Such a bold statement left the reporters speechless. Their lips parted in dumbfounded silence as they stared up at the platform.
It was true that Eugene had arrived much later than scheduled. Moreover, they had been standing under the scorching sun for far too long, which would naturally breed discontent.
But among those gathered, who could openly express their dissatisfaction with Eugene Lionheart? They were resigned to keep their silence despite any complaints or grievances they might have. It could not be helped, especially not after Eugene had directly challenged them to voice their grievances. Not a soul dared to speak.
They simply averted their gazes from Eugene’s glare. At that moment, most of the reporters came to a stark realization. Recollections from their childhood, particularly those regarding childhood fairy tales, came flooding back.
Who was the one known for his foul temper and scoundrel-like behavior among the five heroes led by the Great Vermouth?
He might have reincarnated after three hundred years as the Hero of the current era, but Eugene Lionheart’s true nature was unchanged and unmistakable.
"Looks like there might be some complaints, so instead of harboring grim thoughts, speak up if you have any gripes,” Eugene repeated once more.
After having ascended the platform, Eugene surveyed the surroundings with his eyebrows furrowed in apparent annoyance.
"Now, how can you expect someone to stand here and talk without even a chair? Are you saying you all get to sit while I just stand and talk? This seems quite disrespectful, doesn't it?" Eugene complained.
There were no chairs on the platform. Eugene typically wouldn't mind standing for hours; his legs wouldn't hurt from merely talking for several hours on his feet.However, he felt it was necessary to nitpick under these circumstances. It wasn’t necessarily about getting his way. He simply disliked the idea that the annoying reporters got to sit while he had to stand. Dominating the scene from the start was also part of his strategy.
[How can he be so easy to see through...?] Anise sighed as she peeked through the slightly ajar door at Eugene's antics.
'Such a dignified posture befits the Hero,’ Kristina exclaimed.
[Kristina...! There's no need to defend Hamel so desperately. You don’t need to force it. The current display is childish and shameful, something not even a ten-year-old, snotty brat would do,] said Anise.
Kristina continued to defend, 'Even that innocence—'
[Please, Kristina!] Anise interrupted her, bringing an end to that conversation.
Kristina's sincere support of Eugene’s domineering and childish comments was more concerning. Anise could feel Kristina’s sincerity, which prompted her to scream in resistance to her fanaticism.
"The chairs... are over here,” Sienna said hesitantly.
With a wave of her hand, a plush chair appeared behind Eugene.
"These days, no one has any manners, no manners at all," Eugene grumbled like an old man as he sat down.
The reporters remained silent while stealing glances at Eugene on the platform.
Eugene Lionheart was twenty-three years old, and there wasn’t a single soul present who was younger than him. Yet, that was only his physical age. His soul belonged to Hamel. Then, was he actually three hundred years old? Or should they add his current age to the age at which he died when he was Hamel?
"You’ve bothered a busy person to come here, so why is everyone so quiet?” Eugene spat while leaning back in the spacious chair.
The reporters’ expressions shifted at Eugene's exasperated remarks. This press conference had been hard-won. It was a rare opportunity that might not come again any time soon.
"I am Sören Breed from Weekly Kiehl. I have a question for Sir Eugene Lionheart—"
"Let's skip the introductions with affiliations and names. In any case, I don't plan to remember any of you, and if possible, I'd prefer not to meet again,” Eugene interrupted while waving his hands dismissively.
He crossed his legs before continuing, "Each of you gets one question. Pretend to ignore my answer and ask again, and we're done here. And I won't necessarily answer every question. If I find a question annoying or displeasing, I'll simply ignore it. Of course, in that case, you've used up your chance to ask."
Looking at the silent reporters, Eugene declared, “I said it once, and I won’t say it again.”
Silence ensued once more.
The reporters nodded among themselves while exchanging glances. This wasn't an exclusive story, and the information they gathered would be shared within themselves in such a public setting. With only one question per person, they had to be careful not to overlap with others. They would craft the flow of their articles accordingly.
"Sir Eugene Lionheart, how exactly did you reincarnate?" an eager reporter asked earnestly after standing up.
“Pass,” came the answer.
"Excuse me?" the reporter asked, confused.
"Pass, I said."
