Chapter 80: Banishment Of The Hero

The air around her seemed to vibrate with mana and Julius stood frozen, utterly speechless.

For a man who thrived on control, who knew every word to manipulate her—he now found himself lost.

The Leona before him was not the subdued matriarch who bowed to every decision.

This was a leader, one burning with defiance and love for her people.

He realised in that moment that he had miscalculated—badly.

This was the one line Leona would never cross.

The one topic where her will was iron.

He had pushed too far, too soon.

Panic flickered behind his eyes. He needed to salvage this, calm her before she dug in completely.

So, quickly, he raised his hands in a gesture of peace.

“Alright, alright! Calm down” He said hurriedly, forcing a shaky laugh. “There’s no need to get so worked up, my dear Leona. Please, calm yourself.”

She was still breathing heavily, her glare locked on him, but he tried to regain control of the situation with his practiced smile.

“Listen.” He said soothingly. “Even if your father insists, I’ll…I’ll push it back, alright? I’ll do my best to convince him otherwise. Just for you.” He placed a hand over his chest dramatically. “For you, Leona. Since you’re so against it. I’ll take responsibility.”

Leona’s glare didn’t fade immediately. Her body still trembled with anger, but slowly, her breathing began to steady—up and down, in and out—until she finally exhaled, closing her eyes.

“…Fine.” She said at last, her voice low and hoarse.

“Good, good.” Julius said quickly, relief flooding his tone. “No need for more arguments tonight, hm?”

He reached out, placing a hand on her shoulder—but Leona immediately brushed it off, stepping away as if his touch burned.

Julius’s smile faltered, but only for a second. Then he chuckled softly and regained is posture.

“Very well.” He said. “Let’s not waste time, then. We should tell the Hero and the others the exciting news.”

Leona closed her eyes tightly, as though trying to steady herself. She didn’t want to face them—not after what had just happened.

But she knew she had no choice.

Together, they stepped out of the clearing.

By the time they emerged from the forest, the sun had completely set. The three moons hung high in the sky, casting silver light across the trees.

The village below glowed with soft blue lanterns—some filled with fireflies, others with enchanted flames.

And rght now, most of the elves had left the elevated ward.

They had descended to the central clearing below, where a massive bonfire now roared high, flames licking toward the stars.

Laughter and song filled the air.

Elves drank from carved wooden cups, toasting the recovery of their loved ones. Others danced in slow circles. Children darted between legs, shrieking with joy.

And at the heart of it all was Luca.

He stood in an open space near the fire, portals blooming and vanishing around him like magic doorways.

Young elves—Lulu and Luna among them—took running leaps into one portal, only to tumble out another high above, caught safely by the next, then flung playfully to another.

They screamed in delight as they teleported in looping chains across the clearing.

“It’s like the days of old.” One said. “When mana still flowed freely.”

“Even the ancient sorcerers couldn’t do that.” Another whispered. “He’s amazing…”

It was a sight that warmed Leona’s heart, even if only for a fleeting moment.

Then she heard a familiar voice.

“Mother!”

She turned just in time to see Lulu racing toward her, her face bright and cheerful. The girl grabbed Leona’s hand, tugging eagerly.

“Come on! Come see! You didn’t get to go through the portal earlier, right? You looked like you wanted to! Let’s go together this time—it’ll be so much fun!”

Luna appeared right behind her, smiling shyly but hopefully, her eyes full of the same innocent excitement.

For a brief moment, Leona’s expression became so tender.

She looked between her daughters and a faint hint of longing flickered in her chest.

She wanted to go. She really wanted to.

But before she could respond, Julius stepped forward with a friendly smile that didn’t reach his eyes.

“I’m sorry, Lulu.” He said smugly, crouching slightly so his tone sounded gentle. “Your mother’s busy right now. She has something very important to announce to the whole village.”

“An important message?” Lulu blinked. “What kind of message?”

Julius only smiled and didn’t answer.

“You’ll see.” He said, standing upright and gestured Leona to follow.

He guided her toward the bonfire and the laughter slowly began to quiet as the villagers noticed them approaching.

One by one, conversations stopped. The music faded.

Even Luca turned, watching as Julius raised his hand for silence.

“My friends.” Julius called out with a wide, charismatic smile. “If I may have your attention for a moment—your Matriarch has something very important to say.”

All eyes turned toward Leona.

The elves on the higher platforms leaned over to see.

Those inside nearby houses stepped out.

Even the children stopped playing, curiosity filling the air.

Seeing every pair of eyes fixed upon her—hundreds of them, shining with trust, gratitude, and lingering joy from the night’s celebration—Leona hesitated.

