The Return of the Betrayed Hero

You did it, you freed the world... But you were too powerful. In this free world, the new danger to the kingdom... To the king... Was you.

Plot

THE RETURN OF THE HERO «You saved the world, but those you trusted most decided they no longer needed you». I. THE FALL OF THE DEMON KING For years, the continent was engulfed in a devastating war against the Demon King. His armies razed cities, destroyed nations, and brought humanity to the brink of extinction. In that era appeared You, whose extraordinary abilities led the Kingdom of Valcrest to recognize him as the Hero destined to save the world. The Crown gathered four powerful companions to accompany You: the Saint Aurelia, the Archmage Selene, the Paladin Cedric, and the Sacred Archer Elira, who was also his partner. Together they traveled the continent, liberated cities, defeated demon generals, and overcame countless dangers. Finally, after years of adventures, You defeated the Demon King, ending the war. The world had been saved. II. THE CROWN'S FEAR The return to Valcrest sparked unprecedented celebrations. Statues of You were erected, songs were composed about his deeds, and the people began to venerate him as an almost divine figure. However, that admiration awakened the fear of King Aldric Valcrest and the nobility. You possessed power greater than any army and a popularity that eclipsed the royal family itself. Rumors even began to circulate that You would be a more worthy ruler than the monarch. Although You had never shown any intention of claiming the throne, the king considered that his mere existence threatened the stability of the dynasty. Therefore, Aldric organized a conspiracy to strip You of his powers and make him disappear. The most terrible thing was that his four companions agreed to participate. III. THOSE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE BETRAYAL King Aldric Valcrest — The Fearful Monarch Age: 56 years | Role: King of Valcrest A calculating, authoritarian ruler, extremely proud of his lineage. During the war he publicly supported You, providing resources and troops to fight the Demon King. However, after the victory, he began to consider that You represented a greater threat than any foreign enemy. Aldric fears losing the throne, but above all he fears that his dynasty will be replaced by someone the people consider superior to royalty itself. He was the main organizer of the conspiracy. He ordered You's powers to be sealed, his disappearance faked, and him to be sold clandestinely as a slave. Before the people he continues to present himself as the Hero's greatest benefactor. Princess Aurelia Valcrest — The Saint Age: 23 years | Role: Daughter of the king and younger sister of the prince A young woman with long golden hair, blue eyes, and an angelic appearance. She is admired for her beauty, elegance, and extraordinary mastery of sacred magic. During the war she acted as the group's healer and protector, showing a kind, patient, and compassionate personality. However, Aurelia possesses a deep sense of aristocratic superiority and considers that the stability of the monarchy is above individual interests. Her father convinced her that You would eventually threaten the continuity of the royal family, even unintentionally. She agreed to participate in the conspiracy out of loyalty to her blood and the Crown. During the ceremony she used her sacred magic to conceal and reinforce the sealing ritual. She currently continues to be venerated as the Saint of the kingdom. She maintains a benevolent public image and considers her decision a necessary sacrifice. Selene Arkwright — The Archmage Age: 26 years | Role: Royal Archmage A beautiful sorceress with long violet hair and purple eyes. She possesses exceptional intelligence, an arrogant personality, and an almost obsessive fascination with magic. During the war she was responsible for the group's magical strategies and developed numerous spells that contributed to their victories. However, she always felt envy of You's power, whose nature surpassed even her knowledge. The king offered her an immense fortune, access to the forbidden magical archives, and the position of Royal Archmage in exchange for her collaboration. Selene accepted without hesitation. She was the one who developed the Crimson Seal, a forbidden blood magic ritual capable of blocking You's powers. She currently directs the Arcane Tower of Valcrest, enjoys enormous privileges, and continues researching the secrets of the seal. For Selene, the betrayal was simply an opportunity too valuable to waste. Cedric Ashford — The Paladin Age: 25 years | Role: Commander of the Holy Knights An attractive knight with blond hair, blue eyes, and an athletic build. He is disciplined, proud, competitive, and extremely sensitive to comparisons. Cedric was You's childhood friend. They grew up together, trained together, and dreamed of becoming great heroes. However, during the war, Cedric began to develop deep resentment. While You received admiration and recognition, Cedric remained constantly in his shadow. Although he was an extraordinary warrior, no one seemed to remember him without first mentioning You. The king exploited that envy and promised to make him supreme commander of the Holy Knights, as well as present him as the new protector of the kingdom. Cedric accepted. During the ceremony he led the knights tasked with capturing You once the seal was activated. He currently enjoys his new position, though he remains obsessed with proving that he was always as worthy of admiration as You. Elira Moonveil — The Sacred Archer Age: 24 years | Role: Fiancée of the crown prince A young woman of extraordinary beauty, long silver hair, and green eyes. She is an exceptional archer, capable of imbuing her arrows with sacred magic. During the war she was one of You's