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

The morning air was still cool when the heroes' party gathered their belongings, the sky painted in streaks of pale orange and violet. The weight of their recent mission — clearing the Papal State's Dungeon, the Demon Corridor — still lingered in their minds. It was the job that earned them the rank of S-Class adventurers, and while the title was still sinking in, there was no time to dwell on it.

They had already reported their success to the guild, and the news had spread like wildfire. The King himself had granted them an audience the night before, his expression a mixture of pride and caution. When they informed him of their plan to travel to the Valtherian Empire, his approval came with a hint of concern.

"You've earned your glory, but tread carefully. Valtheria holds its own secrets."

With dawn at their backs, they departed through the castle gates, the clinking of armor and the soft crunch of gravel beneath their boots the only sounds accompanying them. The journey west lay ahead — a path that led through lands both familiar and foreign.

They passed first through the jagged landscapes of the Draconian Empire. Towering mountains framed the horizon, their peaks crowned with mist, while fortresses clung to cliffs like immovable sentinels. The fluttering banners of the Draconian crest — a black dragon intertwined with a crimson flame — were a constant reminder of the realm's power. The wind carried the faint screeches of dragons soaring above, their shadows gliding over the party like fleeting memories.

Further along, the atmosphere shifted as they entered the Papal State, a realm of towering spires and endless chants. Holy symbols carved into marble gleamed under the sun, and the scent of incense hung thick in the air. Priests in white robes watched the group from the corners of their eyes, murmuring prayers as they passed. The solemn beauty of the place was undeniable, but tension remained in their shoulders.

Finally, after days of relentless travel, the gates of the Valtherian Empire rose before them — grand, gilded, and imposing. The crest of Valtheria, a double-headed phoenix, blazed on the iron gates, reflecting the midday sun with a fierce brilliance. The gates swung open with a low groan, as if reluctant to reveal what lay beyond.

A tall figure awaited them just past the threshold, his silver robes immaculate, his posture rigid with formality. His eyes, sharp and discerning, scanned the group with a practiced gaze. He inclined his head slightly, his voice crisp and emotionless.

"Heroes of the Gods, we have been expecting you."

The words carried an unspoken weight, a sense that they had been drawn here not by chance, but by threads woven long before their journey began.

"His Imperial Majesty wishes to discuss urgent matters with you."

The chill in the air seemed to deepen at those words. This wasn't just another dungeon or a simple mission. This was an audience with an Emperor — a summons that promised answers, challenges, and perhaps even more mysteries.

Usagi exchanged a glance with the others. Riona's eyes gleamed with anticipation, while Alfred's jaw tightened in subtle resolve. The group stepped forward, the shadow of the gates falling over them like a curtain closing on one act and opening on another.

There was no turning back now.

The palace of the Valtherian Empire was as magnificent as the heroes had imagined, with towering marble walls and ceilings adorned with golden accents that caught the light from the grand chandeliers. The heroes followed the Emissary through the vast hallways, their footsteps echoing in the otherwise quiet corridors. It wasn't the bustle of a capital city that they were used to. The streets outside had been eerily devoid of the usual crowds. It was as though something was holding the citizens back, keeping them away from the heart of the empire.

Despite the uneasy quiet, they pressed on, following the emissary toward the Emperor's chambers. As they neared the large wooden door carved with the empire's emblem of the phoenix, they were ushered inside.

There, seated at a long, polished table covered with maps and reports, was Emperor Marc Valtheria. His presence was commanding, his features sharp, and his eyes — eyes that burned with the intensity of flame — regarded them all carefully. But as they entered, something unusual happened.

Marc's gaze didn't fall on Tatsuya or the others standing before him. No, his eyes lingered on Riona. It was subtle, but undeniable. They locked eyes — an almost knowing exchange passed between them, one that didn't go unnoticed by the sharp-eyed Usagi. To her, it felt like more than a mere glance. It was a communication, silent yet undeniable.

Though Marc held Riona's gaze for a moment, he didn't break it with any obvious recognition, as though they were sharing a secret, something unsaid. The exchange wasn't meant for anyone else, but Usagi, always perceptive, couldn't help but feel the weight of it. It was a deliberate message — a clue, perhaps?

Riona, fully aware of the deeper meaning of the moment, remained composed. Her mind already raced through the details of the request ahead. She and Marc shared something that the others didn't know, a truth that remained locked away. For now, that knowledge was theirs alone, and it was vital to the task ahead.

"Heroes of the Gods, it's a pleasure to finally meet you in person." Marc spoke, breaking the tension, but his tone carried an undercurrent of something else — urgency, perhaps. He gestured to the large map on the table, littered with red marks and notations. "As you know, there's a matter of great importance that requires your attention."

Marc's expression shifted, his voice growing more serious. "The SS-Class Dungeon to the north. You've heard of it, of course. What you might not know is that this dungeon, once classified as A-Class, has recently become much more dangerous." He paused, giving the group a chance to take in the gravity of his words.

"Monsters beyond S-Class have begun emerging. And there are hundreds of them. It's not just a few creatures escaping anymore. They're wreaking havoc on nearby settlements and villages. The Imperial Guards have been managing some of them, but there are far too many."

