"Holy Maiden-sama, we have successfully established contact with the Sword Hero-sama." The voice of a priest echoed through the vast, hallowed halls of the Holy Temple. In the dim light, Ariana Aldrich, the Holy Maiden of the Aldrich Theocracy, sat with an ethereal calm, her golden eyes reflecting the flicker of the temple’s sacred candles.

"Good work," Ariana responded, her voice soft yet commanding. She shifted slightly on her ornate seat, curiosity flickering in her usually serene expression. "What sort of person is he?"

The priest hesitated momentarily before answering. "I have heard that before he became a Hero, he single-handedly slew a Hobgoblin."

"Hob...goblin?" Ariana’s brow furrowed in confusion. At sixteen, despite her revered status, she knew little of the outside world. As the Holy Maiden, her life had been devoted to communing with Kami, with no need to engage with common matters or creatures of the outside realm. The concept of a ‘Hobgoblin’ was foreign to her.

The priest, sensing her bewilderment, elaborated, "A Hobgoblin is a monster similar to a goblin, though significantly larger—about three meters tall. These creatures are capable of demolishing entire homes with ease. It typically takes a group of Class 1 monster hunters to bring one down, and even then, they often suffer casualties. Yet, this Sword Hero, before he received his title, managed to slay one alone."

Ariana’s lips pressed together thoughtfully. The Sword Hero had not only strength, but also the will to fight against overwhelming odds. "Interesting," she murmured, though her curiosity wasn’t yet satisfied. "Is there anything more?"

The priest hesitated, then continued, "The Sword Hero refused our invitation. He expressed gratitude, but said that for now, protecting his village from further attacks is his priority. He nearly lost his family to the monsters and wishes to use his new powers to ensure their safety."

Ariana listened, her gaze distant but her thoughts focused. "He seems to be a person of both strength and strong conviction—worthy of the title ‘Hero,’" she declared, nodding in quiet approval. She had not yet met Anyi Carl, but his actions and words, as conveyed by the priests, impressed her. Strength alone did not define a Hero; it was the heart and the will to protect that truly mattered.

With the report concluded, Ariana shifted her attention to the majestic figure standing beside her. "Pope-san," she called, her voice carrying an air of command yet still as serene as the sacred atmosphere of the temple.

The Pope, ever poised and regal in his ornate robes, stepped forward and bowed his head in respect. "Yes, Holy Maiden-sama, what are your orders?"

Ariana’s voice took on a solemn weight as she spoke. "According to the will of Kami, many Heroes will rise in this vast world. But if their motivation is to slay monsters, their families must be prepared for retaliation. The monsters will not spare those left behind."

She paused, her golden eyes gleaming with certainty. "Before we recruit these Heroes to save the world, shouldn’t we first ensure the safety of their loved ones?"

The Pope considered her words deeply, then nodded resolutely. "Holy Maiden-sama is wise. I will immediately mobilize our forces to safeguard the families of the Heroes."

...

On the second day, just as the morning light began to spill over the village rooftops, a messenger from the Aldrich Theocracy arrived at Anyi’s home. Unlike the first envoy, this one came with an entourage—elegant carriages followed in his wake, filled with officials and soldiers alike. They proclaimed their mission: to relocate Anyi's family to the capital city of the Theocracy, where safety could be assured.

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For Anyi, resolute yet pragmatic, this offer aligned with his own intentions. He had already voiced his concerns about the village's vulnerability during the previous day, stressing the need to safeguard his home before he could fulfill his larger duties. The Theocracy, responding swiftly, had deployed their forces to ensure the protection of his immediate family and village. In his previous life, Anyi had operated as a solo Hero, avoiding entanglements with others and maintaining only surface-level knowledge of the Aldrich Theocracy's dealings. Now, however, his family’s safety had become his priority, and moving them to the Holy City seemed a necessary step.

Yet, this decision was not solely his to make. The real challenge lay in convincing his father, Assel Carl, whose stubbornness knew no bounds.

"I refuse!" Assel's voice echoed through the house, his tone ironclad. "Move to the city? I reject it outright! Ten thousand times if I must! Who will protect the village once we're gone?"

The messenger, remaining composed, replied, "Our most elite soldiers have been stationed here to ensure the village's safety."

Assel, crossing his arms and glaring, countered sharply, "If you're sending soldiers to guard us, why is there any need to leave?"

The messenger attempted to explain once again, emphasizing the long-term benefits of relocating to the Holy City. "This is not just about immediate protection. The Holy City offers greater safety and stability in the event of future attacks. We cannot promise that the soldiers will always be here, but the Holy City is secure."

Assel, however, was unwavering. "This village is my home. I was born here, and I will die here. I will not leave."

Elza, Anyi’s mother, remained quiet, her gaze shifting between her husband and the messenger. She said nothing, but the weight of the situation was clearly pressing on her mind. Annie, on the other hand, stood beside her, confused but listening intently. She had been saved twice by Anyi during the monster attacks, and in her mind, wherever Anyi went, safety would follow.

If Anyi chose to stay, Annie would remain as well. But Anyi’s intentions were not to linger in the village indefinitely. He knew he had a greater role to play, and that meant leaving for the Holy City, at least for now. His desire to protect his family extended beyond the immediate future—moving them to the capital would provide them with a far greater chance of survival than leaving them in this village.

As soon as the messenger stepped outside, the air inside the house grew tense. Assel, his arms still crossed, fixed his gaze on Anyi. His voice was stern as he broke the silence. "How are you planning to proceed, Anyi? I understand the village is in a precarious situation, but fleeing to the city... Doesn't that show we're abandoning our responsibility? What of the villagers who cannot leave?"

Anyi met his father’s gaze, remaining composed, though a whirlwind of emotions churned beneath the surface. The thought of leaving his family unprotected gnawed at him. He wanted to voice the harsh truth, that staying in the village was reckless—especially for his mother and sister. If another monster attacked, it would be far too late to save them. Yet he held his tongue. Antagonizing Assel would serve no purpose now.

Instead, Anyi changed his tone, speaking softly yet with an urgency that hadn’t been present before. "Father, give me ten years." His words, though humble, carried the weight of a vow. "We will return. I swear it. But within these ten years, I will defeat the Demon Lord and purge this land of monsters. I can't do that while constantly worrying about your safety. You and mother, Annie—you need to be in the city where it's secure. Once I’ve dealt with the monsters, once I’ve fulfilled my role as a Hero, I will bring peace to this village. Only then can we return."

Assel blinked, clearly taken aback. Anyi rarely spoke in such a pleading tone, but this wasn’t weakness. This was determination, plain and simple. Annie stepped forward, aligning herself beside Anyi, her face resolute. "Father, he’s right," she added, her voice strong. "This isn’t just about us anymore. The monsters won’t stop coming. Anyi needs to fight them, but he can’t do that if he’s constantly worrying about whether we’ll survive the next attack. We have to give him this chance."

A long silence followed as Assel looked between his children. Then, without warning, he burst into laughter—a deep, hearty laugh that filled the small room. "Ha ha ha ha! So, the children have grown bold enough to challenge their old man, have they? Annie's no longer a little girl, and Anyi, you've certainly found your voice! It seems I’m up against both of you now!"

Assel's grin widened, a gleam of mischief dancing in his eyes as he shifted his full attention to Anyi. "Anyi!" he called out with a booming voice, standing taller, his posture defiant. "I shall not cower from this challenge! If you want me to leave, then let's settle this with a duel—a fair and honest one-on-one combat! The ultimate confrontation between men! If you can best me, I will surrender and vacate this village as you desire!"