Reincarnated as a failed hero?! Watch me Defy Fate! - Chapter 210

Chapter 210: A New Hero and A New Hope

I was stunned—utterly speechless—by what the King had just declared.

It all happened so suddenly. For a moment, I stood frozen, my eyes sweeping over the sea of people below the stage. Knights, civilians, friends… all of them were cheering for me with joy shining in their eyes.

Lyra, Freya, Marius, Julius, Leopold, Luna, and Erin were no longer weeping. Instead, they smiled—faces glowing with pride. Their sorrow was washed away, even if just for a moment.

And then… I saw her.

Serena smiled at me warmly from a distance. Her eyes shimmered with quiet relief. Theresia beamed, flashing a cheerful thumbs-up. Her face was radiant, hopeful.

Cain, on the other hand, looked less than thrilled. I could practically hear his thoughts—he’s always been the competitive one. But even so, he slowly began to clap, nodding in reluctant acknowledgment. He accepted me.

When I looked back at King Aslan, his expression was filled with joy. His eyes met mine with a knowing gaze, and he gave me the slightest nod—he wanted me to speak.

I hesitated at first, caught off guard, but eventually I stood tall. My feet moved on their own as I walked up beside him.

From within, I heard Envi whisper gleefully, “If you pull off a great speech, you might just steal his throne.”

“Not funny,” I shot back, annoyed. “I don’t want to be king.”

“Actually,” Runa chimed in, “you’d make a fine one.”

I ignored them both.

This was not the time for jokes. I took a deep breath. All around me, the citizens of Braveheart watched in silence. The knights stood proud but weary. And so, I spoke.

“I… am Naoki von Blackmore.Firstborn son of Patriarch Tetsu von Blackmore.”

For a moment, the crowd went still, holding their breath at the sound of my name.

“Everything King Aslan said is true—I defeated Xir, the demon mastermind who brought chaos to Braveheart. And with the strength of my comrades, I forced the Overlords to retreat from the front lines.”

A thunderous cheer erupted. The citizens roared with disbelief and joy, some raising their fists, others crying out my name. The knights pounded their shields in rhythm, the sound rolling like thunder across the funeral field. The grief that had weighed heavily on this land began to tremble—on the verge of transforming into something else entirely.

But I raised a hand to silence them.

And like waves retreating from the shore, the noise faded.

“However… this war is far from over.”

The air tightened. Mothers clutched their children. Veterans stood taller, instinctively preparing for what came next.

“I must tell you the truth, even if it brings fear—The demons will return. Not just to Braveheart.They will come for Gildoria… for Solara…For all of us.”

Hope flickered in their eyes. Faces that moments ago were glowing with triumph now turned pale. Murmurs rippled across the crowd. Some looked to the sky. Others dropped their gaze to the ground, their joy beginning to crack under the weight of looming dread.

“But you don’t need to be afraid.”

I let the words sink in.

“Because I, Naoki von Blackmore—Heir of Darkness,Strongest Hero of the Braveheart Kingdom—I swear to stand at the front lines.To be the kingdom’s spear, its sword, and its shield.Just like my ancestor, Hiro von Blackmore.”

Gasps broke out among the older generations. They knew the name. Mothers whispered it to their children. A wave of awe passed through the people like a gust of wind through tall grass.

“I will strike down the High Demons,The Five Overlords—Even the Demon King himself.All of them… will fall.”

This time the cheer wasn’t just loud—it was ferocious. People screamed my name. They chanted. Some dropped to their knees, overcome with emotion. The funeral grounds trembled not with sorrow, but with life.

“But I ask something from you as well—”

The crowd quieted again, hanging onto every word.

“Do not lose hope.Do not forget those who stood beside me.The heroes of Braveheart. The knights. The magic knights.They are not faceless warriors—they are my comrades.My family on the battlefield.”

There was a long silence. And then…

Someone in the crowd turned toward the front-line knights.

Then another.

And then dozens.

And suddenly—a new sound: applause. But it wasn’t for me this time. It was for them.

Tears streamed down the dirt-streaked faces of knights. Some collapsed to one knee, overwhelmed. They’d been seen—truly seen—for the first time. Some citizens reached forward, offering hands, scarves, and blessings.

“I vow here, before all of you—I will free this kingdom.No—I will free this world from the demons’ threat.From anything that dares disturb the peace we fight for.”

People held their breath again. A young girl clutched her father’s arm. An old man stood straighter, eyes welling up with pride.

“If the world is destined to fall…Then we will defy fate itself!”

A sudden, uncontainable roar erupted.

They believed me.

No—they believed in us.

“So I ask you…Believe in me. Believe in us.”

That was the end of my speech.

And then—

The silence shattered.

Cheers erupted so loud they echoed across the valley, carrying with them the raw cries of hope. Knights cried openly. Families hugged one another. Even the skies, once grey with mourning, seemed a little brighter—almost as if the heavens themselves were moved.

