The Max Level Hero Has Returned!

Megalodria's combat prowess was truly exceptional. By the standards of this continent, one could argue that he posed a far greater threat than even the divine beasts and golems. Without a doubt, he would prove to be immensely valuable in the future.

"Your Highness! Perfect timing! Princess Illyna of the Pallan Empire has arrived."

Davey returned to his domain after spending time with Megalodria and finalizing the contract with the mythical beast in the Forest of Trials. Upon his return, he witnessed two figures rushing toward him—none other than Amy and Illyna.

"Amy, what seems to be the issue? But more importantly..." Davey's words trailed off as he laid eyes on Illyna. "Why do you look like that again?"

"Why? Prince, are you suggesting something is amiss with her appearance? Wait. You seem to have aged a bit during our brief separation."

Illyna appeared displeased, her words carrying a hint of sarcasm. "Even if they are mere compliments, it wouldn't hurt for you to say that I look beautiful or something!"

"What are you saying, you scamp?"

"Hey!"

Eventually, Illyna couldn't contain her frustration at Davey's comments and clenched her fists while gritting her teeth. Then, she noticed Perserque standing beside Davey and let out a quiet sigh.

"When did my standards become so high..." Illyna grumbled.

Aside from reacting to Davey's remarks, she maintained her cold and elegant demeanor—a demeanor that would be admired by many. Her appearance was further enhanced by the dress she wore, not just any dress but one that symbolized the Pallan Imperial Family. She reserved this attire for occasions connected to her nation.

"Those garments... Are you wearing them for an official meeting?"

"Yes, indeed."

"Let that go. Being overly formal doesn't suit you. There's no need to put on airs here."

"...Very well." Illyna sighed and followed Davey into the drawing room, taking a seat across from him.

"Did you come to meet with the Rowane Kingdom, or did you come here to see me?"

"I came here to meet you, to be precise. However, this matter concerns the nations, so I hope you will represent the Rowane Kingdom."

If that was the case, Illyna had dialed the wrong number.

"Then you should have gone to meet the Rowane Kingdom's Royal Family. The ones responsible for our state's affairs are His Majesty and Prince Baris."

"This is just a minor position, which is why I came here..."

"Find Baris. Let's leave it at that."

"Do you... Do you realize your position in the Rowane Kingdom? No, in the entire continent?"

Davey responded calmly to Illyna's perplexed question, "I am aware. That's why I'm giving you this answer. Baris isn't a puppet on the throne. I'm nothing more than a prince who has relinquished his right to the throne. Perhaps you're not aware of that because of my significant influence on the continent. However, the fact that a representative of a foreign empire came directly to Heins Territory rather than to the royal family indicates a disregard for the authority of the Rowane Kingdom."

"I knew you'd say that," Illyna pouted and sulked. She sighed and continued in a calm tone, "People with that much power and influence usually go off the rails."

"What I have now is sufficient. Where else should I use my power if not to enjoy this life, right?"

Illyna chuckled. "Are you in good health?"

"That's correct. Back then..." Perserque paused, then said quietly, "I heard you saved Davey."

"No, well..."

"Thank you. I will never forget this kindness."

"No, I did it because I wanted to..."

Perserque smiled when she noticed Illyna avoiding her gaze while scratching her cheek. "You're as charming as ever."

"You talk as if you've known me for a long time... Well, you probably have! You must have known me since you were in Caldeiras," Illyna said calmly before turning back to Davey. "Then, I'll discuss public matters with the Rowane Kingdom. Don't go back on your word."

"If Baris has made a decision, I'll follow it. That's all there is to it."

"Really?"

“What’s the matter with you? Why do you look so apprehensive?”

"Will you really do that without any regrets?"

Davey contemplated Illyna’s words for a while before nodding slowly. Regardless of the matter at hand, King Krianes was the king, and the rightful heir was Baris, not Davey. Baris had never expressed any desire to become king; however, Davey had pushed him onto the throne and made him the crown prince. Consequently, Davey had to bear the consequences of that decision.

