"W-WHAT?!"

Everyone in the council raises their voices especially the Academics who shocked and excited to the sudden revelation. Debate ensues.

"Are you sure on what you said?!"

"That's a big news if thats true! Better not joke on us or you going to get punished severely!"

"How can a laboratory is hidden beneath the reverse tower?!"

The King calls for silence and it takes 2 seconds before the crowd finally settles down.

"Miss. Do you have any evidences to back up your claim?" The King asked.

"Yes your majesty. Please allow me to get the things we gathered."

Claustrine opens her bigger Bag of Storage but she paused when the nearby soldiers points their spears on her.

"Soldiers, lower down your weapons."

As the King command. The soldiers returns to their neutral posture. But they still have observant eyes, ready to protect everyone if Grand Ecstasy did something.

Claustrine have two Bag of Storage. First is a smaller one containing all of her personal belongings. And a second bigger one with larger opening used to store Grand Ecstasy's supplies and loots.

Claustrine continues and picks all the books he can gathered. For each book she puts in the table, the Academics are looking with anticipation. They're look like one step away from drooling.

"I did quick reading on each book and I can say that all of these are related to the Reverse Tower plus known and unknown knowledges."

"Your Majesty, Can I take a look?" The Elder Academic asked. The King nods with approval.

With support from soldiers. The Elder walks to the center table where Claustrine presents all the books. He opens one and take a quick read,

Then another

And another.

It was the fifth book when he stopped and makes a satisfied grin.

"As an Elder of the Academia. I guarantee that all of these books are authentic. And I asked for these book to be turned to Academia to be studied further, your majesty." The Elder's request while bowing down.

"I accept your proposal. Soldiers, pick the books and put it in safety for a while."

"Thank you for your gratitude my King." The Elder said then he bowed to the king.

While the soldiers carefully picks the old books. The Academics are talking with excitement. Can't wait to spend days and nights studying the new knowledge they recieve.

"Thank you for your service. I will ensure that all of you would recieve approriate rewards." The Elder said then he slowly returns to his seat, still assisted by few soldiers.

"The books must have any information regarding the Teleportation circles. Once the books are fully studied, it can provide huge benefits for the Kingdom. With that said, I offer my deepest gratitude for your contribution." The Kings genuine appreciation followed by the claps of everyone in the council. When the celebration stops.

"Now. I want to ask you, do you still have any reports that you can present to us?" The King asked.

"Yes your Majesty. In fact, it must be equally groundbreaking as the books itself." Mateo speaks making everyone in the council curious again.

"Ohoh?" The King is intrigued. Even the council is starting to get loud again when they heared what Mateo said.

"Despite the unexplored layers not having monsters or dangers, we still get involved in conflict as you can see on our injuries." Claustrine added.

"That's truly confused me since your friend said that theres no monster in the cave system. What is the thing you fight that make you put in such life or death situation?" The King asked.

"Yoir Majesty, before answering that question. We want to show something first. I promise it was related somehow." Mateo proposed.

"I see... Fine, show us."

Mateo signals Claustrine. Claustrine understands and uses the Big Bag of Storage again. She search throughly and puts the pieces of skeletal remains.

At first, the council is confused as they don't have any idea on what Claustrine is pulling. The only thing they can question is the bones seems a lot bigger compared to a humans.

But the atmosphere inside the court instantly turns dark when Claustrine finally pulls a skull and put it on the table above the bones. Even the King is concerned on the remains of a very powerful being.

"N-no way..." One of the Nobles said as he watch the skull of an Eight-horned Vielarata. She feels shivers as she remembers the stories of the past.

"D-do you guys really fight... That thing?" One of the Knight captains asked.

Hilgurd just have a very serious look at his face, waiting for the real deal.

Claustrine finished showing all the bones and ragged clothes of the Vielarata. The council is still feeling overwhelemed by a eerie feeling even though the Vielarata is already dead.

Considering their human history. It's understandable why they feel such way on one of the enemy that almost destroyed mankind.

"Now I understand why Gilmore recieve such injury. If the thing they face is that... thing..." One of the Nobles said.

