Reincarnated as a failed hero?! Watch me Defy Fate! - Chapter 131

Chapter 131: Please Help Me, Naoki-Dono!

Chapter 131: Please Help Me, Naoki-Dono!

Freya POV: The battlefield was silent.

After the brutal fight against Zorx and the horde of dungeon break monsters, those of us who had survived gathered to tend to the wounded and recover the fallen.

One by one, the names of the deceased were written down for the list of casualties.

I walked toward Cain and Leopold.

They stood there, heads bowed, holding the last remains of Kael-ashes slipping through their fingers.

Kael had died protecting me.

Me and the others, powerless against Zorx’s overwhelming strength.

Before he perished, he entrusted me with his sword-[Ignis], a treasured weapon of the Flamemore family.

And in the moment of desperation, I awakened its hidden power.

With that strength, alongside Cain and Headmaster Arsene, we were finally able to defeat Zorx.

Now, the battle was over.

I stood beside Cain and Leopold, offering my final respects to Kael.

Taking a deep breath, I made up my mind.

“I will return [Ignis] to the Flamemore family,” I declared.

“This sword belongs only to the direct bloodline of Flamemore.

I cannot claim it as my own.” Cain’s head snapped up.

His voice was sharp, laced with emotion.

“Kael entrusted that sword to you!

You are its rightful wielder now, Freya!” His hands clenched into fists.

“Don’t waste his sacrifice… or his faith in you!” I caught a glimpse of his face-his usual arrogance was gone.

His expression was pained.

Even Leopold, standing beside him, was sobbing quietly, his hand gripping Cain’s shoulder in support.

I lowered my gaze.

“…I understand,” I murmured.

“I will carry this sword with honor.” With that, I knelt down and planted [Ignis] into the ground, closing my eyes in prayer.

Kael… I will wield your sword with pride.

That was when it happened.

A sudden burst of mana filled the air.

The ground trembled as a swirling dungeon portal cracked open, spilling out figures onto the battlefield.

I spun around, heart pounding.

“They did it!

They defeated the dungeon boss!” I gasped, running toward the portal.

But as the dust settled, my joy turned into confusion.

Lyra.

Amelia.

Marius.

Julius.

Termina.

And the rest of Hendrik’s team.

They were injured-some severely-and were immediately tended to by the royal healers.

But someone was missing.

My steps faltered as I reached Lyra and Amelia.

“Lyra…” I grabbed her hands, my voice shaking.

“Where is Professor Alden?

Where is Naoki-dono?” She didn’t answer right away.

Instead, she lowered her head.

“Freya… I’m so glad you’re safe…” she whispered.

“But about that…” Lyra took a shaky breath before holding out something-Professor Alden’s broken staff.

“Professor Alden fell in battle against the dungeon boss,” she said, voice strained.

“He protected us… took a fatal blow meant for us.” I felt my stomach drop.

No… “And Naoki-dono…?” I dared to ask, my voice barely a whisper.

Lyra’s body trembled.

“The dungeon boss evolved… It became too powerful for us.

Naoki-sama fought it alone… He made us retreat so we could survive.” My breath hitched.

“After that, a teleportation circle activated on its own.

We were thrown out of the dungeon.” Her words barely registered before Amelia spoke up, her frustration evident.

“It wasn’t supposed to be like this!” she shouted.

“We thought he had won… but the dungeon still stands.

Only sealed.

That means the boss… and Naoki… are still inside!” Her voice cracked.

“We tried everything to go back!

But we can’t!

The dungeon is locked by time magic-the same magic the boss used!

We’re powerless!” Time magic… A magic beyond normal comprehension.

A magic that could trap even Naoki-dono.

I clenched my fists, forcing down the lump in my throat.

“…Calm down, both of you,” I said, placing my hands on their shoulders.

“Naoki-dono will return.

He’s not the type to die so easily.” Both of them looked at me, eyes filled with sorrow, but I could see the smallest glimmer of hope.

“…You’re right,” Lyra whispered.

“…We’ll wait for him,” Amelia agreed.

Just then, Cain approached with Leopold at his side.

He had been speaking with the others who had escaped the dungeon.

Now, he turned his gaze toward us.

His expression was unreadable.

“You’re still waiting here?” he asked, his voice flat.

“How long do you intend to stay?” I frowned.

“What do you mean?” Cain crossed his arms.

“Face reality, Freya.

Maybe Naoki is dead.

Maybe he’s trapped forever.

Either way, you can’t sit here forever hoping for a miracle.

This is war-people die.

Accept it.” Amelia took a sharp step forward.

“Naoki is still alive!

I know it!” she shouted, her eyes blazing with determination.

Lyra nodded firmly.

“We will wait for him.

No matter how long it takes.” I straightened my back, meeting Cain’s gaze without hesitation.

“Cain-sama,” I said calmly, “please allow us to remain here.

