Who taught him to restore the country like this

Chapter 239 Two Mermaid Hearts
Lionheart Kingdom.

The capital, a private estate owned by a nobleman.

The butler and several maids were summoned to a room by the mistress.

After carefully drawing the curtains and setting up a soundproof barrier, the lady of the house spoke solemnly.

"Lord Kong has appeared on Tianhai North Island in the Star Empire."

This was information she had just received from Queen Laura of the Lionheart Kingdom.

The servants below, upon hearing this news, were filled with joy, yet also with solemnity.

At this moment, the room is filled with the core members of the Uncrowned Party.

That day, Lord Kong fought against the three major papal courts, buying them time to leave the magic capital. Except for Feng, all the members who were bound by enslavement shackles safely escaped the pursuit of the three major papal courts and the Bruwerman Empire.

Feng volunteered to stay behind, fearing that the Church of Truth would relentlessly pursue them as they were closely investigating the war slaves.

He also felt that the confrontation with the Bruwerman Empire had reached a stalemate and a breakthrough was needed.

Therefore, he applied to Alpha to stay and cooperate with the Church of Truth in investigating the war slave incident of the Bruwerman Empire.

Although it was risky, it was the only way to thwart the Bruwerman Empire's war slave research program.

Otherwise, if this stalemate continues, who knows how many more innocent people will die in this cruel research project.

After careful consideration, Alpha agreed to Wind's request.

Among them, Grass insisted on following the wind, and Alpha agreed.

Apart from the two of them, the others settled here after leaving the magic city, thanks to Laura's arrangements.

"Lord Alpha, Lord Kong has appeared. May we begin our operation?"

A maid asked.

To avoid trouble, they have been staying in this manor for over a month without doing anything.

"Ah."

Alpha nodded and looked at a petite maid.

"According to Gamma's memories, the reason the Bruveman Empire captured her was to learn about the location of the Star Empire's power storage and its structural design through her."

She said.

After the old king of the Star Empire died, the powers he held remained idle.

Because the right of inheritance requires meeting the conditions of the previous user.

For example, the [Annihilation] power that Ron obtained in the Twilight Ruins requires him to place the complete Source Gathering Array into the sealing array to replenish energy.

The [Evolution] power obtained during the magic festival was inherited under the condition of fusing a composite magic, but because it manifested as energy, it was forcibly absorbed by Ron.

The conditions for inheriting the powers possessed by the Star Empire are unknown. In any case, so far, none of the heirs have inherited any of these powers.

Therefore, the Bruwerman Empire set its sights on this power.

They want to steal the power of the Star Empire, and even if they can't inherit it, they can still disqualify the Star Empire from competing for the ultimate victory in the war for the divine kingdom.

After some time of investigation, they set their sights on the Hewitt family.

As masters of forging, the Hewitt family was responsible for the creation of virtually all the facilities in the Star Empire.

They also built the facilities for storing powers.

By capturing core members of the Hewitt family, they can extract information about the location and blueprints of the power storage.

That's what the Bruwerman Empire thought.

However, the biggest problem is that the core members of the Hewitt family are basically bound by enslavement shackles. With these shackles restricting them, it is impossible for them to extract any useful information, and they will also expose themselves.

Therefore, they set their sights on Setsuna Hewitt, the adopted daughter of the Hewitt family patriarch.

Although she was only an adopted daughter, the Hewitt family valued her highly and devoted a great deal of effort to her upbringing, which is evident from the fact that she was allowed to become an apprentice of the Empire's chief blacksmith.

The people of the Bruveman Empire had been waiting in the Star Empire for several months, and finally got a chance to go on a long trip.

Then came the events of Setsuna being captured by the Bruveman Empire in the Titan Kingdom.

After being transformed into a war slave, Setsuna was required to reveal relevant intelligence information.

He was rescued by the wind a few days later.

The fact that she was able to be rescued was thanks to the fact that the important cities of the Bruveman Empire were being closely investigated by the Church of Truth, and the group that captured Setsuna did not dare to send her to the advanced research lab immediately.

