The Max Level Hero Has Returned!

The monster attacks decreased significantly, much to the caravan’s surprise. For the mercenaries who were always prepared for the dangers of areas teeming with monsters, the lowered frequency of attacks ended up being nothing out of the ordinary.

However, the problem was that the group atmosphere had become heavy and somber. Some of their comrades had been killed in the sudden assault, and there were strong indications that others had been kidnapped.

Yet, what weighed most heavily on their minds was Evangeline. Sitting curled up at the back of the caravan, she let out a gloomy energy that no one could ignore.

“Evangeline,” one of the mercenaries called out softly.

“…”

“Here, take this,” he said hesitantly, offering her a piece of jerky. “Um… Thanks to you, we’re all still alive. Sure, it’s tragic about those who were taken or killed, but if you hadn’t been here, the rest of us wouldn’t have made it either.”

“Uncle…”

“So don’t be sad—it’s not your fault. We mercenaries always accept the risk of losing our lives whenever we take a job. Besides, the ones that were kidnapped were taken in the same direction as where we’re already heading. But it’ll be dangerous for us to go faster to try to catch them, and the guild and merchant group have begun helping with the search after learning what happened.”

The reason the guild and merchants were so cooperative was because of Evangeline. Her immense popularity and charm made many eager to support and placate her.

Still, depending on the situation, sacrifices had to be made for the greater good. Mercenaries were paid well because they put their lives on the line—their lives weren’t hopeful and bright all the time, like those in fairytales.

“Uncle…” Evangeline mumbled.

“Yeah? What is it? Go ahead, speak your mind.”

“It’s nothing. I just… I need some rest.”

Her response brought a bitter smile to the mercenary’s face. He believed her to be a pure, kind-hearted young lady who was weighed down by guilt and the harsh reality of a mercenary’s life. But in truth, her turmoil was more profound.

Evangeline was grappling with a deeper fear—that she might not truly be Davey O’Rowane’s daughter.

- Kiriririk.

- Keee!!

"Monsters!"

Even with the reduced attacks from strong monsters, it was impossible to avoid encounters entirely when they were in a forest with threats around every turn. A group of goblins surged forward, and the mercenaries quickly readied their weapons.

It was at that moment Evangeline made her move.

Slash!

She flashed toward the goblins, wielding Red Ribbon shimmering with blade energy.

Slash!!

The blade energy carved through the air at an unbelievable speed, instantly slicing multiple goblins in half.

“E-Evangeline?”

“...”

The goblins, which would normally take a coordinated effort to handle, were taken down in the blink of an eye.

- Kiruk!

- Kiruk!!

At that moment, a bizarre, chilling laugh echoed from the treetops.

“Evangeline, watch out! It’s a hobgoblin!” one of the startled mercenaries shouted at Evangeline, who was sheathing her sword.

But before his voice could reach her, a ball of fire had materialized in the hand of the hobgoblin.

Thud.

But it was doomed to never finish its magic attack. While still focused on the dead goblins before her, she had thrown Red Ribbon toward the new opponent, ultimately slicing through its head. The hobgoblin fell lifelessly to the ground.

“W-Wow…”

“She’s so incredible, no matter how many times I see her fight…”

Every battle of hers seemed like a massacre. What could’ve been a drawn-out and dangerous fight would instead end quickly, thanks to her overwhelming power.

But some of the professional mercenaries weren’t so quick to judge the situation settled.

“Something’s off. Hobgoblins are rare—you usually only see them in tribes of at least a hundred goblins. Yet, this one had only fifteen compatriots at its side.”

“Hm? Does that matter?” questioned the merchant leader.

“Normally, goblin attacks involve dozens, sometimes nearly a hundred in a wave. This situation doesn’t add up.”

“Isn’t it a good thing that we didn’t face a horde?”

The mercenary made a complicated expression.

“It’s not just this hobgoblin. Everything about this journey has felt off. From various sized monster groups to the appearance of a dark knight—a creature you’d only expect to see near castles—and multiple monsters working together. Goblins working with trolls and ogres just to kidnap a young mage? That’s unheard of.”

