When I said, "You can be a hero," to a child with no talent, he really started to become a hero, so I acted like I knew what I was doing, like I was a wise master.

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This story takes place about 11 years before Wil and the others became the hero’s disciples. At that time, Hero Dan was 19 years old.

Hero Dan, Linlin Frontier, and Sakura Arletiawere staying in a place south of the Trellbarna Kingdom’s large city, Mirelzam.

“The Immortal King… So such a being has appeared?”

“It seems so. One demon king after another keeps appearing… what’s going on?”

“But, according to the ‘Divine Oracle,’ aren’t the ‘Seven Sacred Swords’ supposed to defeat it? If that’s the case, we don’t have to do anything this time, right?”

“That’s true… We don’t have to do anything for a while, right?”

“Yeah… I think so.”

The two were sitting at an outdoor table at a certain café. Lin and Sakura were drinking tea and reading the newspaper, discussing the demon king that had suddenly arrived from space about a week ago.

“You know, I really don’t like that divine oracle. No offense to the Oracle or the priests and nuns.”

“I’ve heard you say that before, but I agree, I don’t like it either. I mean, we’re constantly getting these oracles, aren’t we?”

“Yeah, sometimes I wish they would stop… Well, I guess it can’t be helped since we’re the hero’s party.”

“It would be nice if there were an oracle that said our chests would grow larger if we fulfilled it, though…”

“Eh?”

“Just kidding. Even if that were the case, I would refuse… I cried so much last time because of that…”

Sighing, Lin rubbed her head. Seeing this, Sakura chuckled wryly as well. Surrounding them, curious eyes were directed at the legendary hero’s party members, and Lin’s headache only worsened.

“Speaking of which, where’s Dan?”

“He said he had some errands to run. You know, the ‘Hero Dan Festival’ is happening in four days, right? He said there’s a lot to do for it.”

“Oh, I see.”

The Hero Dan Festival is a celebration honoring the glory, achievements, and existence of Hero Dan. Having repelled the demon king time and again as a hero, he is a true modern-day hero. Thus, having a festival to praise him is not strange at all. The reason the two party members were called upon was for this purpose.

“Four days from now, huh… It would be nice if the Immortal King is defeated by then.”

“I think they’ll defeat him, don’t you? After all, the Seven Sacred Swords are S-rank adventurers, right? They’re said to be even stronger than you and me.”

“Well, yes… Of course, they are.”

***

“Hey, what happened with those so-called Seven Sacred Swords?”

“They lost. They managed to defeat it once, but it wasn’t even close. They couldn’t lay a finger on the demon king with an almost infinite life and were ignored.”

“Hmph, foolish.”

“Probably, the purpose was to deliberately let the seven escape, to demonstrate its strength. There’s no need to even lift a finger; it seems to want humanity to surrender, making them think they can’t possibly win against such overwhelming power.”

In an arrogant, condescending tone, Hero Dan questioned a certain old woman. They were in a suspicious, dimly lit private room. Wooden dolls and mysterious glass orbs were placed all around the room. In the middle of it all, set between Hero Dan and her, was a particularly beautiful crystal.

“It seems that the recent divine revelations have become nothing but bluffs.”

“You, don’t ever say that outside. Those words are too much for priests, sisters, and people like me who are diviners. Your words cut too deeply for those who believe in God.”

“I don’t care. What will the next divine revelation be?”

“You’re asking something you already know… God is saying this: the great sage Linlin and the supreme swordsman Sakura will defeat the Immortal King.”

“How boring. A truly boring existence…”

A grinding sound, like teeth gnashing, could be heard from behind the mask. The old woman, seeing this, sighed.

“Stop it, you. What do you gain from doing that?”

“Hmph, where is this so-called Immortal King?”

“East of this city… that’s where their temporary base is.”

“I see. Voyager, I’ll thank you this time.”

The one called Voyager, the old woman, sighed heavily.

“Are you going alone?”

“Don’t tell them anything.”

“I don’t mind, but are you sure? This time, it’s a formidable enemy.”

“It would be more troublesome if they cry over the divine revelation.”

“Oh, how cool.”

“I don’t want anything to disturb the festival that celebrates my existence. If it were to be canceled, it would be a disgrace to the world.”

“I see. Well, go on then.”

Upon hearing this, the hero chuckled slightly from behind the iron mask, then reached for the door of the private room. Just before leaving, Voyager, laughing, whispered her encouragement.

“Don’t die, okay?”

“Of course not. The chance of me dying is one in a billion.”

With a slam, he closed the door and left.

“All for the sake of everyone. Fighting for strangers, people whose faces and voices he doesn’t know. I wonder if that boy intends to become a sacrificial pillar for humanity.”

***

“It seems you’ve arrived, Hero.”

“…”

The large room was illuminated in a violet color. A beautiful crystal on the ceiling emitted a mysterious light that bathed the room.

Bathing in that light, the two faced each other. One was the King of Demons, arriving from beyond the heavens and space, attempting to subdue this tiny planet. The other was one who held memories of an otherworldly land and had vanquished many demons.

“My name is Immortal King Ifrit. Well, I assume you know.”

“Spare me the chatter. Come at me already.”

“You’re spirited, aren’t you? But even so, your greatest warriors have already been defeated.”

“The Seven Sacred Swords, huh? I couldn’t care less.”

“Is that so? Then come at me. If you can defeat me even once, I’ll praise you–“

–The king’s head flew off

A metallic clink echoed as the hero sheathed his sword. In the blink of an eye, he had drawn his blade with divine speed and sliced off the demon king’s head. However, while any ordinary being would perish if beheaded, the opponent was the literal Immortal King.

“You’re quite something. I never thought you’d kill me right off the bat.”

“It seems the title of ‘Immortal’ is not just for show.”

“That’s right.”

The severed head, as if time had rewound, reattached itself to the body. Although he had clearly died once, the person himself nonchalantly cracked his neck, looking as if it was a matter of course.

“Past Preservation Backup. That’s my divine gift. Hero… I can constantly overwrite my state to the optimal condition from my past. Even if I were to lose my breath and die, I can rewrite that, transcending even death.”

He arrogantly spread his arms and looked up at the heavens, raising his voice freely, as if no one existed above him. “In other words, I am the pinnacle of life.”

“The pinnacle, huh…”

His gaze, which had been looking up, sank to the ground. A dull sound once again resonated in the Demon King’s ears.

–Once again, the head flew off. The sound of the sword returning to its sheath could be heard again.

(Ah…? Killed again? I… Well, I’ll admit that he’s fast. But that alone won’t do him any good.)

(My Past Preservation Backup is not something of that dimension. Being “fast” means having the ultimate ability to always overtake. In some sense, one could say that I’m interfering with an absolute and unchanging time.)

(This man is essentially making time his enemy. There’s no way he can win.)

The Demon King stood nonchalantly once again. Though he had died, he had not remained dead; he could revive over and over.

“So, it’s futile–“

“–I’ll try ten more times.”

Ten more times, heads danced in the air, and the iron-like smell of blood tickled the Demon King’s nose.