S18 The New Hero

The receipt of the Hero title was immediately reported to Father through the teacher.

Shortly after, I was summoned by Father and left the academy, returning to the royal castle.

The royal castle, after a long absence.

Yet my mind was not stable enough to dwell on sentiment.

I suppressed my agitation as best I could and met Father again.

Not in the audience hall, but in Father’s private office.

Spacious, but cluttered with scattered documents.

Several individuals were gathered there.

"Schrein. I apologize for calling you here."

Father spoke with a heavy voice as I entered.

Even to me, who had met him so rarely, the weight of his voice was unmistakable—deeper than when I had heard it during the assessment.

Deeper than the assessment voice.

"First, let me verify—confirm that you truly received the Hero title."

"Yes."

Father’s hand held the鉴定 stone used during the assessment.

When I answered, an unpleasant sensation—like something licking over my entire body—overtook me.

This was the same feeling I had experienced when first meeting the instructor.

This must be the discomfort one feels when subjected to an assessment.

"Indeed... you truly possess it."

Father’s heavy voice.

Immediately afterward, Father covered his face and began sobbing.

"Julius..."

The name of my elder brother escaped Father’s lips.

Hearing that, I could no longer suppress it. Tears welled up.

Self-restraint—this place is not suitable—broke down without resistance. My vision blurred with tears.

I was seized by the shoulders.

The one holding me was the Third Prince, my older brother Reston.

He gently stroked my head and embraced me.

I had not had many opportunities to meet Reston, my elder brother.

Yet he was approachable—next to Julius, my most compatible brother.

My limits were surpassed without ceremony.

I clung to Reston and wept openly.

In the room, sobs echoed for a time.

"Father. I understand your grief over Julius. But we must consider the future. Let us begin discussion."

Breaking the oppressive silence, the voice came from First Prince Syrilis—the eldest among us brothers.

Honestly, I dislike this man.

I have never seen him smile. He is always expressionless, consumed solely by duty.

Among the siblings, excluding the elder sister who married abroad and whom I have never met, he is the only one I instinctively feel I could never get along with.

"Syrilis, Father and Shun are both hurt. Can't we wait a little longer?"

“No, Reston. Syrilis is right.”

“But, Father…”

“Enough, Reston. Father has spoken.”

“Syrilis-sama…”

“Very well. Grief is natural among family. But before we are individuals, we are royalty. Therefore, we must fulfill our duty as royalty. Grief comes afterward.”

Father wiped tears with his sleeve.

His eyes were red and swollen, yet they held a firm light.

This is the form of a king.

Remarkable.

I could never imitate this.

“Shrein inheriting the title of Hero means Julius is dead.”

Father spoke, biting his lip, stating aloud what no one had clearly said.

Those words struck me anew with the reality of Elder Brother Julius’s death.

The information had been concealed from the people and the nobility, but now it arrived: the demonic army had finally begun its invasion. Likely in that battle, Julius lost his life.

The demonic army.

I had heard reports of increased demonic activity before, but now it has come to this.

Even Elder Brother Julius—could he not prevail against the demonic army?

"Reports on the outcome of that battle have not yet arrived. We have dispatched an elite mage capable of spatial magic to verify the situation..."

At that moment, a knock sounded at the door.

"Enter."

"Apologies for the intrusion."

The figure who entered was one of the generals of this nation—his name I did not recall.

He advanced slowly to the center of the room, then knelt.

"Reporting, sir. Regarding the war between the human army and the demonic army."

Just the right timing. Now then, what is the situation?

Yes. Detailed information remains unclear due to chaos at the scene, but the demonic army was repelled, despite severe casualties.

I see. Continue.

Based on current reports, several fortresses have fallen. Particularly, the fortress of Kusorion appears to have been completely destroyed.

What! That great fortress!?

Y-yes. The information is not yet confirmed. The scene remains chaotic, with rumors circulating freely—some claim the demonic army summoned a colossal monster, others say they were obliterated by an unknown spell. It is impossible to determine which reports are accurate.

Hmm. But the report of the demonic army's retreat—is that confirmed?

Yes. That part is certain.

Understood. Report complete. Gather further information as needed.

“Hah! Then I take my leave.”

The general exits the chamber.

Father sits in thought, frowning, eyes closed.

We brothers wait for Father’s next words.

“Julius’s death has not yet been confirmed.”

“Yes. The scene remains chaotic. What shall we do?”

“Keep Julius’s death and Schrein’s ascension as the new Hero concealed for now.”

