Maoyuu Maou Yuusha

Volume 5 Chapter 1, “No…… I would rather bear the Hero’s pain.”

- Fifteen Years Ago, Spring

The Hero: “Grandpa!”

Wise Sage: “What is it?”

The Hero: “I’ve caught some fish.”

Wise Sage: “Barbecue or boil?”

The Hero: “That’s cold, grandpa.”

Wise Sage: “I am meditating.”

The Hero: “So you can say whatever you want if you’re meditating?”

Wise Sage: “It’s not really an excuse, but actually I can get away with just about anything. It’s a quality that comes with being a Wise Sage.”

The Hero: “…… Grandpa!”

Wise Sage eats a fish

The Hero: “Ah! My fish!”

Wise Sage: “Delicious. Delicious.”

The Hero sobs

The Hero: “My fish……”

Wise Sage: “You still have some left hehe.”

The Hero: “I’ll cook too! FLAME!”

Explosion!

The Hero: “Huh!?”

Wise Sage: “It’s all charred black. Hahahaha!”

The Hero: “……”

Wise Sage: “Come now, have more class.”

The Hero: “Yes.”

Wise Sage: “Did you add salt first?”

The Hero: “Yes.”

Wise Sage: “In that case, you need to hold on to it as it heats up, so you should skewer it……”

The Hero: “Yes……”

Wise Sage: “Then, you can lift your hand off, and with a weak spell like EMBER…… Look, it’s heating up. Not FLAME but EMBER, otherwise it will burn.”

The Hero: “Hey, why don’t you let me use battle-class spells or hexes, using chants requires so much chanting.”

Wise Sage: “On the battlefield, continuously chanting will definitely cause you to be very stressed. But chanting is not a requirement to chants. Cast chants without chanting. That is the way that Wise Sages and Heroes do it.”

The Hero: “Really.” Sniff sniff

Wise Sage: “Don’t sniff like a dog.”

The Hero: “But it smells great!”

Wise Sage: “Not yet. It may still be charred yet. You must concentrate your mana and not lose control. In this way, the skin will be crackling but the inside will be soft and juicy.”

The Hero: “Is that so! Is it done?”

Wise Sage: “Yes it is done!”

The Hero: “Delicious!”

Wise Sage: “Isn’t it?”

The Hero: “Eh?”

Wise Sage: “Das schmeckt gut!”

The Hero: “Huh!?”

Wise Sage: “So good it makes me want to cry! Hahahahaha! This is a world where the strong eat the weak! The dining table is a battlefield distinguishing the strong and the weak.”

The Hero: “……”

Wise Sage: “Hmph. Hear, some fried bread and bacon. It tastes better together. Have some, Hero. Hahahaha.”

The Hero: “Yay!” chomp chomp chomp

Wise Sage: “What an animal.”

The Hero: “Yummy!”

Wise Sage: “Really? Then I’ll buy more next time.”

The Hero: “I want to go to the city too. I bet there’s loads of stuff to eat there.”

Wise Sage: “You can’t.”

The Hero: “Why?”

Wise Sage: “The Hero cannot live in the City.”

The Hero: “Why not?”

Wise Sage: “Can a wolf live among sheep?”

The Hero: “But I won’t do bad things. If I do, then you’ll get really mad. And you’ll hit me with your metal staff. If my head gets damaged it will be your fault.”

Wise Sage: “Nonetheless.”

The Hero: “I don’t understand.”

Wise Sage: “Even if a wolf does not eat sheep, by being near them, will the sheep not be scared? Of course sheep are afraid of wolves. Having seen so many sheep-eating wolves, a sheep can hardly shut up and try to accept a wolf which doesn’t eat sheep, can it?”

The Hero: “It’s difficult, I don’t understand.”

Wise Sage: “That’s fine.”

The Hero: “Hmm.”

Wise Sage: “……”

The Hero: “What shall we do now?”

Wise Sage: “We’ll practice a few chants, we’ll try using FLY and SLOW in conjunction to achieve some low velocity flight.”

The Hero: “I suck at that.”

Wise Sage: “Then we will practice until you can.”

The Hero: “Will I be great if I can?”

Wise Sage: “You won’t be great, but you will be able to pick peaches.”

The Hero: “I see! I’ll do my best!”

Wise Sage: “Mmmm.”

The Hero: “…… SLOW! SLOW!”

Wise Sage: “…… Why did you say it twice?”

The Hero: “SLOW is difficult. Why would I want to fly slowly anyway?”

Wise Sage: “This is all training.”

The Hero: “Once I’m done, can I fly to where my parents are?”

Wise Sage: “Do you like that place?”

The Hero: “Should I not? Grandpa, I thought children were supposed to want to be with their parents.”

Wise Sage: “Practice first.”

The Hero: “Really? Alright, I’m going.”

Wise Sage: “Go ahead.”

The Hero: “Okay. - FLY!”

Wise Sage: “This time try doing it in one go.”

The Hero: “I’m getting used to it.”

Wise Sage: “I see, so you remember all the 15 basic spells?”

The Hero: “I think I’m a genius.”

Wise Sage: “Geniuses are people with a bit more class.”

The Hero: “Mmm.”

Wise Sage: “Here. If we don’t go quickly, it will be dusk. Bring back seven bundles of firewood.”

The Hero: “Got it! I’m going! I’ll be back soon!”

Wise Sage: “Come back safe, child.”

—— The Plains of Strange Cliffs, the Expeditionary Force of Beasts

Aide-de-Camp: “Alright! Halt! Fall in!”

Dual Swordsman of Beasts: “Yes!”

Javelinman of Beasts: “Gather! Form up! Form up!”

Pikeman of Beasts: “Pikes formed!”

Aide-de-Camp: “Report strength!”

Dual Swordsman of Beasts: “Dual swordsmen, three hundred and eighty! No gaps!”

Javelinman of Beasts: “Javelins and skirmishers two hundred and fifty!”

Pikeman of Beasts: “Pikes six hundred!”

Aide-de-Camp: “One thousand two hundred and eighty…… Have the wounded been sent to the city?”

Dual Swordsman of Beasts: “Of course. We’ve done our best!”

Javelinman of Beasts: “Why did we flee the battlefield?”

Pikeman of Beasts: “We are unafraid of death! Even if the Silver Tiger Lord has fallen, there is no need for us soldiers to retreat!”

Dual Swordsman of Beasts: “That’s right, explain! Sir!”

Javelinman of Beasts: “If you can’t explain, we want to go back to the battle right now!”

Pikeman of Beasts: “Somehow.”

Aide-de-Camp: “Please calm down.”

Dual Swordsman of Beasts: “Is there a reason, sir?”

Aide-de-Camp: “Of course. As you know we lost that battle and we lost many friends too.”

