The Hero Who Wasn't:Lord of Kingdoms

The next day, Arion was summoned to a private meeting room at the guild. When he entered, he found three people waiting for him.

The first was the massive knight, Robert. He stood respectfully, hand resting on his sword, as if to say, "My body is your shield, my lord."

The second was Leo, the agile ranger with hawk-like eyes. He bowed low, "My eyes and ears are at your service to scout the path ahead."

The third was someone new—a tall woman with icy silver hair and sharp violet eyes. She wore a deep blue mage's robe and radiated an aura of raw power and cold arrogance.

"This is Lady Selene," Valerius introduced. "The strongest ice sorceress in our region. An A-rank adventurer."

Selene looked Arion up and down, taking in his usual cloak and composed face. Her eyes held neither awe nor reverence—only cold suspicion and cool assessment. "So this is the 'hero' everyone talks about," she thought, her lips curling faintly.

"Very well, Lord Arion," said Valerius. "The team is ready. We await your orders and strategy."

Arion stood before a large map of the region laid out on the table. All eyes were on him. Cold sweat trickled under his cloak—he had no strategy at all.

So, he did the simplest thing. He raised his finger and pointed to the spot the needle had revealed.

"The target… is here."

Robert nodded approvingly. "Direct and decisive! No wasted words!"

Selene scoffed inwardly. "He has no plan whatsoever."

Leo asked, "My lord, which route shall we take? There's the safe forest path around the mountains, or the trade road—"

Arion looked at the map. He didn't know any names or places. He only saw the starting point (the city) and the destination (the mine). So he did the most obvious thing—he drew a straight line connecting the two.

"The shortest path."

Leo stared at the line in shock. "The shortest path?" he whispered, horrified. "But… but that goes straight through the 'Jagged Valley' and the 'Whispering Marshes!' Those are dangerous zones even the bravest adventurers avoid! It could take weeks to cross them safely!"

Then his eyes widened as realization struck. "He doesn't mean to cross them carefully… he means to break through! He'll march in a straight line, daring any danger to stop him! What terrifying confidence!"

Meanwhile, Arion had simply drawn a line because he couldn't read the map.

---

The expedition gathered at Arcadia's main gate. A huge crowd of citizens came to see them off. Finn, the devoted student, stood at the front, eyes brimming with proud tears. "Go, my master! Cleanse the world of evil!"

Arion stood at the head of the team, cloaked and silent, looking every bit the legendary commander about to march into war. Inside, he was desperately searching for signs of a sudden illness he could fake to run back to bed.

Beside him, Selene stood with arms crossed and a challenging look on her face. "Let's see what you're really made of, 'Lord.'"

Behind him, Robert and Leo stood ready to die for him.

"Let's go." Arion managed the only two words he could force out.

They took their first steps beyond the city walls. Arion, the impostor commander, was now responsible for a team of real heroes, on a mission he knew nothing about, heading toward a danger he couldn't handle, by a route he'd chosen by accident because he couldn't read a map.

The stakes were higher than ever. He was no longer just risking his own life—now he was risking theirs too.

As they walked, Selene whispered to Robert, "Don't you think it's odd he hasn't said anything about the plan?"

Robert answered solemnly, "Hmm. You say this because you see his thin frame, don't you? Never judge a book by its cover! Perhaps we're not even ants compared to his genius! He truly is a great man."

Arion overheard their whispers and wanted to scream. "I'm not great! I'm just an ant like you—no, I'm the most terrified ant here!"

---

A Suicidal Journey Begins

The expedition's journey into the unknown began. Arion walked at the front—not because he was a brave leader, but because he was terrified they'd ask him questions he couldn't answer if he stayed behind them. Behind him, Robert and Leo marched with unwavering respect, while Selene took the rear, her sharp violet eyes fixed on Arion's back like a hawk stalking its prey.

They reached the entrance to the Jagged Valley. True to its name, it was a narrow, steep pass between knife-like rocky cliffs. The wind howled through the rocks, carrying an eerie, whistling sound.

Leo, the seasoned scout, stepped forward. "My lord, the path here is unstable and prone to rockslides. I'll go ahead and find the safest route. It may take some time."

Arion froze. Waiting meant more time for Selene's piercing stare—and if he agreed to wait, he might look like a hesitant commander. He had to protect the image of a fearless hero who feared nothing.

"No need," Arion said coolly. "We proceed."

Then, with fake confidence masking total ignorance, he started forward on the most obvious path—which, naturally, was the most exposed and dangerous one.

Robert looked at Leo with a grin of admiration. "Did you see that? He scoffs at danger! His strength is his path!"

Leo felt a shiver of fear but followed, assuming Lord Arion had some hidden method to shield them from falling rocks.

Selene, meanwhile, shook her head in disbelief. "Either he's the genius of the century… or a complete fool. And I'm leaning dangerously toward the second option."