The Extra Can't be A Hero

Three days later.

The promised duel between former Governor Valen Wrenleigh and the Hero Leon Bright was set to occur at noon. Waiving his rights to a trial, the Governor aimed to have one final act to restore his honour. Either way, he was a dead man walking. Even if he won the duel, the former mercenary known as the Iron Count would be executed for his wrongdoings.

In many ways, this duel was futile for both sides.

Valen's fate wouldn't change, and Leon faced potential serious injuries for accepting this duel.

But neither would budge, for this duel represented a clash of values.

One fought to protect the ideals of the Solaris Founder, the original Hero and the man Valen worshipped. On the other hand, the current Hero fought to validate his values. They were both right in their pursuit, yet only one man would walk out alive.

While the duel was an intimate affair, some spectators were allowed. Naturally, all the members of the Solaris House were present—the young members of Eldorin and the recently recovered Carmen and Horus. Yue was also given special permission to attend, for she was closely linked to the Solaris House. But for the other spectators…

"Hey, youngblood!"

"... Lord Gerrick."

The Grand Marshall of the Hyades Army, Gerrick Ironblood, hung his meaty arm over Amon's shoulders. Contrary to his serious demeanour during the High Council meeting, the Grand Marshall now smiled as he happily clung to his newfound toy.

"Oh? What's with the sudden respectful tone? Are you the one who cussed us out at the High Council meeting?"

"... I didn't cuss."

Amon may have used strong language to denounce the High Council, but he didn't curse. However, the Grand Marshall didn't care and continued: "Well, you practically did! Seeing the faces of those politicians who did nothing but complain and add needless red tape brought a smile to my face."

"..."

Amon's brow twitched and didn't answer.

"Oh, why the long face? Aren't you curious what happened to the Chairman after you exposed his identity?"

"Not particularly…"

Amon knew about the Chairman's fate even without the Grand Marshall telling him. Although he was the highest authority in the United Bank, and his role as a member of the High Council gave him certain liberties, working with Demons was a huge taboo. One could only guess how compromised he indeed was, and the fact that he sided with the Demon Cult during the meeting was a good indicator of where his allegiances were.

Although the Chairman hadn't betrayed the Hyades Republic yet, it was only a matter of time.

And that was what happened in [Bright] too. Due to the Chairman's influence, particularly his control over the United Bank, the Demon Cult grew financially and swallowed half the continent in record time.

"After you exposed the Chairman, we interrogated and investigated him thoroughly. It didn't take long for him to crack under the pressure."

Lord Gerrick smiled wistfully, knowing that one more member of the High Council had been lost.

"He said he collaborated with the Demon Cult to grow the United Bank's assets. They would take bank loans at high interest rates and always double their debts. It was a good money-making tool for the United Bank, but…"

"That money is paid for with blood." Amon snorted derisively with a curt reply.

"Precisely," Gerrick's smile disappeared, replaced with a distant gaze. "No one knows how many lives the Demon Cult claimed just to grow their influence, and a member of the High Council was actively facilitating that. Right under our noses..."

The Grand Marshall's anger was increasingly apparent. While he was busy eradicating foreign threats for the Hyades Republic, the government was being corrupted and rotted. In pursuing power, influence and money, even the highest banker of the land was willing to shake hands with the devil.

No wonder the Grand Marshall felt betrayed and incensed.

"Thanks to your sharp acumen, we averted a disastrous event. If the Chairman were to continue down his path, the Demon Cult would have taken over the Hyades Republic in no time."

"... Sure."

Amon blinked and didn't continue the conversation. Even though the High Council managed to purge the Chairman, he knew that a few more had the risk of falling to the Demon Cult. And, the Grand Marshall himself… was one of them.

While he was undoubtedly on the Hyades Republic side now, future events would change the Grand Marshall, and Gerrick would one day turn to aid the Demon Cult. That's why Amon aimed to be more cautious when dealing with the Grand Marshall.

"Haha, now I know why Alrock sees so much potential in you."

"?"

