落とし穴６３堀：彼らの知る真の勇者と約束された日 (Part1)
**Pitfall 63: The Day Promised to the True Hero They Know**
The Day Promised to the True Hero They Know
Hero (Yuusha)
A "hero" is one who possesses courage. Synonyms and related terms include *yuushi* (brave warrior, primarily military), *yuufu* (brave man), and *yuufu* (brave woman).
Often equated with a legendary figure, the term is used as a title of respect for those who face difficulties that everyone fears and have achieved—or are attempting to achieve—great feats. It is also applied to warriors of exceptional martial prowess or those who fought bravely regardless of victory or defeat.
*Excerpted from Wikipedia*
This is the original meaning of the word "hero."
It refers to all soldiers fighting in a war, the commanders who lead them, and it is a term applicable to anyone who stands up to hardship.
In fact, on ancient battlefields, it was common to call out "heroes" or "brave warriors" to stir up the soldiers' spirits, and such proverbs have existed since ancient times.
"The hero does not fear."
Source: *The Analects of Confucius*, "Zi Han, Book IX"
The full phrase is, "The wise are not confused; the hero does not fear." It means that those who understand the principles of the world have no hesitation in their actions, and those who are courageous do not shrink from any situation.
To put it simply, at the risk of being misunderstood: those who know the answer (those who understand the principles) do not worry about the path to achieving their goal, and those who have made up their minds (the courageous) will not stop their hands regardless of what problems arise (they do not fear any situation).
Well, words alone might be hard to grasp, so let me give a simple example.
If you were told to prepare a rice ball, what would you do?
The answer varies from person to person, but if you are Japanese, it is not particularly difficult.
You know what a rice ball is, what ingredients are needed to make one, and you even know that they are sold in stores.
Because you know the principle—the answer—of what a rice ball is, you remain calm and unhesitating. "Resolve" might be too strong a word, but even if one way to obtain it were lost, you wouldn't panic.
But what about someone who doesn't know what a rice ball is?
They would have to start by researching what it is, and they might not even be able to prepare it.
However, a courageous person—one who has made up their mind—is different. Whether it is difficult or not is irrelevant; they have the will to achieve it absolutely. Therefore, they do not falter, and they do not give up. I don't know what the result will be, but...
No, using a rice ball to explain a hero is a bit—or rather, completely—off the mark, but it’s something like that. Just accept it.
This is the original meaning of the word "hero," and if interpreted broadly, it is no exaggeration to say that all living beings are heroes.
After all, life is a difficult problem that we must face every single day...
***
Side: Seraria
The one pounding on the whiteboard and passionately explaining this—having scribbled down those strange, though not entirely incomprehensible, thoughts—is my husband, Yuki, and our friend, the Hero Taiki.
"I understand the definition of a hero now, but why are you and Taiki..."
As I said this and glanced to the side, Airi, Taiki’s wife, anxiously continued the thought.
"Why would you, Taiki-sama, who is already a hero, and Yuki-sama, who is a messenger of the gods, need to..."
Indeed, I didn't understand the meaning behind their actions.
For some reason, they had requested today off.
It was a rare occurrence.
My husband, who is normally a diligent man who works constantly, had gone out of his way to bring Taiki, the Hero, and declare that they would both be taking the day off.
I don't particularly blame them for wanting to rest.
In fact, I think they could stand to rest even more.
But the reason was the problem.
Personally, if they had just said, "I want a day off," I probably would have granted it with a, "Well, I suppose it can't be helped."
But the words the two of them spoke were...
"We are going to become heroes once again."
It was incomprehensible.
When I demanded to know what on earth they meant, this explanation of "hero" began.
I wondered what could have gone wrong, but nothing came to mind, so I had no choice but to listen to my husband and Taiki.
"None of this explanation so far explains anything. Why are you and Taiki becoming heroes again?"
I took over the conversation for Airi, who had been left speechless, but my husband looked at me curiously and opened his mouth again.
"No, I didn't say that was the end of the explanation."
"Huh? But you finished the original meaning of 'hero,' didn't you?"
"I did. But that was just the preamble."
"Preamble? What do you mean?"
I didn't understand at all.
How on earth does taking a day off relate to becoming a hero?!
"Well, well. By the way, Seraria, did you know the meaning of 'hero' in that sense?"
"I know it. But for us, that is a story from the distant past. In this world today, 'hero' refers to someone who transcends a mere legend. A hero is one who, even if the whole world is sinking into despair, pulls it back up, gives courage and hope to those around them, shows the way by their own example, destroys evil, and reveals the truth. They achieve what no one else could. It is a title that signifies someone truly without peer."
I recited the content exactly as it was written in a book I had read when I was small.
I still remember it clearly.
My mother had read it to me, looking so happy.
A hero—that alone is a wonderful thing that grants courage and hope.
Well, I’ve become a bit jaded due to various things since then.
Or rather, I’ve learned the reality of the world.
But my husband, Yuki, is hundreds of times cooler and more amazing than that!
"That’s it. That hero."
"Yes? How does the hero from a fairy tale apply to this?"
I truly didn't understand.
"No, don't you wonder where that concept came from?"
"What? It’s just an old tale or a fairy tale, a made-up story to boost morale, isn't it?"
"Yes, but if that were the case, 'Great Hero!' or something similar would suffice, wouldn't it? Why was 'hero,' a word that refers to a large number of people, chosen?"
I couldn't answer my husband's question, so I tilted my head and opened my mouth.
"...Why?"
"...Come to think of it, that is a strange story. As Yuki-sama says, titles like 'Great Hero' or 'King' would likely gain more support and be easier to understand for a nation."
Airi was right.
If it were for the sake of boosting morale, it would be better to have a general or a king as the protagonist, and "Great Hero" would be easier to grasp.
Why on earth did "hero," a word that applied to so many people and was used generally, become something so special?
"I suspect that Taiki-kun and I might know the reason."