Published at 26th of December 2025 7:41 am

Chapter 498: Those Who Followed and Those Who Led the Way.

This chapter is updated by JustRead.pl

For ordinary adventurers, this would have been a once-in-a-lifetime grand adventure with dazzling rewards. But for a heros party, it was a fairly frequent occurrence. After experiencing such adventures and rewards, we continued our journey.

We explored secret ruins across the sea, defeated the Demon Kings minions in dark forests and underground, helped people and sometimes were manipulated by them. Carrying countless intentions and wishes on our backs, we progressed for about eight months. Finally, we had reached a point where we were just a short distance from the Demon Kings castle.

Yuusha-sama, its almost time to switch shifts.

Hm? Already?

It was a night of camping on the red, dry earth. Despite my call, Lorenz remained seated in front of the campfire, not standing up.

Hey Ed, if you dont mind, shall we talk for a bit?

Talk? Sure, I dont mind.

This was enemy territory. Anyone who has been on a battlefield knows that resting is also part of the job. If this were a rookies suggestion, Id angrily tell them to stop chattering and go to sleep, but its different when its the hero. I sat down across from Lorenz, and we both gazed at the crackling fire.

Weve finally come this far How long has it been since I met you all?

Lets see, about eight months, I believe.

Eight months Should I say thats all the time thats passed, or should I be surprised that so much time has already gone by? Of the five years since I awakened to the power of the hero at 18, these eight months feel like theyve been the most intense.

Haha, thats quite an honor.

Im not just flattering you. After all, in these eight months, weve defeated three of the Seven Great Calamities.

The Seven Great Calamities they were seven demonic beasts brought into this world by the Demon King. Boasting strength on a different dimension from ordinary demonic beasts, they had long threatened humanity, truly the worst of disasters.

Its been 200 years since they appeared. During that time, humanity had only managed to defeat two of the Seven Great Calamities. Yet weve defeated three in eight months Theres no need to explain what a great achievement that is, right?

Thats but if were aiming to defeat the Demon King, isnt this to be expected? The Demon King is stronger than the Seven Great Calamities, after all.

Thats true. And thats precisely why I wonder why am I the hero?

Yuusha-sama?

I couldnt help but ask about the words that had slipped from Lorenzs heart. But Lorenz continued speaking quietly towards the flickering campfire without raising his head.

With my power alone, I probably couldnt have defeated even one of the Seven Great Calamities. We were able to accomplish this because of your strength. I merely followed along.

No, no, thats not true at all! Its because you were here, yuusha-sama, that we

Lorenz weakly shook his head at my attempt to deny his words.

The Great Calamity Embodiment of Death we were able to defeat it thanks to Luka. Without Lukas purification ability, we couldnt have destroyed that skeleton.

The Great Calamity Lord of Rotten Roots we were able to defeat it thanks to Tia. Without her spirit magic power, we would have been overwhelmed by the advancing wooden people and lost our lives.

And the Great Calamity Iron Giant you defeated it, Ed. My sword couldnt even scratch it.

I couldnt completely deny those words. While the main body of the Embodiment of Death was an Elder Lich no larger than a normal human, the red skeletons it summoned were about 15 meters tall with bones harder than steel, and they would quickly regenerate as long as the miasma it spread around remained.

Well, Luka being Luka, he turned the skeleton to ash in one hit, but thats an exception among exceptions To be honest, even I couldnt have figured out how to defeat such a formidable enemy without using the [Power of the End].

The following [Lord of Rotten Roots] was a giant tree that had spread its roots through the blackened, rotten forest and earth. Its individual combat power was limited to lashing out with its writhing roots, but it had the ability to swallow defeated enemies into the earth and create wooden people from its roots that could replicate their abilities.

Tia countered this. By combining her power with a certain magical tool we obtained in this world, Tia took over control of the wooden people and used a large army to attack the [Lord of Rotten Roots.] While Lorenz dealt the final blow, it was undoubtedly Tia who set the stage by slashing the trunk and exposing the core.

And finally, the [Iron Giant] despite its name, this was a golem about 3 meters tall made entirely of adamant, the hardest metal in the world. When we encountered a similar one in Tias garden at the end of the first loop, I defeated it easily, but that was because I had the Sword of Thin Life which could cut through almost any material. With normal no, even with top-class weapons, its extremely difficult to damage this thing.

Moreover, unlike that stray golem from before, the [Iron Giant] was created by the Demon King as a warrior. Naturally, it was armed, and its body structure was refined. Its combat power was incomparable to the one we encountered then, so there wasnt even room to let Lorenz have the spotlight, and all we could do was cut it down with full force.

Of course, in the first loop, we didnt even fight any of these enemies. With the party members at that time, including myself, we couldnt have stood a chance, so there wasnt even a suggestion to engage in combat during the time before I was exiled.

Through those battles, I realized. Although Im called the hero, my power was insignificant. Its strong individuals like you who are the true hero

No, thats not right.

Earlier, I had stumbled over my words. But this time, I clearly voiced my disagreement.

If being strong makes one a hero, then wouldnt the Demon King, being the strongest in the world, double as the hero? Thats nonsense, right?

Thats sophistry. Without strength, nothing can be accomplished.

Thats true, but its also true that strength alone isnt enough, right? Take Luka, for example. If he were the hero, do you think someone so free-spirited and casual would dedicate himself to fighting for the people?

Its the same with Tia. Her ability to quickly befriend anyone is one of her good points, but that closeness and affection would make her an easy target for those who want to exploit the herotitle. If Tia became the hero, I think shed wear her heart out in situations outside of battle and die.

And as for me haha, thats just ridiculous. Someone like me who just does what I want where I want, theres no way I could shoulder something as big as being humanitys courage or hope. It doesnt suit me, doesnt fit me Being a hero? No thanks.

In other words, youre saying you dont want to be like me?

Eh!? Ah, no, thats not what I Im sorry.

Kuh, hahaha Its alright. Thats just like you.

For the first time tonight, Lorenz raised his face and laughed at my flustered appearance. So I finally looked straight into Lorenzs eyes and continued speaking.

Its true that in our specialized areas, we might be stronger or more impressive than you, yuusha-sama. But the one who brings us all together is none other than you, yuusha-sama.

Yuusha-sama Lorenz-san, you arent just following us. Its you, whos leading us.

I see. Im the one leading, huh? That does sound like a hero.

Right? Besides, if the hero as an individual were that overwhelmingly strong, wouldnt the Demon King have been defeated long ago?

Everyone even a her, cant win or fight alone. Thats why they gather people and lead them I think Lorenz-san, you are the ideal hero.

Me the ideal hero? Thats quite hard to hear.

Lorenz stood up with a wry smile, as if to signal the end of the conversation. His face looking down at me seemed very refreshed, and his gaze was somewhat gentle.

Then, to live up to that ideal, lets give it our all until the end. Im counting on your strength for the final battle with the Demon King.

Leave it to us! Well make it spectacular!

I see Hey, Ed.

Lorenz, turning his back to me as I gave a thumbs up with a smile, called out in a low voice.

Im really glad I became companions with you all. If I am the hero the one who leads the brave, then you are my courage itself. Thank you.

Isnt that thanks a bit early? Lets save it for after we defeat the Demon King.

Its an advance payment. Were going to win, arent we?

Of course.

As I replied with a grin, Lorenz walked away towards the tent without looking back.

Just a little more until the final battle. In the sky I looked up at, the white moon shone gently, as if to witness everything.

Share