"To think that a powerful Vielarata is close to the Reverse Tower says something grim." One of the Academics said.

"Is that Vielarata the one that almost kill all of you?" The King asked.

"I admit, we equally in danger if we fight this Vielarata. But, this is not the one that almost killed us." Mateo's words makes the council talk softly.

"what?"

"What does he mean that the Vielarata is not the thing they fought? I'm confused." One of the Knight captain said with a dumbstruck look on her face.

"Pardon?" The King is surprised on the sudden twist of narrative.

"Your Majesty. This Vielarata is already dead a long time ago the moment we entered the Laboratory. Mateo answered.

The council is talks slightly louder.

"Are you saying that someone killed that powerful monster?" The King asked.

"Yes your Majesty. Whatever the one that killed this Vielarata is the same thing that almost destroy us." Mateo answered.

"Then what it is?"

"It was some sort of Knight located in the deeper parts of the Laboratory, guarding the exit Teleportation circle. She looks like an Undead but when tried purification arts, it doesn't affect her at all." Mateo explained while clenching his fist as he remembers their struggles while fighting the female Knight.

The council talks even harder, debating on how to approach such strange information. The King calls for silence.

"Knight? How a Knight ends up in the deepest layers of Reverse Tower?" One of the Knights Captain asked.

"Are you really sure that the Knight is the one that killed that Eight-horned Vielarata? A Eight-horned is the third strongest in Vielarat hierchy and just a single unknown Knight can't handle such power to defeat that." One of the Academics said.

"What if the that Knight is really just a creation of the Vielarata and the Vielarata is already dead for centuries due to natural causes?" One of the Academics theorized.

"Are you saying that a Vielarata manages to enter and live inside the Reverse Tower which is created by a Legendary Hero? And create a creature somehow? That's absurd and heretical!" Another Academic disagrees.

"Its a Eight-horned Vielarata that we're talking about here. They might have the power to enter the Reverse Tower." One of the academics agrees to the Knight is created theory.

"Even powerful enough to bypass a powerful barrier created by one of the legendary heroes? Specifically designed to repel all Vielarata?" Another academic disagreed. The question makes the academics silent.

The King breaks the silence.

"It seems that you defeated the Knight you talking about. But, do you have any items that might be used to identify the identity of the Knight?" The King asked.

Claustrine and Mateo makes a sad expression. Due to being rend unconcious for the entirety of the fight. They didn't get any items the King asked.

"Y-your majesty. Can I speak?"

Claustrine, Mateo and Beltrand looks on the familiar voice behind them and sees the confident Sophia raising her hand.

"Anyone can speak as long as whatever they say is useful or related and not distracting." The King said.

"Your Majesty, I want to present what you're asking for."

"Oh-hoooo." The King smiles as he was interested.

A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

Gilmore just smiles as he understands what Sophia is saying.

Sophia opened his Bag of Storage. It's just slighty smaller to their largest storage. The reason why Sophia brings such medium sized Bag of Storage is due to her bringing several clothes, accessories and utilities that helps the party.

But this time, it doesn't contain any of Sophia's belongings. Instead Sophia carefull pulls the "dead?" Knight everyone is talking about.

"What in the world?! I thought you only pick her weapons!" Gilmore is shocked as she watch Sophia struggling to pull the Knight.

"I-I also do... that... don't worry." Sophia says with difficulty as she was struggling to carry the Knight still wearing its armor. Beltrand then helps her while also looking at the knight with fear and discomfort.

Gilmore facepalms using his left arm until he realized that he doesn't have a left arm anymore. So he facepalmed harder with his right arm. Embarassed to himself.

"She's really dead... Right?" Beltrand asked. Sophia nods.

Claustrine and Mateo also helps to carry the Knight's corpse.

"This is absurd." Claustrine said.

"Gravedigger..." Mateo said while looking at Sophia.

"Please don't judge meeeee!" Sophia cries.

With no space in the table. Claustrine removes the bones so the others can carefully place the knight in the table. Sophia also pulls its broken sword and left arm and puts it above the Knight.

