"You do realize you're directly denying an imperial order, right?" the duke asked, needing clarification to ensure he hadn't misinterpreted Adrian's words.
The absurdity of the situation was still processing in his mind, and he wondered if Adrian had fully comprehended the gravity of his actions or if he had even read the letter at all.
"Yes, I know what I said, Father," Adrian replied confidently.
"And besides, you may call it a royal or imperial order, but it's not like it has any effect on me or anything, right?"
"In a sense, yes, but politically it might," the duke responded, his tone serious. Adrian's status as the hero carried immense significance, not just as a symbol of the goddess's power, but also as a conduit for her will. He was the bridge between humanity and the divine, tasked not only with saving the world but also with unifying humanity to combat the greater evil.
As the hero, Adrian wielded unparalleled authority.
