A Hero's Quest

I struggle to keep up with Charles as we march through the stone corridors. Considering his age and the heavy equipment he wears, he should not be moving this quickly.

"Worry not, we are more than aware of your shortcomings. None would be so foolish as to send a peasant on such a dangerous quest alone."

"I would imagine so…"

We turn a corner and begin up a wide set of stairs. The air begins to feel more refreshing the higher we climb.

"I would have preferred to have an army prepared for this endeavour. However, we cannot spare so many men with the wars raging in the North."

"How many demons are we dealing with?"

"The demon force we have been following has between 20 and 30 alive."

My mind immediately imagines 30 shadowy figures aiming death beams at me from all directions. It's a wonder how there are even ruins remaining after that level of destructive power tears through.

"We also wish to keep the hunt out of the public eye as much as possible. As such, only a small party will be sent. You will be their guide, the fourth member."

"Four!? Against so many demons!?"

"Do not forget, the heroes of old slayed hundreds of demons with only five."

"Talk about setting the bar high…"

I have no time to get my bearings of this seemingly massive fortress. Knights in armour move in all directions through the labyrinth, each making sure to salute Charles as we pass. Of course, their gazes eventually all fall onto the man wearing a torn tunic of coarse plant fibres. I would look much more fitting with my hands tied at this point.

"We're here."

We arrive at a set of heavy wooden doors in some undisclosed hallway of this building. Charles pushes the door forwards, where lamp light meets lamp light.

"Are we certain that the sightings were around here?"

"It would make sense considering the last place that was attacked."

"Even a pack of demons cannot travel far in such a short time. This would be the most likely place for them to camp out."

A detailed conversation is cut short by our arrival. All three individuals standing around a circular table look up from their maps. Each member looks fitting for an adventuring party.

At the head of the group is a young man who looks fresh out of whatever academy he trained under. His short brown hair is brushed to the side and his determined eyes seem as if they could pierce through metal. The important places are covered with metal and a sword hangs from his hip.

To one side is a man with a large frame and equipment not unlike Charles. Blonde hair runs a little ways down his face, almost hiding another youthful appearance. At his back is a steel axe with a blade almost as large as the wheel of a wagon. One cannot look at his appearance and mistake him for anything other than a knight.

On the other side is a refreshingly feminine face. Long robes cover down to her legs and an unusually long and pointed hat rests above a head of dark hair. A long rod of metal is propped against the table, the glittering gem at its tip laying dormant. I've only ever heard stories of sorcerers. Seeing one in person feels like stepping into a fairy tale.

"Apologies for calling you all on such short notice."

"No worries. It gave us the chance to confirm the information once more."

The young knight responds with surprising familiarity to supposedly one of the highest ranking officials in the whole military. Please tell me that I haven't found myself in a room full of really important people.

With the doors shutting behind me, all eyes land in the expected place. First to break the silence is the female wizard.

"Who is this man? I don't believe that we requested a peasant for our travels."

Really hitting where it hurts. I feel out of place enough without her pointing it out. Fortunately, Charles is quick to reprimand her thinking.

"A peasant he may be, but this man is to be the most crucial piece to accomplishing your mission."

"Are you certain? What use can this old man be to us?"

I'm used to unruly children, but this swordsman is quite cheeky for someone half my age. I may be unable to do much were we to cross blades, but I can certainly give him a few choice words.

"This man has the one ability that you all lack, the ability to identify the Demon Lord."

Charles steps to the side, truly making me the centre of attention.

"Rado has Mana Hypersensitivity."

"That is impossible!"

The wizard slams her hands against the table, nearly knocking over her staff.

"Mana Hypersensitivity is incredibly rare! Most all of the known cases have also been found as frauds, miscreants seeking the favour of nobility! Are we certain that this man is not one of these pretenders!?"

"Quiet your suspicions, Katherine. I have confirmed with my own eyes that his powers are genuine."

