The Extra Can't be A Hero

Chapter 254 254: Start of the Apocalypse (4)

Leon's statement sent shockwaves throughout the night.

Zephys was in disarray. Two factions emerged after hearing Leon's words. The first believed the hero, and quickly decided to evacuate the city. Some stayed behind to lobby the government to aid the evacuation efforts. On the other hand, the other faction tried to downplay Leon, and some even went so far as to call him a liar and a sensationalist.

There were even whispers within the same faction that he was a false hero, just seeking attention.

Naturally, Leon couldn't be bothered with those ignorant fools. He had far bigger problems to tackle.

"The Utopia Church has kidnapped Ella… and they're planning to use the Holy Grail to neutralise the Staff of Yiirun's barrier."

"..."

Sir Arthur's words silenced the group. They were aware of the Demon Cult's plan to cast Starfall, but they naively believed that neutralising it was next to impossible. After all, the Staff of Yiirun was a Heroic-grade artefact, similar in power to Ascalon, and had stood as the protector of the Hyades Republic for thousands of years.

However, if the Demon Cult had the Holy Grail in their possession…

"Their position is far better than ours… They had decades to prepare for this moment. Half of the elites in the capital are on their side. Now they have the Holy Grail, and with Sir Amon in this state. I'm afraid… we should retreat."

Gallahad Solaris, the Commander of the Golden Dragon Order, spoke grimly. From his position, it was imperative to protect the future of the Solaris House, that being Amon and Leon. It was a selfish desire, yet no one dared to rebuke the seasoned veteran.

They knew they were fighting an uphill, nay, unwinnable battle. Currently, the Demon Cult held all the cards, and in war… sometimes retreat was the wisest option.

However, Leon wasn't going to accept that.

"If we leave… millions will die," Leon replied with an unwavering determination. "No, the aftermath of Zephys' destruction will lead to mass hysteria, the division of the Republic, and the rise of the Demon Cult. This will be the start of the apocalypse. Billions will suffer."

This wasn't just Leon's hypothesis; it was the future that Yue had lived through.

"Leaving Zephys now… isn't an option. And, selfishly… I want to save Ella."

It wasn't just for the greater good; Leon's decision to stay was personal.

"If I can't save Ella, then I will at least die trying."

"Well said!" Alrock, the Solaris Lord, laughed heartily, delighted at the man his grandson had become. "If you're going to stay, I will do the same!"

"Alrock!"

"Gallahad! I understand you aim to preserve the Solaris lineage, but have you forgotten our roots?"

Alrock gave a gentle smile, and the Golden Order Commander froze as if he were struck by lightning.

The Solaris House were the protector of humanity, always has been. The Solaris Founder led humanity into its first golden age when he ended the Age of the Dragons. The Solaris Saint defended humanity's mandate to rule the planet when she became the God of War during the Great Demon War.

And now that the Great Demon War was upon them… it was time for the Solaris House to pick up the mantle once more.

"... I was shortsighted."

"Bahahaha, you're just getting old. There's much to learn from the young'uns!" Alrock teased his friend as he looked to Leon. "So? What is your plan?"

"That… I will save Ella first. Obtain the Holy Grail and prevent the Staff of Yiirun from losing its power. If that doesn't work, we'll need to keep destroying the Demon Cult's bases. Given that they have prepared everything, they shouldn't take long to activate Starfall."

"Hoh? And how will we do that? We don't have ample intelligence."

"If we don't have intelligence, all we need to do is ask someone who has."

At that moment, Yue, still tending to Amon, spoke up. She pointed toward the door, where a slender, middle-aged woman entered. Her purple hair framed sun-kissed skin, and a white stola draped elegantly over her form. What stood out, however, was the linen cloth wrapped over her eyes; yet despite her blindness, she moved with the effortless grace of a ballerina.

She gave off no immediate threat: no mana, or significant physical intimidation. However, everyone was naturally cautious. Even as she bowed and showed that she posed no harm, everyone unconsciously tensed.

"It's humbling to be in the presence of so many heroes."

"You are!"

Leon, recognising the well-robed woman, had a slight twitch in his eye before alternating his gaze between the woman and Yue.

"It's a pleasure to meet you again, young hero."

"Yue, who is this?" Carmen asked, clearly cautious of the newcomer's identity.

"This is the Herald. She knows how to get to the Demon Cult's bases."

"Not only that, this humble one knows where they are keeping the Holy Church's Saintess."

"What?!"

Leon's eyes lit up at once, though caution tempered his excitement. Someone with intelligence of that calibre was far from ordinary… and if she was willing to divulge such crucial information, there was bound to be a price.

"What are your terms?"

