A burning excitement spread through Zorat at the extreme bloodlust emanating from the grand vizier.

He hadn’t even done all he planned to, and Victor was already this worked up; the thought of how satisfactory it would be when he was done with him was absolutely tantalizing to Zorat.

"Caleb... Hi"

Cutting through Caleb’s delightful thoughts came the nervous voice of Erica, who was now in front of him, smiling and blushing nervously.

Zorat wondered what the overactive young lady wanted.

Looking at Erica, and at her general bearing, one would never guess she would be such a freak in the sheets.

But Zorat already had a personal experience and knew the young lady was even a little close to Kaelara when it came to their appetites.

"Oh, hi, Erica, rest well?" Zorat responded with a warm smile of his own.

They began to make light conversation before Erica suddenly stopped, turning all nervous and serious, her expression mixed with apprehension, embarrassment, and hopeful expectation.

"Um...Caleb...can we maybe... talk sometime...."

"I mean.... In private," she mumbled, avoiding Zorat’s gaze with a blush on her rosy cheeks.

She was acting unlike her usual confident self once again, and Zorat could already tell where this was going.

He had nothing else to gain directly from Erica, but she’s connected to his current target, Broddy. So, he plans to make use of that properly.

"Sure. Come see me at my cabin in say.... Two days?" Zorat suggested grinning.

He made this two-day suggestion because quite a lot would happen in the palace soon, all of his own doing, of course.

"Ah okay... i’ll come...Caleb," Erica mumbled in restrained excitement; blushing, she practically skipped back to the rest of her girl pals.

Curious, they asked her what she had gone to talk about with Caleb.

Knowing Erica had always been friends with Caleb, they weren’t too suspicious, but some were still a little bit suspicious since Erica’s simple made-up story of what had transpired in the dungeon cave seemed a bit wishy-washy.

Ava, on the other hand, was about to make her way over in Zorat’s direction, seeming almost eager to talk to him about something.

However, as soon as she took the first step, the large double doors to the left and right sides of the throne seat sprang wide open...

Helion Starfall came out of one side with his royal regal flare, and Saintess Sylvarra came out from the opposite side as the entire court went silent, bowing in respect as Helion sat in his throne, and Sylvarra took up a separately prepared seat to the side of the open space.

Zorat now had a good understanding of the ruling structure of this kingdom.

While the kings govern their kingdoms, with every kingdom having just one ruling monarch... 𝚏𝕣𝐞𝗲𝐰𝕖𝐛𝐧𝕠𝕧𝚎𝚕.𝐜𝚘𝗺

There is just one Saintess for every generation and a supreme authority that governs all: The Holy Sea.

They are the closest to the goddess in this world, and also in charge of installing every generational saintess.

The exact process of this installation is still unknown, and the origins of these saintesses are also unknown; not even the royal families of these kingdoms know where these saintesses come from; only the holy sea is privy to this information.

There is even a weird rumor that all generational saintesses have looked the same, but since there has never been any proof, it’s just been a rumor.

So, essentially, in terms of status, the saintess is of an even higher status than the king of any kingdom; hence the amount of respect they are accorded.

Helion settled into his throne before speaking in his regal imperial tone...

"Dear heroes.... Welcome back." He began with a warm smile.

"It gladdens me that you all have made it back in one piece.... However..."Helion paused, staring intently at the gathered heroes.

"You should all prepare yourselves.... for in seven days, you all will be accompanying the Holy Saintess back to the Holy lands... like all heroes before had done."

The king’s declaration caused a ripple of surprised gasps to escape some of the gathered heroes, while others who already knew this, simply nodded.

Zorat was becoming more and more interested in this saintess and the powers backing her as well. The more he heard, the more excited he became.

And also, this elusive organization, the holy sea, seems to be the people closest to this goddess called Arleria, whom everyone apparently worships in this world. This being might just be a world god, or actually the dimensional being controlling this dimension; Zorat needed more information.

So, if Zorat wished to know more, which he does, he definitely has to bring both the Saintess and this elusive organisation under him. An organization said to be even more powerful than all the other kingdoms of Arleria combined.

It wasn’t a wonder why they respected the siantess so much. Those behind her were monstrous, and she, too, was a force of nature who also strangely had a weak will, which should be impossible.

You are born weak-willed or strong-willed, but the stronger you get, the stronger your will becomes. So, strength corrects the inherent weak wills of those born with even the weakest wills. But this Saintess....

She’s almost as strong as the king himself whose supposed to be the strongest in the kingdom after the royal enforcers....but her will is similar to that of a child. This contradiction intrigued Zorat.

"In addition... You will be making this journey with the holy saintess alone. That is the way."

"This will test your mettle and sharpen your prowess."

"Right after.... To further improve your growth speed, you will all report to the kingdom’s borders to the west... currently being plagued by demons."

"This will rapidly improve your strengths in preparation for the upcoming Heroic Summit, in three months."

The saintess frowned slightly at this. She felt the heroes weren’t ready to face actual demons, but the kingdom was in dire straits, and they had allowed enough time for the heroes to grow taking their perilous situation into account.

Usually, the heroes are allowed four months to grow, but she, too, was becoming concerned with the increase in demon activity in several kingdoms.

King Helion had skewed the details a little. He painted the heroes’ deployment to the borders as only necessary for their growth, but the truth was, the kingdom was being pressed by the demons, and they needed all the help...

And these heroes were literal walking and talking weapons.

"Bear in mind heroes...." Helion began again, though one could tell from his weary expression that he had a lot on his mind at the moment as he continued to address the heroes.

"The Heroic Summit, in three months is the most important event for the kingdom for every generation..."

The heroes who had no idea what this summit was, were curious and hoping the king would proceed to explain why this event was so important, but he only added....

"Make sure you are all ready and have gotten as strong as you possibly can become...."

"Be strong, our kingdom’s heroes. I wish you all good luck in your trials ahead."

And thus concludes the King’s speech.

All the gathered heroes looked around in confusion, even Zorat was equaly curious ...

Hmm... heroic summit is it ?...

How exciting. hehehe.