439. Cardinal

“Idiot.”

Rana Alyras, princess of Alyras, couldn’t help but agree with the susurration from Salvos’ friends. Of course, the princess wasn’t in any position to mutter such indecent comments. It was uncouth— unbefitting her station. But she couldn’t lie and say the remark didn’t cross her mind as a thought.

She leaned back on her seat, massaging her temples as Saffron pulled Salvos aside while Daniel Song, the [Hero] himself, hastily apologized to the crowd. Fortunately, most of those gathered here at this point were somewhat aware of Salvos, the Liberator of the Plaguelands, and her antics. They just brushed it off, chuckling amongst each other.

“She really has quite the sense of timing, doesn’t she?”

“It’s hard to believe that that’s one of our best adventurers…”

“Well, that’s to be expected. Most people at that level have a screw loose or too.”

“Hey, that’s good and all, but why was she carrying those baby Wyverns?”

Rana was glad at least someone asked the question. The princess was wondering about that too. Salvos had with her three pink-ish blobs— although some were more pink than the others, The silver-haired adventurer carried them in a pile like she was a maid hefting around a basket of laundry… except they were baby Wyverns. She took a seat as a [Will O’ Wisp] accompanied her, holding them down as they wiggled in her arms.

“Of all the things…”

The princess couldn’t help but smirk despite her exasperated expression. She only turned her attention away from Salvos when Daniel finally began his speech.

“My name is Daniel Song, and as you all already know by now, I am a [Hero]...”

It wasn’t the most cogent start to a heroic speech, but it wasn’t meant to be one. It was more meant to address all the questions that had been lingering over the last few days. After all, many people were dubious of his claims— even if the veracity of his Class had been confirmed by Helena Warshade herself. But even amongst those who believed him, there were plenty of outspoken critics. After all, they had a very valid question: where had the [Hero] been all this time?

Well, Daniel was here to answer just that.

Rana listened as Daniel spoke of his journey thus far. He gave a summation of everything he’d been through since he first woke up in this world. He talked of the Elutra Kingdom. A woman in the audience lowered her head as he told the world of the illegal summoning they had performed to bring him into the Nexeus, Then he spoke of his exploits— of the things he’d accomplished.

“I know it seems like I wasn’t there. Perhaps to you I may seem like a coward. That I shirked my duties as a [Hero] by fleeing Elutra. That I could’ve put a halt to this madness with those Demons long before it even began. But the truth is, I could’ve also ended up like Steven the Failure. I could’ve made no difference whatsoever. That is why now I’m here to right my wrongs.”

The [Hero] took a deep breath as a rise ran through the crowd but briefly. Rana herself leaned forward, anticipating what he had to say next. He closed his eyes.

“With… the blessing of the Council of Cremont…”

He looked up and nodded at the [Archbishops] Thorsten Sigefried and Ulric Magnus sitting at an ornate seat to the side. The latter was the head of the Sanctum of Elements, and he had arrived only yesterday, not for the Conference of Alyras, but solely for Daniel Song. And it was clear they had a talk before this speech.

Daniel continued with some apprehension in his voice.

“I shall be joining this coalition army formed against this Demon invasion on behalf of the Sanctum of Elements, the Den of Souls, and the Sanctuary of Fauna. Following suit with my predecessors, I shall now be taking charge of the Council of Cremont as their Cardinal during this time of crisis.”

He looked like he wanted to sigh as he finished. Rana blinked. The crowd paused. For a moment, there was only silence. Then that silence broke as a deluge of questions flooded the room.

Rana herself had to move out of the way to avoid the mass of people that was making their way to Danielm trying to hound him with questions. She just watched as the [Hero] tried to deflect the interrogation to Thorsten Siegfrid and Ulric Magnus to get away from the crowd.

“The [Archbishops] really ceded their power to him…”

The princess didn’t expect it. And clearly no one else did. A man strode up next to her as he remarked.

“Interesting. How very interesting.”

Peris Dolonia, the Crown Prince of Dolonia and Rana’s fiance, sipped from a wineglass before offering it to Rana. The princess twisted her lips.

“I am fine, thank you.”

He shook his head and finished his drink. When he was done he raised his head and continued.

“If I am following this story right, this Daniel Song was brought to the Nexeus through a [Hero] summoning. One not instigated by Humankind as a whole. One that the Council of Cremont was unaware of— that none of the [Archbishops] knew about. Instead, an illegal summoning by a rogue nation that no longer exists.”

Rana frowned, looking away from the commotion ahead as Daniel hid behind the [Archbishops]. Peris sighed.

“Yet, despite his cowardice— despite hiding away while Humankind has needed him for the past few years— he is awarded with power and wealth. He has been made Cardinal of the Council of Cremont as the Immortal King Alexander had been.”

The princess crossed her arms.

“They’re simply prioritizing the safety of the Human lands. I know this is something you cannot understand, but unlike you they’re willing to do whatever it takes to put a halt to this Demon invasion rather than wasting time playing politics.”

Peris tapped a finger on his lower lip.

“Perhaps…”

Then he spun around and scoffed.

“Or perhaps they are simply trying to re-legitimize their waning position in recent times. But nevertheless, I shall play the role that has been forcibly imposed onto me, for the sake of my country and the Helbir Plains. For I know the punishment of not adhering to these rules, and it is quite a cruel one.”

With that, he took his leave and left the ballroom. Rana just watched him go.