"Good morning, Mr. Ronan," the elder greeted, smiling politely. "Did you rest well? I hope Frieren didn't disturb you."
Ronan shook his head, calm. "Elder, please skip the honorifics. I slept well. It's I who disturbed her. Is there something you need?"
The elder's hesitant expression confirmed this wasn't a social call. "There is, but it's not very important," he said. "I don't know if Frieren mentioned it, but I forgot yesterday."
He tapped his forehead, annoyed at his forgetfulness. Then, he looked serious. "I'm here to remind you. The Hero's Sword originally belonged near the Sword Village. The village guarded it for generations. Now you have it, and you say you found it by accident…" He emphasized "accident," his concern clear. "The guardians of the Sword Village…"
Ronan paused, nodding. He hadn't considered guardians; if they existed, he'd inadvertently taken their job.
"Should I tell the guardians? Or return the sword?" he frowned.
The elder waved his hands. "No! The Hero's Sword isn't something to be casually handled. What's yours is yours. Since the goddess created it, no one has ever lifted it. You lifting it proves you're the Hero."
Rules? Ronan doubted this rule held absolute authority. He wasn't a Hero; his strength likely let him lift the sword.
Then he remembered: What if the Hero was defined by strength? It made sense. The goddess was far-sighted.
He smiled subtly. Before he could speak, the elder continued, his tone lowering. "There's a consequence, even for you." He paused, measuring Ronan. "The Sword Village guardians are not to be underestimated. They've guarded the sword for centuries, and now… they may see you as a threat."
Ronan's gaze hardened. Guardians wouldn't take kindly to an unknown possessor. This wasn't ideal, but not surprising. Being mistaken for a world-saver had complications.
"I see," Ronan said, neutral. "They might come after me for the sword? Even if I didn't want it?"
The elder nodded. "Exactly. The Sword is yours, but that doesn't guarantee peace. The guardians might see your possession as a challenge. I'm warning you, not to cause fear, but to prepare you."
Ronan frowned. "I didn't think picking up a sword would be so complicated," he muttered, hand instinctively going to the hilt. The sword felt heavier now, knowing it was meant for someone else. It was a symbol of power, a title, a responsibility he hadn't asked for.
The elder smiled wryly. "Nothing ever is with the Hero's Sword. But given your… circumstances, it's not surprising. But there are people who see you as a beacon of hope. You may not have chosen this path, but others will see you as the Hero."
Ronan's eyes narrowed. "And what do you expect me to do?"
The elder hesitated. "That's for you to decide. But… if you visit the Sword Village, the guardians might understand better if you approach them with humility. They respect strength, but also honor. You may not be a traditional Hero, but your strength is undeniable. How you wield it, how you present yourself, matters."
Ronan rubbed his chin. He didn't want to play a role in an ancient prophecy, but he understood. He'd have to face them eventually.
"I'll think about it," he said, calm. "But this Hero thing… it's still not my responsibility. If I have to go, I will, but I'm not doing this to save the world."
The elder bowed. "Of course, Mr. Ronan. Just be cautious. The Sword Village is powerful." He looked at Ronan with concern and respect. "Remember, how you act now will shape what comes next."
Ronan nodded as the elder left. The weight of the situation settled in. The sword had been thrust upon him, and he had to face the consequences, the expectations of others, and the Demon Lord.
His fingers tightened on the hilt. He wasn't sure where his path would lead, but he wouldn't let anyone dictate his fate. He glanced at the horizon, then back at the house. He had time to think, but eventually, he'd face the guardians, and decide how much of this "hero" business he'd take on.
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You can read advance chapters in my: [email protected]/Veora
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