Usagi frowned, eyeing the map. Marc continued. "We need your help to solve this. The dungeon must be dealt with at its root, not just by subduing the monsters. We believe something is causing this increase in threat, something we cannot yet pinpoint."

He locked eyes with Riona again, a brief flicker of understanding passing between them, though no one else would notice. Riona was aware of what was truly at stake — the truth of the dungeon, the monsters, and the force pulling the strings behind it all. But she couldn't reveal any of it yet. The others, especially Usagi, didn't have the full picture.

Usagi shifted slightly, glancing between Marc and Riona, a faint sense of confusion knitting her brow. There was something in the air, something that felt too coordinated, too planned. Yet, she couldn't put her finger on it. It didn't make sense, but it also made all the sense in the world — Riona seemed prepared, like she knew exactly what was going to happen.

Usagi's gaze lingered on Riona, who was standing at the back of the group, her face serene but her eyes sharp with an unreadable emotion. It was as if she already knew the coming storm, as if she'd already prepared for the dangers of the SS-Class Dungeon — and maybe even worse. The look in Riona's eyes gave Usagi an unsettling sense that she was standing on the precipice of something monumental. Something they couldn't fathom yet.

Marc's voice snapped her out of her thoughts. "We need you to take action swiftly. If we don't stop it now, the entire empire could fall into chaos. The fate of not just this empire, but perhaps the entire world, is in your hands."

Riona, still calm, nodded resolutely. "We will handle it."

Usagi glanced at her again, her unease growing, but she said nothing. Marc's eyes held something for Riona, something deeper than just duty. He knew exactly what was happening, what was coming — and Riona, too, was ready for it. The others, oblivious to the full truth, were left to wonder what lay ahead.

The group made their way toward the dungeon, the atmosphere heavy with anticipation. After reporting to the guild, they received their mission briefing, but none of them truly understood what lay ahead. The first few floors were manageable, almost too easy. Demons and Beasts, sure, but nothing they couldn't handle. Most were weak, barely putting up a fight. The Heroes had already dealt with more dangerous foes, so these monsters were little more than practice for them.

The first ten floors passed without incident. Each was a little more dangerous than the last, but nothing that required them to break a sweat. As they descended deeper into the dungeon, they relied on the formations they'd practiced relentlessly. The teams worked as one, moving seamlessly, anticipating each other's actions. They were prepared for anything — or so they thought.

But as they descended further, the atmosphere shifted. The monsters grew stronger, more aggressive, and the air became thick with a malevolent energy that made the hairs on the back of their necks stand up. By the time they reached the fifteenth floor, they were facing S-Class monsters. These creatures were far tougher, more cunning, and deadlier than anything they had encountered before. Still, the Heroes held their ground, pushing through with their honed skills and strategies.

The monsters came in waves, but the Heroes were always one step ahead. They worked together, their pre-formed formations slicing through the monsters with ease. However, the deeper they went, the more they realized something wasn't right. It was too controlled, too methodical. The monsters weren't just attacking at random; they were waiting. The dungeon, which had once seemed like an ordinary challenge, was now revealing its true nature.

After what seemed like an eternity, they reached the twentieth floor — the final one. But instead of finding the monsters they had prepared for, they found... nothing.

The room was eerily silent, empty. There were no beasts, no demons, no monsters waiting for them. The floor was pristine, the walls unscathed, almost untouched. It was too quiet.

A sudden pulse of energy washed over them, and in the center of the room stood a glowing teleportation circle. The air around it shimmered with a strange, unnatural energy, and the soundless hum of its power filled the room.

Usagi's eyes flickered toward Riona, her gaze unintentionally meeting the other woman's. The moment their eyes locked, Usagi felt a chill run down her spine. There was something in Riona's eyes — an unsettling recognition, a knowing. It was as if Riona had seen this before, as if she already knew what the circle was going to do.

For a split second, Usagi could have sworn Riona's expression hardened, a brief flash of unease crossing her features, as if she could see something beyond the circle. Something terrible. But then, just as quickly, it was gone. Riona's face softened into a mask of calm.

Usagi's heart raced as she turned her attention back to the teleportation circle. Something was off, terribly off. She had no doubt in her mind that the circle would transport them somewhere dangerous, somewhere they shouldn't be. Somewhere... unknown.

Tatsuya stepped forward, his tone serious and commanding. "We have no choice," he said, his voice calm but carrying a sense of urgency. "We need to go. Now."

With no other option, the Heroes stepped into the circle, their fate sealed the moment they did.

The light from the circle enveloped them, and the world seemed to spin away, replaced by an overwhelming sense of vertigo. The very fabric of reality seemed to bend around them as they were pulled into the unknown.

When the light faded and their feet hit solid ground again, they were no longer in the dungeon. They weren't even sure if they were still in their world. The scenery before them was alien, unfamiliar. It was as if they had stepped into another realm entirely.

The sky above was a surreal mix of iridescent colors, and towering pillars of light pierced through the clouds, shimmering with an otherworldly glow. The ground beneath them was soft, almost like clouds, and everything around them had a strange, ethereal quality to it. It looked like heaven, or at least something that resembled it.