.

.

.

!!!!!!!

The King suddenly stand up and rushes down to see the Knight closer. His serious face is replaced with sorrow as he holds the broken sword the Knight used.

At first, the crowd is in murmur, wondering on the sudden expressiveness of the King. Until some older Academics, Nobles and Bishops starts to talk loudly.

"No way... Is that really... Her?" One of the Elder Academics said. Some of the Bishops have tears flowing on their face while the older nobles just lower their head.

"Yes everyone. One of our heroes finally returns to her home. The Legendary Hero Glidel can finally rest in peace." The King solemnly says.

Grand Ecstasy and the others are equally shocked on the revelation. Grand Ecstasy wants to ask question on everything but after watching council goes in pained silence. They decide not to say a world and just join them.

After few seconds. The King properly ended the interview with Grand Ecstasy and Gilmore as there's more important things they need to prepare in the council now. Gilmore and Grand Ecstasy decides to go on the nearby royal garden not saying a word. They sit on the bench and then...

"WHAAAAAAAAAAAT?!" Everyone in the Grand Ecstasy suddenly screams except Shirna who just looked at them with confusion as he was outside of the council room that time.

Gilmore just sigh as he watch the party's shocked face.

"W-w-what does the K-k-king mean by L-legendary H-Hero?" Claustrine's stuttering words.

"W-w-what the hell we suddenly got involved in such thing?!" Beltrand said.

"Guys? What is happening?" Shirna's genuine question.

"T-t-the thing that a-almost killed us is the L-legendary Hero G-glidel." Mateo answered. Shirna just made a surprised face.

"S-s-sir G-gilmore... Y-you already know this since the beggining. Right?" Sophia asked Gilmore.

Gilmore just nods.

"Then why you didn't told us anything?!" Sophia is annoyed as she was making a pouting face. Gilmore chuckle.

"If I reveal anything earlier. You would become a nervous wreck in front of everyone." Gilmore's answer which just make everyone annoyed.

"Finally find you!"

Gilmore hears the familiar voice and it was his wife Erika alongside two of their maids. They all bringing baskets.

"Hello honey."

"Honey your ass! Why you didn't tell us that your interrogation is over?" Erika's annoyance.

"I'm so sorry. It's just things suddenly get hectic inside so we decides to take a breather." Gilmore said as he points his thumb behind him. Erika looks on the direction and sees Grand Ecstasy still a nervous wreck.

"Calm down Claustrine, calm down Claustrine. It's not like you did something criminal." Claustrine said to herself.

"Hehehehehee." Beltran just chuckling as he was thinking that he figh, strike and spit to the face of one of their legendary heroes.

Sophia is just having a blank stare on something while Mateo and Shirna just sitting and looks defeated.

"What happened to them?" Erika asked.

"I tell you later. Right now, do you bring some food? I'm so hungry." Gilmore asked.

"That's the reason why I was looking for all of you. Well whatever."

Erika shows the contents of her basket containing assortments of bread and cookies.

"Let's eat shall we?" Erika says then she smiles.

Gilmore faces the devastated party.

"Come on. It's not really a big deal. You know what? All of you are just hungry so we shall eat ok?" Gilmore said while scratching the back of his head.

"B-b-but.."

"No buts and what's. Let's eat first."

After few convincing. Grand Ecstasy finally goes back to their senses and eats food alongside Gilmore, Erika and the Maids. The assortment of high quality sandwhiches, cookies and wine are so delicious that Grand Ecstasy forgots what they where thinking earlier.

While eating. Gilmore slowly tells the news to Erika who also surprised but in different way.

"Does it means your mission is finally over?!"

"Yes honey. Now I can stay with you forever." Gilmore says followed by a gentle smile.

Erika jumps to Gilmore and hugs him very tight.

"Thanks the Goddess... I'm so happy." Erika says and almost cry.

The Grand Ecstasy just watch the husband and wife in their happy moments. Despite not having any idea, they smile and happy for the two who seems have a peaceful conclusion for themselves.

