Work Text:
I almost died but why is everyone telling so much nonsense to me?
I ... became a hero?
Me? A world chosen hero?
.
.
.
.
.
.
Since I was young and became the chosen hero.
My parents looks so proud of me they made a sword for me to train to become a hero who will one day face the Demon King
Everyone I met keeps giving me praises and envy. Always telling me to become stronger as I am their Hero.
Ė̷̼v̷̗͉̫̙̼͒̾̀̏͒͝ê̴̖͚̠͂̄ȑ̷̖͌̊͝͝͝͠ÿ̵̧̢̻̙͖͚̺́̈́̈́͝o̷̡̮̦̝̥̍͒n̵̖̒ë̴̼̺̜͔̣́̓́́ ̵̛̲̭ľ̷͉͚̞̫͝͝ö̷͙̫̖̍͛̚̚͜͠v̸̢̰̻̪̤̝̍̂̀̆͠e̶͉̞̽͛͛̂̎̋̄s̷̨̛͚͇̩̑͊̑͊̚͜͠ ̵̞̓̈ḿ̶̳̙̲̠̱͝e̶͎̻̰̎͂̎
I train every single day filled with anticipation
I am a hero
I am their hero
I am the hero of the humanity
I am The world chosen Hero
I must meet their expectations and defeat the demon king to save humanity from demons and monsters.
Why do I feel like I'm forgetting something important?
The day of festive, The celebration of his Majesty's birthday.
The people who used to envy me are enjoying the festival with their family. I have to admit, I became the person who envied them to enjoy life. It's so ironic, I can't even laugh at myself.
Yet I...
I couldn't afford to waste time celebrating.
I never allowed myself to drown in pleasures of ordinary life
Since I am the chosen Hero
I am going to face the strongest Demon King in the history
I have to train harder after I defeat him. I will finally be able to enjoy the pleasure of life
I am not strong enough
I can't defeat the demon king with these weak strength
I must get stronger to defeat the Demon King
I will kill the Demon King
I must kill the demon king
I ...must kill the demons
The Emperor summoned me to go to the Hero expedition with the approval of the nobles.
I don't understand, My instinct is telling me it's too early to go to the Demon Realm
However the Duke convinced me, I am not an ordinary human but a hero. My strength shouldn't be compared to ordinary people
Am I walking towards my death?
Nonetheless, I already chose my allies who would come with me throughout my whole journey to the Demon Realm.
I did not expect the 3rd Hero of the Empire would join me.
I was warned by my colleagues, the 3rd Hero of the Empire is cold hearted and a barbarian who would kill anyone he sees
'are they going to return him to the demon world because he is rumored to be the vampire due to his unique hair and eye colors? ' is what the other selected party question to me and I have no knowledge anything related about the 3rd hero other than the rumors circulating about him.
Did he join because he was restricted to kill humans and was ordered to kill demons instead?
I wonder what his majesty is thinking...
The journey to the demon castle is rather rough. "Rather rough" wasn't enough to describe it. The moment we arrive, I only have one companion who survives throughout our journey
I trust him more than anything
" I'll go alone from here on out" Deon looks at me as if I am crazy
" ... are you serious?" Even in the face of several enemies, you look surprise and felt abandoned for asking you to be left behind
No one might have notice it but I do
You become crazy and insane everytime someone died. Your sanity is eating away your rationality because someone died in front of you
You're too soft and even build a wall to protect your heart, you get shaken and kill your enemies to protect yourself and around you as much as possible
Because of you, I understand more of my emotions and dying isn't normal.
And yet, only the two of us survive until we reach the demon king castle.
I learn so much from you and I trust you so much. Was it because you don't have a hero's fragment or was it because this is just you as an ordinary human wishing for survival?
Either way, I'm glad I met you. I only hope for you to come back alive
Atleast, one of us can come back alive
" The role of a companion was to clear the path to the demon king's castle for the hero to begin with. Your role ends here, Sir Hardt. you did a great job"
" ... " I know you knew the truth but I hope for you to not bring it up...
" But...If I win, I'll come back here. So could you wait until the battle is over?"