We cannot abandon him.” Cain exhaled sharply and rubbed the bridge of his nose.

“…Fine.

Do whatever you want,” he muttered.

Then, his gaze darkened.

“But listen carefully.

“The kingdom is holding a funeral ceremony tomorrow for all the fallen-including Kael.

You should be there.” We all nodded solemnly.

And so, we waited.

Night fell.

Yet Naoki-dono… never emerged from the dungeon …

The next day was the funeral ceremony for Kael, Professor Alden, Val, Greg, the fallen students and professors of the academy, as well as the knights and knight commanders of the Braveheart Kingdom who had perished.

The funeral was held in the knight’s cemetery, a sacred place where knights were laid to rest with honor.

It was organized by the royal family of Braveheart.

Arsene and Amelia stood at the front of the prepared stage, their heads lowered in sorrow as they mourned the many comrades who had fallen.

Everyone was overwhelmed with grief.

Then, unexpectedly, a figure of great influence in the kingdom appeared between Arsene and Amelia.

It was none other than King Aslan von Braveheart.

His dignified presence made every knight in attendance kneel.

Even at the age of seventy, he remained strong and healthy, perhaps because he was the mightiest knight in the kingdom-greater even than the Five Heroes of the realm.

His once vibrant orange hair had turned white, accompanied by a well-kept beard.

Wrinkles marked his face, yet his regal presence was undeniable.

Dressed in the royal formal attire, he exuded an aura of authority and solemn respect for the fallen knights.

As he stood there, the sheer majesty of his presence commanded the attention of all.

His calm expression alone was enough to make every eye focus on him.

Though his aura was immense, it had a strangely soothing effect on those around him.

With a steady voice, he delivered a speech, expressing his deep concern for the ongoing crisis and honoring the knights who had sacrificed their lives in the battle against the demons and the dungeon conquest.

Then, his expression darkened.

He spoke of the worsening situation, especially on the front lines, where demon attacks were growing fiercer.

At the same time, tensions with the Kingdom of Gildoria were escalating, and even the legendary Mercenary Hero had personally taken the field.

A murmur of unease spread among the knights.

“Stay strong, my knights,” the King reassured them.

“The heroes of the Winterfell, Stormheim, Starlight, and Blackmore families are leading our forces to victory.

Furthermore, Hero Cain of the Flamemore family will soon resume his mission and support our warriors on the front lines.” I glanced at Cain.

He now bore an artificial left hand, an enchanted prosthetic.

He had lost his original arm during his battle with Zorx.

Yet, despite everything, he seemed calm and composed.

It looked like he was ready to return to his duties as a hero.

“But that is not all,” the King continued, his voice firm.

“From the royal family itself-the Braveheart bloodline-we shall send our First Princess, the Valkyrie of Light, Aria von Braveheart, to fight alongside our heroes.

Together, we shall vanquish the demons and crush the Kingdom of Gildoria!” The King’s declaration reignited the spirits of the knights.

Even I was surprised that the royal family was taking direct action.

Arsene and Amelia, too, were visibly shocked that their elder sister would be joining the battlefield.

After his speech, Amelia stepped forward and called for Milly and Mark, the younger siblings of Naoki-dono, to represent the Blackmore family.

King Aslan had already been informed about Naoki-dono’s situation through Amelia and Arsene.

A shadow of sorrow crossed his face.

He expressed his hope for Naoki-dono’s safe return, though he acknowledged that if he did not, it would be a great loss-one that could cost the kingdom a future hero.

Milly fell silent, and a heavy sadness filled the room.

Amelia gently comforted her, while Lyra and I joined in, trying to soothe their grief.

For Milly, today was an unbearably painful day.

…

By midday, after the funeral ceremony, Freya, along with Lyra, Amelia, Milly, Marius, Julius, Termina, and Luna, set out to investigate the battlefield from the previous day.

Naoki was still nowhere to be found.

We had searched for hours, yet there was not a single trace of him-no aura, no magic, no equipment left behind.

It was as if he had vanished from existence itself.

We were devastated.

Milly broke down in hysterics, and so did Mark.

They had lost their beloved older brother.

The maids of the Blackmore family tried to console them, but even they couldn’t hold back their tears.

Despite our despair, we continued searching for Naoki-dono.

On the third day, the dungeon entrance-previously blocked by a powerful magic barrier-finally collapsed.

The entire dungeon crumbled to the ground, leaving nothing behind.

No matter how hard we searched, there was no sign of him.

Eventually, the Braveheart Academy and the Braveheart Kingdom officially declared Naoki-dono as “Missing in Action.” This news crushed our spirits, especially Milly.

Her grief was immeasurable.

The Blackmore family, led by Mark, took matters into their own hands and launched a large-scale search.

But no matter how far they looked, they found nothing.

The search continued until the sixth day.

Fewer and fewer people showed up to help, as most had already given up, believing Naoki had perished along with the dungeon’s boss.

