Chapter 12: The Hero

I only realized I’d been deceived when I came face-to-face with the demonic beast.

It had lost its sanity.

The oppressive aura radiating from it—this was unmistakably a descendant of the Evil Dragon.

Something sinister was at play.

…And I was worried about Miria.

“My apologies, soldiers. I’m in a hurry, so I’ll be heading back first.”

With a single strike, I cut the beast down and turned to leave.

But then—the lord’s soldiers stepped in front of me, blocking my path.

“U-um, your clothes are stained… Would you like us to clean them for you…?”

Their voices trembled—not from fear of the beast, but from fear of me.

But—

“Sorry, I don’t have time. That can wait.”

Even so, they insisted.

“But—”

“Step aside. You’ll get hurt if you stand in my way.”

There was something off about them. Something familiar.

...A telltale sign of liars.

It was hard to believe such a powerful beast had been lurking near town. If it had been there long, the town would have been destroyed by now. That was how strong it was.

“…We can’t let you appear before His Lordship in such filthy attire. Please come with us quietly.”

No relief. No gratitude. Only an insistence on delaying me.

Then—

“I warned you.”

“Huh—?!”

I struck the nearest soldier in the chest with the hilt of my sword.

Instead of a metallic clang, there was a dull, sickening crunch. The soldier collapsed, his armor crumpling inward.

“H-Hero-sama, have you lost your mind?!”

Weapons were raised—swords and spears pointed at me.

“…I won’t hurt you if you let me pass. Move aside.”

“You—!”

One of them lunged at me with his spear.

I caught it mid-thrust, gripping the shaft.

Then I swung.

“Wha—?!”

The soldier holding it was sent flying into a tree with enough force to shake the earth.

He hit the ground. Unmoving.

“Ah—”

“Impossible—!”

Fear rippled through the remaining soldiers.

But I had no time to waste.

“…Endure a few bruises.”

I kicked off the ground.

The next few moments were a blur. Soldiers fell in rapid succession, collapsing one by one.

I left them behind in the forest—perhaps a little cruel, but necessary.

I had my priorities.

I sprinted back to town.

At my full speed, I could outrun a horse-drawn carriage. But excessive strength invited fear, so I held back.

The distance was considerable. But eventually, I reached the lord’s manor.

The gates were shut.

Two meters high.

No problem.

“…Hup.”

I leapt over them effortlessly.

The entrance doors groaned as I pushed them open.

Inside—

The grand hall was packed with soldiers.

Far more than when I had left.

…They were on high alert.

“Oh my, Hero-sama!” The lord’s voice rang out, feigning surprise. “Weren’t you supposed to be in the forest…?”

"The demonic beast is already dead. The blood on my armor should make that obvious."

"B-But the other soldiers—"

"They’ll return later. More importantly—where is my fiancée?"

"I-I don’t… That is—"

His expression flickered.

Not guilt. No—this was the look of a man scrambling to save himself.

"I’ll ask one more time... Answer me clearly. Where is Miria… Princess Mirialena the Ninth?"

"P-Princess Mirialena is currently—"

I moved. In an instant, my hand closed around the lord’s throat.

"L-Lord—?!"

Ignoring the startled soldiers, I lifted him with one arm.

"Ghk—!?"

"…Sorry. This makes it hard to talk, doesn’t it?"

I let go. He crumpled to the floor, gasping, coughing violently as he stared up at me.

"Where is Miria right now? That’s all I need to hear."

"Sh-She’s… ngh—!?"

I stepped on his outstretched hand. A sharp crunch. He screamed.

If this was all just a misunderstanding?

…I didn’t even consider it.

"You should answer before your other hand joins it."

His eyes widened—then twisted in pain.

"Y-You soldiers! Kill this—!"

A single kick sent him flying into the wall.

…I might’ve overdone it.

Well, as long as he’s alive.

Around me, the soldiers bristled with hostility.

…How many were complicit? How many were just following orders?

It didn’t matter.

"If anyone here knows Princess Mirialena’s whereabouts, tell me now. You’ll walk away unharmed."

I had my priorities.

The peace of the people, the stability of the world, nameless strangers—

Sure, those things mattered.

