The First Hero: End of the Adventure (1)
“And so, the little dog that had turned into a monster regained its peace and returned to the embrace of its family. The end...”
The girl with the oversized glasses pushed her spectacles back up her nose from where they'd slipped down and closed the fairy tale book she held.
“When I read this as a kid, I thought it was just a simple tale about how good deeds bring blessings and bad ones punishment. I never imagined it was tied to actual history.”
“Well, a lot of stories are like that. In the fairy tale, the mean friend foolishly kicks the dog and makes it mad, but real history was different.”
“How exactly?”
The sleepy-faced girl replied with obvious annoyance.
“You heard it roughly in class yesterday.”
“All I remember is that a war broke out, and tiny little Arcadia pulled off a miraculous victory that let them start building their power.”
“Then you've got the gist. Look up the rest yourself. I'm too lazy.”
The girl yawned hugely and flopped face-first onto her desk.
“What? Isn't it fun? The behind-the-scenes story of the fairy tale from your childhood?”
“Not really. I already knew.”
“What? Since when?”
“A long, long time ago.”
“What?! Spill! It! Why do you get to know all the cool stuff first?”
The glasses girl puffed out her cheeks and grumbled at the sleepy one.
“It's always like this! You hog everything first! It wouldn't hurt to share the fun!”
“I don't remember hogging anything.”
“You! Did! Back home, you got all Dad's praise by yourself! You got into the academy first! It's not fair!”
“Then just do something to earn Uncle's praise.”
“Anyway, not! Fair!!”
The sleepy girl let out a small sigh and said, as if giving in,
“Fine, one thing. I'll add a tidbit that might interest you.”
“Huh? What is it?”
The glasses girl's eyes lit up with curiosity as she stared at the sleepy girl.
“In that fairy tale you just read, who do you think was the guest who left the puppy behind?”
The glasses girl tilted her head at the sleepy girl's question.
“Isn't that just a story character? Who'd entrust a divine beast to some random person?”
“Think about how its background is real history.”
“Hmm... Well... It said that puppy was the first Beast God of the beastkin. So... someone worthy of entrusting the first Beast God... Hmm...”
The glasses girl folded her fingers as she counted off possibilities.
“Back then, there weren't many known gods yet—no Pantheon even. Hmm...”
After pondering a bit, she said,
“No way—the Life Goddess?”
“Correct.”
“For real? Seriously?”
“Who else would handle something like that?”
The glasses girl looked a little stunned.
“That goddess does everything. Any ancient tale, she's always popping up like, 'That was me!' She's behind countless myths.”
“Tell me about it.”
The sleepy-eyed girl added this with an odd expression—one hard to put into words.
While traveling with the Hero, I kept an eye out for a suitable match to pair him with, on the side.
And among the top candidates, the girl I'd revived long ago was still...
“Surprisingly, still unmarried.”
“Pardon?”
“The girl who seemed to have a thing for you back then. The one from the village near the Life Temple.”
“Didn't that story end ages ago?”
“End? It doesn't end until you get married and have kids!”
The Hero gave me an exasperated look.
“I've told you, I'm not thinking about marriage.”
“Really?”
“Yes!”
I stared intently at the Hero, who denied it so firmly.
“Truly, really?”
“Yes!”
I kept staring at the Hero without a word.
Silently.
Continuously.
And then...
“Liar.”
I just chuckled softly.
“I won't say a word about you still clinging to those lingering feelings. But you have to get married and have kids.”
If word spread that the First Hero died old, unmarried, and childless, how embarrassing would that be?
And I think we've had this talk before... Hmm. Whatever.
“So choose: deal with the flood of women who've heard you're looking for a partner, or meet that girl who's still single because she's hung up on someone.”
The Hero pondered briefly, then said with resignation,
“I'll... meet her once.”
“There we go. Should've done that sooner.”
Satisfied with the Hero's utterly defeated expression, I canceled the message I'd prepared for the Life Temple folks—just in case.
If he'd said no, I'd have sent it right away.
Hmm. It would've been fun watching him swept up in a global storm of women.
Yeah.
And so, the Hero and I arrived at the village near the Life Temple.
Too skimpy on the travel description? We flew here quick and dirty!
Once the Hero made up his mind, we couldn't waste a single day.
In the village, we were greeted by...
“Ah! Welcome! It's been so long!!”
The girl looked exactly the same, even after decades. The Hero gaped in astonishment.
“Decades have passed, yet you haven't changed a bit.”
“Ehehe. Right? I don't know why, but I just don't age! Not just me—everyone in the village! Seems like it for everyone you revived back then! Folks around here even call us 'the village blessed by the Life Goddess'! Oh! Right! I've heard all about you, Hero! The hero of humanity! Vanquishing monsters left and right, traveling the world! Pilgrims spread your tales everywhere. Especially in a village this close to the Life Temple!”
Her chatter was as lively as ever, despite the long absence.
“Oh! Right! Can't just leave such honored guests standing here. As village chief, I'll treat you both to the best hospitality!”
“You're the chief now?”
“Yes! Dad stopped aging after revival too, but his lifespan didn't change. He passed about twenty years ago.”
Hmm. Twenty years ago. Average lifespan, then.
“He stayed hale and hearty right up to the end, though. Good death. A fine passing.”
A good death, huh. Fair enough—if you live pain-free and vigorous till your time's up.
Sad for those left behind, though.
“So what brings you two here? Surely there are people everywhere needing the Hero's help.”
“It feels like time for the Hero to hang up his sword.”
“Huh? Why? You're the greatest hero! Kids these days grow up on your adventure stories, saying, 'Mom! I wanna be like the Hero when I grow up!'”
The Hero gave a wry smile. Being idolized by so many was burdensome, but his face didn't show outright dislike.
“No grand reason. Just... time to settle down and start a family before it's too late.”
“Oh my! Oh my oh my! Oh my oh my oh my!!! Congratulations!!! You two!!! Truly, congrats!!! I hoped, but... wow! Oh my gosh!!”
I could guess what she was thinking.
“Sorry, but I can't be with the Hero.”
“Huh? Why not? Sure, the Hero looks his age, but you're both similar! I get flak for faking my looks, but the Dragon Priestess seems eternally young!”
I chuckled softly and replied,
“Because I'm the Dragon Priestess—that's why we can't be together.”
“Oh my! Oh dear! A tragic love that traveled the world together yet can never unite! Still, they press on for the sake of the world!!! This... this is delicious! Prime storytelling material—people would talk about this doomed romance for centuries!!!!”
No, not really. It's just one-sided puppy love.
Eh, no need to correct her.
“Think what you want. Anyway, we're looking for someone to be this guy's partner...”
“What?! The Hero's partner?! For real?! Gotta spread the word now! For the Hero, we need the absolute best bride candidates! Did you come to me to get the pilgrims talking? Perfect choice! In this village, word reaches every pilgrim in under a year!”
I didn't say that I could just send a message myself, and murmured softly,
“Why don't you become the Hero's partner?”