After a meal full of stories and fun. Everyone decides to stay on the Royal Garden a little bit longer when.

"Sir Gilmore..."

Everyone is surprised to see the King walking towards them alongside two royal guards. Everyone stand up and gives their respectful bow.

"What is it your majesty?" Gilmore asked.

"Can I talk to you in private for a moment about the recent events?" The King asked.

"Yes your majesty." Gilmore accepts.

"I guess your going to go home late darling?" Erika asked.

"Yes. But I promise, I go home as soon as posible."

Erika kiss him quickly.

"That's a promise ok?" Erika asked and Gilmore Nod.

Gilmore walks to the king.

"I'm going to leave now. And thanks for helping my husband. Farewell." Erika happily says her departure which Grand Ecstasy appreciates. Erika and the maids walks away.

"Ahh I almost forgot. Grand Ecstasy."

"Yes your majesty?"

The King gives them 5 highly decorated envelopes with Kings seal on it.

"5 days from now. The kingdom is going to host a grand funeral and other important ceremonies. Your prescence in those event are crucial as fellow discoverer. So be prepared."

"Yes your Majesty. Thank you for your appreciation." Mateo said and bows alonside his friends.

"I guess this is a farewell." Gilmore says.

"Yeah. It was fun." Mateo said.

"Let's meet again on the ceremony. Farewell."

"Farewell."

Grand Ecstasy says their farewells before leaving. Then the King and Gilmore goes to the place they want to talk.

The place is the royal practice chamber. The King commands his royal guards to leave which the two followed. Now the two is the only one in the chamber.

"Remember this place?" The King asked.

"Yes your Majesty."

The King sigh.

"Please stop talking too formal for a while. Just treat me as your bestfriend you rascal." The King is annoyed. His royal and elegant demeanor is gone and replaced by a energetic and jovial energy.

Gilmore smiles.

"If that's what you want Klein. Then I would not hesistate to call you all of your past nicknames. Womanizer."

Klein laughs.

"Phew! Finally I can stop acting like a King for a while! If you just know how suffocating it was."

"It seems that being A King is truly a stressful work."

"Yeah. I wish I can also do adventuring like you."

"As if your family would approve that. Good wishful thinking though."

The two just laughs for a moment.

"So Mory. How it feels fighting your ancestor and a legendary hero?" Klein asked.

Gilmore face becomes serious.

"So that's the thing you want to talk about."

"Of course! You fight a legendary hero so you need to talk about how it goes!" The King said with excitement. Gilmore just sigh.

"Just looking on the state of my body really tells you on how difficult it is."

Klein explore his gaze on Gilmore's skin full of circular scar still recovering and his now missing left arm.

"So you understand now?" Gilmore asked.

"Well, I can see that you sacrifice so many things to win. But is she really that powerful that you need to consume Yuriha blood and allow your arm to get cut off? In fact, It's a miracle that you're still alive if thats the case." The King's curiosity is very strong.

Gilmore touch his amputated arm which is still covered by white bandage. It still hurts as well as the pain on his skin caused by the Yuriha blood.

"So what you want to know Klein?" Gilmore asked.

"Everything about Hero Glidel and how you manage to defeat her."

Gilmore sits to the floor, Klein also follows and now there's no boundaries and class between them. Just two friends talking to each other.

"Hero Glidel really lives up to her name as a Legendary Hero and as a Sword Saint. A modern swordsmanship is still having difficulty on her."

"She's the progenitor and ancestry of the powerful swordsmanships used by us and other nations. It should be a given that she can easily fight modern swordsmanship." Klein commented.

"I know that. And watching her swordsmanship is such a sight to behold." Gilmore remembers the fight like it was fresh on his mind.

"Now you just making me jealous."

"Sorry for that. It's just that Hero Glidel's swordplay is so powerful and refined. But there's one thing that bothering me while fighting her."

"What is it?"

"There's no record of Glidel becoming stronger as the fight goes on right?" Gilmore asked.

"Hmmmm... I can't agree with that. Hero Glidel is someone that lives 800 years ago during a war. Who knows, maybe that information is still on an undiscovered crusty paper somewhere else." Klein answered.

