Three days after setting out from Brakada again, the shadow of a two-legged flying dragon was finally seen. Asa shouted and waved his hand to signal.

  The bipedal flying dragon circled above his head for a while before the beastman on top decided to fly down and take a look at this human who dared to greet him from below. Asa and the half-beastman scout talked for a while, and finally got back on the bipedal flying dragon and returned to Oufu.

  Found Sedros at the city hall, Asa threw the Emperor's peace treaty to him and sighed: "I don't even know why something that anyone can do is said to be 'only I can do it'. And they even prepared a large group of followers for me, it was hard to get rid of them, or else I would have had to slowly walk with them in the wilderness, what a hassle."

  Cedros smiled and opened the agreement, took a look and said: "Actually, such a big thing should be signed by your emperor in person, but he is still just a child. The decision to sign an agreement is not even his own, it's all discussed by those ministers, so there's no need for him to go through this ceremony. So I told the envoy that it was unnecessary for him to come in person, and sending an envoy would be enough. This can be considered as a special opportunity left for you, to take on this important task that can easily bring a lot of political capital, which naturally will be handed over to your head by Bishop Ronis."

  Asa smiled slightly, probably a dream come true for others. Perhaps Bishop Ronis wanted to give himself a big thank you gift, unfortunately he was completely uninterested.

  Cedros carefully signed the agreement, letting out a satisfied sigh. This final step was finally taken, and the wrinkles on his face seemed to have decreased by a few, as he sighed: "Alright, from now on it's going to be an era of peace. A new page in history will unfold, an era where beastmen and humans coexist peacefully, an era of development that starts today..."

  Asa suddenly remembered a question and asked: "In the past, didn't the beastmen of the Savage Highlands eat humans?"

  "Yes. When people are hungry, don't they eat chicken, pork and beef? " Sedros's tone was still calm, as if this behavior was perfectly justified, just like eating vegetables. "However, most of the beastmen now are those I rescued from their infancy, letting them grow up with humans, live together, completely losing their original customs and culture. They are essentially no different from humans. You've seen it too, in Euphor, humans and beastmen coexist very well."

  "I'm saying... can the hatred between humans and beastmen be resolved so easily? What about those who have had their loved ones killed by beastmen, like those soldiers you killed a few days ago, and the general..."

  Cedros smiled faintly and said, "I believe the benefits of trade that Eufor will bring to each country in the future, as well as the gifts given to those ministers, are enough to make people forget these old things. The glittering gold coins in front of us are absolutely more valuable than the blood in our memories. They will also help us solve these problems. Look at those soldiers we had to kill a few days ago, and the imperial court just laughed it off, didn't they? In fact, even if I didn't kill them, do you think they would have a good ending when they went back? The imperial court has already made an agreement with me and understands the common interests of our long-term cooperation. They will definitely kill all those who may be detrimental to everyone for violating military orders."

  "...That's 5,000 lives..." Asa thought for a moment and smiled bitterly. The tragic scene of the charred corpses at that time, as well as the miserable cries of the 5,000 people before their death, had made him unable to sleep soundly every night for some time.

  Cedros said calmly, "As a superior, one considers the overall interests of the country. What are 5,000 people? If necessary, 50,000 can be killed with just a word." He gazed intently at Asa. "To achieve great things, one cannot be bound by trivial matters, cannot choose methods, and cannot consider emotions. It seems your feminine compassion is still too heavy; you'll need to gradually practice how to get rid of it."

  "Ah, forget it. I'll just finish up here and then go traveling. These big things are not for me to do, nor have I ever thought of doing them."

  "Travel?" Sedros looked at him with a strange gaze, as if he had heard the word for the first time. "You still want to travel?"

  "Yes." Asa nodded.

  Cedros's gaze was still strange. "I didn't know what Ronis had in mind either, but when I saw you bring the peace treaty, I knew he was going to make you a hero admired by all, and achieve something great. Why would you want to travel?"

  A hero admired by thousands, achieving great things. This hat is not only incredibly large but also dazzlingly shiny and radiant, it seems that only people with brain problems would be uninterested in these things.

  But this hat really didn't interest Asa, not that he was crazy, but it just wasn't his style. "I wish I had known, I would have refused his kind intentions. I'm just not interested in these things."

  Hero. This title is indeed very beautiful. But Asa had already experienced the political intrigue, means, and dark assassinations behind this word when he was with Rodhart in the royal capital. The warm smile of Duke Mlarak was so kind, and he had once spoken sincerely to him, but the sword that came from behind in the black night was so deadly. To be honest, even now he can't muster up any hostility towards the duke, only a thorough disgust for the royal capital.

