Epilogue – Nameless Monsters
The village was a burned wasteland under the dawn light.
The burnt stench wafted in the air, along with a sharp metallic scent and pale smoke.
As for the village plaza, which had been the center of the fires, the platform was gone without a trace. And the houses around it were thoroughly destroyed.
There were also numerous corpses. Both humans and monsters. Though, many were burned beyond recognition.
While watching this, Poro realized that he did not feel any emotion.
It was all the same, wherever he went.
In this world, they were attacked, burned, and had everything taken from them.
He stood on the main street and watched the villages walk past him.
Thanks to the blessing of the goddess, most of them survived. Magic prevented the monsters from seeing them as they hid in the apple orchards.
On the other hand, all of the buildings had been destroyed, and their food and drink taken. Even the treasures from the dungeon were gone.
“What…is this…”
He had nothing now.
After abandoning his home and coming to this land, it too was turned into ash.
It would be difficult to rebuild again. Even if the Hero’s ideas helped with the harvest, it would not be enough.
“What Hero…bastard.”
He shouted. But it just made him feel empty.
Keita had been discovered unconscious on the outskirts of the village. Apparently, he had fought desperately against the monsters, but this was the result.
However, the villagers continued to talk about him. Saying that it was because of the Hero that the damage was not worse.
“How foolish…”
The Heroes were praised while everyone else crawled on the ground.
What made him so different? He was just a kid who happened to have received power from a god.
Why did the gods choose such people instead of someone more capable?
“Hey… What is that!?”
Someone shouted, and Poro raised his eyes.
A group of men with a large banner were coming through the northern gate.
Their crest was a blue book and quill pen on a white field. With the pale sky behind them, armored riders came towards him in a neat row.
In the lead, there was a man in black armor with gold lining. He had golden hair as well. And there was also a sorcerer in blue robes.
“Listen to me! People of Lindle Village!”
The sorcerer said in a high-pitched voice.
“We are led by the Hero Yasuharu Hanuma, who is being used by god to free these lands! I cannot imagine your despair at having been attacked by the Demon King’s army, and having your homes tarnished like this.”
Inside, Poro felt a dark objection growing.
They had clearly come to proclaim themselves as saviours.
And so he picked up a stone from the ground and glared at the sorcerer.
“However! We have no intention of offering our condolences!”
The villagers scowled at him.
Poro’s heart changed to a twisted joy, and he prepared to swing his arm.
“No, we have come here today to offer you the blade of vengeance!”
His arm dropped.
“Now, right now, the Demon King’s army is trampling this world. They threaten the lives of those who live in peace! But we have been stopping their savagery through the continent, and defeating all kinds of monsters!”
In answer to this, the knights unsheathed their swords and held them up in the air.
They glimmered like silver under the sunlight.
The villagers gasped at how synchronized they were.
“However, we do not have enough power. In order for justice to prevail, to protect the people, and defeat the evil Demon King, we must have the power of will!”
The sorcerer spoke of powerlessness. And yet, the words shook and reverberated in Poro’s heart.
“Allow me to ask you. Are there any among you who hate the violence of evil, and wish for power to save the people!”