But more than that—so much more—

I would always protect those close to me.

They called me a "Hero," but I was never that noble.

For the sake of the girl I loved, for those who showed me kindness—

I could cast everything else aside without hesitation.

So—

"…I see."

Even as weapons were drawn, I felt no disappointment.

Only the burning urgency to save Miria. The fear for Jane’s safety.

And above all—

The fury at myself for not realizing the truth sooner.

A spear lunged toward me.

In close quarters like this, long weapons were a liability.

Poor maneuverability was fatal.

I slipped past the spearhead, closing the distance barehanded.

My fist slammed into the soldier’s metal breastplate—straight into his gut.

"Guh—!?"

Steel crumpled. Ribs cracked. A wet retch escaped his lips.

He collapsed without even bracing his fall.

"……"

Normally, I’d catch them—make sure they landed safely.

But today, I had no such luxury.

"I’d really prefer if someone just talked—"

A blade flashed.

I deflected it with my vambrace, then crushed the wielder’s foot—boot and bone—under my heel.

"GYAAAH—!"

Grabbing his arm, I wrenched him up and over my shoulder.

No leverage. No technique. Just brute force.

His shoulder dislocated. Bones snapped.

He hit the ground with a sickening thud, skull cracking against stone.

He didn’t move again.

"...If I knock out everyone, at least one should know something, right?"

Muttering to myself, I stepped forward.

Caught a short sword. Snapped a spear shaft. Sliced through a magic projectile midair.

Then dismantled their wielders.

Arms. Legs. Torsos.

I held back—just enough.

Enough to break bones, to keep them down. But not enough to kill.

One. Two.

They flew like ragdolls hit by a carriage.

At full strength, this would’ve ended in an instant.

But that would mean no survivors.

No one left to tell me where she was.

Miria would weep.

So I tempered my blows. Just enough.

Then—

"…Found you."

A bearded soldier edged toward escape. Higher-ranked than the rest.

A fresh burn scar marred his face—poorly healed, like a botched recovery spell.

His eyes held terror… and desperate hope.

That’s the one.

"…Then—"

I sent the remaining soldiers flying and lunged.

"HYEEK—!?"

Before his scream finished, I slammed him into the wall.

"GAH—!"

Stone cracked.

…Oops. Overdid it.

Whatever.

More importantly—

"Where’s Miria?"

"I-I don’t kno—"

My grip tightened. Something crunched.

"AAAAH! MY SHOULDER—! THE BONE—!"

"That burn on your face—from Miria’s stun-gun spell, right? Don’t lie to me."

"S-Stun…? I-I don’t underst—"

I drew my sword, resting the blade between his thighs.

"Next, I sever your tendons. You’ll never walk again. Or… you guide me while you still can."

"OKAY! OKAY! I’LL TAKE YOU! Sh-She’s underground!"

…

The middle-aged soldier limped ahead, my presence at his back ensuring no escape.

His hurried, stress-fueled steps led us to a stairwell.

"D-Down here! I’m not lying, I swear!"

"Good job guiding me."

"S-So can I go no—GUH!?"

My fist buried into his gut.

Organs compressed. Consciousness fled instantly.

He crumpled, piss soaking his pants.

"…Now, hurry."

Disinterested, I descended.

The stone steps led to—a dungeon.

Not part of the lord’s manor.

…No dust. Recently used.

That lord really is scum.

"……Miria."

I clenched my teeth, forcing down the rage as I pushed forward.

Urgency pounded in my chest, driving me faster—until I found it.

A heavy metal door.

Inside… people.

I wedged my fingers into the door’s seam and pulled.

With a shriek of twisting metal, the door crumpled like paper.

A flash of familiar fabric—a maid’s uniform.

Jane. And—

"Miria! Jane! Are you both—?!"

—A broken figure sprawled on the ground.

Miria.

"…You’re late, Yusuke."

She lifted her head.

"Miria…?"

Bruises.

Swollen cheeks. Blood trickling from her nose.

Her torn dress told its own story—violence.

That smooth, silk-like skin, now marred with cuts and scrapes.

Like crimson stains blooming on pristine white sheets—

The sight of it—

—broke me.

