Chapter 21

After Ares and his party set off, we heard reports on their movements for a while. Apparently, they were making smooth progress toward the Demon Lord’s territory, and their deeds were renowned across other lands. But as their journey progressed, information dwindled, and there came a time when we heard nothing at all. We didn’t even know whether they were okay. I thought we should send people to gather information and lend their support, but everyone said, “He’s the Hero guided by the Prophet. He’ll be fine.” Their logic was awfully self-centered. Were they going to blame the Prophet if Ares’s party failed? Wasn’t there something we were supposed to do? They were fighting so hard for us, and what did we do to deserve it? It was during this time that I turned fifteen and entered Falm Academy. I joined the warrior class while juggling mage and priest lessons. People had a lot to say about that: “Are you trying to copy the Hero?” “You’re a bit of an oddball princess.” “Are you quite mad, Your Highness?” But as far as I was concerned, I was doing my part. I did what Ares did so that I could replace him if he was ever defeated on his journey. I didn’t want to be a coward who expected others to do things for them. I was a member of this country’s royal family. We were the ones who were meant to take on the mantle of Hero. But it was harder than I imagined, studying the sword and magic at the same time. Apparently, I had no talent for magic, and I saw no success with either healing or attack spells. I heard people say that it’d taken Ares over a year to cast a single spell. It was hell. Continuing down a path without knowing whether I’d ever be able to accomplish anything was more soul-crushing than I could ever have anticipated. In the summer of my second year at the academy, news that Ares’s party had vanquished the Demon Lord spread across the world like wildfire. Everyone started singing their praises. “I always believed in him.” “I knew he could do it.” “Hooray for the Hero!” I’m sure they did believe. But they didn’t care about Ares and his party; they only cared about themselves. I was happy, of course. So happy that I cried. Because Ares’s hard work had finally paid off. But then came the news that Ares died on the journey home. Apparently, a demon had been lying in wait for him, and they took each other out in the ensuing battle. This time, there was a slight sense of relief throughout the kingdom, even as the people grieved. This trend was more pronounced among the upper classes. Some people even blatantly said to me, “Good for you, Your Highness.” What was good about that? Shameless fools. But I knew. I knew that Ares never had any intention of returning from the very start. There was no doubt in my mind that he had abided his promise to survive. When I saw Leon and the other party members on their return, my suspicions were all but confirmed. They were not as sad as they should have been. When they had stayed at the palace, they definitely looked like friends to me. If Ares really had died, they would never have been so calm about it. Who were they trying to fool? Did they think I was an easy mark? I was Alexia, princess of this land. I was pretty darn special in my own right. After graduating from the academy and spending two years working in the kingdom’s administration, I proposed we compile literature to exalt the late Hero and inscribe his great deeds. My father was reluctant, but I made a push for it, arguing that this was the obvious action to take now that things were settling down in the kingdom. Naturally, I was in charge of the project. I swore to myself that I would find him. So I could uphold my end of the promise.