Dual Swordsman of Beasts: “……”

Aide-de-Camp: “The Human army has surrounded the City of the Gate with a frightening Crusader army numbering over two hundred thousand, with the clear intention of annihilating us. We too, were on the verge of losing the Tattooed Chieftain, and the Demon King……”

Javelinman of Beasts: “……”

Aide-de-Camp: “The Silver Tiger Lord saved us from this danger. We are indebted to him.”

Pikeman of Beasts: “Silver Tiger Lord……”

Aide-de-Camp: “However, the danger has not passed. Rather, the threat has only increased. It is as you see, from that black smoke. The Crusader Army’s attempt to surround and besiege us as failed…… But, it has not ended yet.”

Dual Swordsman of Beasts: “That’s right, we’ll kill them all!”

Javelinman of Beasts: “I will kill ten of those humans!”

Pikeman of Beasts: “That’s right, we attack!”

Aide-de-Camp: “Silence!”

Dual Swordsman of Beasts: “-!”

Aide-de-Camp: “There is no way we are going to be able to defeat the Crusaders in this fashion. We number a thousand two hundred and eighty. Even if we manage to kill ten enemies each, that’s only ten thousand three hundred of them. Just a small setback for the Crusaders. We would be like dogs sent to the slaughter.”

Dual Swordsman of Beasts: “Then what should we do?”

Aide-de-Camp: “We are receiving instructions from our lord, the East Fortress Base Commander. The Demon King stands in that city, if we can get them to retreat, we will live again. Even if it is but a small number, we who have managed to escape outside the city represent that hope.”

Javelinman of Beasts: “Is that so…… So we can’t destroy the enemy.”

Aide-de-Camp: “Yes. We will circle around the back of the enemy, and burn their food stocks, weapons and supply lines. We will seize and destroy. Supporting an army of two hundred thousand soldiers no doubt takes an immense toll on their logistics capabilities.”

Dual Swordsman of Beasts: “We can do it, let’s go.”

Aide-de-Camp: “We will be an expeditionary force. However, we cannot expect reinforcements from the City of the Gate. If we were to leave the main force, we won’t be able to carry with us any food or medical supplies.”

Dual Swordsman of Beasts: “This is the Demon World. In order words, it’s our land. It won’t be a problem to get food and the like from the surrounding forests.”

Javelinman of Beasts: “It’s true. No matter how bad it gets, we can rely on the blessings of the forest, right? And we can just steal what we need from them too.”

Pikeman of Beasts: “That’s right. And we can blend into the forests and circle around behind them too. This is our land, our rivers, we know it far better than any of these people.”

Dual Swordsman of Beasts: “We are the Tribe of Beasts! We were made for battle.”

Aide-de-Camp: “We cannot hope for reinforcements. Will you still go?”

Dual Swordsman of Beasts: “Of course. Let’s destroy the enemies of the Silver Tiger Lord!”

Javelinman of Beasts: “Yes! We will deal with his enemies. Our Lord is scattered to the winds! Until our own bones burn, we will rush towards the Spirits as well!”

Pikeman of Beasts: “We were meant to follow our Lord, sacrificing as is necessary on the battlefield.”

Aide-de-Camp: (…… I was the third son of a low-ranking knight, a mercenary, discarded by generals to the border regions in the South. Struck by a stone from the Second Holy Crusades, and now I will stride on to the battlefield together with the Tribe of Beasts.)

Dual Swordsman of Beasts: “How is it, Human Officer?”

Javelinman of Beasts: “Let’s go across the river to the plains!”

Aide-de-Camp: “Alright…… Let’s go.”

Dual Swordsman of Beasts: “Alright!”

Javelinman of Beasts: “Use us! We will leave our names on the battlefield.”

Aide-de-Camp: (I may not be as competent as the Commander, but…… I cannot fail this duty.)

Scout of Beasts: “The horses have been gathered.”

Aide-de-Camp: “Alright! Check your bags. Make sure you carry as little food as we need. To the South!”

“””To the South!!”””

--

Explanation

Rations: Rations are small-sized, portable foodstocks which can be carried on expeditions. Modern militaries have developed ‘combat rations’, which usually come in a specialised rectangular package.

-

—— The Plains of Strange Cliffs, the Food Stockpile

Grass blowing

Aide-de-Camp: “How is it?”

Dual Swordsman of Beasts: “Oh. I see it…… Lots of lights. Security must be tight.”

Javelinman of Beasts: “This is already our fourth attack, they’ve surely beefed up the security.”

Pikeman of Beasts: “Mmm.”

Aide-de-Camp: “Seems like we won’t be able to settle this with a surprise attack.”

Dual Swordsman of Beasts: “A surprise attack alone would be boring anyway.”

Javelinman of Beasts: “The real battle begins now.”

Aide-de-Camp: (Hopefully this goes well. The numbers seem to have gone down by at least a thousand. In surprise attacks, muskets are somewhat useless, since they don’t have time to form up. Seeing that the supply situation has no chance of letting up, some of the soldiers are leaving…… However, the only way we can relieve the siege is to actually destroy the store.”

Dual Swordsman of Beasts: “Commander.”

Aide-de-Camp: “Yeah.”

Dual Swordsman of Beasts: “I know you want to do this safely, but we are elite Tribesmen of Beasts. We were part of that expedition led by the Silver Tiger Lord to the Human World and back. Let us go.”

Javelinman of Beasts: “That’s right. Our spears won’t lose out to those muskets.”

Pikeman of Beasts: “Our thousands of lives beyond to the Silver Tiger Lord. We cannot lose! There is no way!”

Aide-de-Camp: “……”

Dual Swordsman of Beasts: “Even if you hesitate, will you have another way?”

Aide-de-Camp: “I understand. Let’s go with the surprise attack. Spread out as far as possible and get close to the stockpile using the Triple Sun Moon formation. Take out the musketeers.”

Beast: “Got it!”

Aide-de-Camp: “Alright, let’s go! Attack!”

Dual Swordsman of Beasts: “Got it!”

Javelinman of Beasts: “Show them the power of the Beasts!”

Pikeman of Beasts: “And the power of our souls!”

- The Plains of Strange Cliffs, a Shrubby Area Near the Stockpile

The Female Paladin: “Calm down. The enemy have yet to sense our presence.”

Rifleman: “Yes!”

The Female Paladin: “Continue to observe the lights through the telescope. Do not forget to warn our partners. Snipers and knights must operate in two-man teams. Spearmen stick to the rear, and remember that our enemy is a fully fledged army. Aim for their commanders and clergymen first! After that, follow your orders and take out all threats.”

Rifleman: “Understood!”

Knight of the Lake: “Standing by the bonfire to your right!”

The Female Paladin: “Take him down.”

Rifleman: “On it.”

Bang!

Knight of the Lake: “Target down. Next target.”

The Female Paladin: “Pretty good accuracy.”

