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 24.2: The Final Four

“Hey, Lin-chan, is it okay to leave him alone like that?”

“It’s fine.”

Sakura and Lin were quietly observing the imposter hero from a distance, out of his line of sight.

“…I see. Got it. There’s something beneath that fake hero’s podium. It’s emitting a very faint magical power. It might be affecting people’s subconscious minds.”

“So, that’s how he’s brainwashing people and increasing the number of his followers?”

“Probably. We both have high levels of magical power, and we’re naturally resistant to that kind of thing, aren’t we?”

“Oh, is it the blessing of the gods?”

“Exactly. We’re fine, but it looks like even moderately skilled people might get brainwashed.”

“I see… Wait, what about that guy? Is Ban okay?”

“Of course. Just look at him. He’s seriously strong.”

“Is he really?”

Sakura seemed a little incredulous. The young man did give off a mysterious vibe, but she couldn’t sense any overt strength.

“Look, I’ll get straight to the point. You’re a fake, aren’t you?”

“Heh, you’re calling me a fake?”

“You’re brainwashing people with something hidden beneath the stage, aren’t you?”

Saying this, Ban pointed down.

“…You found out? Even I couldn’t sense it.”

(Lin-chan took some time to find out that there’s something brainwashing people there. And he noticed it faster than Lin-chan, who’s called a great sage…?)

Sakura couldn’t help but widen her eyes. They were living legends themselves. Although not as skilled as Hero Dan, Sakura was one of the world’s most accomplished swordsmen. She also had a considerable amount of knowledge, experience, and talent in magic.

However, in this instance, she couldn’t grasp what was happening. Only after relying on Lin, who was more powerful than herself, did she begin to understand.

She felt an uncanny sense of déjà vu towards him, who had figured it out much more quickly and stood there as if it was the most natural thing in the world.

“How dare you disrespect the hero!”

“Hero Dan would never resort to brainwashing!”

“Know your shame, you fool!”

Though the crowd hurled abuse at Ban, he seemed utterly unfazed. Amidst the escalating tension in the venue, the fake hero began to chuckle softly.

“You’ve noticed well. I’ll give you credit for that.”

“Well, it’s easy to spot a fake.”

“But your luck runs out here. You’ve had the worst luck to stand before me, an executive of the New Human Creation Dorm, and the First of Evolution I.”

“What is that?”

Ban didn’t react much to the mention of the New Human Creation Dorm, but Sakura involuntarily held her breath.

“Hey, Sakura? What’s this New Human Creation Dorm?”

“…I don’t know the details myself… but they’re a mysterious organization that has recently become very active.”

“There are lots of those around, like secret societies.”

“Yeah, but apparently, this one is on a scale unlike any before… even the Knights can’t get any information on them.”

“Is that so?”

“Their goal is to usher humanity into a new stage, and ultimately, they want to become gods. To do that, they seem to be distributing something called the ‘Fruit of Darkness’.”

“Hmm, a fruit, huh?”

“Just the other day, a female student named Candy at the Knight Training Academy was attacked, and her attacker had consumed that fruit.”

“Probably, they’re spreading this fruit everywhere, creating new fruits based on it, and then consuming it themselves to become gods or something. I’m not entirely sure.”

“You sure know a lot.”

“Well, there was a knight who did some spying and I read his report… but that’s about all I know.”

“There’s more, isn’t there?”

“Uhm, in that organization, there are ranks like Evolution III Third, Evolution II Second, and Evolution I First, with First being the strongest, comparable to an S-rank adventurer.”

“You really do know a lot.”

“But is that really all? The knight who did the spying hasn’t been heard from since his cover was blown. There has been absolutely no new information.”

“Hmm, the fake does seem strong.”

“Enough! This is no time for jokes! We have to help him!”

“Don’t worry. He’s… seriously strong.”

Seeing Lin act so carefree, Sakura couldn’t help but snap at her to get serious. Even so, Lin didn’t budge, standing there as if certain of victory.

“Look, whoever you are, enough with the fakery and brainwashing ordinary people.”

“Silence, you weakling!”

Evolution I First is considered to have skills equal to or greater than an S-rank adventurer. Facing such an entity, with innocent lives at risk, Sakura felt compelled to spring into action.

However, she was too late. The fake hero was faster than she’d expected, exceeding her assumptions. Just as she was about to draw her sword to intervene, she found the enemy’s blade already at Ban’s throat, and she braced herself for what she thought would be his death.

(This is bad, he’ll be killed—)

However, a strange sight met her eyes. The sword that had been poised at Ban’s throat was shattered to pieces, and the fake hero was embedded in the wall. A delayed “clink” echoed as a sword was sheathed.

“What…?”

She hadn’t taken her eyes off the situation. She hadn’t looked away from the person who needed rescuing, nor had she closed her eyes. But as if time had skipped a beat, the fake hero was defeated and the young man was standing.

Drawing his sheathed sword once again, Ban sliced at the podium. Predictably, a faint mechanical noise emitted from a black device that was there. With an expression of sheer boredom, as if he had known it would be there all along, he destroyed it.

Upon its destruction, everyone in the underground hall—aside from Lin and Sakura—collapsed unconscious.

“Looks like it’s been taken care of. Probably just asleep because I temporarily destroyed the source of the mind control.”

“Seems that way. Let’s get out of here for now…”

Ban began walking towards the exit of the underground chamber. His urgency was due to Will and the others having a match. Sakura and Lin followed him outside. As they walked, Sakura whispered to Lin, careful not to be heard by Ban.

“Hey, Lin, who is that guy?”

“Who knows? What could he be?”

“You know him, right? Do you know anything?”

“I… don’t know.”

“I see… I couldn’t follow his movements at all.”

“Neither could I, even though I didn’t blink.”

“Isn’t that strange? We’re part of the hero party, right? We’ve been through quite a lot.”

“Maybe there are all sorts of people in the world.”

“Is that really all there is to it?”

“Well, it’s all settled now, isn’t it?”

“Uh, well, I guess?”

“Also, let’s keep what happened with Ban a secret from the Knights.”

“Huh?”

“Let’s just say Sakura and I took care of it.”

“But, what about the reward money?”

“It’s fine. Ban seems to dislike that sort of thing.”

“Eh, really?”

“Got it?”

“But…”

“You got it, right?”

“Y-yes, I got it.”

◆◆

This is bad; dealing with my imposter took up a lot of time. I wonder what’s happening with the tournament. Will is likely to have lost by now… Mental care is needed…

“The final four have been determined!”

“The match lineup just got posted!”

“Who are you betting on? I’m putting all my money on Alfred!”

So, the final four are set. From what I can hear, it sounds like Alfred made it to the semifinals. To be able to survive in a tournament filled with strong competitors, he must indeed have the bloodline of a hero. I should check who Alfred’s opponent is; then go console Will and the others who probably lost.

Semifinals Match 1:

Will vs. Eugene

Semifinals Match 2:

Tessie vs. Alfred

“…Wait, everyone made it to the final four?”