Heroine.
Chosen by the deity, responsible for hunting demons, slaying the Demon King, bringing peace to humanity.
They possess physical abilities far beyond ordinary people and are innately endowed with miracles capable of countering demons, even overcoming the Demon King.
Each generation’s Heroine would have a decisive battle with the Demon King, defeating the Demon King and crippling the demon forces. Then, when the next Demon King rose again, a new Heroine would be chosen.
But no one ever imagined that this expedition against the Demon King, after decades of peace, would proceed with such unstoppable momentum.
Within just one month, this Heroine girl from “Falling Star Village” had actually led the elite group—the Heroine’s party, composed of humanity’s finest—cut straight through the demon army and confronted the Demon King head-on.
The Demon King, holding nothing back and fighting with all his might, joined forces with the Four Heavenly Kings of the Demon Clan, making it five against one.
Yet, in merely half a day, the Demon King was slain by the young Heroine.
The Demon King’s head was severed by the Heroine. Half of the Four Heavenly Kings were also killed. The remaining two Heavenly Kings fled back in disgrace to the demon wasteland stronghold with the remnants of their army, now less than a third of its original size.
Peace had descended at an unbelievable speed, feeling unreal even as it sent humanity into ecstatic joy, the entire nation celebrating. Celebrations had not ceased since the day the news of victory arrived.
On the day the Heroine’s party returned, people lined the streets to welcome them, the frenzied and fervent atmosphere reaching its peak.
The people also saw for the first time the true appearance of this Heroine, whose terrifying strength had cut through the demons with a speed second only to the First Heroine.
Contrary to the ferocious image they might have imagined was the young girl’s well-proportioned figure, clad in form-fitting silver-white armor, pure white long hair complementing the armor’s color, and those amber eyes that seemed to possess magic.
“Long live the Heroine!!!”
The people’s cheers rose wave after wave. Though the volume wasn’t as strong as a demon Banshee’s scream, the young girl felt her blood boiling with excitement.
Since arriving in this world, this was the first time the young girl felt dizzy. Just as she was at a loss, a warm hand rested on her shoulder. The emerald-green magic transmitted from that palm made her feel much calmer.
“Thank you, Lilith.”
The young girl secretly let out a breath of relief, turning to express her heartfelt gratitude to the Church’s Saintess who had helped her.
“It’s nothing, Furenna.”
Saintess Lilith offered Furenna a kind smile.
“Are you alright?”
A gentle male voice reached her ears. Crown Prince William took Furenna’s right hand, soothing her.
“I’m fine, thank you. It’s my first time facing so many people; I’m a bit nervous,” Heroine Furenna said with a smile. “Since coming to this world, I’ve been constantly battling demons. Now that the Demon King is gone, I’ve been feeling a bit lost about what to do next.”
“Indeed. After all, Furenna, you are the Heroine who defeated the Demon King the fastest after the First Heroine. Historical records say the previous Heroine took three full years to defeat the Demon King. No one imagined you’d be this formidable.”
The muscular youth from the Adventurer’s Association, Kaelar, urged his horse forward, forcefully squeezing in to ingratiate himself with Furenna, forcing himself to ignore the dangerous aura hidden beneath Prince William’s gentle smile.
“But Furenna, you needn’t worry too much. This has been considered for the Heroine. I’m sure both the royal family and the Church will have arrangements. Isn’t that right, Your Highness?”
The young mage from the Mage’s Guild, Enoch, handed the topic back to Prince William. William nodded in satisfaction; at least this guy from the Mage’s Guild had some tact.
“Yes. After we enter the royal palace later to meet His Majesty and the others, you will find a new goal.”
William gently comforted the still somewhat nervous Furenna. The young Heroine said gratefully: “Everyone really is such good people. I’m so glad to have met you all.”
The bespectacled girl from the Alchemist’s Guild never mustered the courage to speak. It was Furenna who noticed this timid girl, who had dared not speak since the Heroine’s party was formed and always trailed at the back. She proactively called her over to ride side-by-side.
But the alchemist girl, Sariel, felt no gratitude whatsoever. On the contrary, under the gazes of the others—especially that bastard prince William—she felt she might die. She couldn’t help but curse this idiot Heroine inwardly, wishing she’d be tricked into William’s bed tonight!
Passing through the waves of celebrating people, Furenna and the others arrived at the palace halls. Furenna had no memory of her creation by the Creator Goddess. Her memory began with her descent in the village. Having never seen the Goddess’s Starry Hall, she was naturally stunned by the luxurious grandeur of the human palace before her, her mouth unconsciously opening, her amber eyes slightly contracting.
This textbook shocked expression also greatly pleased William. Seeing this young Heroine, who had been a god-of-war-like force in the demon war, reveal such an expression, William felt an inexplicable sense of accomplishment rising within him.
The Heroine’s party dismounted, entering the palace interior on foot. Led by William, they were presented before the Emperor seated upon the throne, with the Empress seated to his right. The High Priest of the Church was also granted a seat on the left, on a chair slightly lower than the throne.
After the courteous formalities concluded, it was time for the traditional segment following each victorious return of a Heroine’s party—the bestowal of honor, territory, wealth, and power.
The other members of the Heroine’s party were mere supporting roles. In truth, everyone was more concerned about the bestowal upon the Heroine herself, or rather… the Heroine’s choice…
“Heroine Furenna!”
“Present!”
Furenna responded somewhat nervously, stepping forward. Furenna, who had not shown a flicker of emotion even before a million demon soldiers, now felt flustered for the first time facing the kind-looking Church High Priest and the imperial couple.
“There’s no need to be so nervous.”
The Empress revealed a gentle smile to comfort Furenna. The young Heroine remembered that William’s smile was similarly warm. She took a deep breath and relaxed.
Unlike with the other party members, His Majesty the Emperor did not take the imperial decree of bestowal from the High Priest. Instead, he directly addressed the Heroine.
“We appreciate your struggles along the way, Heroine Furenna.
“As the leader of humanity, I express our heartfelt thanks to you and offer our most sincere respect.”
The Emperor even personally rose from his lofty throne and bowed deeply toward Heroine Furenna. The young girl was overwhelmed by the honor. But the Emperor’s next words made Furenna suddenly freeze.
“Might the Heroine have any intention of joining the royal family?”