A Hundred Thousand

"State your business, representatives of the Empire," Merilyn demanded, her stance unwavering as she confronted the figures clad in white armor. Her tone was far from welcoming, reflecting the tension between the two factions.

Hailing from the Empire, their armor gleamed with a luxurious sheen, crafted from silvery metal that seemed more ornamental than practical. Their imposing presence alone was enough to unsettle even the bravest of souls, particularly the commander who stood at the forefront.

"Residents of the Giant Tree Village, by order of Her Majesty Maleina O'Sirren, we seek your cooperation in locating the new hero," the lead commander announced loudly, their words echoing with genuine conviction.

The revelation of a new hero sparked shock and intrigue among the villagers. While they had not personally witnessed the feats of the previous hero, her legendary exploits in decimating the demon lord's forces had undoubtedly left a lasting impression.

The prospect of a new hero emerging, especially from a humble village like theirs, was unexpected. Merilyn scrutinized the commander intently, contemplating the veracity of their claim.

"If you can deliver the hero to us and permit our escort to return her to the empire, Her Majesty will bestow upon the village a generous reward for nurturing such extraordinary talent," the commander continued, tempting the villagers with promises of riches and recognition.

With the allure of such rewards dangling before them, many villagers considered the possibility of assisting the Empire.

While the allure of the hero's talent was undeniable, the villagers also realized that they were dealing with a force beyond their control. Moreover, with the looming threat of the demon lord, the current empire desperately needed a hero.

As much as they harbored distrust towards the Empire, the villagers also understood that the Empire's stability was essential for their safety. The idea of a demon-aligned ruler dominating the continent filled them with dread, as it would undoubtedly jeopardize their security on their tiny island.

"And what exactly is this reward you're offering?" Merilyn questioned, her tone tinged with skepticism.

"Why don't we continue this discussion in private? It's best not to draw attention from outsiders," the commander suggested, casting a wary glance at the bustling crowd.

"You have a deal. However, I must insist that your troops vacate the village premises. Any sign of suspicious behavior will be met with swift retaliation from us," Merilyn stated firmly, outlining her terms. With a gesture, she signaled for the commander to follow her.

Instructing her troops to remain and await her return, the commander followed the village chief. Both parties were intent on negotiating terms that would benefit their respective interests.

[Roy's POV]

"I didn't think there would be a hero. Especially in a place like this." I looked at Janis, amazed by this news.

"That's bad news..." Janis whispered, barely audible to my ears.

"Why?" I asked in a confused tone, unsure of what she meant.

"???" Janis grabbed my arm, pulling me away from the gathering with stealthy urgency.

"Don't you get it? You're most likely the hero." Janis spoke worriedly.

"Oh..." The realization dawned on me, although I hadn't considered myself heroic.

It suddenly made sense. My abilities alone might meet the criteria for being a hero. There was also the possibility of me being the sole male who made me a hero, but without proof, it was probably nonsense in my thinking.

"If you're the hero, they'll take you from me." Janis's voice trembled with distress, and I sensed an underlying danger in her words.

Janis led me away from the village, driven by fear of losing me. However, I halted her, finding her actions irrational.

"Why should we be separated? If I am the hero, you can come with me." I reasoned, doubting the Empire would object to Janis accompanying me.

"Besides, it's not certain I'm the hero. It could just as easily be you." I added, hoping to allay her fears.

Janis was visibly relaxed as she listened to my reassurances, grateful I had intervened before she acted rashly.

Returning to the village, which had been swiftly evacuated and repopulated, we found ourselves greeted by Merilyn's suspicious gaze.

"Janis, Roy. Your timing is rather peculiar." Merilyn remarked, her tone tinged with suspicion as she observed our return.

"The Spring Empire Commander will conduct hero qualification tests. Both of you will be subjected to the assessment." She informed us, revealing the reason for the village's current readiness.

"Did the Empire provide any details about the criteria for being a hero?" I inquired, finding it inefficient to line up the entire village without clear guidelines. Merilyn shook her head, dismissing our concerns.

"Just remain patient and await your turn," she advised before departing to oversee the Empire's proceedings, leaving us to ponder the impending tests and their implications.

"Hey Janis, considering how many people are in this 'village,' is it still accurate to call it that?" I remarked, astonished by the sheer number of individuals present. It far surpassed the population of the city I had previously inhabited, which was already densely populated.

Janis shrugged and gave me a strange look, telling me that this wasn't the time to think such a thought.

"With this many people around, it might be a while before our turn for the test. Humor me, could you give me a rough estimate of the village's population?" I pressed to divert Janis's attention from her lingering worries about the upcoming assessment.

"A hundred thousand," Janis replied, her answer catching me off guard.

"A hundred thousand..." I echoed, taken aback by the staggering figure. Evidently, this place severely downplayed its size by referring to itself as a mere village. In truth, it was more deceitful than humble.

As for the person organizing it, I wouldn't be surprised if the hero was used as a pretext to gauge the strength of this "village."

I couldn't shake the suspicion that the organization of the hero tests might serve as a pretext to gauge the true strength of this "village." Even if it wasn't intentional, it was clear that they had underestimated the power and influence wielded by this seemingly small community.