Who Killed The Hero?

Chapter 7

The village was neither big nor small, just one of the typical mountain villages. It was quite far from the capital city and would take 10 days on horseback to get there. The people there lived by farming and had a peaceful lifestyle. This was Tariz Village, which became famous for producing a hero.

“Do I know about Ares? Of course! I was his friend!” The man was asked if he knew about Ares and began to talk about him smoothly, as if he was used to it. He

“My father-in-law, who was the village chief at the time, was enthusiastic about it, and so were the villagers. They were all delighted that a hero was coming from their own village. At that time, the world was shrouded in a heavy atmosphere due to the appearance of the Demon King. This village was no exception. When the appearance of the hero was announced, the whole village was overjoyed. We couldn’t deny that it was different. So, we sent him to the Falm Academy to get stronger and find comrades to travel with.”

Was it your will to send him to the Falm Academy?

“It was my husband’s and my will. We knew that the Falm Academy was a training institution for heroes. However, we also knew that it was a school where only nobles went, so we told him that he didn’t have to go if it was too difficult for him to get in. Our goal was to make him stronger and find comrades, so we thought that anywhere he could achieve that goal would be fine. He was a flexible thinker, so we thought he would do well if we told him that, but in the end, he entered the Falm Academy.”

What did Ares himself think of being chosen as a hero?

“He was a clever child, so he read the atmosphere of the village and behaved as everyone wanted him to. But I think he was anxious inside. He was probably the one who was most aware that he wasn’t that exceptional. I remember seeing him outside swinging his sword relentlessly when I woke up in the middle of the night. He couldn’t sleep because of his anxiety.”

However, he defeated the Demon King.

“…… And then he died too. I should be happy that the world was saved, but my husband and I can’t be happy. Why did he have to die? I still think that. There should have been many more talented people who could have done it, but why did it have to be him?” Shera wiped away her tears. She looked away from me and looked around the room. I noticed a sword hanging on the wall. It was beautiful, but it was heavily worn.

What’s that?

“That’s the sword of that child. Only the sword came back. It was a sword that had been passed down in this house for generations. I don’t know its history, but it fought alongside that child until the end. It must have been a good sword. The fact that only that sword came back is the only consolation. That’s all that’s left of his belongings.”

Did one of the hero’s companions bring back the sword?

“I haven’t met any of the people who were with Ares. Zack brought it back.”

Who is Zack?

“He’s that child’s cousin of the same age. He’s the child of the master’s younger sister, but both parents were adventurers. His father was from Marika, and when Marika was invaded by the Demon King, they went to rescue them and both died in battle. Zack was left in our care before they left.”

How was Zack able to bring back the sword? “He went to the capital with that child. After that child died, he said he received the sword through someone else there. So he brought it back to this village.”

— The villagers said that Ares travelled alone.

“He had luggage, so we couldn’t let him go alone. And since those two grew up together, they were very close. Zack was there, so I think Ares was a little relieved to be able to travel with him. The villagers exaggerate Ares’ accomplishments, so they don’t talk about Zack… Maybe they really just forgot about him because he was such an unremarkable child.”

Where is Zack now?

“After coming here, he said he would ‘leave on a trip soon’ and that was it. I suggested that he live in this village, but he stubbornly refused. He said, ‘I’m sorry, I let Ares die. I’m sorry.’ There was nothing for that child to apologize for…”

Did Zack travel with Ares?

“He was just accompanying him to the capital. That child was just an ordinary child, so he couldn’t go on a journey to fight the Demon King. He was hardworking and tried his best at everything, but he was somewhat clumsy. But he was a really good kid, you know? Ares was able to learn many things because Zack was with him. When Ares started something, Zack would stick with him until the end. Do you know how hard it is to continue learning alone? Being able to continue because there’s someone who does it with you.”

What do you think of the pictures of the hero that have spread throughout the world?

“They look a lot like that child. We also bought a big picture of the hero and hung it up in our house, you know?” Indeed, there was a large painting of the hero’s heroic figure hanging prominently in this house.

Do Ares and Zack look alike? “As cousins, they do look quite alike. But Ares has slightly larger eyes and a higher nose. It’s a small thing, but it changes the impression quite a bit. Ares was often complimented on his appearance, while Zack was said to have no distinguishing features. It’s strange how such a small difference can make such a big impact.”