Solaria was a city of light and illusion.
From afar, it gleamed like a promise—spires of white stone, bridges of gold-threaded magic, and streets paved with enchanted crystal. But as Lucian stepped past the city gates, escorted only by silence and fear, he saw the cracks.
Soldiers stood in gleaming armor, but their eyes were hollow. Priests chanted in public squares, but their hands trembled behind closed robes. Merchants sold blessed trinkets, but whispered about war and abyssal shadows.
All of it was carefully curated.
A theater.
And Lucian had never liked actors.
Word spread fast.
"The Summoned Hero has arrived.""He emerged from the Temple itself!""He erased an archangel with a glance!"
But what awaited him was not welcome.
At the heart of the capital, on the marble platform before the Grand Cathedral, stood a young man in radiant gold armor, sword at his side, flanked by banners of the Celestial Order.
His hair was ash-blonde. His smile rehearsed. And at his feet knelt dozens of commoners, worshipping his name.
"Tyrion Duskbane."The Chosen Hero.Or rather, the "fake" one.
Lucian stopped ten paces away.
Tyrion turned slowly, his eyes gleaming with measured disdain.
"So… you're the other one," he said. His voice carried like silk soaked in poison. "The 'accident' they whispered about."
Lucian didn't reply.
Tyrion's smile widened.
"You know, I heard the Goddess summoned a mistake. But I didn't expect her to drag in a drifter in rags."
Behind Tyrion stood a woman with a crimson blade. Tall, sharp-eyed, composed like a coiled spring.
Lysia Drayven.Captain of the Radiant Blades.Said to have slain dragons. Twice.
She glanced at Lucian, eyes unreadable.
"I've seen heroes before," Tyrion said. "They carry themselves with dignity. Purpose. Not like…" he gestured mockingly, "a lost librarian."
The crowd chuckled.
Lucian's eyes didn't waver.
"I've seen liars before," he said quietly. "They often shine the brightest before they burn."
Tyrion's face tightened.
He stepped forward, voice rising.
"I represent the Divine Council. I've fought in six battles. I bear the Blessing of Order. What do you bring, stranger?"
Lucian finally raised his head.
His voice was soft.
"Truth."
And suddenly—
The cathedral bells cracked.
Not rang. Cracked.
A ripple swept through the square, and all illusions dropped.
Tyrion's "aura" flickered.
His sword lost its glow.
The blessings on his armor dimmed, exposing cracks along the seams.
The people gasped.
"What…?"
"His light—!"
"He's not—!"
Lucian walked forward slowly.
He didn't raise his voice.
But every word echoed in their bones.
"You wear gifts you didn't earn.You claim victories you didn't bleed for.You bask in the faith of others, but offer nothing back.""You are not a hero.You are a placeholder.""And now—your role is over."
Tyrion stumbled back, sweat on his brow.
"L-Lysia—stop him!"
The woman didn't move.
Her hand rested on the hilt of her sword, but her eyes…
They were on Lucian.
And for the first time in years—she looked unsure.
Lucian turned his gaze to her.
It wasn't a threat. It was a question.
Lysia clenched her jaw.
"…Who are you?"
Lucian answered honestly.
"I'm still remembering."
She didn't unsheathe her blade.
And that silence said more than a thousand words.
Tyrion screamed in rage, rushing forward with blade drawn.
But as he lunged, Lucian raised one hand—
And plucked the idea of "Tyrion's fame" from the world.
Just one thread.
One concept.
And suddenly…
No one remembered why they respected him.
No one remembered his "blessings."
The soldiers hesitated.
The banners lowered.
The people blinked, confused.
"Who is that…?"
"Wasn't he… someone?"
"I… can't recall."
Tyrion fell to his knees.
Not from pain.
But from irrelevance.
He clutched his head, screaming.
"GIVE IT BACK! THAT WAS MINE! I DESERVE IT!"
Lucian looked down at him.
"You deserved the truth."
He turned, and walked away.
Lysia watched him go.
And for the first time, she saw a man who didn't need titles or armies or light.
He was something else.
Something terrifying.
Something… honest.
She followed.
[System Update]
Conceptual Rewrite Used: [Reputation Null]Target: Tyrion DuskbaneResult: Public Favor = 0Unique Trait Acquired: [Truthspeaker] – Words ignore illusions, glamours, and magical deceptionCompanion Flag Raised: [Lysia Drayven – In Doubt]