Chapter 64 (1/2)

A few days after leaving the battlefield.

We had arrived in the capital of Grayfield, and were visiting the palace.

Seated on the throne is the King of Grayfield.

He is still young, in his forties, and his eyes are full of power.

”...Is it true what you say? Has the hero betrayed us?”

”I saw it with my own eyes. Sain, the hero, was taken by the demon king to the Dark Kingdom.”

”The person who was supposed to defeat the Demon King has betrayed us!? This is terrible!”

The king pounded his fist on the armrest.

There was a heavy air in the courtroom.

To my knowledge, there has never been a hero throughout history who has allied himself with the Demon King.

Maybe there was, and they have been erased from history, but what is certain is that there has been no betrayal by a hero in the last five hundred years.

I have already informed King Armand with a message scroll.

As soon as possible, King Barseille will receive the news of Sain's betrayal.

”This makes the situation very complicated. There is no other hero possessing a sacred weapon at the moment. Also, we don't have enough troops to defeat the demon king. Maybe if we had a little more time...”

”One thing at a time. This is a war we cannot afford to lose. Both the demon king and the hero have become our enemies, they must be defeated.”

”Hmm, your former lover and best friend - are you sure you're ready to kill them?”

”Yes.”

I answered bluntly.

Honestly, it's not for the good of the world or for peace or anything like that.

This is entirely a personal grudge.

Sain, who played with Nei and Soara's minds and feelings.

And Lisa, who murdered my parents.

I simply cannot forgive those two.

I have to solve this with my own hands.

”Very well. Then I give you the title of hero.”

” ....Eh?”

I didn't understand what he meant, I could only make a silly face.

Am I the new hero?

What's this, a new joke?

”But it will be Armand who will be in charge of awarding that title. What we need now is for you to take the hero's seat as soon as possible. I would also like to make it public that you were the hero destined to defeat the demon king from the start.”

”Wait! I'm not the hero!”

”The morale of nations is at stake. If it is known that the hero has betrayed us, pessimism and panic will become widespread. I would like you to take on this role to keep hope alive.”

Wait a moment. Don't just make such sudden decisions.

I do not agree with this.

I will agree to take it upon myself to assassinate the demon king and the hero, but I don't want to be one.

Once I do, I will be the center of attention at all times until the day you die.

As I have said many times, I don't like to stand out.

I don't want that title.

”From the sounds of it, you're having a hard time accepting it.”

”Of course. I'm sorry, but I don't want to be the hero.”

”I think being a hero is a great honor, you will make a name for yourself in the history of the world. But I would like to know why you are not satisfied.”

”I don't like to be the center of attention...”

I'm a little embarrassed by the reason.

That's because I'm honestly happy to be chosen as a hero.

But I've always been bad at being the star of the show.

I am not the type of person who can take on a lot of responsibilities and obligations.

I'm just an ordinary guy, born and raised in a small town, who became a warrior because he looked up to his best friend, and felt like he could do anything.

I don't like to carry a lot of weight.

Being a hero is too heavy for me.

”Then let's give the Manyu Brigade the title of hero. If you agree to this, they can keep their names and identities hidden, and remain active.”

”Oh, no, not again.”

”Don't be so negative. It is already whispered that the Manyu Brigade are the real heroes of the world. We would only be backing up the rumors. If you don't want to be a hero, you're free to disband the party right now.”

I see, we can disband and reunite under a new name.

Thus, we will be free of titles and will be able to return to our free lives.

But is it okay to become a hero even if you don't have a hero's job?

I understand that I am only a substitute, but a simple warrior being a hero....

”I would prefer that you not venture into the Realm of Darkness. The fortress has fallen, but the defense is still solid. Can you stay in this city for a while and then leave?”