“Oh, please excuse my rudeness. It is the former village Hero. I suppose you did not need our help.”
“No…it was appreciated.”
That was the most he could manage. It was clear that Poro was mocking him.
“Still, what a coincidence. To bump into you like this.”
“Wha…what do you mean?”
“I suppose you came for the dungeon as well? After all, you said you were going to train.”
“Th-that’s…”
The man seemed to take joy in poking him where it hurt.
“Ah, pardon me then. You were chosen by a god, after all. A dungeon like that would not even get you a single level up.”
“Uh…”
“But tell me. What kind of training does a Hero do then?”
“Hey, you.”
Suddenly, the merchant interrupted angrily.
“Weren’t you the one who came with me to Lindle?”
“Ah, it is you. Yes, I owe you for that.”
“It is not important. However, perhaps you should hold your tongue.”
“What?”
He stood in front of the armored Poro as if to protect Keita.
“I still remember what you first looked like. When you arrived in Lindle Village.”
“What…of it?”
“Everyone has a time when the stars are not in their favor. And there is nothing you can do. This boy, he is you at that time. And yet you, a grown man, flinging dirt at someone you owe a debt to.”
“…Don’t speak as if you know!”
His angry voice reverberated in Keita’s eardrums.
“Then let me ask you, what is he!? He is supposed to be a Hero who saves people, but he couldn’t even save us! I had to abandon my village because of these Heroes and their half-measures and selfish acts!”
The words pierced deep into his heart.
“Why do the gods choose these brats who cannot even take care of themselves! If you are so powerful, then give me back my village and my family!”
“You better stop there.”
The woman behind Poro tapped him on the shoulder. As if a signal, the rage dissipated from his face.
“Well, none of that matters now. I am different. I will not hesitate to gain more power. And I would even use the gods if it served my purpose.”
“Pur…pose?”
“Isn’t it obvious? To kill all monsters and the Demon King. Kill every one of them.”
“Captain, we should go. If we don’t hurry, we won’t make it back to camp before nightfall.”
After that, Poro seemed to lose interest in them, as he went about dealing with the bodies. When they were done, they started to walk away.
“Hey, Hero Keita.”
He said, looking over his shoulder. Now, there was more sadness than anger.
“You’re finished. You should go home before you become even more pathetic.”
The sounds of the leather boots grew quieter, and then the ringing of the armor faded away entirely. The merchant let out a sigh.
“Don’t let him bother you. That man would not have risen up were it not for the village that you protected.”
“That…doesn’t matter!”
He couldn’t help but shout.
“The Demon King’s army targeted Lindle because I was protecting it! That’s why that happened! All I ended up doing was cause more suffering!”
“Not at all. The village improved after you came.”
“Everything I did! It was just child’s play!”
The merchant looked surprised for a moment, and then he slowly shook his head. He swallowed back whatever words he was about to say, and moved back to the driver’s seat.
“We should go. Too much time has been wasted.”
Keita wanted to leave right now. But there was no way that he could.
He had to finish his job.
But when that was finished…
“Canila.”
Keita muttered as he sat in the wagon.
“When we reach the next town, I’m going to quit being a Hero.”