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 36.2: It All Started with Lin

“Thanks, we’ve arrived at the castle.”

“No worries. I also had my house looked after because of you.”

“Oh? Let’s go together again sometime.”

“That sounds nice.”

“How about grabbing a meal next time?”

“That’s a good idea. I’d like to hear stories from a woman’s perspective.”

“Alright, it’s a promise then.”

“Yes.”

Ban disappeared. Well, it’s more like Dan. I never thought he’d say something like that.

There’s a chance, right? No, there’s a tremendous chance! Oh, this is great!

I can go on a date! There’s a spark! Yay!!

Feeling ecstatic, I returned to the castle and went to my mom’s room.

“Mom.”

“Lin, where have you been until this late? A princess of this country shouldn’t be out so late.”

“Sorry, I was with Dan.”

“Why didn’t you come back sooner!”

“Huh?”

“You should’ve stayed with him even later! Return in the morning and be married to him!”

“What?”

“That man is of high caliber. Our financial situation would change overnight. He has unimaginable wealth! Yet he isn’t morally corrupt! He’s the best match for you.”

“But we’re going on a date soon.”

“Mmm, well done. Truly my daughter.”

“And there seemed to be some romantic vibes between us.”

“Perfect. Truly my daughter.”

I thought my mom was unique. She’s not emotionally stable. I returned to my room and lay down on the bed.

“It was a dream. But it wasn’t just a dream.”

“I’ve still got it. Wanting to protect just me, was that the beginning of everything?”

“I remembered how I wanted to support Dan too. That was the start. I may lack strength and inferiority in every way, but from now on, I’ll support him.”

“There’s a spark between us. Yeah, because there’s a spark. I feel like I’ll have a good dream tonight.”

“See you again, Dan.”

■■

The day after visiting the house with Lin, I was training with Will.

“Ha! Yah!”

As usual, I playfully smacked the approaching disciples with a wooden sword.

“Come on! Get ready!”

Hmm, I still can’t gauge how strong I’ve become. This guy has gotten stronger, but how does he compare to the others? He ranked third in the tournament, so I guess he’s one of the stronger ones.

“Excuse me.”

“What is it?”

“I’ve been scheduled to visit the knight school.”

“Why?”

“Well, it’s more like an observation. They say the Hero will be teaching there.”

“It’s like a part-time instructor role, but it’s still at the Knight Academy.”

“That’s right.” 

“I wanted to see that, and Alfred told me it’d be a good time to observe the knight school.”

Alfred was always looking out for Will. He was very vocal during that time at the ruins, too.

“So, um, is it okay if I go?”

“Do as you wish.”

“Yes! I’m super excited!”

“Hmm.”

“Speaking of which, you’re aware of the existence of the super demon Desperado, right?”

“Yes.”

“It seems that he will be covered in the lessons.”

I wasn’t aware of that. Super demon Desperado, huh? I have a feeling I’ve defeated him before.

“Super demon Desperado is a legendary demon that made the Hero bleed and injured him.”

“It seems that way.”

“Right. The scar from that time…”

“It has fully healed.”

“I see… A demon that managed to wound Hero Dan in his prime. Yet, Desperado’s origin and purpose remain a mystery. Even after Hero Dan defeats him, no one knows who he is or who sent him. That’s what they’ll cover in the lessons.”

Will started muttering to himself.

“Super Demon Desperado, huh? Now I remember. The whole fuss about him making me bleed or causing me an injury.”

“Ahh, but that story… it’s completely different from what happened.”

To be precise, I had a random pimple on my forehead. I was wearing an iron mask, and when I was hit, the sharp inner edge of the mask stabbed into the spot, causing it to bleed. That’s the real story. But people made a big fuss about it, claiming I was made to bleed even though it didn’t hurt. Back then, I couldn’t say anything and just stayed silent. Now they’ve made that guy into some legendary demon? He wasn’t strong at all; it was pretty easy to defeat him. I wonder what exaggerated tales they’ve attached to Super Demon Desperado now.

■■

At a specific location, in a dimly lit research lab-like room, individuals in white coats awaited the completion of a demon.

“The time has come to resurrect the legendary demon,” one exclaimed.

“Death to Hero Dan!”

“The Super Demon Desperado has been resurrected. And I’ve made him even stronger than he was in his prime.”

“With this, he can match the New Human Creation Dorm and the Evolution I First. Eventually, I will ascend to become a god!!”

“But we mustn’t be careless.”

“At the Knight Training School, there’s a legendary one. The same stone used in Hero Dan’s sacred sword. Super Demon Desperado can evolve with that stone into the Ultimate Demon God Desperado Neo.”

Inside a glass tube filled with a mysterious liquid was a demon with an entirely black body, its hands shaped like swords. Surrounding it, the researchers dressed in white coats laughed.

“Now, let’s attack the Knight Training School, and”

“Steal the legendary ore.”

The Knight Training School was facing imminent danger.