Short and to the point.
Hero Bernhardt and Archmage Klaus.
These two men, who would later be known as such, were arguing.
Both were thirty-five years old, yet still youthful and full of vigor.
The reason for their dispute was “credit for defeating the Demon Lord.”
Bernhardt argued.
“I delivered the finishing blow to the Demon Lord. Various people cooperated because they were helping Hero Bernhardt. Therefore, the greatest credit is mine. You all should stand aside.”
Klaus’s argument, on the other hand, was this.
“Bernhardt, you only landed the finishing blow. Weakening the Demon Lord was the achievement of everyone, and sealing him was thanks to me. You just took the good parts and were barely useful. Everyone cooperated? Weren’t they just hoping you’d defeat Zagan quickly?”
Their argument had been going on for over three days, and the other companions were exasperated.
Paladin Percival spoke up.
“Does it matter who’s first? Let’s hurry back, get our rewards, and indulge in wine and women!”
Priest Windsor also said.
“That’s right. Because you two keep arguing, we can’t go home. I want to be adorned with jewels as soon as possible, you know? How long are you going to make me wait?”
The companions didn’t care about the honor of being the primary contributor.
What mattered was the reputation of “heroes who defeated the Demon Lord” and the consequent ability to live lavishly.
In a sense, it could be called pragmatic.
However, two individuals could not let it go.
Bernhardt and Klaus.
Both desired further glory.
They wanted to proudly declare to people that they were the ones who made the greatest contribution.
Such base desires they held.
“Basically, it’s because you were all useless that I couldn’t kill the Demon Lord. My achievements should be properly discounted, shouldn’t they?”
Bernhardt began to say such things, and naturally, Klaus retorted.
“Huh? If you’re going to say that, what’s the value of a Hero who can’t even defeat a Demon Lord without the help of his companions? Aren’t you able to play the hero only thanks to our assistance? You mere figurehead Hero!”
Bernhardt, his inflated ego wounded, retorted with a flushed face.
“And you, where is your Archmage title? Isn’t it Arch-Useless-Mage instead?”
“What did you say?”
“What did *you* say?”
Frankly, it was on the level of a children’s quarrel.
This was the conversation of those said to have defeated the Demon Lord and saved the continent.
Anyone who would praise and worship their achievements would be greatly disillusioned.
It seemed they understood this to some extent, as they were arguing in a private room of a high-class inn.
Or perhaps it was simply a matter of pride.
“Can you please stop?”
The last person, who had been listening silently until then, spoke.
His name was Kojiro Sasakura.
A swordsman called a Samurai, equipped with a peculiar weapon called a katana.
“That’s what I’m saying, Kojiro. Those who try to steal my achievements should be rebuked.”
“That’s what I’m saying, Lord Kojiro. The rampage of this incompetent and shameless supposed Hero should be rebuked.”
They both spoke to the Samurai simultaneously, and upon hearing each other’s words, glared anew.
Kojiro clicked his tongue, seeing this.
“This is troublesome. Perhaps I should just cut you both down right here.”
The two were taken aback by his words.
This quiet and seemingly earnest Eastern swordsman was, in reality, a rather dangerous individual whose hobby was listening to the death throes of his prey.
Those who knew the truth would lament, “There isn’t a single normal person amongst them,” but then, anyone with a normal disposition wouldn’t challenge a Demon Lord.
“T-the deciding match will be another time.”
“O-oh.”
Their argument was nominally over, and the Paladin and Priest watched with bored expressions.
They were the heroes who had defeated Hecatoncheires’s Demon King Zagan, who had plunged the continent into despair.
Regardless of their true nature, this was how the people of the continent perceived them.
Their deeds were passed down to later generations, but nothing remained of their personalities.
Whether they ordered their erasure themselves, their devoted followers distorted the truth, or it was the goodwill of a benevolent third party, it remains unknown.