"Well... Fine. I didn't expect you to take the blame and pass it on to someone else. Anyway, that's all I needed to say," Illyna continued calmly as she produced a piece of paper.

"What's this?" Davey asked.

"An invitation."

Davey opened the invitation when he saw her smile and nod toward the paper. It turned out to be a ticket invitation.

"The Briouk Kingdom is hosting a magic tournament?"

"Remember the Continental Swordsmanship Tournament held at the Duchy of Felicity? The Continental Alliance often gathers skilled and talented individuals for competitions or tournaments in various fields."

Davey narrowed his eyes at the explanation.

"This time, we're hosting a magic tournament. The prize is an artifact crafted and prepared by the Great Sage... at least, that's what I'd like to say. But I honestly don't know if that would interest you or not."

"So, what does this have to do with me?" Davey inquired.

"You can either participate or attend as an observer."

Davey looked irritated at Illyna's calm words. "I'm not really interested, though."

In truth, Davey thought it would be nice to take a look and immerse himself in the continent's culture. After all, experiencing and enjoying the culture of this continent was another form of pleasure. However, it wasn't particularly appealing to Davey at the moment.

"If you don't want to come, I won't force you. However, one of the members of the Echo Guild often works for you, right?"

Illyna's words made it clear to Davey whom she was referring to. She was talking about Aina Helishana, the dark elf who collaborated with Annabelle to gather information.

Only a handful of people knew Aina's true identity. After all, she typically assumed the persona of Jack, a man with a robust and sturdy build. Surprisingly, even her sister, the eccentric gourmand elf, Yuria Helishana, remained unaware of her real self.

"Are you referring to Jack? I requested his services through the Echo Guild. He's someone you can rely on, though he's currently unable to meet with you in person."

This seemed to be Illyna's real motive.

"I don't have all the details, but I hurried here because I heard this information is crucial for you right now," Illyna added. "We've located the target, Briouk. Meet me there in Sallom."

That was the message Aina had left. There was only one target Aina hadn't tracked down since her last report—the one hailed as one of the Six Beauties, Verdandi. Over time, the number of people who knew her whereabouts had significantly dwindled.

It appeared that the missing piece of the puzzle regarding the Princess of the Abyss who had arrived in this land had been discovered.

***

Late at night, Davey, who had been gazing at the moonlit sky, turned his attention back to Illyna, who was grumbling and complaining while swirling the wine glass in her hand.

"Do you know what he said? He asked me if that's all I have to say! He always tells me what to do..." Illyna vented her frustrations, with Perserque quietly listening.

"Davey, Rinne senses an abnormality in your facial muscles. Rinne interprets this as a sign of concern," Rinne remarked with an impassive expression, holding Blue Ribbon, who was peacefully sucking her thumb, in her arms.

Although Rinne was petite, she could carry both children since they were still small enough.

"What about Red Ribbon?" Davey inquired.

In response, Rinne pointed to one side. There, Davey observed a charming and adorable red-haired girl stretched out across the wide bed that he used to sleep in, deeply asleep. Upon closer inspection, he noticed a contented smile on the slumbering girl's face as she indulged in her dreams.

“He… hehehe… Dewicious!”

It seemed like she was dreaming of eating.

It was very peaceful and quiet, a tranquility briefly interrupted by the sudden appearance of Princess of the Abyss Urd. However, the Princesses of the Abyss had been acting cautiously ever since Davey erased Sleesia, one of the most dangerous princesses among them, from existence. They had likely misunderstood Davey, thinking he had been concealing his power and strength. After all, that was the only plausible reason for his ability to defeat Sleesia, right?

Regardless, it posed no harm to Davey, so he saw no need to disclose the truth. Of course, this action could only buy him some time. Ultimately, he still needed to repel his opponents. This was crucial to protect Perserque.

"Hmm. It appears you've been lost in thought because of me," Perserque remarked.

"If I didn't plan to do something like this, I wouldn't do it at all," Davey replied calmly as he caressed the silver hair of the woman gazing up at him.

