The Nameless Hero Sets Out
Among the adventure tales etched into human history, if asked for the oldest, countless scholars would unanimously point to the tale of the nameless hero.
Long ago, when monsters suddenly appeared in the world and brought suffering to many, a nameless hero was chosen by the Life Goddess and drew the hero's sword. This hero fearlessly cut down monsters too powerful for human armies to handle—beasts later called elite monsters—becoming a beacon of hope for the masses.
Though an orphan with nothing to his name, his rise to hero through endless effort only boosted his popularity. Yet some criticized him, claiming his growth stemmed from the Goddess's external favor.
Setting aside personal opinions, the adventure tale of the first hero, the nameless one, has endured through countless mouths to this day.
Amusingly, his first adventure is said to have begun with a fallout—and subsequent runaway episode—with the Goddess's proxy, whom he saw as family.
The hero set off on his adventure!
Using the coordinates I'd marked on him, I watched his journey unfold while munching on a simple snack.
Hmm. If he knew I was treating his adventure like entertainment, would he get mad?
But I can't just not watch. If some weirdo latches onto him, instant divine punishment! Drop a rock on 'em or something.
Though, your average temptation wouldn't work on him anyway. This hero's one I raised with serious effort.
I'd say I did a pretty damn good job. He's hero material through and through now.
With that, the hero left the Dragon's Tomb and hit the road.
It was a well-trodden path used by pilgrims heading to and from temples around the world—monster-free for the most part.
He strolled along it at a leisurely pace.
Hmm. Not even considering I might chase after him?
Those steps look utterly unhurried.
Well, I wasn't planning to anyway. Just watch from afar and lend indirect help when needed.
……
The hero's adventure was boring so far.
Makes sense, though. Hard for trouble to brew here.
Pilgrims from the Life Temple are everywhere, and most can fend off monsters—or they're dragons in disguise.
Thus, paths trod by Life Temple pilgrims were generally safe.
And so, the hero's first adventure kicked off as a relaxed trip.
It's only just begun, after all. Gotta keep watching for a while.
"Mom? What're you doing out here?"
I turned toward the voice and saw a golden-haired beauty standing there, face full of curiosity.
Shamash's incarnation.
"Oh? Shamash?"
"Yes! The goddess of light, justice, and law—Shamash!"
This kid's always so bright and cheery. Makes sense for the goddess of light, though—dour wouldn't fit.
"I heard you'd been living with a human kid these past few years, but suddenly you're alone, so I got curious and came to check. Tired of child-rearing already?"
"As if. The kid just ran off on a little solo trip, so I'm hanging here keeping an eye on things."
He'd freak if he came back and I wasn't around.
"Hmmm... Pouring so much affection into a human kid. Very you, Mom."
"What do you mean by that?"
"Well, you raised us seven—total strangers, no blood ties—like your own. You're probably the kindest being in this world."
The kindest being, huh.
"Even after turning all those dragons into that?"
"They—and we—messed up. I get why you were so mad now."
Hmm. Hearing that from the goddess of law and justice? Kinda soothing.
"Anyway, why'd the human kid run off all of a sudden?"
"Beats me. Something bugged him, I guess."
I should've talked it out more instead of jumping down his throat...
"Jeez. Ungrateful brat. Doesn't even realize the golden opportunity he's got."
"Don't talk like that. He's just a human kid. Short-lived—won't even see a century. Can't stack wisdom over eons like you lot."
"True, but..."
"And you all screwed up once too. Same deal."
Shamash went quiet as a clam.
"Anyway, don't badmouth the kid. He's just a little lost right now."
"Sigh. Fine. If you say so, Mom."
Can't lead the lost ones or watch with kind eyes? At least don't trash-talk.
"So, what're you raising him for anyway?"
"Uh... monster hunting?"
Officially, yeah. Minus the part about tiny shards of darkness in the elite ones.
"Monster hunting... So irrational. If that's the goal, you could just wipe 'em all out yourself."
True.
"But it'd be a hassle to do it personally."
"Then make a golem like Talos to guard the underworld?"
Talos-style?
"Well... yeah, but..."
"I don't get why you're bothering with all this hassle. Is it that meaningful?"
Shamash's sharp words landed like a blow! My vision went dark!
She's right, honestly! Empowering one human's way less efficient!!!
"B-but..."
"But?"
"Heroes are a romance, y'know..."
Romance.
In this model-garden world I could flip on a whim... how precious is it to chase a romance!
If I'd only cared about efficiency, would I be managing this world? Hell no! Too annoying!
Anyway, romance matters. Romance.
"Romance...? What's that?"
"Forgoing the rational, optimal path for the irrational one, doggedly anyway?"
"Huh?"
I shook my head with a small sigh.
"You're too young to get romance yet."
"No, why would something so irrational even need understanding? I don't get it!"
"Romance isn't for the head. It's what the heart demands."
That's why I went with the irrational hero route!
Shamash still looked baffled, of course.
"Didn't expect you'd get it easy. Romance is hard to grasp."
"Urgh... I don't really get it, but if you value it so much, it must be super meaningful! Got it! I'll try to understand this romance thing too!"
"Whoa, I didn't mean go that far..."
I couldn't bring myself to say, If it were easy, it wouldn't be romance!
How could I crush a kid that fired up?
"Oh, right! Sylphid said you're bullying some human?"
"Hm? Oh, yeah, been doing that."
And still am, whenever I get the chance! Savor creator-god pettiness!
"You wouldn't do that lightly—what's the deal?"
"Deal? Eh, he insulted me at my temple and lusted after my human form."
"What? After you, Mom?"
That instant, light burst from Shamash's face. Blinding.
"What kind of idiot!!! How dare he do that to Mom!!! He can't live! I'll burn him to ash with light right now!!"
"Hey, easy there. I'm already messing with him. Tone down the face-glow—it's dazzling."
"But! He dared touch Mom! Mom! Dared!!!"
She was so pissed her speech glitched.
"Ahem. Sorry you saw that ugly side. My bad."
"Yeah, you rarely blow up like that."
"Even I get mad sometimes."
Finally, she dimmed the light from her face. News to me she glows when angry.
"So, where's this creep who messed with you?"
"Was the second prince of the Acad Kingdom. Booted out now, wandering."
"Wandering—whereabouts?"
"Hard to say in words."
I lightly tapped Shamash's forehead, showing her Orkus's location—the ex-second prince of Acad.
"P.S., I cursed him immortal, so he won't die even if you kill him."
"Oh? Hmm... Might as well layer on a 'burns in sunlight' curse then."
Casually dropping terrifying curses. Not bad, though.
As we chatted, the hero entered a human village.
Wonder how this kid—who spent so long just with me—handles others...
And the hero...
"Hey there! First time in the village?! Whoa, you're built! Hunter? Nah, that massive greatsword—soldier? Warrior maybe?!"
"Uh, w-well... y'see..."
Was getting totally overwhelmed by the bubbly girl at the village entrance.