Prologue: You've Been Kidnapped
The hero party. A hero party is typically made up of a hero, a thief, a mage, and a saintess. No one knows why. It is as if someone decided it long ago—they always number exactly four.
Anyway. The hero party, bound by a fate-like decree, sets off on a perilous journey to defeat the Demon King. They encounter allies and enemies, overcome countless incidents, and achieve mental growth. This sequence never changed. After prevailing through every trial, the hero party finally reaches the Demon King’s castle and fights the final battle.
A brutal clash unfolds. Wounds are suffered. Yet the hero party refuses to yield, driven by the single-minded resolve to slay the Demon King.
“Kugh… Hero, you dare—!”
Driven into a corner, the Demon King spits out a voice thick with resentment. Four members in perfect balance. The Demon King fights with everything he has, but soon a holy sword pierces his heart. The Demon King’s body crumbles into dust and vanishes. The Demon King’s annihilation. The hero party’s victory. The world regains its peace.
“Waaaaah—!!”
Returning to the capital, the hero party is showered with cheers from the citizens. After bringing peace to a world steeped in chaos, the reaction is only natural. Afterward they would receive all the gold, silver, treasures, and anything else their hearts desired.
“…So why are you telling me this?”
A girl with her ankle shackled in iron chains glares upward with anxious eyes. The mysterious man answers her question.
“Because you’re the hero.”
“…I’m not the hero, though.”
“Not yet.”
“What kind of bullsh—”
“You’ll understand soon enough.”
The girl could not comprehend it. What on earth was this man saying? She was just an ordinary person… He must have mistaken her for someone else. Gathering her courage, she asked,
“Um… I think you’ve confused me with someone. I won’t tell anyone, so… could you please let me go?”
Gulp.
The girl swallowed dryly and waited for his answer. In the gloomy solitary cell, faint window light brushed across the man. He gave a small, amused snort at her bold question and replied,
“Still haven’t figured it out?”
You’ve been kidnapped.
The kidnapper’s voice rang out, cold as a blade. It was the moment the hero’s perilous journey began.