The Butler: “Nyohohohohoho. I taught them personally.”

The Female Paladin: “Yeah stop that.”

The Butler: “Hohohohohoho. Then I’ll do a bit too.”

The Female Paladin: “What?”

The Butler: “To help minimise the casualties of our Demon friends over there, I’ll just make some mischief.”

The Female Paladin: “Will you be fine alone, you old pervert?”

The Butler: “Whatever do you mean!?”

The Female Paladin: “No, until you actually see the panties, you’re just a guy with an active imagination…… shall I go with you?”

The Butler: “No, no. If you come on this mission, it’ll be inconvenient to direct fire, right? I can easily carry out these clandestine operations. Leave it to me!”

The Female Paladin: “…… Hmph. Alright. Let’s advance and take down those musketeers, move out! Knights, mount up!”

- The Inferno Mountains, the Temple of Rubies, Allocated Offices

Flip flip

Shrewd Accountant: “Numbers 15 to 42 are concerning wheat.”

Middle Aged Merchant: “Wheat confirmed.”

Union Employee: “All done here too.”

Shrewd Accountant: “Doesn’t seem like we’re missing anything.”

Union Employee: “Shall I bring some tea?”

Shrewd Accountant: “Please.”

Middle Aged Merchant: “The City is in a fierce battle right now.”

Shrewd Accountant: “Indeed.”

Middle Aged Merchant: “We can manage the resources of the warehouse like this. I hope the Disciple Engineer and his craftsmen are alright.”

Shrewd Accountant: “This is important work as well.”

Middle Aged Merchant: “I know…… But even so, what’s with this amount? Did the Union really have so much resources in the City of the Gate? How did we manage to secure all this stuff?”

Shrewd Accountant: “These are the personal financial assets of the Fire Dragon Lady.”

Middle Aged Merchant: “Personal financial assets!? Don’t say such stupid things. This is an absurd amount of wheat. This is the first time I’ve ever seen such a huge amount of wheat in the Surface World. This amount would be unrivalled even in the Holy Empire, does the Demon World even have the ability to produce this much wheat?”

Young Merchant: “It’s been a while.”

Middle Aged Merchant: “You surprised me! Are you alright? What are you doing here?”

Shrewd Accountant: “Councillor! When did you arrive!?”

Young Merchant: “I just did, with the help of a teleportation seal. However, the process was unbearably painful. To do such a thing regularly…… the Hero is truly something else.”

Fire Dragon Lady: “It takes the effort of two people.”

Middle Aged Merchant: “Your Excellency.”

Shrewd Accountant: “Have you come here to seek refuge?”

Young Merchant: “No, that’s hardly necessary is it?”

Fire Dragon Lady: “It’s necessary.”

Young Merchant: “The three of us can talk here amicably.”

Fire Dragon Lady: “We do not have the luxury of time.”

Middle Aged Merchant: “What do you mean?”

Shrewd Accountant: “Well.”

Fire Dragon Lady: “The two of you come with me.”

Young Merchant: “……”

Middle Aged Merchant: “That line of sight suggests something is wrong.”

Shrewd Accountant: “Yeah.”

Middle Aged Merchant: “You seem to have bad hobbies.”

Shrewd Accountant: “She keeps telling us to follow her, like an unstoppable force. We have to take advantage of the situation and show all future Councilmen how it’s fone.”

Middle Aged Merchant: “That’s certainly true.”

Shrewd Accountant: “The road is long and arduous, but we are merchants after all.”

Middle Aged Merchant: “No doubt about that.”

- The Inferno Mountains, the Temple of Rubies, the House of the Lord

Fire Dragon Lady: “Father!”

Fire Dragon Lord: “Mmm, if it isn’t my little cherry blossom horns. How boisterous. You have not been home in a while.”

Shrewd Accountant: “What’s this ‘little cherry blossom horns’ thing?”

Young Merchant: “Her nickname.”

Middle Aged Merchant: “You’re well informed.”

Young Merchant: “Thank you.”

Fire Dragon Lady: “What’s with the engagement present!?”

Middle Aged Merchant: “Huhhhhh!?”

Shrewd Accountant: “Engagement!?”

Young Merchant: “……”

Fire Dragon Lord: “No, these presents are gifts from the family of some eligible bachelor in noble families who would like to marry you.”

Fire Dragon Lady: “I’ve never heard anything like that!”

Young Merchant: “……”

Fire Dragon Lord: “All that stuff in the warehouse? They are all from some eligible young man.”

Fire Dragon Lady: “I heard that. What I want to ask is why you would do something like that without consulting what I wanted.”

Fire Dragon Lord: “That is something we can solve through discussion.”

Young Merchant: “Ah.”

Middle Aged Merchant: “That was definitely a sign to say ‘get out’, right?”

Shrewd Accountant: “So it would seem.”

Fire Dragon Lady: “What sort of designs do you have, Merchant?”

Young Merchant: “Allow me to explain. This can be termed a high level political manoeuvre known as an advance investment, or rather a self-defence tactic designed to protect our options.”

Fire Dragon Lady: “Did you send the presents?”

Young Merchant: “Yes I did. That’s what it is.”

Fire Dragon Lady: “You want to marry me?”

Middle Aged Merchant: “How very straightforward.”

Shrewd Accountant: “She’s a lady after all.”

Young Merchant: “No, it’s not that sort of thing.”

Fire Dragon Lady: “So you have no intention of marrying me at all?”

Young Merchant: “That really puts me in a spot. The future is a wide open expense. I have no intention of narrowing it under some constrained agreement.”

Fire Dragon Lady: “Are you intending to feign ignorance now?”

Young Merchant: “Not at all. I am truly your business partner.”

Fire Dragon Lady: “You have shown me that your unclear methods are the weapons of merchants.”

Young Merchant: “It is for expediency.”

Shrewd Accountant: “He did say something to that extent, though.”

Middle Aged Merchant: “Whether as a man or as a merchant, this is something I will never get used to seeing.”

Fire Dragon Lady: “I understand,”

Young Merchant: “I thank you if you do.”

Fire Dragon Lady: “Just my father and these two people are insufficient witnesses.”

Young Merchant: “I didn’t say anything of the sort. Why did you even suggest that I wanted to marry you in the first place! In our negotiations to save the City of the Gate, I told you that as merchants we do not have military might, but I would be able to compensate you with something equivalent. How did that get twisted into this? I don’t understand.”

Fire Dragon Lady: “After all that, you’re just trying to escape now.”

Young Merchant: “I am not escaping.”

Fire Dragon Lady: “Then save the City of the Gate.”

Young Merchant: “I am just a merchant.”

Fire Dragon Lady: “No. The Demon King.”

Shrewd Accountant: “What?”

Fire Dragon Lady: “I tried to make an arrangement with the Black Knight, promising him happiness…… But I was rejected. The Black Knight…… is the Demon King’s person.”