It might sound silly but I won't mind if you watch me until my very last breath. So , don't feel guilty and stay behind instead then go back safely
"... I promise"
But why do you look at me like you want to take me away from here?
Deon, you...
You are a kind man
"I'll be right back"
I faced the Demon King alone, he is so arrogant waiting in front of his castle. Expecting me to arrive and not infiltrate his castle
But what surprise me more is his question
" What's your name? "
I couldn't answer
When Deon fell from the sky stabbing an ogre, If it weren't from the sword stab through my stomach. I would have jump from shock
The outcome of this battle has already been decided, I lost against the demon king and my value become worthless
I am not worth saving
So why?
Why?
Why did you come here?
You should have run away, why?
Why did you come to this place to die?
Your duty isn't just my companion but also to report the outcome of this battle to his majesty. You don't need to go this far.
Why did you jump in the middle of the enemy camp and confidently make your way to me?
Ha,haha...
Could it be the small amount of time we been together made you feel like some camaraderie formed between us and you are here to collect my corpse?
Even if it means facing the Demon King?
Contrary to your public image, you are incredibly loyal and kind.
I tried to give you even a small fragment of the hero's power but the world refused, even if I tried to beg and bear the consequences for violating the will of the world.
The world did not listen to my plea
I wish I could do more and give you everything to escape this place and survive but my time is nearing its end.
I'm sorry I couldn't do more than this but thank you Deon
It hurts but it's okay, you supported my limping body and you never took your eyes away from me.
My life is a bit dull but I have no regrets
Ah...my name
I wish to know my name
Not my title but my real name
Deon probably did not know it since I never knew my own name
I change my wish, I hope you never forgotten your name
I wonder if my name will be at my funeral
If you manage to return alive to attend my funeral. I wonder if you'll remember my name
With that, everything went black
[World are you watching? Please watch over Deon Hardt]
[The world replied "worry not Hero, I have always been watching from the beginning" ]
I saw my funeral through Deon's eyes and it was more grand than I imagined.
A lot of people are mourning
A week of respect to the fallens dedicated not only to me but to all people who also participate the expedition
White flowers being thrown all over the place
All for me and the people I failed to protect.
They're only showing this as a sign of respect to the fallen hero but I did not give much care about them for pressuring us to go to the expedition.
As if our lives were meant to be thrown away.
Only one person who deserves to attend my funeral the most
Deon Hardt
He attended my funeral and he didn't know I witnessed all of these thanks to him. The only survivor of my party.
He doesn't know how amazing and nice he is. From voluntary joining us fighting against the demons to cherish his fallen comrades until the bitter end
Thank you Deon
I watch Deon's whole life from past to present. As a hero who has the ability to see a person's fate
There was someone who suffers more than me yet stronger than me
If it were me...I-
I would have already broke down but sir Deon ...
He fought much longer to the point the whole world broke him
He didn't care about the rumors about him
He never cares about how many people are willing to kill him. No, to be exact. he never look at them as if they weren't worth his attention
But he also never looks at the people who care about him genuinely, even if he does. He turn blind eye to them
He only focus on his goal
Just like I used to do when I want to kill the Demon King
Both of us are mad in our own way
We were played by these so called destiny and meaning of our existence
The more I watch Deon, The more he was played by the whole world like an entertainment and watch him to suffer
It hurts so much
To see myself destroying my humanity and lose my freedom
And an amazing person like Deon Hardt who still retain his identity become more broken than me
The world who I always tried to save as a hero would turn out to be the one who would betray me the most
But sir Deon Hardt have it worse than me
The world betrayed him and made him this way
I met him
The person who cherish Deon the most
We talk about the time we spent with Deon.
I already expected it but...
Talking with him in person
He's really a brocon
I didn't tell him about the part where I knew every single thing about Deon and looking at his memories
...I might actually disappear if he knew.
I mean, Cruel attack me the moment he met my eyes and demands an explanation what I'm doing inside Deon's heart as a soul fragment
Ability wise, I won't be no match for him if I never have the hero cheat ability because Cruel's swordsmanship is beyond limit of ordinary human whenever its something involve to his little brother
It reminds me when Deon's speed and strength also goes beyond a limit when its involve survival
They are truly brothers...