Her throat tightened.

She turned her head slowly toward Julius, a silent plea in her gaze.

’Change your mind. Please. Don’t make me do this.’

But Julius merely tilted his head slightly, expression calm and expectant.

“Go on, Leona.” He said, voice warm and encouraging for all to hear. “Don’t be shy.”

“Tell everyone the decision you have come to—what you believe is best for the entire village.”

The way he emphasized you made it clear what he was doing—washing his hands of it, putting all the weight, all the blame, on her.

Leona’s heart sank.

She realized, with a hollow ache, that there was no escape.

So, after a long pause, she drew a shaky breath, her voice trembling as she began.

“…Before I share the main news.”

She said quietly.

“I must first say something else.”

Her eyes moved slowly across the crowd—until they found Luca.

He stood near the children, the firelight dancing across his calm expression, not smiling now but watching her closely.

Leona swallowed hard. “Luca, the Human Hero whom the Goddess sent to us.” She said, her tone soft but heavy. “I…must thank you.”

That single sentence sent murmurs rippling through the elves.

They had expected Leona to criticize him—perhaps to keep her distance as always—but instead, she was openly giving him her gratitude.

She continued, her voice steadier now, though her eyes still betrayed sorrow.

“Because of your help, we have cured our people. It will not be long now before they laugh again, run again, live full lives once more.”

“You brought hope where there was despair, relief where there was only fear.”

She inclined her head slightly toward him.

“You have my eternal gratitude for that. Truly.”

Smiles spread across the crowd.

Elves nodded approvingly—relieved and happy that their proud matriarch had finally acknowledged the Hero’s worth.

Luna and Lulu clutched each other’s hands, their faces lighting up with joy.

“Mother’s changed…” Luna whispered, smiling through tears.

“I told you she would!” Lulu whispered back, beaming.

But not everyone shared their joy.

Nyx.

She knew her sister better than anyone.

That sorrowful tone, that careful phrasing…this was not leading to good news.

And she was right.

Leona’s expression grew solemn.

“But…”

The single word fell like a stone into still water.

The smiles faded.

“But…” She repeated, voice steady yet laced with pain. “Even though the Hero has performed great deeds…even though he has brought joy, hope, and healing in the short time he has been here…that does not mean he belongs among us.”

Gasps rose.

Confusion swept the crowd.

Just moments ago she had praised him—now this?

Leona kept her gaze fixed on Luca, who still had not reacted.

“I mean no disrespect.” She continued, her tone carefully controlled. “I am not doubting your character, nor am I speaking ill of you, Luca. But as matriarch, I must see both sides—the good, and the dangerous.”

She took a slow breath, forcing the next words out.

“Even though you appear to be kind, even though your actions have helped us greatly…there is something deep within my heart that warns me. A voice that tells me…things can go wrong.”

The firelight reflected in her eyes as she looked at him.

“You are human, after all. And no matter how noble you seem, I cannot ignore the truth of what you are.”

“One day, you might change sides. One day, you might betray us. And if that day ever comes, we would have no means to fight back.”

The elves stared at her in disbelief. Some gasped; others shook their heads.

“Leona…” Whispered one elder. “Surely you don’t mean…”

But she continued, “Even if you never turn against us intentionally, the danger remains. You are still connected to your race. You might be forced, tricked, or persuaded into revealing our secrets—secrets that could doom us all. I cannot risk that.”

Gasps turned to outright protests.

“No!”

“That’s not fair!”

“He saved us!”

Leona raised a hand for silence, though her own eyes glistened.

“I don’t want to believe it will happen either.” She said. “But as a leader, I cannot take that risk. Even if it’s only a possibility—I must protect the village.”

Her words fell like stones into the silence.

And then, finally, she said the words everyone feared.

“That is why I have come to a decision.”

“No.” Luna’s eyes filled with tears. “Mother…No…”

“Please.” Lulu choked out, shaking her head desperately. “Mother, don’t do this. Don’t say it.”

Leona looked at her daughters—their pleading faces, their trembling voices—and for a moment, her lips quivered.

She wanted to stop.

She wanted to take it all back.

But Julius was watching her from behind, his expression calm, expectant.

His shadow loomed like a command, so she closed her eyes, drew a shaky breath, and finished it.

“That is why…” She began slowly. “…I have decided that you, Luca, the Hero sent by the Goddess do not belong to this village.”

A collective gasp echoed.

Leona lifted her chin, though her voice wavered.

“Even though it pains me deeply, I ask that you leave our village…and go far, far away.”

She forced the last words out like shards of glass.

“From this night forth, the Hero is banished from our village and is never to set foot here again.”

—

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Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep