Reincarnated as a failed hero?! Watch me Defy Fate!

After my last meeting with Lilith, I found myself thinking about the burdens she must be carrying. What kind of troubles is she really facing? I wanted to help her... no, I had to help her. But I knew I couldn't force anything.

So I decided to take it slow.

For now, all I could do was welcome her warmly whenever she came here. Let her rest, even just a little. Maybe, someday, when she's ready, she'll open up and share what's truly weighing on her heart. And when that moment comes, I'll be there to listen.

I let out a long sigh as drowsiness settled over me. My eyelids felt heavy, and just before I drifted off to sleep, I suddenly remembered—tomorrow's the day Julius starts his Hero's Trial.

I quietly whispered a prayer.

"I hope everything goes well for him."

....

The next morning, I woke up and went through my usual routine. Today was going to be packed.

There was a meeting scheduled with King Aslan, Mercenary King Yunho, Mercenary Queen Mina, and Magic King Salvador. Just the five of us. It wasn't a full council, and the others—including the heroes, Amelia, and the research team—were continuing their individual tasks and training.

I arrived at the same conference room where we had held our first strategy meeting.

I had expected the full council to be present again, but surprisingly, it was just the key leaders and myself. That made sense, though. This meeting was focused on the information I'd received from Lilith. There was no need to involve everyone.

As the meeting began, each of the kings gave their reports, starting with King Aslan.

"I've been training Amelia myself for the past week," he said proudly. "She's now capable of wielding the sacred sword passed down through the Braveheart royal family… Durandal."

His voice was filled with quiet confidence and a touch of fatherly pride.

He continued, "I believe she will surpass me someday. She has the potential to break through limits I never could."

I couldn't hide my surprise. So… he knows about limit break too?

Envi, did you hear that?

I did, Envi responded. Looks like he's not just a ceremonial king after all.

Maybe King Aslan had already noticed the strength gap between himself and the other leaders—Yunho, Mina, and Salvador—who had all reached the level of limit break.

The other kings offered Aslan their praise and support, nodding in agreement. They clearly trusted his judgment.

Then King Aslan brought up Julius.

"Today, the Hero's Trial for Julius von Starlight begins," he said solemnly. "He may become the next great hero from the Starlight bloodline… a new light to replace Lucius, who betrayed us and sided with the demons."

His expression grew serious. That betrayal still cut deep.

He turned to me. "Naoki, as his friend, would you accompany him to the Hall of Ascension? It might ease his nerves."

"I was planning to go after this meeting anyway," I replied with a smile. "I'd be honored."

Next, Mercenary King Yunho gave his report.

"The Braveheart heroes have been progressing fast with their forced aura training," Yunho said, clearly pleased. "Honestly, I didn't expect them to adapt this quickly. Some of them might even reach overlimit in a few months."

Queen Mina nodded in agreement beside him. "They've got potential. Give them a little more than a month of continuous training, and they'll be ready for real forced aura combat methods."

Hearing that sent a shiver down my spine. What kind of hell training are they planning next…?

Just surviving our current schedule was brutal enough. And now there's going to be a next stage?

I could already imagine the agony. All I could do was pray for myself and the others.

King Aslan smiled, pleased with the results. "This training will be essential. It's increasing their physical and aura capabilities far beyond what we expected."

He then proposed something new.

"I want to add more people to the training roster," he said. "There are still many young talents in our kingdom who could benefit from it."

Yunho and Mina exchanged knowing looks and grinned.

"More students, huh?" Yunho said with a smirk. "Sounds fun."

Mina laughed softly, but there was something terrifying behind it. "Let's see how long they last."

I swallowed nervously. They looked like kids who just got new toys to break—I mean, train.

Still, I agreed with the idea. "Maybe we could include the division commanders of the Braveheart knights," I suggested. "And… actually, I was thinking of inviting Marius, Leopold, and Luna as well. They're close friends of mine, and they've all shown amazing potential."

Envi chuckled darkly in my mind. You really want to put your friends through the same pain you've endured? I like the way you think.

I couldn't help but smile a little at the thought. Imagining their faces during Yunho and Mina's "bootcamp from hell" made me laugh quietly to myself.

Then came the final report from Magic King Salvador.

"We've begun the preliminary phase of crafting the magic device," he explained. "The one to counter Lilith's teleportation spells. We're currently in the design and resource estimation phase."

He glanced at me, offering a respectful nod.

"Thanks to the high-tier magic core you provided, we'll be able to create a more stable and powerful core for the device. That will make a huge difference."

"I'm glad it's useful," I said, smiling.

Salvador's praise was brief, but genuine. It gave me hope that the project would move forward quickly.

We'll need it, I thought silently. Especially with whatever Lilith was hinting at last night.

Envi stayed quiet, but I knew he was thinking the same thing.

This wasn't just about building a device. It was about preparing for whatever came next.

And whatever it was, I had a feeling it wouldn't be long before we found out.

