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. - Chap 24.1: The Final Four

Lin and I are tailing the woman in white robes. Normally, you’d imagine people munching on bread or something during this sort of thing, but what I’ve got in hand is a crepe— a savory crepe, at that.

It’s salty, filled with meat sauce and chicken.

“She went that way.”

“Looks like it.”

“Let’s go.”

“Right.”

“…So, what does that taste like?”

“It’s salty. Doesn’t feel like a crepe at all. Wanna try?”

“Oh, can I?”

“Go ahead.”

“Thanks… It’s good.”

We are following the woman in white robes, part of this so-called Hero Dan Church—a religious group I’ve never heard of, and not officially sanctioned by me. This could possibly be a very dangerous group, so we have to tread carefully.

“This is the Hero Dan Church…”

The woman in white robes enters a clothing store and hands a pamphlet to the shopkeeper. What’s more, another woman in white robes is handing out pamphlets at the adjacent accessory store. Could this be a rather large organization, recruiting people in pairs?

“They seem to be quite active.”

“Yes, they’re even asking shops to post their material.”

“Creating pamphlets suggests it could be a major organization, don’t you think?”

“If those white robes are their religious garb, they seem to be quite committed to the form as well.”

“We can’t let our guard down. Ban, stay focused.”

“Got it.”

“By the way, between this red dress and this white one-piece, which do you think suits me better?”

“I’d say the white one.”

“I see… Excuse me, I’ll buy this white one-piece!”

Lin seems to be quite wary of this mysterious religious group, the Hero Dan Church. We continue to follow the woman in white robes, who eventually makes her way into what looks like a sketchy underground passage.

“Could that be their hideout?”

“Could be.”

“We can’t let our guard down; this is a tailing operation, after all.”

She’s holding various paper bags filled with clothes, but her face looks stern—she’s clearly on high alert.

“Lin-chan!”

Someone calls out to her. As we turn, we see a familiar face—it’s Sakura, a former member of the Hero’s party.

“Sakura…”

Sakura grins and pats Lin on the shoulder. As ever, her face is androgynous and her skin is fair. You’d call this kind of beauty ‘above average,’ right? Lin is pretty, but so is Sakura. There was a period when I referred to them as the ‘Wind God and Thunder God of Beauty’ in my mind.

“Why are you here?”

“I’m investigating this ‘Hero Dan Church’ religious group.”

“Is that so?”

“Yeah. You’re doing the same, right, Lin-chan?”

“Sort of. They’ve been going around saying I’m a participant without my consent.”

“So, it’s a fake hero church, right?”

“Most likely.”

“I thought so. There’s no way the real hero would be collecting donations.”

“The fake one is collecting money?”

“Seems like it. Some people in the knight order have gotten deeply involved in this religion, and it’s causing a lot of problems. So, I’m here to investigate.”

“I see. Investigation, huh?”

“Exactly. We could just crush them, but if by some chance it turns out the real hero was actually running the religion, that would be a big deal. After all, the hero is the strongest, right?”

“If he becomes an enemy, it would spell the downfall of the nation.”

“Right? But even if we wanted to verify with the actual hero, it’s not like we can easily do so. We don’t know his face or where he lives.”

“Good point.”

“Yeah, so that’s the situation. Since we’re both here, why don’t we go together?”

“…Fine, I guess.”

“Great! Then let’s go together… Ah, you are?”

Sakura finally seems to notice me. Perhaps it’s because I’ve been toning down my usual lordly aura.

“Hello, I’m Ban.”

“Ah, nice to meet you, Ban-kun… um, you’re an acquaintance of Lin-chan’s?”

“That’s right. We’re investigating this fake Hero Cult together.”

“Is that so… But it’s dangerous for a regular person, maybe you should go back.”

“Don’t worry. He’s actually stronger than me.”

“No way, stronger than you, Lin-chan? The only ones stronger than you are the Hero and maybe the Demon Lord!”

“…Well, let’s just leave it at that. Point is, there’s no issue with Ban coming along.”

“Eh, really? But…”

Sakura is clearly sizing me up, her expression one of disbelief. She’s got this look on her face like, “Is this guy really okay?” Her skeptical look slowly shifts to one of curious puzzlement.

“Um, have we met somewhere before?”

“Huh?”

“It’s just, I have this feeling that we’ve met… um, never mind. Is it all in my head? Can I ask where you’re from?”

“Is this some sort of identity verification because you suspect I might be the fake cult leader?”

“No, sorry, I didn’t mean it like that… it’s just, it doesn’t feel like it’s the first time we’ve met, you know?”

“Well, I’ve got a rather nondescript face. Maybe that’s why you feel like you’ve seen me somewhere before.”

“No, no, I didn’t think anything like that! I don’t suspect you, and I don’t think you’re a ‘weed’ or anything! It’s just, I really feel like we’ve met before, that’s all.”

“Ah, I see… But I believe this is our first meeting.”

