Humanity Finds Their Hero

After being attacked by an Apostle, they began the hero selection process following the prophecy of another Apostle.

By noon, the dark clouds above the Imperial City of the Gard Empire finally cleared, and sunlight shone upon the Sacred Sword. It was free of rust, still possessing a divine radiance.

The entire city had received this news: everyone could try to pull the Sacred Sword, and whoever succeeded would become the hero of this nation.

The old Sword Saint was present, wearing a black cape, his aged yet strong hands resting at his sides as he stood there.

In the stands were the Pope and the Emperor. They watched from afar. The three parties had already reached an agreement; the Hero Squad would select their own people, as excellent priests and divine officials would only come from the church.

Akai and the others hadn't left yet because the guards had practically spread the news throughout the Imperial City. Everyone in the country could try to pull the sword. If everyone in the Imperial City had tried, they would move the sword to another city for others to attempt.

"Sir, can we really try to pull this sword? This sword looks so..." The questioner was somewhat lost for words. He just stared at the shining sword, as if looking at a gift from the gods, unsure how to describe it.

"Anyone can try, because I believe heroes come from among you! There's no need to expect the ancient heroes to revive!" Eugene, the Sword Saint, was the first to step before the Sacred Sword. He once again exerted all his strength, trying to pull the Sacred Sword out, but he failed.

He then shouted to the crowd below, "You come next! I failed. Young people, the hero might be among you! Those who want to try, line up!"

His powerful words quickly ignited the hearts of everyone present. At first, no one dared to go on stage to try, but after another commoner attempted it, there was nothing left to worry about.

Failing carried no punishment, but succeeding meant becoming the hero of this nation, the hero of this country.

"Chocolate! Let's go queue up too!" Akai's eyes were fixed on the gleaming Sacred Sword. He also fantasized about pulling the sword out, becoming the hero, defeating the Demon King, and becoming the hero of this nation.

"No, I don't want to be a hero. On the battlefield, people really die," Chocolate shook his head, already wanting to go back.

"Then I'll go with Akai," Lily also looked at the Sacred Sword on stage with great curiosity. Everyone in line was filled with curiosity. They had only heard about this sword from bards before, but now it appeared before their eyes, and they had the chance to touch it personally.

The line grew longer, but after many people had tried, even with all their might, they couldn't pull the sword out. Some strong men from the Knight Order were almost lifting the stone itself.

It wasn't that they were choosing the Sacred Sword; it was the Sacred Sword choosing its master.

Finally, it was Akai's turn. He nervously walked onto the stage, almost stumbling, not daring to look up at the old Sword Saint.

The crowd below was filled with laughter. Many adults present watched the reckless kid.

"Kid! Hurry home!"

"Haha, with your skinny arms and legs, can you pull the sword out?"

Facing the ridicule, Akai almost wanted to run away. But thinking that he was already on stage, if he fled now, he would likely be mocked by Mel and the others when he returned.

His gaze gradually firmed, and an idea formed in his mind: just try!

The child, who was barely as tall as the Sacred Sword, reached out his hand and instantly pulled it out of the stone. The Sacred Sword was pulled out and fell crookedly onto the ground.

Akai's heart immediately tensed, and the crowd below was even more bewildered.

The sword was pulled out?

This kid is the hero?

If you find this book good, remember to add it to your bookshelf to avoid losing it next time.

After a brief moment of stunned silence, Lily, from below the stage, happily shouted, "Akai, you're the hero!"

"They found the hero so quickly? Is it fake?" Of course, some commoners doubted the authenticity of this hero selection. What they couldn't accept even more was that a child who didn't look noble had become the hero.

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

Despite their doubts, it was useless. All the knights knew the truth: this child was the genuine hero because no one from the Imperial Knights Order could pull out the sword.

With the sound of swords unsheathing, the knights dispersed the agitated crowd, forming a barrier between Akai and the onlookers.

"Everyone fall back! The hero selection is over!"

The old Sword Saint looked at the flustered child before him with a kind gaze, as if he had seen hope. The child looked to be only six or seven years old. It would likely take another ten years to possess significant combat power. Time truly waits for no one.

"Child, what is your name?"

"My name is Akai."

"I am Eugene, the Chief Swordsman of the Empire. Would you be willing to become my disciple? Child, you have been chosen by the Sacred Sword as the hero. I will pass on everything I have to you!"

"I... I..." Akai glanced back at Lily hesitantly. He had friends, and he wanted to become a hero, but he didn't want to lose his friends.

Even if their statuses changed, he knew that the gang was definitely not a suitable place for survival.

At this moment, a nun from the church approached. "I can take this child into the church to study. You don't need to worry. Judging by your appearance, you must be an orphan, right?"

"Yes," Akai nodded, not refusing, but his eyes showed some conflict.

"Do you have any other friends you're worried about?" The old Sword Saint, seeing the child's concern, asked patiently.

"Yes, 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! Sir, if it's possible..."

"I agree. Then, are you willing to become a disciple of the Imperial Sword Saint?"

"Yes, I am willing! Lord Eugene!" Akai nodded solemnly. He didn't have much to care about, and becoming a hero was the best choice if he wanted to avenge his family.

"Just call me Master. Now, take me to see your friends and see if they are willing to accept the guidance of the Knight Order?"

The old Sword Saint signaled Akai to take him to find his friends. If he wanted to properly train his disciple, he naturally couldn't let him have any worries. Only by dedicating himself wholeheartedly to training could he grow at a faster pace.

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

"Lily," the little girl replied softly.

"Lily, a name as pure as a lily. I'm sure your parents must have loved you very much."

"Yes, my parents loved me very much, but they died at the hands of the demons." Lily looked up at the nun in front of her.

"Do you not have a surname? If you don't have a surname, you can use mine, Crabel."

"Thank you. I don't have a surname. Like Akai, I came from the Outland." Lily didn't refuse but mentioned Akai.

"Don't worry, Lily. You don't need to deliberately mention that kid. He's the hero. If nothing unexpected happens, he will inherit everything from Eugene."