  Moreover, doing something big was something he had never thought of even when he was a kid. Let alone the Duke and Cedreos' lessons that made him extremely disgusted with 'big things'.

  "Refuse?" Cedros's expression became even stranger. As if he had not only heard the word for the first time, but also as if he had just heard a joke that was so ridiculous it was laughable. "Can you still refuse? Don't you know yet that you must take on this heroic role, that you must do something great?"

  Whether you like it or not, you must become a hero and do something great. This sounds like an absurd joke, but the speaker's face doesn't have even a hint of a smile.

  A Sa felt that something was not quite right behind this joke that wasn't funny. He said very seriously and clearly, "In my dictionary, apart from eating, drinking, sleeping, and going to the bathroom, there are only two words: 'must'."

  Cedros looked at Asa thoughtfully and nodded. "So he hasn't told you yet..."

  Looking at the old man's face with a seemingly smiling but actually ambiguous expression, Asamo felt inexplicably a little frightened.

  "It's hard to say what's going on, you'd better go ask him yourself." Sedros waved his hand, seemingly unwilling to say anything more.

  After dealing with Yu Fu's affairs at a rapid pace, Asa returned to Wangdu and returned to the Magic Academy.

  Every building in the college is so tall and grand, expressing nobility and sanctity just right, and the most striking one is the dozens of meters high great hall in the center of the college. Whether it's scale or the aura it emits, anyone in front of it looks tiny.

  Asa stood in front of the gate, looking up at the grand cathedral. This sacred and majestic building seemed even more uncomfortable than before. He even plucked up his courage to step into this door that looked like a giant monster's mouth.

  Bishop Ronis was taken aback by Asa's sudden appearance, as he was preparing to discuss with His Imperial Majesty the grand ceremony of commendation for this meritorious returning divine officer.

  After listening to Asa's words, Bishop Ronis smiled and asked: "Don't you want to be a hero? Don't you want to be admired by others? This is what many people dream of."

  A Sa shook his head firmly: "Whether or not others admire heroes is none of my business. My body doesn't have any extra flesh, and I still eat three meals a day."

  Bishop Ronis smiled and nodded. "But I hope you can do these..."

  "Asa emphasized again: 'Sorry, Bishop. I'm back now just to tell you that I won't do these inexplicable things.'"

  "You must do this." Bishop Ronies' voice was soft, but the words carried great weight. "You have no choice. Whether you like it or not, the burden on your shoulders is a task given to you by the times, for the peace of the entire continent."

  "Of course I have a choice, what I want to do is my freedom." Asa replied confidently. And this was indeed a confident reason.

  Asa took out the letter of appointment and threw it on the table. For this old man who had saved him several times, he had always been very respectful, but now he felt a little disgusted. "I don't know what era is, nor have I ever received any tasks from him. I only know that I don't like doing these things. And I've never thought that there's anything that must be done. Well, I'll return the position of Shinto priest to you now."

  The archbishop looked at the only person who dared to speak to him in such a tone, his gentle eyes seeming to look at a willful child. He said with a strange and helpless tone: "You have to do this. Even I don't have a choice, how can you? You know, the Spirit Clan has already sent a wanted notice for you here. The messenger has also told me about what happened. Can you still go out and travel like this?"

  "Ah Sa let out a cold hum. 'I know they're after me, I'm not afraid. I have my own way of dealing with it.'"

  "Then do you know, I should also help them issue a wanted notice in the name of the church to capture you, and even discuss with His Majesty the Emperor to mobilize the Knights of the Holy See to hunt you down?" Bishop Ronis said calmly.

  Asa's mouth was wide open and couldn't be closed no matter what.

  "As soon as I open my mouth, almost every country on the entire continent will be looking for you. And to me, it's indeed what should be done, you know?"

  "I don't know." Asa shook his head mechanically.

  "Indeed, from a national perspective, the elves are an insignificant and peculiar nation, their racial myths mere fantasy. After all, it is the military, economy, and politics that maintain a country, and history is written with these tangible concepts. So politicians do not concern themselves with such abstract notions as light and darkness, nor do many in the clergy. " The bishop's hand extended, a thin finger pointing to himself. "They may not believe, but I do."

  "What...do you believe in?" Asa asked cautiously.

  Bishop Ronis replied calmly: "Believe that the leaves of the Sun Well and the World Tree are indeed symbols of light power, believe that only light is the power to resist darkness."

  Asa suddenly remembered a story he almost forgot, which was very annoying and only considered as nonsense.

