Breaking Off the Engagement with the Demon King - Chapter 14
Hero Alls, accompanied by a party of just four—a swordsman, a warlock, and a mage—ventured to the Demon King’s castle in the remote corners of the world and defeated the Demon King. He became humanity’s champion.
While the Rudel family suppressed a stampede, a violent mass outbreak of monsters, Hero Alls defeated the Demon King—the ruler of those very monsters and a direct threat to humanity—with far fewer numbers than the Rudel border army.
If the royal family now had Hero Alls under their command, the balance of power between them and Rudel would change drastically. Just as Lars claimed, there was no longer a reason for the royal family to fear Rudel’s military might.
Though this new arrangement was sure to invite another kind of serious problem in time…
“Ha! So we won’t have to put up with that mountain brute from Rudel flaunting himself anymore.”
“To think that Hero Alls would side with the royal family. Truly, His Highness the Crown Prince has an impressive network.”
For Lars and the high-ranking nobles who looked down on House Rudel as backward countryfolk, this outcome was more than satisfactory for now. They began to voice their support for Lars’s position.
Others in the gallery, however, looked uneasy. Was it really wise to neglect Rudel—the very backbone of the kingdom’s defense—and place their trust in a hero from outside their own ranks?
Still, with the presence of someone like Hero Alls being brought to the fore, even Rudel—renowned for its unmatched military strength—might be forced to take a step back. That’s what everyone assumed.
Sensing the shift in the room’s mood, Lars smiled triumphantly and raised his voice.
“Everyone, I ask for your attention. In fact, one of the warriors who fought alongside the Hero and helped defeat the Demon King—the Sword Saint Gordon—has arrived ahead of schedule and is here with us today!”
A roar of excitement swept through the hall in response to Lars’s announcement.
“Let me introduce him! The Sword Saint Gordon, a hero not just of our kingdom, but of all mankind!”
At his cue, one of the grand doors opened.
What stepped through was a towering man, even larger than Arviga, clad in full armor. As expected of a warrior who had survived countless battles, his very presence exuded a crushing aura that pressed down on the room.
Though he wore no helmet, his face was scarred and fierce. Despite being only twenty years old, he carried the overwhelming presence of someone far older.
“That’s the Sword Saint Gordon… They say he’s slain over a thousand monsters. That pressure is no joke.”
“Look at Shou Rudel beside him. He looks like a child in comparison.”
“How striking… Yes, that’s what a real man should look like.”
“Of course he has that presence—he’s the man who’s killed monsters as easily as breathing.”
“Just looking at him is terrifying…”
Everyone trembled at Gordon’s sheer presence.
As one of the strongest adventurers in the world, this reaction was only natural.
“So, you’re the heir to House Rudel? I hate to be blunt, but now that I’m here, it would be best if you accepted that you won’t be throwing your weight around with threats of force anymore.”
Gordon looked down at Shou with haughty politeness—barely masking his condescension.
Shou remained silent, simply staring back at him. But Lars, misreading Shou’s silence as submission, smirked smugly.
“What do you think, Shou Rudel? Even you have no choice but to bow your head before a true hero… before real power.”
But it wasn’t Shou who responded—it was a man unconcerned with reading the room.
“Hmm. You look like you’ve got some muscle, but isn’t most of that just for show?”
It was Arviga, having just finished devouring a platter of cakes, who now stood in front of Gordon, eyeing him up and down with a skeptical look.
“What did you say!?”
Enraged by the insult, Gordon was about to respond—but in the next instant, he was completely subdued by Arviga.
Like a child, with zero resistance.
“Guh…!?”
Gordon’s mouth opened and closed in stunned silence. He didn’t even understand what had just happened.
No matter how much he tried to move, his body—gripped by Arviga—wouldn’t budge an inch.
“Just as I thought. All show, no substance. Your muscles don’t generate any real strength. Honestly, I’ve got plenty of soldiers back home with better builds than this. Hey, are you even eating right?”
Arviga, sounding genuinely concerned, spoke to Gordon in a gentle tone.
The man who had once fought alongside the Hero, brought to his knees in an instant—utterly helpless.
Lars, the nobles, and the gallery could only watch in stunned disbelief.