Eugene was speechless, and his mind was in turmoil. He couldn't fathom how to react to the spectacle before him. He simply stared ahead without uttering a word, his lips soundlessly opening and closing repeatedly.
"Ha-ha."
Mer sported a dashing smile that oozed confidence. The audacious kid was decked out in a sleek black suit, complete with shoes she had likely never worn before.
Eugene was utterly baffled by the attire and tilted his head in confusion.
"Ha-ha."
Another chuckle drew his gaze to Raimira.
Her outfit wasn't much different from Mer's. She was donned in a tight jacket, crisp shirt, trousers, shoes, and—
"Why are you wearing glasses?" Eugene couldn't help but express his disbelief. He stared at Raimira with confusion.
"Glasses are essential." Raimira adjusted her glasses with a flourish, boasting, "Because this lady is the secretary of Benefactor."
It was an answer Eugene never could have imagined, and it silenced Eugene once more. This time, he couldn't even move his lips. His mouth remained agape in dumbfounded silence.“Ha-ha . ” Raimira laughed more maturely while adjusting her glasses once more. But they were already perched high on her nose, the bridge pressing into her forehead and the lenses squishing her cheeks.
"And I am your manager, Sir Eugene,” Mer chimed in.
Though not wearing glasses, Mer had her own accessory. She subtly pushed forward the documents bag she had slung to the side. "I will be managing your schedule from now on, Sir Eugene."
In that case, what was the secretary supposed to do? What exactly was the difference between a secretary and a manager? And why on earth were they spouting such nonsense in such ridiculous outfits?
Eugene had many questions, but he chose to remain silent for the moment. The two kids’ outfits were amusing and cute, and he was curious about what folly they'd engage in next.
"Please look at this first,” Mer said while proudly opening the documents bag she had been flaunting.
More documents than what would seemingly fit into the bag spilled out onto the table, and Eugene’s expression instantly transformed from amusement and confusion into annoyance and discontent.
Just moments ago, Eugene had burned stacks of newspapers in shame and anger. But once again, in front of him lay clippings of articles related to himself, which were painstakingly collected from the very newspapers he had burned.
[The Reincarnation of the Stupid Hamel, the Brilliant Eugene Lionheart. Why Did He Hide His True Identity Until Now?]
[The Wise Sienna: Was She Not Courting a Man Three Hundred Years Younger? A Love Hidden For Three Centuries.]
"Kuaagh," Eugene groaned while turning his head away. He even closed his eyes to avoid the lurid headlines and garishly colored letters that seemed to dance behind his eyelids.
"Please look straight at it, Sir Eugene!" Mer shouted while hanging onto his leg, while Raimira clung to his arm and proclaimed, "Oh Benefactor, the entire continent is abuzz about you! You are indeed the superstar of the continent!"
Eugene swayed while stuttering a response, “Wh-why are you mocking me like this…!?”
“What on earth are you talking about? Sir Eugene, why would we mock you?” responded Mer.
“Benefactor, has someone been mocking you? Has the evil black wizard cast your heart into turmoil before leaving? This lady will immediately punish him with a single Breath!”
It was difficult to know whether they were genuinely concerned or mocking him.
Eugene collapsed into his seat, overwhelmed by a crushing sense of humiliation. Mer and Raimira quickly detached themselves from Eugene before they, too, fell on their bums.
"Sir Eugene, listen closely to me. The continent's eyes are on you right now. This is an incredible opportunity. You can significantly boost your divine power if you utilize this attention properly," Mer pressed while shoving the clippings into Eugene's face.
[A 300-year Unrequited Love Finally Bears Fruit. A Romance That Transcends Tragedy.]
[A Forbidden Love Between Teacher and Student: Where Will It Lead?]
"As I've said, this lady is your secretary. Sir Eugene, in this tumult of attention, what we, that is, you and I, need to do is not be swayed by rumors. Instead, we should push forward our agenda," Raimira added while also pressing the articles forward, bringing her selection of clippings closer to Eugene's face.
[Sausage and Beer, Cheese and Wine, the Hero and the Saint. A Combination Everyone is Bound to Love.]
[Does Hamel See the Faithful Anise in Saint Kristina? Unraveling the Commonalities Between the Two Saints.]
Mer was the one who had initially started to collect the newspaper clippings. While Eugene and Sienna had been constrained from publicly revealing their romance due to their relationship as teacher and student, Eugene revealing his true identity now freed them from societal scrutiny. Thus, Mer had wanted to firmly establish their narrative for the whole world.
