Chapter 3. I'll Make You a Hero
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He was drunk.
Cyd lowered his gaze.
A werewolf youth, with one foot on the table, showed no intention of concealing his voice as he loudly recounted his experiences of the day.
Idle chatter after a meal was common.
But this was mocking someone—despite their own mistake, they completely bypassed this point and mocked a newbie who almost died because of their blunder.
And this newbie...
Cyd looked at Bell, who was lowering his head, with a complex expression.
Bang—
Bell stood up and, without any indication, rushed out of the Hostess of Fertility.
The Hostess of Fertility remained lively and bustling, the people inside continued to revel and celebrate as if Bell's departure had been nothing more than a passing breeze.
Cyd calmly finished the drink the store manager had handed him.
Bell wanted to become a hero.
This was the message Hera had conveyed to Cyd.
What were his true intentions?
The hero stories Zeus told Bell were incredibly beautiful. Heroes are always admired, they create miracles, and they have captivating encounters.
So Bell aspired to be a hero.
But it wouldn't work...
Maybe that's what heroes looked like in Zeus's eyes.
But that's not what a hero is.
Bell hadn't yet understood the meaning of being a hero.
Without bearing heavy burdens, without facing reality, Bell would forever remain a bystander in the crowd, looking up at heroes.
"You're Bell's companion, right? Why don't you help him?" Syr, looking confused, sat beside Cyd.
"Dreams are beautiful, but to make dreams reality," Cyd placed the empty cup on the table, "you at least need to open your eyes and see the harsh reality."
"But Bell... he's too pitiful," Syr turned her head away.
"Yes, he's almost crying from frustration. That's why..." Cyd stood up and walked slowly towards the werewolf youth, "he can step out of the crowd and stand in that position."
"What do you want to do?" Syr tilted her head.
"Ah, because the store manager forced two drinks on me, I'm drunk," Cyd waved his hand.
"Alright, remember to compensate for the damages later," the store manager sighed as if she had guessed something, "and settle the bill next time you come."
"That damn brat even took the money when he ran away," Cyd said with a chuckle as he approached the werewolf youth from behind, patting him on the shoulder. "Hey~"
"Ah~" The drunken werewolf youth glared at Cyd unhappily.
"You're right about one thing," Cyd's lips curled up slightly, "Bell is indeed different from you. Although a bit arrogant, the limit of what you can do with only strength is merely being an adventurer. What he aspires to be is a hero."
"You..." The woman with narrowed eyes widened.
The blonde girl tilted her head slightly.
"Your tone is very arrogant!" The werewolf youth grabbed Cyd's collar from behind.
"Wait, Bete!" A short "boy" stood up.
Bang—
With a loud crash, the Hostess of Fertility fell silent.
The werewolf youth, who had been so arrogant a moment ago, was pressed into the ground.
"Remember to compensate," the store manager covered her ears and turned away.
"Ah, I was impulsive," Cyd scratched the back of his head. "Indeed, alcohol is not a good thing~"
After speaking, Cyd shrugged and turned to leave through the door of the Hostess of Fertility.
Having avenged the little rabbit, it was time to check on him.
"Wait! Your actions are no different from provoking Loki's Familia," a narrow-eyed figure stood up. "Especially in front of me, Loki."
Although unsure of what the gods intended, the surrounding Loki's Familia members picked up their weapons. However, when an elf stood up, she kicked Bete.
"Earlier... your people mocked a child with beautiful dreams," Cyd sighed softly. "It was already possible to change his naive views, but you shattered his innocence in the cruelest way."
Black scales covered Cyd's right arm.
"I just wanted to sober him up. Or do..." Cyd turned to look at Loki with a ghostly expression. "Do you want me to sober up?"
There was no malice in his gaze, only pure pressure emanating from this white-haired youth.
Even if Bete was drunk, he was a genuine top-tier adventurer, and Cyd had just casually pressed him into the ground.
"Fine!" Loki turned and hugged the dazed blonde girl. "Ais, come comfort me! I was glared at by a bad person, ehehe..."
Smack—
After a moment of silence, the girl gave Loki a slap.
The crowd sighed in relief, as it seemed Loki was just trying to take advantage of Ais's inattention.
No, she probably just wanted to do that!
Cyd raised an eyebrow and walked out of the Hostess of Fertility.
The Hostess of Fertility returned to its lively state. Bete, shaking his head, pulled himself up. Although he didn't know what had happened, he felt considerably more sober.
"That guy," Loki said, covering his face as he looked at the figure slowly disappearing into the night.
There was more than one god on him!
…
"Damn it!"
Bell roared as he slashed his sword at the monster before him.
"Why don't you fight back!"
He wore no armor, his ordinary clothes tattered from the monster's attacks.
"Why!"
The beautiful world in his eyes collapsed.
This world was so real, so despairingly real.
He was weak.
Ah, how ridiculous.
Unable to even preserve his own dignity, he still dreamed of encounters.
A self like this...
"Why don't you disappear!"
Snap—
The mediocre long sword broke under the monster's attack, but Bell still roared as he drove the broken blade into the monster's mouth.
Bang—
Bell collapsed to the ground, surrounded by scattered magic stones of various sizes.
"Are you awake?"
A stone landed on Bell's head.
"Cyd... Mr. Cyd..." Bell gasped, looking up at Cyd standing before him.
"Are you awake?" Cyd squatted down in front of Bell. "That dream which was as beautiful but fragile as foam."
"Awakened..." Bell bit his lip.
"Then it's time to set off," Cyd wiped away the tears from the corner of Bell's eye.
"Eh..." Bell looked a bit dazed.
"Don't you want to become a hero?" Cyd pinched Bell's nose. "Since you've woken from your naive dream, it's time to walk the path of the hero you long for."
"But... I'm too weak..." Bell's face reddened.
"Then get stronger," Cyd stood up. "No one starts out as a hero. It's alright, I'll teach you until you become an amazing hero."