Young Merchant: “I know that. IS that something you’ve just noticed?”

Fire Dragon Lady: “Which is why I have to be happy. I need to be with a good man, someone even better than the Black Knight…… I want to make him regret and cry. If the Black Knight is the Hero, then my significant other is the Demon King. Otherwise, that would be against our contract.”

Middle Aged Merchant: “What a strange thing to say.”

Shrewd Accountant: “Where is the link?”

Fire Dragon Lord: “Hahahaha. I would also like to marry my daughter to such a formidable person.”

Young Merchant: “What exactly are you two people saying!?”

Fire Dragon Lord: “If the Young Merchant is willing to become the Demon King, we will cease to pursue this matter.”

Middle Aged Merchant: “Hey, hey.”

Shrewd Accountant: “This is the first time I’ve ever seen him so cornered.”

Fire Dragon Lady: “How do you feel?”

Young Merchant: “Just what is going on? Don’t twist the facts now. Why do I have to become the Demon King!?”

Fire Dragon Lady: “As the Demon King, you would be able to make me happy and also save the City.”

Young Merchant: “Just what are you saying!? I am at heart just a merchant. I won’t say I have no intention to save the City, but I don’t have that duty.”

Fire Dragon Lady: “I love the City.”

Young Merchant: “You’ve said that before.”

Fire Dragon Lady: “No matter how this conversation goes, we will return to the City together and continue our lives.”

Young Merchant: “…… Why?”

Fire Dragon Lady: “You promised to help.”

Young Merchant: “-“

Fire Dragon Lady: “You said you would help even ‘without any reward’”.

Young Merchant: “That’s……”

Fire Dragon Lady: “You promised.”

Young Merchant: “……”

Fire Dragon Lady: “You promised.”

Young Merchant: “…… That is, what do you mean?”

Fire Dragon Lady: “Yes. I made a promise too. Without any rewards, I will you be your partner, and we will be together through our lives.”

Young Merchant: “A life is a rather long time, isn’t it?”

Fire Dragon Lady: “That length is what makes me happy.”

Young Merchant: “I don’t even know what I would do after I go, you know?”

Fire Dragon Lady: “No, no matter how dark things get, you can still find the stars, right?”

Young Merchant: “……”

Fire Dragon Lady: “I believe in you.”

Young Merchant: “Ahhh…… This is difficult.”

Fire Dragon Lady: “Honey.”

Young Merchant: “Fine. Demon King or whatever, I’ll do it. But just don’t go overboard with this game. I may bear the name of the Demon King, but in reality nothing will change. I don’t have any sort of ability, but if this will really save the City of the Gate, then I’ll go along with it.”

Fire Dragon Lord: “Hahahaha! Who would believe that a man would suddenly take on the mantle of the Demon King in such a random place! Hahaha!”

Fire Dragon Lady: “You understand then. I will be the Hero.”

Young Merchant: “Huh?”

Fire Dragon Lady: “All that’s left to say is that this will be a good starting point for our predestined connection.”

Middle Aged Merchant: “What is she saying?”

Shrewd Accountant: “Hell if I know.”

Fire Dragon Lady: “Please go to the City of the Gate.”

Young Merchant: “If that is necessary, then I will work my limited abilities to their fullest…… It seems that that City has far more importance to that person than it does to me. But for that City, I am not willing to put everything on the line. It is merely because you begged me that I am willing to do this.”

Fire Dragon Lady: “Yes, Merchant. If you still hold any doubts regarding this transaction, then I will continue to entreat you without ‘expectation of reward’”.

Young Merchant: “I believe that would be undesirable.”

Fire Dragon Lady: “Which is precisely why I do it.”

Middle Aged Merchant: “She did it! She’s cornered him!”

Shrewd Accountant: “Why are you so happy?”

Middle Aged Merchant: “I was worried he would never find a girl like this in his entire life.”

Shrewd Accountant: “That’s certainly true.”

Young Merchant: “Geez.”

Fire Dragon Lady: “Father. The Demon King in the City of the Gate intends to settle the war over there. In order to do that, we will have to ask the entire Demon World to do its duty.”

Fire Dragon Lord: “What do you mean?”

Fire Dragon Lady: “Convene the Kurultai — The rights to this are vested solely in the Demon King, but as the Demon King’s regent, her power is vested in you currently. In her place, you can convene the Kurultai.”

Fire Dragon Lord: “The Kurultai?”

Fire Dragon Lady: “That’s right. Call all the Demon Tribes there. In order to settle this conflict, we will require the aid of all the Tribes.”

- The Demon World, Near the Large Portal, the Red Wastes

Lieutenant of Metal: “Report. It will take another day and a half for our rear guard to pass through the Great Portal.”

Disciple Soldier: “Alright, give orders for the vanguard to advance.”

Lieutenant of Metal: “Understood.”

Iron Fist King: “How are things?”

Disciple Soldier: “In one or two days our forces will have passed through the Great Portal.”

Iron Fist King: “Amazing. It’s only been a week since we decided we would move out.”

Disciple Soldier: “This is all thanks to the combined effort of the Southern Alliance.”

Lieutenant of Metal: “Indeed.”

Lone Winter King: “This gear is all very warm.”

Fairy Attendant: “It is warm.”

Seneschal: “The Disciple Merchant is the one who prepared all the winter gear.”

Lone Winter King: “What an ingenious young man. Hahahaha.”

Disciple Soldier: “…… It was as she predicted.”

Iron Fist King: “What do you mean?”

Disciple Soldier: “It is not just those of us on the frontline who are fighting this war.”

Lone Winter King: “…… Yeah.”

Iron Fist King: “However, while our equipment might be good, our food stocks are quite little.”

Seneschal: “Yeah, will this be enough for a week?”

Lone Winter King: “We were on a tight deadline.”

Disciple Soldier: “This will be enough. It is within our plan.”

Lone Winter King: “Is that so?”

Disciple Soldier: “If we had more rations, I would be more at ease, but that would slow down our campaign speed. All our movements must necessarily consider the speed of our logistics group. In this campaign, our supply lines are operating practically independently.”

Iron Fist King: “What strong will.”

Disciple Soldier: “If possible, I would like to do this without any logistics units at all. But with regards to that, I would rather be reliable.”

Iron Fist King: “Really? We’re counting on you then.”

Lone Winter King: “We have 300,000 Alliance soldiers here!?”

Disciple Soldier: “Somehow we do. And all at the same time. Nonetheless, I’m not certain we can achieve a total victory.”

Iron Fist King: “Umm……”

Seneschal: “The muskets are truly unbeatable.”

