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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Will writes in a diary every day. Legend has it that the Hero Dan used to keep a journal as well.

The Hero Dan’s diary is said to have chronicled everything—strengths, weaknesses, the world’s crises and fate, the paths he’s walked. Inspired by Dan, Will also decided to maintain a diary.

“Let’s see, today I did strength training, practiced my sword swings, and took down some monsters…”

Will had been working out on his own today and later performed monster subjugations as an adventurer. He documented all this, along with his reflections and points for improvement in his combat techniques.

“Come to think of it… the ‘Book of Dark History’ within Dan the Hero’s writings was always shrouded in mystery.”

There are countless stories and anecdotes about Hero Dan. Of course, there are details that the Hero deliberately kept under wraps. The man behind the iron mask. The successor to the Hero. And then the Book of Dark History.

Will knew that Hero Dan also used to keep a diary. However, the Hero never showed its contents to anyone, not even the great sage Linlin, the swordmaster Sakura, or the martial artist Kaguya. It seems he rarely let even them see his notes.

But among those was a diary that Hero Dan kept under strict lock and key. No one has ever seen its contents. However, it undoubtedly exists—a phantom journal, a mysterious text. That is the Book of Dark History. Rumor has it that this book, which even Dan guarded excessively and never showed to his comrades, contains information that could destabilize the world or redefine common sense, like techniques or hidden secrets.

According to legend, there were seven of these diaries, but they disappeared during the final battle with the Four Heavenly Kings.

“The Book of Dark History, huh… I want to read it sometime. Ah! I should get to sleep soon… tomorrow is the day Hero Dan will be training me.”

Will decided to get some sleep in preparation for Hero’s training day, which only comes once a week.

◆◆

During the training day with Will, I deflected his sword, thinking how he shows up every week without fail.

“Ugh…!”

I gently parry the sword swung by Will, who keeps trying despite his losses. Since Will recently placed third in a minor tournament and has become popular with girls, he’s likely feeling complacent. Therefore, I need to train him with more intensity than usual.

“Uh, is it just me, or are you stronger than usual today?”

“Do you prefer it when I’m weaker?”

“N-no! I’m happy because… it must mean I’m getting stronger. You’ve deliberately increased the level to help me step up!”

“Hmm.”

He’s pretty wise. Just as expected of Will.

“So today, I brought you a new training item.”

“!?”

I’ve pondered various ways to make him more robust, but I had no brilliant ideas. I settled on the idea of adding some weights.

“I brought this cumbersome armor.”

“You can’t mean… You want me to wear that?”

“Heh, yes, this is the ‘Armor of the Originating Weight’ I first wore for training.”

“‘Armor of the Originating Weight’…”

I used to wear it back in the day, but I gave the natural thing to Sakura. He tended to want my ornaments for some reason. The one I brought for Will is something I bought from an antique shop… well, that’s a minor issue.

The most important thing is the disciple’s motivation. It’s a simple idea, but having him move around with weights should strengthen him considerably. This wouldn’t make much sense in the modern world, but it’s a fantasy setting. It might work surprisingly well.

“Whether this becomes just another training item or something more… is up to you.”

“Yes, sir!”

If the training doesn’t go well, I’ll figure out what to say when the time comes.

“Uh, actually, I’ve been keeping a diary… Would you mind reviewing it for me?”

“Hmm. Sure, why not.”

He must be writing because he knows I used to register. Fine, I’ll take a look. Maybe even give some red-pen advice.

After handing the Armor of the Originating Weight to Will, I head home… But first, I’ll drop by the Adventurers’ Exchange Event in the capital city of Trelbarna. It’s time to change into a suit… Alright.

“Ah, you’re here.”

“Hello, Lin.”

“Let’s go together then.”

Lin is here. I feel like I’ve been seeing her a lot lately.

“Ah, Lin. Perfect timing!”

Walking beside Lin is the Oracle, an older woman. I haven’t seen her in a while. Her name was Voyager.

“What is it, Voyager?”

“Lin, you’ve received an oracle from the gods.”

“!?”

Not again. The gods have always favored her.

“What’s the message?”

“A tremendous hurricane is approaching this royal capital. If it reaches this kingdom, two-thirds of the population will die. Moreover, the castle will be destroyed, and all the residents’ houses will be completely wiped out.”

◆◆

Hearing that, I felt fear once again.

“I see…”

“As hard as it is to say, Lin, you’re also predicted to lose an arm.”

“I see.”

Again, the gods… they need to stop.

“Wait, are you serious?”

“Is this kingdom really in trouble!?”

“Lin, will you do something about it!?”

It seems the adventurers at the Adventurers’ Exchange event heard Oracle Voyager’s words as their faces pale.

“Um… well…”

“—It’s not an issue; I’ve already blown it away.”

I heard a familiar voice; it was expected because I was talking to him.

“The Hero, Dan!?”

“Although he’s not in his Iron Mask, that overwhelming presence is unmistakable! Thank you!”

“As expected from our Hero.”

When did he…? He’s always so quick. The Iron Mask he’s wearing must be some armor mask he found at the entrance.

His clothes are soaking wet, so he must have blown away the hurricane while we talked.

“Understand, and do not be swayed by the existence called ‘God.'”

With those words, Dan disappeared in an instant. As soon as he vanished, a sense of relief washed over the people at the exchange event.

“The oracle abruptly ended… He’s really beyond any standards.”

Voyager also left. At that moment, the door to the exchange event opened. There stood Ban, soaking wet.

“Why is he all wet?”

“Who shows up looking like that?”

“More importantly, I’m glad the hurricane’s gone. Well, he’s a Hero, so it’s only natural.”

“Exactly, it’s a given. He’s a Hero; he should be blowing away hurricanes.”

“If he’s not protecting us, that’s a problem.”

Is it really that natural? I don’t think so.

“Ah, being soaking wet is probably a bad idea…”

“Ban, I don’t mind.”

“No… I think I’ll take my leave for today. See you… and here I was, having decided on a hairstyle.”

Oh, he chose a hairstyle? I watched as a somewhat disheartened Ban began to leave.

“I’m going home too.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes… Dan once said there’s a saying, a man so handsome he makes water drip.'”

“Really…”

“Ban is just like that. He perfectly fits that saying.”

“Do you think so?”

“I’m certain… Did you hear the conversation just now?”

“Which one?”

“You know what the adventurers in the hall said about soaking wet.”

“Well, yes.”

I wonder if he also heard them saying it’s a given for the Hero to protect us.

“I don’t think it’s a given for Dan to protect us. So even if the whole world doesn’t thank him, I want to tell Dan he’s great.”

“………… I see. Hearing that would surely make him happy.”

“Hope so. Oh, how about we grab some drinks together? Since we’re at it, let’s go to your place, Ban.”

“My place?”

“You don’t like the idea?”

“No, it’s not that… My parents are home.”

“You’re living with your parents?”

“Yes.”

“Ah, I see…”

Living with parents… Well, I suppose it’s the same as me living in the castle… So, this could also be an opportunity to get acquainted with his parents…

“Alright, let’s go. Also, I want to thank your parents for the last time. You know, for saving me from the Four Heavenly Kings.”

“Ah, well, that’s fine.”

“Great, let’s go… Oh, wait a second. I want to buy some gifts, so accompany me, will you?”

We started walking together.