Aldric frowned, his brows knitting together.
"Great power?" he asked, unable to hide the confusion on his face.
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By becoming a Hero, you will be able to use advanced magic.
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Hearing that, the light in Aldric's eyes dimmed. He lowered his head, his fingers clenching weakly.
"I can't use magic.
No matter what… all I can do is fight with a sword.
And right now… my sword isn't even here. It'll be extremely difficult to fight a Goblin Emperor."
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You misunderstand. The power of the Hero is not magic. It is the permission to borrow the skills of your companions.
A blessing granted by Ou-sama.
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...
Aldric fell silent. His eyes narrowed, trying to grasp the meaning behind those words.
"Skills…? What are those?"
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They are abilities you have honed over time, to the point they can be used subconsciously.
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.
...
"Doesn't that just mean I'd be using someone else's abilities?" Aldric asked, his expression irritated.
…..
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If that is how you see it, then you will not be able to save your village.
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Aldric recalled the goblin army attacking his village.
"Then… what price do I have to pay?
No matter how kind this 'Ou-sama' you
speak of is… power like that can't possibly be given for free, right?"
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Hmph… you are quite logical.
In return, you will be tasked with eliminating the monster threats that continue to emerge.
Until his exelency wake up to clean them all...
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....
"I don't think that's much of a price. Besides, there's no guarantee I can do that before old age catches up to me," Aldric said.
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And one more thing, your body will stop aging. You will continue to live… witnessing farewell after farewell from those close to you.
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...
...…
...…
…
"…I see."
...…
...…
Old memories surfaced.
Screams.
Flames devouring homes.
And the shadows of savage creatures that took everything from him.
His family.
His village.
His past.
Aldric's gaze changed. No longer wavering.
"If it's for the sake of wiping out those creatures…"
His voice was low, yet filled with resolve.
"Even without the power of a Hero… I would still do it."
He raised his head, his eyes now burning with an unyielding fire.
"I won't let another child… lose their family like I did."
He took a deep breath.
Then, without the slightest hesitation
"Alright."
"I accept."
"No matter the price I must pay… I will drive those monsters out of this world."