Otherwise, once you get into an advanced research institute, you can basically forget about getting out.

"Gamma, do you know this information?"

Alpha looked at the maid who had instantly transformed and asked.

"Know something."

He nodded in a flash.

Her father and master had taken her to see it, but they only showed her the surface and the general outline; she didn't know the specific internal structure.

“The Bruwerman Empire has received intelligence from you and has definitely already begun its operation. We must not let it succeed.”

Alpha Path.

"Should we release this information?"

A maid asked.

"Do not."

Alpha shook his head.

"Although the combined magic bestowed upon us by Lord Kong last time has greatly enhanced the overall strength of the Uncrowned, we are still far too weak compared to our enemy, the Bruwerman Empire!"

“The Bruwerman Empire possesses power, and to fight against such a behemoth, we, the Uncrowned, must at least possess power.”

Alpha clenched his fist.

"Lord Alpha means..."

"That's right, this might also be an opportunity for us."

Alpha nodded.

The Star Empire's current performance is far too disappointing. Rather than letting the Bruveman Empire seize the power, they should take it for themselves.

Moreover, without power, the Star Empire will lose its pursuit of the war for the divine kingdoms.

This is beneficial for Wumian's future plans.

"Gamma, can you provide location information for the Star Empire's authority?"

Alpha looked at Gamma and asked in a serious tone.

Gamma comes from the Star Empire, so this request is tantamount to asking him to commit treason.

"Please entrust this task to me, Lord Alpha."

Without the slightest hesitation, he immediately knelt on one knee to plead for his orders.

Alpha looked at her, but hesitated.

She trusted Gamma's loyalty to the organization. But Gamma's feelings for the Star Empire also seemed quite strong.

She worried that Gamma might act on emotion at a crucial moment.

"Please rest assured, Lord Alpha, Gamma will always remember to prioritize the interests of the organization."

She made that promise in a very serious tone.

"Okay, this task is yours."

Alpha paused for a moment, then nodded.

Then, she looked at Night: "Night, you go with Gamma."

"Yes."

A cold-faced maid knelt on one knee to receive orders.

"Yu, Jing, and Xun, the three of you go to the outer port of Tianhai North Island and await Lord Kong's instructions."

Alpha then issued instructions to the other three.

Actually, she really wanted to go and see that person in person, even if it was just to catch a glimpse of him from afar.

But as the manager appointed by that adult, she must strictly demand of herself that she manage all the affairs of the organization well, as this is her primary task.

"Remember, do not approach Lord Kong without his orders!"

she reminded.

"Yes."

The three knelt down to receive their orders.

……

The appearance of "Ron" on Tianhai North Island has attracted countless people to this place.

Meanwhile, in the sky above, the instigator was leisurely enjoying the dinner prepared for him by the two mercenary groups.

Both mercenary groups were trying to win over "Ron".

They all knew that "Ron" was a free spirit with few scruples, and it was quite possible to win him over to their side.

As long as we can win over "Ron", even if we can't monopolize the intelligence, we can at least get the first-hand intelligence.

Whoever seizes the initiative will have their chances of winning increase by 30%.

Therefore, at the banquet, the powerful figures from both mercenary groups behaved very attentively.

They brought up all the connections they needed to build and all the conditions they were obligated to meet.

Promises like "once we get the Mermaid's Heart, we'll definitely plead with the three major papal houses to protect Ron"... kept coming in one after another.

But "Ron" inherited the original's intelligence and was not stupid.

Once they get what they want, abandoning them after they've served their purpose is a basic tactic.

So the entire dinner was filled with compliments, but neither of the two families got what they wanted.

Compared to the bustling scene at the fakes' side, Ron's side was rather deserted; all the people who had been surrounding him had gone to the fakes' side.

Only Luna, Karina, and Gangji remained by his side.

The group sat in the corner, enjoying the peace and quiet.

Do you feel unwell?

Ron looked at Luna beside him and asked.

A mermaid phantom appeared on Luna's body. At this moment, the fleets of the two mercenary groups are leaving Tianhai North Island. Under normal circumstances, Luna's life essence would rapidly dissipate.

