Chapter 5: The Hero Appears
Saint Franca Academy, Astronomical Research Institute.
As the oldest higher education institution on the continent, the Astronomical Research Institute at Saint Franca gathers the most qualified astronomical experts from across the continent and possesses the world’s most advanced astronomical observation instruments, astronomical surveying equipment, and celestial trajectory calculation devices.
However, at this moment, the place was in complete disarray.
“Are you all dreaming in the astronomy department? A massive meteor falls, and you only notice it now?” An elderly man with a white beard shouted angrily.
This man, named Julian, was the headmaster of Saint Franca Academy and also one of the strongest warriors in the human realm, one of the Twelve Protectors.
“That’s not it, we don’t know what’s going on either!” A bespectacled researcher replied in confusion, “My database has no record of such an asteroid; it appeared out of nowhere, and by the time we discovered it, it was already about to enter the atmosphere.”
“Appeared out of nowhere? Do you think I would believe your nonsense?” Julian retorted angrily, “Forget it, I’m not going to argue with you about this. First, let me confirm, will that meteor fall into our world?”
“I don’t know,” the researcher replied, “We haven’t calculated its landing point yet.”
“Damn it, what use are you to me?” Julian slammed his hand down on a nearby table, cursing.
“Headmaster, please calm down! As I said, we currently lack any data on that meteor, and we can’t calculate anything in a short time,” the researcher pleaded.
“Don’t make excuses! I will give you ten minutes. If you can’t figure it out, after this is over, I’ll kick you all out!” Julian exclaimed.
“Isn’t that unreasonable, Headmaster?”
“Do you dare oppose me? Do you have any idea how many people would die if that meteor falls into our realm?”
“I know, but we really lack data!”
Just then, a flash of golden light appeared, and a mysterious figure clad in golden armor suddenly stood before everyone, handing a data-filled document to the researcher.
“Here, this is the data you need.”
The researcher jumped in surprise but quickly regained his composure, taking the document and examining it closely.
“Star of Ruin?” the researcher read the name on the document, a bit puzzled, “What is this?”
“That’s the silver meteor in the sky,” the mysterious figure replied, “Its true name is the Star of Ruin.”
“Where did you get this information?” the researcher asked, baffled.
“Don’t worry about that. Quickly calculate the landing point. Every second counts,” the mysterious figure urged.
“Uh…” The researcher glanced at Julian.
Julian frowned and replied seriously, “I need to know your identity. The situation is extremely urgent, but that doesn’t mean I will accept help from someone unknown.”
The mysterious figure hesitated for a moment before extending his right hand, grasping at the air, and a magnificent golden sword appeared in his hand.
The legendary Holy Sword, Frex.
Julian recognized this unparalleled divine sword in an instant; only one person in this world was qualified to wield it.
Swallowing hard, Julian no longer hesitated and shouted to the researcher, “Go, use this data to calculate. I’ll take responsibility for everything that happens.”
“Yes!” the researcher replied, quickly running to the instruments to input the data.
With specific values in hand, they soon calculated the landing point of the Star of Ruin.
“We’ve roughly figured it out. Damn it, it’s going to fall into the Mornhart Kingdom.”
“What? It’s actually the Mornhart Kingdom?” Julian immediately pressed for more information, “What is the estimated impact range?”
“Large,” the researcher’s face turned pale, “Large enough to destroy the entire Mornhart Kingdom.”
“This…” Upon hearing this, Julian’s face paled.
But the mysterious figure maintained a strong sense of urgency and asked, “How much time do we have left before the meteor falls?”
“Please hold on,” the researcher turned back to operate the instruments, and soon the landing time was calculated.
“In five hours!” the researcher announced loudly.
“Damn, only that little time?” Julian exclaimed.
The mysterious figure clenched his fists tightly and said sternly, “Immediately relay this news to the Sacred Domain and have them provide a rescue plan as quickly as possible. Notify all capable countries in the human realm to proceed to support Mornhart immediately.”
“Yes!” All the astronomy research personnel sprang into action at once.
Having done everything they could, the mysterious figure did not linger and quickly transformed into a beam of golden light, disappearing instantly.
“Phew.” With the mysterious figure gone, Julian breathed a sigh of relief.
At that moment, the researcher approached again and whispered, “Headmaster, who was that person?”
“Who else could it be?” Julian shook his head helplessly and smiled, “Did you not read the fairy tale ‘The Legend of the Savior’ when you were young?”
“When calamity strikes and the world faces destruction, the hero will appear.”
…
Mornhart Kingdom, Royal Palace.
The young Princess Ivy looked at the teleportation gate before her with great curiosity and asked, “Mother, where are we going?”