I watch Deon harming himself and grieve for Cruel. I look at the person next to me who is also watching Deon's life
He's also crying while clenching his fist
I pretend not to notice
I don't have the heart to separate that green eyes observing his little brother’s grief
I watch Deon destroyed himself even further
But I don't blame him
Because I might also do the same
Meeting you again is a blessing from the world who curse us the most
Deon, even thought I wasn't helpful to you and brought you to witness my demise resulting you joining hands with the demon king
I sincerely hope you can feel how much we love you even after death.
That's why, as a person who watches your beginning until the day you become a hero. I will help you get through the hero's tribulation.
My will to save you became the sole dependance and facing you right this moment is the will of my main soul.
Even if it's only a piece of my soul fragment stayed with you by marking your body to remain by your side.
I hope you will find your happiness as I do not dare to ask you to survive after witnessing what you been through
As you reunited with me, I knew you felt discomfort. You don't feel confident and deserve to meet me. Don't you?
It was easier to know your emotions, especially since both of us are inside your inner world. You are more honest and your thoughts are revealed easily
" Deon, I respect your will. As someone who watches your past and present. I do not dare to force you and control your life. So, even if your life is endangered. I will not step forward. I wish to disappear after I take over your body"
With this, you won't feel obligated to me. I'm sure you don't want to feel like you owe me something.
You don't want me to save you and yet even if I said these things
" You are naturally weak, even if world rejuvenation makes it easier to accept the power from a long time ago. It's very painful to receive it"
Atleast, let me help you carry a bit of your pain before I leave
" When you wake up, you will feel your body breaking down. Now that I'm here, you won't have to suffer nor die from shock"
I laugh internally at Deon feeling relief. Why does anyone want him to suffer? I couldn't help but curve a smile and began to give a kind explanation
Normally taking over a hero's body is nonsense but the world collide with coincidence being able to possess an another hero's body
" I will disappear for the last time now, but I want to leave a few words for your life. as someone who saves you, this should be fine"
I took a step closer and reach out to Deon caressing him
"You are more loved than you think"
He didn't believe me as expected, but I have to tell him more to convince him
"There's a man who wants you to live even after death" that man loves you too much more than himself. It made me adore you
"There are people who want you to be happy even after death" even though some of them died by your hands. They never blame you
"Be free and unrestrained, There are people who want you to live the life you want" Don't be pressured by the world to fulfill their will. Live your life and be free
" Don't be a hero like me. Didn't I say, be free and unrestrained? Hah...I even forgotten my own name, I hope you never forgotten your own name"
I smiled bitterly with that only regret I have before dying until this person erase my regret
" .......Cassius "
Hah...Deon...you...really......... Even at this moment, you ...........
Cassius widen his eyes in shock as he stared at Deon then smiled softly
See? You are loved. Because you are this type of person
" Yes, it was. My name is Cassius. I was the son of blacksmith"
"..."
" I didn't expect you to remember. Thank you"
Hah...instead of me comforting you, you ended up comforting me. in the end, my words didn't have an effect on you
But even so, I am one of the people who never stop loving you
It's unfortunate, to you I am just one of your allies who died fighting alongside with you but to me you are someone who give a meaning to my death
" Oh! I almost forgot about the important thing, the day you were kicked out by your nightmares. I was asked to deliver a message to you"
He looks at me with full attentiveness. I knew that even if I said a thousand words. It's nothing compared to that person single word because he means the world to you.
" a man with black hair and green eyes send his regards"
Deon tried to reach out to me , disappearing into the burst of light.
The name you gave back to me. My identity means so much more than you would imagine. Thank you
Deon, live well. I will also be free from the world shackles, I will be waiting for you on the other side
Watching you even after 150 years...■■ , you remember your past life after reading the book. I'm not that kind of talent by re-mem-ber , did you? I am still waiting for you to come back with the Guardian Spirit...or was it Guardian Deity now? Haha
The world wanted you to break the contract with death and same goes with me but I do not wanted you to pressure yourself with our decision
Live your life as you wanted
I will be here until you are ready to come back and rest comfortably
It's the least I could do to you, as your companion who is still watching over you
■■