Slowly, Kael summoned his blade.
The moment the sword emerged from his item box, the atmosphere in the room changed. The air grew heavy, and the room fell into complete silence.
Prince August's eyes widened as he recognized the weapon. His breath hitched.
"Father… look at that sword," he said, his voice trembling slightly.
King Althemir narrowed his eyes, his gaze sharp and searching.
"Kael… where did you obtain that sword?"
Kael remained calm, meeting the king's gaze.
"The First King gave it to me."
A stunned silence filled the room.
King Althemir's expression darkened.
"What are you talking about? The First King passed away centuries ago!"
Before Kael could respond, Princess Seraphina stepped forward.
"Father… there is something I forgot to tell you. Kael… can use both light and dark magic."
Prince August immediately turned toward her.
"That is impossible! Only the Hero and their companions can wield both light and dark magic!"
King Althemir turned back to Kael.
"Kael… explain yourself."
Kael took a deep breath, gathering his thoughts. His expression became serious.
"…Very well. I will tell you everything. But first… you must believe me."
Princess Elowen stepped closer, her eyes soft yet firm.
"Kael… we trust you. Just tell us."
Kael nodded and began.
"As I said… the First King personally gave me this sword. I met him myself."
The king frowned deeply.
"How is that possible?"
Kael continued, his voice steady.
"As you all know, the First King possessed all six magic aptitudes and wielded Creation Magic. He was chosen by the gods. With that power… he created another world and ascended as a god there."
Hat suddenly chimed in from Kael's shoulder.
"And there is also a hidden place where some of his relics remain."
Kael nodded.
"Somehow, Hat and I entered that other world. There, I met the First King… and he entrusted this sword to me."
The room fell into stunned silence once again.
After a long pause, Prince August spoke, still processing everything.
"So… you possess all six magic aptitudes as well?"
Kael nodded.
"And that's not all."
He then said clearly,
"Status… open."
A blue holographic screen materialized in front of them.
King Althemir, Prince August, and the princesses all stared in absolute shock.
"This… this is impossible…" August muttered.
Princess Elowen pointed at the display.
"Brother… look at his attack power and defense!"
Even the king's composure cracked.
At the bottom of the screen, a single title stood out:
Chosen of the Gods.
Suddenly, King Althemir stood up — and to everyone's disbelief — he fell to one knee.
The entire room gasped.
"Father!" Prince August exclaimed.
Kael immediately panicked.
"Your Majesty! Please stand! You are the king of this kingdom!"
King Althemir looked at August and pointed at the status screen.
"Look carefully. He is marked as the Chosen of the Gods. A being comparable to a demigod… do you not understand what this means? He is a Hero chosen by the divine!"
Kael quickly shook his head.
"Your Majesty, please stand. And I am not the Hero."
The room fell silent again.
Kael continued firmly,
"The First King told me to call forth the Holy Sword Astralis… but it did not respond to me. That means I am not meant to be the Hero."
He then looked at everyone with a calm yet resolute gaze.
"I do not wish to rule the world. I do not wish to become a god. I am content being… Kael Valcrest."
Princess Seraphina stepped forward and suddenly hugged him tightly.
"Yes, Father… he is just our Kael."
Her face flushed red as she added teasingly,
"And someday… he will be our husband."
Kael's face instantly turned bright red.
King Althemir sighed deeply.
"What are you three doing…?"
At that moment — knock! knock!
The door opened, and a priest entered, looking pale and urgent.
"Your Majesty… there is an urgent report."
The king's expression turned grave.
"Speak."
The priest bowed.
"The Hero… has been chosen."
The entire room froze.
Hat flew closer to Kael, sensing his sudden tension.
The king and the priest spoke in hushed tones for a moment before the priest left.
Kael remained silent, lost in thought.
"Kael…? Kael!" Seraphina called out.
Elowen gently shook his arm.
"Are you alright?"
King Althemir spoke again, his voice heavy.
"The Hero has appeared… in the Shadowven Kingdom."
Kael's eyes sharpened.
"Your Majesty… do you know why the attack truly happened?"
The king sighed deeply.
"Yes… but there are matters that must remain within this room. Do you all understand?"
Aelric, Lucian, Prince August, and the princesses nodded.
King Althemir continued gravely.
"Some days ago… a marriage proposal was sent for Princess Seraphina and Princess Elowen. I refused it. Because of that… they attacked."
Kael's expression turned cold.
"You are correct, Your Majesty… but there is something far more dangerous behind all of this."
He paused before continuing.
"Centuries ago, there was a god who sought to dominate this kingdom. The other gods chose the First King to stop him, along with two subordinates who wielded light and dark magic. Together, they sealed him away."
His voice grew darker.
"But that seal has been weakening… and someone is trying to break it."
The room grew tense.
"To undo the seal… they need Princess Seraphina and Princess Elowen. That is why they were targeted."
Prince August clenched his fist.
"Then we must tighten their security immediately!"
Kael stepped forward.
"Your Majesty… if you will allow me, I wish to handle their protection myself."
Prince August frowned.
"Father, we cannot—"
King Althemir raised his hand, stopping him.
Kael continued, his voice firm.
"They are going to be my wives. If anything happens to them… I will take responsibility."
A long silence followed.
Finally, King Althemir nodded.
"…Very well, Kael. I trust you. But if you need help, do not hesitate to ask."
Kael bowed slightly.
"Thank you… Your Majesty."
The king smiled faintly.
"Call me… Father."
Kael hesitated.
King Althemir chuckled softly.
"If my daughters are to be your wives… then I am your father now."
Kael slowly nodded.
"…Very well… Father."
Prince August crossed his arms and smirked.
"So that means… I am your brother now."
Kael let out a tired sigh.
And so — the ties of fate tightened around him.
How will Kael's life change from this moment onward?
Only time will tell.