The Extra Can't be A Hero

After Amon's thunderous declaration, a heavy silence settled over the halls of Congress, the earlier fervour dissolving into uneasy stillness. Members exchanged wary glances but kept their distance from the young Knight who had just shaken the chamber with his words.

In truth, Amon was no ally of the Hyades Republic; he was a Solaris Knight, a defender of humanity itself. To approach him was to gamble with fate. Should one succeed in winning his favour, he could become an unrivalled asset. But should his ire turn, that same bond could tighten into a noose around the neck of those who dared to claim him.

Once the award ceremony concluded, there was an after-party held in celebration of Eldorin's extraordinary deeds. Every member of Eldorin, Amon and Yue included, were forced to attend despite their reluctance.

In stark contrast to his usual uniform, Amon appeared in an immaculate tuxedo, his hair neatly brushed back to sharpen the striking Solaris features of his face.

The transformation left the hall spellbound.

Here stood the formidable Knight Commander, at the height of his prime, towering over the assembly like a sentinel in the night. His sculpted frame exuded an almost suffocating gravity—an aura that repelled caution yet irresistibly drew others in. Even those who had sworn to keep their distance found their eyes lingering on him, unable to resist the dignified magnetism he radiated.

The young daughters of dignitaries, gathered to charm and scheme among the Republic's elite, were particularly eager to test their fortunes with the man of the hour.

Yet none dared to cross the threshold of his presence, for by his side stood an ethereal partner, a silent guardian whose very being seemed to ward away all who would approach.

For this event, Yue had spared no expense in her appearance. Her hair, white as freshly fallen snow, shimmered like strands of moonlight, cascading down her back in ethereal waves. Her crimson eyes burned with an otherworldly brilliance, commanding in their divine intensity, as though they could pierce through the very soul.

She was draped in a gown of silver that flowed like liquid starlight, each fold glowing faintly as if woven from the night sky itself. No mortal beauty could compare. In the ballroom filled with the Republic's finest, she was beyond question the most radiant being present.

Even the most ambitious of noble daughters, who had come determined to charm the Knight Commander, found themselves shrinking away, their hearts trembling before her untouchable presence.

If Amon stood as a bulwark in the night, she was the goddess who graced it with light: his eternal partner, a divine figure who made the untouchable Knight seem even further beyond reach.

Together, they were not merely admired; they were revered.

'That's the Fantasy Couple!'

'I finally get to see them in the flesh!'

'They look so perfect!'

Unaware of the commotion that Amon had created just hours before, many of the youngsters present felt their faces flush red and their heart rates accelerate. They were behaving as if they were superfans meeting their idols for the first time, and rightfully so.

Yue's beauty, combined with Amon's unwavering figure, made it seem like they were witnessing a movie set in real time. Add together the fact that their exploits as the Fantasy Couple were legendary, especially among the elites of the Hyades Republic, and now half of the eyeballs in the ballroom were focused on them.

But the couple didn't care. They sipped on their champagne glasses as they watched the other members of Eldorin mingle with the crowd.

An action that didn't escape some peering eyes.

"Not to your fancy?"

Amon's focus shifted as a towering figure stepped before him. Dressed in a tuxedo that strained against the sheer breadth of his frame, its seams barely containing the expanse of his muscular chest, stood Gerrick Ironblood—the Grand Marshal of the Hyades Army.

Despite his imposing presence, he carried himself with an easy, booming confidence, a vibrant smile splitting his weathered face as he approached Amon.

"No, if it weren't for Grandpa Alrock's request, I wouldn't have come."

"BAHAHA, awfully honest, aren't you? But, if you weren't this honest, you wouldn't have said those funny words earlier!"

Gerrick clapped Amon on the back with a roar of hearty laughter, the force of it enough to stagger a lesser man. His grayish-brown hair and unremarkable black eyes might have suggested an ordinary veteran, yet the Grand Marshal was anything but ordinary. By sheer physical might, he stood near the pinnacle of all Knights, and his mastery of martial arts had earned him a reputation bordering on the divine.

He was respected by all, feared by many, and revered by some. For all his easy-going demeanour, Amon couldn't help but feel a thread of apprehension when standing before the old warrior.

Especially after the words that followed…

"I heard… My son was a problem for you at Olavaguel."

Gerrick's tone turned dark as a silent fury was hidden behind his words. Gerrick's wrath wasn't directed at Amon, but at the same time, he felt threatened by the switch in atmosphere.