Disciple Soldier: “A volley of musket fire cannot be withstood by infantry or cavalry. Of course, no matter how what sort of tactics we use, there will be a level of sacrifice we have to accept. To the extent that I am a frontline commander, I am willing to use any methods to achieve a victory in the big picture. There will be enemies we can win with tactics. If we waste too much time, we will not be able to achieve victory in this battle. Winning this battle will mean winning the grand scheme. I fear, my teacher……”

Iron Fist King: “?”

Disciple Soldier: “No, nothing. This is my responsibility. I would forget it…… If we are to lose, we must escape.”

Iron Fist King: “I have never considered losing.”

Fairy Attendant: “Let us hurry.”

Disciple Soldier: “Madam Attendant, in that case, I will explain the terrain to you.”

Fairy Attendant: “Yes.”

- The Plains of Strange Cliffs, Brothers-in-Arms of the Holy Order of the Lake

Aide-de-Camp: “So the reinforcements from the Southern Alliance are headed this way?”

Butler: “That would be correct, Aide-de-Camp.”

The Female Paladin: “They are coming, and there’s another message.”

Aide-de-Camp: “Another message?”

The Female Paladin: “’I’m coming to save the Demon World, so get your sheet together before I come.’”

Aide-de-Camp: (!? Isn’t this person the hero of the South, the Female Paladin!? My commander is somebody, but just why is she here!?)

Dual Swordsman of Beasts: “In any case, we are grateful. Thank you.”

The Female Paladin: “Why is the Aide-de-Camp here?”

Aide-de-Camp: “Yes. I will begin from the beginning. Yesterday, or rather a week ago, an allied army of the Tribe of Fiends and the Tribe of Banshees engaged the Holy Crusaders in a pitched battle at the field in front of the City of the Gate. Against a Crusader vanguard of 150,000 soldiers, the Demon Army of 60,000 was…… annihilated.”

The Female Paladin: “Annihilated……”

Aide-de-Camp: “The Demon Army suffered many casualties from the muskets of the Holy Crusaders. The firepower of the muskets is to be feared. We completely underestimated the strength of the opponent and as we were about to be completely wiped out, reinforcements appeared.”

Butler: “The army sent to the Surface World……”

Aide-de-Camp: “That’s right. The Demon King; the General-of-the-Right, the Silver Tiger Lord; and the General-of-the-Left, our commander the East Fortress Base Commander appeared, and enabled us to withdraw effectively. However, even with the appearance of the reinforcements, the Crusaders pursued us aggressively and the Silver Tiger Lord perished shielding the Demon King from gunfire. This was a huge loss to our remaining forces.”

Butler: “The Silver Tiger Lord……”

Paladin of the Lake: “I have heard he was a brave general.”

The Female Paladin: “I understand the situation.”

Aide-de-Camp: “I am here on orders of our Commander. My orders were to command the remaining 1500 soldiers of the Silver Tiger Lord’s elite Demon Army as it retreats from the battle away from the City and launch sallies from the City of the Gate. The enemy forces are immense and currently have the City entirely surrounded. Attempting to break out of the siege with our small forces would be impossible at this stage. Having observed that, our Commander issued emergency instructions for me to command this expeditionary force without supervision. Our mission is now to disrupt the supply lines of the Holy Crusaders.”

The Female Paladin: “I see…… A commander able to make such a sharp decision must be a famous one.”

Butler: “He was a famous mercenary known as ‘The Hawk of the Plains’.”

Aide-de-Camp: “However, it seems we are still too little. This battle of attrition is not something we can win. We thank you for your help.”

The Female Paladin: “No, we had yet to ascertain the situation. It is us who should thank you.”

Aide-de-Camp: “…… What are those weapons?”

The Female Paladin: “They are called Rifles*. They’re an improvement on the muskets. They fire greased rounds through a thread. Just by range alone, they outperform muskets by three times.”

Aide-de-Camp: “Three times!?”

The Female Paladin: “They take longer to reload and are far more delicate, however. And we only have 50 of them. However, our opponents are not used to the battlefield. If we are able to take out their commanders, they will lose command discipline and probably fall into a panic. For these purposes, this is a very useful weapon.”

Butler: “Also, we have the Paladins of the Lake.”

Paladin of the Lake: “We are the Paladins of the Holy Order of the Lake. We follow our leader, the Female Paladin wherever we are required.”

Aide-de-Camp: “These are the Soldiers of Beasts. The remnants of the Silver Tiger Lord’s elite army.”

Dual Swordsman of Beasts: “Nice to meet you, Female Paladin.”

The Female Paladin: “But, even if we combined forces, we still have less than four thousand men.”

Butler: “I’m afraid attempting to retake the City of the Gate with such numbers is farfetched.”

Paladin of the Lake: “Indeed.”

The Female Paladin: “What is the status of the Holy Crusaders? What are their casualties like? Who are their commanders and what is their equipment?”

Aide-de-Camp: “Their commanders are merciless. We said this before, but their vanguard consists of 150,000 troops.”

The Female Paladin: “Oh? So few?”

Aide-de-Camp: “Of course, they had more units when we have attacked, but they mostly seem to be on a separate assignment”

The Female Paladin: “Separate assignment? What of their configuration and commanders?”

Aide-de-Camp: “Their commander is the Crown Prince Marshal, and they have 50,000 men with them. However, we have not engaged them, so we can’t be entirely certain.”

Dual Swordsman of Beasts: “However, based on our Field Intelligence*, it appears that these are their most elite units.”

Butler: “…… Hmm. Actually, there is an army which entered the Demon World earlier than we did.”

Aide-de-Camp: “Oh?”

The Female Paladin: “Oh, that’s right.”

Butler: “A hundred mercenaries commanded by the Disciple Nobleman from the Kingdom of Ice and the Elder Sister Maid.”

Aide-de-Camp: “A hundred?”

The Female Paladin: “Very few, but they have a very powerful weapon.”

Dual Swordsman of Beasts: “What is that about?”

The Female Paladin: “Time. They came two months earlier than us. They entered the Demon World even earlier than the Holy Crusaders and began their operations at that time. When it comes to information and intelligence, they have even more than the Crusaders as well.”

Butler: “If we can make contact with my undercover units, then we’ll know more.”

Paladin of the Lake: “However…… entering the City of the Gate will be very difficult.”

Aide-de-Camp: “Yes, we haven’t had the ability to confirm it for some time, but I fear the City of the Gate is presently facing a ferocious bombardment. The fortifications of the City of the Gate were hastily constructed, and I wonder how much longer it can hold.”

Dual Swordsman of Beasts: “…… Every second counts now.”

The Female Paladin: “Don’t worry.”

Aide-de-Camp: “Eh?”

The Female Paladin: “If the Demon King succeeded in breaching the encirclement and entering the City, there’s no chance she would let it fall so easily. I believe the City of the Gate is still safe now, we have to focus on our mission.”

