It wasn't like this originally.
It wasn't like this originally.
The village festival was filled with bright laughter, the sound of fireworks, and the joyful shouts of merchants selling food.
The most beautiful girl in the village and the hero, for whom every word related to beauty in the world was not enough.
The two of them walked arm in arm, exchanging affectionate gazes.
They enjoyed the festival while receiving envious looks from the people around them.
Soon, the festival reached its finale.
On a hill overlooking the entire village, the two shared a kiss.
It was a beautiful, pure, and lovely kiss—and love.
After the kiss, the girl shyly headed home, and the hero waved at her until she disappeared. Once she was out of sight, he finally returned to the inn where he was staying.
The hero opened the door and entered the room.
"...Why are you coming into my room, you crazy bastard."
As he turned his gaze toward the sudden outburst of profanity, there was a man who was the complete opposite of the hero's image.
Sun-tanned, copper-colored skin.
His hair shone with a golden hue, as if to represent his arrogance, and he had a sharp, handsome appearance that seemed capable of capturing the affection of many women.
And muscles and a build that seemed to symbolize his martial prowess.
The room was filled with the smell of cigarettes the man had been smoking and scattered liquor bottles, which would have made anyone entering feel intimidated, but the hero, perhaps due to his own strength, approached him without fear.
"Raul, did you just wake up?"
Instead, the hero came to the side of the bed where he was sitting and sat down without hesitation, like an old friend, as if he were worried.
"Tsk. Just tell me what you want."
At Raul's indifferent reply, the hero immediately smiled brightly and said.
"Anna. She's a girl I met in this village. She's probably the most beautiful one here, right?"
"Ah, right... I'm so envious, really."
He still looked unimpressed, but the hero continued as if he didn't care.
"You know, right? The location is the blue-roofed house next to Alaina's flower shop."
"...It's my fault, it's all my fault."
Watching Raul mutter to himself in self-deprecation, the hero left the room with a truly beautiful smile.
Before closing the door, he turned back and left one last remark for the man who was lighting a cigarette.
"That day in the stable... I have never once forgotten it. So you take responsibility, Raul. The hero who will save the world depends on your hands, you know?"
Watching him close the door and leave, Raul said quietly.
"You hardcore masochistic pervert... Huu..."
Staring blankly at the white smoke he exhaled along with his words, Raul recalled that summer when everything began.