The funeral grounds were no longer cloaked in despair.

Now, they radiated something far more powerful.

Hope.

I had ignited something in their hearts that no demon could extinguish.

…

“Damn, I thought you’d choke up there,” Envi teased. “But that… that was better than King Aslan’s speech. Honestly, I nominate you as the new King. HAHAHA!”

“That’s not true, Envi,” Runa added with a devilish tone. “Master Nao would make a better King… in Hell.”

“Oh, come on Runa,” I grumbled inwardly. “I know you and the God of Darkness once ruled that place—but I’m not looking to move to Hell anytime soon!”

And then, a glowing message appeared in front of me:

[Congratulations! You have received a new Title!]

[Title Unlocked: The Hero of Braveheart Kingdom]

Seeing it made me smile.

Finally… I had reached this point.

My journey—from a failed hero… to this.

The enemies I’ve slain.

The wounds I’ve endured.

The deaths I’ve witnessed.

The friends I’ve lost.

Even now, I remember it all.

But I also remember saving my mother… my sister…My family back on Earth.

“You did it, Nao,” Envi said softly, his voice warm, full of pride.

“Yeah…” I whispered back. “Thank you, Envi. And you too, Runa. Thank you for staying with me through all of this.”

They chuckled gently, voices full of quiet joy.

But this is just the beginning.

There are still five Overlords to defeat.

The Demon King may rise again.

And that cursed Outer God… still lurks beyond.

But we will fight them all. And we will win.

They nodded in agreement.

In the beginning, I fought only to protect my family on Earth.

But now… it’s different.

Now, I carry the fate of two worlds on my shoulders.

[The Goddess of Benevolence smiles upon you and offers her blessing.]

I looked up to the sky and smiled.

Someday… I hope I can meet her.The one who gave me this second chance.

And when I do—I will thank her.

…

After the speech ended, the ceremony was closed with a solemn group prayer. Then, one by one, the guests began to depart from the graveyard—some in silence, some in quiet conversation, all with heavy hearts slightly lightened by newfound hope.

Representatives from Solara approached King Aslan. Among them was Xerion von Solara. They spoke briefly and respectfully. Then, with Magi Silvanya and the rest of the Solaran entourage, Xerion boarded their massive floating airship and took to the skies, heading home.

I looked around and saw my friends still gathered, some talking, some comforting each other. My gaze wandered—until it found her.

Serena.

She stood some distance away, alongside Theresia and Cain, wearing her black mourning attire. She saw me, and her expression lit up with warmth.

She raised her hand and gave me a gentle wave.

Without realizing it, my body began to move on its own—toward her. My heart pounded. I want to talk to her… finally.

I smiled and waved back, feeling something stir in my chest. But just as I was within reach—

“Ehem! We still have things to take care of, Naoki!”

A strong hand clamped onto my arm.

King Aslan.

Before I could say a word, he pulled me away—laughing heartily as if this was all just a game.

I looked back at Serena like a lost puppy being dragged away from his favorite toy.

She gave a soft, awkward chuckle, and I saw her mouth forming words even from a distance.

“I… will… wait… for you… in our usual spot.”

She finished with a playful wink that hit me straight in the heart.

I nodded quickly, grinning like an idiot.

She laughed behind her hand.

Eventually, I realized where the king had taken me.

A quiet room within the palace infirmary. Inside, resting under layers of white sheets, were Princess Aria and—Amelia.

Both still in a deep coma.

The air turned heavy again.

King Aslan’s shoulders drooped slightly, the ever-cheerful ruler weighed down by the sight of two of his daughters—his first and third—lying unconscious, unmoving, after giving everything in the battle against the Demon King.

I saw someone else there.

Arsene, the second princess, sitting at their bedside.

She looked tired… and very alone.

She was doing her best, holding their hands gently as if her touch alone could bring them back.

A ding echoed in my mind.

[SUDDEN QUEST TRIGGERED!]

1. Speak to Amelia. Maybe… just maybe… she’ll hear you.

2. Meet Serena in her favorite place.

Reward: 20 Goddess PointsPenalty: None. Just follow your heart.

I sighed.

“Envi… I was going to do that anyway. You don’t need to gamify my life.”

In my mind, Envi didn’t respond.

Even Runa, usually cheeky, stayed quiet. I could feel their presence awkwardly avoiding eye contact, even within my head.

I stepped forward and gently sat beside Amelia’s bed.

Her face was peaceful.

Her long orange hair rested like moonlight on the pillow, her breathing calm but shallow. There was no telling when—or if—she would wake up.

I reached out and took her hand in mine.

It was warm.

“I’m here, Amelia… I made it back alive.”

My voice cracked.

“I survived the war… I came back, just like I promised.”

I closed my eyes.

“And it’s all thanks to you.”