“It’s not like kidnapping is unprecedented.”

“Trolls and ogres eat their prey on the spot. They don’t take them back to their lairs.”

“Hm…”

“Evangeline saved us this time, but if we face another ambush like that…”

“What are you suggesting?”

“I’m saying we should cancel this mission and withdraw while we still can. It’s too dangerous to continue like we have so far.”

The merchant leader and scholars exchanged nervous glances, but hesitated to respond.

“We’ve reached the ancient ruins!” a scout’s voice suddenly rang out, announcing their arrival at their destination.

“…”

The mercenary grimaced. “Perform your investigation of the site if you must, but we can’t stay for long. Even with our numbers, this forest is far too dangerous. We can only afford to stay for two days at the most.”

“Understood. We’ll proceed diligently.”

The scholars looked around with excitement at the remnants of the ancient, seemingly long-lost civilization. They immediately began their investigation. Meanwhile, the mercenaries split up into individual groups, each taking positions across the area to guard against potential monster attacks.

The merchant company busily prepared the campsite, ensuring that essential supplies were readily available.

“Red Ribbon.”

Sitting alone on the roof of a massive ruined building on the northern edge of the site, Evangeline murmured.

“Red Ribbon.”

“Yeah?”

Red Ribbon manifested and crouched beside her.

"Red Ribbon, I’m Daddy’s daughter, right?"

"Yes, yes! Of course Eva is!”

"Then why… Why am I not human?"

"Eh? Well… that’s…"

"I already know—that Daddy’s human, but I’m not. That I’m something else.”

"Umm… But babies are brought by the legendary crane!"

"A crane?"

"Yep! When a mommy and daddy hold hands and love each other very much, the legendary crane brings them a baby!"

Though Aeria had indeed been pregnant once, Red Ribbon and Blue Ribbon had no proper understanding of such matters.

"Red Ribbon’s not human either! Red Ribbon’s a sword!"

"That’s… true…"

"But I’m still Daddy’s daughter! So that means you are too, Eva!”

Her cheerful words made Evangeline smile faintly.

"Really? Am I really Daddy’s precious daughter?"

"Absolutely!"

A soft glow emanated from the blue sheath beside them, and Blue Ribbon also materialized, nodding firmly.

"That’s right! Eva is Daddy’s daughter! And that makes you our little sister!"

"Thank you, Blue Ribbon. I love you both," Evangeline said, hugging Red Ribbon and Blue Ribbon tightly. She stood up, resolve shining in her eyes.

"Let’s do our best! I’m going to become a hero! Someone amazing like Daddy!"

"Yes, yes! Eva will be amazing!"

Mood lifted by their encouragement, Evangeline felt a bit more at ease.

But suddenly, she sensed something unusual—a gaze intently watching her from afar.

"Eva?"

"Hold on, Red Ribbon," Evangeline murmured. She reached out, and Red Ribbon and Blue Ribbon instantly transformed back into their sword forms. She gripped them tightly, moving toward the spot where she had felt the strange familiarity.

As she touched the cold, unfamiliar wall of the ancient ruins, everything around her plunged into darkness.

"Agh!"

It felt as though time had stopped. The overwhelming presence made her feel as if she were trapped in a void of darkness.

"Uh… Red Ribbon! Red Ribbon!!!" Evangeline called out, but there was no response.

Surrounded by an abyss devoid of light, fear began to take root and grow within her. At the same time, the primal instincts she had once suppressed during a previous awakening began to stir once more.

"No… No! I don’t want this!"

She feared her own nature—that of a predator and absolute being who instinctively looked down on humanity. Her instincts even seemed to overshadow her love for her father, seeing him as a mere human.

"No… No! Get back!" she cried, desperately suppressing the overwhelming primal instincts within her.

As she forced herself to calm down, the infinite darkness around her began to take shape. What had seemed like a void was revealed to be more akin to a starless cosmos.

And then, a single constellation began to glow faintly in the sky above.

"Can you see me now?"

