Humans Found Their Hero

After being attacked by an apostle, they had followed another apostle's prophecy and begun selecting a hero.

By noon, the dark clouds above the Gard Empire's imperial city had finally dispersed. Sunlight shone upon the Sacred Sword. It bore not a trace of rust, still gleaming with an otherworldly radiance.

Everyone in the city had received the news. Anyone could try to pull out the Sacred Sword, and whoever succeeded would become the hero of this nation.

The Old Sword Saint stood nearby, wearing a black mantle, his aged yet powerful hands hanging at his sides.

The Pope and Emperor sat on the viewing platform, watching from afar. The three sides had already reached an agreement: the Hero Squad would include people they personally selected. After all, outstanding priests and clerics could only come from the church.

Akai and the others had yet to leave, because the guards had nearly spread the news throughout the imperial city. Everyone in this country could try to pull out the sword. Once everyone in the imperial city had tried, they would take the sword to another city and let others attempt it.

"Sir, can we really try pulling out this sword? This sword looks so..." The person asking was at a loss for words. He could only stare at the shining blade as though it were a gift from the gods, unable to describe it.

"Everyone may try, because I believe heroes will emerge from among you. There is no need to wait for the ancient hero to return!" Sword Saint Eugene stepped before the Sacred Sword first. Once again, he used all his strength to pull it free, but he failed.

Then he shouted to the people below, "You come next. I failed. Young people, the hero may be among you! Those who want to try, line up!"

Those forceful words quickly set everyone's hearts ablaze. At first, no one dared step onto the platform, but after one commoner had tried, there was nothing left to fear.

There was no punishment for failure, but if someone succeeded, he would become this nation's hero—this nation's champion.

"Chocolate! Let's line up too!" Akai's eyes were fixed on the glittering Sacred Sword. He imagined pulling it free, becoming a hero, defeating the Demon King, and becoming this nation's champion.

"No, I don't want to be some hero. People really die on the battlefield." Chocolate shook his head. He already wanted to go back.

"Then I'll go with Akai." Lily also watched the Sacred Sword on the platform with great curiosity. Everyone in line was curious. They could usually only hear of this sword from bards, but now it stood before their eyes, and they even had a chance to touch it themselves.

The line kept growing. Yet after many people had tried, even straining with all their might, none could pull out the sword. Some of the Knight Order's strongest men nearly lifted the stone itself.

They were not choosing the Sacred Sword. The Sacred Sword was choosing its master.

At last, it was Akai's turn. He nervously walked onto the platform, nearly tripping, too afraid to raise his head and look at the Old Sword Saint.

Laughter filled the crowd below. Many adults present watched this reckless little brat.

"Kid! Hurry home!"

"Haha, with those tiny arms and legs, do you think you can pull out the sword?"

Faced with so much ridicule, Akai nearly fled. But he had already stepped onto the platform. If he ran away now, Mel and the others would surely laugh at him when he returned.

His gaze gradually hardened. A thought rose in his heart. I'll give it a try!

The child, barely taller than the Sacred Sword itself, reached out his hand. Then, in an instant, he yanked the Sacred Sword from the stone and fell backward. The sword came free, landing crookedly on the ground.

Akai immediately grew nervous, while the crowd below was even more dumbfounded.

The sword had been pulled out?

This little brat was the hero?

After a brief daze, Lily finally shouted happily from below, "Akai, you're the hero!"

"They found the hero that quickly? No way, right?" Naturally, some commoners questioned whether this hero selection was real. What they found even harder to accept was that a child who did not look noble at all had actually become the hero.

If Akai had been born into some noble family, they could at least have accepted it with peace of mind.

Though they questioned it, it was useless. Everyone in the Knight Order knew the truth. This child was the genuine hero, because none of the Imperial Knights had been able to pull out the sword.

With the sharp sound of swords leaving their scabbards, the Knight Order dispersed the restless crowd, forming a barrier between Akai and the people.

"Everyone, step back! The hero selection is over!"

The Old Sword Saint looked as though he had seen hope. His gaze fell kindly upon the uneasy child before him. Akai looked only six or seven years old. To gain any real combat strength, he would likely need another ten years. Time truly waited for no one.

"Child, what is your name?"

"My name is Akai."

"I am Eugene, the Empire's chief swordsman. Would you be willing to become my disciple? Child, you are the hero chosen by the Sacred Sword. I will teach you everything I know!"

"I... I..." Akai hesitantly turned to look at Lily. He had friends. He wanted to become a hero, but he did not want to lose his friends.

Even if their status and circumstances changed, he knew that the gang was definitely not a place fit for people to live.

At that moment, a nun from the church walked over. "I can take this child into the church to study. Don't worry. You look like an orphan, right?"

"Mm." Akai nodded. He did not refuse, but his eyes remained conflicted.

"Do you have other friends you cannot bear to leave behind?" The Old Sword Saint saw the child's concerns and patiently asked.

"Mm. There's one named Mel, and another named Chocolate. We're all orphans from the Imperial City Gang. I want them to leave with me too! Sir, if possible..."

"I agree. So, are you willing to become the disciple of the Empire's Sword Saint?"

"Yes, I am willing! Lord Eugene!" Akai nodded solemnly. He had never had much to care about. If he wanted to avenge his family, there was no better choice than becoming a hero.

"Just call me Master. Then take me to see your friends. Are they willing to accept the Knight Order's training?"

The Old Sword Saint gestured for Akai to lead him to his friends. If he wanted to teach his disciple well, he naturally could not let him have lingering worries. Only by devoting himself fully to training could he grow faster.

The old nun gently stroked the girl's head. "Little girl, would you mind telling me your name?"

"Lily," the little girl answered timidly.

"Lily. A name as pure as a lily flower. I'm sure your parents loved you very much."

"Yes, my parents loved me very much. It's just that they died at the hands of the demon race." Lily looked up at the nun before her.

"You do not have a surname? If not, you may use mine: Crabel."

"Thank you. I have no surname. Like Akai, I come from beyond the borderlands." Lily did not refuse, but she mentioned Akai as well.

"Don't worry, Lily. You don't need to deliberately mention that little brat. He is the hero. If nothing unexpected happens, he will inherit everything Eugene has."