[Amelia] The Level Zero Hero Chapter 240 (Patreon)

Wyn Stefard recognized the bartender as soon as he stepped out of the portal. His name was Arthur, or so the [Knight] thought. In truth, they hardly even interacted with each other. The only reason why Wyn remembered Arthur’s face was because much of the time he had spent at Amelia’s Out of this World Restaurant was at the bar, and while he was there, his [Discerning Eyes] had told him that Arthur didn’t have any levels as a [Bartender].

Back then, Wyn needed as much alcohol as he could sustain himself to get through the day, otherwise he was going to lose his mind seeing Amelia’s antics. 

And right now, the [Knight]-lieutenant felt like he probably needed a shot or two to process what was going on. Because Arthur was conversing with Kallistus Kal, talking about something that could barely even be comprehended. 

It was almost surprising the discussion lasted as long as it did. After the dragon disappeared back into the portal, Wyn Stefard had resigned himself to death. That it was all over. But hearing Arthur speak to the [Hero King] gave the [Knight] a semblance of hope that things could be resolved without violence.

That was— until Kallistus Kal unleashed a blast of purple flames that engulfed the bartender.

Wyn Stefard stumbled back from the shockwave of the explosion as a bright light flashed out. Covering his face, he couldn’t help but sigh at the expected outcome.

“As I thought, the [Hero King] cannot be reasoned with…” the [Knight] whispered as he looked up.

But then he froze when he saw a shimmering purple barrier standing where Arthur had been. And inside the barrier, stood the bartender, completely unphased.

“How…?” Wyn asked, blinking a few times.

He tried to process what just happened. After all, Arthur should have been just like Amelia without any levels. And yet, it almost made sense to the [Knight]-lieutenant, precisely because Amelia had no levels too.

“Interesting,” Kallistus Kal said with a raised brow. “So your control of the Void far surpasses that of any member of the Sect of the Abyssal Thorns. Even Leonhard pales in comparison to you.”

That made Rowland who had been silently observing them this entire time click his tongue. “So the Sect of the Abyssal Thorns is involved with the [Hero King], huh? And so is Leonhard the Archmage King. I should have known…”

“Isn’t the Sect of the Abyssal Thorns a myth?” Wyn asked with a frown to the side. 

Rowland shook his head. “They are hardly a myth. They approached King Jalen with the opportunity to join forces with them years ago, but he denied them. That must be why the [Hero King] waged war on us.”

Wyn just blinked quizzically. And Rowland clenched a fist.

“That must mean this power that they are displaying— both of them— is the power of the Void,” the [Knight]-Captain deduced. 

That’s the power of the Void? Wyn stared at Arthur as his head spun. Wait, doesn’t that mean Amelia’s strength comes from the Void too…? It was a thought that barely crossed the [Knight]-lieutenant’s mind before he was interrupted.

“You are quite astute, Rowland Donovan,” Kallistus Kal said, drawing both [Knights] attention to him. He strode forward as he shook his head. “However, while I was drawn to this war by the Sect of the Abyssal Thorns. I no longer bear any allegiance to them.”

The [Hero King]’s eyes flickered towards Arthur who was stepping out of his barrier. The bartender’s jaw was clenched, and he clenched a fist.

“And I highly doubt this man is affiliated with the Sect of the Abyssal Thorns either,” the [Hero King] said simply. “Even if he wields the power of the Void. After all, they are mere children compared to him.”

Arthur just nodded as he proffered a hand again. “I do not wish to fight you. Please, I just want to help you.”

There was a crackle of electricity alongside his fingertips that even Wyn noticed. So it was no surprise that the [Hero King] took note of that too.

“You do not have the demeanor of someone who has any intention of helping me,” Kallistus Kal said as he raised his broadsword.

“I mean, you quite literally just blasted me,” Arthur replied as he gritted his teeth. 

But the [Hero King] ignored what he had to say. “And unfortunately for you, I cannot accept your help.”

With that, Kallistus Kal dashed forward, slashing out with his broadsword. Arthur cursed as Wyn’s eyes went wide. The [Hero King] moved so fast, it was like he teleported. At least, to Wyn.

But Arthur somehow managed to react in time, ducking under the slash and rolling to the side. The [Hero King] did not let up. He spun around and his blade shone with a purple light, aiming for the bartender’s neck.

Or was Arthur ever even a bartender?

Wyn didn’t know. But what he knew was that if that attack connected, Arthur would be shredded to bits, and so would much of the landscape behind him.

Arthur must have realized this too. So he raised both his hands and exclaimed. “I don’t want to do this… but I will do what I must!”

