My Goblin System : Levelling up with my SSS Class Devouring skill-Chapter 270

"They’re children," TheReaper said flatly, his voice carrying no inflection that might indicate whether this was criticism or observation.

"They’re heroes blessed by divine summoning," Pope Gregorius corrected firmly, his tone brooking no argument. "Chosen by the sacred ritual that connects our world to others in times of dire need. Just as you were, three hundred years ago when our ancestors faced annihilation."

"I was different," TheReaper said, and there was something in his voice that made even the King pause.

"Yes, you adapted impossibly quickly," Ferdinand acknowledged, his expression thoughtful. "The records say you’d reached level 50 within a month. Level 100 within a year. You broke every precedent we had for summoned hero progression. But these four have shown remarkable progress in just three weeks under our finest trainers’ guidance. They’ve already reached levels that would take native warriors years or even decades to achieve through normal advancement."

TheReaper’s gaze moved from the new heroes to a figure standing near the wall—one he’d initially dismissed as just another royal guard but now recognized as someone more significant based on posture and the quality of his equipment.

The man was in his forties, with graying brown hair cut military-short in a style that hadn’t changed in twenty years. His face was marked by old scars—a line across his left cheek, another on his forehead, smaller ones around his hands and neck. Combat scars, not ceremonial dueling marks. He wore full plate armor engraved with the royal crest and reinforced with enchantments that TheReaper’s experienced eye identified as high-quality protective magic. His massive two-handed sword rested against the wall within easy reach, and his hand stayed near it with the comfortable familiarity of a lifelong warrior.

His eyes met TheReaper’s with the careful respect of someone who knew exactly how dangerous the legendary hero was but wasn’t cowed by it. There was strength there, and experience, and something like determination that suggested he’d face the hero if ordered despite knowing the probable outcome.

"Commander Elric Stonewall," King Ferdinand said formally, gesturing to the warrior with obvious pride. "One of our finest military leaders. He’s led successful campaigns against three demon lord territories, personally overseeing the reclamation of what are now our eastern provinces. He’s reclaimed fourteen settlements from demonic occupation, establishing fortified positions that have held for over a decade. In thirty years of active service, he’s personally killed over three hundred demon-class entities in single combat."

Elric straightened from his position against the wall and bowed—not deeply, but with genuine respect that carried no false flattery. "It’s an honor, TheReaper. I’ve studied accounts of your battles for decades. The siege of Blackspire Fortress. The duel at Crimson Valley. The battle of the Endless Night. To actually have the opportunity to fight beside you rather than just reading about your tactics... it’s a dream I never thought would come true."

TheReaper’s expression didn’t change, but something in his eyes suggested he was reassessing the room’s threat level and finding it slightly more significant than he’d initially calculated. "What’s the target?"

Pope Gregorius and King Ferdinand exchanged glances, some unspoken communication passing between them that TheReaper couldn’t quite read but recognized as pre-planned coordination. They’d rehearsed this conversation, anticipated his questions, prepared their answers.

Then the Pope spoke, his voice carrying the weight of someone delivering news he knew would be controversial.

"Three months ago, a newly born demon lord emerged in the southern territories. A hobgoblin named Satou."

TheReaper went very, very still.

It was subtle enough that the new heroes didn’t notice—they were too focused on their own nervousness and the grandeur of the throne room. But the King saw it. The Pope saw it. Commander Elric definitely saw it.

The legendary hero who’d been casually bored throughout the entire conversation suddenly became absolutely focused, his attention sharp enough to cut. His hand didn’t move toward his sword, his posture didn’t shift, but the quality of his stillness changed from relaxed indifference to coiled readiness.

"Continue," TheReaper said quietly, his voice carefully neutral.

King Ferdinand moved to a large table positioned near the wall, where a detailed map had been spread out and marked with colored pins denoting various strategic information. "He established a settlement that has been growing at an unprecedented rate. Three months ago, there was nothing in that region except wilderness and scattered monster tribes. Now?"

The King gestured to the map, where a cluster of pins marked a specific area. "Over four hundred followers according to our latest intelligence. Goblins, orcs, humans, even some elves and beast-folk. His territory has expanded to cover nearly fifty square miles of previously uncontrolled land. He’s building infrastructure—permanent structures, not temporary camps. Roads. Walls. Agricultural operations."

"He’s defeated multiple significant threats to his settlement," Pope Gregorius added, pulling out a ledger that contained compiled intelligence reports.

"His power growth is unprecedented," Commander Elric said, his voice carrying the analytical tone of someone who’d spent years studying combat patterns and threat assessments. "Our spies report that he’s gaining abilities at a rate that shouldn’t be possible. Skills that should take years to develop, he’s mastering in weeks. Power levels that should require decades of accumulation, he’s achieving in months."

"And most significantly," the King said, his voice hardening with genuine anger and grief, "he killed Vegeta the Shadow Hero."

The throne room went silent.

The four new heroes looked shocked—they’d clearly been told stories about the various legendary heroes during their orientation. Vegeta’s name would have been among them, described as one of humanity’s most powerful champions, a hero who’d served for over fifty years and killed countless demons.

Gattychan’s expression went from nervous pride to determination—this was exactly the kind of challenge a hero was supposed to face.

Seraphelle’s eyes widened with concern, her healer’s instincts already worried about the threat.

Mika’s analytical mind was clearly racing, cataloguing information and calculating odds.

Rin’s hand moved to her bow, excitement and anticipation clear in her amber eyes.

"Vegeta attacked Satou’s settlement," TheReaper said quietly. It wasn’t a question. It was a statement delivered with absolute certainty.