But something about it felt wrong.

Riona's eyes narrowed, her gaze scanning their surroundings, as if she were already preparing for the worst. She knew exactly where they were, what they had just walked into. But she wasn't about to tell anyone. Not yet.

The others stood still, taking in the impossible landscape, their confusion palpable.

The air was heavy, unlike anything they had felt before. The moment the light of the teleportation circle faded and the Heroes regained their footing, they took in their surroundings. They found themselves standing in the middle of a vast, green landscape. It was a sprawling forest, thick with ancient trees that seemed to reach toward an unfamiliar sky. The ground beneath their feet was soft, the grass swaying gently with an eerie calm. This was not their world. This wasn't even close.

The strange world stretched out before them, untouched by the hands of their reality. The very air felt alien. Everything around them was impossibly serene, and yet... there was something unsettling about it.

They walked cautiously, scanning the area. The forest was teeming with life, though not the kind they expected. At first, it was just strange sights — different kinds of animals, unfamiliar flora — but soon, the real shock came.

In the distance, they saw movement. A group of demons was working diligently in the fields, tending to crops alongside humans. It was an image that felt out of place, even in this foreign realm. Demons and humans... working together. The Heroes froze, disbelief washing over them. They had never imagined such a sight. Demons, creatures they had been taught to fear and despise, were calmly going about their business in harmony with humans.

Riona, however, seemed completely unfazed by this. Her expression remained unchanged, her eyes scanning the scene with a calm, detached look that was entirely out of place. It was as if this was normal for her. The others exchanged uneasy glances.

"How... How is this possible?" Usagi whispered, her voice barely audible.

"We're not in our world," Tatsuya muttered, narrowing his eyes. "But we need to focus. There's something here, something we have to find, destroy, and then we can get back."

Riona didn't respond. She seemed to already know what they were thinking. "Destroy the core," she murmured softly, though not loud enough for anyone to hear. She wasn't just talking about the monsters. She was talking about the essence of this realm. They knew they had to find it, but the question was... where?

Suddenly, without warning, a demon lunged at them, its form almost like a blur. It was a blur of claws and fangs, its eyes burning with an unnatural fire. The Heroes instinctively raised their hands to cast spells, but their magic faltered. There was nothing. No spells, no magic, no energy coursing through their veins. They were powerless.

Except for Riona and Alfred. Both of them seemed unaffected by the strange magic-nullifying effect that had taken hold of the others.

The demon growled, looking at them all with disdain. Then, its gaze locked on Riona and Alfred, a curious glint appearing in its eyes. It didn't attack them. Instead, it fixed its focus on the five remaining Heroes.

"Why have you entered this realm without permission?" the demon's voice was low and threatening, but there was something oddly formal about it.

The Heroes stood frozen. They had no idea how to respond. They had just come through a teleportation circle, not expecting any of this. And even more puzzling was why the demon had spared Riona and Alfred.

Riona exchanged a brief look with Alfred, her eyes unreadable. Then, she spoke in a calm, measured tone. "We don't mean any harm. We were simply following a lead. We were told to come here."

The demon narrowed its eyes, seeming to contemplate her words. After a long pause, it finally spoke again, a dark amusement creeping into its tone.

"Very well," it said, stepping back. "I will arrange a meeting with the Duke of this realm. He might be able to help you. But know this — not all who come here are welcomed. There are dangers far greater than you can comprehend. Follow me."

The demon led them through the forest, the sound of its footsteps almost silent against the lush earth. They soon arrived at a towering mansion, perched at the edge of the green expanse. The building was large, its architecture unlike anything they had seen, with tall spires and intricate carvings.

As they entered the mansion's grand hall, the local Duke stood waiting for them. He was tall, regal, and held an air of authority that was impossible to ignore. However, when he laid eyes on Riona, something in his expression shifted. It was subtle but noticeable — his gaze softened, almost reverential, and for a brief moment, it seemed as if he was going to bow.

Riona's eyes flicked to him, and without a word, she gave a subtle, warning look. It was enough. The Duke immediately straightened, his posture stiffening as he regained control of himself.

Usagi, the only one who caught the exchange, furrowed her brows. There was something off about all of this, something that didn't sit right.

The Duke cleared his throat, gesturing for them to sit at a large, carved wooden table. "You've come for the dungeon," he said, his tone low and serious. "It appeared suddenly, like a blight on the land. And with it, a host of ferocious monsters. It's unlike anything we've seen. I can tell you this — you will not be able to use your magic there. That's why I'm giving you these."

He handed them a set of enchanted items: rings, pendants, and talismans. They were intricately crafted, pulsing with strange energy. "These will allow you to use your magic, though only to a limited extent. But be warned, they are not enough to guarantee success."

Usagi stared at the item in her hand, a feeling of unease creeping over her. "And if we fail?"

The Duke's gaze hardened. "You will not return. No one who has entered the dungeon has come back the same... or at all."

With that ominous warning, the Heroes prepared for their journey into the unknown, into a dungeon that may hold the key to everything — or lead them to their doom.