1 Heroes Exist to Save the World (1/2)

”Heroes exist to save the world.”

...Those words make me sick.

By luck, no, by horrible luck, I was blessed by the holy blade and forced onto the path of killing the demon lord.

I had everyone's attention on me, and their hopes became the sole reason for me to push ahead...

With the weight of the world on my shoulders, I pressed on, never resting.

What was the reward for my deeds?

To be idolised?

To be an inspiration?

I didn't want any of it.

Another man could say, your reward is your adventure and the memories of your companions.

Don't make me laugh.

Memories of your companions?

Let me say it again,

”Heroes exist to save the world, not to save their companions.”

The fate of my companions was always destined to be a cruel one.

In order to defeat the demon lord who would destroy the world.

Whether it was before or after he rose up in power.

Of course, as a hero, as an individual, I tried my utmost to save those who were important to me.

But the results had always been disastrous.

The pain I felt as they whispered to me with their dying breaths,

”At least you managed to make it out alive.”

The path of a hero is filled with more sorrow than happiness.

I could not fail to live up to their expectations.

Even when I wandered on the borders of insanity, the people would put their hopes on my existance.

Those days would continue as I fought on with blood in my mouth.

Heroes may exist to save the world,

but I fought for the eternal peace of death.

I'd had enough of this life.

The mysterious monsters who would invade our homes.

The villains who dared to harm my friends.

I had slain many,

and saved the lives of many more from the jaws of death.

And in the end...

I managed to slay the demon lord.

***

How high up was it?

The clouds were laid out below him as he fell from the skies together with a giant.

With red skin and a giant horn.

The demon lord.

”Kuuuh...”

Countless wounds were visible on his colossal body.

He gritted his teeth and stared at his foe, struggling to retain consciousness.

In his foe's right hand, the holy sword shone brightly.

”...”

His foe was standing on top of his forehead. The hero who slayed the demon lord.

”What is going through your mind right now?”

The demon lord asked the hero.

Although he felt nothing but fury towards him, he had no choice but to acknowledge his power.

So he asked his foe, his equal, out of curiosity.

”If you're asking for my thoughts.”

The hero spoke.

His face seemed somewhat pale as he fell towards certain death.

”...”

After a small pause, he replied quietly,

”I'm tired.”

The demon lord could not understand his answer,

”What?”

'Yes, this is enough right?'

That was what he truly thought.

Why?

'If it's not you, if you're not here, if you can't...'

He's heard it a million times.

'Only you can do it.'

'It's impossible unless it's you.'

'Only you can save them.'

'You must protect them.'

To act as the symbol of their hope, to live up to their wishes.

It had taken its toll on him.

”I'm just really tired.”

It was so hard to meet those gazes that were trying to hold onto what little faith they had.

”Honestly, I don't want it anymore.”