落とし穴９７堀：勇者必修科目 (Part1)
Pitfall 97: Hero’s Required Subject
Hero’s Required Subject
Hero.
Originally, the word "hero" didn't hold any special meaning.
It simply meant a person of courage, referring primarily to soldiers fighting on the battlefield.
However, in Japan, the word "hero" took on a different nuance.
No, in modern Japan, it carries an entirely distinct meaning.
"Hero" (Yuusha) is a term used to describe a savior who rescues the world.
In English, both "hero" (eiyuu) and "hero" (yuusha) are translated as "HERO," but any Japanese person would understand that the two are fundamentally different.
They do not stay in one country, nor are they bound to one nation; they travel to save the world, strike down the wicked Demon Lord, and bring hope to humanity.
That is what the Japanese mean by "Yuusha."
Personally, I believe "Yuusha" is the superlative form of the word "HERO."
Well, in reality, good and evil aren't so easily defined, which is precisely why the term "Yuusha" holds such special significance in Japan.
The catalyst for this was a certain game.
It was a piece of entertainment—a toy—that ran on computer program control, categorized as a video game.
Back when games were mostly shooters or action titles that relied on direct, reflexive input, a legendary game was born, inspired by overseas titles but crafted as a uniquely Japanese original in the new genre of "Role-Playing."
Yes, legendary.
The special term "Yuusha" originated from this game.
At the time, it was 2D, with pixel art and primitive sound sources—a world of difference compared to today’s games—but it sold nonetheless.
To play a role. The RPG genre.
It was a medium where you became the protagonist, and that protagonist’s role was a "Yuusha" who saves the world.
Yes, we became heroes and adventured through the game world.
The "errand missions" and "runarounds" that we now call clichés all had their origins in that game.
With our hearts pounding at the 2D pixels and tinny music, we adventured through that world as heroes.
We fought monsters, saved villages, rescued towns, liberated nations, and finally, defeated the Demon Lord to save the world.
Within that game, we were all heroes.
The name of that Japanese-made RPG was *Dragon Quest*.
It was a masterpiece so captivating that it made Japanese people summoned to another world insist that they were not just "heroes" (eiyuu), but "Yuusha."
...Games truly transcend even other worlds.
If there were a Japanese person who didn't know this, it would be at the level of someone who has never touched a TV or computer and barely speaks to other people.
Side: Seraria
When he suddenly told me he had something to discuss, this was it.
I’ve heard this before, you know.
There is only one reason he would speak so circuitously and passionately.
"A new game is coming out, isn't it? And you want time off for it?"
"Exactly!"
"Sigh..."
I pondered seriously what to do.
The work my husband has accomplished so far is, as far as I know, something no one else could imitate or catch up to; it is truly extraordinary.
Last time, there wasn't any pressing work, so I had no objections to letting my busy husband take a vacation, but this time is different.
He has finally returned to his work on intercontinental exchange, and various locations are finally beginning to coordinate for the Intercontinental Conference.
To make that conference a success, my husband’s efforts are indispensable.
In fact, one could say he is the only one who can bridge the connections between the various countries.
Because he had put off his intercontinental exchange duties due to the New Continent incident, his workload has piled up immensely.
Even if it’s just one or two days, if he uses that time to play, the work will be delayed by that much.
Honestly speaking, I want him to visit the countries he hasn't shown his face to and handle various matters during those one or two days.
Even just that would move things significantly forward for the conference.
His absence has led to distrust, after all.
There are not a few countries that suspect I might be up to something untoward.
That said, if I were to tell them about the Yuki summoning incident, it is obvious that the various countries would be furious with the New Continent.
That is how immense the countries' trust in my husband is.
He is a vital liaison for every nation.
"What's wrong, Seraria? Is something the matter?"
"...Hmm."
I was truly troubled about how to answer.
My husband doesn't usually make selfish requests outside of things concerning us or our daughters.
There are times when he pulls pranks that seem to happen on their own, but he never does anything that would cause us serious trouble.
When he does, he comes to consult with me like this.
Actually, the only time he has ever come to consult with me like this is to ask for time off for games.
Part of me thinks that since he hasn't been around anyway, a day or two wouldn't hurt, but another part worries that delaying things any further might cause various problems.
No, perhaps I should just be honest and leave the judgment to him.
He is the best when it comes to negotiations, and he might even have a different answer to this problem.
Thinking that, I told him the situation, and...
"I see. Well, if that's the case, it can't be helped."
"Eh?"
He accepted it much more easily than I expected.
"No, I wouldn't choose a game when there are matters that absolutely cannot be put off."
"Ah, well, I suppose that's true."
As my husband said, common sense dictates that one wouldn't choose a game over essential duties.
It seems the guilt I felt for overworking him was what caused this anxiety.
Phew, I feel relieved.
I was even having strange thoughts about whether he would get fed up with a wife who wouldn't even give him a break.
Even though my husband would never say such a thing.
"So, are the folks on the If Continent the ones I should show my face to?"
"No. The old man, as well as Gartz, Litea, and Last are all scratching their heads because you haven't shown your face. You should probably visit everywhere except for the places that know about the summoning incident."
"Ugh... That means Noble, Nogosh, Nonoa, and the others too, huh?"
"That's right. They are newcomers, so we didn't know how they would react, which is why we kept the incident a secret. Plus, they have a prior record of going on a strange rampage."
"Sigh. Well, I generally understand. I'll make a schedule today and start going around from tomorrow."
"Please do. Oh, I will handle the summons for the Rogali Continent, so let me know once your schedule is set. We can go back and forth to Rogali easily via the gate, so I can call you to Weed at any time."
"That is the only saving grace. My face carries weight on the Rogali Continent, too. The problem is that on the If Continent, only you will do."
"That's true. I'm sure they'll feel at ease once they see your face at the upcoming conference."
"Damn it. Who knew that my activities as a mercenary group would become a problem here..."
"The members you had with you were stable when Ria was there, but well, the members following you kept changing. It's only natural that they feel more at ease dealing with you directly."
When we were exploring the If Continent, we were pregnant in the early stages, and we had to place personnel to stabilize the demi-human villages, place people in Zilba, place people in Enaria, and become the lord of the town of Betan... we really did scatter our people everywhere, didn't we?