I Failed to Be a Hero, So I Became the God of Three Realms

Chapter 5: The Test: Escorting the Dragon Empress



The sun had barely begun its descent when they arrived at the grand hall of the Prime Minister's residence. Tatsuya, Riona, Alfred, and the rest of the party were greeted by the imposing figure of Elroy, the Prime Minister of the Kingdom. His sharp, calculating eyes scanned the group, a welcoming smile spreading across his face as he gestured for them to enter.

At his side stood someone else.

A woman, no— a girl—who was strikingly regal in appearance, even if she didn't seem to hold herself like one. Her long, flowing hair seemed to shimmer with an almost ethereal light, a pale lavender that looked like it had captured the very glow of the morning sky. Despite her beauty, there was a raw energy in her presence—an intensity that could almost suffocate the unprepared.

Tatsuya couldn't shake the feeling that something about her felt... familiar. He wasn't sure why, but it was almost as if he had met her before, or at least someone who looked like her.

"Ah, here they are," Elroy said, his voice full of pride, "Heroes of the Kingdom, meet Sylph Draconia."

Sylph's gaze lifted slowly as Elroy introduced her, her eyes momentarily meeting Tatsuya's with an unreadable expression. However, it didn't last long. Her attention seemed to naturally gravitate to someone else in the group—the one standing slightly behind Tatsuya.

Riona.

The moment their eyes met, it was as if time had slowed. Tatsuya could feel the strange tension in the air between the two of them, something far more profound than just a casual meeting. It wasn't overt, but the intensity in their gazes was undeniable. It felt almost... personal.

Riona, her expression soft yet distant, seemed to be just as affected. Her features were set in a serious gaze, but her eyes couldn't help but linger on Sylph as if she were seeing a long-lost sibling for the first time in ages.

"Is something wrong?" Alfred asked, breaking the silence. His voice had a playful edge, and he cast a quick glance between Sylph and Riona.

Riona blinked, quickly turning her head to the side. "No, nothing at all." She said, a slight blush appearing on her cheeks. Her tone was steady, but there was an undeniable hint of discomfort that she quickly masked.

Tatsuya noticed it too. There was something deeply personal between the two of them, something far beyond the surface level of just their titles. And, as much as he wanted to pry, he had a job to do.

The meeting went on with formalities as Elroy discussed the specifics of the mission, and soon enough, they were ready to depart. It was only then that Tatsuya realized something important: the tension, the connection, the silent understanding between Sylph and Riona—it hadn't gone unnoticed.

Later that evening, as night blanketed the world around them, the party set up camp near the foot of a towering mountain range. The fire crackled, casting eerie shadows against the vast expanse of darkened forest. The night was calm, almost too peaceful. Tatsuya's companions, exhausted from the day's travel, had already succumbed to sleep.

But not Riona. She sat alone, her back resting against the cold stone of the mountain, her eyes distant. Beside her, Sylph sat in silence, staring at the stars. There was something intimate about the silence between them, something both comforting and sad.

Finally, Sylph spoke. Her voice was soft, yet carried a certain weight. "So, how's everything going, Big Sister?"

Riona's eyes widened slightly, but she didn't seem surprised. She had been expecting this. Slowly, she turned to face Sylph, the soft glow of the campfire reflecting in her eyes.

"I'm finally making friends," Riona said, her voice tinged with a sadness she couldn't fully conceal. "Although, I doubt they see me much as a friend, more like a force to fear. I wish it weren't true." She sighed, her shoulders slumping. "Just yesterday, we went to the Dragon's Den. I had to witness the death of a Black Dragon. I sent him to Father's realm, but I still don't think I can withstand this all. If I had broken back then, I might've lost even the friends I have."

Sylph's expression softened, a rare, comforting smile tugging at her lips. "That's fine. Everyone has their own moral compass. Sometimes, acts that seem bad to us might not be so bad for others, and might even be necessary. You should try to make sure they don't happen violently, and don't let them affect your perception of others. Don't let mere acts decide your thoughts, Dear Sister."

Riona looked down at the ground, her fingers tracing invisible patterns in the dirt. The flickering flames of the campfire seemed to reflect the turmoil inside her. "I just don't know anymore. I want to connect with them, but my past... it always seems to get in the way."

Sylph's eyes twinkled with understanding, her gaze soft and full of warmth. "You'll figure it out," she said quietly. "Just don't lose yourself in all of this. You have a family, a purpose. You don't have to carry the weight alone."

For a moment, the world around them seemed to fade away. The only sound was the crackling of the fire and the quiet breathing of the sleeping party members. Sylph and Riona shared a bond, unspoken but undeniably strong, as if their souls were tied by something deeper than mere circumstance.

Riona nodded slowly, a small smile creeping onto her face. "Thanks, Little Sister."

The conversation ended there, and the night fell back into silence. The two women sat together, side by side, looking out at the stars, the weight of the world momentarily forgotten.

From his position by the campfire, Tatsuya was lying awake, the quiet sounds of the night lulling the others to sleep. He had heard the quiet exchange between Riona and Sylph, but he didn't dare interrupt.

