"Well, Elliot is a hero. No doubt about it."

In the audience chamber, Kratos said as he sat on the throne.

"A hero... means you're going to defeat the Demon King..."

Ralph asked as he knelt on one knee. In the audience chamber, Emily, who had just given birth, sat in a chair and listened while holding Elliot.

"That's right. But now that we're at peace, not only is there no Demon King, there are hardly any monsters either."

"So, then, as a hero, I don't have to travel, right?"

Kratos let out a big sigh.

"But that's not the case. According to the documents, Elliot was born as a hero, and when he turned fifteen, he became aware of his role as a hero. He felt a sense of duty to travel the world and defeat the demon king that was said to exist somewhere."

"But there's no demon king?"

"Yes. His desire for recognition as a hero makes him do that."

"Why not just tell them that there is no demon king?"

"If that were to happen, his desire for recognition as a hero would go unfulfilled, and natural disasters would occur all over the world. A hero in name only, he's a living disaster. But killing a hero is said to cause a disaster that could wipe out humanity. The civilization that created the ancient device we saw earlier is said to have been wiped out because they killed a hero once."

Ralph was so shocked that his mouth was wide open.

Kratos sighed again. "I've heard that once Elliot defeats the Demon King, the influence of the hero will weaken, or even disappear. Anyway, we still have fifteen years. We have a lot to do, such as talking with the leaders of each country to create the hero's story and choosing the role of the Demon King. And then..." Kratos's gaze became sharper, and the sound of Ralph swallowing hard echoed throughout the room. "We can't take care of a hero in the royal capital. That's because we don't know when Elliot might hear the words hero or demon king. So, Ralph, I want you to raise him in Swali Village. Of course, we'll be careful not to upset Elliot with words like hero, monster, or demon king."

"Y-Yes. I understand!"

Elliot, who had been breathing heavily until then, began to cry at the sound of her voice. Ralph raised his shoulders and turned to face Emily. It was a cry that made you wonder how such a loud voice could come from such a small body.

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Emily, holding Elliot, said apologetically.

"It looks like she's nursing. I'd be grateful if you could lend me a room..."

"I understand, I'm sorry I was so quick to think about it. I'll have a staff member show her to the room, so please wait a moment."

Saying this, Kratos rang the handbell. The woman bowed and entered the room.

"How can I help you?"

"Please escort the woman over there to the guest room."

"Understood. I'll show her to the room, so please follow me."

Emily bowed to Kratos and left the audience chamber.

"King Kratos, there's one thing I'd like to ask you."

"Yes, please ask me anything."

"Is it okay if I teach Elliot swordsmanship?"

"Ralph, you seem to be one of the best knights. I've heard that too. Well... I'd like you to teach him swordsmanship so he can protect himself for now. Growth is also a desire for recognition. Also, when he begins to learn to read and write to a certain extent, I will send a magician to your house. It would be a good idea to teach him a little magic as well."

"Magic... is there such a thing as that?"

"Ah, The descendants of the magicians who accompanied the previous hero should be in the Brannor Law Country and have inherited the magic."

"I understand, I'll keep that in mind."

"Anything else you want to ask?"

"No, nothing. We'll try our best to delay the awakening of the hero."

"I'll be busy for a while. Please send me a progress letter about once a month. Ralph, Kana, of course, don't tell anyone that Elliot is the hero. Thank you."

"Yes, I understand."

In a room in the royal palace, Ralph turned his back on Emily, who was nursing, and looked out the window. Kana was also in the room, looking at Elliot.

"A hero..."

Ralph had been thinking for a long time about how to raise Elliot after being confronted with the truth. Kratos had already decided the policy to some extent, but to prevent the extinction of humanity, how much swordsmanship should he teach him? He would have to learn magic as well, so his life would be different from the other children in the village. Elliot wondered if this felt strange to him.

At that moment, Emily, who had finished breastfeeding, spoke to him.

After burping, Elliot went to sleep, satisfied.

"Ralph, you must be worried about how to raise him."

"Hmmm, yeah."

Emily's gentle voice reached his ears, as he saw through his thoughts.

"We may not be able to raise him with normal kids. If that continues, maybe he won't feel special... or something. But for now, let's raise him with love. There's still time before he becomes aware of things."

Yes, Ralph and Emily had only just become father and mother.

Emily's words enveloped the anguish that was beginning to sprout in Ralph. Ralph rubbed the bottom of his nose and was comforted by her words.

Yes, there was no need to worry now. He wasn't alone, Emily and her parents were with him. He wouldn't be able to keep worrying for fifteen years.

"Yeah, that's right. Anyway, we'll do what we can. Thank you, Amy."

The four of them returned to Suwari Village in the early afternoon of the next day.