kscans

Chapter 114 - The Hero Training Monster Council

"At this rate, the world's gonna hit a dead end. I have to do something."

Mamoru the Hobgoblin muttered this as he rested his elbow on the throne in the deepest part of the cavern. The crybaby hero, Ares Scarlet. As she was now, she might even lose to the weakest monster, a slime. But if things stayed this way, the Demon Lord would never be defeated, and the story would never end.

"In that case... I have no choice but to do it, the Hero Training Plan."

I sent out messengers to various lands to summon my former comrades. To the young representatives of the Orc Tribe, the Lizardman Tribe, the Troll Clan, and the Elf tribe.

And a few days later.

At the ruins of an old castle deep in the mountains, my four comrades gathered. Familiar faces lined the old round table.

"Lord Hob, long time no see."

Defray of the Orc Tribe came lumbering in, waving his hands enthusiastically. He was muscular and a bit of an idiot, but a good guy. He didn't seem to have his memories, but his smile was the same.

"What's this meeting about? I'm not exactly free, you know."

Amy the Lizardman stood with her arms crossed, glaring at me with sharp eyes. She was the intellectual, calm type. A rationalist, but she had cooperated with me in the past (though she's probably still cold this time around).

"Is there... anything tasty?"

Koni-chan of the Troll Clan squeezed his massive back through the door, stuffing bread into his mouth. He used to be the comforting, motherly one. Now he was just a glutton.

And then.

"...I feel like I've met you somewhere before. A memory from a past life, perhaps."

The last to arrive was Tiris, a Dark Elf of the Elf tribe. Long, glossy blonde hair, a cold gaze. And a 'look' different from anyone else's.

The moment our eyes met, Tiris's pupils wavered faintly.

"Tiris... could it be, you remember?"

"...No. But... for some reason, when I listen to your voice..."

She cast her eyes down and let out a soft sigh.

"It feels like someone... protected me, long ago."

At those words, a warmth bloomed deep in my chest. She wasn't supposed to remember, and yet, something remained. Just that alone made it feel like there was meaning in gathering them again.

"Now then, the reason I've gathered you all here today is..."

I got to the main topic.

"A new female hero has appeared. But, she's ridiculously weak. A crybaby and a coward, and honestly, at this rate, she's at a level where she'd lose to a slime."

"...Can you even call that a hero?"

"What a weakling..." "I wonder why someone like that was chosen."

"Is she cute?"

They were all saying whatever they wanted.

"Well, anyway. This time, we're going to raise that female hero. We'll turn the crybaby into a full-fledged hero. We'll make her save the world. That is our objective this time."

"Huuuuuh?" "Why do we have to?" "That's way too much trouble..."

As expected, voices of opposition rose up. But only Tiris was watching me quietly.

"...Your words, 'save the world,' for some reason I can believe them. It's strange."

With that one phrase, the atmosphere changed, just a little.

"Hmph... If Tiris says so, well, I guess I wouldn't mind helping out."

"I'm not exactly opposed. It's just that logical training will be necessary."

"Go for it, girl hero. I'll make snacks."

These are my comrades.

Even without their memories, their souls remember. We can once again move towards the same goal. That fact made me happier than anything.

"It's decided then. We're going to raise the crybaby hero Ares Scarlet and make her the strongest hero in the world."

And so, the 'Monster Council for Hero Training' began. The next step is the 'Grand Hero Ares Special Training Operation.'

We won't let her stay a crybaby. We will make her a true hero.