He couldn't help but feel a strange sense of curiosity stir inside him as he listened, especially when the word "Father's Realm" was mentioned. He had no idea what that could mean, and judging by the way Riona had spoken, it was a matter that wasn't meant for him—or anyone else—to inquire about.

But the revelation that Sylph and Riona were sisters wasn't something Tatsuya had expected. The weight of their shared bond was palpable, even in their few words. What caught his attention, though, was the depth of Riona's loneliness, her longing to be seen as a friend rather than a figure to be feared. She had a powerful presence, one that might scare others, but it was clear from her words that what she truly craved was connection.

Tatsuya mulled over it for a while, thinking. He'd noticed it before, in their previous interactions—Riona had always kept people at arm's length, not because she wanted to, but because she didn't know how to bridge that gap. It made sense now. Despite her strength, despite her royalty, what she wanted most was something simple: friendship.

With that understanding, Tatsuya decided that he would treat the situation as if it hadn't happened, as if Riona's vulnerability had never been exposed. It wasn't his place to pry, but it was his place to be the friend she needed, no matter how small that role might seem.

And so, as the fire flickered in the still night, Tatsuya made a silent promise to himself: he would make sure Riona never felt alone in this journey again.

The morning light pierced through the thin gaps in the camp's tent, signaling the start of another long day. Riona, having barely slept through the night, was the first to rise. She stretched, trying to shake off the lingering tiredness from her dreams, and glanced over at Sylph, who was still resting. The younger princess, ever so peaceful in her sleep, seemed completely unaware of the heavy burden she would soon face.

The others, still deep in slumber, were easy to leave behind as Riona quietly began to pack her things. Her thoughts were momentarily interrupted by the sound of soft footsteps, and she turned to see Tatsuya, already awake, making his way toward her. His eyes were alert, and his face held the calmness of someone used to dealing with danger.

"Ready to move out?" Tatsuya asked, his voice low, but sharp.

Riona nodded, her gaze shifting toward the horizon. "We'll leave at first light. Let's make sure everything's packed."

By the time the others had woken up and gathered their things, the sun was beginning to rise fully. They quickly ate a hasty breakfast before packing up the camp and getting back on the road, the weight of their mission still lingering heavily on their shoulders.

Hours passed without incident, the only sound the soft crunch of the dirt beneath their boots as they trekked through the dense forest. But just as the day seemed to be passing without trouble, a group of figures emerged from the trees.

At first, the heroes thought them to be regular travelers or perhaps more bandits. But as the figures drew closer, it became clear that they were far more dangerous. The weapons they carried, sharp and clearly meant for assassination, made the threat undeniable. These weren't common thieves. They were professional assassins, hired to kill.

The group tensed immediately, instinctively stepping into defensive formation. Riona's hand rested on the hilt of her sword, ready to protect Sylph, who remained hidden within the safety of the carriage.

The leader of the assassins stepped forward, his eyes gleaming with malice. "Move aside, or we'll make this painful."

Tatsuya, unsheathing his sword, didn't waste time with words. He swung at the nearest assassin, and the rest of the group quickly followed suit. Steel clashed against steel as the fight broke out.

But just as things were escalating, a loud roar pierced the air. The sound was unmistakable—a beast. A massive Yellow Dragon emerged from the trees, its ferocious eyes locking onto the group of assassins.

Everyone froze. The bandits, now visibly shaken, hesitated for a moment, their hands tightening on their weapons.

"Stay back!" one of the assassins shouted, his voice trembling.

But the Dragon didn't attack. Instead, it lowered its head and bowed in a gesture that confused everyone. It was as if the beast recognized something—or someone.

Riona's calm voice cut through the chaos. "It's alright. The Dragon only recognizes Sylph, the Draconic Empress. I merely gave it an order to drive the remaining assassins away."

The Dragon's golden eyes flickered toward the carriage, its gaze lingering there for just a moment before it turned and charged at the retreating assassins. With a powerful roar, it sent the remaining attackers scattering, fleeing in terror.

As the Dragon's form faded into the distance, Riona turned back to the others, her expression unwavering. "Not all dragons are hostile. They simply follow the one who holds their respect. Sylph, as the Draconic Empress, commands their loyalty. I had merely invoked that."

Tatsuya, still processing the unexpected turn of events, exchanged a glance with the others. His brow furrowed slightly. "So, you're saying Sylph... made the dragon obey?"

Riona smiled faintly, the corners of her lips lifting ever so slightly. "Exactly. Now, let's make sure there are no more surprises waiting for us."

As the party prepared to continue their journey, an unsettling feeling hung in the air. The events of the morning—the encounter with the Yellow Dragon, the strange behavior it exhibited—still weighed heavily on their minds. But before they could process it all, a new threat appeared.

From the edge of the forest, a low, guttural growl echoed. The ground trembled as a massive form emerged—an S-class Demon, a Demon General. Its horned head and glowing, red eyes marked it as a formidable foe, radiating an aura of pure malice. Tatsuya immediately assessed the situation, recognizing that they were not equipped to face such a powerful demon, especially in their current state.