Eugene had no intention of answering questions about his reincarnation. Saying that Vermouth reincarnated him wasn't exactly an option. So, he simply dismissed the question with a wave of his hand.
The reporter’s cheeks twitched when his question was ignored. He wanted to say something, anything, to keep the conversation going — but he couldn't. He took his seat while swallowing hard, under the scrutiny of everyone around.
"Is there a special reason you've revealed your identity this time?" came another question.
"I thought there was no longer any need to hide my identity after having killed two Demon Kings,” Eugene answered without changing his expression.
Of course, his answer was a lie. It had been an impulsive choice. He had been driven by his emotions to reveal his identity. He had failed to overcome a moment’s urge. His decision had been made partly to provoke Gavid Lindman as he watched from above. However, he couldn't very well admit to the truth.
"By killing two Demon Kings...! So, Sir Lionheart, you've been amassing power and preparing for the future? To make everyone acknowledge you as Hamel's reincarnation, or to protect yourself from Hamel's enemies?" another journalist quickly followed up with a question.
Eugene didn't hesitate much before responding, "Yes. Until now, I wasn't entirely confident that this was enough, but after defeating two Demon Kings, I'm certain of my strength. As for other reasons for hiding my identity... it wasn't to protect myself from past enemies, but rather, I didn't want to endanger the Lionheart family."
This answer contained a fair amount of sincerity. He had truly worried about such things in his younger days when he felt he wasn’t strong enough.
"The Lionheart family... I hope you don't mind me asking, but wasn't there a horrific incident at the Black Lion Castle in the Uklas Mountains, the Lionhearts’ domain? Was that event related to your true identity?" came another question.
"At that time, Eward Lionheart was haunted by the remnants of the Demon Kings of Carnage and Cruelty, who died three hundred years ago. The once-dormant remnants of the Demon Kings suddenly became violent. Well, perhaps they sensed the presence of their nemesis,” Eugene spoke with an indifferent face.
The events had transpired a few years ago. Yet, Eward's rampage was bound to remain a stain on the history of the Lionhearts.
Thus, Eugene chose not to dodge the question and instead provided a vague response.
“Ahh…!”
“Did the deceased Demon Kings tremble in the presence of Sir Hamel?”
“Then that means Eward Lionheart didn’t run rampant simply because he was crazy….”
The reporters scribbled in their notebooks while murmuring among themselves. Eugene nodded inwardly in approval. He was pleased by the turn of the conversation.
He wasn't trying to salvage Eward's honor. Instead, he hoped to slightly smooth over the wrinkles that Eward's actions had added to Gilead's legacy.
"Sir Eugene Lionheart, at the age of thirteen, you underwent the Bloodline Continuation Ceremony, a Lionheart tradition. Furthermore, you became the first person from a branch family to be adopted into the main family in the history of the Lionheart family. You were also permitted to learn the White Flame Formula. Was that your plan from the beginning?”
"I did covet the White Flame Formula. I've always thought that that bastard Vermouth was pretty impressive with his White Flame Formula three hundred years ago,” Eugene responded nonchalantly.
All the reporters became wide-eyed at his words. They had been shocked by how Eugene had referred to Vermouth as a bastard.
"Hey, even so, calling Sir Vermouth a bastard is a bit much, isn't it?" whispered Sienna.
"A bastard is a bastard, what of it? I still get pissed off thinking about that bastard sometimes,” Eugene answered.
"Truth be told, me too,” responded Sienna.
"What if... if you hadn't learned the White Flame Formula? Do you think you'd still be as powerful?" another journalist asked hesitantly.
"Truthfully, I wouldn't be as strong as I am now." Eugene didn't bother lying. "But to presuppose that I wouldn’t learn the White Flame Formula is where you’re already thinking the wrong thing. The moment I realized I was reincarnated as a descendant of Vermouth in the Lionheart family, I was determined to learn it, no matter what,” he continued.
If he hadn't learned it? Even if he had not, he would've reached this level of power eventually. Even if he had to settle for the Red Flame Law, the mediocre training scripture passed down through the collateral lines, he would have revamped it to be far superior.
However, it would have taken far longer for him to reach his current level of power. Eugene was only twenty-three years old now, younger than when Hamel died. Only ten years had passed since he first started training in the White Flame Formula.
