The immortal hero who thinks of the heroines as his daughters vs. heroines who want to make the hero understand them - Chap 3

“Sei, breakfast.”

A tall man with black hair tied back called out. This man—Rex, appearing somewhere between a youth and an adult—gently placed more smoking food on a wooden table.

Responding to his words was… a green-haired girl. Looking at Rex and the girl’s age difference, it might seem a bit risky from the outside, but in reality, the difference is quite the opposite of appearances.

“Oh… You’ve really gotten better, haven’t you?”

The girl, looking somewhat sleepy and rubbing her eyes, lifted the corners of her mouth at the sight of the delicious-looking food.

It’s been ten years since Rex was found by the spirit. Cooking every day, he has now undergone a remarkable transformation.

“Well, I’ve been doing it for a long time. Eat it before it gets cold.”

“Hmm… When you were little, calling me ‘Spirit-sama!’ was so cute. How did you become so rough?”

“If you see a lack of dignity for years, this is what happens.”

“That’s harsh!”

“If Sei starts acting more properly, I’ll be respectful again.”

—Sei, huh…

The spirit girl smiles faintly in her heart. She picked him up, named him, and it was a name she gave to herself to please Rex, who was dissatisfied that spirits didn’t have names. Although, it was a supremely simple thing, as “Sei” was derived from “Seirei” (Spirit)…

Indeed, she has a sense of perception different from humans.

“You used to call me ‘Sei-sama’ at first. Why have you started calling me without honorifics?”

“… Doesn’t matter.”

“It does matter!?”

The human youth speaks quietly, and the spirit girl talks noisily. The daily life that has continued for ten years was terribly calm and seemed happy.

◇

“Everyone. You have endured well.”

Inside the village’s largest building, humans equipped with weapons made from animal skins and monster fangs are gathered. There are about fifty in total. Nearly all the working-age men from a village of around two hundred people were assembled here. They are sweating with tension, but smiles are on their lips.

“For ten years. Ten years. Since we vowed to perform the ‘Spirit Killing,’ we have endured for ten years.”

“…………….”

“We have prepared weapons to kill it. We have prepared equipment to protect ourselves from its unreasonable attacks. We have trained every day to kill the spirit, and those who are here now are skilled warriors.”

“…………….”

“Unfortunately, the sorcerer passed away last year. But our resolve does not waver. For the sake of humans, for the sake of our future children, we will risk our lives to kill it!”

“………..!”

“Let’s go! For the realization of our long-cherished wish!!!!!!!!”

“Oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooh!!!!!!!!!”

Wait, you monster. Today is the day you die.

“……….!”

“What’s the matter?”

A tranquil time was flowing. Rex was playing with a little bird that had stopped by the spirit tree, but when Sei, who had been napping, suddenly jumped up, the little bird was startled and flew away. Since she, who was usually composed and unflappable, showed such a reaction, he worriedly furrowed his brows. This expression of emotion was probably part of her growth over these ten years.

“……No, it’s nothing.”

“It doesn’t look like nothing.”

“I just had a bad dream, that’s all.”

She waved her hand dismissively, as if to deceive. Naturally, he didn’t believe such words, but Rex understood that she was troublesome when like this, so he let it slide. Well, if she doesn’t tell me, it must be something she doesn’t need to tell me. He sighed as he looked up at the sky where the little bird had flown.

It looks like rain is coming.

That day, ten years ago. A shaman brought an individual with an overwhelming presence from somewhere. He looked human, but was certainly different… The village chief, who had never before encountered a human with more power than himself, inadvertently bowed his head to show respect.

“Good. Raise your head.”

The voice shook his ears, like a bell being rolled. But the next moment, it carried the impression of a deep valley’s depth, or perhaps was hoarse like a bird’s death cry. Certainly not human. The village chief broke out into a cold sweat. Just what had the shaman brought…?

Trepidation filled him as he raised his face. There stood what seemed like an innocent child, who could be found anywhere.

“No…”

At first glance, yes. Indeed, it looked like a human child, but the pressure encapsulated within it far surpassed that of a human.

Just by being there, an honor was present that nearly made one kneel. Thanks to the earlier exchange, the village chief could resist it a little, but those seeing it for the first time would undoubtedly be unable to resist.

“Village Chief… This being is a ‘god.'”

“A ‘god’…?”

“Born from human hearts and existing for humans. It possesses power like the hateful spirits, but wields it for humanity… Indeed, an existence for our sake.”

“That is a ‘god’…”

“Hmm…” The village chief heaved a heated sigh. Indeed, now that it was mentioned, he felt an aura similar to that of a spirit. But this was not a spirit born of nature; it was a being born of humans. A god.

“This being will lend us its power for our prosperity.”

“Oh…! How grateful…!”

“When the children of men flourish, my power also grows. It’s what you call cooperation.”

The god wore an innocent smile, raising a single finger. Even such a simple movement exuded overwhelming divine majesty.

“How about starting with ‘spirit slaying’ for the sake of human prosperity? What do you say, child of man?”

“Since that day, we have grown stronger.”

The village chief, clutching the sweat that had soaked his hand, glared at the massive tree that had come into view. They were walking from the village with their warriors. Perhaps due to the spirit’s power, they had not encountered a single monster thus far. Their sworn enemy, the spirit, was said to reside in that Spirit Tree. According to the god, it drew power from the trees, so when the battle began, they planned to set fire to all the surrounding trees. The chief wiped his palm roughly with his clothing and gave the command.

“All troops, halt.”

“……….”

“You see it? The largest tree, that’s where our enemy resides.”

The village chief raised a single finger for emphasis and then slowly pointed at the tree.

“Indeed, the spirit is strong. Its kind are born of nature and wield nature’s power.”

“……….”

“But does that mean we cannot win? That is not so. A god born from humans who have conquered and overcome nature has given us power!”

“Oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”

“This is the first step towards our future! Archers, release your flaming arrows!!!!”

Warriors with large bows released arrows, the tips of which roared and blazed with fire. Perhaps it was the result of training for this day, but the arrows flew without faltering in the wind, heading straight for the Spirit Tree.

“……….”

The archers watched with bated breath. Please, this attack is crucial to the morale of our troops going forward. Let it succeed…!

Whether their wish reached the heavens or was witnessed by the god, the flaming arrows struck the Spirit Tree with certainty, and the flames spread to the other trees.

“Success! Warriors, chargeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!!!!”

“Ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooohhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!”

The warriors roared and began to run. Whether it was the spirits who noticed the attack or not, roots began to grow from the surroundings, trying to ensnare their legs, but it was futile.

“This is the grace of the god! The filthy power of the spirits has no effect at all!”

As the roots shattered into pieces, the clouds parted as if blessing the brave warriors heading towards the future, and sunlight shone through the gap. No, it must have indeed been a blessing, for their running speed suddenly increased.

“It’s over, monster!”