Francis's POV:
As I retreated, what I expected to be a small execution turned into a chaotic scene. A sudden explosion echoed behind me as I slowly retreated.
- Mr. Francis, what the hell is going on?
Our contractor emerged from the turmoil, seemingly frightened by the sudden explosion.
- Nothing to worry about, Mr. Kevin, it's just that my subordinates like to play with their prey.
A suspicious look flitted from Kevin as he glanced at the source of the explosion.
- For your honor and the honor of your group, Mr. Francis, I hope you don't dare miss your target.
- Of course, sir, don't doubt that-
A sound like lightning was heard in the distance. With some satisfaction, I looked back at the priest.
- Do you hear that, sir? That was probably them finishing the job.
- …
An incredulous look came from the priest.
- Well... if the job is done, take me to the body. I want to see it with my own eyes.
- O-of course, Priest, come with me.
"Although I haven't told you it's safe yet..."
I sigh as I watch the suspicious priest walk past me and follow the path I had taken before. I reluctantly scratch my head as I watch him slowly walk away.
- Babysitting wasn't included in the job...
- Did you say anything, Mr. Francis?
A cold glare falls from the priest as I can't help but sigh.
- Of course not, Mr. Kevin. Please come with me.
I quickly catch up with him as we push through the undergrowth blocking our way. In a short time, we reach the clearing where I fought the unsung hero just now, but to my surprise, it's empty. The priest turns his gaze to me, his expression sharpening.
- We're not there yet, sir. The corpse lies a little further ahead.
- ….
Without responding, the priest quickly looks ahead and continues into the undergrowth in front of us. Soon, a commotion can be heard coming from the undergrowth in front of us. A heavy sigh escapes my throat involuntarily.
- …. Any problems?
- No, none. It's just that my men are too fond of playing stupid games.
Without further ado, we reach a sort of corridor where my men surround the anonymous hero from left to right. Although he's still breathing, his body trembles uncontrollably like a small bird facing a storm. My subordinates insult him and throw branches and stones at him while the hero remains motionless in his place. I sigh again as I look down, clearly suffering from a headache at how childish my subordinates were. When I look up to yell at them to finish the job already, I freeze in place. Looking closely at the anonymous hero, there was something on his arm he was trying to protect.
- A... girl?
Looking more closely, the sight of the hero leaves me petrified. His eyes are bloodshot as he slowly raises his axe with his free hand. Although it appears to be a simple attempt to stay upright, just like his legs during our battle, his axe, which is pointed downwards, is surrounded by a strange aura that seems to be on fire as he slowly raises the axe above the ground. A sudden chill runs down my spine as I notice the magnitude of the power being condensed in the axe. Having used the power of the spirits myself thanks to the captain, I could tell that whatever he was going to do with that axe, nothing good would come of it for us.
- I-IDIOTS! WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU SUPPOSED TO DO? END IT ALREADY!
The laughter of my subordinates suddenly dies down as a small commotion erupts among them. None of them seemed ready to attack. The hero's arm suddenly stops as his axe reaches the height of his knees. Cold sweat breaks out on my back as the nameless hero begins to bring the axe down toward the ground.
- DAMN IT!
I put all the spiritual energy I have left into my legs and launch myself at the nameless hero, hoping to make it in time.
......…..
Erick's POV:
- Lord Longinius...
- What's wrong, young master?
- How can someone become a hero?
- How...?
- Ummmm.
My master pauses for a moment to think of a response, then raises the wooden sword in his hand and slashes so fast I can barely see it. A voice of surprise escapes my throat as I stare at my master in astonishment.
- Please look at this.
My master shows me the tip of his sword. When I look at it curiously, I'm surprised to find something resembling a large bee.
- What's that?
- This, sir, is known as a hornet.
- Hornet?
- Exactly. Hornets are the natural enemies of bees. It is said that just one of them can mean the end of an entire colony.
Astonished, I look at the insect in front of me, not understanding my master's actions.
- But master... What does this have to do with my question?
A smile blooms on my master's face as he looks at me tenderly.
- The hornet you can see on my sword is trying to kill a worker bee that was passing by.
- Huh? And what happened to the bee?
I quickly look around to find one in some flowers a little further ahead of us.
- Is it... okay?
- That's right. I cleanly stabbed the hornet that was chasing the bee without harming the bee that was calmly flying by.
- INCREDIBLE!
I looked again at the hornet on my master's sword and at the bee, completely surprised by my master's feat.
- Regarding your question, young master, this is my answer.
- Huh?
I looked at my master in disbelief, not understanding what he meant.
- A hero isn't a simple weapon that eliminates evil. A hero must not only defeat evildoers, but also prevent the weak from suffering as a result.
- …Just like the bee?
- Indeed. A novice would have swung and killed the hornet and the bee, thinking that killing the hornet would be enough to save the lives of many bees, ignoring the one killed by his blow. Even his blow could have hit the ground and damaged the grass beneath our feet.
Unconsciously, I looked down at my feet with curiosity.
- But for a hero, those kinds of mistakes are unacceptable. Heroes should not only try to save the majority, but also save everyone involved.
- …Isn't that being too idealistic, Master?
A wistful smile spreads across his face as he gazes out into the sunset.
- Perhaps it is, but personally, I have never met a great hero who wasn't an idealist.
....
A sudden memory floods my mind as I raise my axe. The commotion around me has only increased as some of them throw rocks and branches at me. Despite all this, I can't stop a tear from falling down my cheek.
- I'm sorry, Master, it seems I can't become a hero…
I look down where a little girl rests on my arm. From the hole in her loose dress, a deep burn can be seen on her chest as she weakly tries to rise for air. A deep feeling of self-loathing surges through my chest as I gaze down at the undergrowth in front of me. I gather that hatred to forge my resolve.
- But, even if I can't be one, at least I will protect this little girl who has saved my life again.
I quickly lower the axe so it hits the ground. A sudden explosive sound hurtles toward me at full speed, but I don't even pay attention to it. It's too late anyway.
"Clang!"
A powerful earthquake shakes the forest. From my axe, the ground cracks like an egg as massive fissures open up in all four directions. The electric-footed bandit who had charged at me quickly backs away, avoiding falling into the fissure. I can hear the shrieks and screams of five bandits as they fall into the fissures. The remaining ones begin to load their weapons while aiming at me, but it's no use.
- GYAAAAAAHHHH!
From the ground, huge pools of lava shoot out from the earth right below the bandits. Confusion and fear fill their once joyful, mocking cries. They quickly try to flee, but before they can even begin to run, enormous geysers of lava erupt beneath their feet, melting them until they can no longer be distinguished from the lava.
The smell of burning not only from the bandits but from all the vegetation surrounding us begins to fill the air in an exasperating way. The bandits' eventual screams of terror are quickly drowned out by the sound of bubbling lava until they have practically disappeared completely.
- Ifrit, how many of them are still alive?
*Of the 50 men who entered the forest, only 3 have managed to escape the lava. But they are not approaching our position. I would say they are fleeing.*
- ...I see. I really didn't expect this level of power. You can't underestimate mid-level spirits.
A sudden silence rules the place as Ifrit floats beside me.
*Indeed, my lord. I evolved as a higher-level spirit after being paired with you.*
- …. Well, I guess that explains it… but why did you introduce yourself as a mid-level spirit?
*…. Out of habit… I was way too nervous during our first meeting.*
- …Huh?
I looked at Ifrit in disbelief. Despite her almost expressionless manner of speaking, the fact that she told me she was nervous was something completely unexpected to me.
- So… the reason you appeared before us several days after Vulk disappeared… was because you were nervous?
*…I'm so sorry, my lord.*
Even with her indifferent tone, the slight break in her voice was an answer in itself. I couldn't help but laugh at my mistaken impression of my new spirit. That brief moment of peace was all it took for me to collapse to the ground. My legs and arms were so weak I could barely move them. I looked around. A large portion of the forest we were in had been completely razed by the lava eruption I had caused. Knowing that I had caused this destruction made my heart weigh heavily, however.
- Zzz…
The small presence I felt against my chest was enough to shake off that heaviness in my chest. Even if I were to lie if I said I didn't regret razing the forest to the ground, being able to protect the little girl in my arms is more than enough for this pathetic attempt at heroism.
- Is she... going to be okay?
*Of course. The young lady received the blessing of the former High Spirit, Vulk. She won't die from something like that.*
- Vulk's blessing...
I look up at the sky wistfully as I gently hold the little girl to my chest.
- Even when you're far away, you still protect us after all.
A flood of memories of our adventures flash through my mind as I gaze up at the sky. Her sarcastic comments, her strange way of calling me "Little One," her carefree voice that could soothe any heavy atmosphere. A small tear runs down my cheek as I bid farewell to the spirit who watches over us from the distance.