Aide-de-Camp: (So that’s the face of a saviour of the world……)

The Female Paladin: “Alright, Aide-de-Camp. Take your men and destroy that supply depot. To cut off their reinforcements, we will need to destroy another four of their depots.”

--

Explanation

Rifle: Rifles differ from muskets in that they have threads (like a reverse screw) in their barrels. This causes the bullet to spin as it exits from the muzzle, making it travel straighter. For this reason, rifles have further range compared to muskets.

Field Intelligence: Scouts are soldiers too, operating ahead of the army in order to obtain intelligence. As they operate within the enemy’s field of influence, it is a particularly dangerous assignment. However, without their information, armies operate at a severe disadvantage.

-

———— The Demon World, the Crimson Field

Disciple Soldier: “This place is completely barren.”

Lieutenant of Metal: “Indeed.”

Metal Fist King: “The Crusaders seem to have gathered them all for their supplies.”

Lone Winter King: “They’re attacking deep into enemy territory. They can’t possibly hope to safely maintain intermediate ground like this. This is an established tactic they’re playing completely by the book.”

Metal Fist King: “If they come across us here, they’ll completely see us as enemies.”

Disciple Soldier: “Of course they will. What would you do if you noticed that your rivals you’ve been calling heretics entered your rear carrying weapons? Probably run.”

Lieutenant of Metal: “We are far less than the Crusaders, however, we have 30,000 soldiers. There may be garrison forces deployed to guard the rations, but they surely wouldn’t be our enemies.”

Lone Winter King: “Scouts, what are their forces like?”

Scout of Winter: “300 caravans. A garrison force of at least 2000.”

Disciple Soldier: “Well, as we expected.”

Lieutenant of Metal: “2000? What a pity.”

Metal Fist King: “What should we do?”

Lieutenant of Metal: “Ah. Sorry. If we take down even a few enemies, we can be more at ease later.”

Lone Winter King: “It’s not that I don’t understand how you feel but, 2000 soldiers and 30,000 soldiers move at vastly different speeds. It won’t be easy to chase them down.”

Fairy Attendant: “The Crusaders? Where have they gone?”

Disciple Soldier: “It appears they wish to link up with their main forces.”

Lieutenant of Metal: “The main forces are still up ahead, right?”

Fairy Attendant: “At the City of the Gate?”

Disciple Soldier: “So it would appear.”

Fairy Attendant: “If we continue heading straight this way, we’ll arrive at the city ruled by the Demon King.”

————— The Demon World, the Plains of White Clovers

The Hero: “This is a beautiful place.”

Elder Sister Maid: “Yes, indeed. Clovers as far as the eye can see.”

The Hero: “Most of the Demon World is wasteland, but it’s amazing to be able to find such a place.”

Elder Sister Maid: “You have spent a long time adventuring in the Subterranean World, right?”

The Hero: “Adventure, adventure. Yeah, I’ve travelled for a long time.”

Elder Sister Maid: “Yes.”

The Hero: “I’ve been here before. With the Female Paladin, the Butler, and the Mage. We’ve been here, we’ve been there…… What was it? Oh yeah. We followed the seven stone roads to the ancient labyrinth too.”

Elder Sister Maid: “Is that so?”

The Hero: “Well, it was one of the Demon Army’s supply grounds. Now that I think about it, that’s probably being used by the Church right now.”

Elder Sister Maid: “……”

The Hero: “I’ve somehow gotten quite familiar with the terrain.”

Elder Sister Maid: “That’s helpful.”

The Hero: “Is this the Inferno Mountains?”

Elder Sister Maid: “Yes. We have to make an audience with the Fire Dragon Lord.”

The Hero: “I’ve met that old guy. Aren’t you scared of him?”

Elder Sister Maid: “Not at all, he was a nice person.”

The Hero: “Really!?”

Elder Sister Maid: “Yes, indeed.”

The Hero: “I fought him for three days before he agreed to negotiate, but……”

Elder Sister Maid: “A formidable opponent, then.”

The Hero: “Of course. But you seem to have had an easy time with him.”

Elder Sister Maid: “That’s not true. I had to do my very most as well.”

Elder Sister Maid: “……”

The Hero: “-“

Elder Sister Maid: “Does this make you unhappy?”

The Hero: “What?”

Elder Sister Maid: “No, I mean, the fact that I’m acting in your name.”

The Hero: “Oh, I was surprised, but it was interesting.”

Elder Sister Maid: “Yes. Umm……”

The Hero: “……”

Elder Sister Maid: “It’s fine if there’s more than one Hero.”

The Hero: “Eh?”

Elder Sister Maid: “You said this a long time ago. It’s fine if there’s more than one Church. And then the Holy Order of the Lake was accepted as the official church of the Kingdom of Winter.”

The Hero: “Yes. Indeed.”

Elder Sister Maid: “Then, I got to thinking. What if there’s more than one Hero…… Sorry. I don’t really know what I’m saying.”

The Hero: “You want the power of the Hero?”

Elder Sister Maid: “No…… I want the pain.”

The Hero: “……”

Elder Sister Maid: “I cannot carry as much as you or the Mistress can…… I cannot bleed as much blood as you can. But to the extent that we can, we too can bear some of your burden. Do you not bear this burden on our behalf…… We cannot see it with our eyes, but we know it to be true, we know you bear much of our sins.”

The Hero: “……”

Elder Sister Maid: “The Mistress and the Hero are kind people. It worries me that you would probably be willing to bear more than you can. On that winter night, in that freezing house, despite the fact that we had nothing to offer you, you saved us sisters. In the same way, we know you act to save the world. Because it’s the two of you, it feels like something which would happen naturally. It’s natural that you would consider this of the highest importance, that you would forget about the gratitude you are owed, and act to save the world - That we cannot become such people, is something worrying.”

The Hero: “……”

Elder Sister Maid: “Because both you and the Mistress are used to blood flow.”

The Hero: “That’s not true.”

Elder Sister Maid: “I want to confirm this. And become the Hero. As the Hero, just how much pain will I have to bear? Just how much fear will I have to endure?”

The Hero: “……”

Elder Sister Maid: “My knees become wobbly. My throat dries up and becomes hoarse. My body refuses to move and feels numb as wood, my ears are filled with the throbbing noise of my own heartbeat. My head feels hot and floating, but my vision only remains clear. I see the unhappy faces and I hear the groans of the people. My hands, rolled into a ball, are slick with sweat. Hahaha. It’s probably very uncool. It’s funny and cowardly…… I don’t want to go. But I understand.”

The Hero: “I could see that you’ve become used to public speaking, though.”

Elder Sister Maid: “Well, that’s true. Though it still feels like I’m going to my own funeral every time.”

Elder Sister Maid: “Please don’t stop.”

The Hero: “……”

Elder Sister Maid: “As long as there’s a chance, I will gamble. I even managed to do something as reckless as this. Because we are free…… Unbound, the happiness we pursue is somewhere in this world. But, we cannot just be birds who fly aimlessly, we are to fly in search of tomorrow. We fly to know who we are.”

