Vol 1 Chapter 8 (1/2)
The next day after he decided to become a hero, Kail was yet again thinking in his room.
Of course it was about how to become a hero.
Of course he doesn’t have any other choice than to become one.
Of course he must become a great hero that the populace and even the king can’t ignore.
Of course I don’t think I can become one just because I want to, there aren’t any precise qualifications either.
Only one week ago Kail was the strongest magic swordsman and was exactly the hero he wanted to become.
However it was in a time of war, it can’t become a reference, since it was a special situation.
Also the heroes of the past where heroes for fighting against the demon race.
They only became a hero after stacking up their reputation in the fight against the demon race, of course it won’t be a useful reference for Kail who wants to become a hero in order to fight the demon race.
In this time of fake peace, he was thinking desperately how to become a hero.
“Hey~, got a little time?”
Seran comes in without even knocking.
“Oh, it seems kind of amazing.”
Seran was surprised when he saw the state the room was in.
The desk in front of Kail was a mountain of books, and the surroundings were the same.
All of it was brought from the archive, Seraia’s pride.
There was a wide-range of books, the culture and mythologies of different countries, the folklore of a hero, from knowledge about magic to the ecology of monsters and the history of the demon race, there were many different kinds.
“Today is the first time I’m grateful of my mother’s book addiction. Since the needed knowledge is within my hands’ reach.”
Kail closed the book he was reading.
“And, do you need something from me?”
“Ah, are you really thinking of becoming a hero?”
Seran asks while sitting on the bed.
“Oh, of course. Also as soon as possible.”
For that I have drawn up a plan, Kail says while going to his desk.
“But you know, you can’t become a hero just because you’re saying you will.”
“That’s why I’m thinking so hard….. Don’t you have any good ideas?”
Seran who felt my honesty said.
“Well…. How about joining the army? It’s easy to take credit, also you’ll be able to easily raise your reputation you know.”
That’s no good…. My freedom would be severely limited, and it takes too much time to even join them.
“Or how about becoming a gladiator like mom, you’ll be able to quickly become famous right?”
“Well that’s true but you’ll easily make enemies there. That’s the reason why master came to such a town right?”
“Other than that would be….. Simply put, how about defeating the Demon king?”
“If I could do that I wouldn’t be so troubled.”
Kail makes a big sigh.
“Well I haven’t found out how to become a hero but what someone needs to become one…. Seran, what do you think is needed to become a hero?”
“Well probably…. That’d be strength right?”
The ones who were called heroes in the past all had various kinds of strength and honor.
“No, that’s so obvious it doesn’t have any meaning. What I think is important is; gold, personal connections and luck.”
“Though it’s kind of strange. It’s somehow convincing.”
“Firstly gold, in order to be an ideal hero one must never ask for a reward.”
“Ho, Ho”
“Simply put, for example if there is a certain village. There is a demon attacking the village bringing ruin to it, coincidentally you’re staying at that village. If it was you what would you do?”
“Well if it was a village I stayed at for the first time, I would try and find a cute girl, wouldn’t you?”
“You’re missing the point…. Anyway, you defeat the monster and get offered a reward, not like there’s anything wrong about it.”
Since all the villagers are paying, so in the end your positions are equal. They will thank you but that’s it.
“Then what if you don’t accept the reward? After exterminating the demon you’ll even pay them for the damages saying, “If there’s somebody in trouble it’s only obvious to help.” with a smile then leaving the village.”
“I’d be seriously moved by that. It’s enough for it to be told generation after generation in that village.”
“Actions that seek nothing in return, doesn’t it fit the image of a hero? Unless you posses a giant amount of gold you won’t be able to do this.”
“So that’s why you need gold.”
Seran nodded while saying, I see.
Helping others without reward, however this would be useless with just gold.
For example, charity of n.o.bles and wealthy merchants from time to time, they might be thankful for this but it’s just a pastime with gold, they would be called hypocrites behind their backs.
Even my own actions, exposing my body to danger while saving them.
Of course they would still feel envy, however it’s better than just gold.
“This is the most effective way to gain fame. However doing it too flashy and you’ll end up making enemies.”
“Enemies?”
“Oh, the adventurer kind.”
Adventures, they’re a so-called anything doers.
Carrying luggage, searching for herbs the easy jobs. Also hard jobs like escorting caravans or defeating demons.
You can say that getting rid of these harmful demons is their specialty.