---

"...H-Hey... Yusuke...?"

I called out to him, but he just stood there, staring at me in stunned silence.

Yeah, I must look like a mess right now. But back when we traveled, Yusuke—our frontliner—was usually the one who ended up worse for wear.

"Ah—! S-Sorry, Miria! I’ll break these restraints right now—"

"...Yeah, this bracelet seems to absorb magic—"

SNAP!

A sharp crack rang out.

In an instant, Yusuke had already drawn his sword—faster than I could blink. A split second later, the magic bracelet shattered cleanly in two.

A glance to the side—Jane’s ropes had been severed too.

She was frozen in place, face twisted with fear.

"Alright, let’s get out of—"

"IDIOT! Warn me before you slash something! You scared the hell out of me! And Jane!"

"...I’ll be more careful."

...Huh?

Normally, he’d apologize with a simple "Sorry..." But something about him felt... off.

Tilting my head, I activated healing magic internally.

Scrapes, cuts—mended.
Even the wounds in my mouth and my tangled hair.

I couldn’t fix my torn dress or wipe away the dirt and blood, but at least my body was back to normal.

Brushing off the dust—oh crap. My underwear was still fully visible.

Embarrassing, but... whatever. Not like this was the time to care.

Just as I sighed, Yusuke reached out to Jane.

"Jane, can you stand?"

"Y-Yes... I’m alright."

She must not be used to violence.

Even shaken, she managed to rise without help.
Even terrified, she had still tried to protect me.

I owe her one.

As we made our way out of the dungeon—oh.

The soldier who beat the crap out of me was lying there, piss soaking his pants.

His arm was bent the wrong way.

Yusuke’s handiwork, I assume?

Damn. Scary.

Walking toward the manor’s exit, I quickly filled Yusuke in.

"Yusuke, the mastermind is the Magic Guild’s guildmaster. Probably some idiot noble’s involved too."

"...I see."

"Also, the lord here’s in on—"

"That one’s handled. He’s sleeping over there."

Yusuke pointed.

Sure enough, the lord was sprawled on the floor, blood pooling from his hand and the back of his head.

I flinched. Then I shot Yusuke a look.

"Y-You didn’t kill him, right?"

"He’ll be fine."

"Oh, good—"

"Ah. Though if we leave him, he might die."

"NOT GOOD!"

I hurried over, casting healing magic to stabilize him.

His hand? Eh, whatever. But the head wound? That was bad news.

Not life-threatening, but without treatment, he’d have lasting damage.

It would’ve been real bad if I weren’t here.

After emergency first aid, I turned back to Yusuke.

"Anyone else we need to worry about?!"

"I don’t think so. I held back."

"H-Held back...?"

I glanced around.

This must be what they mean by a field of fallen soldiers.

Dozens of guards lay sprawled across the floor, groaning occasionally.

...Yusuke, don’t you think you went a little overboard?

Normally, he’d minimize injuries.

Guess that’s how frantic he was.

My fault, huh.

"...Well, whatever. Either way, reinforcements could show up any minute—we should—"

The manor’s entrance swung open.

Meaning: company.

"My, my, Princess. You’ve made quite the mess."

"...I didn’t do this, you old bastard."

"A hound’s misdeeds reflect on its master."

There he was—Oswam, guildmaster of the Magic Guild. Flanked by an entire squad of soldiers.

"Though this outcome was... unexpected, it’s not too late to—"

"Enough talking."

Yusuke cut him off.

Oswam’s brow twitched.

"Twice now, you’ve interrupted—!"

...Yikes. These two really don’t mix.

I knew Yusuke seemed off, but now I get it.

He’s pissed.

Saw this once... no, twice during our travels.

A demon could chew his arm off, and he wouldn’t bat an eye. But the moment malice hurt someone he cared about? Snap.

People say the gentle ones are scariest when angry. That’s not quite it.

Anyone would snap if pushed far enough. For Yusuke, that line is hurting his people.

Still, losing it over my injuries seems excessive...

...Wait. If he got hurt, would I snap too?

...Hmm. Hard to imagine Hero Yusuke ever taking damage. Bad comparison.