The Hero: “Yes.”

Elder Sister Maid: “For that reason, if blood is necessary, then we must never allow it. Even if my opponent is the Hero, or the Mistress. Peace must be our goal.”

The Hero: “……”

Elder Sister Maid: “The Crown Prince Marshal appears to understand. Though that person probably will pay for this with blood.”

The Hero: “Indeed.”

Elder Sister Maid: “Hopefully the day will come, where everyone will know the truth.”

- The Plains of Strange Cliffs, the Holy Order of the Lake

“N, no way!?”

“Where are we being attacked from?”

“There’s no enemy!”

“This is the end!”

Paladin of the Lake: “There is chaos ahead.”

Aide-de-Camp: “They have lost all semblance of command.”

The Female Paladin: “Aide-de-Camp? Can I entrust the Reserves* to you?”

Aide-de-Camp: “Acknowledged.”

The Female Paladin: “Brave soldiers of Beasts! Attack! Paladins follow!”

Dual Swordsman of Beasts: “Ohhhhhh!”

Paladin of the Lake: “For the Female Paladin!”

Aide-de-Camp: “What incredible speed.”

Butler: “Nyohohoho. That’s her style.”

Aide-de-Camp: “Alright, it’s time for us to go too.”

Butler: “Let’s go.”

Aide-de-Camp: “Snipers! Change positions, we’re going to the hill on the right. Guard Paladins keep watch all around. Be especially careful of flanking attacks. Gunpowder supplies must remain well-guarded!”

Butler: “The Aide-de-Camp is quite meticulous in his command.”

Aide-de-Camp: “I have learnt from the Commander. But just a bit here and there.”

Butler: “Nyohohoho. It’s very good.”

Aide-de-Camp: “Make every shot count! If you can take out any of their command team, do it.”

Riflemen: “Understood!”

Butler: “With this, their formation will fall.”

Aide-de-Camp: “Yes……”

Butler: “Still worried?”

The Female Paladin: “Follow me! The enemy is on the retreat! Their offence is useless now!”

Aide-de-Camp: “What superior skill. Compared to our earlier attacks, this was planned much quicker, takes much less time, incurs far less casualties, and is just so much faster. But……”

Butler: “It’s all very rushed.”

Aide-de-Camp: “Yes.”

Butler: “It’ll soon be over. Just two more.”

Aide-de-Camp: “But even if we take down two more, can this army even -”

Butler: “That’s right.”

Aide-de-Camp: “?”

Butler: “It seems that the Holy Crusaders are creaking as well. Isn’t it odd that the Commander-in-Chief has left his army? The City of the Gate, is, to the Holy Crusaders, a massive treasure. With the treasure just ahead of him, why would the Crown Prince Marshal leave his army? Is that something that even seems possible?”

Aide-de-Camp: “The Crown Prince Marshal……”

Butler: “If he was around, this encirclement would surely seem more hopeless.”

Aide-de-Camp: “Is that so?”

Butler: “Now that the enemy commander is of such high calibre, would it not be unreasonable to come now?”

Aide-de-Camp: “Is there some sort of trap?”

Butler: “What do you mean trap?”

Aide-de-Camp: “Would he really bring his army into such a dangerous place and advance against the City without any sort of plan or strategy?”

Butler: “Nah.”

Aide-de-Camp: “Really?”

Butler: “Relying on strategies is basically the way of the weaker party. If you have an army larger than the enemy’s, you just follow formations, counter the enemy, and win like you are supposed to*. As far as I know, the Crown Prince Marshal has such a character. He has not changed from so long ago.”

Aide-de-Camp: (…… Did you know him?)

Butler: “That’s what he showed in this expedition too. He assembled a massive army, smashed our allied formations, and appointed capable generals. A truly royal strategy. If the Crown Prince Marshal leaves from his army, he must have something he’s aiming for, but something must be going on within the Crusaders as well.”

Aide-de-Camp: “…… How well-informed.”

Butler: “Nyohohohoho. Well, I just thought of something from my past.”

--

Explanation

Reserves: An army unit stationed in the rear for the purposes of maintaining the rear guard and to wait for favourable opportunities to strike. In the event of victory, they can be deployed to chase down enemy forces; in times of trouble, they can bolster frontline forces; in the event of the defeat, they can be deployed to cover units as they retreat; in addition to all manners of flexible tasks. They do not even have to join the frontline, but can navigate to the flank of the enemy and destroy the frontlines from the side.

Win like you’re supposed to: Creating the correct conditions for victory to become certain is the foremost strategy in any war. Only when one is unable to create such conditions, thinking of miraculous strategies is only the second-best strategy.

-

————— Fourteen Years Ago, the Summer, a Certain Lord’s Manor, the Hall

Rich Nobleman: “Hoho, look who it is!”

Rich Noblewoman: “He really looks like a hero.”

Noblewoman: “What cute black hair, little hero.”

The Hero: “Ehehe.”

Wise Sage: “What are you laughing about. How ugly.”

The Hero: “S, shut up.”

Wise Sage: “Naive.” slap

The Hero: “Oww!”

Rich Nobleman: “Sage, please do not scold him so much.”

Rich Noblewoman: “That’s right. The Hero is a symbol of peace and prosperity. The guardian of the world.”

Rich Nobleman: “He can use all 24 Chants at such a young age.”

The Hero: “Ahem!”

Rich Noblewoman: “How amazing. On top of that, I hear his swordsmanship skills are on par with that of an Imperial Centurion.”

Noblewoman: “What a strong Hero.”

Wise Sage: “Strength and weakness is not decided by skills alone. This Hero has yet to see enough. Until he understands the meaning of helping people, he will always be blue in the ass*.”

The Hero: “Mmm.”

Noblewoman: “Of course not!”

The Hero: “Yeah! I’m already doing my best!”

Rich Nobleman: “Hahaha. Really, Hero?”

The Hero: “Yes?”

Rich Nobleman: “Why don’t we go look at the armoury? We have a rich history in these parts. Maybe we don’t have Heroes, but we do have some legendary weapons used by famous swordsmen.”

Rich Noblewoman: “Oh right, we do.”

The Hero: “Can I go, Grandp…… Wise Sage?”

Wise Sage: “Well, yeah, fine.”

The Hero: “I want to go!”

Rich Nobleman: “Then, the servants will take you.”

Servant: “Haha, this way, Hero.”

The Hero: “Thank you!”

Rich Nobleman: “Mmm, that young man……”

Wise Sage: “That’s right.”

Rich Nobleman: “How is he?”

Wise Sage: “Truly a Hero. Quite possibly the most upright and powerful young man in history. However, he will require more time.”