Even if it was true that he possessed the memories of his past life and the divine power of Agaroth, it was unbelievable to think he had gained the power to stand at the apex of the continent and kill a Demon King on his own in just ten years.
Eugene had gained rapid power in such a short span because he was reincarnated into the Lionheart family and trained in the White Flame Formula. It was all thanks to Vermouth’s arrangements.
What if he had not been born into the Lionheart family? What if he had not learned the White Flame Formula?
It would have taken decades more to reach where he was now.
"Sir Eugene Lionheart, you've already achieved so much three hundred years ago. You killed three Demon Kings and led countless battles to victory, ultimately meeting a tragic end in the Demon King's castle," a journalist said.
"What are you trying to say? Just get to the point,” retorted Eugene.
"Well... erm, yes, understood. Having done so much for the world in your past life, have you ever thought about living a bit for yourself in this reincarnated life?" the journalist concluded with a cough.
Eugene paused to think before answering this time.
"I am living for myself even now," Eugene began. "Ever since I was Hamel, I resolved to annihilate every Demon King in the world, and that's how I lived until I died before all my comrades. I may have been reborn in some way or another, but my resolve has not changed.”
“Ohhhh…!”
The reporters gasped in admiration, though Eugene had not been aiming to fish such a reaction from them.
Kristina clasped her hands in prayer while peeking through the door. She let out a gasp of awe.
‘Sister, did you hear? Oh, how noble Sir Eugene is! The word 'hero' fits no one better than him in this world.’
Anise remained silent. There was definitely something obscuring Kristina’s views, and it was already too late to try and argue with her. Frankly, Anise felt a slight thrill at Eugene's words herself.
"Let me ask you directly." The lone demon reporter stood up.
Eugene looked at his towering figure with annoyance but nodded without reprimanding. "Ask away."
"Sir Eugene, do you wish for a war with the Helmuth Empire?" the demon asked with a serious face.
All reporters perked up. They eyed Eugene eagerly for an answer. This was one of the most awaited responses of the day.
Eugene didn't answer immediately, not because he needed to ponder the question but because he was considering how to phrase his response.
“I’m not the only one wanting a war, am I?” Eugene responded with a sly smile.
He leaned forward in his chair and stared down at the demon.
"I'm aware the world has changed a lot in these three hundred years. In the past, demons were to be killed on sight, and black wizards were traitors of humanity who became lackeys for demons. They sold out other humans,” said Eugene.
His tone was as fierce as his expression. Eugene didn't bother to mask his killing intent.
"The world has indeed changed a lot in the three hundred years since I died. Demons have become somewhat negotiable. The mere fact that you're here asking me questions, and I'm responding without ignoring you, shows that the world has changed, and I've done my best to adapt,” continued Eugene.
A palpable murderous aura was focused solely on the demon. Even though he was dressed in a suit and glasses, he was a strong demon within the Helmuth rankings. He wasn’t quite powerful enough to be in the top one hundred, but he was still considerably ranked.
But none of that mattered to Eugene. To him, all demonfolks, except for the dukes, were equally insignificant. All the demonfolks were no different from insects to the current Eugene, regardless of where they ranked.
"So, I won't ignore your question. Do I wish for a war with Helmuth? No. What I desire is a war with the Demon Kings and the demonfolks,” said Eugene.
"That is—"
"Don't think of me as just a war-obsessed murderer. Isn't the so-called peace-loving Demon King of Incarceration also seeking war, just like me? The same goes for the demons. Do you know how many demons died before me just a few days ago in Hauria?" Eugene asked.
The demon trembled without responding.
While continuing to radiate killing intent, Eugene continued, "Even if I do not wish for peace and try to do nothing, the Demon King of Incarceration will not want it. He has already signaled the end of the Oath and, thus, the end of peace. Do today's demons think the Demon King of Incarceration has become a pacifist?"
After his mocking words, Eugene withdrew his hostility. The demon finally collapsed back into his seat while gasping for breath.
Though Eugene’s killing intent had dissipated, no one dared speak. Eugene smiled, satisfied with the silence.
Looking around, he said, "It seems there are no further questions, so we should probably wrap this up—"
"I have a question!"
Someone shouted, raising their hand high. Eugene's face crumpled in annoyance.
"Please clarify your exact relationship with Lady Sienna!" Melkith shouted while bursting from the ground.
Her glasses did not suit her at all.