The Monster King's Legacy

Lance hummed his answer as he remembered such a thing had been told to him once. "Yes. A mysterious figure spoke of its rise, a kingdom lost to time, returning to the world?"

Aldric nodded. "It wasn't just you. I encountered a similar warning some time years ago. At first, I dismissed it as superstition, but I've seen signs that it might have some truth to it. I've been doing some investigation ever since."

"Then it's real," Lance murmured, his mind racing. "Whatever is coming… it's something none of us are prepared for."

"Agreed," Aldric said. "And it will take more than strength to face what's ahead. Then again, those with such adequate strength are much." Aldric sighed.

A brief silence stretched between them before Lance turned back to Aldric, his gaze sharp. "You said there's a cost. What did you mean?"

Aldric hesitated for the first time, his confident exterior cracking ever so slightly. He raised a hand to his side, pressing gently over his ribs. "An injury," he admitted. "It happened long ago, a cursed wound. I've tried all possible ways to rid myself of it, but it still festers. It limits me."

"How so?"

Aldric's voice was steady, but there was a faint trace of frustration. "I can't use my full power too frequently. The strain aggravates the wound, shortens my remaining years. My ability slows aging, but this injury bypasses that by eating away at my life force."

Lance's gaze darkened as he listened. "And you've been living with this for how long?"

"Too long." Aldric smirked faintly, though there was no humor in it. "No healer has been able to fix it. My people don't know… I can't let them see weakness."

Lance's expression softened. He took a step closer, his voice calm but resolute. "Let me try."

Aldric blinked. "You? What could you—?"

"I have a healing magic that has been praised to work wonders," Lance interrupted. "It's unique, something even dragons have found remarkable. If there's a chance I can help, you'd be a fool not to take it."

Aldric's pride bristled, but Lance's words struck something deeper, a spark of hope. "Fine," he said after a moment.

"Haha, before that, perhaps I should lend a hand to them." Lance said as they reached where everyone gathered, seeing those who had dried blood running from their ears and some even their noses.

Seeing Lance's magic in action, Aldric became a tad bit hopeful about his situation.

Following that, Lance and Aldric retreated to one of the palace's private chambers. Word spread quickly that the goblin king had extended an offer to help King Aldric, though the details remained unknown and a secret. The nobles whispered rumors, but no one dared question.

For the rest of the day, Lance focused entirely on healing the injury. His hands glowed with a soft golden light as he used his magic on Aldric. For one, Lance was more than surprised, as he had never had to spend this much time healing anything. It made him really question the true secret behind whatever wound or curse it was.

When the light faded, Aldric sat upright, blinking in disbelief. He took a deep breath as he felt his body anew instead of fatigued. "It's… gone," he whispered, his hand resting over his ribs. "It's healed."

Lance slumped back into a chair, exhausted but victorious. "Was it a curse from a god or something? Compared to what I know, its extremely otherworldly." Lance said as he rested. Especially because his mana reserves were low, he was quickly exhausted.

Aldric stared at him for a long moment before erupting into a booming laugh. "You're unbelievable, Lance! You've given me back what I thought was lost forever!"

"You'll owe me for this," Lance said with a faint smirk.

"Consider it done!"

That night as they discussed, Aldric went ahead to tell Lance how he had ordered the human kingdoms not to interfare in his business ever since he was discovered. Lance was even more shocked to learn that General Haos was Aldric's subordinate, and even more surprised when he learnt that Aldric knew of his appearance as soon as he crossed over into their world.

Well, Aldic didn't have the full details that Lance was not originally part of that world, just that a great sigh had suddenly appeared, and that it was Lance, which was why he made effort to protect Lance in his days of infancy with the goblins.

"Who would have thought that you'd come to accomplish what took me centuries to achieve in only a few years… you are truly limitless."

…

The next morning, Lance and Aldric stood together atop the palace's grand balcony, overlooking the city of Valtheris.

Aldric extended a hand to Lance. "We should form an alliance, between your kingdom and mine. We face the same threats, and it's clear you are no ordinary man."

Lance clasped Aldric's hand firmly. "An alliance."

"Hahaha. I suppose you'll be departing." He said.

With everything set, Lance and his people left the kingdom of Valtheris.

The journey back was one of triumph, and without being told, Lance's entourage were eager to spread the news. Since Lance had gotten approval from Aldric to allow this news spread, he didn't say anything to his own people concerning whether to or not to spread the news of his victory.

That aside, before returning to the monster capital, Lance steered his group toward a familiar and imposing destination: the Demon Lord's Territory.

…

These days, the demon lands were a stark contrast to the lush plains of the human kingdoms.

When Lance and his party arrived, they were greeted with reverence. The demon guards, clad in dark armor, bowed deeply to Lance as they welcomed him into their kingdom, recognizing who he was.

After practically touring the place a bit, Lance finally ran into the demon lord who must have learnt of his presence.

"Lord Lance," the Demon Lord greeted with a smile. "You return victorious, I see."