"I apologise, I wasn't at the Olavaguel mission. I would need to speak with Sir Horus about it."

"Nevertheless, you stopped something he was up to… and for that, I owe a debt to the Solaris House… No, Eldorin."

"..."

Amon regarded Gerrick in silence, his expression steady, though a weary sigh stirred within his thoughts. The Grand Marshal was a man of honour, revered across the Republic, a symbol of strength and loyalty to many. Yet behind that venerable name lay a shadow that no accolade could erase.

Gerrick's bloodline carried a sin that history would never forgive. His son had turned his back on humanity, abandoning his lineage and his people to embrace the darkness of the Demon Cult.

That son was no ordinary defector. He had ascended into the ranks of their champions, casting aside his birthright to become something far worse—an Apostle. Not just any Apostle, but the Apostle of Chaos himself.

Samael.

"I should have killed him the moment he first sinned. My hesitation had led to the birth of a monster."

"Don't blame yourself, Sir Gerrick. The sins of a son shouldn't be paid by their father… and from what I heard, you did your best."

Gerrick's story was indeed a tragic one. He had done his best for his country, giving all of his blood, sweat and tears for it. Yet, his son did everything he could to dishonour Gerrick's legacy. From going on a rampage, defiling women for the sake of it and massacring their families, Samael was the lowest of scum.

The Ironblood House had exiled Samael and denounced all of his actions. They'd even sworn to bring Samael to justice with their own hands. But alas, the stain of giving birth to a scoundrel would never be wiped clean.

"No, I swear on my life, if it's the last thing I'll do, I'll kill that scum with my own two hands. This time for sure."

"..."

Amon didn't say anything and watched the Grand Marshal in silence. In [Bright], it was this exact quest of vengeance that led to his death and the downfall of the Ironblood House. Samael was strong, and he would only continue to grow more powerful as the Demon Cult's influence in the Hyades Republic grew. In the end, Samael would kill his father with his own two hands, ending what little honour the Ironblood bloodline had for good.

"Quite the heavy topic you have there, Gerrick. I hope you're not dumping your trauma onto our young friend here."

"This is a celebration of Eldorin and the youngsters. Let's not talk about grim topics today."

Two well-dressed individuals joined the party, too. Jex Amaris, the Archmagister of the Realm and Katrina Moss, the President of the Demon Hunter League, approached Amon with similar smiles, both of them mesmerising to the eye.

"BAHAHA, guess I didn't know how to read the mood! I'm sorry, young one!"

"..."

Amon kept quiet, but gave a slow shake of his head, showing his nonchalance to the matter. In the world of politics, a person like Gerrick Ironblood was rare. So, for him to encounter a fellow Knight who cared nothing about politics… it was natural that this old master would let his guard down for a moment.

"Nice to see you again, Lord Amaris. Lady Moss."

Like the patient and supportive partner she was, Yue emerged from the sidelines and greeted the two newcomers in place of Amon, drawing involuntary gasps from the pair.

"I noticed it before, but you've truly blossomed into a beautiful woman. No wonder Yugor always brags about you, even after his retirement. He keeps telling me how reliable you are as House Elune's steward."

Jex Amaris, the Archmagister, smiled and praised Yue not only for her appearance but also for her ability to take over the Elune House and manage it as its master.

"Grandfather exaggerates sometimes."

"Exaggerate, you say…"

Most mages may not be able to notice it, but Jex could clearly feel it. Yue was a high-ranking mage, one who may even rival himself. Because of how well she was hiding it, her mana only suggests six circles, but Jex knew that it was just the surface.

'And I thought Johann would inherit my position… Looks like he won't have a chance to compete.'

Mentally resigning himself to the Elune House's rise, Jex turned to Lady Katrina, who was happily chatting away with Amon.

"Fighting against an Apostle… Eldorin sure has the talent! If only I had the chance to stumble across them, too. I wonder how strong they are?"

"I believe you would win, Lady Katrina."

"Heh, you flatter me. While the Demon Hunter League has been dealing with Demons for the longest time, we hadn't had the chance to fight against the Demon Cult. I believe our youngsters could learn a thing or two from the legendary Eldorin!"

"Hey, if that's the case, why not rope in the Knights from the Army? We need all the experience we can get!"

"Hohoh… Then you can't ignore the mages, right?"

"..."

As the three High Council members started to become more agitated, Amon felt a sense of dread creeping up his spine. Unknowingly, he'd be dragged into something far outside his control.