"Fret not, I have received my payment." The Herald gave a simple smile, and Yue waved her off.

The Herald was yet another obstacle in Amon and Yue's path. Her obsession with resurrecting the Titans and restoring the Primordial Age was something they both knew all too well. In her previous timeline, Yue had witnessed firsthand the chaos the Herald unleashed.

It was she who broke the seal on the Necropolis of the Gods—shattering the final fragment of Yval's soul and awakening the Titans who had ruled the world long before the Dragons. In many ways, the Herald was every bit as dangerous as the Prophet.

Yet, despite everything, Yue had no choice but to depend on her now.

"She will direct you to the strongholds. Since we're out of time, Leon. You head with her directly to the Demon Cult's headquarters and rescue Ella. Leave the rest of the strongholds to us."

"Understood."

"Bring Lord Carmen and Gallahad with you."

Before Leon could leave the building, Yue laid down a terrifying statement. Then, he blushed, realising that he was about to charge into the Demon Cult's base alone with a stranger. Clearly, bringing two Commander-level Solaris Knights would be ideal, perhaps even overkill if they simply wished to save Ellahan from the clutches of the Demon Cult. However, if they left with him, how would Yue and Eldorin manage the rest of the strongholds?

Although the Eldorin members were all skilled, they weren't powerful enough to take down that many Demon Cult strongholds, especially without assistance from their seniors.

Seeing that it was their cue, the Sword Saint and Ocean Goddess stepped forth, ready to volunteer their services. However, Yue stopped them in their tracks. Then she isolated the space around the Herald and teleported her away… for she didn't wish to let her know her following words.

"Sword Saint… Aluria… We can't have you take the stage just yet. You're our trump cards. If you two appear now, the Demon Cult will have time to prepare countermeasures against us."

"Hmmm? So you're planning to have the young'uns take on the strongholds themselves?"

Alrock mused, clearly thinking that Yue had overestimated their strengths. Yes, they were powerful, but the Demon Cult was even more so. Many cultists equalled high-ranked Knights and Magicians, while there were an untraceable number of Greater Demons festering beneath the surface.

Compared to the Eldorin youngsters… they were outnumbered and outmatched.

But Yue didn't show any sign of fear. Instead, she explained it with pure power.

All eight of Yue's mana rings blazed to life, their radiance filling the chamber as the Mysterious Grimoire fluttered in her arms. A torrent of mana surged outward—vast and suffocating, unlike anything the gathered elites had ever felt.

Many found their breath stolen, their knees buckling beneath the crushing pressure. Even Johann Amaris, the future Archwizard himself, could not withstand Yue's overwhelming dominance.

The veterans fared no better. The Solaris Lord, the twin Commanders, the Ocean Goddess, the Sword Saint, the Sky Spear… all stood frozen, their faces hardening as Yue unveiled the true extent of her power.

Before the weight of their disbelief could settle, twelve Monarch-tier spirits materialised around her, their auras coiling through the air like living storms, while countless more lingered unseen in the shadows.

For even among Monarchs, there were hierarchies… and Yue had summoned only her mightiest.

Yaru: The Mist Spider.

Anima: The Rainbow Butterfly.

Ceres: The Cloud Qilin.

Vaelrix: The Infernal Kitsune.

Nyssara: The Shadow Revenant.

Kaethon: The Stone Sentinel.

Serilune: The Tidal Mermaid.

Lysara: The Void Seraph.

Viridane: The Verdant Elk.

Eirnaya: The Glacial Fenrir.

Vorthal: The Iron Lion.

Caelion: The Celestial Whale.

Each of them was a spirit that any summoner would dream of contracting. A single one could rival an eight-circle mage… yet Yue commanded all twelve. Their manifestations were so vivid, so tangible, that one could scarcely call them spirits at all. Such realism was only possible for a caster with absolute control… and a reservoir of mana bordering on the infinite.

That was where the Mysterious Grimoire revealed its purpose. By bending the laws of space and time, it formed a vortex of boundless energy, granting Yue an almost limitless supply of mana. But that wasn't the only revelation.

While the others stood frozen in awe of Yue's mastery and the suffocating pressure of her Monarch-tier spirits, Aluria, the Ocean Goddess, was struck speechless for another reason entirely.

'There's… divinity in them.'

Divinity was something lost to the world. Not even the mighty Dragons possessed divinity, yet… Yue showed a talent for bending the laws of nature.

As Yue completed her summoning, she looked straight at Leon and said:

"Go save Ella. Leave the strongholds to us."

"... sure."

Leon gulped heavily as he stared into the fiery abyss that was Yue's ruby eyes. For a brief moment, just a short moment… he felt sorry for the Demon Cult.