NOVEL WEB Chapter 13
Check Writer’s new book has hit the shelves.
Unlike other books, ‘The Betrayed Hero Has Returned’ starts with a statement proclaiming that the story is based on real events, shocking many readers.
And naturally, people reacted in all sorts of ways.
“This is based on real events?! But there’s none of this in the famous heroes’ tales!”
Some were just confused.
“Did Check Writer get kidnapped or something? Has he lost it?”
People worried that Check Writer might have suffered some brain damage or gone a bit mad.
Among the many responses, the most influential opinion was, of course, …
“Your Majesty! Check Writer must be crazy! How dare he insult our illustrious imperial family! He should be executed for treason against the royal family!”
They believed Check Writer had sacrilegiously slandered the royal family and needed punishment.
The First Prince, Leon, passionately declared this before the Emperor.
The Emperor, quietly listening, finally spoke up.
“However, Check Writer’s writings possess immense influence, not just within the Empire but also in other nations. If we execute him, regardless of how he insulted the royal family, countless people will harbor discontent.”
Leon smirked as if he had anticipated the Emperor’s response.
“Of course, I suggested execution, but his influence is undeniable. However, the punishment for insulting the royal family must not be light. We cannot let the authority of the royal family decline.”
“Then what?”
“It’s simple. We cripple his legs and imprison him, forcing him to write only praises for the royal family. Think about how the tales of heroes have gained attention due to the Betrayer Hero, and how ‘Support Disbandment’ has led adventurers to party up with those who fit the conditions of ‘Supporters’.”
Leon raised his fist with a grin that was unbecoming of royalty.
“We can only grow stronger. Our power will increase, and surrounding nations will think twice before challenging us. We’ll stand above everyone.”
Having said all he wanted, he stepped back with a cough.
The Emperor, gazing at him with a knowing look, then turned to the Second Princess and the princes.
“What are your thoughts?”
Rian, the Second Prince, was too tense to find his words.
But Eve was different.
“Your Majesty.”
With calm eyes, Eve looked at the Emperor.
She suddenly blurted out a shocking question.
“Did you know?”
“Know what?”
“That the 9th Emperor, Ian G. Nias, discarded the heroes.”
“What the hell! You crazy girl! How dare you utter such nonsense?!”
Despite his furious declaration, he was smiling.
He was only troubling Rian, but he also didn’t quite like Eve either.
‘That doll-like girl suddenly gains power and dares to cross the line!’
Once emotionless like a doll, Eve now sent shivers down the spines of others, and since she was of low rank, she wasn’t a threat; that’s why he only trampled over Rian.
But for some reason, after attending the Academy, she had transformed into a human.
So, while he was deep in thought, she unexpectedly crossed the line.
“I thought that doll had become human, but now she’s gotten overly greedy and has crossed the line! I won’t let this statement slide! Eve Nias!”
The corners of Leon’s mouth rose, aligned with those nobles supporting him.
But even in this situation, Eve maintained her composure, looking directly into the Emperor’s eyes.
As if demanding a swift reply.
Under her gaze, the Emperor slowly opened his mouth.
“Everyone except the princes and princess shall leave.”
“!!”
The nobles promptly vacated their seats.
The knights on guard were no exception.
-Clang.
As only the Emperor, Empress, First Prince, Second Prince, and Second Princess remained, the Emperor spoke softly, unlike before.
“My children.”
“Your, Your Majesty?!”
Leon was taken aback and shouted without realizing it.
The Emperor, unfazed, turned his gaze back to Eve and said,
“I knew it all. Everything.”
“So, you did know.”
“W-what?!”
The Emperor’s statement made it clear.
“I am the 9th Emperor, Ian G. Nias, and I knew that the heroes were discarded. I remained silent despite knowing.”
The content of the book was the truth.
Shocked, Leon stood frozen with his mouth agape.
“This is knowledge that only one who ascends to the throne should possess, and no one else should know.”
“By telling us now, it means…”
“I seek your counsel. My beloved children. What do you think I should do?”
Asking this, the Emperor looked strangely sad.