Rich Nobleman: “We have no time. I’m sure you have heard, Wise Sage? The Church’s magi and top ranking sorcerers have all announced it. A new Demon King has arisen. We cannot waste a single moment in dispatching the Hero.”

Wise Sage: “He is still a child.”

Rich Nobleman: “He may be a child, but with the 24 Chants and unparalleled swordsmanship. He has enough power as a Hero. If he goes out just a single moment earlier…… Just when will we come under threat from the Demons?”

Wise Sage: “I do believe it may be better when it comes to it.”

Rich Nobleman: “What!”

Wise Sage: “The Hero has to become the Hero…… In the end, we can help him, but this is the conclusion. The blessings of the Hero. It is not a right from heaven. As long as he cannot realise this, we are not worth his saving.”

--

Explanation

Blue in the ass: This refers to a blue birthmark commonly present on the buttocks of children. It occurs predominantly in Asians, especially Mongols and Japanese. It does occur on occasion for White and Black people. However, it is so prevalent in Japan that it has essentially become a proverb.

-

————— Fourteen Years Ago, the Summer, a Certain Lord’s Manor, the Armoury

The Hero: “Wow, amazing! Splendid!”

The Hero: “This is nice. This is nice. This is really nice.”

The Hero: “This is all so amazing. Except this armour is rather big. I can wield these words though. Oh! This sword has magical power.”

Lightning explodes across the room

The Hero: “Amazing! It’s just running around! It makes sounds too! And light!”

Nobleman’s Daughter: “Hey, hey.”

Nobleman’s Son: “What.”

The Hero: “Eh?”

Nobleman’s Son gasps

The Hero: “Hello?”

Nobleman’s Son: “Are you the Hero?”

Nobleman’s Daughter: “You’re the Hero?”

The Hero: “Yes, you’re from this house?”

Nobleman’s Son: “That’s right, I’m his son. I’m something special.”

Nobleman’s Daughter: “I’ll be a lady.”

The Hero: “Is that so. I’m the Hero. Nice to meet you.”

Nobleman’s Son: “Hmph.”

Nobleman’s Daughter: “I hear the Hero is invincible. Really?”

The Hero: “Umm. I’m kind of strong.”

Nobleman’s Son: “Really?”

The Hero: “Eh?”

Nobleman’s Son: “Look over there.”

The Hero: “Okay.”

Clash!

Nobleman’s Son: “Wow! It’s real!”

Nobleman’s Daughter: “Amazing!”

The Hero: “Ow! What did you do?”

Nobleman’s Son: “The sword broke!”

Nobleman’s Daughter: “It’s true!”

The Hero: “What are you doing?”

Nobleman’s Son: “Don’t get angry. Look, you’re not hurt at all.”

Nobleman’s Daughter: “Are you made of steel?”

The Hero: “No, it really hurts.”

Nobleman’s Son: “You didn’t even bleed.” Clink!

The Hero: “Oww!”

Nobleman’s Son: “Amazing! It made a clink sound!”

Nobleman’s Daughter: “Really? Really?”

The Hero: “Why are you hurting me?”

Nobleman’s Son: “It’s training. Soldiers do it right?”

The Hero: “I’m not a soldier.”

Nobleman’s Son: “You’re a soldier right, my father said so.”

The Hero: “No, I’m the Hero.”

Nobleman’s Son: “Right you don’t even need to be paid, it’s really convenient.”

Nobleman’s Daughter: “Eh?”

The Hero: “…… That’s wrong.”

Nobleman’s Son: “Hmph. Boring.”

Nobleman’s Daughter: “Must be some sort of country boy. Words don’t get through to him.”

The Hero: “They do.”

Nobleman’s Son: “He said something stupid!”

Nobleman’s Daughter: “Like a pig. Well, no, he’s more adorable than a pig.”

The Hero: “!”

Nobleman’s Son: “I don’t know. Hey, Hero, clean this up. Otherwise it’ll look like you’ve been stealing things.”

Nobleman’s Daughter: “And wear something proper too.”

The Hero: “-!”

Clank!

Nobleman’s Son: “He didn’t even reply. What a weakling.”

Nobleman’s Daughter: “So the Hero is just a country boy.”

The Hero: “……”

The Hero: “……”

The Hero: “Don’t argue with stupid people. That old man always said that. They’re just those sort of people. Damnit! Pieces of sheet!”

The Hero: “Clean up. Tidy up. Okay.”

————— Fourteen Years Ago, the Summer, a Certain Lord’s Manor, a Corridor

The Hero: “The old man has got to be done by now. I’m really hungry.”

The Hero: “But, yes…… we should go back earlier. It’s more fun to train in the forest. The noble children are really noisy and they think they’re something great. What stupid people.”

Noblewoman: “Yes, I met him earlier.”

Young Nobleman: “Hoho.”

Noble Lady: “How was he? The one they call the Hero.”

The Hero: “Ah! It’s that beautiful lady!”

Noblewoman: “He was disgusting. I was shuddering just looking at him. That foppy black hair. He’s supposed to be able to use the 24 Chants at such a young age, right? It’s an incredibly difficult set of spells, even knowing just eight of them can gain you admission to the Magical Academy of the Kingdom of the Lake.”

Young Nobleman: “That is -“

The Hero: “Eh……”

Noblewoman: “He may look like a child, but he’s something else entirely. Inside his head, and those rags he wears, there’s something terrible there.”

Young Nobleman: “Hahaha, you worry too much. He’s nothing more than a weapon at His Imperial Majesty’s disposal.”

Noble Lady: “But I understand.”

Noblewoman: “Yeah. Think about it and you’ll see. He’s the sort of monster who can turn himself to ice one moment, and then to ash another moment, and I was in the same room as that. I was truly fearing for my own life, he could have killed me with a single finger. He may appear tiny, but he’s a monster.”

Young Nobleman: “Indeed.”

Noblewoman: “Then we will have to reconsider our interactions with him.”

The Hero: “-“

Noblewoman: “He jabbers on as if he’s a real human…… I can’t stand it. It drives me insane that we are in the same building.”

Young Nobleman: “Hahaha. I hate this sort of thing too. Shall we have some wine to lighten our spirits? My uncle has brought a lovely vintage from the Vineyards of Branches……”

The Hero: “-“

The Hero: “…… Lalalala. Lalalala. Lalala……”

Wise Sage: “Oho?”

The Hero: “Old man! Are you done? Shall we go home?”

Wise Sage: “Mmm. That’s right. I am tired.”

The Hero: “Me too! The forest is the best after all.”

The Hero: “……”

Wise Sage: “……”

The Hero: “Hey, old man.”

Wise Sage: “What?”

The Hero: “Umm.”

Wise Sage: “Mmm?”

The Hero: “Everyone is…… hoping for something from me?”

Wise Sage: “You’ve noticed that. You’re growing up, young Hero.”

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