Imperial Hall
Ari, the first daughter of Damian and Frieren, was nervous as she entered the hall with her group of adventurers, who would be leaving the continent with her father's blessing.
"This place is incredibly majestic. Look over there; that's a sculpture in honor of the Divine General who killed more than a million demons." Eisen couldn't help but exclaim when he saw the enormous statue behind a throne with crossed arms.
Heiter, who was beside him, murmured, "I'm sure the stories are lies."
"I wouldn't be so sure." Himmel wouldn't underestimate the story, as it is the only one that shows how the past was.
Ari, who was beside them, didn't know how to explain to these people, her adventurer group, that the statue of the Divine General was real—the same one who participated in ancient battles.
Time seemed to stop. Light footsteps were heard in the distance, and Damian appeared dressed appropriately for a magic emperor.
"Greetings to His Imperial Majesty!"
"Greetings to His Imperial Majesty!"
"Greetings to His Imperial Majesty!"
The group of adventurers present knelt as soon as they saw Damian enter the hall, nervous to be in the presence of a being who was easily over a thousand years old.
Frieren smiled slightly, nodding as she saw her daughter show Damian the respect he deserved, and after a while, she said, "You may rise."
When Himmel looked up and saw Frieren, he thought, 'She is identical to Ari; only her hair is white instead of silver.'
"Father…"
Damian's gaze turned cold, and he said in an unfriendly tone, "I am not your father when you visit me officially. You must remember this, or I will leave, and you will not have permission to leave the island where hundreds of thousands of Night Guard soldiers have given their lives to protect."
Ari was frightened. She didn't think her father would be so strict in front of others, but he was right, so she quickly said, "I'm sorry, Your Majesty, I ask for your forgiveness."
Frieren did not intervene in this conversation either. She didn't mind letting Ari leave the island, but before going out, she had to be sure her daughter understood what it meant.
"Humans have enjoyed continuous peace for more than five hundred years, thanks to the Magic Emperor and the efforts of the Night Guard. If you understand this, you will know that you are all here before us because of all those feats and sacrifices. So I ask you, What is your goal in exploring beyond the safe walls and seas?"
Ari's group of adventurers was not foolish and did not speak. They were in the presence of an incredibly powerful being whose feats were written in history books, so no one could disrespect that man.
Himmel, the captain of the adventurer group, looked up and said, "We want to see beyond these walls and safe places. We all agree that there are more demons beyond these places."
"Are you implying that we have lied to humans for hundreds of years and are still fighting a war beyond these walls?" Jonathan stood up, his huge, muscular body causing pressure on the people in front of him as he got closer.
"That was not his intention." Eisen wanted to explain better.
"Silence, warrior. I am talking to the sword boy." Damian did not divert his gaze.
Frieren understood this. Himmel had committed a sin that could well be punished by death due to the dark history that has never been told and is known only by the great generals of families who serve the royal family.
"I asked you a question."
"He is just trying to say..." Ari wanted to intervene, but her mother's cold gaze made her remain silent.
Himmel sweated coldly. The sensation of being near an unfathomable mountain crushed him mercilessly, and he could only try to breathe properly. "We want to see beyond the safe zones. We are made to fend for ourselves."
"Your words only make me think you are a kid with an idealistic mentality who has a frustrated dream of being a hero." Jonathan was not the same boy who had been reborn in this world. He had long since deciphered his own existence, and with more than a thousand years, he would not be intimidated by children.
Himmel was angry. What was wrong with wanting to leave this island and explore beyond the sea? He didn't understand, but he still hoped for an answer.
"Fine, now I will change the rules. If you all defeat me in combat, I will let you go without asking more questions." Jonathan took off his jacket because he knew he would face strong young people.
Ari was the first to be ready. She was upset because she mistakenly thought her father underestimated her strength, which was not true at all.