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[Sachmis's house]

[Female paladin point of view]

The succession war of the Demon Kingdom, it is said that the war was initiated by the two elder prince of the previous demon king (now known as traitorous prince of the demon kingdom, or simply the traitorous princes) after the vacancy left by the demon king who suddenly die due to unknown reason. It's a period of turbulence where both the traitorous demon prince wage war over the other, even went as far as sending force to faraway country just to savage them of good as to fund their own greedy campaign. Some army forces of them mysteriously appears in unsuspecting countries through unknown method, while some march from the Demon kingdom itself, braving the dungeon just to invade other countries. Of course such large force would be detected easily, but with such powerful armies, that little bit of drawback might mean almost nothing for them. At the end of the day, King Druser and Paladin Aries, along with the support of new religion (especially Saint Louis and Saintess Rumia) manage to stop the war altogether and thus, the new demon king, Druser was elected.

Now, this old lion here claim that there was an unknown prologue to all of this. Simply outrageous, but coming from someone who once holds the title of Duke of the Beastman Kingdom, I couldn't help but to take his word for that. Not just me, I'm sure the other feels the same as well

"I don't know the exact reason, but don't you found your father behaviour seems awfully weird. No, I would said he suddenly changed before his death? As if, he was gaining something unbelievable. That's at least my impression, and there is one thing that our intelligence networks found" [Old lion]

"And that is?" [Druser]

"There was a witch. A witch who our intelligence claim to be a half demon and half angel. Her power seems to cause something to change within the previous demon king. Even Saintess Angela said the same" [Old lion]

"That, if we were to take her word for granted" [Leogris]

"Exactly my king. Beyond here is a mixture of fact and some of my wild theory, but I assure you, the fact is nothing but the truth. Before the succession war happened, both the demon prince approached my brother, with both side not knowing the other offer the same. Take the Beast Kingdom throne and join us, and when we became king..." [Old Lion]

"We should rule Achalasia together?" [Female paladin]

"Perhaps, but sound good for anyone craving for power. Especially the foolish brother of mine" [Old lion]

If that indeed happens and the coup from this Duke's house was a success... I can't imagine how much fearsome would the war get... But

"Then, how about Mrs Sachmis? I could understand if she was just imprisoned by her own family if she didn't agree to it, so why was she..." [Female paladin]

Why was she murdered by her own families then?

"Because she was one, if not, the only person that knew the location of The Holy Beast of Fire, the Hell Tiger, Har, location, and yet, foolish enough as not to relied on the Holy Beast help" [Old Lion]

"!?" [Other]

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[Karon point of view]

"Karon..." [Farhah]

"Something the matter Farhah?" [Karon]

"Umm... nothing..." [Farhah]

"I see..." [Karon]

She's avoiding me isn't she. Who wouldn't. I guess my old man blood get the better of me when dealing with that grasshopper beastman. While most of them agree that it was nothing more than an act of self defense, I do know they're also asking the same the question inside their mind. Was my actions really an act of self defense?

(Honestly speaking, I was wondering the same) [Karon]

It is understandable if it were only a blow to the face. Just a strong blow with my hammer would be fine as that grasshopper was weakened down by Housey and Calypso Tree attacks. Maybe I don't even need to attack him at all as I'm sure the function of Fortress defense magic inside Housey and Calypso Tree would do its job just fine.

(But to hit that damn grasshopper multiple times until his eyeball splash out, leaving Farhah traumatize in the process... Like I said, even I was wondering the same. Whether my actions was justifiable. And most importantly, whether it was truly my father influence, or it was just me, enjoying it but putting all the blame on him) [Karon]

I was disgusted of course. By the scene, by the scream, by the sound that grasshopper make. It was just random spouting, it was incomprehensible but somehow, I knew he was asking me to stop.

And a new doubt had occurred to me since then. Am I really one of the ten heroes? Aren't hero supposed to be someone who brings peace and also bring comfort and feeling of safety to other? But, here I am, somehow making the cheerful Farhah avoiding me

As I am thinking about it, I wonder into the dining room where Mrs Gizzere, Grandpa Filvisar and Claude was discussing something. Maybe about the new school

"You seem to be in a bad mood" [Gizzere]

"Doubting yourself dear Karon?" [Filvisar]

"I..." [Karon]

I don't feel like sharing it... what will they think of me should I said it. Maybe they will think negatively of me

"I see. You must feel conflicted about what you did the other day, and by the looks of it, a new seed of doubt been sprout inside your mind" [Gizzere]

"!" [Karon]

How did she... As if she's reading my mind.

"Are you by any chance doubting whether you're worthy of being one of the heroes?" [Filvisar]

~Nod~

"Master can definitely help in this area, but..." [Claude]

"Indeed. For a quiet child like him, maybe someone of your age would be better" [Filvisar]

"Then how about Rean? He had the same doubt before, surely you can consult with him easier than with us" [Gizzere]

"True, but if Rean somehow couldn't help you, please don't hesitate to ask any one of us" [Claude]

"I will. Thank you" [Karon]

Asking Rean. That isn't a bad idea, in fact, something that I truly need right now. As the eldest among us and as the first one to manifest this blessing (not that my heroes blessing manifested yet), surely he knew a lot more than us

(When he comes back, I will ask him!) [Karon]

In the meantime, let just use the training hall and train for a bit

.

.

.

As I practice, I can hear the gossiping of the young adventure with new soldiers recruits. Here I am, thinking they will bad mouthed me but instead

(The serial killer dwarf... Father, why did he decided to come back to Estel!?) [Karon]