The Demon and the Healer - Chapter 8- Elation!

There was a big celebration back in the capital when the Hero’s party returned with both sad and great news in their arms. The news of the death of the Hero Gellion indeed called forth many tears and condolences, but the elation and relief hearing the words of the Light Hero of how he subjugated the Demon Lord filled not only the capital but the whole human race with overwhelming happiness and a sense of at last solace.

A whole week’s worth of celebration went by with every town village and city being dyed the colors of festivity and they had a valid reason to be like that since the ultimate threat under which the whole human race has been getting traumatized, finally was brought down to its knees, thanks to the Light Hero Helios and his comrades.

The central council even announced a two-day national holiday on the day when the hero’s party returned with such a piece of great news. Every person might have been drowned in the joy these seven days, that level of achievement it was of the Hero’s Party, and the person who got most of the praises was, of course, The almighty savior of the human race, The Hero of Destiny and now the Salvation Bringer, Hero Helios.

Gail and Grace after the great war and funeral of Gellion, returned to their hometown to enjoy the much-needed rest they deserved with tons of rewards and gifts from the emperor. Grace might have gotten what she has always desired but Gail remained all the same until the end.

It was given that as the eldest daughter of the highest nobility Charlotte was getting praised as well, these days, more so from those who once considered Charlotte as a burden on the Hero’s party. Her father was not able to resist himself and he fawned over his daughter and told how proud he was of her, in the middle of the court. It was a scene to behold when the usually calm and compose healer was getting all embarrassed by her father’s familial love.

But after the first day of celebration where her presence seemed mandatory, Charlotte has been spending her days either in her room or at Gellion’s mansion with her late comrade’s family. No one questioned her since such a long-fought war takes a lot from a person. Helios might have a stronger mental fortitude but someone as a delicate and nurtured girl to face such gore and bloodshed must have been weighing down on her.

…or what everyone believed but in actuality Charlotte had different and a completely unexpected subject on her mind who has made Charlotte extremely conflicted.

She has only spent a day with a stranger yet her thought process and many things she never considered a possibility seems to be now a probable outcome.

Charlotte has changed, even a little bit, but those who watch her closely noticed that as well.

****

“Once again, I would like to offer a toast to the great hero Helios who has extinguished the shades of darkness from over us. Cheers!”

“”Cheers! “”

As the prime minister raised the toast everyone followed inside the conference room which unlike usual was not the venue for a serious discussion but just to enjoy the last day of celebration in the presence of the main guest of honor, Helios.

Soon after everyone began chatting among themselves with the Emperor—William von Carlesthine—and The Hero, participating in between every once in a while.

The atmosphere was light-hearted and the much-needed relief on the council’s face expresses what kind of accomplishment humanity has established recently.

“You look, troubled Helios. Is everything alright?”

Suddenly, Helios was asked in a low tone by the Supreme nobility of the empire with his voice containing some essence of concern. Helios first shook his head in denial since he didn’t want to make the Emperor once again troubled about something.

But considering how big of information it was for the whole empire as well as the whole human race, Helios thought it would be inappropriate to contain this inside anymore.

“Actually I have to tell everyone this…”

Hearing his risen tone, all the others also turned their attention in Helios’ direction with their gossip coming to an immediate halt. The severity of his expression depicted made the councilmen slightly nervous as they hoped dearly that nothing worth concerning like the demon lord pops up now.

Despite their prayers when Helio told them about ‘that’ demon who alone was able to subdue the whole Hero party turned the celebratory mood into a grimace one. The expressions on their faces shifted so drastically as they had to face another war just after they came out victorious over the previous one.

Helio recounted every single detail, compiling how the demon overpowered them yet left Charlotte free of his reign. How the demon general seemed fond of Charlotte and how he let Helios and others trespass the last hurdle without moving an inch.

The gravity of the silence was severe enough to even make Helios nervous who has long gotten accustomed to these aristocratic conferences. Everyone including the emperor had a conflicted and unreadable look on their faces.

What seemed like an eternity for the hero but only ten minutes had passed, the Grand Minister spoke up in an uncertain tone.

“How do we approach this matter, your majesty?”

Lack of choices and resources even the wise grand minister was at a loss, up on how they should be considering this danger since if what Helios has told them is all true then no one in the whole empire is strong enough to face that calamity and the best weapon humanity had the hero, has already tasted dust once in the demon general’s presence.

The blond-haired middle-aged man whom everyone regards as majesty stayed silent for a while, pondering on the subject deeply with his head wrinkled with frowns.

William’s stern gaze turned toward the Grand minister who asked the question before the blond emperor spoke up in a heavy tone.

“Outside the Veil of Darkness, every demon gets weakened exponentially, and if about Charlotte’s willingness to meet that Demon again…”

Helios clenched his fist underneath the table hearing the words which Charlotte previously told her comrades and asked everyone to not reveal it to anyone. Charlotte was actually willing to meet that Demon again behind the Veil of Darkness and she wanted to keep it secret for now.

But considering the severity of the matter Helios had no other option.

However, his slightly agitated mood soon turned to surprise when he heard the Emperor voicing his thoughts.

“Charlotte would soon be wedded to the Hero so there is no way she would go against her husband’s words, right Helios?”

Helios was flabbergasted and elated at the same time hearing those dreamy words he only had thought about but never considered it becoming reality so soon.

But keeping his joy to celebrate afterward, he replied in a sincere tone, to his soon-to-be father-in-law.

“I will take care of everything, Your Majesty.”

****

A/N: – Drop a comment~