Perserque frowned slightly when Davey grazed her horns. "Don't touch my... horns."

"Right," Davey agreed casually, glancing at Illyna, who was drinking with a familiar ease. "How much has she had to drink already?"

"She's having a tough time. Her older brother is doing his utmost to keep her safe, but she's completely unaware of it."

They seemed rather foolish, didn't they? The older brother played the role of the villain and sacrificed himself to protect his younger sister, while the younger sister tried to thwart her older brother's one-man show without realizing it. Davey found it somewhat absurd.

"What? What the hell?! What's going on now?! Are you two discussing me, huh?!" Illyna exclaimed.

Davey waved his hand lightly and cast a sleeping spell on Illyna after hearing her slurred outbursts.

Thud!

Naturally, the inebriated Illyna couldn't resist the spell, and she promptly fell asleep, her head thudding loudly onto the table before her.

"She's one of the Continent's Six Beauties and is regarded as the prime candidate for a bride. Tch, tch. She doesn't spare much thought for her appearance, does she?"

“Fufu…” Perserque chuckled, finding it funny too. “To be honest, I hope we can continue to live like this.”

Davey nodded. “That’s right. There are so many things that you haven’t done yet…”

Boom…

Just as Davey was playfully speaking, something suddenly flew out of his chest, gathering light and illuminating the room. Davey examined it closely and realized that the dimensional key, which had always been golden, was now dyed black.

"Davey!"

"Wait."

Shortly after, the blackened key floated in the air, slowly rotating and creating a small crack in space before Davey.

"Is this... an invitation? Who in the world..." Perserque mumbled, clearly confused.

Davey left her behind as he inspected the crack in space, frowning when he felt a strange power emanating from it.

"So, you're here."

"Davey?"

"I'm going to check it out."

The sensation beyond the crack was reminiscent of the feeling he had when he sensed a gaze on him in the Forest of Trials. However, before he could step into the crack in space, Perserque grabbed his hand.

"I'm going with you, Davey."

"Perserque."

"This time, I want to help you."

Then, the crack in space engulfed Davey and Perserque, instantly altering their surroundings.

Davey had 160 minutes, roughly two hours and forty minutes, remaining. It seemed that the time he could spend inside the other dimension had improved significantly.

When they emerged from the dark space, they were met with a rather unsettling sight—a skyscraper, something unheard of in the Tionis Continent.

"Davey, don't tell me this place is..."

"I think... it's Earth."

The displayed characters on the skyscraper were in Hangeul, English, and other languages unique to Earth. There was no doubt about which dimension they had entered.

However, a strange sense of incongruity filled the air. The dimensional key usually transported Davey to a dimension inhabited by an Abyss Monster. In fact, during his first use of the dimensional key when he first met Evanov, he had encountered an Abyss Monster.

The problem now was that Davey couldn't sense the slightest sign of an Abyss Monster in this place. Of course, he wouldn't be able to detect it from a certain distance away, but for now, all Davey could do was either locate the monster before his time ran out or wander aimlessly.

"What the heck? Are you a newbie? Why are you standing around here instead of farming? What's going on? We were told to take it easy on the newbies, but... Well, only one person survives and the rest will be eliminated, right?"

A voice suddenly echoed in Davey's ears. When he turned to look at its source, he found a man wielding a massive knife charging toward him.

"Newbies learn and grow through the hardships of life, right? Anyway, you're just a character. Tch, tch. Well, let's do this. I'll show you how it's done. Pay attention. Keep your distance and go for the kill."

The man, mumbling to himself, looked playfully at Davey as he lunged forward.

"Gotcha."

The man sounded remarkably confident, as if he had already foreseen his victory. Perserque attempted to wield the Transcendence Demise in her hands, but before she could react, Davey had already taken action. He extended his hand and gently brushed the man's arm aside, then grasped his head and...

“Huh?”

Baaaaaaaang!!!

A sound akin to an explosion rang loudly in the area as Davey slammed the man’s head on the ground.

“Who’s killing who?”