The handwriting analysis results came back swiftly that night. As they had all anticipated, the handwriting belonged to Ellen. The results merely confirmed what was already known, and follow-up actions had already been taken. The borders had been sealed, and the Emperor was nearly ready to deploy his forces.0

The announcement came as a shock to the people of the capital, as well as to the high officials and nobles of the Empire. The new imperial family officially confirmed that Ellen Artorius had been spotted in the northeastern region of Kernstadt. All borders in that area were locked down, and the Demon King himself was preparing to hunt down the Hero. 0

The deposed Emperor and the Hero—two individuals who were both a burden and an adversary to the new Empire, and the Emperor himself had announced that he would personally be hunting down one of them.0

It was a monumental undertaking. The Empire’s most formidable forces were called upon, including Kernstadt’s army and the standing army in the capital. 0

Many watched in awe as the massive army vanished from the capital in an instant, thanks to large-scale mass teleportation orchestrated by the Archmage. Those who witnessed it were left speechless by the magic wielded by the Archmage, who had become a living legend.0

This massive mobilization naturally stirred up tension throughout the capital, and that tension quickly spread across the continent as news travelled via the warp gates installed there. Within days, word that the Emperor had begun hunting the Hero reached every corner of the continent.0

This was unlike the usual false sightings of the Hero or the deposed Emperor. This time, the Demon King himself had taken action. It was unprecedented. The populace had no choice but to believe that this was the real deal. The long and bitter relationship between the two was finally coming to an end. 0

However, over the years, there was a shift in public perception. No one entertained the thought of the Emperor’s defeat...0