Ep.00 Exile the Hero.
Ep.00 Exile the Hero.
"Dad, when I grow up, I don't want to be a hero. I want to be a rich unemployed guy."
Tadak-tadak, I tossed out those words while listening to the sound of firewood burning in the fireplace. Father burst into laughter as if he found it absurd.
"Haha, look at this little rascal. Do you know how cool of a job being a hero is?"
"You have to swing a sword and sweat every single day. And it hurts if a monster bites you. I just want to live comfortably and do nothing."
Father looked at my playful face and gently ruffled my hair with his rough hand.
"But my son, if you become a hero, you will hold something in your hands that is far more valuable than money."
"What's that? Pretty noonas...?"
Ttak.
A light flick to the forehead landed on me.
"This kid is already thinking about naughty things."
I clutched my forehead and pouted, and Father opened his mouth again, laughing as if he couldn't help it.
"It is the sincere trust and respect of the people. If you shed blood and sweat to protect the world, they will genuinely cherish you and believe in you until the end. No matter what storms may blow, you will never be lonely. That is the privilege that only a true hero can enjoy."
The sparkling firewood light illuminated Father's smile in red. For some reason, those words remained in my young heart for a long time.
"Oh... that's kind of cool. Then I'll be a hero!"
"Yes, that's my boy. Hahaha..."
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The warm memory shatters into pieces in an instant.
Father.
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Now that I confess, you were completely wrong.
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"I hereby order the complete banishment of the traitorous hero Leon."
The Emperor's voice echoed across the cold floor.
Dozens of gazes filling the throne room were fixed on me all at once.
"Is this the only reward for risking my life to protect the Empire?"
"Protected? You?"
Someone burst into laughter as if they were dumbfounded.
"Arrogant bastard. Are you the only hero in the Empire?"
I let out a dry laugh, dumbfounded by their despicable smiles. I turned my head to look at those standing behind me.
"Frey, do you really think so too?"
Frey, the nun who always healed my wounds with a bright smile, avoided my gaze and gripped the cross on her chest tightly.
"I'm sorry, Leon. It was the will of the church, so I couldn't help it."
"Ha."
With a mocking laugh, I turned my gaze to the woman standing next to her. She, who had always protected my back with brilliant flames, was staring only at the tip of her staff with her head bowed.
"Say something too, Luna."
"......"
There was no answer.
The last place my gaze turned was to the comrade I had trusted with my back longer than anyone else.
"Then you, were you promised the position of hero?"
Letitia was clenching her fists with her lips pressed shut. Her lips, which trembled as if she were about to say something, never opened until the end, and she couldn't even meet my eyes in the end.
No one defended me.
The people I had protected with all my heart were now preparing to throw stones at me outside the castle gate.
"Traitor Leon, come out now!"
"Son of a dirty whore! Traitor to the Empire!"
"Drag out the con artist who was just pretending to be a hero!"
The shouts erupting from beyond the castle walls grew increasingly intense.
"You traitorous bastards... let's see how well you live without me."
In the end, I quietly turned around and walked out of the throne room.
No one stopped me.
Even while passing through the hallway, going down the stairs, and crossing the familiar main gate of the Imperial Palace.
The people I had dedicated my whole life to protecting were, in the end, remaining silent with their backs turned to me.
That was how I left the Empire.
And the next day.
Kwang—!
"Yo, Your Majesty!! Something terrible has happened!"
The door to the throne room was violently thrown open, and a knight rushed in. His face was deathly pale, and his armor was covered in dirt and dust.
At the sudden commotion, the gazes of the ministers were fixed on him all at once.
"What is this commotion?"
When the Emperor asked as if scolding him, the knight shouted without even being able to catch his breath properly.
"In the north... the signal fire has been lit in the north!"
"A signal fire?"
"The entire Northern Territory is currently on the verge of annihilation! They are urgently requesting reinforcements...!"
The room was instantly stirred by the sudden news.
"What on earth does that mean? The North is on the verge of annihilation! Did the six kingdoms unite and invade?"
The knight said, barely suppressing his trembling voice.
"Your Majesty.... the Demon King has been resurrected."
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