The Max Level Hero Has Returned!-Novel

“It’s almost finished. To be honest, I’m still in a bit of a daze. This is the first time I have ever worked on something so quickly.”

“Thank you for your hard work.”

“Now, all we have to do is wait for a while longer. Then, we can distribute power to the entire territory, even to the houses of the common people.”

“This time, Aeonitia plans to install a simple system of mana lights, not lanterns, in every home. So, please help her out again.”

“Hoho. The young princess’ imagination is always very surprising.”

Davey could only nod at the report of Elder Goulda, who was in charge of technological assistance, as he asked, “You don’t have any more spare time, right?

“I see.”

“Don’t worry! I knew that we would eventually reach this point, so I have already gently coaxed the best construction engineers in the entire continent,” Elder Goulda shouted confidently while handing a small letter to Davey.

According to the letter, the Redstone Tribe’s dwarves would be willing to help in the necessary work to be done in the Heins Territory. This was provided that Davey would share one of his skills with them.

“There’s nothing for you to worry about! I have decided to just pass on two of the numerous skills that the Wise Teacher has taught our Yellowstone Tribe. I’m sorry to have done something like this without discussing it with you first, but…”

“It’s alright.”

Davey had no qualms with accepting this proposal. In fact, he welcomed it.

After all, everyone knew just who the Redstone Tribe was. Each of the dwarven villages had their own set of skills and specialties, and the Redstone Tribe that lived in the southernmost end of the Central Continent was home to the continent’s greatest construction engineers. Their tribe was like the metropolitan city of the dwarves.

With their help, Davey would only have to deal with the most complicated part of the technology. As for the rest? It would be fine to leave it to the members of the Redstone Tribe. They did not use any well-kept secret, since they had used their techniques and technology to help build many buildings of the Three Empires.

“Redstone Tribe… They’re not so bad, no?”

“The most pressing matter for the Heins Territory is the number of craftsmen and artisans. We would need a lot of skilled engineers and craftsmen to develop fast. What do you think? I think it’s best to leave the problems related to the architecture of the academy that we will set up in the western part of the territory to them.”

“Good. Then, let’s go and get that meeting done with.”

Elder Goulda smiled at Davey with a bright expression. As if he knew that this would have been Davey’s answer, he said, “Perfect timing then. Two elders from the Redstone Tribe have arrived in hopes of meeting the Wise Teacher. They are currently waiting for you. They even made sure to bring you something so they can get a piece of the pie.”

After listening to Elder Goulda’s words, Davey was confident that there was nothing for him to worry about anymore. He quickly stood up from his seat and said, “Let’s go and meet with them right away, then.”

“Oh! Your Highness!” Monmider, who was walking on the other end of the hall, rushed forward when he saw Davey step out of his office.

“What’s the matter?”

“That… Letters came from the Pallan Empire and the Red Tower.”

“The content of the letter?” Davey asked calmly.

Monmider, who fell in step with Davey, relayed the contents of the letter, “The letter from the Pallan Empire contained news of the return of Princess Illyna from her closed-door training. It seems like she has crossed over the master’s wall.”

“That’s fast.”

Becoming a Sword Master before the age of twenty was quite ridiculous, since it was originally a realm that could not be touched just from sheer talent alone. However, Illyna was simply too talented. After all, she was someone who had the talent to awaken the ego of the divine sword and become its owner.

Davey had shown her how to do that once, so he was sure that she could eventually reach that level on her own.

“Send her a present to congratulate her. She wouldn’t like any fine and delicate jewelry, so just send her a pair of wrist braces.”

“Then, the other letter is from the Red Tower. They are contacting us about their apprentices' future visit to the Heins Territory. It seems like it’s a request from Great Sage Hellison Valestia.”

“Refuse it. It’s too troublesome,” Davey answered bluntly.

Monmider hesitated before saying, “That… His Majesty King Krianes…has already agreed.”

“This old geezer…” Davey looked annoyed.

Monmider’s face twitched. He then asked, “How should we welcome them?”

“This damned ranking and status… It’s sickening and disgusting. I really have to gain independence soon…” Davey grumbled almost rebelliously.

Monmider’s expression did not change as he asked again, “Should we get ready then?”

“Are you nuts? I’m just saying it on the fly. It’s a royal decree, so you have to accept it. That old geezer is taking my side because it’s convenient for him. However, if I refuse to accept this, then things will get sour.”

Monmider then pulled out a short list.

He was the Captain of the Royal Guards, but the security of the territory was so good that he did not have much to do with his actual job. Not wanting to become a salary thief, he had started helping Amy with her work.