“If I reveal this to the people, our royal family will lose its authority and live in disgrace forever. But if I hide it, our authority may endure for a time.”
The Emperor presented the two options to the three of them.
“What should I do?”
“Well, isn’t that obvious?!”
Leon cried out in panic.
“Even if it’s the truth, if it gets out, the authority we’ve enjoyed could vanish in an instant! For the safety of the royal family, we must hide this and detain Check Writer!”
After listening to Leon, the Emperor turned his gaze to Eve.
“Eve, can you refute that? As the most rational among my children, it should be easy for you to discern the right decision.”
“…
Eve remained silent.
The Emperor thought this was her deep contemplation and smiled bitterly.
“It seems we’re three since the eldest, Riss, isn’t here. I will follow your opinions; I hope you make the right judgment.”
At that moment.
-Clang!
The sound of something metallic falling echoed.
“Rian…”
Second Prince Rian had dropped the sword he was wearing at his waist, scabbard and all, onto the floor.
“What kind of proud Emperor are you?!”
“What?! That bastard!”
Leon immediately burst into a fiery rage, but the Emperor raised a hand to stop him.
Rian continued,
“What kind of emperor claims to care for the people? What’s the best emperor supposed to be?! What do you call being the worst leader our nation could possibly have?!”
Rian’s eyes were brimming with tears.
“Wha…?”
Leon even momentarily lost his words, taken aback.
Ignorant of that, Rian trembled and vented his pent-up frustration.
“I’ve spent my life striving to be a proud prince! When my brother Leon was called a rising star in martial arts, I too wished to be called the ‘best’ of the Empire and worked hard! But what the heck is this!?
There was a sister who admired our father, who was called the best Emperor of the Empire!
There was an older brother who wanted to surpass the sister who was called the best warrior of the Empire!
And there was me, who wished to be acknowledged by my older brother, who was called the best swordsman of the Empire!
But, but for what? The emperor hides the truth for the sake of ‘power’ while discarding the hero who devoted his life to mankind! Have some shame! What does that say about everything I’ve chased after?!”
Rian’s wailing cries resonated in the room.
“…”
Neither the Emperor nor Leon could muster a response.
It was because Rian had struck a nerve with his words.
“…I’ve had enough.”
Rian took out a dagger from his pocket and aimed it at himself.
“Rian!!”
The Empress gasped and leapt from her seat, but Rian spoke without flinching.
“If you’re going to detain the Check Writer who revealed the truth, then I will choose to end my own life right here. I refuse to live as a mere puppet of lies!”
“Rian…”
In that moment, Leon called Rian by his name for the first time.
So softly that no one heard him.
“…Eve, what do you think?”
“Father, you are mistaken.”
“Mistaken, you say?”
The Emperor, once more looking at Eve, could only stare in shock as she was smiling softly.
It was a smile he had never seen on her before.
“Though you think of me as your most rational child, I have long since changed emotionally. As a member of royalty, hiding the truth may be right, but I want the truth to be revealed.”
“I see. I misjudged you Eve. But… very well, if that is what you wish. I understand.”
***
A few days later, the Nias Empire’s newspaper published shocking news that surprised everyone who read it.
[9th Emperor Ian G. Nias’s ugly hidden truth revealed!]
[Confirmed even in the Holy Kingdom? 21st Pope Adanis said, “God has revealed it to me.”]
[Check Writer was right! What else did he know?!]
[The girl who wrote with Check Writer was actually a hero? The living history, the hero Rate…]
“Phew, it seems everything turned out alright.”
There were indeed articles praising me, but that was always the case, so I decided to just let it slide.
‘It’s said that when faced with such dilemmas, choosing to hide the truth will only lead to being destroyed by the hero in the end.’
Of course, that might not happen in reality, but given Rate’s story, which could rival those tales, it was entirely possible.
“But hey, the protagonists of those tales usually end up with a happy ending, right?”
Probably, the dove-hero Rate would live happily ever after, wouldn’t she?
I hope, wherever she goes, she finds happiness.
“I’ve arrived, writer.”
“Why are you here?”
“The dark mages have destroyed my hometown. Plus, my memory is still a bit fuzzy.”
“Ah.”