Thank you for your concern, I'm fine.

Luna replied.

"If you feel unwell, be sure to tell me immediately."

Ron gave instructions.

"Ah."

Luna nodded.

"Bereta, are you really going to give up your identity as a hero?"

Gangji then spoke up and asked.

He stared at Ron for a long time, but couldn't sense any worry from him at all.

"The capable should take the lead. If someone does it better, then naturally the more capable person should take the lead."

Ron said calmly.

"He is indeed very strong, but he doesn't look like someone who would go to fight the Demon King at all."

Gangji looked toward the focus of the banquet.

Before this, he had already gone to see the other party to discuss the matter of defeating the Demon King.

But the other party replied, "That depends on what the three major Vatican councils think," in a flippant tone.

"Let's wait for the Holy Maiden of Radiance to arrive before we talk about it."

Ron gave a similar answer at this moment.

His mind is now entirely focused on the Mermaid Heart's "self-inflicted wound".

Ron has the heart of a mermaid, and so does Philian. What is their purpose in putting on this show?
Deterrence?

It would be better to leave both mercenary groups in Tianhai.

Misleading?

It's easy to mess things up, so it's better not to give any information at all.

A mere desire to act?

When a mermaid's heart replaces the existence of another, it has no independent consciousness.

Philian is dead, and it's understandable that the mermaid heart that controls her has its own consciousness, but what about "Ron"?

After "Ron" used the skills of the third-generation hero, he felt that the mermaid heart that had become this guy seemed to have its own consciousness.

It was filled with eeriness.

Luna was bound to the Mermaid's Heart, yet she was able to leave Tianhai North Island unharmed.

Not just her, but also Kertia.

He had just checked on Kertia in the room, and there was absolutely no sign of her life fading.

All signs seem to indicate that the mechanism of the Mermaid Heart has changed!

It has become more vulnerable, and more humane.

and also……

If his speculation is correct, there should be more than one Mermaid Heart now.

There are two.

Someone who has goodwill towards the hero will come to the rescue when the hero is in danger.

Ron was unaware of the other situation.

In short, the mermaid's heart seems to have been split in two.

In the Star Empire, there is only one thing Ron can think of that can do this.

That is the power held by the Star Empire.

Only powers can affect artifacts like the Mermaid Heart.

The power wielded by the Star Empire is precisely the ability to divide something into two.

These all match up, but it's still strange.

At this stage, no one should be able to use that power of the Star Empire, right?

Has someone already taken over?
If someone inherits the power, what's the point of the eldest and second princes playing around here?

There's something fishy about this.

Ron felt that he should investigate this matter before continuing his search for the Mermaid Heart.

"I will be leaving Tianhai North Island in the next few days. You should stay with him for now."

Ron stood up and spoke to the group.

"As long as you keep a good attitude and don't do anything that annoys people, he will do his best to protect you."

I'll protect anyone I like and have a good relationship with, if I can.

This is Ron's way of doing things.

"where are you going?"

Gangji asked.

"I want to visit the capital of the Star Empire; you don't need to come with me."

Ron replied.

After saying that, he turned and left the banquet. Gangji watched Ron's departing figure, a deep disappointment appearing in his eyes.

Ron's behavior was, in his eyes, nothing but self-abandonment.

Because someone more outstanding than oneself has appeared, one stops making any further efforts.

This is the type of person he dislikes the most.

He was already starting to regret joining the team.

"My dear hero..."

When Luna heard that Ron was leaving, her expression became uneasy.

"Don't worry, Lady Beretta will be back."

Karina gently comforted her.

In fact, she was also somewhat caught off guard by the hero Beretta's decision to leave.

She wanted to persuade him to stay, but didn't know what to say.

The hero Beretta gave up too completely.

"If you can't even handle this little setback, what's the point of coming back?"

Gangji gave a light snort, got up and left.

"I'll go check on the hero."

Luna then left as well.

Karina was left sitting silently in the corner.

The banquet ended unhappily because the hero Beretta chose to leave.