“To the Sacred Domain,” the Queen replied gently, “Didn’t you want to see the Sacred Domain?”
“Really?” Ivy’s eyes sparkled, and she eagerly grabbed the Queen’s hand, excitedly saying, “Then, Mother, what are we waiting for? Let’s go quickly!”
“You go ahead. I’ll wait here for your father,” the Queen gently patted Ivy’s small head and then looked at the eldest prince, Jean, “Jean, you take your sister over first.”
“Yes, Mother.” The eldest prince Jean slightly bowed, took Ivy’s hand, and slowly approached the teleportation gate.
“See you later, Mother!” Ivy waved happily at the door of the teleportation gate.
The Queen said nothing, only smiled gently and waved goodbye.
Inside the teleportation gate, Jean held Ivy’s small hand as they walked forward, followed by many guards.
Jean knew that those were his father’s personal guards, the strongest warriors in the kingdom, and now, his father had left them to him; the implication was clear.
Thinking this, Jean couldn’t help but tremble.
“Brother, why are you crying?” Ivy blinked innocently, confused.
“Oh, it’s nothing.” Realizing his emotional slip, Jean quickly wiped away a tear and smiled, “I’m just too excited; it’s been a long time since I went to the Sacred Domain.”
“You’re so childish, even more than I am! Look how calm I am.” Ivy proudly patted her small chest, saying, “Mother said that the royal family must always maintain elegance, no matter the situation.”
“Yes, yes, yes, my Ivy is the best.”
“Of course.”
…
Mornhart Kingdom Royal Palace, King’s Bedroom.
The Queen gently pushed open the palace door and quietly walked onto the balcony, standing beside the King.
She followed the King’s gaze upward, silently watching the silver Star of Ruin in the sky.
After a while, the King’s hoarse voice suddenly broke the silence, “You shouldn’t have returned.”
The Queen smiled slightly, “Do you remember? When we got married that year, we swore to always protect each other, no matter what happens.”
“But those two children need you,” the King said with a guilty expression, “The pressure they will face in the future won’t be less than what the first Emperor faced when founding the kingdom.”
“If you truly think this way, then come with me to the Sacred Domain,” the Queen said, tears unconsciously welling up in her eyes, “You really don’t have to die here.”
The King gently embraced the Queen, shaking his head, “No, my dear, you’re wrong. If that meteor truly falls, I must die here.”
“The data from the Sacred Domain indicates that under the best circumstances, they can evacuate about one hundred thousand people every hour. In five hours, that would be five hundred thousand.”
“And though our Mornhart is a small kingdom, we still have over five million people. This means only one-tenth can survive, while the remaining nine-tenths will perish.”
“Someone must be held accountable for these deaths,” the King pondered.
“But it’s not your fault, why should you be the one to take responsibility?” The Queen said, somewhat agitated.
“Because I am the King,” he stated authoritatively. “The King’s mission is to protect the people. If that can’t be achieved, it is a dereliction of duty.”
“You’re spouting nonsense again,” the Queen sighed, feeling helpless. “Forget it; you never change your mind once you’ve decided. I just think it’s cruel to those two children. What if they wake up one day and find their parents and their kingdom gone? I wonder if they can handle it.”
“Jean will take care of Ivy,” the King said, smiling slightly. “He is far more capable than you think.”
“What do you mean?” The Queen asked in confusion.
The King smiled wryly, “That lad, I told him nothing, yet at our last meeting, he suddenly promised me that he would rebuild a new Mornhart upon the ruins of Mornhart, so I needn’t worry.”
“He guessed it already?” The Queen covered her mouth in disbelief. “But he didn’t show it at all just now!”
“That’s why he’s impressive. He truly is my son, hahaha,” the King laughed heartily. “But this boy is also cunning; he spoke so definitively. Mornhart might not even be destroyed, okay?”
The Queen was startled, “Does Your Majesty have any backup plans?”
“No,” the King replied with a smile, “But that esteemed one has appeared.”
“Who?”
“The Hero.”
“Really!” The Queen’s eyes sparkled with excitement, “Where is he?”
“I don’t know. The Hero’s movements are always mysterious, and we can’t possibly track him,” the King said with a light laugh. “But rest assured, since he has appeared, he definitely won’t ignore my plight. He is surely contemplating how to deal with that meteor somewhere.”
“Can he do it?” the Queen asked anxiously.
The King shook his head with a smile, “Honestly, I don’t know. After all, that meteor is large enough to destroy a nation.”
“However, as it’s written in ‘The Legend of the Savior,’ the hero is victory; there is no word for failure in the hero’s dictionary.”
