance with a raised hand. "No need... It's alright. My injuries aren't severe."

With a determined gait, he turned away, addressing Eveline. "Let's just leave..." his voice trailed off, prompting Eveline to follow in his wake.

"Let go of me...! Get back here you bastard!" Maximus's struggle persisted, though it proved futile. Eventually, a collective effort emerged as several individuals hoisted him off the ground, forcibly escorting him out of the gathering through an alternate exit.

"Sab—" I began to trail after them, but a hand clasping onto my arm halted my steps.

As I pivoted to identify the person who had restrained me, I was met with the countenance of my sister.

"Juliette?" Her name escaped my lips, yet she persisted in her grip, her gaze singularly fixed on Saber.

"He's... smiling," Her voice was a hushed whisper, barely audible amidst the turmoil.

What does that mean?

As I redirected my gaze to discern the context of her words, I realized that Saber had vanished from sight. In that instant, Juliette released her grip on my arm.

What did you mean by that? Wait!" I called after her, seeking an explanation, yet she chose to respond with silence.

"Wait for me!"

For some reason, I'm quite troubled about what may happen after this tomorrow.

...

..

.

The following day brought forth a staggering piece of news that reverberated throughout the entire city.

Saber was found dead.

Amid the shock that rippled through the populace, the heroes' first inclination was to suspect...

"Maximus!"