Chapter 13: Rejection

The golden light gradually faded, but the awe-inspiring scene remained deeply imprinted in everyone’s minds.

The villagers erupted in excitement!

“Hero! Luo Ling is a hero!”

“A hero has appeared in Fallen Wind Village!”

“Unbelievable!”

Cheers and exclamations rang out one after another.

The villagers who had been dejected now looked at Luo Ling with awe and envy.

The village chief was so moved that tears streamed down his aged face as he fell to his knees, repeatedly bowing to Samuel.

“Thank you, Holy Light! Thank you, Apostle-sama! Fallen Wind Village… No, the entire kingdom is saved!”

However, amid the celebration, Luo Ling—pushed onto the “Hero” pedestal—stood with a cold expression, his eyes full of resistance and anger.

He abruptly withdrew his hand and stepped back, staring coldly at Samuel.

“I’m not some hero. Your ritual made a mistake.”

His words crashed into the jubilant scene like a boulder thrown into boiling oil, instantly bringing silence.

Everyone froze, staring at Luo Ling in disbelief.

Refusal? The hero chosen by the Holy Light Crystal, refusing?

Samuel’s smile stiffened.

He hadn’t expected that the hero he had struggled so hard to find would react this way.

He took a deep breath, suppressing his shock, and spoke as gently as he could.

“Child, I know this is sudden. You might not be able to accept it right away. But the Holy Light Crystal never lies. Heroic blood runs through your veins, and you carry the Mission of saving the world.”

“This is the highest Glory, and also… an inescapable Responsibility.”

“Glory? Responsibility?”

Luo Ling sneered, his gaze sharp as a blade.

“To me, those things are worthless! I just want to stay here and live a peaceful life with those I want to be with! Whoever wants to be a hero can do it—don’t bother me!”

His words rang out resolutely, filled with determination.

He looked at Eve.

Eve was looking at him too.

Though worry filled her eyes, there was even more understanding and support.

Luo Ling felt warmth in his heart, his resolve growing stronger.

“Impudent!”

A knight shouted sharply.

“How dare you be so disrespectful to the Apostle-sama and profane the sacred Mission!”

Samuel raised a hand to stop the knight.

He gazed deeply at Luo Ling, searching his eyes for any sign of hesitation—but saw only firmness and… deep longing for the girl beside him.

He understood now.

This young man’s heart was firmly bound here—to this place, and to that noble girl.

“You…”

Samuel chose his words carefully.

“Are you truly… willing to abandon the Future of the World and your Destiny for a moment of comfort?”

“My world is right here. It’s her.”

Without hesitation, Luo Ling pointed at Eve.

“As for so-called Destiny and the Future of the World, that’s your business, not mine!”

“You…”

Samuel’s face turned blue with anger.

He had never encountered such an “unyielding” hero.

He could have forced Luo Ling to come, but he realized that Luo Ling’s guard was up.

Forcing him would only backfire, and might even cause his power to become unstable and rebellious.

Moreover, while the guidance of the Holy Light was clear, it also seemed to hint that this hero’s Awakening Path would be an exceptionally twisted one.

He fell silent for a moment, a complex light flashing in his eyes.

“Could it really… become as the legends say, where love turns to hate?”