After a night of travel, the carriage arrived at the Royal Capital.

The Elf Maiden continuously soothed Xue Dili while preparing to report back to the King at the Royal Palace.

In this continent, the Elves, Humans, and Dwarves are in a complete alliance, with the relationship so good that one can see humans everywhere in the Elf Forest, and the Royal Capital teeming with Elves or Half-Elves.

Xue Dili waited in the carriage, feeling the lingering scent of the Elf Maiden on his left hand. He reached out, wiped off the remaining sweat from his left hand, and put it on his tongue.

A cruel smile spread across his lips.

It's the taste of lies, old Elf.

The old entity's interface started working, displaying line after line of text.

[Sweat and skin flakes of an unknown demi-human contain a small amount of pheromone, a unique glandular scent, and a small amount of Heroic Lot's gene code...]

[Reverse engineering of DNA in progress... Completed. A peculiar demi-human; her genes are currently in a state of reproductive isolation from yours but can acquire your genes to alter her own traits, adapt to your genes, completely transform into your form, and break reproductive isolation to bear your offspring...]

[Unidentified contamination: this demi-human contains 3% of Heroic Lot's gene code...]

Xue Dili laughed, remembering correctly that Uncle Brave's "beloved," the Cattelan Princess, was a Half-Elf, right?

"What a crazy world..." Xue Dili looked at the sky. Since the skin flakes of this Elf Archer contained Uncle Brave's genetic code, so should other members of the Hero Squad.

Uncle Brave's corpse might have found a brand new use...

Ivy climbed the city walls, and crows circled the sky.

This world, like an anglerfish, lures prey with the most beautiful appearance, then tears them apart once they are hooked, revealing its true self hidden beneath the abyss.

The anglerfish received the tastiest food, while its companions were left with leftovers.

...

The King summoned Xue Dili for an audience.

In the Imperial Palace, the alchemically crafted palace lamps were dazzling. The golden hall was a scene of joy. Heirs of various noble families mingled and exchanged stories of interest.

The nobles flattered each other while seemingly competing, displaying their taste and wealth.

On the third floor above, the King did not descend but quietly observed everything below.

"The new Hero has arrived!" With the shout of the wine steward, the entire banquet hall fell silent for a moment.

In the next instant, Xue Dili became the center of everyone's attention.

Some noble young ladies covered their mouths and moved closer as they turned to see Xue Dili, seemingly wanting to gather around him.

"I'm sorry, he already has a companion." The Elf Ani, in her luxurious dress, instantly blocked these approaching noble women.

With her natural attire removed, she appeared more mature, and the elegant dress further added a sense of intellectuality and elegance of a noble lady.

Due to her presence, the other noble ladies stepped back, as she was a member of the former Hero Squad, a genuine Legendary Level Tier Three Elf Archer, not someone the noble ladies could compare to.

However, the noble ladies occasionally cast glances in this direction.

And this Elf Maiden merely stood silently behind Xue Dili, like a maid.

As everyone harbored their own thoughts, the King emerged from behind the scenes, his scepter striking the floor as a powerful voice resounded.

"Today I have invited you all here not only to share the joy of the kingdom's new birth in its 16th year but also to announce a very important matter." The King's voice was full of vigor.

At this moment, Xue Dili and Uncle Brave's pupils seemed to contract simultaneously.

Because the King now was someone Xue Dili and Uncle Brave knew all too well.

"Kaiya!" Xue Dili confirmed the identity of this middle-aged man; he was indeed the scout of the former Hero Squad who had obtained the Interstellar Corps' emergency contact device, that noble youth.

Uncle Brave was shocked; he couldn't believe how the Duke's son Kaiya had become King sixteen years later.

Xue Dili felt a gaze upon him. He turned to see another familiar face.

"Cattelan! She became Kaiya's queen?" Before confirming the identity, Uncle Brave exclaimed in shock, once again disbelieving.

His beloved had become the wife of his closest friend?

Then, what about my child?

Uncle Brave stood stunned, unable to speak in the face of this harsh reality.

Anger? Or should he feel sorrow?

He didn't know what expression he should wear now; his mouth smiled, but his eyes seemed to weep, as if a rent had opened in the sky, unleashing a torrential flood with sorrow that the world could not contain. Hidden within his pupils were countless aging lions.

King Kaiya continued to speak.

"I believe you are all surprised. Most of the people here are young; my Hero Squad friends are largely absent because today is meant for the younger generation." Such words left many surprised.

"Throughout my life, I've encountered countless crises, assassination attempts, battleground struggles, and even fought alongside the former Heroes against the Evil God, but the most perilous time was during those years fighting the Evil God." The King cast his gaze toward Xue Dili.

"Sixteen years ago, our Hero Squad was scattered by a Demon Beast, and I had the worst luck, facing the Evil God directly in the eastern forest."

Upon hearing this, all the children of noble descent were stunned, not expecting the old Emperor to have faced the Evil God's pursuit alone. Even a few words gave them a glimpse of the peril back then.

"But in my most critical moment, I reunited with the former Hero who, dragging my wounded self along, battled and retreated, escaping the chase through hidden underground rivers, even using blood to keep me alive when food was scarce. Such kindness, I will never forget."

With these words, the old Emperor slightly bowed toward Xue Dili.

Xue Dili slightly curled his lips. He didn't believe this story one bit. If Uncle Brave had encountered the Evil God earlier, he would have likely charged in with Love Unlimited mode to risk his life against the Evil God, with no thought of retreat.

King Kaiya seemed very satisfied with the stunned expressions surrounding him, sweeping his hand dramatically: "As such, upon parting ways with the former Hero, I promised that my family's females would forever marry the Hero's descendants, repaying the Hero's kindness for generations."

Such words left everyone in astonishment.

Even the Elf Maiden beside Xue Dili was taken aback, glaring viciously at Kaiya, as if seeing through an old friend for the first time, or perhaps making a mental note of vengeance.

King Kaiya seemed to notice the unfriendly gaze from his old friend, coughing discreetly: "However, my dear friend Ani has already fallen for the new Hero, and I will not force my old friend into embarrassment, thus granting Ani first as a bride to the new Hero."

The Elf Maiden then let go of her grudge against the King.

The crowd began to murmur, but the King's words once again interrupted the discussion.

"Yet, our oath must not be broken, therefore, respected Hero, you may choose any one of my daughters to be your concubine, as a token of gratitude to the former Hero." The King, smiling, came to Xue Dili's side, pointing to the three Princesses who had just appeared on the third floor.

"Respected Hero, you may choose any of them."

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