And as his voice boomed out, a blast of lightning shot out from the palm of his hand, striking the [Hero King] directly. It was followed by a clap of thunder that could be heard for miles, and a flash of light that briefly blinded both Wyn and Rowland.

When the light vanished, there was a crater where Kallistus Kal stood. However, just like before with the attack from the Elder Dragon, he remained unscathed.

The [Hero King] grinned as he glared up at Arthur. “Weak.”

“Shit—” Arthur cursed as he tried to step back.

But this time, Kallistus Kal was faster, closing in the distance and slicing off the bartender’s head.

Wyn flinched when he saw that. It was almost a numbing sight. For a moment, he had a semblance of hope— seeing how well Arthur fought against the [Hero King] for those few seconds. But it was immediately dashed as reality settled back in, seeing the sheer power of the monster that was the [Hero King].

“Well, it was good while it lasted…” Wyn said as he tried to steel himself. “But I guess it’s over.”

He watched as Kallistus Kal craned his neck to face the two [Knights]. Rowland shook his head.

“Not for you, Sir Wyn. You are young and you have much to live for. You must run.” The [Knight]-Captain spoke insistently as he stepped forward.

“But—” Wyn started to protest.

However, his words were cut short as he saw the decapitated body of Arthur begin to move. Looking on in horror, Wyn could only watch as the bartender rose to his feet behind the [Hero King]. 

Kallistus Kal’s eyes flickered as he spun around, sensing something was amiss. And Arthur clapped his hands together, encasing the [Hero King] in a giant pillar of ice. Stumbling forward, the bartender’s head regrew on his body with a flash of purple light.

“...what is even going on anymore?” Wyn asked as he just stared in disbelief.

A crack ran through the ice as Kallistus Kal moved within. And with a swing of his hand, he easily broke free from the momentary prison.

“You are weak. Far weaker than I. You claim to understand the Fal-Deus, and yet, you have not even unlocked a mere fraction of its power.” The [Hero King] pointed his sword at Arthur.

“You’re right, I am weak.” Arthur nodded as he held Kallistus Kal’s gaze. “At least, compared to you. And at least, the me of right now. But unlike you—”

And with a flash of light, an elf appeared behind the [Hero King]. Kallistus Kal spun around as his eyes flashed with recognition.

“You—”

But Jax didn’t give the [Hero King] time to react, his bow already shining with a shimmering projectile that shone with iridescent colors.

 “[Greater Blooming Deathhowl]!” the Forsaken Archer yelled, unleashing his attack point blank at the [Hero King]’s face.

However, that was not all. As the attack struck true, Arthur pointed down, and a pillar of purple lightning descended from the sky, compounding with the elf’s attack.

“I am not alone,” Arthur exclaimed.

And both Wyn and Rowland looked on.

—--

It was a combination of efforts from both the Forsaken Archer and the former Lich King. Grat-ra’zun knew that Arthur had the full intention to negotiate— to talk with the [Hero King]. However, neither Arthur nor Jax were foolish enough to think that it would work with absolute certainty.

So Arthur would serve as a distraction if a fight were to break out. After all, they both knew they were outmatched. But the difference between Jax and Arthur was that if Jax were stabbed through the chest, he was probably going to die. Meanwhile, Arthur, with his rapid regeneration, could survive.

That was why Jax waited for the right moment to strike. Was it a coward’s tactic? Perhaps. But Jax never claimed to pride himself in fighting battles head-on. 

And with this ambush, now both Arthur and Jax took turns blasting the [Hero King] further into the ground with their attacks. 

“This world has done no wrong to you!”

“[Eternal Sting of the Death Bees]!”

“I cannot let you destroy this world!”

“[Sluggish Salvo]!”

“You must fight back against the Fal-Deus—”

“[Apocalyptic Pollen Shower]!”

However, even as the various blasts of magic and Void essence shone just ahead of the Elder Dragon, making it seem like the [Hero King] was on the verge of defeat… Grat-ra’zun knew better.

“All they are doing is delaying the inevitable…” the Elder Dragon whispered closed his eyes as he drew back.

Now that he could no longer close the portal himself, he had to flee. Otherwise, the [Hero King] would be able to reach him and finish the job. And yet, despite understanding this logical fact…

Grat-ra’zun remained frozen in his cavern, watching through the portal as both Arthur and Jax shouted, raining their attacks down into Kallistus Kal.

—--

And as both Jax and Arthur engaged in battle with the [Hero King] while Grat-ra’zun watched, in a town far away, Amelia… was cooking.