Evangeline looked around and saw a figure clad in black armor. Though reminiscent of the Dark Knight she had encountered before, this presence felt different—it was far more dangerous.

"…"

Evangeline took a cautious step back, her lips tightly shut.

"Why does someone as extraordinary as you pretend to be the daughter of such a lowly human?" the figure sneered.

"W-What are you talking about?" she stammered.

"I can see it. The great star within you. As a servant of the Sword Lord, the Zodiac constellation Cancer, I can see your essence. You are a predator---an absolute being."

The armored figure stepped closer, his gaze piercing.

"The human you call your father has deceived you. He only took you in as his daughter so that he could control your power."

"That’s not true! I am Daddy’s daughter! I’m Evangeline O’Rowane!

"Hmph! Ridiculous. Humans cannot sire dragons, especially not an ancient one.”

"No… No, that’s not true!" Evangeline cried, shaking her head in denial.

Both Red Ribbon and Blue Ribbon weren’t human, but neither of them had ever questioned calling Davey their father. To them, it was completely natural.

That was because they both knew—they had been directly created and brought into existence by Davey himself.

Evangeline, however, was different. She wasn’t born of his power; she was merely someone he chose to raise as his daughter. Normally, Red Ribbon and Blue Ribbon would’ve been there to help ground her fluctuating mood and offer reassurance, but they were nowhere to be found.

"Let me out of here! I don’t want to stay here!"

"Hm. I’m sorry, but I can’t do that," the figure in black armor replied. "I’ve come here under the orders of my constellation to meet you and make you an offer."

"No… no!"

"Of course, it’s clear that Davey O’Rowane cannot save you now. Zodiac constellation Cancer, the Sword Lord and Sword Star, is a divine being—no one can defeat it."

Evangeline clenched her teeth in frustration.

"What do you want from me? Why are you doing this to Evangeline? I… I’m Daddy’s—"

"No," the knight interrupted. "That’s just what you desperately want to believe. The two swords you carry, the others you know—they were all created and given life by Davey O’Rowane himself. But not you."

"That’s not true!" Evangeline shouted, her voice cracking as tears streamed down her face.

No matter how fast she picked up on things, she was still a child, emotionally vulnerable and fragile. Being told she wasn’t her parents’ child was something beyond her childish comprehension and emotional bandwidth.

"He’s deceiving you," the knight pressed on while reaching out his hand.

Then the beautiful power of stars gathered.

"Cancer has told me that your mother was killed by your so-called father.”

Evangeline then widened her eyes in shock.

"Not only that," the knight continued. "Your father has also been slain. Even though he could’ve brought him back, just as he could’ve revived so many others, he chose not to save your real father."

"No… no…"

"You’ve been lied to.”

Her eyes, which had shifted to a deep violet color, trembled violently at his words.

* * *

The servants of stars.

Beings who were once human or of another race but became servants of the stars, inheriting their immense power. Once the status was achieved, even a humble farmer could transcend their limits and reach unimaginable heights.

This was the core system and power of the Zodiac constellations, the fragments of Goddess Freyja.

The man standing before Evangeline narrowed his eyes, a dangerous glint flashing within them as he took in the sight of the beautiful yet powerful girl before him.

She was a seed of immense potential—one that he needed to claim for his master, in order to eliminate the man who posed a threat to his constellation. Yet, he couldn’t understand why an absolute being capable of incinerating the world in an instant was so fixated on a mere human.

"Did Daddy really lie to me…? Did he kill my real mommy and daddy…?” Evangeline murmured, her face hollow with despair.

The knight in black armor approached her slowly.

"Yes," he said. "He killed your parents so he could take you for himself. He deceived you, pretending to be your father, all so that he could manipulate you as his own."

"…"

His words were mostly lies—half-truths, at best. But Evangeline had no way to discern the real truth.

"Take my hand," the knight said, extending it toward her. "Join me as a servant of the constellation Cancer. I cannot bring your parents back, but I can offer you a real family—not the hypocritical imposters you’ve been stuck with."

"A… real family…"

"Become an servant. If you do, you will inherit the true power and bloodline of the constellation Cancer!"