In the following days, the group barely exchanged a few words.

……

three days later.

The surviving fleets of the two mercenary groups arrived at Tianhai Port.

After confirming that Luna and Kertia were alright, Ron went to find Salom.

"You wish to see His Highness the Second Prince?"

Salom looked at Ron in surprise.

"Yes, I have important information."

Ron nodded.

"What important intelligence?"

Salom's eyes lit up, and he leaned closer with a smile, saying, "Tell me about it, and I'll pass it on for you."

"No need to trouble Vice Commander Salom. I am no longer a hero and am not that busy. I can report myself."

Ron said with a smile.

"whispering sound."

Salom turned around with displeasure: "You're all being so formal."

In the past few days, she tried to befriend the brave junior brother by pretending to be his senior sister, but was politely refused.

"Come with me."

Salom headed toward the port's military headquarters.

"Thank you."

Ron followed Salom's pace.

The two walked into the military affairs office and stopped in front of a heavily guarded building.

"Wait here."

Salom identified himself to the guard at the door and went inside the building.

About five minutes later, Salom came out from inside.

"go in."

Following instructions, Ron entered the building and, led by a guard, went to the study on the second floor.

Entering the study, Ron had been in the Star Empire for many days and this was the first time he had met the Second Prince, the mastermind behind the Rose Mercenary Group.

He was a dark-haired man in his early twenties, with handsome features and a noble air.

The royal family of the Star Empire is known as the Night Clan, renowned for their exceptional nighttime combat abilities. At night, they can harness the power of the stars, greatly enhancing their strength.

"Bereta greets His Highness the Second Prince."

As the study door closed, Ron bowed.

"Hero, there's no need for such formalities. What important information do you have to tell me?"

The second prince spoke humbly and got straight to the point.

"Is Your Highness aware that someone has abused the power of the Empire?"

Ron didn't waste any words and went straight to the point.

Upon hearing this, the Second Prince's pupils narrowed slightly.

"What's the basis?"

"The mermaid heart of Tianhai North Island has been affected by power and has split into two."

Do you know where the mermaid's heart is?

"Yes."

"where is it?"

"Before that, Your Highness should first find out who is abusing the Empire's power?"

"That's impossible. None of us can use that power."

The Second Prince said with certainty.

"When was the last time Your Highness, the Second Prince, saw that power?"

Ron asked.

Upon hearing this, the second prince fell silent.

Ron's meaning was clear.

How do you know that no one has been able to use that power during this time, since you haven't seen it for so long?
"If my speculation is wrong, then the mermaid heart I discovered is also wrong. Your Highness, please just consider this my mistake."

Seeing that the second prince remained silent for a long time, Ron made a move to leave.

"stop."

The second prince called out to Ron.

"how do you want to do it?"

he asked.

"I would like to ask the Second Prince to take me to see if it has been used by anyone. That will tell us the truth."

Ron said.

“I can’t leave here for the time being, Gogu.”

The second prince called out softly.

"My subordinate is here."

The next second, a muscular man wearing a mask appeared next to Ron.

Ron glanced at the slave shackles around the man's neck without changing his expression.

“Take him back to the capital and let him see that thing.”

The second prince gave the order.

"Yes."

The masked man bowed his head and accepted the order.

"Brave warrior, after you finish reading this, I hope you can tell me the exact location of the Mermaid's Heart."

The second prince returned his gaze to Ron, and although he did not say the second half of his sentence, he believed that Ron understood.

"nature."

Ron nodded calmly.

When the time comes, his second power will naturally reveal the answer to the Second Prince.

……

port.

Watching Ron leave with Shalom without looking back, Gangji blew a breath of anger through his nose.

"Karina, aren't you quite familiar with that fourth-generation hero? Why don't you go up and say a few words to him?"

He turned his gaze away and asked Karina.

He saw the surprise and excitement on Karina's face when she saw "Ron" appear.

She was almost in tears.

As a result, in the following days, Karina was not seen saying a word to "Ron".

"We... aren't very familiar with each other."

Karina stared at "Ron" as he was escorted away, her tone tinged with self-doubt.

