Chapter 24: Just Part 3

“I heard you came from another world.”

The fact that the Hero had come from another world was officially a secret.

Even within the church, only a handful of the highest-ranking priests knew about it.

The reason was deeply rooted in religion.

In a situation already steeped in despair, revealing that the savior of the world had to be summoned from elsewhere would imply that no one in this world was capable of saving it.

At least the kingdom was holding firm for now, and there was still a little time left.

But humanity’s territory was gradually, yet steadily, being pushed back by the Demon King’s army.

While the royal capital remained mostly unaffected for now, some frontier villages had already vanished, and small towns in the provinces were facing dire circumstances.

Had the Hero arrived any later, the situation would have been even more hopeless.

If a famous knight, warrior, or mage had been granted the title of Hero, people would have believed in the Hero without hesitation.

Such a figure would only gain more respect than they already had.

But this Hero—no offense intended—looked like an ordinary young man to anyone who didn’t know better.

From now on, it was imperative to train the young man to become a true Hero.

Since his body had been crafted by the Goddess herself, it was expected that he would grow rapidly.

Of course, even if the truth was hidden for now, the fact that the Hero came from another world would eventually be revealed.

Preferably, after everything was over and the situation had been resolved.

By then, if the Hero had already earned immense respect, his origin would become a trivial matter.

“I trust the wisdom of the Goddess, of course.”

Pia believed in the Goddess.

Even if her actions sometimes seemed lighthearted and she struggled to maintain an air of gravity, the Goddess was good at heart, and her guidance always led to righteousness.

The person sent directly by such a being could not possibly be anything but virtuous.

“Has the Goddess ever spoken to you directly?”

“No.”

She did tell me to help, though that was quickly revised to suggesting I talk first.

“But it’s only logical to assume the Hero is an exceptionally good person.”

“And why is that?”

The Hero’s voice sounded uncertain, as if he himself wasn’t entirely convinced.

“It’s the conclusion I’ve reached after some logical reasoning.”

“Logical reasoning?”

“Yes, logic.”

Clearing her throat, Pia proudly presented her unshakable reasoning to the Hero sitting before her.

“First, it’s unthinkable that the Goddess didn’t fully explain the situation of this world to you.”

“That’s true.”

The Hero later recounted that he had a very long conversation with the Goddess before coming to this world.

Although he readily agreed to help when told his power was needed, the Goddess, who had made the proposal, was unconvinced by how easily he accepted.

She had gone into painstaking detail about the worsening situation, the overwhelming power of the enemy, and how horrific, dangerous, and painful it would be to fight against them.

The Hero had patiently listened to everything and then nodded again.

And that was how he came to this world—to save everyone.

Well, considering that even in the face of death, he would sacrifice himself and say, “Someone else would’ve done the same if it wasn’t me,” it was inevitable from the start.

The Goddess had later confided as much.

“She must have explained just how difficult it is to fight in this world, how harrowing it is to face the Demon King’s army.”

“That’s right.”

“And even after hearing all of that, you still decided to come to this world. That alone proves your goodness.”

The Hero, who had heard this explanation, didn’t seem entirely convinced.

“I was told there would be rewards for helping, though.”

Of course, Pia wasn’t swayed by the Hero’s remark.

“Then, what kind of reward is it?”

“Hmm…”

After thinking for a while, the Hero replied:

“There’s someone I want to see again.”

He smiled brightly as he said it.

“I plan to return to where I came from.”

For a reward that comes from saving the world, it felt far too humble.

Given the Goddess’s personality, it probably wouldn’t end with just returning home, but the Hero standing before her seemed content with that alone.

“The fact that I, who should have died, received a new life is already a reward in itself.”

True, resurrection might be considered a reward.

But Pia was confident that no one in this world would choose to endure such hardship to save the world just for the promise of “one more life.”

Most would likely prefer eternal rest in the heavens instead.

“It doesn’t seem like you came here simply because of the reward.”

With her sharp logic, the saintess found the gap in his reasoning.

Indeed, as someone who had grown up challenging priests and scripture since childhood, her thinking was undeniably logical—at least in her opinion.

“Be honest. Didn’t you come here simply because you wanted to save the people of this world?”

The Hero opened his mouth as if to reply, then closed it.

After a brief moment of contemplation, he let out a bitter laugh.

“I didn’t come here simply because I wanted to help. If I didn’t have the power to make a difference, I wouldn’t have considered coming at all.The only reason I came was because the Goddess promised to give me the strength to help.Ah, so this power could be considered part of the reward, too.”

Many people desire great power, after all, the Hero added.

The saintess narrowed her eyes as she gazed at the Hero.

Of course, Pia’s expression was as mild as ever.

Looking at her wouldn’t be enough to intimidate the Hero.

“So, are you saying you came here solely for the reward, without any intention of helping this world?”

Her words weren’t meant to criticize or doubt the Hero.

Pia had already firmly believed that the Hero had come here to help others, even without a reward.

She was merely asking to confirm.

Seeing Pia’s expression, the Hero looked slightly troubled and glanced up.

There, the sunlight filtered through the stained glass, illuminating the Goddess’s radiant mural.

“Well… that could be part of it.”

In the end, it was the Hero who first admitted it.

“Helping the people of this world is undoubtedly a joyous thing as well. That alone could be a reward for me.”

Hearing the Hero’s words, Pia finally smiled.

“May I ask what motivates you to help this world?”

“Well.”

The Hero once again looked up at the mural of the Goddess before slowly opening his mouth.

“Because this world is like this.”

“This world is like this?”

Pia echoed his words like a parrot, and the Hero smiled.

“Yes, because this world is like this. A world like this…”

And the words that followed—

“In a world like this, wouldn’t it be wonderful if we helped one another?”

—made the saintess decide to join the Hero’s party.

To live helping one another.

It’s easy to say.

But it’s incredibly difficult to put into practice.

Everyone wants to receive help, but few are willing to give it.

Even the kindest person hesitates when asked to give up what they have, wondering about the disadvantages they might face without it.

It’s only natural.

Thus, those who truly wish to practice “helping one another” must begin not by asking for help, but by offering it themselves.

They must set an example, inspiring others to follow their lead.

The Hero was such a person.

Of course, it didn’t seem like he helped others to set an example.

He simply practiced what he said: helping others in a world like this.

And Pia, who walked alongside him, could confidently say that his actions left a deep impression on people.

Not everyone repaid his kindness.

Some fled in secret even after receiving his help, while others complained that he arrived too late.

But that didn’t mean everyone turned their back on him.

Many followed the Hero.

They stood guard behind him as he fearlessly ventured into the most dangerous places and carried supplies to support him.

That, in itself, was a miracle created by the Hero.

“…But.”

That Hero no longer existed.

Not in this world.

In the heart of the royal capital, next to the royal palace, stood a cathedral.

It was the largest cathedral among all, having been rebuilt and expanded repeatedly over the course of more than a century, becoming the center of the church.

At the center of this grand cathedral, within the main chapel, there was a magnificent stained-glass window that inspired faith just by looking at it.

And before it now rested a holy sword, melted down but shining brighter than any sacred relic.

The holy sword illuminated the dim chapel brightly, and as Pia gazed at it, one thought crossed her mind.

The Hero no longer existed in this world.

Yes, not in this world.

If that’s the case—