But then, Salvador-sama explained that the completion of the magic device would take quite some time. After all, we weren't just building one—we needed to craft three of them. One for the Braveheart Kingdom, one for the Gildoria Kingdom, and one for the Solara Magic Kingdom.

King Aslan, Yunho, and Queen Mina all agreed with this plan. I nodded in agreement too, though I had a few things I wanted to share once it was my turn.

...

When it finally came to me, I stood and began reporting the results of my meeting with Lilith.

"She gave her approval for the anti-teleportation magic device," I said. "In fact, she even praised us for managing to analyze her spell formula so precisely."

The room visibly brightened. Everyone seemed pleased to hear that.

But then, I brought up something that immediately changed the mood.

"However," I added, "Lilith also said something else. She told me we need to complete the devices this month. She said she's sensing a growing threat... and urged us to stay alert."

That single sentence brought silence to the room.

Everyone fell still. Their cheerful expressions turned serious.

King Aslan leaned forward, concern in his voice. "Did she say what kind of threat she meant?"

I shook my head. "No. Even Lilith isn't certain yet. She only mentioned that the Overlords are… doing something. And whatever it is, she believes it's enough to warrant caution."

Everyone in the room exchanged heavy glances, then slowly nodded. It wasn't much to go on—but when someone like Lilith expresses concern, we take it seriously.

King Aslan turned toward Salvador-sama. "Is there any way we can speed up the creation process?"

Salvador-sama went quiet for a moment, thinking. Then he gave a confident nod.

"I'll do everything I can. Trust me—I am the Magic King, after all."

That brought some relief back to the room.

But Salvador-sama added, "Still, I'll need the help of a highly skilled artisan. Someone with exceptional talent in crafting magic tools."

King Aslan, Yunho, and Mina all began suggesting names from among the kingdom's top craftsmen.

But I offered just one.

"There's someone I trust completely—Edwin the Miracle Hand."

Everyone turned to look at me.

"He's the dwarf who forged my katana and armor. If anyone can help finish the magic device faster, it's him. His talent is... unreal."

King Aslan sighed and nodded. "Honestly, I didn't want to bring Edwin into this. He's... not the easiest person to work with."

That was an understatement.

"But," the king continued, "his skills are undeniable. I'll send word to him immediately."

Salvador-sama looked pleased. "Excellent. I'd like him at the lab by tonight."

King Aslan gave the order to his aide right away, and just like that, things started moving.

Watching everyone work together like this reassured me. Maybe we could finish this in time.

After that, they asked if Lilith had shared any other information.

I nodded. "The Overlords still haven't fully recovered, according to her. She's confident of that. But... she's also worried. She feels like something unexpected is coming. Something none of us have accounted for yet."

The kings listened in silence, then gave firm nods. At the very least, they'd be more prepared now.

With that, the meeting finally came to a close.

Before leaving, I turned to King Aslan. "I'll stop by to check on Julius first, then visit Amelia afterward."

The king smiled warmly. "She's missed you, you know. Seeing you again might be just what she needs to lift her spirits."

I gave a sheepish smile and nodded.

Outside the meeting room, I summoned Runa from the Grimoire of the Darkness.

"Runa," I said, "I want you to check on the training progress of Serena, Cain, Theresia, and Freya. Make sure their familiars are being disciplined too."

Runa saluted with crisp formality. "Understood."

She quickly changed into her instructor uniform and grabbed her trusty whip—her "training tool," as she liked to call it. Then she sprinted off toward the training area.

In my mind, Envi chuckled. She's really enjoying that job a little too much.

I let out a small laugh.

...

Next, I made my way to the Hall of Ascension to visit Julius.

The original hall had nearly been destroyed, but thanks to a joint effort between King Aslan and the Saintess from the cathedral, repairs had been completed swiftly. The new Hall of Ascension had been built underground, directly beneath the newly constructed cathedral.

It had only been possible thanks to additional support from Yunho and Salvador-sama.

Because of that, Julius was able to start his Hero's Trial without delay.

I entered the sacred hall and was greeted by several sisters in white robes. I nodded to them, then exchanged respectful greetings with the Saintess who would be leading the ceremony.

Soon after, Julius stepped into the chamber.

He was flanked by members of the Starlight family, including his father. Luna and Termina were there too, showing their support.

Julius looked noble and determined, clad in ceremonial armor and carrying the ancestral sword of his family—the Blade of Justice.

When he spotted me, his expression brightened.

"Naoki! You came," he said with a wide smile. "I completed the Starlight family mission without any trouble. I've officially been recognized as a successor candidate."

He took a deep breath and looked at me with serious eyes.

"I'll be counting on your support. Please... wish me luck."

I walked closer and clapped a hand on his shoulder. "You've got this. I believe in you."

Then I leaned in and whispered something in his ear.

Julius blinked. His eyes went wide.

"Wait… you're serious?!"

I grinned, stepping back. "Trust me."

His face was filled with both shock and excitement.

Whatever happens next… I know he'll give it his all.

..

..

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