"Most youngbloods would kill to have a conversation with me, the Grand Marshall and a council member of the High Council. Yet, you treat me like a plague and actively avoid me. Ah, is it that? Is it because you have given up on the High Council? Or is it because… you don't think I'm a threat to you at all?"

"..."

Gerrick was used to being feared and adulated. His position warranted such respect. But, Amon was utterly immune to it all. It was as if he didn't think anything of the Grand Marshall, and his existence was inconsequential to Amon's goals.

And well, that was partly the truth.

Amon had factored out the High Council in his mind, and didn't think they would be able to affect his war against the Demon Cult much. So inadvertently, he had ruled out the High Council members as potential assets.

"Either way, I'm interested in you, youngblood. Would you like to join the army? I can instantly give you the Captain rank, if you desire. Give or take a few years; I will promote you to Colonel. What say you?"

"I respectfully decline."

"Awww, tough luck!"

Gerrick feigned disappointment, even though he knew that Amon would shoot him down in the first place. However, as much as he wished to pursue the issue, the Grand Marshall knew this wasn't the time or place.

For there was a far more critical event happening right before their eyes.

Right before him was an elevated platform, specialised for duels like this. The former governor was seated at one corner, his wrists and feet still locked in chains. For the sake of the duel, he was well rested and fed, but it didn't change the fact that he was a dead man walking. Still, his eyes were lasered in on his opponent.

Leon stood at the other corner with his eyes closed. Over the past few months, he'd soaked everything from Amon's teachings. Ever since joining the Solaris House, he had been honing his skills to the best of his ability. And it was honed for times like this… times where Leon had to take a stand for his values and beliefs.

Alrock stood at the centre of the stage, acting as the referee for this event. Some may question the Solaris Lord's impartiality when refereeing for his grandson's life-and-death duel. But there was no need to do so.

Alrock wasn't just acting as a referee, he was also acting as a guardian, to save Leon should the duel run awry. It was a biased duel in the first place, and Leon was already the guaranteed winner. Alrock was there to ensure the Hero didn't sustain serious injuries, jeopardising his future.

"Leon, it's not too late to back out. You can choose a champion; we would gladly stand in for you."

The Solaris Lord sent one final look of concern to his young grandson. Accepting this duel brought zero benefit to Leon, and there was even a risk of severe injury. While Valen hadn't been a mercenary in decades, he was once a deadly foe nicknamed the Iron Count.

His skill on the greatsword brought awe to those who witnessed it and his superior strength was enough to overpower giants. In essence, the man was a formidable foe, even for regular Knights. Let alone a young teenager that hadn't been in a fight for the death.

But Leon was resolute.

"Grandpa Alrock… Thank you for your concern, but I can't stay sheltered anymore. To hold the mantle of [Hero], I must overcome this challenge."

Leon's focus wasn't on the duel itself, but what it represented.

All this time, he had been living in the shadows of others.

The Solaris Founder and Saint, the two most powerful humans of all time who wielded Ascalon before him. Then his grandfather and father, the two most famous Solaris names of their generation. And finally, his one and only, beloved mentor.

Amon Solaris.

All this time, Leon had been chasing their shadows ever since he joined the Solaris House. He hadn't developed his own identity yet, and had been weighed down by their legacies.

Not anymore.

Today, he will begin the first chapter in the book known as [Leon Bright].

'Come to think of it, I'm turning seventeen today.'

It has been one year since he returned to the Solaris House. One year had passed, and the number of events transpired was enough for him to write a book. But that, in turn, had forced him to grow faster than any Hero before him.

But now, there was one final hurdle.

Leon smiled as he took Ascalon out from his soul and wielded it with intense fervour. This isn't his first time duelling a human, but this was the first time he wielded a sword with the intent to kill another. At the same time, the former Governor was released from restraints and given his companion sword, a greatsword that was far bigger than Leon.

Even though it had been years since he last stood on the battlefield, the former Governor wielded his blade easily, and his movements were like a fish in water.

"If both sides are ready… I will begin the duel."