“Here is the list of the apprentices, along with the noble or royal families that they are affiliated with. The list has all the detailed information…”

“I’m a bit busy so let’s stop this here. Anyway, if you coax those snotty brats gently, then I am sure that they will explore on their own.”

At that moment, everyone present looked at Davey with absurd and strange expressions.

—This will become your downfall.

“Davey. Physical age, 17. Judgment: nothing much.”

“Shut up,” Davey retorted calmly before going toward where the Redstone Tribe’s dwarves, who would be in charge of the territory’s large projects, were waiting.

***

The procession from Lindhall, the home of the best magic academy, Shakuntala Academy, to Heins Territory was uneventful. They usually would have chosen to use mana gates, but some of them had wanted to take the scenic route and enjoy this trip leisurely. In the end, they chose to ride horses for this journey.

Mages tended to have weak bodies, but the Class F students had all grown stronger from their vicious teacher’s type of harsh education. Their physical strength and endurance were really starting to shine.

“Miss Yosefov, are we really going to the Heins Territory? To be honest, it doesn’t feel real at all.”

“Ah, Derrin. Well, to be honest, I know that we’re going to see a great man. But I still do not understand the reason why…” Alyssa Yosefov said.

A boy with a small stature tilted his head in confusion. “What do you mean you don’t understand?”

“No. I understand that he’s a very amazing man. But even if he’s an amazing man, he’s not an amazing mage. So, why do we have to go on a field trip to meet with him? Can we even gain something from this trip?” Alyssa shared her honest opinion.

However, the boy’s attention was completely focused somewhere else. He said, “The Saint, Prince Davey, is really a great and amazing man… I’m sure he has a really cool personality, right?”

“From what I heard, his age is not that much different from ours. However, he has made countless achievements across the entire continent. I also heard that his holy magic is almost like God’s miracle.”

“For real?”

“Actually, I haven’t seen him in person yet. But… Hehe… I heard rumors that he’s very handsome. I personally heard it from a lady who previously attended a ball and had seen Prince Davey in person. That’s why I’m quite looking forward to this meeting,” Alyssa Yosefov said.

Derrin gently patted his horse’s back as if he was coaxing it to go a bit faster. He said, “You know, our house is a devout believer of Goddess Freyja. That’s why I’m really looking forward to this trip!”

The two of them were not the only ones having such conversations. All the students from Class F had several questions about the procession. They also greatly looked forward to this trip.

[The world is vast. Meet a lot of people and look at what you can learn from them. If you look close enough, you will be able to learn even from a three-year-old child. What more if it’s someone who has made several achievements like that?]

There was no way that the Great Sage would lie to them, right? After their talk with the Great Sage, the students had gained plenty of enlightenments. Because of that, they had considerable trust in his words that had emphasized how they should take a tour around Heins Territory.

They were just a tad bit excited at the fact that the boy who they would be seeing had already accomplished great things despite being the same age as them all.

“By the way, Heins Territory is really huge, right?”

After entering the Rowane Kingdom and reaching the outskirts of Heins Territory, the students could not help but look at the wide plains in awe.

“The Saint, Prince Davey, is a very great man. Heins Territory was a dying land, with its entire area plagued by a curse. It had a horrendous climate, so it had been abandoned for a long time,” Derrin explained.

All of the students looked at Derrin, then asked, “Ah, that’s right. Derrin, you said that you know a lot about Heins Territory and the Saint, Prince Davey, right?”

“From what I heard, Prince Davey has only governed the Heins Territory for less than a year. He had first arrived here when there were only around 200 citizens. The territory was so dreary and barren that they had a hard time surviving the winter. But now, their territory is housing thousands of people.”

“The territory became famous in just less than a year?”

“Yes. It’s really famous, right? It’s mainly because of their moon grass business. However, they’re also known for being the only city that has accepted the dwarves and the very popular elves as their permanent residents.”

“Elves… I want to see them just once…” Timmy mumbled.

Molly Saelyn, who heard Timmy’s mumbles, pouted while Alyssa Yosefov pulled Timmy’s cheeks.

“Aaack!”

“You deserve it.”

Everyone ignored the frowning Timmy and turned back to Derrin once again.

“However, it looks so nice and pretty now. It used to be barren land?” one of the students asked as they looked at the vast green field in front of them.

It was the very same field that had not yet been touched by any human hands.

“According to the rumors that I’ve heard, Goddess Freyja was very much moved by Prince Davey’s prayers and decided to bless the land. That’s why they are able to grow vegetation now and even plant moon grass. On top of that, I heard that monsters don’t even come here.”

The students were all surprised by Derrin’s vast knowledge about the territory and the Saint.

“You… Why do you know so much about this place?”