And Raimira? She had no particular agenda but felt compelled to act when she saw Mer fervently gathering articles about Eugene and Sienna. She knew that staying passive was not an option.
Like Mer's bias towards Sienna, Raimira was inclined towards the Saints, hence her biased collection of related articles.
Eugene gathered his cool. The shame subsided, and he no longer had the desire to hide away and die in a corner. Eugene regained his composure and straightened his expression.
"So why exactly are you a secretary and a manager?" Eugene inquired.
"There are tons of journalists dying to meet you, Sir Eugene,” answered Mer.
"Not just journalists either. Nobles and kings desire an audience with Benefactor as well,” Raimira added.
"It would be bothersome for you to deal with all of them, right? Even if you move and act quickly, you are still just one person,” said Mer.
"That's a very valid point. Thus, as a secretary, this lady will manage your schedule, Benefactor, to ensure that you are not bothered,” stated Raimira.
"What are you talking about? Scheduling is my job as the manager. You should just take off those ill-fitting glasses and go suckle on your thumbs,” retorted Mer.
"These glasses were given to this lady by her mother!" shouted Raimira.
The two youngsters began to grapple with each other's hair in dispute.
Eugene chose not to intervene and instead sighed deeply. Though he didn't want to, he skimmed through the content of the scrapbook, gaining a clearer understanding of the current situation.
"Well… done,” he said.
If nothing else, the effort it would have taken to cut out and paste together so many articles was commendable. Eugene himself would never do it, no matter what, but it seemed the kids felt differently.
"A secretary, a manager... you don't need to bother with all that. I'll just take care of it myself,” Eugene assured.
"But Sir Eugene, you're busy,” Mer responded.
"There is also a suggestion to publish a fairy tale based on your vivid stories. If you wish, Benefactor, I shall arrange the schedule,” Raimira added.
Raimira's words stirred Eugene's heart.
Publish a fairy tale book?
Could it mean altering the content of that damned fairy tale that had branded the ridiculous nickname the Stupid Hamel across the continent for three hundred years?
Eugene swallowed hard. Even if he left the content as is, he desperately wanted to change the prefix attached to Hamel's name.
— Stupid Hamel, But Hamel of XX to the demons? The true identity behind the name feared by demons.
An article from one of the newspapers he had burned earlier flickered in his mind.
"There's a lot of talk about publishing a new book filled with your heroic tales, Sir Eugene. They want to write a new fairy tale that will be read by all the children of the continent for generations to come,” said Mer.
Her eyes sparkled with enthusiasm. To be honest, Mer didn't want to change the content of the fairy tale that had been published hundreds of years ago. Naturally, Mer knew very well that Eugene hated the nickname Stupid Hamel.
However….
How many people could claim that Hamel’s deeds had not been stupid if they were made to pledge never to lie with their hand on their heart?
Even Eugene would be unable to deny it if he were under oath not to lie. So why should they change such a fitting nickname?
"The Saga of the Brilliant Eugene Lionheart."
"From Stupid to Glorious."
The two youngsters whispered while raising their scrapbooks. These titles were among the many inscribed within and carefully selected from numerous suggested titles in newspapers and other publications.
"Sir Eugene, you must surely know that any new fairy tale must feature me. And always take me along when you're telling stories about me,” asked Mer.
Not to be outdone, Rimira added, "Naturally, this lady must appear as well. The story must describe the fateful first meeting between Benefactor and this lady and what kind of existence I am to Benefactor. You must describe it accurately.”
At this point, Eugene gave up.
"Get out,” he declared.
"What?"
"Out!" he said firmly.
He picked up the two little ones and threw them out of the room before returning to his previous spot.
The clippings were scattered on the floor. He considered burning them for a moment but could not bring himself to destroy such diligently crafted pieces. With a deep sigh, Eugene gathered them into his cloak.
"Ha…."
He shook his head in disbelief.
He slightly regretted his declaration, but what was already said could not be unsaid. The entire continent now knew that Eugene was Hamel reincarnated.
"Haa…."
The sighs came one after another.
Eugene moved towards the window with yet another sigh. The room was very quiet and tranquil, except for the sound of his footsteps and his sighs.
With a gloomy expression, Eugene placed his hands on the windowsill.
"Uwaaaah!"