With such a stalwart testament, silence befalls the small chamber. The gazes of suspicion are now of awe. The feeling of curiosity is now of anticipation, especially with the intense eyes of the young swordsman.

"If this is true, Devil's Confession may finally…!"

"Do not underestimate our opponents, Leon. Identifying the enemy does not bring us much closer to defeating it, not this foe."

"Precisely, Bernard."

Charles steps forward and joins the final opening at the table.

"The target of this quest is a Demon Lord. Even with the legendary Weapons of Authority, we must be careful."

"Are we still planning to pick them off a few at a time? We have Mana Hypersensitivity now, so surely we could go straight for the head?"

"Perhaps, but that may still be too risky. The fewer lesser demons in the way, the easier it will be."

"I could potentially prepare a spell large enough to incapacitate the weaker ones. That would free our attention to the Demon Lord."

"That would require much preparation, and assumes the Demon Lord will not use its power to block your magic. Commander, can we not bring at least a few dozen men to clear the path?"

"We have tried larger forces in the past, and the demons are always quick to flee when outnumbered."

The discussion advances with each member pitching valuable input.

"I guess I'll keep standing here…"

Everyone except for me of course.

The party seems to have forgotten the fact that I exist. I'm here in the room with them, standing off against the wall as if I were a shovel patiently waiting in the shed for its big break. This tool has no voice in the conversation. After all, nobody would ask a hoe how to till the land. Granted, I can't say that my input would be all that useful. All of this terminology just goes straight over my head.

As such, I continue to stand in silence just a few steps away. I don't want to sit in case the movement breaks their concentration.

"You all just need to create an opening for me to face the Demon Lord. The beast would never expect its identity to have been revealed. I need only survive whatever it throws at me and take its head!"

"Absolutely not, Leon! That would be far too dangerous!"

"No, perhaps he has a point."

Charles raises an eyebrow at the young knight's input.

"Please explain, Bernard."

"Our weapons were made to overpower demons, but we lose this advantage against a large group. Even if we were all together, there will be few opportunities to attack the Demon Lord before it realises that it is being targeted."

Bernard moves to stand right beside the swordsman, placing an armoured hand atop the boy's shoulder.

"Perhaps the Demon Lord will show its true power once alone, but it will assume that it has an easy kill. If anybody could survive an attack and deal the finishing blow, it would be Leon."

"We should be able to keep the grunts busy just long enough for him to finish the job. This is the best chance we have at victory!"

With all three so insistent, the commander is forced to reconsider the plan. His gaze is fixed onto the documents spread in front of him as he thinks.

"Commander."

Leon puts a hand down on the table, his other placed over his chest.

"Let me face the Demon Lord. This is why I was chosen for this quest. All of my training was for this moment."

I can see the fire raging in his eyes. There is no way of knowing his motivations, but it is clear that this heat cannot dissipate unless he slays the Demon Lord. This powerful desire for blood will be satiated at all cost.

"Don't do it kid…"

I've seen this kind of look before.

Boys his age get a lot of grand ideas. In a small nowhere of a town, those ideas lead to poor decisions with little harm as a result. Underestimate a wild dog and you'll get off with a bloody leg. This kid is different. He is being fashioned as the next hero and has likely been around far more fantastical tales growing up. Leon is planning to march into a demon's nest and quell an entire calamity alone. He won't get off with some small bites or a broken arm. He'll end up dead.

"Very well."

Before I can make my worries heard, Charles concedes.

"Remember that dead men receive no glory. Even if you fail, you must return alive. That is an order."

"I swear on my family's name."

With a fist to his chest, the young swordsman salutes to his commander. Charles accepts, nodding before slamming a hand onto the table.

"Devil's Confession shall commence at dawn. We cannot allow the demons to slip away whilst we still have their location. Make preparations for a day or two worth of travel."

At his declaration, the young heroes gather their bags and head towards the door. Seeing the oncoming traffic, I step aside. They pay me no mind as they exit, with only Bernard the knight offering me a nod.