He doubted that his gratitude towards the fourth generation hero was as strong as he had imagined.

She imagined herself bursting into tears of gratitude upon seeing the fourth-generation hero.

But now, this feeling only existed when I first saw "Ron," and it gradually faded away.

"Is it because the fourth-generation hero didn't greet me first?"

Karina searched for the reason in her heart.

But if she only focuses on finding the cause within herself, she will never find the real reason.

The reason she felt a sense of unfamiliarity was that "Ron" had no memories related to the game mechanics, which caused some deviations in his personality and emotions.

For people with a close relationship, this discrepancy has little impact.

However, for people with whom one does not have a close relationship, the feelings will fade.

In Ron's memory of interpersonal relationships, Karina belonged to the category of people he didn't have many acquaintances with.

This resulted in Karina's presence in Ron's memory being just like that of the ordinary students in the magic capital—merely a fan.

The way they interacted naturally changed from before, and this subtle change made Karina, who values ​​relationships very much, feel uncomfortable.

What is the attitude of the Glorious Church towards him?

Gangji suddenly leaned closer and asked in a low voice.

"The Vatican has instructed me to await the arrival of the saint."

Karina replied in a low voice.

The Vatican has not given any clear instructions.

"If you ask me, the Holy Maiden of Radiance shouldn't even bother coming."

A voice sounded behind the two of them.

The two turned and looked.

It's Gratoni.

"He's the one. Trust me, this kid will definitely succeed in defeating the Demon King."

"Where have you been all this time? You haven't been treating him like this these past few days."

Gangji looked at Gratoni with suspicion.

In the past few days, Gratoni has been very unfriendly to Ron because Ron was in the same room as Philian's body.

How come you've changed your attitude so quickly?

"I'll tell you a secret."

Gratoni beckoned to the two men, gesturing for them to come closer.

"What secret?"

The two men moved closer to Gratoni.

"That guy is the Mermaid Heart."

Gratoni gazed at "Ron," who was surrounded by the crowd, and transmitted his voice through magic into their ears.

This was the result of his personal confirmation, based on the identification methods taught to him by Horn.

The two were slightly taken aback upon hearing this.

"How is this possible? Isn't the Mermaid's Heart inside a mermaid's body? And the Mermaid's Heart can't leave Tianhai North Island, right?"

Gangji asked in a low voice.

These masters had all told him this.

Now that the fleets of the two major mercenary groups have completely left Tianhai North Island, isn't that guy still perfectly fine?

"That's right, the Mermaid's Heart cannot leave Tianhai North Island on its own."

"Then what happened to him?"

"I don't know, but I'm pretty sure he is the Mermaid Heart."

Gratoni said with great certainty.

"Never mind the reason for now. The fact that the Mermaid Heart was able to leave Tianhai North Island on its own and still use the Hero's Sword is definitely a great thing for you."

This way, those heavy costs can be avoided.

He wouldn't need to kill those who wanted to take the Mermaid's Heart.

Do you think the Vatican will believe what you're saying?

Gangji gave Gratoni a speechless look.

"Doesn't the Church of Truth have a kid who can detect lies? You can get him to test my lies."

Gratoni Road.

"Is he truly a mermaid heart?"

Seeing Gratoni's confidence, Gangji couldn't help but believe what Gratoni said.

"Keep your voice down, you fool. If the Star Empire finds out, it will be difficult for you to take him away from the Star Empire."

Gratoni said in a low voice.

The Mermaid Heart can be replaced by another person once the person realizes they are a Mermaid Heart.

“If what you say is true, then we should take him away from Tianhai North Island now.”

Steel Road.

"That's what they say, but do you think he'll obediently go with you?"

Gratoni Road.

"What should I do?"

“If you can’t handle it, you have to hand it over to the Vatican. It now thinks it’s Ron, and as long as the Vatican keeps pursuing it, it won’t easily leave with you.”

Gratoni Road.

Gangji looked at Karina.

Karina nodded and immediately reported these matters to the Holy See.

(End of this chapter)