As soon as he cracked open the window, he was greeted with a massive cheer. He had blocked unwanted noise from entering the room with magic, but the sound flooded the moment he opened the windows.
"Hero!"
"Sir Eugene!"
"Hamel!"
There were shouts of cheer. Crowds gathered beyond the city walls had been shouting Eugene's name for days. It wasn’t limited to just the citizens of Salar but people from other nations as well. They were pouring out praises and worship for the Hero, Eugene, and Hamel as if they were fanatics.
He was the reincarnation of a hero from three hundred years ago, the Hero of the present age who had defeated two Demon Kings. Although the specter had not actually been a Demon King, he was known as one across the continent. Being the Hero was reason enough for adoration, but the added mystique of a reincarnated hero led adoration to fanaticism.
‘My divine power keeps growing,’ Eugene thought.
He felt it more profoundly than when his statue had been erected in Shimuin. The divinity within him was expanding. It was mixing with what had shattered and merged during his battle with the specter and was now spreading even further. He placed a hand over his heart and felt the universe. The twinkling stars seemed brighter and more numerous than before the war. If he focused hard enough, he could even hear voices — the voices of his followers.
"Why not wave back at them?"
An unexpected voice resounded from behind. Eugene wasn't surprised. He gave a deep sigh and turned around. He found Kristina standing there with a smile. She was dressed in her pure white priestly robe. Her smile deepened under Eugene’s gaze, and she gave a slight nod.
"Everyone is waiting for you to appear,” said Kristina.
"I can't go out. I'm still in pain,” responded Eugene.
"It won’t do for the Hero to lie,” rebuked Kristina.
"Is there a rule that says the Hero can't lie? That bastard Vermouth sure lied a lot,” Eugene grumbled with a frown.
He had confined himself to the Salar Palace for ten days under the excuse of not having recovered fully. However, Eugene’s body had long since healed. Yet, venturing outside was unthinkable for him. He had no desire to meet with the crowds who cheered for him with sparkling eyes. He was clueless about what he could possibly say to them.
“Didn’t you proudly carry a flag before marching off to battle?” questioned Kristina.
“This is quite different from then, isn’t it?” Eugene responded.
“Well, I don’t think it’s that different. After all, those who have come here aren't expecting a speech from you, Sir Eugene. They simply wish to see you in person. The reincarnation of a hero. The Hero of our age. The light that ushers in a new era,” responded Kristina.
Eugene wasn’t sure how to respond.
“The coming times may not be as peaceful as before. It’s something we, like it or not, have to accept, right?” Kristina reasoned.
It had been difficult to accept until now or, to be precise, unimaginable. The people of this era knew nothing of war, of how terrifying Demon Kings, demonfolks, and black wizards could be.
For three hundred years, there had been no war. The Demon King of Incarceration has been an advocate for humans, and neither demons nor black wizards engaged in violence. To the people of this era, Helmuth was an empire rather than the Devildom. Even if the Demon King of Incarceration spoke of the Oath’s end, the end of peace, it was very hard for people to imagine it.
The Abyssal Princess, Iris, had been reborn as the new Demon King of Fury in the Southern Seas. Despite the emergence of a new Demon King, the regular people of the continent had felt no imminent threat.
She was too distant and dealt with too quickly. Iris didn’t manage to assert her presence as a Demon King. It would have been a different story had she ventured onto the continent, but she died before she could reach it.
But the specter was different. He captured the capital of the great nation of Nahama. He rendered the Sultan of Nahama powerless. In less than half a day, perhaps in just an hour, he had taken over the capital of a major nation. He was the Demon King himself, and he had come with an army of massive demonic beasts, undead, demons, and black wizards.
It was no longer possible to ignore the threat. The people of this era had come to know war more certainly and closely. They realized that even before their lifetimes ended, the Demon King of Incarceration could start a war and set the continent ablaze.
“That is why they’re looking for someone to depend on,” said Kristina.
She drew closer to Eugene’s side.
“Someone to depend on,” Eugene echoed her words with a bitter chuckle and raised his hand. “Well, compared to praying in a church to an unseen Light... seeing me in person, alive and present, must be more comforting.”
He cautiously extended his hand out the window and waved.
Uwaaah!
The cheers grew louder, and it felt as if the palace itself was shaking.
“The Light,” Kristina said with a wry smile. “ Sir Eugene, haven’t you also felt that it isn’t something that could be called a god?”