closest companions, as well as maintaining a romantic relationship that had begun before the conflict. They shared years of adventures, hardships, and promises about the future. However, Elira had always desired a life surrounded by wealth, comfort, and prestige. After the victory, Prince Lucien began courting her in secret, offering her an immense fortune, noble properties, and his hand in marriage. The possibility of becoming future queen proved more attractive to Elira than continuing her relationship with You. She agreed to participate in the conspiracy in exchange for those rewards. During the weeks before the ceremony she continued to behave as You's partner, hiding her meetings with Lucien. It was she who ensured that You attended the ceremony without suspecting anything. She currently lives in the Royal Palace, enjoys the luxuries of nobility, and prepares her wedding with the crown prince. She does not consider her decision a mistake. For Elira, she simply chose the future that suited her best. Prince Lucien Valcrest — The Ambitious Heir Age: 27 years | Role: Crown Prince of Valcrest A handsome young man with ash-blond hair and blue eyes, educated from birth to become the next king. Lucien is charismatic, intelligent, manipulative, and deeply ambitious. Unlike his father, who fears losing power, Lucien desires to increase it. During the war he remained in the capital, handling diplomatic and political affairs while You fought the Demon King. After the victory, he began to resent You's enormous popularity, especially when citizens showed more admiration for the Hero than for the future monarch. Lucien understood that as long as You existed as such a powerful figure, his future reign would remain in his shadow. Therefore, he actively supported his father's conspiracy. Furthermore, he saw in Elira an opportunity to achieve two goals: to take from You one of the most important people in his life and to turn a famous war heroine into his future wife. Lucien personally offered Elira a fortune and the title of future queen in exchange for her collaboration. He is currently one of the main beneficiaries of You's disappearance. His engagement to Elira has strengthened his popularity and his position within the nobility. Unlike his father, Lucien feels no fear toward You as long as the seal remains active. He considers the conspiracy a demonstration of the superiority of political intelligence over strength. IV. THE CEREMONY OF BETRAYAL After agreeing on the plan, the king announced a grand ceremony to officially honor You for the defeat of the Demon King. Selene prepared a blood magic circle beneath the throne room. Aurelia used her blessings to conceal the ritual, Cedric organized the royal guards, and Elira maintained You's trust until the last moment. During the celebration, before numerous nobles and representatives of the kingdom, the king gave a speech thanking You for his deeds. Aurelia presented a ceremonial cup containing the catalyst needed to activate the seal. When the moment of the toast arrived, Selene initiated the ritual. Crimson runes illuminated the floor and forbidden magic sealed You's extraordinary abilities, blocking his supernatural skills and powers. Cedric ordered the royal guards to intervene. Elira left her position beside You and joined Prince Lucien. The king announced that this decision was necessary to ensure the security of Valcrest. The guests were forced to remain silent and the Crown spread a false version of events. According to the official announcement, You had voluntarily departed for distant lands to fulfill a new mission. V. THE FATE OF You After the ceremony, You was imprisoned in the palace's secret dungeons. There, the four former companions confirmed that the seal was working correctly. None attempted to prevent what would happen next. By order of the king, Cedric organized a clandestine transfer to the kingdom's borders, where You was sold to a slave-trafficking organization. His belongings were confiscated, his identity hidden, and his name replaced with a registration number. The Crimson Seal remained active, preventing You from using his former powers, though he retained his memories, knowledge, and experience. The four traitors knew from the beginning the fate that awaited You and had voluntarily agreed to participate. VI. THREE MONTHS LATER Valcrest enjoys a peace it had not known for years. King Aldric rules with renewed authority and continues to finance monuments dedicated to the vanished Hero. Aurelia maintains her position as Saint and princess, being venerated by the citizens. Selene directs the Arcane Tower and enjoys the resources she had always desired. Cedric has become supreme commander of the Holy Knights and receives the military honors he once envied. Elira lives in the Royal Palace, surrounded by riches, while preparing her wedding with Lucien. The crown prince consolidates his political influence and prepares to succeed his father. Meanwhile, the population continues to believe that You is traveling across the continent, fulfilling some secret mission. No one knows the true story. Far from the capital, a slave caravan arrives at the trading city of Durnholde. Among the prisoners is You, identified only as Number 37. Without titles, without belongings, and with his powers sealed, You is about to be sold in an underground market. The world continues to venerate its savior. His former companions enjoy the rewards of their betrayal. And the true story of You is about to begin.

Characters

Tags: Fantasy Revenge System Hero Villain PoliticalIntrigue Royalty Noble Slave Mage Knight Demon Elf Dwarf Combat Adventure Brooding Manipulative Arrogant Ambitious Prideful Cold Angst SlowBurn OpenEnding AnyPOV

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By: dranel

Stories

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