"Stay back," Tatsuya whispered urgently, signaling the others to fall into defensive positions. This was not a fight they could win—not yet.

But Riona, unfazed, stood her ground. Her eyes locked onto the Demon, a calmness in her gaze that seemed to unsettle the very air around them.

Before the Demon could take another step, it froze. The powerful, malevolent creature stood motionless, its crimson eyes fixed on Riona. It wasn't fear—at least, not the kind one might expect. It was something else. The Demon appeared... paralyzed, as if something in Riona's presence rendered it unable to act.

Reiji's sharp eyes were the first to catch the subtle difference. He studied Riona carefully, his gaze narrowing. There was something in her eyes—something unnatural. They weren't the eyes of a human or even of a Beastman. No, there was something else in them. Something... demonic.

His breath hitched for a second. Those eyes... they're the eyes of a Demon, he thought, unable to look away. The intensity in them was almost overwhelming, and it was clear that the Demon could feel it too. It was as though it could not even move, paralyzed by the very presence of her gaze.

Then, a shadow covered Riona and Sylph, shrouding them from view. The moment the Demon had arrived, the shadow had cloaked them both, as if they were hidden by some invisible force. To everyone else, it seemed as though nothing had changed—Riona and Sylph appeared as they always had, unaffected by the looming threat. But Reiji saw it.

Through the shifting darkness, he could make out their forms, and though the shadow obscured most of their movements, he could still perceive the faintest outline of what was happening. It wasn't normal magic. It was something else—something far beyond the scope of ordinary power.

Sylph stepped forward from the shadow, her presence a sudden shift in the atmosphere. Her movements were fluid, almost ethereal. Reiji's eyes followed her every step, but he could feel the weight of the magic in the air. The feeling of something ancient and dangerous—something that didn't belong.

The Demon, still paralyzed by Riona's gaze, was left vulnerable. Riona, without hesitation, drew her blade. In one swift motion, she cleaved the Demon in two, its body falling apart with an almost casual ease.

But that wasn't all. As the Demon's remains fell to the ground, Sylph raised her hand, and Reiji's eyes widened as he watched a strange magic flow from her fingertips. It was like a wave of energy sweeping through the air—dark, flickering, and unnatural. Something left the Demon's body. Reiji couldn't tell what it was, but it vanished into thin air, disappearing without a trace.

The Demon, now nothing more than a pile of flesh and blood, lay in pieces before them. To anyone else, the situation seemed to have resolved itself quickly, as though nothing out of the ordinary had occurred.

But to Reiji, the entire event felt... wrong. He had witnessed magic far beyond anything he'd ever encountered. Riona and Sylph's movements, their power, and that strange shadow—it was all too much to ignore.

The group slowly began to relax, though they still remained wary. Riona, without skipping a beat, turned to them. "Lady Sylph and I defeated it together," she said simply, as if it were no more than a routine task. But Reiji could see the way the others exchanged uneasy glances. They didn't know the full extent of what had happened—none of them did.

Tatsuya, ever the strategist, kept his thoughts to himself. He trusted Riona, but he couldn't deny that there was more to this than she was letting on.

Reiji, too, kept quiet. He'd seen enough to know that something was amiss, but he wasn't ready to confront it—not yet. For now, he would say nothing. He exchanged a brief look with Tatsuya, and the unspoken understanding passed between them: they would figure this out, piece by piece.

The journey resumed, and the group made their way to the Draconic Capital. When they arrived, the sheer scale of the city left them awestruck—spires of stone and crystal rising against the sky, streets teeming with life. But none of it seemed to matter. Their minds were still preoccupied with the events that had just transpired.

It was time for their parting with Lady Sylph. She stood with Riona for a moment, a quiet exchange passing between them. It wasn't just a simple goodbye—it felt like something deeper. The way they looked at each other, the way they stood, as if two sisters were bidding each other farewell after a long time apart.

No one else seemed to notice, too distracted by their own thoughts, but Reiji couldn't shake the feeling that this was more than just a simple farewell.

"Until next time," Sylph said softly, her voice almost a whisper. Without another word, she turned and disappeared into the crowd, her form fading from sight.

Riona lingered for a moment, watching her go, before she finally turned to the group. Her expression was unreadable, but there was a weight to her silence.

"We've completed our task," Riona said softly. "Now, we move on."

And so, they did.

As they made their way to the Adventurer's Guild to receive their rewards, their advancement to A-class adventurers was confirmed. The guild members congratulated them, but the words seemed hollow to Tatsuya and Reiji. Their minds were still spinning from what they had seen.

Then came the new job offer—a dangerous S-class task from the Papal State of Kaidonia. It was a challenge unlike any they had faced before, but both Tatsuya and Reiji understood that the true test wasn't in the job. It was in uncovering the truth about Riona and Sylph.

They were no ordinary women. And whatever their true power was, the world was not ready for it.


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