In the Cardinal World, the Hero has always been a symbol of absolute strength and a savior.
Whether in guild taverns, back alleys, or among bards and common folk, the Hero is a subject of their word-of-mouth tales.
In countless epic stories of Heroes, they always manage to defeat incredibly powerful Demon Lords with just one person and one sword, then save the populace from Water and Fire.
And as for interesting anecdotes about Heroes, they are simply too numerous to count.
For example, powerful Heroes generally learn from highly respected Seven Luminaries teachers, undergo arduous study, and then pass the Seven Luminaries Trial to become qualified Heroes.
The most famous legend about Heroes, however, is undoubtedly that of Hero Chronoa, who defeated the mighty Storm Dragon Veldora 300 years ago.
The Dragon-Slaying Hero, holding a longsword and wearing a mask, has already been reinterpreted in countless versions!
Even today, it is still widely sung.
There is also the story from a few decades ago, of a Hero who, alone with a sword, stormed Demon Lord Leon's castle to rescue a maiden imprisoned by the Demon Lord, a feat sung and praised by countless bards.
Hero, Evil Dragon, Demon Lord, and beauty are always standard elements in Hero and Demon Lord stories.
The Hero is a beacon guiding countless human powerhouses forward.
He is the savior in the hearts of countless ordinary people!
But in reality, for most people, the Hero is just a protagonist in epic stories.
As for their authenticity, there have always been doubters.
The reason is simple: the Heroes in the stories are sometimes too far removed from the era in which they live.
Moreover, the Heroes in those stories are too powerful!
How can humans reach a level where they can contend with Dragons and Demon Lords?
There are simply too many legends about evil Dragons.
The Barren Land in the west and the perennially ice and snow-covered extreme cold continent in the north are said to have been caused by evil Dragons.
In countless folk tales, the evil Dragon Milim is even described as extremely ugly, an extremely grotesque figure who enjoys feeding on human hearts and livers.
But today, the rumors about the Hero have made all the people in the royal capital believe them.
Those lifelike ice sculptures are living proof!
All sorts of legends about Hero Rimuru are radiating outwards at an unimaginable speed, spreading to the surrounding human kingdoms and even to the territories ruled by the Demon Lords.
The Blumund royal capital.
The city, having just taken a trip through the gates of hell, has already regained its vitality.
The thousands of ice sculptures have given them infinite encouragement and courage.
Many bold citizens even ran to the ice sculptures to sing and dance, holding barbecue feasts.
And it truly was a feast.
Living in such a World, almost everyone has had some dealings with monsters.
How to identify, process, and recycle various materials from monsters has long become an instinct for them.
Although these ice sculptures were coordinated and distributed by the Free Guild, for every resident, it was an unprecedented great harvest.
Rain and dew are equally distributed, everyone gets a share!
It can be said that because of the existence of "Hero" Rimuru, this World-ending crisis directly turned into a city-wide harvest festival.
My Lord, children, men, and women, all showed joyful smiles.
Crackling crackling
Drops of oil dripped onto the red-hot charcoal, emitting crackling sounds, which sounded like celestial music to everyone's ears.
There was even a bard holding a guitar-like instrument called a "Heti," singing a newly improvised poem.
"Oh Hero, if you are not yet aware,"
"I hope from the bottom of your heart, without deceit,"
"Please test me, to know my single-minded devotion,"
"Your beauty makes me too blind,"
"Your power makes me too awestruck,"
"Oh Hero, if you are not yet aware,"
"I hope from the bottom of your heart, without deceit,"
"For my heart has been too deeply touched,"
"Yet I cannot conceive of love for you,"
"I will forever lose joy and peace."
The melody was very simple, just filling in words in a fixed format, but it was very fitting, and countless people hummed along.
It elevated the joyful atmosphere of the city's great harvest, and the entire royal city was filled with a joyful ambiance.
On the city wall.
Feeling the countless citizens singing and dancing by the ice sculptures, Rimuru couldn't help but feel a little embarrassed.
These citizens might be a bit too optimistic, right?!
They don't even know if the crisis has been resolved yet, and they're already starting to party?
How heartless!
"Hero My Lord, you are here! Please have some barbecue. This is a small token of appreciation from the citizens who survived thanks to you!"
Ellen came over with a high stack of barbecue skewers, and the fragrance of the skewers could be smelled from afar.
Rimuru said helplessly, "I've told you many times, please don't use honorifics like 'My Lord.' It's too formal."
Ellen shook her head, her eyes filled with persistence, "Hero My Lord, don't say such things. My respect for you is like a surging river, all from the bottom of my heart. No matter what, even if the sky falls, I will not disrespect you!"
Rimuru picked up a skewer and took a bite. An original grilled fragrance immediately exploded in her mouth, and the taste was extremely rich.
It was said to be a small token of appreciation from "ordinary citizens," but it was definitely made by a master chef.
"I'm not a Hero at all!"
Ellen shook her head, disbelieving, "Someone as powerful as you, and a Summoner, is definitely Hero My Lord. There's no mistake. Tell me, if you're not a Hero, then what are you?"
Rimuru looked into Ellen's eyes and said seriously, "I'll tell you a secret: I'm actually a Demon Lord!"
Pfft!
Ellen chuckled, completely amused by Rimuru.
"Hero My Lord, you really know how to joke!"
Rimuru: "…"
Forget it!
Chewing the barbecue, it was fragrant, but it always felt like something was missing.
Rimuru thought for a moment, took out cumin powder and pepper, and sprinkled a little.
An unprecedented fragrance immediately diffused.
Taking a gentle bite, the deliciousness from memory instantly swept over.
Rimuru felt somewhat intoxicated!
Ellen was drooling profusely!
Rimuru, while biting the barbecue, glanced at Ellen, "Want some? If you do, then drop the honorifics from now on."
Ellen clenched her fists, closed her eyes, her attitude incredibly firm.
"I will absolutely not offend Hero My Lord!"
A moment later.
"Wuwuwu, I can't take it anymore, this spice called cumin is truly amazing. Rimuru, eat slowly, leave some for me!"
"Oh my, Ellen is too much of an eater, that skewer was one I just prepared. Give it back to me quickly!"
"I got it first, no way!"
"Who just said they would absolutely not offend Hero My Lord?"
"Did I just say that? Annoying!"
Looking at the ravenous Ellen, Rimuru was speechless.
In this World, it seems no one can escape the "true fragrance" law of the Great god!
After snatching the skewers, Ellen reverted to her true self again.
As for the respect for Hero My Lord that was like a surging river, don't even mention it!
Feeling the singing and dancing outside the city, Rimuru was a little puzzled, " Ellen, the reason for the monster tide hasn't been investigated yet, and they dare to run outside the city to have a feast. Aren't they afraid? This is a bit too heartless!"
Ellen laughed out loud, "Our Hero My Lord, haven't you noticed? The reason they dare to be so heartless is all because of you!"
"Me?"
Rimuru was a little surprised. What did she mean by that?
Ellen leaned on the parapet, her expression deep and unusually serious.
"Rimuru, or rather, Hero My Lord, your strength makes all the citizens firmly believe that you can protect the safety of the royal capital!"
Rimuru was speechless, "But I'm really not a Hero, I'm a Demon Lord, the very fierce kind!"
Pfft!
Ellen pursed her lips and smiled, "Rimuru, you're so humorous!"
Rimuru: "…"