A theme could be the hero's journey of self - discovery. Learning from a dragon, which is often a symbol of mystery and great power in such novels, the hero may come to understand his own capabilities, his place in the world, and his destiny. There may also be a theme of loyalty, either the hero's loyalty to the dragon or vice versa, which can be tested in various situations in the plot.
The hero is the central figure as the story is about his apprenticeship with the dragon. The dragon, being the mentor, is also a crucial character. There could be side characters such as villagers or other magical creatures that the hero and the dragon interact with. These side characters can add depth to the story, for example, a wise old wizard who gives the hero some advice from time to time, or a group of bandits that the hero has to face while on his journey with the dragon.
One common theme is redemption. The hero often not only seeks revenge but also to redeem themselves in some way, like proving their worth after being wronged. For example, in 'The Rising of the Shield Hero', the hero has to redeem his name in addition to getting revenge.
One of the main themes is adaptation. The heroes are summoned from their normal lives to a completely different world, so they have to adapt to new cultures, magic systems, and social structures. Also, friendship and camaraderie are important themes. They often form teams or groups with other characters and rely on each other to overcome difficulties. In addition, the theme of power and its abuse or proper use is often explored as the heroes gain more and more power in the new world.
The theme of sacrifice is also quite common. The hero may have to sacrifice something, like a relationship or a part of their power, to defeat the archenemy. In addition, the exploration of different worlds or settings is a theme. Many 'archenemy and hero light novels' are set in fantasy worlds, and the hero and archenemy's interactions are influenced by the unique rules and cultures of those worlds. This can range from a medieval - like fantasy world to a post - apocalyptic world.
One common theme is the idea of the underdog. Orc heroes are often underestimated in their worlds, but they rise above it. For example, in many novels, orc heroes face discrimination from other races but prove their worth through heroic deeds.
Betrayal is a common theme. The hero is often betrayed by those they trust, like friends or allies, which leads to their abandonment. Another theme is redemption. The hero tries to redeem themselves or prove their worth after being abandoned.
A common theme is self - sacrifice. Characters with hero syndrome often put themselves in danger to save others. For example, in many such novels, the protagonist will jump into a fight against powerful enemies to protect the weak.
One common theme is the struggle to adapt to normal life. After being a hero with a lot of action and excitement, the retired hero often finds it hard to fit into a normal, quiet life.
One common theme is redemption. The fallen hero often has to find a way to make up for their past mistakes or misdeeds. Another theme is the loss of innocence. They have typically gone through some kind of trauma or made a bad choice that led them to fall from grace. Moral ambiguity is also a big one, as they may not be completely good or bad anymore.
Self - discovery is also a key theme. The anti - heroes usually start with a certain view of themselves and the world, but as the story progresses, they change. In 'Grimgar of Fantasy and Ash', the characters learn more about their own capabilities and limitations as they face different challenges, which is part of their self - discovery journey in this new world.