  Bishop Ronis looked at Asa and let out a long sigh, saying: "The elves should have told you the stories they've passed down, right?"

  Asa couldn't help but curl up his lips. It was that nonsense story again, but if it was said seriously by the noble bishop, probably no one would dare to treat it as nonsense anymore.

  "The evil object in their mouths is actually the sacred object of the Death Spirit Association, a divine sword called Ebony Star." Bishop Ronis's voice floated in the fighting room, carrying a deep sense of history. "Five hundred years ago, Akibad, the strongest magician in history, entered the unexplored Deya Valley and discovered the symbol of darkness and death - Ebony Star. He was defeated by its power and established the Death Spirit Association, an organization that worships darkness and death. Even the magician who claimed to be closest to God couldn't pull out Ebony Star. But he left a will: whoever can pull out this sword will become the King of Death Spirits, and use death and darkness to purify the world. However, he also vaguely mentioned two other sacred objects of light and life - the Sun Well guarded by the elves and the World Tree Leaf. This matches the ancient legend of the elves, and the result is obvious. Indeed, as the elves said, the only way to counter darkness is to use the power of light and life."

  "Wait, wait, wait... If that's really the case, then why hasn't the church taken any measures all these years?" Asa suddenly remembered something that didn't add up. The Light Church's influence on the continent was enormous, far surpassing that of any country. Not just the Empire, but the vast majority of countries on the continent also believed in the God of Light. And yet, the church had always claimed to be a champion of justice and righteousness, so it didn't make sense for them to turn a blind eye to the massive shadow of the Death Spirit Association.

  Bishop Ronis' eyes, which had been shining with a mixture of gloom and worry, flashed with a hint of warmth. He didn't explain anything, but just let out a bitter smile and said: "You'll understand the reason later..." His gaze flickered again, returning to the previous topic. "If the Death Spirit Association were to find out about the two powers you carry within you, they would never let you go. So, our safest and most secure method is to lock you up in a completely safe and confidential place, and slowly think of ways to extract the powers from your body. However..." The bishop's stern expression and noble status couldn't conceal the warmth in his eyes. "When I heard that you used the World Tree's leaves to save others, I knew that your heart was filled with light. So, I changed my mind - instead of passively capturing and protecting you, I want to make you a hero of light, one who will ultimately destroy the root of evil."

  After hearing this, Asa felt that his head had grown at least several dozen times larger and heavier by hundreds of times, dizzy and disoriented.

  It took a lot of effort to sort out his thoughts and express himself: "....That's just because all her wounds were caused by me. I saved her, but only to make myself feel better...What kind of nonsense is that about being enlightened? I have no idea..."

  "That's the true justice." The bishop's eyes still held a gentle intention, fully affirming his great moral character. "There is no morality or justice that transcends all evil and remains pure and untainted. In order to live for ourselves, aren't we all consuming other lives? However, within this original sin that cannot be shaken off, it is the retention of that bit of kindness, compassion, and love in one's heart that is the only true light in human hearts."

  A Sa felt his head was about to explode. Facing an old man who seemed to be patiently guiding him, but actually had difficulty communicating with him, his head couldn't help but feel big, heavy and dizzy.

  What the hell is so important about that Sun Well and the World Tree's leaf, or even if there's any light or darkness, none of these Asa care. What they care about is that this hero seems to have no choice but to do it.

  The elderly are usually very stubborn, and it would be a thousand times more difficult to persuade the bishop who firmly believes in these legends to give up his beliefs than to make himself really believe those vague rumors. If Bishop Ronis really believed that, he would only have to follow suit.

  This is less a hero's journey than an exercise in avoiding becoming a tightly guarded container.

  The church's high status in the empire is almost entirely due to the efforts of Bishop Ronis. Thirty years ago, the eastern continent was plagued by war and strife, with several countries centered around the Einfast Empire embroiled in conflict. It was Bishop Ronis who led the church's forces, which were not particularly large at the time, in mediating between nations, negotiating peace treaties, and even participating in battles. In the end, he not only brought an end to the wars but also elevated the church's status within the empire to unprecedented heights. As a result, his prestige and authority within the church are unmatched by any other bishop. It is said that if he had not insisted on staying behind to oversee the Magic Academy, he would have been the one sitting on the throne of the current Pope. With his stature, issuing a warrant for someone's arrest would not only put pressure on the empire and other countries that worship the Light God but also force other pagan nations to hunt down the fugitive due to diplomatic pressure. The entire continent would be left with no place to stand.

  Looking into Bishop Ronies' eyes, Asa understood one thing. At least for now, he couldn't refuse anymore.