“………………..Hmm, okay. I’m certain we’ve met somewhere before, but let’s drop it for now.”

Could it be? Did Sakura figure out that I’m the Hero Dan!? No, that’s ridiculous! Even Lin has been fooled perfectly by my disguise. Could Sakura have seen through it?

Calm down. I’m only being suspected, that’s all. There’s no way Sakura would suspect that the person who has been flaunting a lordly aura could be some average guy.

That’s right, it’s impossible for her to know. But if she does find out, I’d be standing next to these two. That would be utterly mortifying.

Can you imagine? “So the guy who’s been acting all high and mighty is just average-looking? That’s so lame, unbelievable!” someone would surely say.

Then some would try to defend me saying, “It’s alright, we don’t need the Hero to be handsome” or “Looks don’t matter.” That’s almost worse than outright criticism.

Ah, I really don’t want to be found out as an average guy.

“So, shall the three of us go over there?”

“Sounds good.”

“Yes.”

As we enter what looks like an underground tunnel, we find a considerably spacious chamber. Whoever built this underground space must be part of a significant group.

Lin and Sakura are hiding their faces, looking around anxiously. The people here seem to be divided into those like us who have just arrived and are in regular clothing, and those dressed in white cultist garments.

“Ah, it’s Hero Dan-sama!!”

In an instant, I thought my cover was blown! But that seems not to be the case. A man wearing an iron mask appeared on what looks like a stage at the most prominent part of the chamber.

“Welcome, my new disciples. My name is Hero Dan. I am the living legend who has defeated countless Demon Lords. Be grateful that you live in an era where you can join me.”

Is that how I look from the outside? Isn’t that incredibly lame? How should I react after seeing that?

“Kyaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!! Hero-samaaaa!!!”

“Thank you!!! Always thank you!!!”

“Hero! Hero! Thank you, Hero!!!”

Huh, so no one’s feeling second-hand embarrassment from this? Surprisingly, the reception is good? The disciples are ecstatic.

“Woooow! It’s the Hero!!!”

“I’m so glad to be alive!!!”

But I can kind of understand why they’d be fooled. The appearance and behavior are a close imitation, almost convincing enough to look like the real thing. Since I’m the real one saying this, it must be a pretty good imitation.

If they see this imposter, it wouldn’t be surprising if Sakura and Lin were deceived too.

“That’s a fake, huh.”

“Yeah. The aura of magical power is different.”

“Plus, the real Hero uses ‘I’ when referring to himself.”

“And, the real Dan is, well, more pitiable.”

“Also, the iron mask that Hero usually wears has a little rust on the right side. Well, there are other iron masks that Hero used, but this one doesn’t match any of them.”

“I thought so too. Also, Dan walks with his heels firmly touching the ground. The imposter’s walk is off.”

“I noticed that as well. Also, the sword isn’t attached to the right side of his hip, it’s on the left.”

“Exactly. Plus, the voice is different.”

“Yeah, it’s much deeper.”

They’re like professionals at spotting the differences. Both seem to realize that the man is an imposter. Wow, they noticed things even I didn’t know, like the rust on the right side of the iron mask…

“Hey, you over there.”

“Huh? Who?”

“You, the utterly average guy who looks like he could be anywhere.”

Who could that be? As I look around, I notice all eyes are on me. Ah, it seems the ‘hero’ is talking about me.

“What is it?”

“You doubt that I am Hero Dan.”

“No, not really.”

“No, it’s written all over your face. You’re not completely enamored with me. Clearly, you are composed in this space, unlike everyone else who is without a shred of doubt.”

“Well, there are other people who are skeptical too…”

People who arrived later also seem to believe he’s the real deal. Hmm, this is certainly… something fishy is going on, right? It’s clear that some form of status-altering influence is at play.

Lin and Sakura seem unaffected, but they’ve noticed something odd. They’re watching me from a distance, hiding their faces.

“So you’re saying I’m a fake?”

“No, I didn’t say that. I believe you are Hero Dan.”

“Don’t lie, you don’t trust me. Come up to this podium. I will personally prove to you that I am the Hero.”

“If you go that far, it’s almost like you’re saying you’re a fake… Well, whatever.”

As I start walking, people move out of my way like ripples in water. There’s no way people are that enamored so cleanly. Someone’s definitely intervening here.

Ah, is there something beneath the podium? Some kind of brainwashing device? I feel something.

I get on the podium and look at the ground. There’s definitely something there.

“So, you are…”

“Can we skip that part?”

How many times will he repeat the same spiel? This is taking way too much time. There’s also the tournament with Will and the others. I can’t afford to spend any more time here. Will is probably losing and feeling down; I need to cheer him up.

I’m guessing Tessie and Eugene have already lost. Is Alfred the only one remaining? Tessie and Eugene have talent, but placing high in that tournament right off the bat would be difficult.

I better provide some mental support quickly… What should I do?