Evangeline slowly reached out her hand toward him, her mind clouded by the shock that she might not be Davey’s biological daughter. The story the knight had told her about Davey left her unable to think clearly.

"And if Cancer gains dominion over all worlds, then your real parents could truly be revived," the knight added. "Don’t you want it? The opportunity to live happily with your real family?"

Her eyes widened slightly at his words, her thoughts spiraling further into chaos. Her mind began spiraling down a rabbit hole.

Watching her turmoil, the knight extended his hand and grasped hers. Now, all that remained was for his master, the constellation Cancer, to bestow its blessing.

He knew Davey O’Rowane wouldn’t be able to interfere now that things had reached this point. Even if he was so-ever powerful, his master was an absolute being. Moreover, it’d be nearly impossible to locate this place and act quickly enough to intervene.

And that wasn’t all.

Unbeknownst to Evangeline, five other servants just like himself had already gone to confront Davey. Each of them possessed strengths beyond human comprehension. They were also already absolute beings when they received the power of the constellation Cancer.

In other words, as long as the constellation Cancer existed, they were effectively immortal.

Just as the knight began channeling the power of Cancer into Evangeline, a faint snapping sound echoed through the chamber.

A deafening snap rang out and pierced through the darkness.

"Hm?!"

The knight’s expression twisted with confusion.

The power of the constellation Cancer was beginning to weaken.

In fact, it was vanishing, as though the absolute existence of Cancer was being erased.

* * *

In a massive underground chamber, an extraordinary event was unfolding.

For a constellation like Cancer to create an servant, it had to manifest a fragment of its essence—its very core—in the world it resided in. The chamber was where Cancer had hidden that essence. It was a well-concealed location, no doubt. However, it was ultimately meaningless when facing Davey O’Rowane.

Unlike the overconfident constellations who attacked him solo, Davey was no ordinary human. He had allies—dozens of beings with divinity who worked alongside him.

"She said I’d become entangled in this mess six months later, whether I wanted to or not."

This was what Daphne, the first Saintess, had told him half a year ago.

"That she’s destined for this mess.”

Woochi, the most troublesome sorcerer of the hall, had once said this when speaking of Evangeline's string of destiny.

Now, Cancer’s creations and servants had moved to protect the essence of their master.

"He’s only one man. As we are bestowed with the blessing of the Lord of Sword, the only way to kill us is with a sword, but no one can defeat us with a blade.”

"And besides, he’s unarmed.”

The servants prepared to attack Davey.

Unaware of how absurdly strong Davey was, they underestimated him entirely. He smirked and reached into his Pocket Plane, pulling out an electronic device.

"I wonder if this works here,” he mused, fiddling with the device for a moment. Soon, lively music began to play.

Boom, boom…

The sudden burst of upbeat music left the avatars and creations momentarily stunned. To them, the sight of a mere human casually playing music in the presence of divine, constellation-blessed creations was deeply insulting.

They couldn’t believe how dare this human, who had no sword, was acting so arrogantly. They were going to make sure he paid for what he did.

But their indignation turned to alarm as Davey calmly set the device down.

Crackle…

In that instant, an incomprehensibly dense divine power coalesced, forming into a single sword in his hands.

The atmosphere shifted drastically, and they began to feel that they were facing something far stronger than they had anticipated.

But they never were able to realize anything.

By the time the music ended, the only one alive in the chamber was Davey.

Every one of them—beings so powerful they could laugh at Masters—had been wiped out. It was surprising how many of them were at one place to begin with.

Davey, unfazed, casually spun the sword in his hand as he glanced around, his shoulders relaxed.

"I wonder how Evangeline’s holding up…"

Though he appeared calm, if Davey had known the turmoil Evangeline was experiencing, the consequences of his response would be impossible to predict.

ChubbyCheeks & FriedNook's Thoughts

Editorb’s Thought

As a general rule, I would recommend not telling children that they’re adopted by their parents’ murderers. Even if you know it to be true, it’s kind of a dick move tbh

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