No one in the room objects to Father’s decision.

I do not understand politics well. It is better not to interfere.

“The full withdrawal of the demon army remains uncertain. Announcing the Hero’s death prematurely here would only cause unnecessary unrest among the populace. Eventually, news will emerge from the site. Julius’s death will become known. Until then, this matter is to be spoken of to no one.”

“Father, what of Schrein from now on?”

"Syrilis. I regret this, but you are to leave the academy today. Simultaneously, prepare yourself at all times to be announced as the new Hero. Syrilis."

"Yes."

"You are likely disoriented by this sudden change. From now on, you are the Hero. You must take up Julius's will and stand at the forefront of the war as the hope of humanity. You may not yet be ready for such resolve. But for the brief time before Julius's death becomes known, I require you to make that decision."

The hope of humanity?

Such a resolve... how can it be expected to be decided so suddenly?

"You are not yet able to process this. For now, you may leave. Rest in peace."

Father's voice, gentle, concerned.

For now, I will yield to that kindness.

"Sorry. Excuse me."

A brief farewell. I depart the room.

Father's and Reston's elder brother's worried eyes.

Syrilis’s cold eyes.

Blocking that gaze, I close the door.

An urge to collapse there and then—resisted. I walk forward.

Thirty days pass.

During that time, I devoted myself to solitary training within the castle.

As a Hero, I must grow stronger.

That was the pretext. In truth, I could not settle without activity. Too much idle thought led to unrest.

Movement of the body distracted the mind, slightly.

Rumors suggest Julius’s death remains concealed worldwide.

Father’s silence plays a large part. But perhaps the nations themselves judged that revealing the Hero’s death during this unstable period would be too dangerous.

The battlefield may already know. But in this country, far from the front lines, such rumors would not reach here for some time yet.

The demon clan has not launched another attack since then.

Reports indicate the demon clan suffered significant losses in this war. They are unlikely to move for some time.

Still, complacency is not an option.

It is no longer someone else’s concern.

The academy appears unchanged.

I hear updates occasionally through distant communication with Sū and Katia.

[How is it there?]

[Nothing has changed. There was some confusion when Shun suddenly left the academy.]

[Is that so. Please convey our regards to everyone at the academy.]

[Of course.]

[Sū. Are you well?]

[Yes.]

[Good. How about you?]

[Today, Yuri was recalled to the church.]

[Yuri?]

[Yes. Probably because news of Julius-sama’s death has reached the church as well.]

[So Yuri, the next candidate for Saint, has been recalled?]

[Probably. What happened to the Saint who served alongside Julius-sama?]

[All of Julius-sama’s companions are said to have been wiped out—except for Hyalins.]

[…I see.]

[Hyalins is expected to return home soon. Likely able to speak, at least. I’ll ask about details then.]

[Yes. Please stay quiet, if you can?]

[Hmm? Well, I’ve been told not to mention I’m the Hero to Father until the announcement. I won’t do anything reckless.]

[Then that’s fine.]

[Don’t say foolish things. Are you actually worried?]

[Of course.]

[Ah. Thank you.]

[…You’re welcome.]

This exchange occurred several times.

Hyalins was Julius-sama’s childhood friend. A comrade who once fought shoulder to shoulder with him.

I’ve met him a few times, together with my elder brother.

When Syrilis returns home, I’ll be able to learn much from him.

How my elder brother died.

To be honest, I can’t believe Julius-sama—so strong, so reckless—was felled so easily.

Was he caught in a cowardly trap? Or did he face an army too vast even for him to overcome?

I can’t imagine my elder brother losing in a one-on-one fight.

Those details, too, will surely become clear once Syrilis returns home.

I spent every waking moment in self-imposed drills, forcing myself to stay upright as my resolve threatened to sink.

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"Shun has inherited the title of Hero."

"Terrible."

Ah. And something about the movements around us feels off. I might not be able to handle this alone.

Understood. I’ll return immediately.

Apologies for interrupting your duties.

You’ll push yourself for your students, that’s admirable.

I respect that about you.

Yes. I didn’t think I’d become this sort of passionate character.

Have you reported to Potimas?

Already done. In the worst case, we may have to hide Shun among the elves.

I see. That might be best.

You’re not opposed to that?

Julius brother is dead. I don’t want my younger brother to die too. If we must never meet again, it’s better he’s alive.

Yes. We’ll do everything we can.

Ah. I’m counting on you.