“Hero…”
Hero, a courageous person. It’s often confused with a “great hero,” but their fundamental nature is different.
A great hero isn’t called that from the start; they become one as a result of continuous fighting, when their deeds are recognized by people.
But a “Hero” is different. They don’t need to kill enemies. They can even be weak themselves. They are simply people who stand at the forefront, inspiring courage in those who follow.
However, the definition of that word changed at a certain point.
“The Holy Church, huh?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
Aria and Dolton turned to look at my murmur, and the Princess quietly affirmed it.
“You said it was a request from the Holy Church, but why the Holy Church?” Aria then asked the Princess.
She pressed her temples as if she had a headache—whether from the topic of the Hero or the Holy Church, I couldn’t tell—and began to explain.
“First, as a premise, it’s said that these individuals began to be called ‘Heroes’ because the Holy Church decreed it so.”
Historically, when events occurred that threatened humanity, there were beings who prevented or repelled them.
Beings who saved the world in secret… People are said to have worshipped them as messengers of God.
These unknown “beings” became known to the world because of the appearance of the “Evil Lord.”
Though not confirmed on this Searth Continent, in this world’s history, there have been supernatural beings called “Evil Lords.”
For example, high-ranking demons surpassing greater demons.
For example, high-ranking Undead for whom a Magician personally conducted a ritual.
For example, dark evil dragons harboring hatred for humans…
People called these cataclysm-class beings, which transcended even the framework of nations, “Evil Lords,” and it’s said these Evil Lords used their power to command many Monsters and destroy numerous countries.
In the midst of that despair, a young person defeated a giant Monster that was tormenting the people, giving them a ray of hope and “courage.”
Guided by the courage of this youth, powerful great heroes gathered, and the youth, along with their companions, finally defeated the Evil Lord.
A Hero is someone who gives people hope and courage.
However, because the Holy Church designated them as “Hero” instead of “great hero,” the very nature of what a “Hero” is changed.
“At that time, in response to the world’s crisis, a youth who had gained the power of spirits defeated the Evil Lord. They were supposed to be beings who gave people courage, but due to the Holy Church, those granted power by the spirits came to be called ‘Heroes.'”
“Is that… about ‘Divine Protection’?” Aria voiced her question.
The Princess, having finished speaking, shook her head slightly.
“I don’t know the full details myself, but I’ve heard it’s different from the Dungeon’s 【Divine Protection (Gift)】. When a crisis befalls this world, if one is chosen by the spirits…”
One day, suddenly, you’re granted power by spirits possessing might comparable to gods, and you become a Hero.
The Holy Church’s machinations were behind defining them as Heroes. By supporting these Heroes even now, they become affiliated with the Holy Church, and the Church uses their achievements and fame to gather believers and donations, is that it?
…They’ve got to be kidding me. Both the Heroes and the Holy Church are something else. I’m not surprised the Holy Church has been doing things like this since ancient times, but the very existence of a Hero feels like a cheat.
“In that case, did this Hero come all the way to this continent because a calamity equivalent to a world crisis has appeared?”
“That would be the case.”
“Hmm…”
When Aria realized this fact and voiced it, the Princess and Dolton looked up.
“Now, why are you looking at me?”
How rude. All I did was, at most, try to kill a few hundred thousand people in the Royal Capital by getting them caught in the crossfire. I’m hardly Evil Lord material.
“Putting that aside,” the Princess said, clearing her throat with a small cough, and looked at Aria anew.
“Aria… Do you understand why the Hero wants you as a companion?”
“…The spirits’ blessing.”
Not just anyone can be a Hero’s companion.
Just as the Holy Church designated those granted Divine Protection by the spirits in response to a world crisis as “Heroes,” one isn’t recognized as a Hero’s companion unless they are a “great hero” like those the first designated Hero took as companions.
Honestly, I think it’s ridiculous. If the Hero truly possesses power, they should just assign thousands, even tens of thousands, of people to support them, without creating such a framework as “companions.”
But for those who care about appearances, I suppose it can’t be helped.
I only know this from literature and forbidden texts, but “Evil Lords” did indeed exist.
Their strength… was at least Rank 8.
To face a threat of that level, the combat power of ordinary soldiers or knights might be able to chip away at them, but not deliver a finishing blow. Even that chipping away would only amount to inflicting a scratch at the cost of a single soldier’s life.
You’d sacrifice thousands to wear down the Evil Lord’s stamina, create an opening, and then finish it off with the Hero’s conserved power.
But unless it’s a “true Evil Lord” capable of destroying multiple nations, the bereaved families of the victims and the believers probably wouldn’t accept it.
That’s precisely why a Hero’s companions are limited to “Hero-Class.”
“The Hero… or rather, the Holy Church, seems to recognize Aria, who saved the nation by gaining the spirits’ blessing, as ‘Hero-Class.'”
Just as the Princess says, Aria currently fits into the “Hero-Class” framework defined by the Holy Church.
Originally, generals of armies, those praised for their great deeds, and people who performed feats worthy of being called a Hero should be called “great heroes,” but the Holy Church distorted this as well.
Now, those who are “Hero-Class” as defined by the Holy Church and recognized by the state for their achievements are called great heroes.
Hero-Class refers to those among individuals who have received the spirits’ blessing or Divine Protection and gained combat-oriented abilities.
Even if they received a Dungeon’s Divine Protection or blessing, the Princess, who erased one of her magic attributes to heal her own body, or Dandole’s young lady, who has Foresight, are outside this scope.
I had a good laugh at the temple’s young master who was tricked by the spirits’ mischief into making a pact with a demon, or the fallen royal who ended up harboring Worms all over his body, but if you can’t even control it yourself, you’re out of the question from the start.
…Ah, I see.
So that’s why the Princess told me to come too.
When I looked at the Princess upon suddenly realizing this possibility, she returned my gaze with eyes that, while holding a human sense of guilt, concealed the firm will of a queen.
She’s confident that even if Aria doesn’t realize it, I will.
Among those known to have received combat-oriented blessings, there are only two: Aria and “me.”
I’m supposed to be dead, but if it’s discovered I’m alive, there’s no telling how things will turn out.
I don’t know if the Hero truly possesses the power spoken of in legends.
However, if that Hero’s demands are incompatible with the nation’s, and above all, with “Aria’s” wishes, she wants me to “deal with” the Hero, even if it means risking my life in the worst-case scenario.
At least, that’s what the Princess’s eyes, looking at me, were saying.
“Fufu…”
Aria looked at me suspiciously as I let out a faint, knowing laugh.
Very well, Princess… No, Elena. That’s what I desire too.
I like the eyes of someone who has steeled their resolve.
Just as you and I wish, I’ll take care of the Hero secretly from Aria.
You’re really not an Evil Lord, are you!?
Next time, setting off on a journey… I wonder if I can get that far?