While I overthought, an overly decorated knight—no, Sir Fancypants—strutted up beside Oswam.

"...Enough prattle, Oswam. I told you I’d handle this man myself."

The guy oozed confidence.

Weird sword at his hip. Pompous air.

What is this, a conveyor belt of egos?

"I’ve waited for this, Yusuke."

"............"

...Wait, who is this guy?

Someone Yusuke knows?

...Oh. Ohhh. Now I remember.

That face—where’ve I seen it—

The knight smirked at my confusion.

"I am Fernando Rubel. I’ve come to challenge you to a rematch."

Ah.

The Rubel family’s son. Merchant-born, became a knight for clout... then got obliterated by Yusuke in a duel.

So that’s why the Rubels are backing the Magic Guild.

If he’d just stayed hidden, he might’ve gotten away with it.

Is he stupid?

Ah—I get it. He thinks if he kills Yusuke here and brainwashes me, everything will work out.

That’s some insane confidence... Are all nobles like this?

As a ruler’s daughter, that’s a deeply concerning thought.

"...I won't accept your duel."

"Running away? Pathetic, for someone once called the 'Hero.' Hahaha!"

Fernando laughed like he’d already won.

"I’m not running. But a formal duel between knights has rules."

"...What nonsense are you—"

"I’ll just beat you down like the thug you are."

The moment Yusuke stepped forward—

Fernando drew his sword.

…Is that even a sword?

The blade glowed a sinister crimson-black.

No ordinary weapon. A magic artifact.

And as if waiting for this moment, Oswam, the Magic Guildmaster, declared with pride:

"Behold—the 'Draconic Fang Blade,' forged from the fangs of a cursed dragon! Its saturated magic doubles the wielder’s strength and blocks any attack! A perfect shield!"

Dense magic swirled around Fernando’s body.

No normal knight should be able to wield this much mana.

It was essentially permanent high-tier enhancement magic—on par with my own spells.

And it was all coming from that sword.

I’ll admit, the Guildmaster’s skills are no joke.

"And of course, the blade’s sharpness and durability are enhanced as well! His armor, too, is custom-forged from crushed dragon scales! Fuhohoho! Magnificent, isn’t it?!"

…So, full cursed dragon gear, huh?

Impressive, but… doesn’t this reek of cursed equipment?

…Wait. Oh.

So this was their plan for dealing with the rampaging monsters—the ones driven mad by the dragon’s scent.

Fernando would "heroically" slay them with this sword, taking credit as the knight who defeated the beasts even the Hero couldn’t.

And with me brainwashed into backing him, his reputation would be untouchable.

…What a laughably transparent scheme.

I glanced back.

Jane was trembling, her face pale.

Even a civilian could feel the evil radiating from that sword—no wonder she was terrified.

I squeezed her hand and smiled reassuringly.

Under normal circumstances, this would be terrifying...

But honestly?

This was nothing.

Fernando raised the Draconic Fang Blade.

"My equipment is the finest of magical artifacts... while yours is nothing but a common knight’s standard-issue gear. A mere iron sword. But don’t mistake this for cowardice on my part."

"............"

"A knight’s strength isn’t just skill—it’s nobility, wealth, prestige! Your pitiful gear only proves your inferiority, you lowborn—"

"Enough talk. Let’s just get this over with."

Yusuke readied his blade.

A standard-issue iron sword—the same mass-produced weapon given to every rookie knight.

Cheap. Unremarkable.

And in his hands? More than enough.

"You still don’t understand your own stupidity…! That ignorance is your weakness! You truly are a fool, outsider!"

Fernando raised his cursed sword, its malevolent magic surging—

"............"

They clashed.

The first to strike—

Fernando.

"Die here, you fake hero! The princess belongs to me!"

…Did he just say something unforgivable?

Disgust crawled down my spine—

Then—

SCHING!

A sharp, clean snap.

"Huh?"

"Wha—?"

Oswam and Fernando's stunned voices rang out.

Something spun through the air, glinting—

Before embedding itself into the ground.

The blade of the Draconic Fang Sword.

Severed.

By Yusuke.

With a standard-issue iron sword.

sigh...

And here I was, hoping to confiscate that for research...