"I guess you're right. But still, the doubt still lingers on me."

"What doubt?"

"That me defeating Glidel really means nothing. Like its just a facade."

Gilmore and Klein stays silent for a while...

"Are you serious right now Mory? Its already proven that she's the real deal. Why you suddenly suggested that she's fake?" Klein asked with confusion and annoyance on her face.

"Because if she's truly the Hero Glidel. You're not talking to me right now. Despite me looking a mess, I still manage to defeat her 1vs1. Isn't that strange?"

Klein thinks for a moment and remembers the old stories. The two is engulfed in silence.

How Glidel decimate a whole army of Vielerata in one single swing of her sword.

How Glidel almost destroy a whole mountain while fighting a Nine-horned Vielarata all by herself.

And the finale when the fight between the Heroes party chosen by the Gods and the Vielarata emperor ends up rendering a whole island uninhabitable for hundreds of years.

"You as a friend already know the limits of my powers so you must already understand what I mean." Gilmore stated.

"But still.. She's really the Hero Glidel from the old stories and by using my royal authority. Right?"

"Let's say that she's really the Hero Glidel, but the thing I fight on that underground arena is just an empty dead husk, animated by whoever is wicked enough to desecrate the corpse of a hero."

Klein just give a deep sigh as he finally agreed on Gilmore's point.

"Fine fine I understand. But it still doesn't cancel the fact the you found the remains of the Hero. That's one of the condition of your family mission." Klein clarifies.

"I know that. That's why, despite being a fraud. I'm going to accept the title as the next sword saint in accordance to the tradition."

"And then what you're going to do after that?"

With Klein's question. Gilmore thinks for a moment before smiling.

"I guess, I need to become a teacher now for my children and teach them everything."

"Well, that's the normal progression for your family. Nothing new to be honest."

"No. I'm going to change it. If myself is not even comparable to the real sword saint, then I going to ensure that my predecessors would grow and become an equal to our first ancestor." Gilmore stated with conviction. Klein smiles.

"Thats the spirit."

Klein stands up and streches his body.

"Now that you're seems on fire. How about we spar for a while? Its been so long since I warm my body for combat." Klein said while stretching his body and looking to Gilmore with smugness.

"What in the actual fuck?! Did you even see the injuries on my body? I even lost my arm!"

Klein points his wooden sword to Gilmore's right arm.

"But you still have your sword arm. So that's fine. So let's start!"

"NO!"

.

.

.

.

Meanwhile, Grand Ecstasy is walking in the side of wide road where few carriages and horses are running. All of them are still star strucked as they remember on what they witnessed.

"Is this really happening to us?" Beltrand asked while looking at the sky.

"There's no denying it. We fought one of the legendary heroes and live to tell the tale... Or not tell it at all." Claustrine answered.

"But there's a thing that needs to talked and that is the fact the Gilmore is the one that save us." Mateo stated.

"True. Also, Gilmore seems close to the King. Well he's a noble so that must be a given." Claustrine's opinion.

"And don't forget that we need to return our gratitude to him somehow." Sophia said

"Guys. I think that's not the real topic we should talk about right now."

"What do you mean Shirna?" Beltrand asked with curiousity

"You guys forgotten. We finally going to visit Mateo's home."

...

"OHH!!" Claustrine, Beltrand and Sophia exclaims as they remember.

The four looks to Mateo, full of excitement on their eyes. Mateo just sigh and scratched his head.

"Well... A promise is a promise. Tomorow morning, let's meet to my house and remember this. Don't bring any magical items with you."

"Even Bag of Storage?" Claustrine asked.

"You can leave that in my house."

"Your house on Earth or House in Grimael?" Claustrine asked again.

"Arghhh... Fine. You can leave the Bag of Storage on my House on Earth." Mateo's annoyed answer.

"Yey." Claustrine's happy answer.

"Finally. A vacation." Sophia says with bliss.

"But what we should do once we finally visit your world?" Beltrand asked. Mateo gives a confident smile.

"Just leave it to me."