But I refused to accept that.

Our closest friends still held onto hope.

We believed that Naoki-dono was alive and that he would return to us.

Then, on that very day, something unexpected happened.

I received a formal invitation from the Flamemore family.

Cain, the new head of the Flamemore household, was waiting for me at their mansion.

I assumed this was about Kael’s sword.

Perhaps they wanted to ask me some questions about it.

In the end, I decided to accept the invitation.

That night, I made my way alone to the Flamemore mansion.

The mansion was grand, draped in deep crimson hues, a testament to the family’s prestige.

The emblem of a phoenix, their family’s crest, was displayed proudly on the front gate.

I was led to the designated room, where Cain was already waiting at his desk.

His parents and the elders of the Flamemore family were also present.

Something felt off.

Then, Cain spoke.

“Freya.

You are the successor of Ignis, the sword’s rightful heir.

However, you are not yet part of the Flamemore family.

So, I will declare it now-you are my fiancée.

Tomorrow, we will hold an official engagement ceremony, and you have no right to refuse.” His piercing gaze sent shivers down my spine.

“This is too sudden, Cain-sama!

I…

I’m not ready…

There are still so many things on my mind!” My voice trembled as I spoke.

My hands were shaking.

I couldn’t accept this.

“So many things?” Cain scoffed.

“You mean waiting for Naoki to return from the dungeon?” I froze.

“Wake up, Freya!” Cain slammed his fist on the table.

“That man is dead!

He died along with the dungeon boss.

The dungeon is gone, Freya!

It has collapsed, and he never returned!” His voice was filled with frustration.

A nightmare.

This felt like a nightmare.

I refused to believe it.

Naoki-dono wouldn’t die so easily.

He had promised me-he had sworn to return and set me free.

“Listen, Freya.

You already know the terms of my bet with Naoki.

If he killed the dungeon boss and returned safely, he would take you away.

But if he failed-if he died-you would remain with me.” Cain’s golden eyes burned with intensity as he shouted, “ACCEPT REALITY!

HE IS DEAD!!!” My mind went blank.

My knees buckled, and my body trembled in fear.

I couldn’t hold back my tears any longer.

Cain let out a sigh.

“I’ve already prepared a room for you.

Stay here tonight.

Tomorrow will be a joyous day for the Flamemore family, so don’t embarrass us.

Obey, Freya.” I couldn’t answer.

The guards of the Flamemore family escorted me away, locking me inside a room that had been prepared in advance.

That night, I prayed-prayed that all of this was just a dream.

I didn’t want this.

I didn’t love Cain-sama.

The only one I loved was Naoki-dono… …

The following afternoon, the engagement ceremony began.

I had been forcibly dressed in an elegant gown by the Flamemore maids.

I had no say in anything.

Now, I stood in the grand hall of the Flamemore mansion, Cain-sama beside me.

The hall was filled with nobles.

Among them, I spotted my classmates-Luna, Amelia, Marius, Julius, and Termina.

Their faces were clouded with sorrow.

They knew I didn’t want this.

I searched for Lyra, but she was nowhere to be found.

She must have been too heartbroken to attend.

I wanted to cry.

I couldn’t take this anymore.

Then, the ceremony began.

Cain-sama opened a small box, revealing a ring, and reached for my left hand.

I wanted to pull away, but I couldn’t.

I was too afraid.

I clenched my eyes shut and whispered under my breath, “Please… help me, Naoki-dono…” Suddenly- BANG!

The doors burst open with a deafening crash.

Cain’s hand froze midair.

The entire room fell silent, everyone turning toward the entrance, searching for the cause of the commotion.

But no one was there.

Then- A shadow emerged between me and Cain, materializing as if stepping out from the darkness itself.

“Yo, Freya!

I came to pick you up!” A voice so familiar, so unmistakable.

There he stood-the man I had longed to see more than anything else.

His armor was still tattered, stained with blood from battle.

Dirt covered his face, yet his lips curled into the widest grin.

Naoki-dono.

He had returned.

He had defeated the dungeon boss-alone.

“Naoki-dono…” I called his name, staring at him in disbelief.

Tears welled in my eyes.

This-this was a miracle.

…

..

CREATORS’ THOUGHTS NAVIRUNAVIII Give comments if you like it!

Golden Ticket Ranking has been reset: 1.

— 2.

— 3.

— You can give me Golden Ticket with gifts or buy many chapters.

I want to say thank you to my readers, fans, and friends: -DaoistjMFLrs -Yuri_ew -Daniel_Adejo -Aurimas Pazikaz -Daoist_Global_Fire -Bruno_Andrade_9372 -Elijah Moreno -Aiden Sookraj -DaoistuzosNa -Muhammad Yafiq -Chona Diaz -Riddler 23 -TheKindSadist Without your support i think i’ll give up to continue this novel.

I appreciate your support for me.

Love you all!

I wish u all the best!