“Ah… Hahaha. Because my parents are passionate followers of Prince Davey…”

“But I think you’re the one who’s very excited?” Josiah teased Derrin in good spirits, making the boy bow his head sheepishly.

“That… That’s… I can’t?”

When Derrin asked that uncomfortable question, Josiah felt embarrassed. She stuttered, “Who… Who said that you can’t be excited?”

“Actually, my older brother is a knight of the Pallan Empire. Prince Davey had saved my brother’s life before…”

If that was the case, then it was very understandable.

“Prince Davey is a truly amazing guy. He’s probably a very caring and wonderful person! To be honest… He’s my role model! He’s a living and breathing deity! He’s someone who fulfills the nobles’ duty! A lot of people also praise Prince Davey. It’s proof of how great he is!” Derrin burst out in pure excitement.

“If we’re going to compare, then Instructor Devy is quite similar, no? He’s a Sword Master, right?”

Since Josiah was the only one who had seen their Instructor Devy use magic properly, the rest of the students only believed that their instructor was a mere human who had the power that was equivalent to a Sword Master.

“Instructor… Devy… Haha…” Derrin said, his awkward smile turning into a sneer. “If you’re going to make comparisons, then make sure to pick someone better. Comparing Prince Davey to such a bully is an insult to the Saint!”

“S… Sorry. Don’t shout like that.”

“Please don’t say such nonsense ever again! Instructor Devy is amazing. However, he’s an absolute loser when it comes to being human.”

“R… Right…”

The students, who were being pulled along by Derrin’s momentum, could only nod in agreement. However, none of them could refute his words. After all, they all held onto similar thoughts deep down in their hearts.

A few days after they had departed from Lindhall with their carriages and horses, the students finally arrived at the center of the Heins Territory. They could not take their eyes off of the and splendid sight that the city offered to them.

“Look… Look over there! The mage towers are all lined up together!”

“Goodness! Aren’t those dwarves?! They also have beastfolk here?! Isn’t that girl a member of the rare and elusive rabbitfolk?!” one of the students shouted with glittering eyes.

He had caught sight of a girl who seemed to be a member of the rabbitfolk working as a maid and carrying a huge sack behind her.

“Oh my goodness. That beautiful woman is an elf…”

“But I think that’s a man?”

“Damn it!”

All of the students looked at the sight that was extremely hard to come by in the entire continent.

However, that was not the only thing that surprised them. The territory’s system of waterways and even the architectural style of the buildings that lined their streets were all sophisticated and beautiful.

“I want to live here…”

“Goodness, Prince Davey must truly be a very great man.”

The students, who looked bewitched and dazed, slowly walked inside the lord’s castle. Upon entering, they found a red-haired girl and a blue-haired girl running around the halls of the castle.

“Kyahahaha! Catch Red Ribbon~”

“Haa… Haa… Lwe, lwet’s gwoo togwether!” the blue-haired girl gasped as she diligently chased after the red-haired girl who playfully teased her.

“Caution! Caution! Rinne judges that this has huge adverse effects on the efficiency of the physical body! Rinne demands a break!” a silver-haired girl with wings on her back called out while following behind the two children.

The students were dazed upon witnessing that sight. They slowly followed a maid and entered the drawing room of the lord’s castle.

“Please wait here for a bit. My Lord has contacted us and said that he would arrive here shortly.”

The students nodded after the castle’s butler spoke to them gently. Their eyes shone with anticipation.

“We’re so sorry to pay a sudden visit as a group. We’re truly grateful for your kind hospitality.”

“Hoho. It’s alright. We have already discussed this earlier. My Lord is also awaiting your arrival, so you can just relax here.”

The students’ fantasies about Davey grew further and further away from the truth with the words of the old butler, who had introduced himself as Bernile.

“What kind of person is he?”

“Ah… By any chance, is it possible to get close with him somehow?”

“Come on, we might just be students from noble families right now. But the other person is the number one candidate for the best groom in the continent. What else can we do, right?”

The girls, who wanted to fulfill their dreams, and the boys, who respected the Prince Davey of their imaginations, were all curious about what kind of person he was. Just when each of their delusions about the prince grew bigger and bigger…

“Thank you for your patience. His Highness, Prince Davey has arrived…”

Before the old butler could even finish his words, the door slowly opened to reveal a boy dressed in a neat military uniform. The boy asked, “Where are they from?”

“The magic academy.”

“Aren’t there a lot of magic academies? Whatever. What’s done is done. There’s nothing else we can do. That Great Sage geezer already knew that we’re busy building our own academy and he still requested to have some kind of field trip in here…”

The relaxed and nonchalant voice grew louder and louder as the boy, who seemed to be talking to someone, entered the room. At the same time, the students’ tension and nervousness increased. Then…

“Huh?”