  Well, let's give it a try then. With so many people willing to do great things and become heroes, maybe it really is something good. Having no other choice, Asa could only think this way. He finally lowered his head in despair, furrowed his brow and sighed, saying "I understand" like a student accepting another huge pile of homework.

  Bishop Ronis let out a deep breath and laughed, a very happy laugh. As if he was very pleased and satisfied.

  "But I still have a question." Asa suddenly looked up at Bishop Ronis and asked, "Why didn't you return me to the elves when I was half-dead in Euforia and keep me as a container in the Forest of Tongue? Wouldn't that be much simpler? I don't think it's for the duke's plan. Why did you waste one of the World Tree leaves that are so important to you?"

  The bishop's face showed a strange and complex expression, which lingered for a while before slowly disappearing into his solemn exterior. He didn't answer directly, but the two points of fire in his eyes kept flashing, and his words were hesitant as they conjured up many memories. "I used to not believe in fate, but I see it in you... I saved you because it was part of my fate... Perhaps there really is something predetermined in the underworld. That's why I felt so lost... I'm terrified of things that could become reality, and I don't know if all my efforts over the years have been in vain... But after talking to you last time, I finally made up my mind: no matter what the outcome, I'll do my best to guide you towards the path of righteousness. There was once someone like you, excellent, kind, and pure, but he was dragged into this vortex by circumstances beyond his control and fell into darkness..." The fire in his eyes burned fiercely, not from a sense of responsibility, but from a natural outpouring of personal emotions. This strong emotion appeared on the face of someone who should have transcended emotions, making it all the more extraordinary. He looked at Asa as if he wanted to illuminate the young man before him with his own gaze and emotions, saying forcefully: "I saved you because of fate, but also to defy fate."

  Asa didn't quite understand, but vaguely felt that it was better not to understand at all.

  When I came out of the Magic Academy, it was already dusk. The main street of the royal capital was preparing for the upcoming decadent nightlife, carriages carrying noblewomen began to come and go, cheap prostitutes in taverns and some expensive ones in buildings also appeared on the street to solicit customers.

  Bishop Ronis has begun a series of tedious preparations, consulting with several high-ranking officials, issuing announcements to the imperial court, and so on. Asa didn't want to get involved in these matters and didn't even know how to intervene. Now he just needs to go back and wait for tomorrow's grand ceremony to receive his award, and then take step by step the path of stardom that Bishop Ronis has prepared for him.

  Asa walked on the main street with a wooden head. I'm going to be a hero, a hero, a hero... Asa couldn't merge himself and this strange title together in his mind and concept at all. It was as if he suddenly had to transform into a kind of strange animal that he had never seen before, unable to get used to facing this strange identity, nor did he know what to do.

  "I'm XXX." Asa felt extremely annoyed and suddenly burst into a loud scolding. What the hell is this nonsense about being glorious, what kind of ******** hero, I don't want to deal with these things. But can't even run away now?

  Passersby cast curious glances at this nervous disorder

  "This little brother who looks a bit familiar, why do you look so worried? Do you want me to keep you company?" A slender white hand pinched Asa's arm quite boldly.

  Asa turned around and saw a somewhat familiar face. It was the prostitute who had appeared on stage at the martial arts tournament to cheer for Rodhart and perform, still exposing her shoulders and half of her chest outside of her clothes, with makeup that seemed excessive for her originally gentle-looking face.

  Since childhood, Ah Sa often mixed with miners and prostitutes in the tavern. Now, under the pressure of saving the world and other great tasks, seeing such a fellow again, a sense of intimacy arises naturally.

  A strange idea suddenly popped up in his mind. At first, even he himself felt a bit absurd, but this idea immediately brought him a kind of malicious pleasure, as if urinating on a sacred statue, similar to the feeling of desecration and revenge. Asala grasped this delicate hand, fiercely asking: "Do you have time?"

  "Let's just say it, generally speaking, the more money you have, the more space you get. As for discounts, we can talk about that later when we're on better terms." The prostitute's words were very direct.

  Asa pulled out a gold coin and flipped it in his hand. "How much is this worth?" It was given to him by Bishop Ronis earlier, telling him to tidy up his appearance to match the noble status that would soon be bestowed upon him.

  The gleam in the prostitute's eyes was no less than that of gold coins. With a flying eyebrow and a dancing color, she replied: "Many big emptiness."

  "Good." Asa shouted again with a fierce tone. He somewhat hoped that Bishop Ronis could know his current actions.

  Asa will never forget this day, it was just too strange. First he was forced to become a hero and embark on a great path of glory. Then he immediately did something even stranger, going to find a prostitute.